Home renovation: Features you should keep and what should go, 1990s interior design comeback
It was only a matter of time – the 90s have returned to our lives as defiant Gen Xers morph into proud homeowners. SEE THE LATEST TRENDS
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It was only a matter of time – the 90s have returned to our homes.
Those coming of age in the decade that brought us grunge, Seinfeld, Friends, (fake) indoor plants and the world wide web is finding a home again in the living rooms and kitchens of defiant Gen Xers who have morphed into proud homeowners.
Fervent trends of the decade before Y2K have surged back into home makeover favouritism via retro interior design, with more intent than Michael Douglas’ disgruntled defence engineer William Foster in the movie Falling Down.
The florals and patterns that dominated the nineties have returned — one of the favoured theme of the moment is Australian flora.
Monica’s brightly painted apartment in TV show Friends inspired millions to dust off the paint rollers and it is having it’s second coming.
Christopher Hewson from Architecture Hewson recently helped Tracey and Paul Ashcroft bring their house up to speed.
“We also painted throughout, replacing the creamy Dulux Antique White USA with Dulux Peplum Quarter, which is a fresher gallery white, which works well with timber and art,” he says.
When people weren’t painting walls, they were plastering up wallpaper. It’s the same now with star walls a favourite.
As per the often contradictory 90s, these design options can provide warmth and energy but also elegance and an earthy feel.
Vibrant pops of colour are demanding attention again and the pre-new millienium pastel trend that was so popular has been reignited.
Revered decorated Annie Sloan’s new eye-catching range of hues aims to breathe new life into tired walls.
And while we prefer our indoor plants to be real these days, there are some gorgeous faux options on the market.
Via modern renovation techniques, the Ashcrofts were able to take a dated 1990s property and reimagine the interiors with open-plan spaces, a new bathroom and much-needed storage.
While admitting she was not initially sold on the idea Mrs Ashcroft is delighted with the results.
“We absolutely love it,” she said.
Or “Cowabunga dude”, as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might say.
HOME RENOVATION INSPIRATION: TURNING UGLY INTO COOL
When Tracey Ashcroft’s husband Paul first showed her the real estate listing of a 1990s house she was so underwhelmed she initially refused to go and look at it.
“I just thought it was a big square box on a block, the very antithesis of everything I loved, architecturally,” says Tracey.
But, after the house sat on the market for a few months, she was persuaded to go and have a viewing and fell in love with its location.
“It was next to Arthurs Seat State Park and had a direct view of the bay and the point where the boats turn (in the shipping channel). It was just divine,” she explains.
So, the couple put in an offer, despite still having a few reservations about the house itself.
“My husband loved the house from the beginning, and even though the interior was considerably better than the exterior, there were a few cringe-worthy features, such as a curved bar clad in corrugated metal,” Tracey says.
“But we ended up living with it for several years because we never got around to doing anything about it.”
It wasn’t until almost two decades had passed that the couple decided to renovate the interior of the now tired four-bedroom house.
“The house had been built quite cheaply by an owner builder who was a plumber and by this point, things were starting to fall apart,” says Tracey.
“Paul and I love cooking but the kitchen could have been better designed, there wasn’t a pantry to store food, for example. And the house was badly lacking in storage, in general.”
So, the couple enlisted Christopher Hewson, from Architect Hewson, to drag the house into the 21st century and invigorate the internal spaces of the family home (the couple’s son Ted was born in 2007).
“I studied architecture with Christopher, although I never finished, and we’re great mates with a lot of similar tastes so he was the logical choice to help us out,” says Tracey.
With his keen architect’s eye, Christopher could see this was an ugly duckling crying out to become a swan situation and he got to work.
His first major task was to update the kitchen and living spaces, which are situated on the upper level to take advantage of the stunning bay views.
A ‘PRIVATE’ KITCHEN RENOVATION
In the kitchen, the dated laminate units were ripped out and the space redesigned and turned into a bona fide cooks’ kitchen with sleek white cabinetry and a 900mm-wide Smeg gas cooker.
A pantry was created from a redundant hallway behind the original kitchen, while a small window was replaced with a lower splashback window to take advantage of the bush views outside.
