Reno remedy Find out how a renovator got a new look on a budget

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Budget-friendly makeovers

Reno remedy Perth homeowner Jamie has given her tired kitchen, bathroom and laundry a whole new look Jamie had always loved DIY shows, but it wasn’t until she did a renovating course that she had the confidence to buy a doer-upper. After a long search, she found an affordable 1960s duplex. “I wanted something that only needed cosmetic upgrades rather than structural changes that would blow my $30,000 reno budget,” she explains. The bulk of the budget was spent transforming the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. “It was a lot of hard work,” says Jamie, “but also incredibly satisfying and something I’d love to do again.” 

Jody D’Arcy, styling Grace Buckley.

Photography

Kylie Jackes.

Words

Some photographs feature products from suppliers other than Bunnings. “The reno took three and a half months,” says Jamie. “Each afternoon after work I’d spend a couple of hours on site, and every weekend was spent painting and assembling flatpacks”

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Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in Gloss White helps bounce light around

Before

Taubmans Admiral Blue

KITCHEN

More in store The biggest issue in the compact kitchen was lack of storage. “It had just two overhead cabinets and no pantry, so the challenge was providing more storage space, without encroaching on the dining area opposite, which was also quite small,” explains Jamie. Using the online Kaboodle kitchen planner, Jamie played around with layout and cabinetry options, then had an In-Home Services team member visit to discuss options and measure up the new configuration. While the original U-shaped layout was kept, the new peninsular bench was pushed out to slightly enlarge the kitchen footprint. On the back wall, vertical space was maximised with a bank of overhead cupboards and a 600mm pantry cabinet. Once ready to go, Jamie had a carpenter install both the cabinetry and benchtop.

“I love the modern yet timeless combination of navy, white and brass” Bright spark Jamie opted for Taubmans Crisp White on the walls and ceiling, and Kaboodle cabinetry in Gloss White personalised with brushed brass pulls for a touch of luxury. White splashback tiles add to the timeless palette, as does the Kaboodle laminate benchtop in Mayonella, which resembles natural stone. “I wanted something affordable and low maintenance, and the finishes are so easy to clean,” says Jamie. Bonnie blues As white-on-white kitchens run the risk of looking a little plain, Jamie added an element of wow to the face of the peninsular bench with contrasting texture and colour. VJ-look wall lining panels were cut to size, painted in Taubmans Admiral Blue and attached to the base cabinets. “I wanted a really deep, rich navy and the first sample pot I tried was perfect,” says Jamie. “It’s a beautiful, classic colour, which is sophisticated and adds depth and personality.”

Shop the look

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1 Easycraft ‘EasyVJ’ 1200mm x 900mm x 9mm primed MDF interior wall lining, $32, I/N: 0330843. 2 Kaboodle 600mm cut to measure benchtop in Mayonella, $187/m, I/N: 2666408†. 3 Bellini 60cm ceramic cooktop in Black and 60cm stainless steel electric oven package, $766, I/N: 5103599. 4 Kaboodle ‘Modern’ profile 450mm pantry door in Gloss White, $148, I/N: 2660123.

BATHROOM

Demolition derby While arches are making a comeback, they just didn’t work in the original bathroom. “The arch took up valuable space and made the room feel disjointed and dark, so the first step was demolishing it along with the bath, toilet and dated cabinetry,” says Jamie. Removing the bulky Roman-style brick and tile bath, in favour of a walk-in shower with a glass screen, greatly enhanced the light and sense of space.

Mirror, mirror Dual-functionality pieces set a small space up for success, as Jamie found with the Mondella mirrored shaving cabinet. “It provides considerable head-height storage without encroaching too much into the space and, being reflective, it also helps boost the natural light in the room,” she says.

Smooth accent The simple white backdrop allows contemporary brushed brass tapware and shower fixtures to shine. For a similar finish, try the Mondella ‘Maestro’ range in Brushed Brass. A timber vanity also injects warmth, while opting for a floor-standing style with an above-counter basin made for maximum storage. 

Low cost, high impact Rather than splash out on pricey tiles, Jamie used inexpensive subways laid in a herringbone pattern to create striking impact across the back wall. The rest of the walls were tiled from floor to ceiling in large rectangular white gloss ceramic tiles for a seamless, easy-clean finish.

“I did the demolition myself to save costs,” says Jamie. “Removing the bath and toilet, which was concreted in, took a lot of time on the jackhammer!”

