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Real reno: This Sydney home went from drab to fab

May 11, 2016 1 Comment

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The renovations on this family home were so extensive that the resulting abode is unrecognisable from its humble beginnings. Situated in the leafy Sydney suburb of Woollahra, the process took place over 12 months and hadย a sizeable budget. The owners needed more space for their expanding brood and they wanted to make the home more light-filled and functional too โ€“ย their brief was certainly met!

Exterior

BEFORE exterior

MNP3732-370

AFTER exterior

โ€œThe home was a hideous brick box with no character whatsoever. The internal layout was also inadequate and not functional,โ€ says the owner, who engaged the company Modify to manage the entire process, including preparing plans and managing the Development Application process with council โ€“ a lovely job to outsource! โ€œThey also managed the interior specifications and the construction process too so it was an end to end assignment,โ€ says the owner.

BEFOREย lounge

MNP3732-037

AFTERย lounge

The home was entirely gutted and the floor plans were changed completely too โ€“ the relocation of a staircase and the addition of a multitude of windows were some of the most extensiveย but effective changes. โ€œMost critically, we moved the staircase from the middle of the ground floor to the side and the introduction of beautiful steel frame windows and French doors throughout meant we were able to draw in significant amounts of light at the same time as adding great character.โ€

Internal staircase

BEFORE internal staircase

MNP3732-109

AFTER internal staircase

The process also included an extension to the rear and the addition of a raised rear courtyard and side passage to the home which allows a seamless transition from inside to out. โ€œThis wasnโ€™t possible with the old home as there was a series of steps down into the backyard,โ€ says the owner, who is pretty thrilled with the end result. โ€œI particularly love my beautiful kitchen and butlerโ€™s pantry that flows to the living area and out on to our gorgeous rear courtyard.โ€

Before kitchen

BEFORE kitchen

MNP3732-057

AFTER kitchen

MNP3732-332

AFTER kitchen (butler’s pantry)

The exterior looks entirely different too, not least in part due to the addition of a black steel balustrade fence at the front. โ€œWe also widened the garage to allow for greater storage and functionality and the new fence at the front has added greater security,โ€ says the owner. The black accents continue throughout the home โ€“ some of them were picked up inexpensively online. โ€œThe black internal door handles were a great buy as they are classic, timeless and we got them for a bargain online!โ€

Rear exterior

BEFORE rearย courtyard

MNP3732-305

AFTER rearย courtyard

โ€œIt’s important that you haveย confidence in the process when you undertake a project like this. The renovation process can be quite daunting and when demolition starts you have this โ€˜oh my goodness, what have I done?โ€™ moment! But if you employ the right professionals to help and have confidence in them then the results can be amazing,โ€ says the owner, who is looking forward to tackling another renovation in the future.

MNP3732-011

AFTER dining

MNP3732-087-2

AFTER study nook (we love how the bi-fold doors conceal it when not in use)

โ€œModify managed the process extremely effectively and we were delighted with the outcome both cost-wise and with the actual home itself. I have kept in touch with the company directorย whom I loved working with and I hope to be able to work with again,” says the owner.

MNP3732-219

AFTER bedroom

MNP3732-251

AFTER bathroom

BEFORE floorplan

Woollahra before

Woollahra after

AFTER floorplan

For more information on Modify.

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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Comments

  1. AvatarAlex says

    June 4, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    Amazing home. Congrats all involved.

    Reply

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