Home renovation, improvement: Why DIY disasters aren’t the end of the world

DIY extraordinaire and Instagram sensation, Geneva Vanderzeil reveals how to nail your renovation, even if you fail at first.

Expert DIYer Geneva Vanderzeil.

We love to follow architectural and renovation trends, but hate the idea of having a cookie-cutter home.

DIY extraordinaire and Instagram sensation, Geneva Vanderzeil, says there is a great divide between copycat designs that belong in over-styled photo shoots and family abodes that are comfortable and real, and she is pushing to shift the goalposts even further.

Having bought a small 1870s worker’s cottage in Brisbane’s inner south with her partner Benjamin McCarthy (interior architect at Charlie & Rose), Geneva says her goal was always to renovate the property stylishly, but in a way that was personal and practical.

Ripe for change: before picture of the Brisbane home of Geneva Vanderzeil

The run down two-bedroom cottage had several redeeming qualities, including a rounded front veranda, and although not technically a ‘Queenslander’ design, it was built on stilts, which made it easy to lift, affording them the opportunity to add another two rooms below.

“It was so run down, but I thought, ‘this home has a great orientation and good bones, we can make this work’. It was all possible. We wanted to keep as many of the original features as we could, and we added an extension on the original home too … the home ended up doubling in size.”

Beautiful VJ panelled walls were restored and repainted, and old floorboards were also allowed to stay.

Kitchen cool.

Idyllic outdoor.

Relaxation zone.

“Some of them were wonky or arched, definitely anything but perfect and straight, but we kept them,” says Geneva.

“They look great with their different textures and big wood details, and I think the house definitely benefited from keeping those details.”

The extension at the rear of the property became an open-plan living area, which was sorely lacking in the original pokey design, and when the builders were done and dusted, it was Geneva’s turn to work her DIY magic on the family home.

DIY BY DESIGN

Now a five-bedroom home, Geneva loves that her children, Frankie, three, and Bobbie, four months, are surrounded by a variety of fun colours, warm textures and unorthodox furniture pieces and accessories.

The kitchen cabinetry is a creative work of art that started out in unassuming fashion. Bought from Bunnings’ Kaboodle range, the off-the-rack items were then hand painted in a custom colour and for further impact, fitted with upgraded hardware.

‘Creating character’: Geneva Vanderzeil.

“It’s bespoke and it might look expensive, but it’s not,” explains Geneva.

Interestingly, the wardrobes are also kitchen cabinets with a clever twist. Teamed with turned out legs, they have a Mid Century feel yet are modern-day practical.

“I guess with all the furniture, I focused on upcycling,” says Geneva. “I love seeing how I can take something and make it better.”

The master bedroom was tight on space, so Geneva forewent a bulky bedhead and simply painted one on the walls instead.

“I wanted the feature of a bedhead but didn’t have the space, so that was a nice alternative,” says Geneva. “It gives the room character.”

Throughout the home, Geneva’s handiwork is evident, with custom mirrors in the bedrooms, a rendered lamp made of plant pots and cloud-shaped lights. In her studio on the lower level, she upcycled her wooden desk by tiling the surface and adding a layer of coloured grout.

DIY reno.

Statement renovation.

At home experiment

STATEMENT PIECES

Geneva loves to experiment with textures, tiles and fabrics of all types.

“Generally, I start thinking about the things in a room and which colour palette will tie everything together. I love doing upholstery projects, but I never stick to one craft. I like to challenge myself and I’ll try anything,” she says, adding that her projects are not always successful. On that, she recommends that you be prepared to fail sometimes and learn not to take it to heart.

“Start with a simple project and if that goes well, challenge yourself with something harder,” she says.

“And don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get something done over one weekend. Give yourself some time to do the job right. There’s no point in rushing it and then not getting the result you want.”

As for Geneva, she says her own home is a constantly evolving DIY project.

A swinging success.

“I am always tinkering with something.”

SMALL, CREATIVE PROJECTS TO TRY AT HOME

Create your own statement wall art

There are a plethora of tutorials on YouTube to get you started on basic patterns all the way through to complicated designs.

Paint away

Painting a small room would be an easy project to undertake. Make sure you use appropriate paints for your space, and if you don’t like the colour, easy, start again.

Tile in style

Unlike plumbing or electrical work, you don’t need a licensed tradesperson for tiling. Get creative by tiling a mirror or side table before you tackle bigger jobs. There’s plenty of inspiration on Etsy and Pinterest.

Interior design and textile studio, Shibori is well known for homewares and furnishings, and now offers DIY Japanese tie-dyeing technique kits online. There are plenty of psychological benefits too, including reducing anxiety.

Originally published as Home renovation, improvement: Why DIY disasters aren’t the end of the world