Cluttered weatherboard home to an exciting open plan space

When homeowner Wendy contacted Refresh Renovations Illawarra she simply wanted some help renovating her small and impractical bathroom, laundry and toilet. She was already planning several renovation projects and had been told it was impossible to combine the three tiny rooms – until Refresh arrived.
‘In reality, it could be done, but required structural consideration and council consent to proceed’ explains the renovation specialist. ‘We engaged a certifier and assessed the beams required to open up the space. Once we saw this could be done, designing a functional and beautiful space was easy.’
Wendy and her husband Gary were impressed with renovation contractors ‘can do’ approach and asked them to take over renovating the rest of the house.

House renovation specifications

‘Gary and Wendy’s home is an old weatherboard property that’s had multiple renovations over the years. Each renovation added onto the previous one, without proper transitions – there were poor roof connections, poor flooring connections and poor use of space. We were originally called in to help combine the laundry and bathroom into one, but we ended up creating a completely new open flow for the home and renovated the front porch, hallway, kitchen, lounge and dining room as well as the bathroom, laundry and toilet. ‘
There was a lot to do, but Refresh rose to the challenge and the transformation was soon well underway.

Kitchen design

Wendy chose a modern kitchen design from Amorini Australia featuring matte Innolac cabinetry in a sophisticated palette of taupe, anthracite and black, complemented with Mirostone solid surface benchtops in Bianco Marble. The handle-free finish was achieved with the Tipmatic (push to open) system for drawers and cabinets.  Wendy decided on a new black Family Hub™ French Door Refrigerator from Samsung with smart technology and adjustable temperature zones. The kitchen remodel also includes an acrylic kitchen splashback in Pepper Metallic from Reflections (QLD) that is a cost effective and exceptionally heat resistant choice -and ties the look together, according to the renovation specialist.

Bathroom design

To enhance the feeling of continuity and space, the bathroom redesign features the same Amorini Australia cabinetry and benchtops as the kitchen. The bathroom remodel also incorporates Spapanel, a low maintenance, waterproof and grout-free alternative to tiles, in Antique Marble and Riven Slate.  There’s a Decina shower system as well as a contemporary freestanding bath, the Hilton 1500 from the Forme Bathroom Collection, a feature Wendy had set her heart on.
Polyflor Camaro Bianco Oak deluxe vinyl flooring is soft underfoot, easy to clean and hardwearing – and is used throughout the house, including in the kitchen and bathroom. It’s a smart choice for a home, like Wendy and Gary’s, where there are dogs inside.
Transforming the property took just three months, thanks to the renovation specialists planning and project management, which meant all the trades brought in for the job were managed efficiently, minimising the number of site visits, which helped keep costs down.

Final thoughts

‘This project truly captured how well the Refresh Renovations process works. The planning beforehand was instrumental to an easy build and Wendy and Gary were assisted at every stage – from design to product selection to selection of paint colours. They were able to sit back and watch everything unfold before their eyes,’ says the renovation specialist.

I love everything about the renovation! The house is so easy to clean now
Looking back on the renovation, Wendy is delighted with her home’s fresh new look.
‘I love everything about the renovation! The house is so easy to clean now – I can do the whole place in 10 minutes,’ she says.

You may also be interested in reading about Refresh's other projects, see: Extending and updating a single-storey 1980s home in Russell Vale, NSW

Get in touch with Refresh to discuss your home renovation project

If you would like to discuss home renovation options for your next renovation project, please use the enquiry form on this page to provide us with your contact details. We will get in touch with you at a time that suits you to discuss your project. If you would like to provide us with more information about your project, we have a more comprehensive enquiry form on our "Get in touch" page too.