HOLDING BACK THE YEARS
Sal and Darren Wood found a period treasure and brought it back to life with a sophisticated monochrome palette
I’ve loved interiors since I was a child,’ says interior designer Sal Wood. ‘And then I married Darren, who is a carpenter, so we’ve made a life out of renovating homes. We might live in a house for a year, or five years, but eventually a new place will present itself. I think of our previous homes like old friends.’
Six years ago, after their sons had left home, the Australian couple moved from hot and desert-like Mildura to Geelong, near Melbourne, to be by the sea. They gradually got to know the area and its architectural hotspots, so when an estate agent called them two years later to tell them that a Thirties bungalow was on the market they snapped it up. ‘It’s in a great location and these houses are popular, so we knew we had to move fast,’ says Sal. ‘I did wake up in the night, though, wondering if we’d done the right thing.’
Although clean and comfortable, the house was ‘very beige’, with heavy curtains and carpets and many of its original features either removed or covered up. ‘I think ripping out beautiful old windows because you don’t want to paint them is like shaving someone’s eyebrows off,’ laughs Sal. ‘Luckily the windows were intact, but we had to replace the picture rails, decorative skirting, mouldings, solid timber doors and a fireplace.’
The couple renovated the property’s original frontage first, before tackling an Eighties extension at the back. ‘ We made sure the plumbing was done and that we had a bedroom and bathroom, before starting the next phase,’ she explains. ‘If you have running water and somewhere comfortable to sleep, living through the work is bearable. Also, things evolve during a build – you might find a nice spot that catches the sun, so you decide to use it differently – and staying put is a good way to watch what you spend, too.’
The existing kitchen was turned into a guest room, and a bedroom made into the reception room. Some floorboards were
l e s s on l e a r n t ‘If you’re living on site during a build, make sure one room – a bedroom is a good idea – is decorated so you have somewhere that you can retreat to’
sanded and walls painted white to let the restored architectural details speak for themselves. ‘We were without a kitchen, but the rest was lovely,’ says Sal. ‘We took a year to do the first part and in that time drew up plans for the kitchen and living space at the back. Our priority was straight, clean lines and a connection with the garden.’
A local builder was brought in to do the structural work within the existing footprint. This included full-height glazing, French doors and a new roof. Sal designed the kitchen cabinetry and Darren built it. Grey porcelain tiles were laid throughout the new openplan living space – with an outdoor version used on the terrace. ‘ We couldn’t find floorboards to match the originals at the front of the house, so I chose something that would complement them,’ says Sal. ‘Extending the flooring invites you outside and creates flow.’
Sal kept the interior simple with a monochrome palette, family heirlooms and upcycled pieces that she already owned. ‘Our stuff comes with us – it’s easier to make somewhere new feel like home when you’re surrounded by your favourite things,’ she says. ‘And I love monochrome, it reminds me of those old Fifties black-andwhite photos of New York, which are so timeless and sophisticated.’
To create continuity, the kitchen splashback features black subway tiles, while the bathroom-cum-utility room is tiled in white, with black brassware in both rooms. Warm timber on the bathroom units and kitchen island blends easily with the original floorboards.
Sal likes to revamp pieces, too – she made two headboards out of discarded doors, some foam and smart grey fabric, and painted an old table to go with kitchen chairs. She has also re-introduced their existing furniture and added new accessories. ‘I start from the floor and work up, layering things and often reusing what we already have,’ she says. ‘I wanted it to feel modern. No one’s loved this old girl for a long time and now it feels like she’s become a grand old lady.’
decorating tip ‘Take a fresh look at a finished room and remove anything superfluous – it works just like a good haircut!’