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Interior Design
Speedy Turnaround: A Genius Home Makeover on a Tight Deadline
Keeping the same layout and focusing on new joinery, statement features and light were key to this fast makeover
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, Jess Hunter, interior designer and director at Jess Hunter Interior Design, takes us through the clever design techniques she used to transform a dark and dated family home in just three months.
The original living room showing the wall where the new fireplace is located
What was the original house like?
It felt like a ’90s spec home with cream aluminium window frames, cream walls, beige carpet and red-stained timber floors. The kitchen was outdated with cream laminate and polished timber veneers and the timber floors had an orange stain.
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What was the original house like?
It felt like a ’90s spec home with cream aluminium window frames, cream walls, beige carpet and red-stained timber floors. The kitchen was outdated with cream laminate and polished timber veneers and the timber floors had an orange stain.
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The exterior of the house before works
What state was it in when you came onboard?
The house was in a beautiful condition and had obviously been well-built and meticulously maintained. However, it was extremely dated and not to my client’s style.
Although the home had high ceilings and lots of windows, the interior was dark. So bringing in as much light as we could was a priority. We did this by changing the design of the windows, opening up the living areas, using glass for dividing walls and using a pale wall colour to reflect light.
What state was it in when you came onboard?
The house was in a beautiful condition and had obviously been well-built and meticulously maintained. However, it was extremely dated and not to my client’s style.
Although the home had high ceilings and lots of windows, the interior was dark. So bringing in as much light as we could was a priority. We did this by changing the design of the windows, opening up the living areas, using glass for dividing walls and using a pale wall colour to reflect light.
Gained
My client bought a solid but dated home and ended up with a modern, functional home that oozes style and personality.
Specifically, the client gained:
My client bought a solid but dated home and ended up with a modern, functional home that oozes style and personality.
Specifically, the client gained:
- A light-filled home with open living spaces.
- An interior and layout to suit a modern family.
- Improved flow and functionality.
The floor plan before works
Brief
What were the client’s must-haves?
Brief
- To create a house that felt like a home, which reflected the client’s style and suited their lifestyle.
What were the client’s must-haves?
- An open fireplace.
- Double-glazed windows.
- New carpet.
- Enhanced natural light.
The original living area
What was the budget?
Around $100,000.
Where did most of it go?
On the kitchen and fireplace.
What was the budget?
Around $100,000.
Where did most of it go?
On the kitchen and fireplace.
The new living area
What challenges did you face?
We had three months to create a concept design and complete the works for this renovation. The owners were moving from an apartment in the city and their son was starting school the next term, so they wanted to be settled into their new home in time for that.
This short time frame meant that we had to be clever in the way we used our time to create a complete transformation.
Which elements did you keep?
Due to the short time frame, we had to keep the original floor plan.
We kept the existing timber floorboards and had them sanded and restained to remove the red tone.
What challenges did you face?
We had three months to create a concept design and complete the works for this renovation. The owners were moving from an apartment in the city and their son was starting school the next term, so they wanted to be settled into their new home in time for that.
This short time frame meant that we had to be clever in the way we used our time to create a complete transformation.
Which elements did you keep?
Due to the short time frame, we had to keep the original floor plan.
We kept the existing timber floorboards and had them sanded and restained to remove the red tone.
Given the limited time frame, where did you focus your attention?
On the kitchen and living spaces, as these would be where the family would spend most of their time.
We transformed these areas by opening up the dividing wall between the two living areas and introducing a double-sided wood fireplace.
The owners wanted to be able to close the spaces off if they wished, but we didn’t want to lose the natural light that we achieved by opening up the space. So we installed two large floor-to-ceiling steel-framed doors, which allow the light to flow through whether the doors are open or closed.
The new kitchen sets the tone for the style of the home. Going into this project, we knew it would need a chunk of the budget to bring it up to the level we needed it to be.
On the kitchen and living spaces, as these would be where the family would spend most of their time.
We transformed these areas by opening up the dividing wall between the two living areas and introducing a double-sided wood fireplace.
The owners wanted to be able to close the spaces off if they wished, but we didn’t want to lose the natural light that we achieved by opening up the space. So we installed two large floor-to-ceiling steel-framed doors, which allow the light to flow through whether the doors are open or closed.
The new kitchen sets the tone for the style of the home. Going into this project, we knew it would need a chunk of the budget to bring it up to the level we needed it to be.
Tell us about the double-sided fireplace
This Mt Blanc double-sided wood fireplace was a no-brainer the minute we saw it. It has all the features we were looking for: a clean, simple design; easy access and functionality; and a lovely clear view between the two sides.
Each of the two living areas enjoys a view of the fire – one being the everyday living/kitchen area and the other a secondary cosy living area.
