Before & After: A Stark Living Area Made Warm & Welcoming
This empty apartment in Burleigh Heads was warmed up and made family friendly with some well-chosen inclusions
Vanessa Walker
26 July 2021
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Tanika Blair Photography
Answers by Lynda MacDonald, interior designer, The Design Chaperone
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Room purpose and size: Open-plan living/dining/kitchen
Approximate budget: Kitchen and cabinetry updates: $30,000; furnishings: $40,000
Scenario: The family purchased this penthouse after moving back to Australia from living and working in Bali. They had rented one of the lower-level apartments and found they loved the area. As soon as they saw this one become available they jumped at the chance to secure their new home, especially as this one had extra rooftop space.
Did you find your client on Houzz?
Yes, my client reached out to me with a direct inquiry on Houzz, we met for an initial consultation and took the design from there.
Answers by Lynda MacDonald, interior designer, The Design Chaperone
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Room purpose and size: Open-plan living/dining/kitchen
Approximate budget: Kitchen and cabinetry updates: $30,000; furnishings: $40,000
Scenario: The family purchased this penthouse after moving back to Australia from living and working in Bali. They had rented one of the lower-level apartments and found they loved the area. As soon as they saw this one become available they jumped at the chance to secure their new home, especially as this one had extra rooftop space.
Did you find your client on Houzz?
Yes, my client reached out to me with a direct inquiry on Houzz, we met for an initial consultation and took the design from there.
The rear of the kitchen/living room before works
Brief
Our client wanted us to incorporate some of their existing pieces they had brought back with them from Bali. They wanted a casual and informal living area where they could all sit and chat with friends and family on the weekends. They get a lot of visitors for the kids most weekends.
Our client works from home most days, so having areas around the house where she can sit comfortably with a laptop and enjoy the view was a priority.
Brief
Our client wanted us to incorporate some of their existing pieces they had brought back with them from Bali. They wanted a casual and informal living area where they could all sit and chat with friends and family on the weekends. They get a lot of visitors for the kids most weekends.
Our client works from home most days, so having areas around the house where she can sit comfortably with a laptop and enjoy the view was a priority.
Challenges you worked around
Utilising the existing dining table, which was in a white-washed timber, and tying this in with the new timber in the custom cabinetry was a challenge. But we finally found the perfect tones to complement both.
Does your interior need a revamp? Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to make it happen
Utilising the existing dining table, which was in a white-washed timber, and tying this in with the new timber in the custom cabinetry was a challenge. But we finally found the perfect tones to complement both.
Does your interior need a revamp? Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to make it happen
Starting point
The client loved the layout of their apartment on the lower level, but felt it was too cluttered. They also needed some help purchasing furniture that was more ‘fit for use’.
When we started working out the floor plan in the penthouse, storage was a big consideration. We designed and built custom TV cabinetry to house the children’s games and books so they could be hidden from view. In any size apartment, storage is always key.
The client loved the layout of their apartment on the lower level, but felt it was too cluttered. They also needed some help purchasing furniture that was more ‘fit for use’.
When we started working out the floor plan in the penthouse, storage was a big consideration. We designed and built custom TV cabinetry to house the children’s games and books so they could be hidden from view. In any size apartment, storage is always key.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Colour palette:
- The walls were painted in Dulux Lexicon Half.
- Our client loves blues and pastels. The artworks from Designer Boys were a big hit!
An artwork up close
Materials palette:
Wool, stone and timber accents.
Key pieces of furniture:
Wool, stone and timber accents.
Key pieces of furniture:
- The Charlie occasional chair by The Rug Collection is from Tallira Furniture.
- The sofa is from King Living
- The rug is from The Rug Collection.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture
The living room was kept open-plan but with one large sofa for the whole family to come together on.
The client did not want a coffee table to avoid cluttering the space, but in the end we decided to keep one of their original pieces from Bali and use this in the mix. This really was needed to finish off the space.
Browse more beautiful contemporary living rooms
The living room was kept open-plan but with one large sofa for the whole family to come together on.
The client did not want a coffee table to avoid cluttering the space, but in the end we decided to keep one of their original pieces from Bali and use this in the mix. This really was needed to finish off the space.
Browse more beautiful contemporary living rooms
Why do you think this room works?
This room is a perfect blend of casual and coastal contemporary. With a fantastic view that is now filled with gorgeous outdoor seating options, our client can work from any room in the house in comfort.
This room is a perfect blend of casual and coastal contemporary. With a fantastic view that is now filled with gorgeous outdoor seating options, our client can work from any room in the house in comfort.
The outdoor area before works
Your turn
What do you like about this living room makeover? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more makeovers? Take a look at last week’s Before & After: A Clean Green Bathroom in NZ
Your turn
What do you like about this living room makeover? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more makeovers? Take a look at last week’s Before & After: A Clean Green Bathroom in NZ
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It’s a roof 🤷
very nice..Great toe kicker coffee table ..
Looks absolutely beautiful ❤ Love it