Houzz Tours
Before & After: From Plain Jane '60s Abode to Modern Family Home
See how a property-flipping business transformed a worn '60s suburban pad into a modern delight, all in three months
Christal and Chris Fysentzou, the owners of Zou Build, stripped then set about renovating a dated 1960s home in Brisbane, making it modern and functional for 21st-century family living.
The house before works
Built in 1967, the house was all original in a style typical of the era. All living spaces were upstairs and the downstairs area was not a habitable space as the ceiling height was under 2.4 metres. The renovation Zou Build undertook was extensive.
“We did a complete makeover of the entire home. All that was left was the shell. All plasterboard was replaced [along with the] bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, laundry, windows. No stone was left unturned,” says Christal.
Their goal: to ensure the property was redesigned to meet the needs of any growing family. “The home now has a large kitchen, two living spaces, a home office and a garden with a large gated swimming pool. It’s got a space for everyone” says Christal. “We gave a lot of thought to what we want as a family and translated that into this [home]. A major consideration here was longevity of materials and design from the foundations up,” she says.
Built in 1967, the house was all original in a style typical of the era. All living spaces were upstairs and the downstairs area was not a habitable space as the ceiling height was under 2.4 metres. The renovation Zou Build undertook was extensive.
“We did a complete makeover of the entire home. All that was left was the shell. All plasterboard was replaced [along with the] bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, laundry, windows. No stone was left unturned,” says Christal.
Their goal: to ensure the property was redesigned to meet the needs of any growing family. “The home now has a large kitchen, two living spaces, a home office and a garden with a large gated swimming pool. It’s got a space for everyone” says Christal. “We gave a lot of thought to what we want as a family and translated that into this [home]. A major consideration here was longevity of materials and design from the foundations up,” she says.
The front entrance after works
The couple began the transformation of the exterior by adding a new front entrance featuring exposed-aggregate concrete steps.
New front doors – designed to create a sense of grandeur – retaining walls, garage doors, a front balcony and windows were installed. “The only thing that [stayed] was the fixed glass windows above the front doors,” says Christal. “We wanted to create some wow factor and have immediate street appeal. First impressions are important.”
Thinking of renovating your home? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss the possibilities
The couple began the transformation of the exterior by adding a new front entrance featuring exposed-aggregate concrete steps.
New front doors – designed to create a sense of grandeur – retaining walls, garage doors, a front balcony and windows were installed. “The only thing that [stayed] was the fixed glass windows above the front doors,” says Christal. “We wanted to create some wow factor and have immediate street appeal. First impressions are important.”
Thinking of renovating your home? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss the possibilities
The new floor plan
Downstairs area before works
The downstairs area was a vast yet barely used space and one that, at first, proved problematic for the couple. “The ceiling height was not classified as legal for habitation, which is a common issue in homes built during this era,” says Christal.
“We came up with an innovative way to raise the 2.2-metre ceiling height, making this a habitable space. We engaged an engineer and raised the existing upper level internal floor structure. In doing so, we also created a raked ceiling on the upper level as there was ample space in the roof cavity,” says Christal.
The downstairs area was a vast yet barely used space and one that, at first, proved problematic for the couple. “The ceiling height was not classified as legal for habitation, which is a common issue in homes built during this era,” says Christal.
“We came up with an innovative way to raise the 2.2-metre ceiling height, making this a habitable space. We engaged an engineer and raised the existing upper level internal floor structure. In doing so, we also created a raked ceiling on the upper level as there was ample space in the roof cavity,” says Christal.
The new dining space in the downstairs area
After raising the lower floor’s ceiling, the couple relocated the kitchen, living and dining room from upstairs to downstairs.
“We changed all the glazing to aluminium Stegbar windows and added a sliding door to give access to the outdoor area,” says Christal. “Outdoor living is a large part of the Queensland lifestyle, so we wanted to bring the outdoors in by connecting these two spaces together.”
The original downstairs area had a bar in a similar style to the island bench the couple put in. “I like to pay tribute to the original house in some way and this was the perfect way to do it,” says Christal.
Dining setting: Oz Design Furniture; Tiger bronze tapware: Meir Australia; ribbing on island bench: Porta
After raising the lower floor’s ceiling, the couple relocated the kitchen, living and dining room from upstairs to downstairs.
“We changed all the glazing to aluminium Stegbar windows and added a sliding door to give access to the outdoor area,” says Christal. “Outdoor living is a large part of the Queensland lifestyle, so we wanted to bring the outdoors in by connecting these two spaces together.”
The original downstairs area had a bar in a similar style to the island bench the couple put in. “I like to pay tribute to the original house in some way and this was the perfect way to do it,” says Christal.
