Displaying all the modern conveniences, this red-brick Western Australian home was transformed into a comfortable, contemporary residence
This property is now a spacious and welcoming home promoting hassle-free living, thanks to Dale Alcock Home Improvement, which undertook an extensive renovation on Paul and wife Jennie’s West Leederville home.
The couple purchased the original red-brick bungalow as an investment property, which they rented out until two years ago. They then decided to move into the large family home themselves to cut travel time and be closer to work.
Just weeks after moving in, Paul noticed a few of the home’s small nuances. “We began to realise how tired the home really was,” he says. “There was no parking out the front and the only toilet was located in the only bathroom, proving difficult at times.” So the pair started looking into their options — should they renovate or re-build?
They decided to hold on to part of the home’s original charm and met with Max Sardi from Dale Alcock Home Improvement to discuss what they wanted from the renovation and how it could be achieved. “We had some ideas from a functional perspective but wanted to leave what it was going to look like to the experts,” Paul says.
Off-street parking for two cars was an important requirement for the new home, as was a separate master bed and bath area, renovated kitchen, larger ground-floor bathroom, a more open design and a clean look that “wasn’t too modern so as not to date in the next 10 years. Basically we were asking for something that was going to enhance the way we lived so we could really enjoy it,” Paul says.
And that’s exactly what the couple achieved. The new two-storey residence barely resembles the original home thanks to a design that won Dale Alcock Home Improvement the title of Renovations and Addition Project of the Year at the 2007 HIA ANZ Housing Awards. The judges said the renovation produced a stylishly revived Leederville home in keeping with its surroundings. Clean, finished lines, a high standard of workmanship and well-zoned areas make this a category winner.
The three original bedrooms were recarpeted and painted but were otherwise left untouched, while everything else was stripped down, redone and altered. The three-bedroom red-brick home was turned into a four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence complete with modern rendering, upstairs sitting room and a two-car garage.
This transformation took around six months of construction and Paul and Jennie lived in the home while the building was taking place — a decision that would make many cringe. However, Paul says it made the whole process more enjoyable.
“It was a lot of fun but yes, challenging at times. We saved money by not having to go anywhere else, but the extension also had to be staged because of our presence, which eventually evened out the overall price.
“It was nice to be able to chat with the tradesmen every day and get their perspective on things and, funnily enough, our neighbours were also renovating at the same time, which helped because we didn’t have to worry about the noise of trucks arriving at ungodly hours.”
A front gate now opens to the wraparound timber deck leading up to the front door on the western side of the home. A spacious living area, that was previously separate living and dining rooms, greets the family as they enter; Max removed the dividing wall to open up the area and create a spacious first impression.
Sliding doors provide access to the north-facing front verandah, bringing the outdoors in and taking advantage of the warm winter sun. The galley-style kitchen is adjacent to this space, allowing for easy entertaining, while the minor bedroom wing and laundry area are towards the back of the ground floor. The main bedroom was also updated and now has double vanities, a frameless corner shower and a deep bath.
An attractive Tasmanian oak staircase with a stainless-steel balustrade and overhead void leads to the desirable second-level parents’ retreat. A central sitting room opens to the front balcony overlooking the park, which Paul says is his favourite part of the updated home.
The spacious bedroom and ensuite, specially insulated to muffle the sound of passing traffic to provide a private sanctuary, take up the rest of the second floor.
Creating a smooth flow to the upper floor and a prominent streetscape were Max’s main intentions with the design, the only challenge coming from “the red tape” associated with getting complicated projects through the council, such as the carport on the boundary and front balcony. “Once these projects were approved, we were able to produce a striking home that not only looks great, but boasts a well-planned, practical design, has good solar orientation and a seamless transition from old to new,” Max says. “And we absolutely love it,” Paul adds.
SUGGESTED PULL-OUTS
The three original bedrooms were recarpeted and painted but were otherwise left untouched, while everything else was stripped down, redone and altered.
Sliding doors provide access to the north-facing front verandah, bringing the outdoors in and taking advantage of the warm winter sun.
Off-street parking for two cars was an important requirement for the new home.
Project Particulars
The project was designed/built by Dale Alcock Home Improvements
1 Pearson Way (off Selby Street), Osborne Park WA 6017
Phone: (08) 9204 9037
Fax: (08) 9204 1860
Website: www.dalealcock.com.au
FLOORING: Main floors by owner. Wet areas floors (owner supplied tiles — builder installed).
WALLS: (External) Dulux Antique White to all house walls except feature section to front of main bedroom. Dulux Networker to feature section. Dulux Sandy Day to piers, retaining and side wall.
ALUMINIUM WINDOWS AND SLIDING DOORS: Supplied by Jason Windows.
KITCHEN: Benchtop: Laminex Roman Marble Diamond Gloss finish. Cabinetry: Formica Cappuccino Pearl finish to four drawers, microwave recess, appliance cupboard, open shelf, canister shelf and rear of island cupboard. Formica Rock Salt Velvet finish to remainder of doors. Formica Dacometal Brushed Aluminium to kickboards. Glass splashback: Platinum. Rangehood: Owner supplied (Blanco product). Cooktop: Owner supplied (Blanco product). Oven: Owner supplied (Blanco product).
ENSUITE: Benchtop: Wilsonart Desert Zephyr 4841-60. Cabinetry: Wilsonart pearl Bisque Premium D48507.
BATHROOM: Benchtop: Laminex Stipple Seal Natural finish. Cabinetry: Wilsonart Pearl Mist Premium D48607.
SANITARY FIXTURES + BATHROOM FITTINGS: Alder Verde tap sets (chrome with gold trim) to wet areas. Dorf Venus mixer (chrome with gold trim) to kitchen sink. Caroma supplied the basins, toilet suites and bath. Semi-frameless shower screens. Alder Alto chrome accessories to wet areas.
LIGHTING: Clipsal fittings and accessories.
INTERNAL DOORS: Corinthian Milan MIL111 doors.
BALUSTRADE INTERNAL: Stainless-steel (polished) Nautilus with Tasmanian oak Slimview handrail.
BALUSTRADE EXTERNAL: Vista Windspray, clear glazed with Slimline handrail.
LANDSCAPING: By owner.
