Wellness and Ease
We’re proud to unveil a full home renovation that blends thoughtful design with practical living. This coastal renovation is tailored for comfort, accessibility and peace of mind.
Downsizing with Purpose
Downsizing isn’t about giving up space – it’s about gaining freedom. For our clients, it meant creating a home that supports their lifestyle, health and future.
From First Meeting to Full Transformation
We first met our clients in 2021, when we completed window and door upgrades using Hanlon Windows products on their previous home in the hills of Kiama.
By 2024, our clients decided to transition to a more manageable, single-story home in a flat, walkable neighbourhood.
They found the perfect fit: a charming hybrid brick-and-clad bungalow just a couple of kilometres from their previous home. It had four bedrooms, two bathrooms a detached double garage and an outdoor entertaining area. The bungalow offered compact living without compromise-plus easy access to Kiama’s beaches, cafes, shops, station and harbour.
Renovation Highlights
Here’s how we helped our clients turn their new house into a home:
Exterior
front deck and ramp for stylish, accessible entry; new fascia, guttering and downpipes, exterior painting
Entryway and Living
new front door, stronger support beam, reading nook; living room
Hall and Dining
old dining room wall removed to open up, let light in and create flow from hallway through to the kitchen
Kitchen
short wall between dining and kitchen raised to accommodate a refrigerator and full-length cupboards; custom kitchen supplied and installed by Best Kitchens; kitchen window and wall replaced with sliding stacker door supplied by Hanlons; old back door blocked off to create sitting area; bulkheads installed above top cupboards
Back deck
existing deck extended with new boards and backyard steps; improved supports
Master Suite
two bedrooms merged to create a spacious master suite; part of the main bathroom reconfigured to create a private ensuite for the master suite
Bedrooms and office
new wardrobes in master and bedroom 2; updated wardrobe doors in bedroom 3; reading, TV and office space leading into bathroom/laundry and out back door
Main Bathroom and Laundry
combined main bathroom and laundry for efficient use of space
Miscellaneous
ducted air conditioning, lighting, fans and power points renewed; full internal and external painting; timber floors patched and floors polished throughout
Problems Solved
- The old dividing wall between the dining and kitchen was shorter. We raised it higher to make room for a refrigerator and allow uniform cupboard height throughout.
- Steps down into kitchen – we finished the stairs in a different timber to make the steps more visible and less likely to become a trip hazard.
- Back deck – the old deck had a support post right in the middle which meant there was no room for a large entertaining table. We installed a steel support beam and additional side posts creating a spacious, versatile deck.
Client Favourites
- walk-in showers in the bathrooms
- pantry cupboard where everything can be tucked away out of sight
- dining room wall removed to open up space and let light in and the display niche in the dining/kitchen dividing wall
Meet the Team
This project was led by Caleb Bate and our dedicated Milliken Builders crew. We appreciate our trusted collaborators who assisted us in this project.
Best Kitchens
McLeish Electrical Pty Ltd
Kieran Gorgievski Electrical
Midnight Owl Plumbing
ProjecTiling Co
Paul Watts Plastering
East Coast Floors Sanding & Polishing
GADS Glass and Shower Screens
Jim Pendergast Painting
GELCON Fabrications Pty Ltd
Connors Building Pty Ltd
Hanlon Windows
Betta Wardrobes and Shower Screens
Mister Security Doors
A Home Designed for the Years Ahead
Our clients have infused this home with personality and soul. They chose a serene colour palette, stylish furnishings and an eclectic art collection to reflect their personal style. Framed by lush gardens and thoughtful design choices, it’s more than a renovation. It’s a retreat built for comfort, creativity and the next chapter of life.
We would like to credit and thank Chris Jallard of Red Berry Photography for these amazing site photos.
