Tri, Try Again

Newcastle Herald

Saturday June 11, 2005

writes ALYSSON WATSON

THIS art deco bungalow in Hamilton South was a blend of English country and tropical retreat when the owners moved in 5 1/2 years ago.

But because they were about to have triplets, their makeover didn't start for three years.

Although structurally sound and with some original features, the house didn't suit their taste, or adequately accommodate three young princesses.

The first step was to reclaim a veranda sunroom as a fourth bedroom, so each little girl could have her own space. Then the couple renovated the bathroom and added a second one by renovating the laundry.

They painted throughout, lolly pink in two girls' rooms and bright blue in the other, and stone throughout, with feature walls in deep blue and chocolate. Trims are white and windows dressed simply with white or timber venetians.

They also painted the weatherboard exterior coffee cream, with blue/grey and white trims, and built a picket fence to enclose the front garden.

Last year's projects were a new kitchen, with stoney white CaesarStone benchtops and off-white two-pack cupboards, and a solid island/breakfast bar, with clever mini-orb kickplate just right for six swinging feet.

The backyard was also revamped. Sixteen huge cocos palms and hundreds of ferns around the pool were removed and replaced with a simple combination of paving, decking and pebbles, with feature Buddhas and agaves in steel grey pots. Bamboo fencing is the perfect backdrop to the Balinese makeover, and gardens are simple New Zealand flax bordered by lyriope.

The front garden is more classic, in keeping with the age of the house. Three young pencil pines are the features among borders of camellias, gardenias and English box.

Inside the house successfully blends old and new, nowhere more obviously that in the bathroom, designed and built by Peter Kotz.

The delightful art deco window frames are featured in cream against a chocolate colour scheme, with coffee mosaics high up the wall and muddy brown tiles on the floor. A frameless mirror dominates, and there is a deep bath, large vanity, and semi-frameless shower.

In the formal lounge and dining room, at the front, there are recessed panel ceilings, leadlight windows and doors, tallowwood floors and fireplaces. Dining furniture is timber and the lounge is a comforting space of soft blue sofas.

The girls' bedrooms are bright spaces, with candy-striped bedlinen and vibrant furniture from Vaucluse store Kids' Space.

The kitchen and family room at the rear, which open through French doors to the pool, is a sleek modern space of hardwood floors and stone-coloured walls.

Square chocolate lounges are both stylish and serviceable for family living, and the walls are dominated by two large canvases one a split close-up of pink frangipanis, the other a Paul Foley photomosaic of the lovely little girls.

To have your home featured contact Alysson Watson on 4979 5613 or awatson@theherald.com.au

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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