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Unlikely hero: Red marble fireplace stars in Melbourne reno

By Amy Collins-Walker • 1 Comment

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Located in Melbourne’s leafy Brighton East, this Tudor Revival residence underwent a pretty incredible makeover recently under the watchful eye of architect Alexandra Ansari. While the home had beautiful original brickwork, it had last been renovated in the 90’s and the south-facing living room was dark, the kitchen outdated, the laundry lacked storage and the bathrooms were badly designed.

BEFORE kitchen
BEFORE kitchen. Check out the location of the cooktop on the left?!
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen

“Nearly every room was either outdated or not functional for a family,” says Alexandra who, instead of carrying out a whole-house renovation, updated key parts of the house with a budget of $210,000. “Almost half of that amount was spent on cabinetry and stone and the figure doesn’t include furniture, curtains or appliances,” says Alexandra.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

When it came to a design brief, the home’s owners requested a contemporary look and a grey colour palette with the notable exception of the living room which found inspiration in an unlikely spot – the original red marble fireplace. “The owners loved the old fireplace’s warmth but hated its appearance. However, the red marble set the perfect mood for the renovation and inspired the colour scheme,” says Alexandra.

BEFORE lounge room
BEFORE lounge room
AFTER lounge room
AFTER lounge room. The fireplace is now a much-loved focal point of the property, and the owners and their children love it.

“In the kitchen, we removed the bar as this was only used for storage. This opened up the space and allowed us to create a bigger, more centralised kitchen,” says Alexandra. Joinery and furniture were then used to establish distinct areas for formal dining, relaxing and family time in the kitchen. 

AFTER kitchen and dining
AFTER kitchen and dining
AFTER A Beeline Design dining table is highlight of the space
AFTER Dining

When it came to furnishing the property, the biggest splurge was on a series of pieces by Melbourne-based Beeline Design including a dining table, side table and coffee table. “Their Ridge tables are timeless and beautiful and the different tabletops really complement the home’s design,” says Alexandra.

BEFORE bath
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bath
AFTER bathroom

The laundry overhaul centred around clean finishes and clever storage solutions such as doors that retract back inside their housings. “Skylight shafts were opened up and replaced with more modern alternatives to flood light and fresh air into previously dark spaces,” says Alexandra of a technique that was employed throughout the home.

BEFORE laundry
BEFORE laundry
AFTER laundry
AFTER laundry

As for the overall look and feel of the renovation? “Both the materials and colour palette make each space look much bigger, lighter and therefore more comfortable to spend time in.”

Photos: Michelle Williams

For more

AFTER kitchen
Before & after: 90’s kitchen renovated on a budget using DIY
Originally built in the 90’s, this home’s original kitchen was in dire need of some love when Melbourne’s Haus of Cruze design studio began overhauling it recently. Completed as part…

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May 11, 2021

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Two little dancers in the family now🪩 Two little dancers in the family now🪩
I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom li I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom lighting for a minute.

Although at the time I may have been a bit "HOW MUCH?" 😂

Thrilled to have our bathroom shared in an article about lighting on @bhgaus where I talk about 2 things we chose in particular.

Firstly the LED light in the bath niche which is the PERFECT relaxing bathing light (and you know I have one every single night!).

Second, (swipe) a sensor light under the vanity which makes it easy for the kids and visitors who aren't familiar with the light switches, to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night with ease! 

Do you have either of these things in your bathroom or would you consider them?

Read the full Better Homes & Gardens article via link in bio now. 

Pix by @jacqui_turk

#bathroomlighting #bathroomlights #timbervanity #bathniche #bathroomniche #smartbathroom #bathroomlights #bathroomlight #bathlover #bathlove #interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #brassshower #brasstrim
Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian desig Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian design and fabrication company, @__fearon__ first started their business in 2019 as a creative outlet and antidote to their more commercial work.

Their pathway to design was somewhat unusual. Jack, a plumber by trade and Mark, a boilermaker, worked as industrial fabricators making large-scale water trucks.

Jack says he’s conscious of making pieces that are sculptural, but also very usable. “We don’t think our pieces are there just to look good,” Jack says. “We love seeing our pieces in people’s homes and in galleries, restaurants and hotels, with things all over them. They’re for real life.”

FEARON’s handmade pieces are aluminium and designed for longevity. Jack says the material choice means pieces are lightweight, easy to sculpt and entirely recyclable.

Read more on the blog now, via link in bio.

#aluminiumfurniture #australianfurniture #australianfurnituredesign #australianfurnituredesigners #sculpturalfurniture #furnitureasart #modernheirloom #modernheirlooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #fearon #aluminiumart #funfurniture #careerchange
Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

Currently for sale though @bresicwhitney

#apartmentinterior #apartmentlove #apartmenttour #mezzaninefloor #mezzaninebedroom #warehouseconversion #factoryconversion #surryhillslife #surryhillssydney #surryhillslocal #shopfitout #barfitout #shopfitters #jform #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #coolapartment #funkyinteriors #customjoinery
When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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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/

More from Before & Afters

Before & after: this week’s Selling Houses recap: Roselands, NSW

Will's favourite room in the home

Before & after: rundown boarding house to beautiful heritage home

A massive en suite gets style to match its size!

New bathroom & laundry layout brings beauty and functionality

AFTER lounge

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1890s Victorian house gets a new, modern and luxurious extension

A playful and exciting revamp for a mundane dining room

Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap, Elanora QLD

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Comments

  1. AvatarCemre says

    May 11, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    I laughed at this cooktop so bad. I mean why a person do this ? Unbelieveable.

    Reply

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