“This also enabled us to put some upper-level cabinetry above it, some of which hides the airconditioner, which would have cost a fortune to move,” says Christopher.
Warm walnut joinery offers a contrast to the white cabinetry, as well as creating space for Tracey’s extensive cookbook collection. Glazed turquoise Brique tiles, from Urban Edge Ceramics, add a splash of muted colour.
Finally, a large island bench topped with Caesarstone’s marble-look Statuario Maximus provides ample room for preparation and seating, which, along with a lower level breakfast bar, removes the need for a separate kitchen table.
The much-maligned bar area was also given an overhaul and “hidden” behind a decorative brise-soleil, a screening device featuring floor-to-ceiling timber veneer fins and shelving.
“It’s non-structural, but creates a degree of privacy in the living room while not blocking the view as you can see through it,” says Christopher.
Other improvements included a revamped family bathroom, complete with a much-wanted bath and a feature wall of crackled glass hexagonal tiles (also from Urban Edge Ceramics), new stairs with abundant under-stair storage cupboards and updated flooring and lighting.
“We also painted throughout, replacing the creamy Dulux Antique White USA with Dulux Peplum Quarter, which is a fresher gallery white, which works well with timber and art,” he says.
After waiting such a long time to renovate, the family couldn’t be happier with their overhauled home.
“We absolutely love it,” says Tracey.
his one-time ugly duckling is now an official swan showing even the plain janes of houses can be reborn.
That said, if you plan to follow suit you need to be smart about it, says Christopher. A renovation such as this will only work if the property has some original and redeeming features, he says.
“If the cost to restore is more than creating a new build it would make sense to go with a new build,” he adds. Something to think about.
The kitchen in the original home was functional, but not fashionable.
The family worked with what they had for almost 20 years before trading-up to a white-washed contemporary design with a breakfast bar overlooking the dining area.
The bar area is also now hidden from view with a screening device, and the bathroom was also revamped with a new bathtub and a swag of pretty details including crackled glass.
THE RENOVATION PROJECT
The owners: A family who wanted to take advantage of an outdated property with expansive bay views.
The plan: To take a dated property and reimagine the interiors with open-plan spaces, a new bathroom and much-needed storage.
Progress report: Almost all the interiors were refreshed with the biggest transformation taking place in the kitchen and the bathroom.
1990s INTERIOR DESIGN WISHLIST
Whether you were a child of the ’90s or are discovering the decade for the first time, these trending pieces will put you in a time warp
1. Star walls
When people weren’t painting walls, they were plastering up wallpaper, such as this Feather Dreaming wallpaper, $99/sqm.
2. Bloom boom
Who can forget the florals and patterns that dominated the nineties? The favoured theme of the moment is Australian flora, which adorns this Freya stoneware tableware range. Prices start at $12.95.
3. Friendly finish
Monica’s brightly painted apartment in TV show Friends inspired millions to dust off the paint rollers. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has a delicious range of hues to breathe new life into tired walls. It’s $54.95 per litre.
4. Time to frill
There were frills and ruffles aplenty, but these days we tend to lean towards trims and tassels, such as the Leonie round cushion. It’s $59.95.
5. Fine lines
Stripes were on everything in the nineties and have never gone out of style. Just look at this Ebony Stripes mug from Cristina Re. It’s $29.95.
6. Check please
Gingham was a big back then and we’re loving this dreamy take on tartan with its warm pink. The Tuscan Gingham linen quilt is $259 (single).
7. Power plant
While we prefer our indoor plants to be real these days, there are some gorgeous faux options on the market, such
as the Taro plant, $89.
8. Colour bond
Vibrant pops of colour commanded attention. This Helene Flower bath mat is big and bold, with cord fringing for added fun. It’s $79.
9. Pretty please
The pastel trend that was so popular has been reignited. The Kimmy Hogan Blush artwork is a limited-edition print, prices start at $490.
10. Dream weave
The late ’90s bought an obsession with wicker furniture that’s never faded.
This Hestia occasional chair is made from solid mahogany and hand-woven Abaca rope.
It’s $5190.
Compiled by Penny Harrison
Originally published as Home renovation: Features you should keep and what should go, 1990s interior design comeback
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