Renovation

Craft Comfort: The Renovation Journey At
Warrnambool

At Warrnambool, we had the pleasure of transforming a typical volume-built home into a warm, welcoming space that reflects the relaxed coastal vibe the owners were dreaming of. The project focused on modernising key areas—the kitchen, ensuite, bathroom, powder room, and laundry—while making the home feel brighter, more spacious, and much more practical.

The house had good bones but needed a serious update. The clients wanted to create a home that felt more inviting and reflective of their style. They were after something that balanced a laid-back beach feel with a modern edge, while also increasing their storage and making better use of the space.

We started by stripping away the old, replacing the existing cabinetry in the kitchen, laundry, and bathroom areas. In its place, we introduced a combination of warm wood tones and sleek glossy white finishes that added both texture and brightness. The natural oak finish brought in that natural, coastal vibe. 

One of the trickier parts of the project was keeping the original kitchen floor tiles. We had to work around the existing layout and cabinetry footprint, but with the right design, we managed to make everything flow beautifully. The real showstopper was the Steccawood panels on the back of the island bench—this feature brought so much warmth and character to the room, completely transforming the space.

In the bathrooms and laundry, we opted for a modern look using gunmetal tapware and sinks, paired with Timberline basins. The subtle contrast between the dark fixtures and the lighter cabinetry gave the rooms a fresh, updated feel.

One of the most exciting moments in the project was seeing the kitchen come together. The mix of the wood tones and the gloss finish, alongside the stone benchtops created a gorgeous space that felt both modern and homely. We also added a statement lighting piece—a 1.5m ribbed white wood pendant with LED colour-shifting lights from Beacon Lighting—which really brought the kitchen to life.

The biggest challenge was working around the existing kitchen tiles. We had to be clever with the design to ensure everything felt cohesive while maintaining the original flooring. However, the moment those Steccawood panels went up on the island bench, everything clicked. It was one of those "wow" moments where the space truly came to life and exceeded everyone’s expectations.

While we loved how beautifully the kitchen turned out, it was the laundry area that became our client’s favourite part of the renovation. Its new layout provided much more storage, and the lighter finishes made the space feel open and functional—something that had been lacking before.

The renovation completely lifted the home, turning it into a space that is not only beautiful but truly functional for everyday living. The clients now have a kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry that reflect their style while providing the practical storage they needed. It is coastal, modern, and exactly what they had hoped for.

This project is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship can take an ordinary house and turn it into a home that feels truly special.