Before and after: 1970s brick home gets groovy revamp

Article by real living

A 1970s family home finds its full potential with a clever layout overhaul

Lauren Tocchini grew up in a home with an open-door policy on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where friends and family were always welcome. When she started her own family, this was the type of place she wanted to create.

When Lauren returned to the area with her English husband Jesse Stephens, after a decade of living in London, the couple surprised themselves with their timing – in June 2013 they not only found a great 1970s, five-bedroom brick home, with a pool, but it was also at an excellent price.

While the house had undergone a basic renovation, changes were on the cards. “We wanted to live in it for a year before making any big decisions about renovations, which was good as it became very clear quite quickly that the layout didn’t work,” Lauren explains.

Lauren engaged the services of local architect Rachel Hudson.

“Rach came back with two options: a cheaper bar counter and bifold option, and the one we have now, which was more expensive but a no-brainer – the layout solved all our issues,” Lauren says. “It created an open indoor-outdoor area and flow.”

Words & styling by: Natalie Walton; Photography by: Chris Warnes for Real Living

Before the revamp the original kitchen was a U-shape in the middle of the back of the house.

1/11

The original kitchen was a U-shape in the middle of the back of the house. “It created small pockets that our guests would get trapped in,” homeowner Lauren says. “There was no flow.” The kitchen was removed and the back wall was replaced with sliding doors. “It has totally changed the way we use the house,” Lauren says.

2/11

3/11

Style tip: Industrial lighting softens a minimal white kitchen.

A sapphire coloured sofa anchors the living room.

4/11

“What I love about the house is that you feel like you’re always on holidays. From almost every point in the house you can see a palm tree. It’s a very relaxing space and there are so many places to lay down with a book and relax – not that we get much time for that these days,” says Lauren.

Striking encaustic mosaic tiles pave the entrance.

5/11

The striking encaustic tiles on the floor are from Tiles By Kate. “We have tried to give the house a bit more character and decided to do encaustic mosaic tiles in the entrance as it was quite bland,” Lauren says.

The home features safari chairs and butterfly artwork.

6/11

Arne Norell safari chairs were found online. The butterfly artwork is by David Bromley, the rug from Kulchi.

A custom made bed completes the bedroom.

7/11

The couple’s bed was custom-made by Elo Silo. The bedding came from Bodie & Fou. A vintage baker’s rack from Rust in Avalon is used to store Lauren’s shoes.

The completely renovated bathroom features a custom made vanity.

8/11

“The bathroom was very low spec and my least favourite space in the house,” Lauren says. “We changed the layout so the toilet wasn’t the first thing you saw as you entered, and replaced everything, including the window.” The vanity was also custom-made by Elo Silo. The sink is from Acqua Bathrooms, the tapware from Reece.

The kitchen, dining room and deck becomes an all inclusive space.

9/11

The dining room was hardly used before the kitchen and dining renovation. “We love having a space to hang out with friends, who all love to cook and eat, so opening up the kitchen, dining room and deck was an attractive proposition from the architect,” Lauren says. A dining table from Mr & Mrs White sits on top of a rug from Rugs Online.

The house has a great presence and liveable design.

10/11

“The house had a great presence and we were both instantly attracted to it,” Lauren says. “It was very liveable, which was desirable having just been introduced to the world of parenting, but there was plenty of scope too,” Lauren says.