Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Salvaged Finds Add Soul to a Western Australian New Build
Step inside 'The Recycled House', a Perth new build that's full to the brim with history
Armed with a passion for ‘upcycling’ and sustainability, and keen to show what you can achieve by experimenting with design, Carla and Ben Karsakis took on the project of building ‘The Recycled House’ – a home filled with love, history and as many recycled materials as possible!
Having bought a block (760sqm) in Bedford, WA, the design-savvy couple (Carla is a designer for Etica Studios, Ben is an urban designer) planned to subdivide it into a front (440sqm) and back block (320sqm) and make the most of the land. At the front of the block lay a simple 1940s character building, which they decided to live in and renovate while undergoing the subdivision process and building a new home from scratch at the back of the block. Once they had brought the character house back to life and the new build was complete, they sold the front house – using the profit to go towards to the project – and moved in to their new home at the rear (below).
There were outbuildings at the back that were required to be demolished as part of the subdivision, but Carla and Ben worked hard to keep as many materials as possible. These were to be incorporated within the new back house. By spending many hours searching for the ‘right’ elements and by using their skills to draw up many different designs to accommodate existing features of the property and other salvaged finds, the couple was able to fill their new home with life and soul … and save some money along the way.
Having bought a block (760sqm) in Bedford, WA, the design-savvy couple (Carla is a designer for Etica Studios, Ben is an urban designer) planned to subdivide it into a front (440sqm) and back block (320sqm) and make the most of the land. At the front of the block lay a simple 1940s character building, which they decided to live in and renovate while undergoing the subdivision process and building a new home from scratch at the back of the block. Once they had brought the character house back to life and the new build was complete, they sold the front house – using the profit to go towards to the project – and moved in to their new home at the rear (below).
There were outbuildings at the back that were required to be demolished as part of the subdivision, but Carla and Ben worked hard to keep as many materials as possible. These were to be incorporated within the new back house. By spending many hours searching for the ‘right’ elements and by using their skills to draw up many different designs to accommodate existing features of the property and other salvaged finds, the couple was able to fill their new home with life and soul … and save some money along the way.
Carla and Ben wanted to create a warehouse feel in their new home, planning an open-plan living space with features designed to add character, such as the exposed brick wall created from recycled bricks.
They searched for a long time to find something to pull it all together and finally found a beam rescued from the Toodyay Bridge at a timber yard. Primarily, it’s used structurally, but with its exposed nuts and bolts, it adds history and character.
They searched for a long time to find something to pull it all together and finally found a beam rescued from the Toodyay Bridge at a timber yard. Primarily, it’s used structurally, but with its exposed nuts and bolts, it adds history and character.
The whole kitchen is made out of recycled materials. The cabinets were sourced from a house being demolished and the benchtops from a restaurant.
The island is a truly special feature, made out of timber from one of the old outbuildings on the existing property. When looking for something to add to the back of the island, Carla came across pieces of antique pressed tin at a salvage yard: “There were sheets of these bent and warped Victorian pieces. My father, who’s a carpenter, put them back into shape and nailed them into place,” she says.
More: Kitchen Aid: 10 Ways Natural Timber Can Warm Up the Heart of Your Home
The island is a truly special feature, made out of timber from one of the old outbuildings on the existing property. When looking for something to add to the back of the island, Carla came across pieces of antique pressed tin at a salvage yard: “There were sheets of these bent and warped Victorian pieces. My father, who’s a carpenter, put them back into shape and nailed them into place,” she says.
More: Kitchen Aid: 10 Ways Natural Timber Can Warm Up the Heart of Your Home
The mix of bespoke materials crafted together gives this kitchen a real sense of heart.
“We absolutely love it, and living and entertaining in the space is pure joy,” says Carla.
Browse popular kitchen design photos
“We absolutely love it, and living and entertaining in the space is pure joy,” says Carla.
Browse popular kitchen design photos
Keeping the backdrop neutral was part of the plan. Carla wanted to create a sense of space, keeping the living zones open, the flooring and walls neutral, and letting the vintage finds take centrestage.
The living area lies at the back of the open-plan space. Conscious of balancing the warmth of the exposed brick and timber, Carla chose to paint the back wall in a cooler shade. She chose a midnight-blue hue to define the living zone.
Preserving the history of the property, Carla and Ben took part of the old workman’s shed on the site – one of the buildings on the to the back of the block that was demolished to pave the way for this new build – to create a door for the pantry. Interestingly, the door was an old pallet from England the previous owner had upcycled for the shed – so the act of recycling it again was a nod to the history in itself.
