Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Pared-Back Living in the Bushlands
A Danish-inspired family home opts for simplicity in north-west Sydney
Hidden away amongst the treetops of Thornleigh sits Carlie Spiteri and Matt Roberts’ newly renovated home. The couple, who share a similar taste in style, decided they were up for a challenge when they bought their first family home late last year. With high-sloped ceilings, a lush garden and killer view, Spiteri says the family of three “couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Carlie Spiteri, Matthew Roberts and baby Eliot
Location: Thornleigh, Sydney
Cost of renovation: $85,000
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Carlie Spiteri, Matthew Roberts and baby Eliot
Location: Thornleigh, Sydney
Cost of renovation: $85,000
They chose a Danish-inspired decor as they have always loved its simplicity – a feature which suits their pared-back lifestyle.
The open-living space comprises of the kitchen, dining and living rooms and spans out onto the deck, which boasts a stunning view of the surrounding bushlands. The light modern space is perfect for entertaining friends and family, especially with the afternoon sun streaming through the north-west facing windows. “We painted everything white and installed engineered lime wash oak flooring to lighten up the room,” Spiteri says.
Every skirting board, door and room was painted in different colours to bring layers of interest, and as a result “it really needed unifying,” says Spiteri.
The open-living space comprises of the kitchen, dining and living rooms and spans out onto the deck, which boasts a stunning view of the surrounding bushlands. The light modern space is perfect for entertaining friends and family, especially with the afternoon sun streaming through the north-west facing windows. “We painted everything white and installed engineered lime wash oak flooring to lighten up the room,” Spiteri says.
Every skirting board, door and room was painted in different colours to bring layers of interest, and as a result “it really needed unifying,” says Spiteri.
Spiteri still remembers the moment they found out their offer to buy the house had been accepted. “We were halfway to Victoria and I was so scared at what we had just undertaken!” she says. “The building report was a horror story, and there was a lot of work that needed to be done.”
Addressing the extensive termite damage was a significant hurdle the couple faced during the renovation. Luckily, the previous owners had managed to exterminate them, but the damage they inflicted still remained.
The termites had entered the house from the side of the main bedroom. As renovations progressed, Spiteri and Roberts discovered more and more areas with damage. The main bedroom was by far the worst affected as they had eaten into some of the main beam of the house. The couple decided to replace it with a metal beam in case, God forbid, they made a comeback!
Addressing the extensive termite damage was a significant hurdle the couple faced during the renovation. Luckily, the previous owners had managed to exterminate them, but the damage they inflicted still remained.
The termites had entered the house from the side of the main bedroom. As renovations progressed, Spiteri and Roberts discovered more and more areas with damage. The main bedroom was by far the worst affected as they had eaten into some of the main beam of the house. The couple decided to replace it with a metal beam in case, God forbid, they made a comeback!
The shell of the house was stable, and no walls were knocked down during the renovations. The couple focussed their time on restoring the termite damage and unifying every odd-end from skirting boards to doors.
The feature wall in the lounge is adorned with the couple’s collection of screen prints and street art, a lot of which they bought from Print Club London.
“The artwork has turned this room into a gallery space; everyone who comes over always comments on it,” says Spiteri. The couple is constantly searching for new art to add to their collection, and most recently added the collage of baby Eliot to the wall.
“The artwork has turned this room into a gallery space; everyone who comes over always comments on it,” says Spiteri. The couple is constantly searching for new art to add to their collection, and most recently added the collage of baby Eliot to the wall.
Colourful cushions on the Danish couch, purchased from King Living, brighten up the room. The coffee table is one of Roberts’ creations, which almost dates back to his teenage years.
One of the home’s defining characteristics is the plywood shelving. Although it was installed as an after-thought, it has become a central feature of the living room. The shelving blends in with the Danish theme that flows throughout the home.
Tolix chairs are placed around the old billiard table. The couple inherited the table from Roberts’ stepdad who passed away five years ago from cancer. He sanded it down into the dining table it is today.
“The redesign of the kitchen was the most challenging,” says Spiteri. The couple spent hours researching colours and fittings on Houzz and roaming around homemaker centres before making their final decisions. “We also asked friends for advice … we were constantly researching,” adds Spiteri.
The kitchen design is minimalist with simple clean lines. The couple wanted to create a kitchen that suited their style while maintaining the resell value of the property. The simplistic wooden bar stools complement the lime wash flooring and Danish furniture in the home.
A large mirror acts as a splashback and reflects the garden. “This is my favourite place in the house,” says Spiteri who loves observing the serene view sprawling out into the vast bushlands.
Pendant lights: Matt Blatt
A large mirror acts as a splashback and reflects the garden. “This is my favourite place in the house,” says Spiteri who loves observing the serene view sprawling out into the vast bushlands.
Pendant lights: Matt Blatt
An empty bottle of wine adorns the shelf in the kitchen – it was opened when Eliot was born.
Wooden clock: Yellow Bungalow
Wooden clock: Yellow Bungalow
These acorns were taken from the garden and serve as a reminder of how much the house has progressed.
The couple’s sense of style did not end in the living room. The bedrooms are also lined with handmade trinkets and furniture. Roberts constructed this stunning solid timber bed.
Chair: Revival Antiques & 20th C Design
Chair: Revival Antiques & 20th C Design
The chest of drawers has carefully placed handles attached to them, which were purchased by Spiteri in Île de Ré in France many years prior to actually buying the drawers. The couple own an abundance of exquisite screen prints but chose to display a select few in the bedroom.
Hemnes drawers: Ikea
Hemnes drawers: Ikea
They installed carpet in the bedrooms with some leftover money from their original budget. With a baby who will be crawling any day now, the couple were glad this was an option.
The Danish-inspired furniture continues into Eliot’s bedroom. A stunning magnolia mobile with handmade origami by Roberts is suspended from the ceiling above the light wooden crib from Stoke.
The walls are adorned with in-built shelving lined with classic children’s books and knick-knacks. The chair belonged to Roberts’ dad and has been restored to pass onto the next generation.
Roberts is a prolific gardener and to him, the features of the garden were as important as the house itself. He has been working hard ever since first moving in to bring it back to its original splendour.
He inherited his passion for gardening from his mum, who has given them hundreds of bromeliads to help finish the garden quickly. Roberts has also planted many native plants such as gums to help restore the garden to its original glory.
Pictured here is his collection of orchids, which he has given pride of place on a ledge at the top of the garden with a fantastic view.
He inherited his passion for gardening from his mum, who has given them hundreds of bromeliads to help finish the garden quickly. Roberts has also planted many native plants such as gums to help restore the garden to its original glory.
Pictured here is his collection of orchids, which he has given pride of place on a ledge at the top of the garden with a fantastic view.
Unfortunately for Roberts, the previous neighbours had poisoned the trees in the couple’s backyard, as a way to bring in as much north-west light into their home as possible. It was littered with tree trunks and had not had gardening maintenance in years. It was also evident that it had been used as a rubbish dump in the past. Roberts decided to turn the tree trunks into a work of art while also providing a place for visitors at sit around and enjoy an open fire.
“We are looking forward to the winter months so we can toast marshmallows on the fire pit,” says Spiteri. “In the warmer months, we mostly sit out on the deck and watch the wallabies prod around.”
The couple planted a herb garden to make the most of their lush surroundings.
Hundreds of bromeliads scattered throughout the front garden add beautiful depth and colours.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
Spiteri admits that the toughest part of collaborating with her partner was that he made design decisions quickly and with ease, while she needed time to research their choices before implementing them.