Today we are walking you through our recently completed – Main Beach Apartment project!
You may have seen some bts of this one over on our instagram stories as the construction unfolded, but we’re excited to finally reveal the full completed apartment to you!
With generous ocean views across Main Beach, the two-bedroom, now two-bathroom apartment set with kitchen, living and balcony space creates a property which is perfect for weekends away to soak up time with family and friends. As avid entertainers, the couple wanted to create a modern ‘light and airy’ home on the coast to escape to from the hustle and bustle of their city life. The dated characteristics of the existing apartment brought the style of the space back down to the 1980’s era it was built in with the stucco ceiling and typical 80’s palette.
The spatial planning of this full apartment renovation was critical from the beginning. The client had the dream of adding a second bathroom space to this 2 bedroom apartment to serve as an ensuite off their Primary Bedroom. After many iterations and weeks liaising with hydraulic engineers and council certifiers we were able to come up with a design solution which created the second bathroom, passed all the plumbing codes and certifications, and worked well functionally. Although the addition of a second toilet suite wasn’t possible in this apartment due to plumbing restrictions we were able to come up with a ‘jack & jill’ style solution to share the 1 toilet between the Main Bathroom and new Primary Ensuite. We were also able to add new vanities with basin/s and generous showers to both bathrooms, and a new laundry area within the connected WC space.
The existing single bathroom and laundry spaces were opened up as part of the new layout. This new layout maximised the flow between the entry, main bath, laundry and all adjacent bedrooms, while creating space for the new ensuite off the Primary Bedroom. Walls were removed, relocated and/or modified to suit the new layout as instructed by the engineer.
To begin the design the existing stucco ceiling was packed out with a new ceiling, finishing at 2400H, allowing for a square set ceiling throughout the apartment and a new lighting layout with surface mount twin can lights. New interior paint in Porters Paint’s ‘Lambs Wool’ was specified throughout the entire apartment including walls, ceiling, skirting and all door / window trims for a nice overall refresh.
New timber flooring was laid throughout the apartment, and this completely transformed the feel of the space. We ended up going with the beautiful ‘Freado’ herringbone oak timber floor from Tongue & Groove which suited perfectly. New ceiling mounted window coverings were also selected to suit each window type, with s-wave sheers and block out roller blinds to filter out the coastal morning sun.
One of the hero features of the new design is the blackbutt timber cladding! Running from the apartment entry, past the bathroom and through to the Kitchen / Living spaces, the timber cladding features in a cohesive blackbutt grain mixing routed panels with large veneer flat panels. The large timber wall adds a beautiful tactile warmth to the apartment, while also disguising two ‘secret’ full height pivot doors into the Main Bathroom and Primary Bedroom. The blackbutt veneer is also carried around the kitchen island bench to link the materiality and detail.
New tall joinery units were also designed for the entry and bedrooms with integrated drawers, custom shelving set outs, hanging rails and hooks to maximise storage throughout.
KITCHEN
A complete redesign of the kitchen was carried out to help modernise the space and improve the day to day life for the clients. A new open plan layout was designed to include a new island bench which increased the functionality of the kitchen immensely. We also incorporated smart, integrated solutions like pantry drawers and Blum servodrive to increase overall efficiency throughout.
The bench height was raised to 950H to best cater to the Client’s ergonomics, making it a much more comfortable kitchen to spend time. The organisation of all drawers / cupboards was also improved in the way of inner drawers, drawer inserts, and organisational solutions. Overhead cabinetry was taken to the ceiling to increase usable storage overhead. A tall Vintec wine fridge and drinks storage was also integrated into the kitchen area as the clients love to entertain.
Throughout the kitchen, new appliances were selected and integrated were possible for a seamless finish. This includes a new combination microwave oven and rangehood, as well as a new Fisher & Paykel integrated fridge / freezer and Miele dishwasher. In addition to that, all fixtures and fittings were specified including a large new kitchen sink with brushed nickel pull out mixer.
