Home makeover: modern glamour

Once a ballroom, this inner-city apartment has been transformed into a living space with the glamour of its heyday.

Quick smart
Untouched since the 1950s, this Sydney apartment was gutted and refurbished in only seven weeks. “It had water damage and nothing worked – not even the kitchen tap,” laughs the owner, a first-time renovator. Once two bedrooms, it was decided to take out two walls to create an open-plan living space and to take advantage of the beautiful stained-glass windows on two sides of the apartment. These windows and the red mahogany timber dance floor are the only original features remaining. The key to successfully renovating in such a short time is to be clear about what you want to achieve and to personally check your builder’s references. Here, the owner also needed to work to a tight budget, but still achieved maximum impact by using simple finishes and key design elements, such as the dramatic chandelier.

The great cover-up
Ideally, you don’t want to be sitting on the sofa in your open-plan space and staring directly at the fridge or dishwasher. The solution? Integrated appliances, which means your whitegoods can be concealed behind cabinetry, making them look like just another kitchen cupboard.

Here, the Fisher & Paykel fridge (above) dictated the size of the doors and the same dimensions were used for the linen closet, which is also part of this wall of cabinetry. The last cupboard (pictured left) houses the Electrolux dishwasher (below), but it’s impossible to spot once closed.

Lounging around
As one of the most expensive pieces of furniture in your home, it’s important to get it right first time round when you buy a sofa. Think carefully about where you want to put it, take some measurements to make sure it will fit and then go shopping. There are also ways of revamping an old sofa without going to the expense of completely reupholstering. Try replacing the seat cushions with good-quality foam or feather down if you prefer a softer seat. And a fresh new loose cover will always work wonders!

Single-mindedness
Making the apartment one bedroom rather than two was a carefully considered decision. “The space worked so much better with one bedroom,” explains the owner. As the whole interior had to be gutted, it was also easier to start with a completely blank canvas. The renovation was amazingly achieved with a total budget of less than $56,000.

Up and away
You can never have enough storage space and this roof area is an ideal spot for those items you don’t need often. This space is reached by a ladder that’s stored under the owner’s bed, but you could also install a foldaway ladder that pulls down for easy access. There are several on the market, including a good range from Attic Ladders, call 1300 655 525.

 

Photography: Scott Hawkins. Words: Victoria Carey. Styling: Jo Carmichael.