The Avenue - Sally’s New Build 2024: Starting with the heart of the home.

Sally's latest personal project – her brand new family home is finally underway...we can't wait to take you along for the ride & show you how an Interior Designer builds her own home! But first, as we do with all of our design clients, we ask Sally to share how she and her family want to live in the space, and the atmosphere she wants to feel in her home.

Q: What number project is this? 

A: Haha, I think it’s 5.  I’ve renovated every home we’ve owned and lived in - but this is our family’s first completely new build. 

An artist’s rendition of the proposed Kitchen area of The Avenue

Artist’s rendition of the proposed butlers pantry.

Q: Does a knock-down-new-build feel different to renovating? 

A: Yes it does. We have done plenty of new builds for our clients, but on a personal level, seeing the building on your land razed to the ground to reveal a completely blank slate is a bit surreal. And getting to design every square millimeter of your home from scratch is pretty incredible. We feel extremely fortunate to do that. 

Q: So what’s the plan, is this the forever home? 

A: I don’t believe in any such thing! In fact the thought of it feels a bit claustrophobic to me. Life throws things at you and we want to be flexible to roll with it, whatever life brings! But yes it’s where we hope to be for the foreseeable future. 

Q: Why this particular spot? 

A: We bought the land (which had a little double red brick home on it at the time) nearly two years ago now. Our three kids are in teenager territory, and we were craving the ability to have some space as they move into young adulthood, so the size of the block was the biggest drawcard. I had also driven and walked down the street a thousand times and mentally noted it as my favourite street, so when it came up it felt meant to be! 

Q: What do you want out of this new home? 

A: We lead pretty busy lives (don’t we all) so we’ve always needed home to be a space we yearn to be in after a long day - that sort of feeling where you drop the bags, kick off the shoes, hug the kids and let the home cocoon you in both relief and joy. 

We wanted to create a space that gave off a nurturing and safe energy while still feeling airy and sophisticated. It needs to be able to both host lively entertaining of family and friends one moment, and then provide a peaceful place to rest and re-energise the next.

I have visions of the kids inviting friends over because it’s set up in a way that gives them both security and just the right amount of independence. I have visions of hosting 18ths and 21sts and 50ths there, where champagne flows and the playlist has something for everyone. I also have visions of a comfy (really quiet) reading nook upstairs by a window with a spot to place my orange and cinnamon tea. 

Q: What were your must-haves when you designed the floor plan?

A: With one eye on the future, it’s fair to assume the kids might be at home for a while before they can afford their own place so it needs to adapt to that. We wanted space on the ground floor for our parents or extended family to always feel comfortable and welcome. (Lucky it’s a big block!) My husband and I both need a space to work from home, so two dedicated workspaces was high on our must-have list.

And I wanted a laundry chute. We joke about it, but the home layout emerged as it often does from the two things that span both levels - the stairs and the laundry chute!

Before : the previous house on the block.

Q: What about the aesthetic of the home and the building design? 

A: Gosh yes. The curse of the blank slate, especially when you’re a designer, is to try and land on an aesthetic!

I started out wanting something ultra contemporary. But my family was more drawn to a classic vibe with gable rooflines etc. Of course, I am prepared to go bold with design at the drop of a hat! But it’s not just me who will be living there, so I compromised with what I’m calling a ‘Modern Coastal’ flavour. I see the building as being beautiful in its own right, but also providing a canvas for us to play with personality and atmosphere in the interiors and landscaping, as the mood takes us. 

Q: Was the process of planning the design the same you’d use for your clients? 

A: Yes! This home isn’t just about showcasing bold design or creating something magazine-worthy, it’s about my family and how we all want to feel in it, every day. I gave my husband and kids the questionnaires we ask our clients to fill out and their answers were very insightful and helped inform our decisions. Details like:  how we like to unwind and relax, how often we like to entertain and how, how our practical needs could change over the coming years and what we need in our daily surroundings to feel all the feels we want : safe, reflective, calm, fulfilled, energized, inspired, joyful. The design has to come from these factors, first and foremost. 

Q: They say that building and renovating are one of the biggest life stressors. Any big shocks yet? 

A: Not really but then again I’m fairly used to the process of new builds for our clients so I knew to expect the unexpected, and to roll with it. I’m not going to say the journey has been flawless, and I know it’s completely different for everybody. But we honestly believe that creating your very own home, if you’re fortunate enough to be able to do it, is a blessing and a privilege that you want to be enjoyable and fun, so I can’t help but feel grateful for every moment so far.

Have you got a renovation or new build in your future? We’d love to chat.