A Stunning Two-Stage Home Renovation with Creative Flare
We’re excited to share the journey of a beautiful two-stage renovation that we recently completed, transforming a charming home into a modern haven.
Stage 1: Improving Energy Efficiency (2022)
In 2022 we embarked on the first stage of this renovation by replacing the windows and sliding doors with double glazed products supplied by Hanlon Windows Australia. This upgrade not only improved the home’s energy efficiency but also added a modern touch and consistency throughout all sections of the home.
Stage 2: Revamping the Interior (2024)
Early in 2024, we returned to complete the second stage, which involved a comprehensive internal renovation. This phase included:
- Renovating four bathrooms, the laundry, kitchen and bar.
- Replacing the front door and all internal doors.
- Upgrading all lighting fixtures.
- Painting throughout the house.
- Installing new tiling in the entry, hallways, kitchen, and social/family room.
A Home with History
Originally built in the mid 1980s as a small three-bedroom brick home, this house was later extended, creating more living spaces, bedrooms and wet rooms. The design is reminiscent of a California Ranch Style house, characterised by its low roofline, gentle L-shaped layout, open living spaces and large windows and sliding doors that seamlessly connect the interior to the exterior.
A Perfect Fit for Empty Nesters
Our clients purchased this property in 2021. As empty nesters they found the ‘extension’ section of the home perfect for their needs. The additional bedrooms and wet rooms located in the original section of the home provide extra space and privacy when their grown children visit and can easily be closed off when not in use.
Adding a Personal Touch
From the moment our clients moved in they began adding their own creative touches to the home and its surrounding gardens. They chose to retain some quirky features of the original dwelling such as the sunken floors in two rooms and the circular plaster feature in the old formal dining room. They also added a warm and inviting fireplace in the formal living room installed by Stoke Fireplace Studio and outdoor tiling and other landscaping works done by Vista Landscapes and Stonework. For the internal renovation they chose a warmer colour palette that flows through the rambling floor plan, providing continuity throughout.
Exciting New Layout Features
Some of the exciting new layout features of this renovation include:
1. Removing the spa bath in the master ensuite and turning this space into the new laundry room.
2. Converting the old laundry room into another bathroom, giving each bedroom its own corresponding bathroom.
3. Transforming the old formal dining room into a media room, complete with additional storage cupboards in place of the obsolete old air conditioner box.
Favourite Design and Practical Features
1. The display cabinet in the new kitchen which she tends to leave open so she can enjoy how it looks .
2. The under-bar lighting that gives an elegant but warm ambience to the social/family room at night when the overhead lights are turned off.
3. A practical highlight is the extendable food processor shelf that easily folds away inside a kitchen cupboard, keeping it concealed when not in use.
4. Each bedroom has its own bathroom. Although not all ensuites, it means family and guests who come to stay have a private bathroom.
Our Collaborators
We would like to acknowledge and thank our Milliken Builders team as well as the trades and suppliers that assisted on this renovation.
Hanlon Windows Australia
Brad Taylor Painting (external) 0414 773 695
McLeish Electrical 0438 260 602
Midnight Owl Plumbing 0418 223 370
Best Kitchens
Concept Tile & Timber
ProjecTiling Co Pty Ltd 0408 406 947
Paul Watts Plastering 0413 522 491
Pollards Painting (internal) 0412 829 576
Betta Wardrobes
Better Floors & Blinds
PestForce Illawarra 0421 959 855
This renovation project beautifully blends the old with the new, creating a home that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We are thrilled to have been part of this transformation and look forward to more exciting projects in the future.
If you would like information about renovating with Milliken Builders feel free to contact us on 0409 129 840 or submit an enquiry form.
