A Total Transformation Turns a Busy Family Home into a Restful Abode in Lysterfield, Melbourne

A Place to Enjoy the Days

After many years of fun with their grandchildren in this spacious and comfortable, family setting, Robyn and her husband decided it was time to treat themselves to a home makeover. 
The retired couple’s sturdy brick veneer house, situated in the quiet outer Melbourne neighbourhood of Lysterfield, had been built to last generations. But the interior needed some love and the couple wished to enjoy the sunshine from the protective comfort of a glass-wrapped rear patio. 
Receiving an inheritance enabled them to embark on a major transformation: two bathrooms, the garage, kitchen, laundry, sun-room, deck/patio and driveway were renovated to make their two-storey home a perfect retreat. 

Weathering the Pandemic

Renovations are often more complex than they might first appear, once the reality of juggling different contractors and schedules becomes apparent. That’s why working with a Renovation Consultant can take a huge amount of weight off a homeowner’s shoulders.
Renovation Consultant Leigh McDonald has first-hand experience helping clients navigate the complexities of renovations, and the added difficulties COVID-19 has meant for projects, including supply chain delays and extended completion dates.

The Details Matter

When embarking on a large renovation it can be easy to be transfixed by the ‘big picture’, but more often than not the most exciting results are in the details, which is exactly the case in this Lysterfield home.
In the kitchen is an eye-catching, embossed tin backsplash. Although grandiose on its own, when paired with classic marble countertops and homestead-style white cabinetry, the appearance is one of classic sophistication. The splashback continues into the laundry, where it adds a sense of pleasure to even the most mundane of tasks. Wooden floorboards make the transition from kitchen to bathrooms to deck seamless, and offer a comforting cohesion between the spaces. 
Other notable delights are the double vanity ‘his and hers’ sinks in the master bathroom and a generous soaker tub – the perfect remedy after a day with energetic grandchildren! Above each sink is fitted an oval mirror lit by LED lighting, adding to the fresh aesthetic. 
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Catching Rays on Chillier Days

Continuing the theme of relaxation is the glass-walled patio/sunroom at the rear of the house, which gives ample opportunity to soak up the sunshine on Melbourne’s winter days. The original concrete floors were cold underfoot, a deterrent to using the space in cooler weather. Now, wooden decking keeps the feel of being outdoors, but is much more comfortable underfoot.
In addition, the option to close up the space with floor-to-ceiling, wrap-around glass wall doors ensures the covered patio has year-round utility. Within the sunroom, an outdoor heater and a ceiling fan provide options for temperature control, whatever the season. 
Another added benefit of the extensive decking – utilised at both the back and front of the house – is the reduced need for difficult garden maintenance. Fresh landscaping means there is now little lawn to mow and only small gardens to tend. 

A Place to Congregate

Older homes were commonly built with the kitchen isolated from the social areas - never the best setup for entertaining. After undergoing a significant renovation, this family home now boasts a large kitchen island where family can gather and chefs, young and old, can engage in conversation. Add to that, upgraded space within the home for the owners to enjoy all year round and it’s no wonder these two grandparents are delighted with their family home’s transformation.

Would you like to discuss your home renovation ideas?

Get in touch for a free consultation with your local Renovation Consultant.