Photography: Mindi Cooke
Resale value gets a lot of consideration during home renovations, makeovers and even new builds. And it’s easy to see why! Australians love real estate and will happily spend hours researching how to increase the value of their home. But the topic has gotten so popular in recent years that we’ve started to lose focus of what should matter most. Namely, that how we want to live in our own homes should matter more than the opinion of a prospective buyer.
That’s the message that interior designer Jane Holmes, director of Hark Interiors, kept close to heart while renovating a Brisbane home recently. “Design for you and not the future owner of the home,” she advises. “If you don’t require a bath, don’t bother squeezing one in for the sake of it. If you want colour that might be more polarising, go for it!”
After all, a design that stays true to your personal style will always feel more authentic than one driven by resale value. Not sure you agree with the divisive take? Consider Jane’s latest bathroom renovation all the persuasive proof you need.
Inside the bold bathroom design
When designing for resale value, many homeowners opt for inoffensive white-on-white palettes. But that’s exactly what Jane moved away from, at the request of homeowners, Linda and Michael – a married couple who live here with their Miniature Schnauzer, Boots.
Originally this bathroom was very bare, with white floor and wall tiles. Now, the ensuite exudes warmth and has the style of a European villa. “Linda and Michael wanted a clean, fresh and elevated aesthetic that also respected the slightly Spanish exterior, while being able to work with some of their existing, more modern pieces,” says Jane. “Maximising storage was also a key goal.”
The warm palette
Jane sourced the show-stopping Sicilian Ceppo honed marble from Finestone Granite & Marble for the vanity top. “We designed the vanity with a deep apron to truly highlight the stone,” says Jane. This material is undoubtedly the hero of the bathroom and it’s also proof that resale value was not prioritised over personal preference. This is not a material that casts a wide net and appeals to the vast majority of people. Browns, beiges, creams, greens and even red tones appear in the stone, creating a style statement that appeals to the owners and achieves cohesion with the rest of the home, with nods to Spanish influences.
Creating cohesion throughout the room
While the large piece of stone makes a bold statement on the vanity top, it’s not the only place this material appears. The stone is carried to other zones, such as the shower, for cohesion. “The little marble detail in the shower niche is a sweet addition,” says Jane. The warm tones of this material continue in the antique brass tapware, ‘Ferrara’ lip pulls from Touch Handles and the ‘Ballina’ floor tiles in Bone Matt from Stone 3.
Task lighting, with all the aesthetic appeal of ambient lighting, adds another layer of warmth. “A new, more polished sconce selection created the elevated look the client was after,” explains Jane, referring to the Visual Comfort ‘Bryant’ glass wall sconces from Bloomingdales Lighting. “Always add sconces either side of your vanity mirror. Opaque glass is a favourite for a soft glow to illuminate your face,” says Jane. The white palette is a foil for the stone, with handmade-style Spanish wall tiles in Matt White sourced from Stone 3.
Storage that caters to you (not resale value)
The homeowners needed more storage so wall-to-wall deep drawers made of Polytec ‘Woodmatt’ in Boston Oak were installed along with ADP ‘Stadium’ mirrored cabinets from Reece. The clients couldn’t be happier with their new space. “We love the mirrored cabinets with power and so many deep drawers,” says Linda. “The finishes are divine but it’s the functionality for the win.”
Can you increase resale value while staying true to yourself?
It’s understandable if you don’t want to give up the dream of a tidy profit when you’re planning on putting your home back on the market at some point. Just keep in mind that designing and decorating within your personal style may not be at odds with resale value. With the recent popularity of dopamine decor it’s clear that sometimes an interior that speaks to your personality can add warmth, interest and a touch of trendiness, all perfect for increasing resale value. So why not give it a go?
Source book
Interior design: Hark Interiors, harkinteriors.com.
Builder: Armours Renovations, armours.com.au.
Joinery: Your Design Kitchens and Bathrooms, yourdesignkitchens.com.au.
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