Each space has its own function but is unified by this beautiful fireplace.
This Mt Blanc double-sided wood fireplace was a no-brainer the minute we saw it. It has all the features we were looking for: a clean, simple design; easy access and functionality; and a lovely clear view between the two sides.
Each of the two living areas enjoys a view of the fire – one being the everyday living/kitchen area and the other a secondary cosy living area.
Each space has its own function but is unified by this beautiful fireplace.
Did you use any designer’s tricks to get the job done on a tight time frame?
- We kept the layout the same.
- We replaced all of the windows in the home with black double-glazed windows. Simply changing the window style to something modern and clean-lined gave the home a completely different feel.
- We used the same window areas for the majority of the house, which minimised the amount of construction we would have needed if we had moved them.
- We added one large window to the first living area and added an additional set of French doors between the two living rooms to create an abundance of natural light.
The original kitchen
- Rather than building out the kitchen, we used the current floor plan and layout of the joinery to ensure plumbing and electrical work was kept to a minimum. Our joinery company used parts of the original kitchen framework that were still in great condition and modified them for the new design.
- Rather than replacing the timber flooring, we sanded it back and re-stained it. This was a huge win for time and the result transformed the interiors.
What did you do in the kitchen?
The kitchen was completely transformed. We stripped back the dated cream laminate and introduced bold colour and materials.
The kitchen was completely transformed. We stripped back the dated cream laminate and introduced bold colour and materials.
The original kitchen
How important was great joinery to the new design?
The kitchen was our main focus for the joinery. It is always important to know where to spend money and joinery – especially in the kitchen – is a big one to get right.
How important was great joinery to the new design?
The kitchen was our main focus for the joinery. It is always important to know where to spend money and joinery – especially in the kitchen – is a big one to get right.
What inspired the kitchen colour scheme?
The colour scheme in the home was drawn from its natural surrounds, and this is where the beautiful Dulux Currency Creek came from.
The green combines with the dark Dekton benchtop and backsplash to create an earthy palette with a modern edge.
We softened the stone with some handmade tiles around the servery window, while brass hardware and tapware add yet another layer of warmth.
The combination of these warm elements creates a space that feels like home, which is exactly what my clients wanted in their kitchen.
The colour scheme in the home was drawn from its natural surrounds, and this is where the beautiful Dulux Currency Creek came from.
The green combines with the dark Dekton benchtop and backsplash to create an earthy palette with a modern edge.
We softened the stone with some handmade tiles around the servery window, while brass hardware and tapware add yet another layer of warmth.
The combination of these warm elements creates a space that feels like home, which is exactly what my clients wanted in their kitchen.
Key features
- Double-glazed black aluminium-framed windows.
- Double-sided fireplace.
- Black steel-framed interior doors.
- Nature-inspired kitchen palette.
- New interior doors and hardware.
Why do you think the new design works so well?
I think the home feels completely different. It now feels like a young family lives there.
We modernised a home with minimal disturbance and within an achievable budget, and not once did we skimp on the finish. It was all completed to a beautiful and high standard.
I think the home feels completely different. It now feels like a young family lives there.
We modernised a home with minimal disturbance and within an achievable budget, and not once did we skimp on the finish. It was all completed to a beautiful and high standard.
Interior materials palette
- Highlands Fires & BBQs Mt Blanc double-sided wood fireplace.
- Kitchen joinery finished in Laminex Rural Oak.
- Kitchen benchtops in Cosentino Dekton Vera.
- Handmade Spanish tiles to the kitchen.
- Brushed brass hardware to the kitchen.
- Timber floor stained in Feast Watson Black Japan.
- Corinthian Moda doors.
- Steel Door black steel-framed glass doors.
- The Lock and Handle black Artemis door hardware.
- Cavalier Bremworth Lisburn Palin felted wool carpet.
Paint colours
- Interior walls in Dulux Mt Aspiring.
- Kitchen joinery in Dulux Currency Creek.
- Exterior fascia and trims in Dulux Domino.
Your turn
Were you as impressed with what the designer achieved in a short time as we were? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more renovations with a nature-inspired palette? Don’t miss A Characterful Apartment Kitchen That Connects With Nature
Were you as impressed with what the designer achieved in a short time as we were? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more renovations with a nature-inspired palette? Don’t miss A Characterful Apartment Kitchen That Connects With Nature
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Answers by Jess Hunter, interior designer and director at Jess Hunter Interior Design
Who lives here: A young couple and their son
Location: Moss Vale, NSW
Size of the house: 300 square metres
Bedrooms, bathrooms & living areas: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two living areas
Interior designer: Jess Hunter Interior Design
Builder: Lime Building Group
Joinery: Woodmarque Joinery & Kitchens