Prize-winning Hamptons-style renovation
With their second child on the way, Melbourne couple Jo and James wanted a home with lots of room. “We’d been looking for a while before we came across this house,” Jo recalls. “And we immediately fell in love with the park views and north-facing position." However, although the house was only 11 years old, its interiors were dated and its footprint didn’t make the most of the large corner block. “We wanted to extend and open up the living and dining space, create an alfresco entertaining area and refurbish the pool,” explains Jo.
It took the couple's building team just eight weeks to complete the renovation of the original, two-storey home (left). The rear wall was removed to make way for an extension to house a new dining and living zone, and the pool was made over (centre) with new, resort-effect aqua tiles, gleaming white sandstone pavers and a frameless glass pool fence. Above, a small balcony leading off the main bedroom was extended to make a relaxing outdoor terrace. A partial wall between the kitchen and dining area was removed to open up the space, and a spacious covered entertaining area was also built outside (right).
Jo wanted to introduce as much natural light as possible into the open-plan extension, so two large skylights were added above the living zone. Bathed in sunshine, the relaxed space is dressed in comfy cream sofas from Coco Republic with blue and white cushions from Madras Link. A glamorous glass-topped Dare Gallery coffee table and blue velvet ottomans add a touch of Hamptons flair.
The contemporary kitchen was only two years old when the family moved in, so a full refurbishment wasn’t necessary. However, a dividing wall between the kitchen and old dining zone was removed to create a sociable space that flows effortlessly into the adjacent areas. Replica 'Charles Ghost' bar stools in smoke from Interiors Online add a chic edge.
Inspired by Hamptons style, the main bedroom was refreshed with a coat of Dulux Antique White USA and new plantation shutters from Bayside Peninsula Shutters & Blinds. Godfrey Hirst carpet in Steeple Grey, sourced from Choices Flooring, was an appealing underfoot choice and runs throughout the first floor. An Ikea mirror bounces extra light around the airy room, while a mix of blue and white cushions gives the neutral scheme a cool edge.
Jo used similar tones in her young daughters' rooms. In this pretty bedroom (left), a chic side table from Minimax Homewares joins an elegant armchair from Freedom Furniture to create a cosy corner. Jo made the lovely paper lantern hangings herself. A white canopy from Ikea, festooned with pink ribbons and pompoms, and other candy-pink accents complement the neutral walls and soft grey carpet in this bedroom (centre). Jo chose a bed from Forty Winks and found a budget buy in a circular jute rug from Kmart. For the playroom (right), she hunted around for good-value yet stylish furniture, finding the perfect solution in simple yet chic pieces from Ikea, Bed Bath N’ Table and Kmart.
Love Hamptons style? This stunning renovation is a perfect example, while we show you how to get the look in your own kitchen here.
