Blog

Designer Andrew Waller made this Paddington terrace feel bigger without extending. Picture: John Paul Urizar

When you’re looking at a renovation project, costs can quickly add up, especially once you start talking about major structural change.

Designer Andrew Waller says when he first started working with the owners of this Paddington terrace, they had their hearts set on extending.

He talked them out of it.

“The clients were thinking of widening the back of the house and perhaps adding some skylights,” Andrew says.

“Extending it might have added 800mm to 900mm more width – it wouldn’t have given them much more space. It was an external load-bearing wall which would need to be underpinned.

“We thought the house was big enough as it was.”

Before Andrew started, the rear entrance was dark and enclosed.

Andrew removed one internal wall, which opened up the floorplan a little, but the first big move was replacing the french doors and security bars at the rear and adding a fanlight above to draw in the easterly sunlight.

“That made a huge difference,” he says. “Taking the security bars off the doors helped a lot as well.”

New doors and a fanlight let in a lot more light. Picture: John Paul Urizar

The area leading to the outdoor space, which Andrew refreshed with grey pavers, became the obvious spot for casual dining, while the old dining space was converted into a service area.

The work allowed for a downstairs bathroom. Picture: John Paul Urizar

“That was the darkest part of the space,” he says.

“We used that rear wall for the majority of the big storage needs, like the fridge and freezer, and then you step into the butler’s pantry via a sliding door.”

Andrew made the old dining space the main service area, with a sliding door leading to the butler’s pantry. Picture: John Paul Urizar

Andrew also created an internal door for the laundry, which the owners used to access from the garden.

detail driven

While the owners wanted the new work to be light and bright, it still needed to tie in with the original terrace.

Architectural details from the era, including traditional skirting board and architrave profiles, blended the old with the new.

The old dining space was dark and enclosed.

Opting not to extend saved the clients a considerable amount of money which, Andrew says, was available to spend on other things in the house.

“One of the owners was quite surprised that you could create the feeling of more space without extending,” he says.

“It took a bit of convincing to start with.

“The owners initially thought that perhaps they should commit to a bigger budget and widen the space.

“But because they didn’t spend money on big structural changes, we have been able to use more premium fittings.”

Pictures: John Paul Urizar

More: mrwaller.com

The post How to create a larger home without extending your property appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The old country-style kitchen is unrecognisable. Picture: Aaron Busch

Remember the love affair with all things country in the 1990s? That was what confronted interior designer Monique Sartor when she and her husband bought a large but largely unloved terrace in Glebe.

“It was a country-style kitchen with a terrible layout,” Monique says. “There was a fireplace which was where they put the stove and then there was a tiny bit of benchspace and then the sink.”

The new kitchen has a more functional layout. Picture: Aaron Busch

When she found herself holding some of the cupboard doors together with wood glue, Monique realised it was time for a full renovation.

“I wanted the kitchen to have a more functional layout,” she says.

“The old fireplace took up more than half that wall and there was no space to eat in the kitchen, or do homework. You had to go into the dining room.”

The east-facing kitchen was gutted and windows on the southern side were replaced by doors, offering access to a deck.

The kitchen is packed with storage, including drawers under the upholstered window seat Picture: Aaron Busch

Monique designed a kitchen along one wall with a long island bench and breakfast bar through the middle, and an upholstered seat under the window.

The old hallway was converted into a separate pantry and powder room while Monique also created a sunroom on the other side of the dining room.

The powder room is covered in wallpaper from the Matthew Williamson range for Osborne & Little. Picture: Aaron Busch

With close attention to natural light, Monique went to town on pattern and colour, using bold fabrics, wallpapers and floor tiles. Black and white floor tiles connect the sunroom, kitchen and powder room while wallpaper from Osborne & Little and Casamance fabric bring the spaces to life. While Monique was confident in her choices, other family members took a little longer to get on board.

“I told my husband I was going to wallpaper the powder room but I didn’t show him which one,” she says. “There was some initial negativity but now anytime anyone comes over, that’s the first place he takes them.”

