Inside our Buderim Apartment Makeover: A Coastal Refresh

By Eky Akporhonor

·

15 September 2021
Bright dining area with a round wooden table, white chairs, a white cabinet displaying decor, and a potted plant on a light wood floor.
This revamp project was such a delight to complete. The client reached out for help with space planning and furniture/décor selections for her newly renovated apartment.

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A woven tray holds two white vases, one with a string of pearls plant, and a white candle on a wooden table in a bright, modern living space.
Bright living and dining area with wooden table, modern decor, sofas, large windows, and a view of greenery outside.

The brief was to create a bright, airy beachy feel with just the right number of coastal elements, and most important was to build the design around decor pieces owned by the client’s family over generations. The result was a light, airy, calming space with a laid-back vibe; you could feel this the minute you walk through the door.

Wishlist

The client knew exactly what she wanted:

  • Light, bright and airy
  • Teal and red accents
  • No new wall art; utilise all currently owned art throughout the apartment
  • Utilise old decor pieces which were very precious to the client

A Welcoming First Impression

From the moment you enter through the door you’re warmly welcomed by cool, calming tones and textures. The neutral colour palette of warm whites, wood tones and pale blue accents are were the perfect backdrop for creating the coastal feel the client wanted.

Previously…

The living room was pretty dim and heavy, with predominantly dark colours thus making the space look much smaller and cramped, even without much furniture in it. Below: The magic of a fresh coat of paint! The choice of colour here was Dulux Natural White used on all walls, trim and even to give new life to the old China cabinet; it made all the difference.

Dining/Living room after
Dining/Living room after

The Kitchen

Upgrades in the kitchen included revamped cabinets, new lighting, new seats and new window treatments. My client was particularly delighted with the wicker pendant lights which added much needed ambience to the kitchen and indeed the whole living area. Other light fixtures in the room were revamped as well; old dated flush mounts were swapped for white modern bar spotlights in the lounge and dining areas. New ivory coloured curtains replaced the old grey ones which immediately softened the space beautifully.

Open-plan living area with wooden flooring, black sofa, coffee table, and kitchen; large windows reveal a patio and greenery outside.
Kitchen/Lounge Before
Bright modern kitchen with white cupboards, island with stools, pendant lights, large window with curtains, and natural light illuminating the space.
Kitchen/Lounge – After

The Lounge

We went from two 2-seater lounge sofas to a 2.5-seater sectional sofa with left facing chaise. The sectional was a much better fit for the space and purpose, being that my client would be using the one space for entertaining guests, lounging and watching TV. The gorgeous sectional in pale teal fabric was sourced from Plush Sofas and was just the perfect size and orientation to create a lounge area out of the open plan living space. The pale teal added freshness to the space and being a light toned colour won’t date in a hurry.

Bright, modern open-plan living room with a grey corner sofa, wooden coffee table, kitchen, and dining area, decorated in neutral tones with plants and coastal accents.
Open-plan living area with wooden flooring, black sofa, coffee table, and kitchen; large windows reveal a patio and greenery outside.
Open-plan living and dining area with wooden floors, round dining table, cosy sofa, large window, and neutral décor with natural light.
Bright living and dining area with wooden floors, round dining table, grey sofa, TV, indoor plants, and large window with greenery view.

The Little Details…

Let’s talk about the little changes with big impacts. My client’s china cabinet which has been handed down from her grandmother and mother got a glow-up to suit the more modern look she was aiming for. It always gives me great joy when we’re able to preserve any precious pieces of a client’s life within a new style. In this case we had a few to work with…..

Another precious item; a vintage red lacquer pendant lamp transformed this little corner of the dining from drab to fab and apparently is quite the conversation starter.

Finishing Touches

Like I always say, the key to turning a house into a home is little decor ornaments and for coastal finish, you can’t go wrong with decor in light, neutral colours and natural textures. We added a pop of teal for accents, just the right amount to add a little drama to the space.

Our shopping list

Woman sitting barefoot on a woven stool in a bright room with wooden floors, a round mirror, and framed art on the wall.

Is the Coastal look your thing? I’d love to work with you or just hear your thoughts. Please feel free to contact me if you have any supplier questions as well. 

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Woman with long dark hair in a pink sleeveless top sits at a table, smiling, with spectacles, fabric swatches, and a candle in front of her.

Hi, I'm Eky

Decorators, stylists and speakers on the Sunshine Coast. We write the guides we wish our clients had before we started, practical, honest and built around the way you actually live.

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