Sarah and Laura’s Place in Adelaide’s northwest started with a reputation that would scare off most buyers. Legend has it the property manager refused to enter the four-bedroom home alone after tenants abandoned it, taking their rescue dogs with them. The smell was reportedly so bad that the commercial cleaners hired to prepare the house for sale used all four of their hard rubbish bookings in a single visit.
A House That Almost Got Away
When Sarah and Laura first viewed the property, their neighbour warned them about the previous inspection. The woman told them the agent had been too terrified to go inside and asked for a companion. The condition was severe: major water damage in the bathrooms, termite damage, and bare concrete floors. The home was originally architecturally designed in the 1970s, a style that required significant work to bring back to life.
Fortunately, the price was out of their range. They walked away, but then their mother messaged. She insisted it was the one. The couple returned for an auction where the only other bidder left halfway through. They could not say no. They bought the house together, and no one would ever have to stand alone at the front door again.
Read Also: Aldar unveils new residential project in Saadiyat
Learning on the Job
The couple treated the renovation as a test. They wanted to live in the home first to confirm it was right for them, so they tried to fix problems before spending money on replacements. One issue was the roof. For a year, they listened to multiple drips hitting the bedroom floor every night. Sarah eventually climbed up to replace tiles during thunderstorms.
They replaced the roof with Colorbond and finally found peace. The experience taught them that some problems require professional intervention. They also learned the value of patience with the rendered walls. Initially, they hated the texture. But one summer afternoon, the sun caught the surfaces, and they fell in love with the way the light bounced off them.
Living through that year of leaks changed their perspective on home ownership. They had to decide quickly whether to keep fixing the old roof or invest in a new one. That decision process taught them that peace of mind often requires paying for professional work rather than continuing to patch a failing system. They ultimately realized that DIY repairs could only go so far before professional expertise was required.
Designing in the Dark
The project took over 15 months. Sarah and Laura approached the build with a clear vision that existed before they owned the land. As former graphic designers, they used Photoshop to create mockups of the interior based on real estate photos. They planned the renovation before the auction was even finished.
Read Also: Aldar unveils wellness-focused Sei Saadiyat on Cultural Island
Their style leans toward minimalist, Japandi, and modern coastal. They prefer intentional pieces that feel good but avoid clutter. The renovations reflect this with clean lines and rounded edges on the benchtops and vanities. The five-metre raked ceilings and clerestory windows now fill the rooms with light, especially the main bedroom, which transformed from the darkest part of the house to the brightest.
Concrete and Memories
The bare concrete floors remained, but they are no longer an eyesore. Sarah and Laura polished the surface to reveal a striking blue aggregate, an unanticipated win for the couple. The renovation also became a space for family. They worked with Laura’s father on the project, and he passed away unexpectedly during the build.
The time they spent together during the renovations is something they treasure. Now, the house serves as a symbol of everything they learned along the way. They track their budgets and project timelines to stay organized. They use tools like Reece’s bathroom planner and IKEA’s kitchen planner to sketch designs for their trades, a strategy that proved invaluable. The couple balances DIY work with professional help, saving money by painting and demoing themselves while leaving the structural repairs to experts.