The old workbench, used as a vanity in the bathroom, was also salvaged from an old shed on the property.
The Spanish encaustic floor tiles are a favourite feature for Carla, and also one of the most expensive. “They were sourced, after many, many searches, from a website based in Spain," she explains. "We had to put our faith in this company and hope that the tiles would arrive, and they did. They are an artwork in themselves.”
The Spanish encaustic floor tiles are a favourite feature for Carla, and also one of the most expensive. “They were sourced, after many, many searches, from a website based in Spain," she explains. "We had to put our faith in this company and hope that the tiles would arrive, and they did. They are an artwork in themselves.”
With all the attention being drawn to the floor, Carla wanted to show off the beautiful high ceilings they had designed. She uncovered a treasure-trove of ceramic tiles at a salvage yard, which she used to tile the walls. “They were seconds, so would have gone to waste. They’re a beautiful greyish white, so we used a dark charcoal-chocolate grout to show them off,” she says. Meanwhile, the space between the tiles and the ceiling was painted a browny dark-grey to further bring out the colour in the tiles.
The roll-top bath is a second-hand antique.
‘Klavier‘ GR19 paint: Dulux
The roll-top bath is a second-hand antique.
‘Klavier‘ GR19 paint: Dulux
At first glance, the bedroom appears to be very simple, and that was the intention. However, what you can’t see is that opposite the bed, the same exposed brick wall in the kitchen has been used to add warmth in the bedroom. The couple wanted to get more value out of this feature, keeping the bricks exposed on both sides.
The rest of the scheme was kept light, bright and relaxed.
The rest of the scheme was kept light, bright and relaxed.
The simple, industrial-style pendant is one of many eclectic finds featured in the house. The couple was conscious of not throwing too much money into the accessories, showing that simple steals can add just as much weight.
Carla’s mother-in-law saved the Mid-century-inspired chair from the roadside and upcycled it. It now adds a pop of accent colour to the bedroom.
The couple had the choice of creating a separate ensuite and a separate dressing room, but were conscious to use the space wisely, so opted to turn it into one big room.
When first renovating the front character house, Carla and Ben discovered a batch of old 1950s newspapers under the lino flooring. These papers mean a lot to the couple. When they got married they used the papers to create paper flowers. At first they framed them for the new house, but then Carla decided to make a feature wall to celebrate the history of both the house and of their relationship. The warm, neutral tones of these papers can be seen from the master bedroom.
The enamel sink was one of the first things they bought. The couple then found an antique buffet cabinet and employed a carpenter to turn it into a vanity.
Discover other materials to paper your walls with that aren’t wallpaper
When first renovating the front character house, Carla and Ben discovered a batch of old 1950s newspapers under the lino flooring. These papers mean a lot to the couple. When they got married they used the papers to create paper flowers. At first they framed them for the new house, but then Carla decided to make a feature wall to celebrate the history of both the house and of their relationship. The warm, neutral tones of these papers can be seen from the master bedroom.
The enamel sink was one of the first things they bought. The couple then found an antique buffet cabinet and employed a carpenter to turn it into a vanity.
Discover other materials to paper your walls with that aren’t wallpaper
Carla is also a huge fan of Art Deco and wanted to include elements from this period at home. This antique dresser was the perfect addition to the guest bedroom.
Carla painted the mural in the courtyard in celebration of her love of Art Deco and illustration. “I wanted to add colour to the outdoor area, and continue the aqua-teal accents found in the rest of the house,” she says. “In the end, I chose an abstract peacock design.”
Carla goes on to mention that peacocks are known for being good luck. Another example of how heart, soul and nods to history have driven the design of this home.
View more eclectic home designs
Carla goes on to mention that peacocks are known for being good luck. Another example of how heart, soul and nods to history have driven the design of this home.
View more eclectic home designs
Who lives here: Ben and Carla Karsakis and their Ridgeback Mastiff cross, Yoko
Location: Bedford, Perth, WA
Size: 145 square-metres (3 bedrooms, 1 laundry/bathroom, 1 ensuite/dressing room)
Cost: $300,000 for the block and materials
Although it might look like a home preserved from the 1940s or 1950s, Ben and Carla’s home is a brand new build. From the moment you walk through the front door, the house is alive with things collected from different spaces and places. Indeed, the front door was salvaged from another house that was demolished and the house number ‘One’ was found lying around at a rubbish tip.