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1 Johnson Tiles 297mm x 97mm neutral ceramic wall tile in White Gloss, $26.73/pack of 27 (0.77sqm, $33/sqm), I/N: 0111657. 2 Johnson Tiles 400mm x 200mm ceramic wall tile in White Gloss, $46.66/pack of 18 (1.44sqm, $32.40/sqm), I/N: 6661016. 3 Mondella ‘Rococo’ 1200mm 3 door mirrored shaving cabinet in White, $231, I/N: 0181395. 4 Mondella ‘Resonance’ 365mm round above counter basin in Matt White, $157, I/N: 0205462. 5 Cibo ‘Tonic’ 1200mm full height vanity in Coast, $629, I/N: 0138293 (cabinet only)†. 6 Mondella ‘Maestro’ WELS 3-star 9L/min single function hand shower on rail in Brushed Brass, $178, I/N: 0137887†. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

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“The finishes are fresh, light and easy to look after and clean,” says Jamie

LAUNDRY

Originally, the laundry had just an old tub in the corner and a medicine cabinet, says Jamie, whose priority was adding storage, a bench for folding and a full-width tiled splashback for better water resistance.

Cohesive feel Using consistent finishes and fixtures across the kitchen, bathroom and laundry simplified the selection process and created a seamless look throughout the home. The same cabinetry and benchtop as the kitchen were used again, while the subway tiles are a combination of leftovers from both the kitchen and the bathroom, with the different lengths used to create an interesting splashback pattern.

“I really enjoyed the challenge of transforming spaces and doing as much as possible myself” Storage boost Adding storage was easy, as the dimensions of the space perfectly matched standard-size Kaboodle cabinets. On the wall, a pair of 600mm cabinets was teamed with a single 400mm cabinet. Below the bench a 600mm and 400mm cabinet sit either side of the washing machine.

Sink smarts Even though the laundry is small, Jamie chose a deep, generously sized sink, good for filling buckets or tackling messy jobs, and an ideal size to sit above a 600mm Kaboodle base cabinet. A statement mixer tap is the ultimate in stylish practicality. ◆

Top tips Save on plumbing costs by keeping your pipework in the original location where possible. Always use licensed trades for plumbing and electrical works

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1 Everhard ‘Nugleam’ 70L utility laundry sink, $518, I/N: 0087001†. 2 Mondella ‘Resonance’ WELS 5-star 6L/min pin side lever sink mixer in Chrome, $137, I/N: 5004139. 3 Delf Trade ‘Madrid’ passage lever set in Matt Black, $42.58, I/N: 0047356†. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Your Shower. Your Way.

With their Tūroa collection, Methven have created a personalised shower experience, plus outstanding innovation and design across the entire bathroom

Below: ‘Tūroa’ WELS 6-star 4.5L/min basin mixer, $239, I/N: 0067537, ‘Tūroa’ WELS 4-star 7.5L/min wall mounted basin mixer (including spout and mixer), $359, I/N: 0067542

Methven’s innovative VJet® technology puts you in complete control of your shower, allowing you to transition between variable functions. No two days are the same, so why not choose a shower that can change to suit your needs?

Increasingly, people are looking for personalisation in the bathroom and an experience uniquely tailored to their needs. This is especially true with showering – the desired spray will vary depending on use, from the

TAILORED TO YOU

Your showering needs change, so Methven has created an experience that evolves with you. The Tūroa handset slider (powered by VJet®) allows you to activate a seamless transition from a firm, invigorating shower spray to a gentle, enveloping warmth and everything in between. basic purpose of cleaning through to calming or revitalising the senses.

BEAUTIFUL AND DURABLE

More and more, the environment is influencing customers’ home design purchasing decisions. Stainless-steel tapware is an eco-friendly choice as it doesn’t need chemical-heavy chrome plating. Stainless steel is also incredibly hardwearing, yet offers a modern and stylish look for all your tapware. The Methven Tūroa collection is made from grade 304 stainless steel and is considered low lead. Plus, the textured finish is perfect for hiding finger marks.

MADE TO MATCH

The Tūroa range also includes a set of designer stainless-steel tapware and matching bathroom accessories, which suit virtually any modern design. This robust collection is supported by an industry-leading lifetime warranty on showers, a 20-year warranty on tapware and a 10-year warranty on accessories. See the entire range at bunnings.com.au.

1 ‘Tūroa’ VJet WELS 3-star 9L/min handset, $176, I/N: 0067535. 2 ‘Tūroa’ WELS 6-star 4.5L/min basin mixer, $239, I/N: 0067537. 3 ‘Tūroa’ shower mixer, $209, I/N: 0067538.