Reno hits the mark

This jar-dropping house spans two levels with open living areas at the centre of each floor and a raft of luxury features to give it a sense of opulence

RENOVATING is a labour of love for Paul Nikolas, even if it means living without a roof or kitchen for weeks.

He knew what he was in for when he bought the old 1980s built house at Sorrento in 2016.

“It had gold-plated everything,” Mr Nikolas said. “Everything was grand – it was overboard massively.” “But I saw the potential with that beautiful waterfront. I just loved the spot, it’s so quiet.”

It was so dated, he decided to strip it back to its bare bones and start fresh.

“Basically every single wall was pulled down, we just left the shell, we also pulled the roof off,” he said.

“I lived through it without a roof for about six weeks, we didn’t have a kitchen for about six months.”

The jaw-dropping home that stands on the property today was finished about five months ago.

It spans two levels with open living areas at the centre of each floor. High ceilings, wide windows, a black and white palette and timber floors throughout give it a sense of opulence.

Most of the ground floor is dedicated to a large living space, which includes a kitchen with butler’s pantry and a glass wine room, dining area and lounge room with a feature fireplace.

It flows onto an outdoor entertainment area, which has a built-in barbecue area and keg on tap as well as fridges.

A pool and spa are the centrepieces of a deck overlooking the river.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, two of which have ensuites and open onto a balcony that spans the entire width of the house overlooking the water. Another two bedrooms, one with ensuite and one that could double as an office, are on the ground floor.

It also has a four-car garage, a tropical garden with water fountain at the front entrance and a pontoon.

Despite the blood, sweat and tears that went into transforming the formerly tired home into a contemporary mansion, Mr Nikolas said it was worth it.

“It took about 14 months, full time, to do, it was a massive job,” he said. “But I’m extremely happy with it.” The open floorplan was what he loved most about the home. “I just like the open spaces,” he said. “Downstairs, you walk in the front door and it’s just all open.”

While reluctant, he has listed it on the market so he can do it all over again.