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History repeats from Renovation Trends volume 2112
Heritage renovation projects offer special challenges to those who are prepared to take them on. These challenges often extend past the structural into the tactile, with the decisions that need to be made on colours, furnishings, drapes and carpets.
Sue and John Sweetman renovated this 20-room Edwardian residence over seven years. First built in 1901, it was converted into five apartments in 1917 – one, notably rented for many years by Jean Batten's father, has been transformed into the Batten Suite.
Sue Sweetman says research into the original style of the house was done through books and by looking at other buildings from a similar period.
"Because the house was destined to be a B & B we wanted maximum light and warmth to create an inviting atmosphere," she says. "The use of lush reds throughout the home gives this effect. There are echoes of red in almost every room."
The Sweetmans, who largely completed all renovations themselves with the assistance of experts as required, say it was initially easy to see what needed doing. The difficulty lay in working out how to do it.
"It was a matter of removing the previous unsympathetic renovations, such as an asbestos wall in the kitchen, a partition wall between two bathrooms, and the four kitchens that serviced the apartments."
Essential improvements such as modernising electricity and gas were hampered by the lime rendered, solid brick walls. Once these were done it was a matter of working through the house and remodelling and restoring the rooms, she says.
Antique furniture was sourced, existing white painted joinery was stripped back to its natural appearance, kauri floorboards were restored and walls painted.
The carpets in the hall, with a distinctive medallion design, are from English carpet manufacturer Brinton Carpet. Other rooms in the house have either Iranian tribal or Indo-Persian rugs on the floor, introducing lush textures and intricate patterns to the house.
To maintain warmth, heavy custom-made drapes are used throughout the house. The red drapes in the main living area are made from double-sided velvet and resemble theatrical drapes, says Sweetman. As a projector is used in this room for entertainment, the drapes also serve the purpose of blocking ambient light.
It took the owners of this residence seven years to complete their renovations. Now, Braemar, as it is called, serves as a Bed & Breakfast hotel and family home.
The rich red carpet, with its medallion design, was custom made by Brinton Carpet.
This large, comfortably furnished living area features an Iranian tribal rug and lavish draping. The wooden moulding by the window was restored by the owners.
The first renovation step was waterproofing the exterior. Red tones are found even on the window sills of the house.
An antique Chinese camphor chest sits at the foot of the bed. An Indo-Perisan rug carpets the floor. Two-tone painting was done in many rooms of the house. In this room, Creme Brulee is matched with Avocado. In the dining room Red Berry is used with an edge of Sherwood Green.
Original coffin baths, one over 2m long, are features in the bathrooms. Glass shower stalls were installed to minimise the visual impact. The lead breather pipe on the wall was part of the original pipework in the house. In the corner is an antique pottywash. The basin is a 104 years-old and sits in a wooden frame that is made of recycled kauri.
Credit List
Window and door joinery
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Restored with Coopers System
Furniture
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Beds from Bedpost; front lounge furniture from Early Settler; other antique pieces sourced by owner
Showerstalls
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Euroglass
Baths
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Original resurfaces by Nuglaze Resurfacing
Basin and taps, toilet
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Caroma Vintage from LG Calder
Hotwater system
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Bosch Hi-Flow
Photography by Mark Smith
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