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Unlikely hero: Red marble fireplace stars in Melbourne reno

May 11, 2021 1 Comment

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Located in Melbourneโ€™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original brickwork, it had last been renovated in the 90โ€™s and the south-facing living room was dark, the kitchen outdated, the laundry lacked storage and the bathrooms were badly designed.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

โ€œNearly every room was either outdated or not functional for a family,โ€ says Alexandra who, instead of carrying out a whole-house renovation, updated key parts of the house with a budget of $210,000. โ€œAlmost half of that amount was spent on cabinetry and stone and the figure doesnโ€™t include furniture, curtains or appliances,โ€ says Alexandra.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

When it came to a design brief, the homeโ€™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 โ€“ the original red marble fireplace. โ€œThe owners loved the old fireplaceโ€™s warmth but hated its appearance. However, the red marble set the perfect mood for the renovation and inspired the colour scheme,โ€ 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.

โ€œIn 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,โ€ 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.ย โ€œTheir Ridge tables are timeless and beautiful and the different tabletops really complement the home’s design,โ€ 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. โ€œSkylight shafts were opened up and replaced with more modern alternatives to flood light and fresh air into previously dark spaces,โ€ 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? โ€œBoth the materials and colour palette make each space look much bigger, lighter and therefore more comfortable to spend time in.โ€

Photos: Michelle Williams

For more

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

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

#timberhandles #timberknobs #cabinethardware #cabinethandles #finishingtouches #drawerpulls #kitchenhandles #kitchenpulls #kitchenknobs #kitchendrawer #kitchendrawers #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #theinteriorsaddict #homerenovations #interiordesignaustralia #interiordesigninspo #transformyourhome #housemakeover #designinspiration #trusttheprocess #designwork #beautifulhomes #dreamhouse #homestylingsydney #beforeandafterrenovation #creatingbeautifulspaces #kitchentrends2022 #kitchenglowup
Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop
#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
#designbywomen #homestylingtips #sydneycreatives
#homestylingsydney #interiorstyling #interiordesignsydney
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#interiorinspiration #myhomedesign
I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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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. 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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