Californian bungalows are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with many of these houses heading towards 100 years. While these homes offer a certain period charm, they are often dark, with verandas reducing the amount of natural light. For designer Tennille Burnup, director of Tennille Joy Interiors, this latest renovation, a collaboration with architect Rob Harris, Elements of Home, has transformed this bungalow into a fine contemporary home.
Designed for a couple with a toddler and a newborn on the way, the original house was built in 1918, just prior to the style’s peak popularity. It still possessed a certain charm, in spite of its makeover in the 1980s (read faux period elements). Although some of the home’s shortcomings were simply decorative, the floorplan didn’t respond to a couple who enjoy entertaining family and friends and it also had a disconnect to the rear garden – something the couple was mindful of as the children grow. The house also lacked storage space and the floorplan meant the kitchen was more of a throughway than a destination.
Harris reworked the floorplan, relocating an open plan kitchen, dining and living area to the rear, with large sliding doors leading to the back garden. Other changes included reworking the main bedroom to have not only an ensuite, but also a generous walk-in dressing area. The reworked floorplan also provided for a guest powder room off the now considerably wider main passage.
While most of the faux period fittings were removed, some of the home’s original features were retained – such as the open fireplace in a room now used for watching movies and playing guitar. The plaster decorative ceilings were also retained in the renovation, along with the stucco wall finishes in the two front rooms. When it came to working out finishes and fittings, the couple were asked a set of detailed questions by Tennille which later formed an important part of the briefing process. “They were both keen to have their favourite colours included, such as pink and blue,” says Tennille, pointing out the palette in the new kitchen, which features pale blue tongue-and-groove timber below the island bench complementing the tiles used for the splashback. Dusty pink powder coated pendant lights also appear over the dining table. However, the kitchen goes beyond just selecting the appropriate colours and finishes, with the design responding to the couple’s love of entertaining at home. There’s a full-length glass-fronted wine fridge in the kitchen area as well as a luxurious built-in cocktail cabinet, with oak veneer joinery. The new open plan living area also includes built-in day beds/window seats that offer additional seating or simply a place to read a book or newspaper in a quiet nook.
Bathrooms were also completely reworked. The children’s bathroom, located directly opposite the two bedrooms, includes a freestanding bathtub with built-in storage next to the vanity that takes care of bath toys and other toys needing a home. The guest powder room was also an opportunity to introduce colour, with a pale blue and navy chequerboard ceramic-tiled floor that compliments the extensive oak timber veneer joinery, also used in the kitchen.
Tennille and Rob were mindful of locating the media/music room in the darkest part of the house -given movies look better in the dark. And to accentuate this dark moody feel, the colour palette is a dark blue for the walls, ceiling and even the original fireplace. However, this dark palette is combined with splashes of colour, such as black and white tartan carpets used throughout the home. What was a fairly tired period home is now a fine contemporary abode, with spaces that respond to a growing family with multiple interests.
Text by Stephen Crafti
