A Newcastle mum takes on a project to transform a rundown weatherboarder into a warm and welcoming holiday house. Here's the result...

With three young children, Katie Heath was keen to combine her work life with family life. "My husband has a hectic job and we don't have family to help with the kids, so I needed the flexibility of a job that would fit in with children," she explains. Renovating a small two-bedroom 1920s cottage, only five doors down from her family home in Newcastle, NSW, and renting it out for holiday stays was a perfect venture.

Katie found the rundown weatherboarder in the leafy suburb of Cooks Hill back in 2006. It was in an excellent location – situated a short walk from the beach, cafes and restaurants – but as a former student digs it was in desperate need of a makeover.

Katie enlisted the services of local architect Shane Smede of EJE Architecture to draw up a new design for the dark and dingy cottage. "While we had to pay architect fees, in the long run it probably saved us money on mistakes we would have made doing it ourselves," she says.

Living large

Katie was after an "easy-living cottage" with a feeling of spaciousness. She really wanted to bring a sense of the outdoors in, and so a couple of walls were removed to open up the kitchen, dining and living area. A third bedroom, which opens onto the living area, was transformed into a study. A large bifold window was also installed at the rear of the cottage. "When open it makes you feel like you're cooking outside," Katie says. Louvre windows were fitted by the back door to improve ventilation throughout the house.

Light and bright

The interior was painted in Dulux "Antique White USA", enhancing the open, airy and light feel. The exterior weatherboard was painted a warm, dark shade, providing a smart contrast to the white interior. A new Colorbond roof was installed, too.

Modern makeover

The dark and very daggy '70s kitchen was in need of an overhaul. The old units were pulled out and replaced with contemporary, locally made cupboards. The worn lino floor tiles were ripped up and robust Italian Di Lorenzo tiles were laid. A Caesarstone benchtop and new appliances completed the makeover.

Cool character

Katie was keen to retain the home's original features where possible, and so she kept decorative details such as ceiling roses and architraves. Skirting boards, in a style in keeping with the period of the cottage, were added. Katie chose a subtle retro-style decorating theme throughout, particularly evident in the living area with its brown and green palette, original Parker sideboard and shagpile rug.

Stylish touches

The bedrooms underwent a complete revamp. The funky retro-style study area (pictured), which opens onto the living room, was formerly the third bedroom. Old carpet was removed and the original floorboards were sanded and polished to great effect.

Wall wonders

Patterned wallpaper adds interest to the interior decor. It features in the two bedrooms, and a distinctively retro design features on one wall in the study. "It gives each room a distinct character and I love that retro look," Katie says.

Fresh look

The once daggy old bathroom is now unrecognisable. New fixtures and fittings and a change of layout – to provide space for a laundry – has given the space a clean, contemporary look. Although Katie only lives down the road from her renovation project, she has spent time with her family living in the holiday cottage "to test the waters". Result? The former student digs pass with flying colours!

Who lives here? Katie and Mark Heath, with their children Charlie, 7, Maya, 5, and Imbi, 19 months. Plus, Daisy the dog.
Building timeframe Four months, plus a quick council approval for the new deck.
Green aspects Louvre windows enhance airflow, and appliances in the cottage operate on eco-friendly cycles.
Building tip "Think about window finishes first," Katie advises. "It's difficult to install blinds, for example, post-reno if the window hasn't been designed for it. And think ahead of your builder regarding lighting and electricity. Our experience is that they give you just one day's notice for where you'd like to position the powerpoints and lights. There's nothing worse than not having a powerpoint where you need it!"
Katie now rents out her converted cottage for short-term and holiday stays. To find out more information, check out the Cooks Hill Cottage website.

Budget breakdown for Katie's renovation

Carpentry $36,117
Building supplies (including new Colorbond roof) $24,293
Deck & cover $19,753
Windows $17,535
Cabinetry throughout $11,309
Painting (internal & external) $7839
Electricity $6763
Demolition & rubbish removal $5025
Architect fees $3500
Security door & security mesh $3200
Landscaping $2800
Wallpaper & wallpapering $2300
Floorboards $1971(polishing & restoration)
Skylight $1223
Tiling front verandah $1149
Aircon repair & relocation $800
Plastering $440
Total $146,017