NORTHCITY LIGHTS
Shrouded in mystery and superstition, the Northcity Lights property held many secrets. The previous owner was rumoured to be a former international spy and had many security measures in place. From thumb tacks arranged in hexagons on doorways to prevent the entry of the evil eye, to wire stuffed in drilled out holes throughout to prevent radio spying- removing these measures to make way for a cleaner home was unnerving. Was the former owner paranoid or was I too rash?
COLOUR
Why so yellow? After many months pondering why the walls, outdoor ceiling, light bulbs, fence and shed were all bright yellow, the answer came in the form of a letter from Scientology. An entire article dedicated to the significance of the colour yellow had been sent to the deceased former owner. In short, Yellow = help or a signal to show help is available within. Perhaps the former owner was not as much of a recluse as previously thought. Or perhaps he just liked yellow.
Naturally, in the panic of reducing the intensity and boldness of the yellow, I went too far. After whitewashing the entire apartment, cleaning the shed back to original metal and painting the fence grey to match the rest of the complex, I discovered white alone is boring. I missed the wild joy of the yellow. The thrill of having something so bold and outrageous. As a long time renter and first time homeowner- I was craving something I wasn’t allowed before- something with personality.
RETURN OF THE YELLOW SHED
This yellow home didn’t feel the same with no yellow. In a moment of nostalgic rashness, I went and bought some paint called “Sunshine Yellow”. I have no regrets.
BATHROOM
The bathroom, while technically functioning, managed to make you feel less clean than when you had entered the room. Thankfully, a complete tear out and redo provided much needed storage while also giving the space a fresh feel.
KITCHEN
Again, while technically working, the kitchen did not inspire. Food storage is always difficult in small kitchens, so being able to fit a small pantry beside the fridge was fantastic. Combined with a new cooktop, exhaust fan, dishwasher and timber bench tops, this kitchen felt quite cottage like at its conclusion.
LANDSCAPING
This 55m2 courtyard was the most under-utilised space of this property. While it already had mature fig, lemon and pomegranate trees, they were unkept and scraggly. Some research around pruning techniques brought it all back to fruition, and the removal of spiky cacti, the clumping bamboo and a poor tasting grape vine gave way for a patio, pergola, paved pathway to the gate, and new plants.
The block had a drop from the street level, resulting in a slope up with passer-by’s able to view into the property with ease. The former owners solution- bamboo and prickly pear plants. Although there were some great additions already present that were kept: 2x fig trees, a pomegranate tree, a lemon tree and a mature grape vine- all of which were given a large and much needed prune to make way for new growth.
Initially the grape vine was trimmed back (after some consultation at wineries) but the grapes produced even after careful treatment were still leathery and oddly flavourless. While I was tempted to try making some wine, the mess was incredible and the smell of rotting fruit not entirely appealing. The grape vine was, in the end, removed from the final layout and replaced with passionfruit vines and jasmine.
A trellis was added at the back of the property for privacy, with a winding path leading to the entry gate. Herbs such as oregano, thyme and mint were used as ground covers while a seasonal flourish of nasturtiums brightened the garden attracting bees and wildlife.
PROJECT COMPLETION
The end of this journey has been bittersweet. As a reflective person, I have discovered my process of designing is build with the progress of the apartment. Discovering the property’s personality and uncovering its secrets lead to many design changes, all of which turned into my favourite features of the property:
- The polished cement floors that had originally been intended to be left as tiled
- The Tasmanian Oak skirting and architraves, providing a natural and earthy aesthetic to the more industrial style flooring
- The coastal style pergola, making use of the enormous private courtyard for all weathers
- The yellow shed- of course
Nothcity Lights’ final take- Trust the process and remember for next time- a sprinkle of colour brings joy!
BEFORE & AFTER