Dining setting: Oz Design Furniture; Tiger bronze tapware: Meir Australia; ribbing on island bench: Porta
The new kitchen in the downstairs area
The Lavello sink is scratch resistant, “which is perfect for high-traffic areas such as a kitchen and laundry,” says Christal.
“I wanted to have some sort of feature here but as we were selling, we couldn’t put in something bold or ‘out there’. These pendants were the perfect find to complement this space.”
Walls painted Dulux Lexicon Half; pendant lights: JD Lighting
The Lavello sink is scratch resistant, “which is perfect for high-traffic areas such as a kitchen and laundry,” says Christal.
“I wanted to have some sort of feature here but as we were selling, we couldn’t put in something bold or ‘out there’. These pendants were the perfect find to complement this space.”
Walls painted Dulux Lexicon Half; pendant lights: JD Lighting
The kitchen before works
The new living space in the downstairs area
Titan Rigid hybrid flooring in Moonlight Gum was installed throughout the downstairs area. “Creating a family home, it is always important to have a second living space. It is nice to have a space for the kids and the adults,” says Christal.
Titan Rigid hybrid flooring in Moonlight Gum was installed throughout the downstairs area. “Creating a family home, it is always important to have a second living space. It is nice to have a space for the kids and the adults,” says Christal.
The new laundry in the downstairs area
The laundry was kept in its original location and completely revamped. It went from a bare and basic set-up to a stylish user-friendly space.
The laundry was kept in its original location and completely revamped. It went from a bare and basic set-up to a stylish user-friendly space.
The laundry before works. Original terracotta flooring was replaced with simple 600 x 600-millimetre tiles (which were also used in all the bathrooms to keep the interior consistent) from Edge Tile & Stone.
The new downstairs bathroom in the downstairs
The revamped bathroom, encompassing a toilet, vanity and shower, is a world away from the storage room it was in its previous life.
Custom cabinet: Cabinet Collective
The revamped bathroom, encompassing a toilet, vanity and shower, is a world away from the storage room it was in its previous life.
Custom cabinet: Cabinet Collective
The downstairs bathroom area before works
The master bedroom, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe were converted from the old kitchen and dining area
Once the couple decided to move the kitchen, living area and dining room downstairs, they had the space to create a large master bedroom suite upstairs. “Given the scale of the space we were able to create a grand master bedroom. We put in raked ceilings, so now it almost feels like it’s a kind of retreat,” says Christal.
Once the couple decided to move the kitchen, living area and dining room downstairs, they had the space to create a large master bedroom suite upstairs. “Given the scale of the space we were able to create a grand master bedroom. We put in raked ceilings, so now it almost feels like it’s a kind of retreat,” says Christal.
Bedlinen: Pillow Talk; the artwork is a custom piece from Nicole Fearfield Art
“I got cues from the custom art for the bed linen, and [the interior features] ended up complementing one other really well,” says Christal.
“I got cues from the custom art for the bed linen, and [the interior features] ended up complementing one other really well,” says Christal.
The master bedroom before works
“Given the amount of space that we had,” says Christal, “this gave us the flexibility to add something of a statement to the area.” Hence the walk-in wardrobe.
“Wardrobes can be so much more than just somewhere to store clothes,” says Christal. “Our walk-in wardrobe includes its own Häfele built-in sound system to add a bit of fun to getting ready, but the real winner here is the incorporated lighting, which is continued into the ensuite with a custom curved backlit mirror. It’s a perfect solution to the low levels of natural light in that space.”
Joinery: Polytec Notaio Walnut in a matt finish
“Wardrobes can be so much more than just somewhere to store clothes,” says Christal. “Our walk-in wardrobe includes its own Häfele built-in sound system to add a bit of fun to getting ready, but the real winner here is the incorporated lighting, which is continued into the ensuite with a custom curved backlit mirror. It’s a perfect solution to the low levels of natural light in that space.”
Joinery: Polytec Notaio Walnut in a matt finish
The master bedroom ensuite
“Materials choices have been kept consistent across the bathrooms with brass used in the Meir tapware, cabinet handles and our Stegbar shower screen fittings,” says Christal. “They also help make the best use of the space in rooms, such as the master ensuite, which are long and narrow, as they don’t cut the area in half visually.”
900 x 450 Travertino Bianco tiles: Edge Tile & Stone, custom vanity in Polytec Maison Oak: Cabinet Collective; basin: Fienza
“Materials choices have been kept consistent across the bathrooms with brass used in the Meir tapware, cabinet handles and our Stegbar shower screen fittings,” says Christal. “They also help make the best use of the space in rooms, such as the master ensuite, which are long and narrow, as they don’t cut the area in half visually.”