Designer Monique Sartor followed her heart to design a kitchen perfect for her family’s needs. Picture: Aaron Busch

Appliances such as the fridge and dishwasher have been concealed to make the space feel less clinical, along with an artwork Monique created herself. Black and white photographs she took and framed make a striking display in the sunroom.

The dramatic sunroom includes a gallery of photographs Monique took herself. Picture: Aaron Busch

Although the rooms are unapologetically colourful, with a white Corian benchtop and blue/grey joinery, the base is quite neutral, making it surprisingly easy to change up. She now uses her kitchen to show clients how colour can work for them.

“It helps people visualise how it will look,” she says.

Pictures: Aaron Busch

THE PROJECT

Owners

Interior designer Monique Sartor, her husband and their two kids

Designer

Sartorial Interiors, sartorialinteriors.com.au

The brief

To replace the country-style kitchen with a harder working, more functional space and connect it better to the other rooms

The site

A large terrace in Glebe that had seen better days

Design solution

To create a colourful, streamlined eat-in kitchen with easy flow to the dining room, sunroom and outdoors

How long did it take

Three months

The post An interior designer goes wild with colour in her own inner city kitchen appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Blue-chip areas in Canberra’s inner circle have predictably dominated the city’s list of priciest locations, but a couple of surprise suburbs have ascended into the latest top 10.

New data from realestate.com.au reveals the most expensive suburbs in Canberra for the 12 months to 30 July 2020, which includes sought-after central, inner south and inner north locations, as well as entries from Woden and Weston Creek.

Old-Canberra stalwart Red Hill topped the list with a median sale price of $1.6 million, up 10 per cent year-on-year.

MORE: Griffith gem a 1960s ‘time warp’

A home on Mugga Way in Red Hill sold for $8 million in March.

Neighbouring Griffith ($1,455,000) and Deakin ($1,375,000) came in second and third, respectively.

Last year’s number one, Yarralumla, dropped to fourth position with a median sale price of $1,350,000, followed in order by Campbell, Ainslie, O’Connor and Narrabundah.

The ninth and tenth spots went to two unexpected additions from outer districts: Isaacs ($965,000) and Chapman ($963,750).

Red Hill has a median of $1.6 million.

Suburbs must have had at least 30 sales to qualify, which is why some of the city’s tightly held premium areas didn’t make the list.

Red Hill’s higher median sale price was affected by a record-making $8 million sale on the suburb’s Golden Mile in March this year.

Bill Lyristakis, Berkely Residential – Kingston, the selling agent for 25 Mugga Way, said there were many attributes that made Red Hill “the most valuable in suburb in Canberra”.

Chapman has experienced strong price growth.

“It’s split into two parts: old Red Hill, which is made up of large holdings that were given to senior public servants in the 1930s and ‘40s, where they kept orchards, chickens etc. As times progressed, [the blocks] have not been reconsolidated and are still around 4000-5000sqm – some even up to 11,000sqm,” Mr Lyristakis said.

“In the new part of Red Hill, blocks are about 1000-1100sqm. So it’s largely in part to the inner south location but also the land holdings.

“You can get larger homes, really large blocks, tennis courts, pools … they’re really sought-after.”

Chapman in Weston Creek has experienced strong price growth across the last few years to ascend to tenth position.

Jonathan Irwin, director of Irwin Property and Chapman resident, said the suburb’s median price was “around $750,000 three years ago” and has become popular for its peaceful lifestyle offering.

Griffith has a median price of $1.455 million.

“I live in Chapman and I think one of the nicest aspects is that it’s elevated and on the northern side of the hill, Cooleman Ridge, which gives beautiful northern light and views,” Mr Irwin said.

“Then you’ve got the nature reserve, generous big blocks, nice gardens and lots of interesting architectural styles.

“It’s easy to just jump in the car to go to the shops, but you can walk or ride to nature. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Chapman’s median sale price now sits at $963,750 – up 3 per cent year on year.

The post Surprise additions to Canberra’s 10 priciest suburbs shows broad growth appeared first on realestate.com.au.

COVID-safe and with a view – G.01/3 East Crescent St, McMahons Point.

