AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN| 185
Vicki’s tips for renovators
✚When sourcing quotes from tradespeople, ask for a timeframe
confirmingwhentheycanstartandhowlongthejobwilltake.
The cheapest quote may not be the best if you have to wait
monthsforthejobtobegin.
✚Employ an interior designer who can understand your vision
for the renovation. This will save you money and might add
to the home’s capital gain.
✚It’safinelinewhenworkingonanolderhome:youwanttoretain
itscharacteryetmoveitintothepresent.IhadafolderI’dfilledwith
referencesandideasandithelpedtogothroughthiswithStewart.
✚Don’tbeafraidtoaskquestions.Ifoundthatbyasking
questions I saved the tradespeople and myself much grief.
✚Keepaspreadsheetwithallyourcosts.Itiseasyfor things
to get out of hand with variations and changes.
✚Ifyouarepayingtradiesbythehour,don’trelyonthemtokeep
trackofthehours.Doityourself.Sometradespeople are great
at what they do but sloppy with their paperwork.AEntrance and stairwayThe
‘BradyBunch’ staircase leads from the
entry hall to the floating gangway.
Curtains are Marley in Denim, Warwick
Fabrics. The stairs, skirting boards and
doors are all western red cedar and the
hallway runner is from Greg Natale’s New
Modern collection from Designer Rugs.
BBathroomBlack tiles add glamour
to the guest bathroom. Stewart used a
combination of matt and gloss tiles, laid
in a herringbone pattern to create depth
and texture. (“This trick was used on
the Sydney Opera House roof,”
says Stewart).
CKitchenThe new kitchen is
connected to all the living spaces.
Stewart didn’t want to add more
timber tones, so the joinery is
ebonised American oak paired
with a stainless-steel benchtop.
DMain bedroomThe wall of western
red cedar conceals a doorway to the
wardrobe and ensuite. Dark-grey walls,
rugs and bedding are the perfect foil for
the expanse of timber. Walls are in
Dulux Malay Grey.BelowThe original house was
painted a rust colour. Stewart
repainted the cladding in Dulux Hildegard,
adding external aluminium venetians to shade
the double-height, north-facing glass entrance
wall. Sandstone steps and sculptural plants
further soften the facade.Consultants’ fees $17,000
Bathroom and ensuite $41,000
WIR & wardrobes $10,000
Kitchen and laundry (incl appliances) $61,000
Decks, landscaping $57,000
Painting $14,000
Electrical $12,000
Carpentry $31,000Airconditioning $11,000
Demolition $10,000
Plasterer $8000
External venetians $8000
Furniture, soft furnishings, rugs
and curtains $70,000TOTAL $350,000THE BUDGET
For Where to Buy, see page 224.
BEFOREAFTERNWardrobeBed BedBedTerraceBathDeck
MediaBathLivingKitchenKitchenDiningFoyerMediaBathLibraryLivingDiningLibraryBedBathFoyerBridgeEntranceEntrance