Provide some insight into your Bondi home and how it looked; what was it like prior to the makeover? 
A: Originally a 1930s Californian Bungalow, there were many opportunities for improvement in our home. Situated on a slope that was once a sand dune, the site is most politely put as “unique”. Inside the house, the small interconnecting rooms were dark from the many internal walls and three different colours of timber flooring used throughout.

In 2010, an extra level was added as well as a studio space above the garage on the oddly shaped, double-axe-head block. Fortunately, the multiple additions to the home meant there was no heritage value left, so we could submit a DA for a redevelopment, subdivision, demolition, relocation and rebuild of almost the entire site. This meant the project became larger, as works planned for future years were added to the initial scope of works. 

Can you describe the overall style and look of your newly designed Bondi Home, including any specific themes, colour palettes, or design elements that were incorporated to achieve it?
A: Previously, the home had an eclectic and coastal style, but we decided to go for a minimal and paredback design, working with subtle tones of timber that reflect the coastal location. We used Carpet Court’s Hickory Elegance in Beverly Hills, the same colour we used for our Hyams Beach cabin.

We used Bali sheers in Flax alongside Austere blockout blinds in Vine - the same colour combination we used in our cabin. As they say, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. 

We created soft internal curves in the walls and sharp, thin plaster profiles akin to folded paper in the staircase. The contrast of curves and shapes provides a lovely balance to the home. 

What inspired the style and look of your home makeover, and how did you ensure that it reflects your personal taste and preferences?
A: The coastal location inspired the colour and materials palette. I wanted a home that felt open and light, as the previous iterations made the home dark and not particularly beachy. Currently, there’s a trend toward maximalism, embracing textures and bold colours. I wanted the opposite, using minimal, oversized furniture that doesn’t need extra styling and adornment. I made the lighting design discrete and sculptural in places and purely functional in others, reducing or removing downlights wherever possible.

Tell us about the carpet, flooring and window furnishings that you used; what are their features and benefits?
A: We have one carpeted room, a spare bedroom downstairs which is potentially a secondary main bedroom suite. I chose to use ECONYL® Genesis in Eaves to work in with the soft, grey textured palette. We have used Bali sheers and Austere blockout blinds in all of the rooms where window treatments are needed. The combination of light, airy sheers and solid, linen-like blockout blinds works well for our day and night privacy requirements. The floor-to-ceiling sheers provide a soft, undulating background.

Did you consider any current interior / flooring “trends” when selecting your flooring/carpet? If so, please explain the inspiration behind your selections. 
A: The current interior trend is toward rich, autumnal timber tones like walnut and chocolate, but we wanted a sand-like quality to our flooring and window coverings to match our modern and minimalist coastal style.

What are some simple ways that homeowners or renters can do to achieve the look you have created?
A: We’ve used the Darren Palmer rug collection in almost all our rooms. The diverse colours and materials within the range caters for each individual space and suits our neutral, minimal colour palette. Using rugs in our home allows us to showcase the timber while having softness underfoot in the lounge and bedrooms. 

What was the biggest setback during your makeover, and how did you overcome it? 
A: Our biggest setbacks were with scheduling and timing, as we realised the ceilings and floors would have to be redone if we stopped halfway through the project. To overcome this, we rescheduled our works so that instead of rolling them out in several stages over two or three years, they could be completed in one go. This meant we could return to our home sooner and enjoy the finished result. 

Interior Design & Photography: Darren Palmer