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Southern Highlands Houzz: A Country Home Reworked Entirely Online
Redecorating a home entirely online using Houzz wasn't what these Sydneysiders expected, but the results are spectacular
The owners of this home in Burradoo, NSW, a pair of medical professionals, had recently started working in nearby Bowral and wanted a local base they could share with the male owner’s parents and a relaxing retreat for his two children to visit. Just as their search began, the pandemic hit, which quickly moved things online.
They purchased this five-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house without ever setting foot inside it, then set about finding a designer who could rework the interior using just images and floor plans. Fortunately, they didn’t have to look far as a close friend of the female owner had only recently found an interior designer, Dana Tosolini of Concepts Interior Design, on Houzz. “My friend had just purchased a new home in Canberra, ACT, and had only positive things to say about Dana. Thankfully, Dana was happy to take us on in Bowral despite being based in Canberra – I would have been devastated if I had to go out and find someone on my own,” she says.
Using Houzz Pro software to share mood boards, product images and timelines online allowed the client and designer to collaborate seamlessly, despite the difficult conditions. “We were really surprised that [the design process] wasn’t as hard as we initially thought it would be. To be honest, it worked really well for us because we were all locked down, time-poor and couldn’t go out shopping for pieces,” she says.
Read on to discover how Tosolini transformed the tired home into a characterful beauty for this multi-generational family. Or take a video tour of the house here.
They purchased this five-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house without ever setting foot inside it, then set about finding a designer who could rework the interior using just images and floor plans. Fortunately, they didn’t have to look far as a close friend of the female owner had only recently found an interior designer, Dana Tosolini of Concepts Interior Design, on Houzz. “My friend had just purchased a new home in Canberra, ACT, and had only positive things to say about Dana. Thankfully, Dana was happy to take us on in Bowral despite being based in Canberra – I would have been devastated if I had to go out and find someone on my own,” she says.
Using Houzz Pro software to share mood boards, product images and timelines online allowed the client and designer to collaborate seamlessly, despite the difficult conditions. “We were really surprised that [the design process] wasn’t as hard as we initially thought it would be. To be honest, it worked really well for us because we were all locked down, time-poor and couldn’t go out shopping for pieces,” she says.
Read on to discover how Tosolini transformed the tired home into a characterful beauty for this multi-generational family. Or take a video tour of the house here.
After years of living and working in Sydney, NSW, the owners were keen to embrace a slower pace in the country. “Part of us moving to the Southern Highlands was to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney. We wanted comfortable spaces throughout the house where everyone could relax,” says the female client.
Planning to redecorate or renovate? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Planning to redecorate or renovate? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Kitchen/family room before works.
“The previous owners had designed and built the house according to their taste and needs, but we sought to utilise the spaces differently since we are a young family and like to entertain close family and friends,” she says.
“They had more conservative taste than us, for example, having identical light fittings in each room and all-white walls. They also valued different things, for example, splurging on a marble fireplace that we love, but [more affordable] mirrors and joinery, which I think are more important for the house.
“We also wanted the interior to have more character and a pervasive theme running throughout,” she says.
“The previous owners had designed and built the house according to their taste and needs, but we sought to utilise the spaces differently since we are a young family and like to entertain close family and friends,” she says.
“They had more conservative taste than us, for example, having identical light fittings in each room and all-white walls. They also valued different things, for example, splurging on a marble fireplace that we love, but [more affordable] mirrors and joinery, which I think are more important for the house.
“We also wanted the interior to have more character and a pervasive theme running throughout,” she says.
Kitchen/family room after works.
Colour was one of the client’s must-haves for the redesign. “I grew up with all-white walls and they feel so ’90s to me,” says the female owner. The couple also wanted the interior to be timeless, functional and clutter-free, with well-planned storage.
Tosolini was initially engaged to do a decorative makeover, with new furnishings, paint, wallpaper, window coverings and lighting, but the brief quickly grew.
“When I saw the photos of the house online, I felt there were some tweaks we could carry out at not a huge cost that would really lift the house and make it ‘cooler’ to suit the client’s young, stylish vibe, while capturing that lush, country Bowral feel,” says Tosolini. “For example, painting the front door matt almost-black, adding new exterior lanterns and lighting, and making some adjustments to the bathrooms, such as changing the vanity cupboards to more space-efficient drawers,” she says.
Colour was one of the client’s must-haves for the redesign. “I grew up with all-white walls and they feel so ’90s to me,” says the female owner. The couple also wanted the interior to be timeless, functional and clutter-free, with well-planned storage.
Tosolini was initially engaged to do a decorative makeover, with new furnishings, paint, wallpaper, window coverings and lighting, but the brief quickly grew.
“When I saw the photos of the house online, I felt there were some tweaks we could carry out at not a huge cost that would really lift the house and make it ‘cooler’ to suit the client’s young, stylish vibe, while capturing that lush, country Bowral feel,” says Tosolini. “For example, painting the front door matt almost-black, adding new exterior lanterns and lighting, and making some adjustments to the bathrooms, such as changing the vanity cupboards to more space-efficient drawers,” she says.
