836 Sydney Road North Coburg, VIC, 3058
In peaceful coastal towns like Urunga, on the NSW north coast, you're not just selling a house, but a lifestyle. And while the last few years have seen many city dwellers desperate to secure a property in remote regional towns like Urunga, some - like Bernard and Debbie - wanted nothing more than to sell theirs.
Four years ago, when Bernard's elderly mother became ill, Bernard and his wife Debbie - both nurses - moved in to her Urunga waterfront to become her round-the-clock carers. While this arrangement worked well, the house itself required some fairly major updates. They were keen to create two separate and self-contained floors of the home so Bernard's mother could live on one level, and they on the other. So shortly after moving in, they embarked upon a large-scale renovation.
Unfortunately for Bernard and Debbie, this is when the problems started. Their builder left the project completely unfinished - a situation that ended up in court. While the couple won the court case, their builder declared bankruptcy and they were left several hundred thousand dollars in debt. Sadly, Bernard's mother also passed away during the process.
With the cost of the failed renovation and subsequent legal fees, Bernard and Debbie found themselves in financial "quicksand", and in desperate need of a lifeline. Their home, despite its amazing waterfront location, spectacular views and one near-complete lower level, was proving impossible to sell. Half the house was unrenovated and very much in its original state, with suspect plumbing, broken tiles and drab, dated interiors. The back steps that led from the house down to the water were also unstable and a major safety hazard, and the garden was littered with renovation debris.
On the plus side, Urunga was facing a surge in popularity, and homes were selling for considerably more than they were just two years ago.
In desperate need of a sale, and to recoup their investment, Bernard and Debbie called the Selling Houses Australia team in for help.
While the lower level of the house had been renovated, the upper level was still mostly in its original state. This included the entry and rumpus area, which the team gave a new lease of life - with new paint, lighting, furnishings and window coverings.
On the windows, Wendy chose Luxaflex® LumiShade® Window Coverings in Standard fabric, and in White colour. These elegant shades - used in several rooms of the home - combine the versatility of a vertical blind with the style of a soft window furnishings. You simply rotate the fabric vanes halfway to easily adjust the level of privacy and light. They're also made from 100% polyester and include durable properties such as ultra violet protection to prevent fading.
When Bernard and Debbie first set about their renovation, they were advised by council that they couldn't have two kitchens within the one property. They therefore turned the downstairs kitchen into a "wet area", or kitchenette, which lacks a stove or oven.
The Selling Houses Australia team decided to retain this room so the property could function as a versatile holiday home, but completely replaced the cabinetry to make it much more modern and usable. The space was also painted and given sleek new furnishings and fittings.
A dining space was also created alongside the kitchenette, with Luxaflex® LumiShade® Window Coverings in Elan fabric and Translucent opacity, and in Daisy White colour.
The main bedroom upstairs was also given a facelift - with new furnishings and window coverings.
This included Luxaflex® LumiShade ® Window Coverings in Standard fabric and White colour, as well as Luxaflex® Duette® Shades in Elan Fabric and in Blockout opacity.
These Luxaflex® Duette® Shades have a unique honeycomb structure which traps air - helping keep the room cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
A space next to the bedroom which was previously more of a thoroughfare was also turned into a study/fourth bedroom with a day bed, built in wardrobes and new furnishings.
This included stylish Luxaflex® Duette® Shades in Elan Fabric and in Blockout opacity, in Daisy White colour. Blockout opacity was used to ensure this room could also be used as a tranquil sleep zone.
Downstairs, the bedroom was also given a style lift with Luxaflex® LumiShade® Window Coverings in Standard fabric and White colour, as well as Luxaflex® Duette® Shades in Elan Fabric and in Blockout opacity in Daisy White colour.
As Bernard and Debbie had already renovated the downstairs area, it required little more than a lick of paint and some clever coastal styling.
Luxaflex® LumiShade® Window Coverings in Standard fabric and White colour were used to create a feeling of softness, and instantly changed the flow of light into the room.
With the renovation complete, and spectacular new two level waterfront home, Bernard and Debbie were able to sell for an impressive $990,000 - which cleared their debts and allowed them to move on to the next phase of their life.
Interested in finding more about Luxaflex custom window coverings?
The products in this episode were proudly supplied and installed by Luxaflex Window Fashions Gallery Dealer, Coffs Harbour Blinds & Awnings.