One of the best weapons against contracting COVID-19 is avoiding close social interaction, especially in confined spaces.

The virus is known to be contracted through touching surfaces touched by infected people, so we’ve all become well versed in the regular use of antibacterial hand rub and wipes, and minimising what we touch outside the home.

MORE: ‘Rukus’ party house sells for around $6.5m

Sydney home comes with cool outdoor cinema

But if you live in an apartment, getting into your home can be fraught with COVID challenges, from pushing the button on the lift, to sharing the lift and even touching communal doorhandles.

Take a look at this apartment, which could be one of Australia’s most COVID-safe when it comes to entries. And it even has a harbour view.

Here you can get in and out of your home without sharing a lift or stairwell, or even touching a communal button or door handle. You won’t even have to share the floor with neighbours.

Your own garage and lift.

Multiple living spaces inside and out.

Privacy is a big feature.

In fact you won’t even have to share the garage.

Meet G.01/3 East Crescent Street, McMahons Point, a four-bedroom garden apartment in the boutique block The Bradfield.

The whole-floor garden apartment has an impressive floor plan brimming with bespoke features and covered outdoor living space.

The terrace looks out over landscaped gardens and lawn, and the views travel across Lavender Bay to the city.

Stellar view.

There are multiple living zones.

The home cinema.

Features include a Calacatta marble kitchen with bespoke cabinetry, a Miele suite of

appliances and a Siemens 90cm gas cooktop, home office, home cinema and high-tech biometric facial and fingerprint security.

The luxury apartment is for sale by private treaty with a guide of $7.95 million, and is being marketed by Adrian Bridges and Taylor Jones, of LJ Hooker Avnu.

The kitchen.

Formal dining.

Sweet dreams.

Mr Bridges said the apartment was attracting plenty of attention, particularly from downsizers. The private garage and lift, as well as the high-tech security, were major drawcards, especially in this COVID-conscious climate.

“It’s a world-class development,” he said.

“It is virtually touch free getting into the apartment and the security and privacy are big features. You’re not going through common areas, or using lifts or walkways. It has a lot of appeal.”

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE NSW REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER

The post McMahons Point apartment offers impressive level of COVID protection appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Unit supply is expected to drop. Photo: iStock

Sydney apartment supply is set to shrink over the next few years as projects are cancelled or pushed back because of poor buyer demand extenuated by the pandemic slowdown.

Apartment construction activity in Sydney peaked at around 8000 apartments per quarter in early 2017. But unit construction is currently continuing through a period of decline. Assuming all currently marketed off the plan projects proceed, it has been forecast that residential construction in Sydney will fall to less than 2000 units per quarter from late next year.

MORE: $250k price drop: where to get best bargains

Where Sydney property prices are falling the fastest

Why the property market stayed afloat in weak economy

It will therefore create likely issues of undersupply, according to a new comprehensive report.

In the meantime, Sydney faces the challenge of finding buyers for an estimated 18,000 apartments that are set for completion in 2020-2021.

Supply will be concentrated in the middle suburbs, which will account for 45 per cent of the total, followed by the outer region with 25 per cent. Only 7 per cent of total completions will occur in the central city region.

Off the plan sales peaked in 2016 then slowed through 2017 before declining more sharply from 2018 as investors retreated amid more stringent lending practices after the Hayne Royal Commission, and higher interest rates being applied to investors.

Foreign investor demand was curtailed by the NSW state government foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge as well as capital controls by the Chinese Government limiting outbound investment.

Low population growth is having a major impact. Photo: iStock

Angie Zigomanis, director of research and strategy Charter Keck Cramer, reckons green shoots in off the plan demand had begun to emerge toward the end of 2019. However, the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown have caused “significant ructions” in the rental and investor market. He said demand for apartments in metropolitan Sydney has historically been underpinned by a combination of high house prices and strong population growth driven by high net overseas migration.

However, occupier demand is weakening as the international border closure caused by the COVID-19 lockdown causes net overseas migration inflows to collapse.

The closure of international borders has caused a significant reduction in tenant demand and local landlords have added to the supply by marketing their short stay apartments as long term rentals.

