|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| $25K renovation |
| Armed with only a vision and a limited budget, Sergio De Caires has turned a dump into a dream home. |
|
|
|
|
When antique restorer and interior designer, Sergio De Caires, bought this rundown Sydney house he had a vision — to produce a stunning and unique home for less than $25,000. The two storey terrace was a dump and his friends and family couldn't see its appeal. But with a little nous and a lot of knowledge, Sergio has created a dream home.
When Sergio bought the Newtown terrace it was in primitive condition. The house was dark with no plumbing and the yard was overgrown. The kitchen consisted of a stove and two cupboards. However, Sergio saw potential and today it is contemporary and vibrant with interesting design features. And it was all created on a shoestring budget.
Sergio wanted to keep the original façade, both rear and front, in order to avoid lengthy council applications. To add character, he decided to restore the fireplaces, cornices, doors and windows, then combine the old look with some new innovation.
The ground level consists of open plan lounge and dining, with restored Kauri and sandstone fireplace. There are Kauri floorboards throughout and ornate Paddington cornices. Sergio added his creative touch with a splash of colour and a stucco wax finish along one wall in each room.
A gourmet kitchen with beech cupboard doors and stainless steel benches leads from the dining room. Stainless steel down lights are fixed to a protruding, curved bulkhead over the kitchen bench.
An alcove with Mediterranean blue tiles leads into the bathroom. In the bathroom, a ceiling to floor panel of Ozone glass floodlights onto a double curved vanity. The vanity is raised 20mm to prevent moisture damage and curved to maximise space.
White pebbles give the backyard a fresh, clean and open feel. Wild plants have been strategically planted around the perimeter, with charcoal stepping stones and Japanese box hedges. Car access is allowed through the paved area and automatic roller door. Garden halogen and fairy lights complete the look for a party venue.
The restored staircase takes you into the master bedroom. Here, there is a striking fireplace and french doors that open onto a lace balcony. Sergio spent hours restoring the fireplace and doors to their original condition by removing eight coats of paint.
Sergio's home office is designed to make the most of natural light. The room faces north east so it captures the morning sunlight. The wall of the stairwell was replaced by a curved Mondo stud and track frame (slots are cut in the aluminium so it can be bent into any shape) which allows for privacy, but also channels light downstairs. The stairwell is Gyprocked and finished in stucco "shaker blue".
Sergio saved thousands of dollars by shopping around and researching cost-effective alternatives. It pays to go to wholesalers as many of them will sell to the public. The most expensive feature is the kitchen, costing around $7,000. He sourced the stainless steel top for just $1,500 when it could have cost him up to $3,500.
Sergio personally designed the kitchen, then had to find someone to make it and deliver it ready for installation. He had several quotes for the beech kitchen cupboards, ranging from $6,000 to $15,000. Sergio found a reputable supplier in the Trading Post and scored his cupboards for just $3,500.
The biggest bargain was the front fence and balcony lace work. Once again, Sergio used the Trading Post to source 130 wrought iron spears and he made the fence himself. To save money, he used retaining wall blocks for the base, instead of sandstone.
The two fireplaces in the lounge and dining area look like sandstone, but are actually made from cement block with oxide. Each fireplace cost just $50, a saving of about $250 if they had been made from sandstone.
Plain cornices were replaced with reproduction-Paddington cornices to stand out as a feature. Even the architraves and kickboards are reproduction and made from MDF. Sergio bought the dining room table for $100 and restored it to its former glory. This required him to pull apart the Kauri pine trestle table, glue the top, strip, bleach and polish.
The old shed attached to the bathroom was removed and converted to a laundry and storage area. The frame was built from timbers inside the house and the windows were from the old front balcony.
|
More Info
If you would like to use Sergio's antique restoration and design skills contact Sergio De Caires at Restorations 'N Creations.
Ph: 0414 659 461
|
Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
|
|
|
|
|