The new finishes throughout the kitchen were selected to help create a more modern, light and airy open space. The clients expressed they were very open to our suggestions however loved the look of natural finishes such as timber, which we hero’d throughout the design in the way of wall to wall blackbutt timber cladding and details throughout. The clients also request that all surfaces are durable, stain/UV stable and low maintenance which we kept at front of mind in our selections, in particular the working benchtop material where we opted for the Dekton ‘Opera’ in a natural finish.
LIVING ROOM
Stepping into the living space which features grand views out over the ocean, we created a wonderful space to sit back, relax and enjoy watching the surfers (and occasional whales!). Working in with the clients existing grey sectional sofa we injected a punch of interest to ground the space with the Hare + Klein ‘Scribble’ rug from Designer Rugs. The warm colourways in this beautiful rug worked back in with the tone of the wall cladding and timber flooring so well.
We selected the Walter Knoll ‘375 Coffee Table’ from Living Edge with a soft marble top and fine black legs which visually sat against the rug perfectly. To create a little conversation moment in the living room, we added the Vitra ‘Cite Armchair’ and Elan Plus ‘Screw Side Table’ in the American walnut and dark travertine stone combination. These pieces were sensational in adding some organic lines and forms to the room without obstructing the view out.
To layer up the space we picked out some Jardan soft furnishings and styling items such as cushions, throws and handmade ceramic pieces which really elevated the feel.
MAIN BATHROOM
The new main bathroom was designed to improve the liveability of the apartment and create the second bathroom the client’s needed. Sitting in the old laundry position set behind a new hidden pivot door the space is small yet functional, with walk-in shower, a wall hung vanity with single basin and overhead mirror cabinet. A new undermount basin, wall mixer tap and rail shower were also specified, in addition to a full set of new accessories such as towel rail and robe hooks. We also added an Anchor Ceramics wall sconce in this space to add a fun design detail and point of interest.
The main bathroom finishes were specified to keep in line with the new palette of the apartment to allow for consistency throughout the home, yet we wanted to ensure this space wasn’t an exact match of the ensuite beside. As the bathrooms connect and visually open into each other the materiality was important to consider – having elements consistent yet also unique. We selected a large format concrete look tile from Ace Stone & Tiles which wrapped from the floors up onto the walls of the shower bays. This was paired with a light lineal feature tile in the Main Bath, and a darker option in a similar format from Elite Bathware + Tiles in the Ensuite. We used these features tiles to create a fun half height tile line and nib wall shelf around the room. The design details were clean and simplistic to complement a contemporary coastal aesthetic. Sensor LED lighting was incorporated into the shower and beneath the vanity for an added sense of luxury.
PRIMARY SUITE
The existing Primary Bedroom remained in the same location, although the bedroom entry door and robes were reconfigured to allow for the new bathrooms and direct access into the new ensuite. Set behind the other hidden pivot door, the primary bedroom connects through from the living space and features new loop pile carpet, window treatments, ceiling fan and square set ceiling with new lighting layout.
The new robes were designed to cater to the Client’s needs, whilst also sitting seamlessly within the new design on either side of the ensuite cavity door. The existing hot water tank had to remain in the same location, but was hidden within the new bedroom robes.
Upon the redesign of the existing bathroom and laundry spaces, the new layout allowed for the creation of an additional bathroom which serves as the Primary Ensuite. The new ensuite features a generous walk in shower with raised ceiling detail and wall washing LED lighting, new double vanity, and mirror cabinet storage. New double undermount basins, brushed nickel wall mixer taps, duo rail shower, and toilet were also specified, in addition to a full set of new accessories such as towel rail, robe hooks and paper roll holder.
The ensuite is similar in style and finish to the main bathroom to keep with the overall contemporary feel of the new design, yet injects a touch of mood and depth in the organic dark feature tile used. There is something so wonderful about being able to see out to the ocean from the bathroom now!
The existing laundry room was removed and the new main bathroom took it’s place, therefore it needed to be relocated to a location which suited the new bathroom layouts and hydraulic restrictions. In the new design, a stacked front loading washing machine and dryer, small sink, mixer tap, and closed storage were incorporated into a cupboard hidden within the new WC. This new location allowed the laundry to be centrally located within the wet areas and service both the clients and their guests, whilst also being visually discrete.