“A moratorium on evictions has thus far prevented a large exodus from rental apartments although landlords will likely face lower rental income as rents are renegotiated,” Mr Zigomanis said. “As the economy contracts, the sharp rise in unemployment will constrain the ability of many tenants to pay rent.”

High unemployment will also hurt the market.

Supply remains high with 22,500 apartments completed in Metropolitan Sydney over the past year to June, the fourth highest on record. Some 60 per cent of completions were within the middle region, with many still for sale.

Project launches in FY2020 show a greater proportion of apartments in larger projects. The proportion of apartments in buildings of 300-plus apartments has increased from three per cent of completions to 14 per cent.

In FY2020, there were a total of 5300 apartments in projects that commenced marketing, reflecting a dramatic fall from the 23,500 apartments launched in FY2018.

The post Sydney apartment supply set to shrink in coming years due to pandemic driven demand drop appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Susie O’Neill’s house is on the market.

It’s rare for a house to come on the market in the coveted Brisbane Corso in Yeronga.

It’s even more rare that it happens to be owned by a former eight-time Olympic gold medallist and darling of the Australian swimming world.

And yet, here it is: 401 Brisbane Corso, home of Australia’s Madame Butterfly, Susie O’Neill.

Susie O’Neill’s family home in Yeronga.

The swimming champion, her husband, ophthalmologist Cliff Fairley, and their two sons, Alix, 16, and William, 14, have lived in the house for almost 20 years and it has been an integral and much cherished part of their lives.

More new Anna Spiro’s passion for ‘magical’ and historic Birkdale house

This home will have you climbing the walls

The most viewed homes in Queensland this year

Yet coming to own the house in 2001 was somewhat accidental, according to Susie, after the pair stumbled upon it in a renovation write-up in The Courier Mail.

“We thought, wow, look at that amazing home, but didn’t think more of it. Then we saw it again, I think it was a few weeks later, in the listings section; it was for sale,” she said.

“We were house-hunting at the time but we weren’t really looking in Yeronga, until we saw that house.”

Olympic swimmer Susie O’Neill with selling agent Christine Rudolph outside 401 Brisbane Corso.

Designed by Harry Poulos Architects, the five-bedroom family home on an 875 sqm block has endured the passing of time well. A new-build when Susie bought it for $1.3 million,
its modular exterior and open-plan layout were so avant-garde that 20 years on it fails to look dated.

While the house has undergone some modifications over the years — a lick of paint, an updated room here and there — Susie said its footprint had remained the same.

“The layout of the house is quite open-plan, which at the time, I guess, was quite modern,” Susie said. “We thought it was space age,” she laughed.

One feature of the property that has been a more recent addition is the pool with a Fast lane swim machine. One of only two in the country, you swim against a current to notch up distance while staying on the spot.

The house has had minor renovations done to it since it was built in 2001.

There is also a wide covered entertaining deck with a built-in barbecue and seating, and mature landscaped gardens that lead to a powered pontoon on the water.

Yet, for Susie and the family, the home’s most remarkable feature is the view.

The swimming pool has a Fast lane swim machine installed and is only one of two in Australia.

“The house has the most amazing view of the river, which you see as soon as you walk through the front door.”

She fondly recalls times of when her children were young and she would rise early in the mornings, wrap a duvet around herself and, with a cup of coffee in hand, sit and watch the rowers go by.

The decor is soothing and minimalist.

It’s times such as these that have made walking away from the property so hard — for Susie at least.

“I don’t think my husband is too concerned,” she laughed. “I think I get way more emotionally attached to things.

“It was the first house we bought together and it is where we raised our two sons. One
of my favourite memories is of the boys running around under the sprinklers in the back yard, before we had the pool. So, yeah, it’s hard to let go.”

Brisbane Corso is one of Brisbane’s most elite enclaves.

The elite road of Brisbane Corso is one of the most coveted in the city for its views and privacy.

Buyers of the property will be in good company with several athletes and sporting identities residing in the street, including the owners of champion racehorse Winx and former Olympian Mark Stockwell.

