THE WEST AUSTRALIAN HABITAT • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014

4 myHABITAT THE WEST AUSTRALIAN HABITAT • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014

myHABITAT 5

When an interior designer embarkson a complicated renovation of theirown home, the results are bound to

be impressive.The effect is further magnified when the

services of a progressive architect andspecialty builder are brought into the mix.

Such was the case when interior designerLiz Prater set about transforming her drabCottesloe home.

One of the biggest challenges ofrejuvenating the blonde brick, double-storey home was that it was part of a triplexwith common walls and a shared roof.

Builder Anthony Pillinger, of SwellHomes, worked with Ms Prater to completethe renovation, which has resulted in astunning contemporary home.

Mr Pillinger said the project was a perfectexample of how a strata home could bereworked without compromise and withoutimpacting too much on the neighbours.

“This particular home is one of threejoined properties,” he said. “I guess therewould have been the option to tear it downand start again but there are merits tokeeping the existing building.

“With duplexes and triplexes it can bebetter to keep the existing structurebecause you can take advantage of theoriginal planning decisions. If you were toknock it over and start again, you wouldnever get the same tight setbacks, so it isworth working with what you have got ifpossible.”

Another benefit of keeping the existinghouse was that it saved on costs associatedwith repairing the roof and walls of theadjoining property.

Mr Pillinger said one of the biggestchallenges during the project was ensuringthe home would flow seamlessly from old tonew.

“You can’t really tell this is anextension,” he said.

“We had to smash out a lot of walls and

make some major changes, in fact therewasn’t one room in the house that wasn’ttouched, but now that it is all finished it isvery difficult to distinguish what waspre-existing and what is new and, to me,that is the sign of a really good renovationand extension.

“The lounge is new but the kitchen wasexisting, although it has been completelygutted but there is no way you could tell.”

Some of the signs which pointed to thehouse’s original styling had been cleverlyhidden thanks to thoughtful architecturalplanning.

“If you looked really closely, you would

see some tell-tale signs,” Mr Pillinger said.“There’s the old tiled roof which wecouldn’t touch because it joins theneighbouring property but a new balconyhas been added and it has a dual purpose.Firstly its roof provides shelter but it also isvisually dominant so that you don’t ever seethe full tiled roof line behind it. You onlyget snippets of it.”

Mr Pillinger said that inside the detail ofthe design was what made the finishedproduct so successful, with Ms Prater’sknack for thinking outside the square andeye for unique decorating opportunitiespaying big dividends.

One of the standout features is the limedand smoked oak front door, kitchenpanelling and lounge room and bathroomcabinets.

“She is really clever. She used floorboardsto make the door, kitchen panels and thecabinets in the bathrooms and loungearea,” Mr Pillinger said.

Kohlen Joinery used the Royal OakFloors boards that Ms Prater selected andfabricated the front door, which was fittedinto commercial aluminium joinery by SVGlass.

“They are really beautiful and they drawthe whole place together and help to unifyit,” Mr Pillinger said.

“The bathrooms are also fitted out withtravertine and that gives a five-star resortfeeling.”

The travertine was also used extensivelyin other parts of the interiors and exteriors,which helps create a seamless flow. “Youhave to be brave to do things like thatbecause while the material itself isreasonably affordable, it is a naturalproduct so the labour is costly and you needsomeone who is very good at installing it,”Mr Pillinger said.

Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining areahouses a striking artwork bought by MsPrater many years ago in Melbourne.

The space flows seamlessly outside to astylish alfresco area featuring an outdoorkitchen with Silestone benchtops, awall-mounted fireplace set in James Hardiefibre-cement cladding surrounds, andpainted pine-slatting bench seats designedby Ms Prater and constructed by acarpenter.

Ms Prater designed the area herself,installing mirrors on the rear wall to makeit feel bigger.

“We posted an image of the backyard (onhome design website Houzz) and it has beenshared by more than 23,000 people,” MrPillinger said. “There is something aboutthat space that really strikes a chord withpeople, I think it is because it is small yetvery appealing and it has a sense ofspaciousness and luxury.”

The main bedroom also features its owncourtyard filled with foliage-denseplantings that contrast beautifully againstpale-coloured rendered walls.

Design ideas from the home• Think outside the square —

homeowner Liz Prater used limedand smoked oak floorboards for thefront door, kitchen panelling andbathroom and lounge cabinetry,creating a unique look.

• When renovating, thoughtfulplacement of new elements canconceal difficult or ugly pre-existingstructures. In this case, the newbalcony cleverly conceals an old tiledroof.

• Clever placement of mirrors in asmall backyard can help create theillusion of space.

GET THE LOOK

BUILDING DESIGNER / Karl Spargo Building Design,0411 546 598INTERIOR DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN / Liz Prater Design Home, 0400 334 664TRAVERTINE / Milano Stone, 9383 5933,milanostone.com.auPAINT / Dulux Antique White USA (walls) and WA White (ceilings)KITCHEN BENCHTOPS / Silestone ‘Yukon’SELECTED FURNITURE / Camerich, Osborne Park,9446 4324, camerichperth.com.au; Empire, Highgate,9228 1022 (also in Claremont, Osborne Park,Fremantle and Dunsborough), worldofempire.com.auOUTDOOR FIREPLACE INSERT / Subiaco Restoration,Osborne Park, 9444 9900, subirest.com.au

STYLE FILE

Being part of a triplex was no barrier to the redesign of this Cottesloe home, which has been transformed into a stylish contemporary abode. KRISTEN WATTS reports.

The alfresco area features an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and built-in bench seating.

Our assist program provides home and business owners in Perth with an affordable range of water efficient products and services that are delivered and installed through a reliable and convenient service.

Take advantage of these benefits:• All inclusive price for purchase,

delivery, standard installation and GST

• Reliable and convenient service

• Product and workmanship warranty

Call our partner company, Select Solutions, on 1300 235 874 and make a booking today.

For more information and terms & conditions, visit watercorporation.com.au

Saving water has never been this easy.

Get with the scheduleHave a representative from a Waterwise Specialist check and re-program your existing irrigation controller to best suit the needs of your lawn and garden and ensure you comply with the sprinkler roster. $154

Metro customers only

Dual flush toilets Pool covers3 styles to choose from.From $385

Reduce evaporation and keep your pool clean.From $550 FULLY INSTALLED

FULLY INSTALLED

Round & slimline rainwater tanks

Irrigation controllers

Connected to downpipes for garden use.From $1,150

6 and 8 station controllers available. Includes programming.From $385 FULLY INSTALLED

FULLY INSTALLED

before

‘With duplexes and triplexes itcan be better to keep theexisting structure.’Anthony Pillinger

Limed and smoked oak floorboards were used to create a unique look in the kitchen, bathroom, lounge and for the front door.

Immaculate outcome to complex renovation

Left: The main bedroom opensout to its own courtyard.Pictures: Joel Barbitta