900 x 450 Travertino Bianco tiles: Edge Tile & Stone, custom vanity in Polytec Maison Oak: Cabinet Collective; basin: Fienza
“We wanted to keep everything quite neutral and calm,” says Christal.
In the master bedroom ensuite, the couple choose the curved mirror above the vanity to add an organic shape to the angular profile of the cabinetry and tiles. The simple, clean aesthetic is continued with the frameless shower screens with brass fittings.
In the master bedroom ensuite, the couple choose the curved mirror above the vanity to add an organic shape to the angular profile of the cabinetry and tiles. The simple, clean aesthetic is continued with the frameless shower screens with brass fittings.
The upstairs living area before works
The main bathroom after works
A simple white bath from Reece is opposite the door in the main bathroom. Stegbar sliding windows with white frames were used throughout the home, in order to help the frames blend in with the interior walls.
“Often framing views with black window finishes works wonderfully, but here we wanted to keep the look simpler, with white-coated aluminium frames that made the walls almost melt into the vista,” says Christal.
A simple white bath from Reece is opposite the door in the main bathroom. Stegbar sliding windows with white frames were used throughout the home, in order to help the frames blend in with the interior walls.
“Often framing views with black window finishes works wonderfully, but here we wanted to keep the look simpler, with white-coated aluminium frames that made the walls almost melt into the vista,” says Christal.
Tapware: Meir; basin: Fienza; mirror: custom-made; custom cabinet: Cabinet Collective
There are several niches around the home; here in the main shower and downstairs in the kitchen. “Niches are great for shower areas as they give you a space to store all your products,” says Christal.
The main bathroom before it was completely gutted
The upstairs living area
In the upstairs living area, Zou Build created a raked ceiling and added large windows and stacking doors to capture the outlook and views. They also added two Velux skylights to the space to help flood it with light. “As this space captures so much of the outdoors, we wanted to created a light and bright space,” says Christal.
The couple used Gyprock plasterboard throughout the house to dampen the inevitable noise in a home designed for a family. “We needed a product that delivers noise suppression and plenty of impact resistance for tiny feet running down hallways, or school bags being thrown against the walls,” said Christal.
The couple used Gyprock plasterboard throughout the house to dampen the inevitable noise in a home designed for a family. “We needed a product that delivers noise suppression and plenty of impact resistance for tiny feet running down hallways, or school bags being thrown against the walls,” said Christal.
“The Queensland lifestyle is all about outdoor entertaining, so I wanted to ensure that the surroundings were referenced inside. This was achieved by injecting a coastal aesthetic throughout, while large-format windows provided direct visual access to the area.”
Christal felt that it was important to embody reasons why people would want to live in the area within the home.
Sofa: Oz Design Furniture; rug: Kmart
Sofa: Oz Design Furniture; rug: Kmart
The timber balustrades from Porta were chosen to offset the very white exterior of the home.
The upstairs area before works
Outdoors, Christal and Chris wanted to create a resort-style feel and engaged Elizabeth Weyer Outdoor Design to assist with the plant selection and design. They painted the exterior using a product called Weathertuff by Acrylmeric Systems and repainted the pool using Luxapool.
Pavers: Nuway Landscape Supplies; Turf: Tinamba Turf
The pool before it was repainted
While there was an existing pool, there was no outdoor entertaining area, so Zou Build created a deck for entertaining and watching the kids in the pool – the ideal complement for a family home located in Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate.
Table setting: Early Settler Furniture
The backyard before works
Your turn
What do you like most about this revamped home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want another peek inside a revamped home? Check out this Houzz Tour: Say Hello to this Modern Cuckoo-Clock Edwardian Home
Your turn
What do you like most about this revamped home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want another peek inside a revamped home? Check out this Houzz Tour: Say Hello to this Modern Cuckoo-Clock Edwardian Home
Who lives here: Christal and Chris Fysentzou bought and renovated this home to sell
Location: Mansfield, Queensland
Duration of work: Three months
Renovators: Zou Build
Size: Five bedrooms and three bathrooms
Retail cost of renovation: $350,000
When the couple came across this home in the Brisbane suburb of Mansfield, they knew they were onto a good thing. Chris’ profession as a carpenter and Christal’s expertise in interior consulting meant they had the combined skills to take this dated home and turn it into a modern family abode, fit for contemporary living; all with the intention of flipping it within a tight timeframe.
The suburb of Mansfield was undergoing its own transformation, with many young families moving into the area. The time was right.