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A Playful Makeover of a Classic Mid-Century Home Among the Trees
Bold colour, curves and quirky touches were the making of this redesign for a mid-century stunner in Sydney
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, Jason Khoury, director at Quantum Built, takes us through the playful, contemporary makeover of a quintessentially Australian mid-century home for a young family.
What is the house like?
A mid-century modern house circa 1950 in a peaceful, bushland setting. The living room enjoys beautiful, elevated views across native trees.
What state was it in?
It was in its original 1950s state, but had been well-preserved by the previous owners.
A mid-century modern house circa 1950 in a peaceful, bushland setting. The living room enjoys beautiful, elevated views across native trees.
What state was it in?
It was in its original 1950s state, but had been well-preserved by the previous owners.
What look and feel did the owners want to create?
They wanted to wanted to honour the classic 1950s architecture, while adding an eclectic and creative twist.
Inspired to get cracking on your own renovation? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
They wanted to wanted to honour the classic 1950s architecture, while adding an eclectic and creative twist.
Inspired to get cracking on your own renovation? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
What did the new works gain?
- A fourth bedroom.
- An open-plan kitchen/living/dining area.
What was the client’s brief?
- Interesting textures and colours.
- A big kitchen.
- Open-plan living.
- Three bedrooms on the first floor.
- Bigger windows.
- Storage.
- A bath.
- An indoor garden.
- Curves.
The ground-floor plan before works.
What was your thinking behind the colours and materials?
“We wanted it to be bright and eclectic to reflect our personal styles,” says homeowner Shaw-Taylor. “TomMarkHenry took the existing environment and amped it up a little for us throughout the home. Each room has its own individual colour surprises.”
What was your thinking behind the colours and materials?
“We wanted it to be bright and eclectic to reflect our personal styles,” says homeowner Shaw-Taylor. “TomMarkHenry took the existing environment and amped it up a little for us throughout the home. Each room has its own individual colour surprises.”
The ground-floor plan after works.
What was your thinking behind the selection of furniture, artwork and lighting?
“We took inspiration from mid-century Australian design, but after we painted over the beautiful wooden ceilings I wanted to inject the warmth of the wood back into the home with pops of walnut everywhere,” says Shaw-Taylor.
“I am a great advocate for multiple textures and tactile surfaces so I tried to select furniture that was bright, textural and durable enough to cope with two toddlers.”
What was your thinking behind the selection of furniture, artwork and lighting?
“We took inspiration from mid-century Australian design, but after we painted over the beautiful wooden ceilings I wanted to inject the warmth of the wood back into the home with pops of walnut everywhere,” says Shaw-Taylor.
“I am a great advocate for multiple textures and tactile surfaces so I tried to select furniture that was bright, textural and durable enough to cope with two toddlers.”
The lower-ground floor plan after works.
What challenges did this project present?
There are always challenges with old houses, but nothing we couldn’t overcome to ensure that the project ran on time.
What challenges did this project present?
There are always challenges with old houses, but nothing we couldn’t overcome to ensure that the project ran on time.
The kitchen before works.
What was the budget for this project?
Around AU$500,000.
Where did most of it go?
On the joinery and materials.
Around AU$500,000.
Where did most of it go?
On the joinery and materials.
In the redesign, the client wanted quirky and interesting colours and textures.
Smooth finishes and block colours (here, the rich green) sit happily alongside tactile textures and tonal colours (seen in the tiled island bench).
Tell us about the amber door
“I had this door made by a steel fabricator,” says Shaw-Taylor. “It is extremely heavy but also noise cancelling, so when the kids are asleep I can watch rom-coms as loudly as I like.”
“I had this door made by a steel fabricator,” says Shaw-Taylor. “It is extremely heavy but also noise cancelling, so when the kids are asleep I can watch rom-coms as loudly as I like.”
The same floor tiles ran from the living/dining area to the main bedroom for a sense of cohesion.
The new rattan wardrobe doors have MDF backing to prevent light from shining through and to protect the rattan fibres from damaging the owners’ clothes.
The ensuite before works.
The ensuite after works.
What are the defining features of the house now?
What are the defining features of the house now?
- The bold kitchen.
- Open-plan living.
- Beautiful materials.
- Curves.
- The striking colour palette.
Materials palette
Interior palette
Interior palette
- Laminex Clamshell (colour discontinued) on ensuite and family bathroom joinery.
- Walnut timber veneer on the curved kitchen cupboard and main bedroom joinery.
- Artedomus Vixel glass tiles in 0.12 on the kitchen island.
- Surface Gallery glazed porcelain tiles in Emerald Green on the main bathroom walls.
- Astor Metals Arcturus Oiled Medium Bronze Brown on the range hood.
- Artedomus Vixel glass tiles in N21 on the main bathroom plinth and vanity top.
- Gather Co Malina Antique Terracotta tiles on the floors.
- Covet Concrete Terrazzo in Summer Daze on the ensuite floor and walls.
- Wicker Works Open Weave rattan on the TV joinery unit and the main bedroom wardrobe.
The family bathroom.
Fixtures and finishes
Fixtures and finishes
- Candana bathroom fixtures and kitchen tapware.
- Concrete Nation Halo Basin in Red Iron in the ensuite.
Paint colours
- Dulux Deep Mooring on the kitchen joinery and family bathroom joinery.
- Dulux Splinter on the kitchen island.
- Dulux Frontier Fort and Dulux Spiced Nutmeg on the kitchen walls.
- Dulux Frontier Fort on the family bathroom walls.
- Dulux Pale Green Tea on the ensuite walls.
- Dulux Electro Burnished Copper on the main ensuite joinery.
Your turn
Are you as wowed by this makeover as we are? What’s your favourite feature? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see another renovation where green stars? Check out this Melbourne Houzz: A Mid-Century Marvel in Mint
Are you as wowed by this makeover as we are? What’s your favourite feature? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see another renovation where green stars? Check out this Melbourne Houzz: A Mid-Century Marvel in Mint
Answers by Jason Khoury, director, Quantum Built.
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Wahroonga, NSW
Size of house before works: 186 square metres
Size of house after works: 201 square metres
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Number of storeys: Two
Budget: Around AU$500,000
Building designer: Quantum Built
Interior designer: TomMarkHenry
Stylist: Tristan Qasabian and the homeowner, Liana Shaw-Taylor