“The client wanted the interior to be comfortable and to suit multiple generations, while still in keeping with the home’s architecture and the look and feel of the surrounds. The brief morphed from decorative changes to updating spaces sensibly, without spending a fortune on anything unnecessary,” says Tosolini.
For this designer, it was a dream project. “My family lived in Bowral when I was young so I am very familiar with the area and had always yearned to win a job that required this look,” she says.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian kitchens with touches of black on Houzz
For this designer, it was a dream project. “My family lived in Bowral when I was young so I am very familiar with the area and had always yearned to win a job that required this look,” she says.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian kitchens with touches of black on Houzz
While the project was enjoyable all-round, that’s not to say it wasn’t without its difficulties – in this case, the designer having to walk through the house and conduct all communications and meetings online due to lockdown restrictions.
“The biggest challenge was not being able to visit the site in person or see the client face-to-face. Houzz Pro was my saviour. It allowed for clear and immediate communication with my client, and helped me organise a very large furnishing job totally on my own,” says Tosolini.
“The biggest challenge was not being able to visit the site in person or see the client face-to-face. Houzz Pro was my saviour. It allowed for clear and immediate communication with my client, and helped me organise a very large furnishing job totally on my own,” says Tosolini.
“With the Proposal tool, the client could tick off items for approval and [costs] were all automatically added up, which was priceless as my maths is terrible!” she says. “Also, being able to track jobs using the Project Management tool was invaluable as deliveries were crazy during the pandemic.
“Another way that Houzz Pro is incredible for me is that it allows quick and easy access to old specs, selections and costings for all of my projects over the past eight years,” she says.
“Another way that Houzz Pro is incredible for me is that it allows quick and easy access to old specs, selections and costings for all of my projects over the past eight years,” she says.
Benchtops: Bono’s Marble & Granite; butler’s sinks: Farmhouse Sinks.
“Here, we ended up redoing the kitchen as it was not working for the client, who loves to cook. The island was too small and had fussy detailing, and the work surfaces were impractical.
“The client wanted a better layout, functional storage and to link the colour and detail in the kitchen to the new vibe of the rest of the house. We have won many kitchen awards so this was right up my alley,” says Tosolini.
“Here, we ended up redoing the kitchen as it was not working for the client, who loves to cook. The island was too small and had fussy detailing, and the work surfaces were impractical.
“The client wanted a better layout, functional storage and to link the colour and detail in the kitchen to the new vibe of the rest of the house. We have won many kitchen awards so this was right up my alley,” says Tosolini.
By removing the meals area, Tosolini was able to create space for a generous new kitchen island.
“Because we were unable to find the existing splashback tiles, we ended up persuading the client to change the entire back of the kitchen too, and she is very glad that she did. The result is amazing,” she says.
“Because we were unable to find the existing splashback tiles, we ended up persuading the client to change the entire back of the kitchen too, and she is very glad that she did. The result is amazing,” she says.
The new and improved kitchen is now the owner’s favourite feature in the house. “We weren’t going to change it at the beginning but I am so glad we did,” she says. “It wasn’t until I used the original kitchen that I realised how dysfunctional it was.
“I love the huge new island and all the extra cabinet space. I grew up hanging around the kitchen with my family – that’s where my mother and grandmother used to cook, and that’s where we would do our homework and chat while everyone was busy. It brings back such nostalgia and the warm fuzzies when we hang out in our kitchen with family and guests,” she says.
“I love the huge new island and all the extra cabinet space. I grew up hanging around the kitchen with my family – that’s where my mother and grandmother used to cook, and that’s where we would do our homework and chat while everyone was busy. It brings back such nostalgia and the warm fuzzies when we hang out in our kitchen with family and guests,” she says.
“The sitting area and around the island is where all the action happens,” she says. “The kids will bring out their games to play on the table or on the island. And when it’s just the four of us, we also eat most of our meals here.
“When guests come over, this is where drinks and nibbles are laid out, so everyone just ends up standing around here, despite there being several sitting areas around the house.
“The kitchen also receives the most beautiful light from the morning sun – it is just the best,” she says.
“When guests come over, this is where drinks and nibbles are laid out, so everyone just ends up standing around here, despite there being several sitting areas around the house.
“The kitchen also receives the most beautiful light from the morning sun – it is just the best,” she says.
Formal living room before works.
From start to finish, the project took around a year, which meant Tosolini eventually had the chance to step inside the house, finally meet her client face-to-face and manage a few remaining trade works.
From start to finish, the project took around a year, which meant Tosolini eventually had the chance to step inside the house, finally meet her client face-to-face and manage a few remaining trade works.
One of the home’s two entries before works.
The first entry after works.
A few simple updates were all it took to warm up this drab front entry, one of two in the house. Tosolini lined the walls with a taupe sisal wallpaper, painted the front door charcoal and swapped the stained glass for cathedral glass. She also added a more contemporary runner underfoot and a beautiful antique French lantern overhead.
