A Contemporary Californian Bungalow Renovation

The Melbourne owners of this 1930’s Californian Bungalow were in the midst of a major renovation. The home was dated and didn’t function for our clients in it’s current state. Lisa Elliott worked collaboratively with the builder to design this Californian Bungalow modern renovation.

The existing interior had already seen multiple renovations, and many heritage features associated with the Californian Bungalow Style such as timber detailing and archways that once existed were unfortunately long gone.

Explore the before and after images below.

Project: Californian Bungalow Renovation, Melbourne

The question was explored with the client as to which of the remaining details (predominantly skirtings and cornices) should remain, and would they be replicated in the remodelling of the more recent existing extension? The decision was made to remove period features such as cornices & skirtings in the bathrooms in order to tile up to the ceilings, creating sophisticated minimalist black and white bathrooms for this Californian Bungalow modern renovation.

In the remodelled extension, the skirtings, window & door frames were replaced with new timber trims in a clean square profile in the same proportions as the existing front part of the home.

The existing Master Bedroom ensuite, powder room and teenagers’ bathroom were renovated in the Californian Bungalow, maintaining the existing proportions of each room.

(please pin the below graphic to your pinterest board for reference)

So, why Hire an Interior Designer?

Unfortunately many people get confused or intimidated by the idea of hiring a professional Interior Designer for their project, and might be concerned about the process of working with a designer & the costs of doing so.

A lot of people I meet feel that they can hire a builder and do the design themselves, selecting materials and fixtures in dribs and drabs, often at the last minute (leading to less choice) with poor planning & lack of an overall vision. This will lead increased costs due to changes, additions and variations that the builder will not have allowed for.

(please pin the below graphic to your pinterest board for reference)

You will save money & time. Your designer will plan functional and appealing spaces, provide drawings, visualisations & material / furnishing selections in a strategic manner so you can get competitive quotes, and you know what the design will look like & cost right from the start.

You require a Qualified Interior Designer & Registered Building Practitioner for any commercial project or residential project that requires a building permit; a proper interior designer is a highly trained & experienced registered professional, not just someone with ‘a good eye for colour’ and a knack for picking furniture.

Since engaging Lisa Elliott at the end of 2018, the professionalism has been at very high standard and we have found Lisa to be very easy to work with & a great understanding of Australian Standard Building codes for this project, even noting the Head contractors non-compliance in two situation, in turn saving us from extra expenditure that was not costed. With Lisa’s guidance through the design we have meet budgets & achieved the look we required.

G. MacIsaac

Image: Omar Rodriguez @ormphotography