Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Single-Story Bungalow Raises the Roof
The clean lines and pared-back interior of this beachy home ensure that all eyes are on the dramatic design features
Originally a dark and closed-in bungalow, this detached property became an open, light-filled beach-style house thanks to a stunning addition and a complete interior overhaul. The owners, a family of five, bought the single-story 1980s bungalow a few years ago, knowing it would take plenty of time and work to create a practical and welcoming home for their expanding family. However, the close proximity to Sydney’s Northern Beaches was enough to make them rise to the challenge.
The house was originally a three-bedroom bungalow, with an open-plan living area and eat-in kitchen.
Architect John Deuchrass retained the back view from the house, keeping the bifold doors. He also worked with as much of the original kitchen layout as possible, replacing cabinets and counters, and adding a bank of custom cabinets.
Upper floor
In the addition, exposed rafters painted white encourage the sense of space and light in the parents’ retreat, and add interest and drama to the pared-back interior. Sumptuous gray carpet anchors the all-white palette, while warm wood accents are dotted around for cohesion.
Wall and ceiling paint: Lexicon Quarter, Dulux
10 Pros Share Their Favorite White Paints
Wall and ceiling paint: Lexicon Quarter, Dulux
10 Pros Share Their Favorite White Paints
The biggest challenge Deuchrass faced during the project was the tight time constraints the owners had set. “Even though we faced setback restrictions with regards to neighboring properties, we were able to achieve combined planning and construction approval … and have the assessment fast-tracked. This was a huge advantage for the project as we had a tight deadline to meet,” he says.
Lush views were top of the wish list, as was the orientation to the sun, so the roofline was continued over the balcony to create a canopy and offer protection from the heat.
“The semi-enclosed balcony was also designed to provide privacy from neighboring properties,” Deuchrass says.
Carpet: Carpet Court
“The semi-enclosed balcony was also designed to provide privacy from neighboring properties,” Deuchrass says.
Carpet: Carpet Court
Deuchrass and the owners chose Scyon exterior siding from James Hardie for protection from the coastal elements.
It continues on the balcony to break up the white walls and forge a link between inside and out.
9 Top Siding Materials
It continues on the balcony to break up the white walls and forge a link between inside and out.
9 Top Siding Materials
A dressing table area was created in an alcove in the master bedroom, with a floating drawer unit to conceal clutter.
“We’ve used timber veneer touches throughout the house to bring a subtle warmth to the cool grays and whites, and to hint at a beachy feel in a sophisticated way,” Deuchrass says.
“We’ve used timber veneer touches throughout the house to bring a subtle warmth to the cool grays and whites, and to hint at a beachy feel in a sophisticated way,” Deuchrass says.
Beyond the dressing area, a contemporary en suite offers a surprise with eye-catching pattern and a bold black-tiled wall. “We wanted this room to be a contrast to the tranquil all-white space next door and to offer an invigorating vibe,” Deuchrass says.
Find an area architect to help with your dream project
Find an area architect to help with your dream project
As the room is flooded with light from an abundance of frosted windows, the space could take the intensity of the black-tiled wall, while the streamlined vanity and toilet — with concealed cistern — keep it feeling bright and spacious.
The black towel rack is a clever alternative to the usual chrome designs, as it grabs attention against the white wall and helps to bring harmony to the monochromatic scheme.
Find graphic black-and-white floor tile
The black towel rack is a clever alternative to the usual chrome designs, as it grabs attention against the white wall and helps to bring harmony to the monochromatic scheme.
Find graphic black-and-white floor tile
Three children’s bedrooms are on the new first floor, as is the family bathroom, which is designed in contrast to the hotel-style en suite. The couple went for a breezy coastal feel for this space, with relaxed driftwood veneer on the vanity and watery-blue wall tiles.
Ground floor
The ground floor also underwent an enormous change, with interior walls removed and the layout reconfigured to create an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, and a separate guest space-cum-rumpus room. “In the kitchen itself, we worked with the existing floor plan as much as we could without pulling everything out,” says Deuchrass, enabling a large central island to be retained.
The kitchen is in keeping with the laid-back coastal theme of the bedrooms and family bathroom, with sea-blue base units teamed with crisp white countertops. Custom storage now creates a neat bank of units around the fridge, while the tongue-and-groove paneling continues the subtle beach-house theme.
The kitchen is in keeping with the laid-back coastal theme of the bedrooms and family bathroom, with sea-blue base units teamed with crisp white countertops. Custom storage now creates a neat bank of units around the fridge, while the tongue-and-groove paneling continues the subtle beach-house theme.
Another linking element is the backsplash tiles that have been laid in a herringbone pattern, similar to that in the family bathroom, while hints of pale wood are peppered around the space for warmth and cohesion.
Cooking With Color: When to Use Blue in the Kitchen
Cooking With Color: When to Use Blue in the Kitchen
Thanks to the tight time frame, the project finished promptly in May 2017 after 11 months of construction. “We planned the project meticulously, setting in stone key dates and milestones for when things needed to be finalized, so that we could achieve the deadline,” Deuchrass says.
Builder: Jim Wilson Constructions
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Builder: Jim Wilson Constructions
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: A couple with three children and two cats
Location: Manly Vale area of Sydney
Size: 1,647 square feet (153 square meters); five bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architect: John Deuchrass Architects
The main priority for the owners was to open up the house, fill it with light and create a functional home for their busy family. The upper-level addition now houses four bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a luxurious parents’ retreat with a walk-in closet and a balcony. Downstairs, walls were removed and the layout reconfigured to create a large eat-in kitchen and living space that flows into the back garden.