A few simple updates were all it took to warm up this drab front entry, one of two in the house. Tosolini lined the walls with a taupe sisal wallpaper, painted the front door charcoal and swapped the stained glass for cathedral glass. She also added a more contemporary runner underfoot and a beautiful antique French lantern overhead.
The second entry after works.
Deep, classic colours – “Armani colours”, as the designer calls them – textural finishes and stone benchtops, along with classic detailing, lighting and furniture shapes, have breathed new life into the previously dull interior.
Deep, classic colours – “Armani colours”, as the designer calls them – textural finishes and stone benchtops, along with classic detailing, lighting and furniture shapes, have breathed new life into the previously dull interior.
Dining room before works.
Dining room after works.
A show-stopping mural from Boyac brought instant energy and fun into the reworked dining room, while cleverly tying in the interior palette with the colours in the surrounding landscape.
“I wanted to make this space really special as I know the client loves to cook and enjoy family dinners,” says Tosolini.
A show-stopping mural from Boyac brought instant energy and fun into the reworked dining room, while cleverly tying in the interior palette with the colours in the surrounding landscape.
“I wanted to make this space really special as I know the client loves to cook and enjoy family dinners,” says Tosolini.
As for her approach to budget: “[In my work,] I’ll use budget sensibly and then occasionally throw in something spectacular so the result looks overall very expensive.
“Here, there was no huge weight on any one item, but it did add up overall. We splurged on the fabulous lights, including the antique French lanterns in the two entries, the amazing wallpaper in the dining room and some feature fabrics,” she says.
“Here, there was no huge weight on any one item, but it did add up overall. We splurged on the fabulous lights, including the antique French lanterns in the two entries, the amazing wallpaper in the dining room and some feature fabrics,” she says.
Study before works.
The key upgrades Tosolini made to the house included:
The key upgrades Tosolini made to the house included:
- The new kitchen.
- Reworked bathrooms.
- New furnishings, accessories and rugs throughout.
- New window furnishings throughout.
- Feature lighting throughout.
- Wallpaper in the entry and dining room.
- Panelling in the study.
- Repainting the media room, powder room, main bedroom, study and two entry doors.
Study after works. Stingray Grey wall paint: Haymes Paint.
New wall panelling painted a deep blue-grey in the study ticked many boxes, bringing character and cosiness to the room, tying it in with the kitchen joinery, and at the same differentiating the study from the rest of the house.
New wall panelling painted a deep blue-grey in the study ticked many boxes, bringing character and cosiness to the room, tying it in with the kitchen joinery, and at the same differentiating the study from the rest of the house.
The panelling turned out to be one of the project’s most cost-effective touches. “A local carpenter installed it for me using beading from Bunnings,” says Tosolini.
A comfortable new armchair in a contrasting colour to the walls and a desk chair, purchased from the old owner and reupholstered by the new client, complete the look in the bedroom.
A comfortable new armchair in a contrasting colour to the walls and a desk chair, purchased from the old owner and reupholstered by the new client, complete the look in the bedroom.
Main bedroom. Furniture, accessories and art: Grainger Gallery, Canberra; bed linen: Bed Threads.
The same deep blue-grey was used on the walls of the main bedroom, creating the calm and cocooning feel the client wanted.
The same deep blue-grey was used on the walls of the main bedroom, creating the calm and cocooning feel the client wanted.
Bathroom before works.
“This original bathroom was an odd mix of both bland and busy – and it had no practical storage” says Tosolini.
“This original bathroom was an odd mix of both bland and busy – and it had no practical storage” says Tosolini.
Bathroom after works.
“Like we did in all the bathrooms, I painted the timber dado lines, added new custom-designed vanities and new tapware and mirrors,” she says. Simplifying and updating the bathroom scheme here has created a serene and cohesive new look that ties in beautifully with the classic-meets-contemporary feel of the rest of the house.
A job finely done – and all achieved from a distance!
“Like we did in all the bathrooms, I painted the timber dado lines, added new custom-designed vanities and new tapware and mirrors,” she says. Simplifying and updating the bathroom scheme here has created a serene and cohesive new look that ties in beautifully with the classic-meets-contemporary feel of the rest of the house.
A job finely done – and all achieved from a distance!
Your turn
Would you be keen to do your home makeover online? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another redesign that blends classic and contemporary features? Check out this Queensland Houzz: A Cosy, 90-Year-Old Coastal Cottage Is Reborn
Would you be keen to do your home makeover online? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another redesign that blends classic and contemporary features? Check out this Queensland Houzz: A Cosy, 90-Year-Old Coastal Cottage Is Reborn
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Two medical professionals, the male owner’s parents and his two children on weekends
Location: Burradoo, NSW
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a powder room
House size: 418 square metres
Interior designer: Dana Tosolini, director and head interior designer at Concepts Interior Design
Joiner: Impressive Cabinet Works
Stonemason: Bono’s Marble & Granite