While the decision to move has not been an easy one, Susie said the family’s busy schedule meant it made sense for them to be closer to the boys’ school, to cut down on commuting.

The house goes under the hammer on September 12, if not sold beforehand.

The house has an amazing view of Brisbane River.

The post Golden opportunity to buy Olympian Susie O’Neill’s long-term family home appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Hans and Alicia Beck at their Kingsford home up for auction. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Savvy Sydney buyers can snap up homes at bargain ­prices as the property market continues its slide in what experts predict will be an unprecedented spring selling season.

First-home buyers with their eyes on out-of-reach suburbs may be able to expand their search area if expert predictions that Sydney values could fall by at least 10 per cent in the next year are realised.

Sydney’s median home price has already dropped by about 2.6 per cent over the past four months, research from CoreLogic revealed.

MORE: Warning for unit bargain hunters

NSW regions to grow due to city exodus

Further price falls would likely equate to an additional 0.5-1 per cent drop in values each month until midway through 2021.

But major differences have already emerged in city reg­ions, with housing experts ­revealing an increase in families wanting better houses could lift detached house ­values in some areas.

Meanwhile, sellers in areas heavily supplied with units will have to slash prices ­because of a drop in activity from investors.

Home values in the unit-heavy Parramatta region dropped by about 1.1 per cent over August, more than double the 0.5 per cent drop for the Greater Sydney area as a whole. There was an even bigger drop of 1.3 per cent in Ryde, another emerging high-rise apartment hub.

Prices in Sydney’s tightly held eastern suburbs were unchanged for the month, while strong upsizer demand also kept prices flat in the Hills district.

The biggest drop for the month was on the northern beaches at 1.5 per cent but CoreLogic analyst Eliza Owen said this followed a surge in values in the region before the pandemic.

“Prices have further to fall because they had just gone up,” she said, adding sellers may have acquiesced to this by lowering their expectations.

Marlene and Michael Richardson, with kids Levi ,12 and Liliana, 10, are taking their East Ryde home to auction this weekend. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said Sydney was normally an “uneven” market but the pandemic made those differences “extreme”.

“Not every property in every suburb is going to be affected the same,” she said. “It will be easier to get a bargain on a unit than a house.”

Ms Conisbee added the biggest risk for the market was apartment landlords defaulting on their mortgages due to plunging rents.

“The strength of the market will depend on how long banks keep giving support but we are in a very different market from previous (downturns) because banks remain well capitalised,” she said.

McGrath Estate Agents founder John McGrath said lower unit prices could give a leg up for first homebuyers.

Auctioneer Stuart Davies at the auction of a home sold for over $7m. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“The softest section of the market for the next six months is the investment unit market,” McGrath said.

“There is a window of opportunity for first homebuyers and investors to buy units below $750,000 at subdued prices. I think this window will close by mid-2021 as things normalise.”

Marlene and Michael Richardson are taking their East Ryde house on Jeanette St to auction Saturday and said they were trying to stay “realistic”.

“We know we’re in tough times,” she said. “We have had a lot of groups through but it could go either way … we wish the new owners luck. I think they will love it here.”

Kingsford homeowners Hans and Alicia Beck will be taking their three-bedroom house on Marville Ave to auction on September 19 and said they were feeling confident.

The Beck’s home on Marville Ave in Kingsford.

“Not many good quality houses are in the market in this area,” Mr Beck said. “We are a bit nervous because of the economy but we are hoping a family will fall in love with it. It’s a great home, there’s not many like it.”

The couple’s agent Charles Stevens of McGrath-Coogee said upsizer activity was strong and many of the buyers looking for larger homes had big budgets.

Some were prepared to spend more money because of the lack of travel and entertainment options during the pandemic, he said.

ANZ has projected Sydney home values will have fallen by about 13 per cent from the start of the pandemic to mid-2021. NAB’s outlook is for a 10-15 per cent drop in prices nationally, while CBA forecasted a drop of 10-12 per cent.

HOME PRICES CHANGES IN SYDNEY REGIONS

The post Spring selling season to be marked by ‘extreme’ differences in price changes across Sydney regions appeared first on realestate.com.au.