Before & After
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Before & After: From Dump Zone to New 'Welcome Home' Living Area
Home office, yoga zone, dumping ground... this front room was having a serious identity crisis – but look at it now!
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
How did you use Houzz Pro for this project?
These clients found me on Houzz and we then shared Houzz Ideabooks to refine the design during the brainstorming phase.
I used the Houzz Pro Proposals tool to clip and save photos from anywhere on the internet, which saved time and streamlined communication with my client. I love how this tool means no more nasty spreadsheets!
Is your living area crying out for a new look? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to make it happen
These clients found me on Houzz and we then shared Houzz Ideabooks to refine the design during the brainstorming phase.
I used the Houzz Pro Proposals tool to clip and save photos from anywhere on the internet, which saved time and streamlined communication with my client. I love how this tool means no more nasty spreadsheets!
Is your living area crying out for a new look? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to make it happen
The front room looking through to the dining area before works.
What were the living area and hallway like originally?
Chaotic. The lounge was having a serious identity crisis, combining the functions of a home office, yoga room and storeroom.
The adjoining dining room was never used by the family to eat in, but was instead used as a temporary work space.
The front hall next to the lounge/dining area was cluttered with shoes, bikes and other bits and pieces.
What were the living area and hallway like originally?
Chaotic. The lounge was having a serious identity crisis, combining the functions of a home office, yoga room and storeroom.
The adjoining dining room was never used by the family to eat in, but was instead used as a temporary work space.
The front hall next to the lounge/dining area was cluttered with shoes, bikes and other bits and pieces.
The front room before works.
What was your brief?
Our client wanted a beautiful, functional living area and to create a sense of arrival in the front hall.
We spoke with our client to work out how they wanted to live in the house and which spaces we had to work with, then focused on adapting these rooms to make them stylish and practical.
What was your brief?
Our client wanted a beautiful, functional living area and to create a sense of arrival in the front hall.
We spoke with our client to work out how they wanted to live in the house and which spaces we had to work with, then focused on adapting these rooms to make them stylish and practical.
The hall and front room before works.
To create the sense of calm and order the client wanted in the open-plan dining room/ lounge, we moved the workspace, which was in the dining area, to an under-utilised spare room upstairs.
We then created a second lounge upstairs that doubles as a private yoga space on the upstairs landing – a definite upgrade from practicing yoga by the front door!
To create the sense of calm and order the client wanted in the open-plan dining room/ lounge, we moved the workspace, which was in the dining area, to an under-utilised spare room upstairs.
We then created a second lounge upstairs that doubles as a private yoga space on the upstairs landing – a definite upgrade from practicing yoga by the front door!
What did you do in the front room?
We were tasked with giving this space a clear purpose as a cosy living area with a calm, grown-up and welcoming feel. First step was adding new furniture and furnishings to provide a comfortable spot to relax and entertain.
To enhance the sense of openness, we removed a freestanding shoe-storage cabinet, which was being used as a room divider between the lounge and front door.
We were tasked with giving this space a clear purpose as a cosy living area with a calm, grown-up and welcoming feel. First step was adding new furniture and furnishings to provide a comfortable spot to relax and entertain.
To enhance the sense of openness, we removed a freestanding shoe-storage cabinet, which was being used as a room divider between the lounge and front door.
We designed a low-level, custom bench seat with shoe storage to fit under the windows in the front hall to make it easy to keep this area tidy. It also helps draw attention to the large windows and the beautiful garden outlook, which were previously obscured.
As the client had no intention of keeping the dining area, we removed the unused dining table and drew this space into the front living area, making the whole room feel larger and more open.
In the old dining area, we created a new focal point with a framed photograph of Florence, which has special meaning to the client.
As the client had no intention of keeping the dining area, we removed the unused dining table and drew this space into the front living area, making the whole room feel larger and more open.
In the old dining area, we created a new focal point with a framed photograph of Florence, which has special meaning to the client.
How important was storage?
We needed to create a permanent location for shoes and to relocate the yoga area and the equipment that goes with it. Adding a custom bench seat in the hallway and moving the yoga zone upstairs solved two of these issues.
To provide additional storage in the front living area, we sourced a coffee table with large drawers and custom-designed a generous buffet for what was previously the dining area.
We needed to create a permanent location for shoes and to relocate the yoga area and the equipment that goes with it. Adding a custom bench seat in the hallway and moving the yoga zone upstairs solved two of these issues.
To provide additional storage in the front living area, we sourced a coffee table with large drawers and custom-designed a generous buffet for what was previously the dining area.
What challenges did you have to work around?
The client had updated the house fairly recently with wall paint, window coverings and flooring, which our new design had to work around.
What look and feel did you want to create?
Warm and welcoming. We didn’t want the lounge to be so formal that it’s never used.
The client had updated the house fairly recently with wall paint, window coverings and flooring, which our new design had to work around.
What look and feel did you want to create?
Warm and welcoming. We didn’t want the lounge to be so formal that it’s never used.
What was your starting point for the new colour scheme?
We used the colours in the photograph of Florence (pictured previously) for inspiration.
Browse more images of beautiful, contemporary Australian living areas on Houzz
We used the colours in the photograph of Florence (pictured previously) for inspiration.
Browse more images of beautiful, contemporary Australian living areas on Houzz
Where did most of the AU$35,000 budget go?
On custom furniture, such as the storage bench seat in the hallway and the credenza in the former dining area.
On custom furniture, such as the storage bench seat in the hallway and the credenza in the former dining area.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
We kept the cork floor and layered it with rugs. We then introduced subtle texture and warmth with timber furniture and textural upholstery fabrics.
Colour palette:
- Terracotta.
- Earthy greens.
- Black accents.
We kept the cork floor and layered it with rugs. We then introduced subtle texture and warmth with timber furniture and textural upholstery fabrics.
The new second living area on the first-floor landing.
Key pieces of furniture:
Key pieces of furniture:
- Custom bench seat in the hallway and the credenza in the former dining area, which are both made in Victorian ash with a clear satin finish.
- Brosa coffee table.
- Regency wool and artsilk rug from The Rug Collection in the front lounge.
Your turn
Are you as impressed as we are with this redo? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
If you like this transformation, you won’t want to miss this Before & After: A Sophisticated & Soulful Kitchen Renovation
Are you as impressed as we are with this redo? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
If you like this transformation, you won’t want to miss this Before & After: A Sophisticated & Soulful Kitchen Renovation
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Who lives here: A couple with two young adult children
Location: Glen Waverley, Victoria
Room purpose and size: A front living room and hallway measuring around 50 square metres combined
Interior designer: Sophie Kost, lead designer at My Beautiful Abode
Budget: Around AU$35,000