Renovating

From Palm Springs to Long Jetty

Expert renovators Kyal and Kara Demmrich have wrapped up their latest project – a four bedroom, three bathroom family home in Long Jetty, NSW. Drawing inspiration from a single palm tree in the front yard of a small fibro cottage, the couple were able to realise their vision for the home – Palm Springs style meets Long Jetty living.

They purchased the house for $710,000 in early 2017, with the expectation for a single level extension. The ‘fibro shack’ was completely gutted and little of the original house remains.

Their hard work has resulted in the jaw-dropping transformation from a beach shack to a lavish family home that was purchased at auction for $1.59 million. The house showcases the best of beachside living with high ceilings, light and airy spaces and a backyard oasis complete with an outdoor kitchen and plunge pool.

The front façade offers a stunning first impression with blackbutt timber decking, blending beautifully with hand-laid limestone walls and white weatherboard cladding.

The home’s contemporary sanctuary feel begins when you walk through the entrance’s Corinthian Deco oversized door, with its modern interpretation of the mid-century Palm-Springs theme.

The interior boasts soaring 3.6m raked ceilings, a neutral colour palette and an abundance of natural light.

Here Corinthian Moda doors, a longtime favourite of Kyal and Kara’s, offer simplistic design with subtle details that blend into the relaxed coastal feel. The couple mixed up their use of doors in the bedroom, opting to use on-trend barn door fittings for the walk in wardrobes.

An open-plan kitchen, living and dining area is the true heart of the home, perfect for a family that enjoys entertaining.

With a goal to design a family home that was built to last, the importance of high-quality and carefully selected materials was imperative. CSR Gyprock was the couple’s chosen plasterboard supplier for the second time, following the success of their Toowoon Bay renovation in 2016. For the home’s internal linings, Gyprock Supaceil plasterboard was used for the ceilings, alongside quality Gyprock compounds. In the laundry and bathrooms, Kyal and Kara chose Gyprock’s Aquachek plasterboard, which is specifically designed for use as a lining in wet areas due to its moisture and humidity resistant properties.

To ensure the project not only looked great, but felt comfortable too, Kyal and Kara selected Gyprock Superchek plasterboard for its impact and sound resistant benefits. “Gyprock Superchek makes this house like a little Fort Knox. It’s great for families because it delivers better sound absorption and less noise transfer. This results in a noticeably quieter interior environment and creates a level of serenity,” says Kara.

The denser core delivers a 15 per cent reduction in perceived loudness when compared to standard plasterboard walls. Used in conjunction with Bradford Soundscreen insulation, Superchek was the ideal choice for creating a quieter, more comfortable home.

“Superchek’s impact resistance makes it perfect for areas that are prone to knocks and bumps. This is a huge bonus when designing a family home, where kids are likely to cause a bit of damage over time,” continues Kara. The heavy-duty lining paper provides a more scuff-resistant surface, making this plasterboard ideal for high traffic areas such as hallways and living areas.

Gyprock Alto cornices feature throughout the home and provide “a perfect balance between modern and traditional style,” explains Kara. Stylish yet unobtrusive, it was a well-thought-out design element for the Long Jetty home.

The crowning glory of the home is the ‘outdoor entertaining space to die for.’ The couple’s vision for the backyard was to merge Palm Springs style with Moroccan textures as evident in the gorgeous mosaic tiled plunge pool, alongside lush greenery and a breeze block wall.

Being alfresco living enthusiasts, Kyal and Kara installed a fully integrated kitchen and barbeque, underneath a covered deck area with large skylights that lets in natural light. A poolside outdoor shower also adds to the backyard’s coastal vibe.

Overall, with the use of carefully selected quality building materials and a strong design vision, Kyal and Kara have created a beautiful beachside sanctuary, designed to last a lifetime.

Source: Gyprock