Completing the finishing touches in Yarrawarrah, NSW on Selling Houses Australia
A 1970s brick box sitting on a roundabout with a half‑finished upstairs, not a single fully functioning bathroom, and a facade that had given up decades ago, as seen on Selling Houses Australia
Photography Selling Houses Australia/Lifestyle
Corey and Stacey’s place in Yarrawarrah was more than a little incomplete. Purchased with the best of intentions and DIY renovation dreams, the couple also had to deal with three kids under five, one income, rising interest rates and escalating debt. That meant that this reno stalled at the worst possible moment: it was a recipe for pure overwhelm.
But beneath the chaos was a family who had fought hard to build a future, and were now drowning under the weight of an unfinished project. Our mission wasn’t just to add value, it was to throw them a lifeline. And with their last $90k on the table, Dennis and I rolled up our sleeves and went head first into what might just be our biggest rescue yet.
“You can’t move a house off a roundabout… but you can make buyers forget they’re on one” ~ Interior designer Wendy Moore, Selling Houses Australia
The original kitchen was modern but under lit, with no visual warmth. Now it’s bright and functional.
The kitchen in Yarrawarrah: a great start that needed finishing touches
The downstairs kitchen was the one saving grace, a bright, modern space Corey and Stacey had renovated well. My job wasn’t to reinvent it, just elevate it. Lighting plays a huge role in giving a kitchen warmth and identity, so I added Lexicon 2m Suspensions in Travertine with Frosted Diamond Shades from Beacon Lighting to introduce softness and sculptural shape.
The window furnishings were updated with Veneta honeycomb blinds, keeping things clean and bright while offering privacy from the street. Even without changing cabinetry, these upgrades make the kitchen feel far more connected to the dining and living zones.
Carving calm from chaos in the living room
The living/dining/playroom hybrid just felt stressed: mismatched furniture, no zoning, and a sense that everything was almost finished, but not quite. To let the room breathe again, I layered in Flooring Xtra Allure Stone rugs, then added airy sheer curtains paired with honeycomb blinds from Veneta to control light and soften edges.
Furniture from Lounge Lovers, including Cali 3‑seat sofas, Bloc coffee and side tables, and the Hallie TV unit, brought comfort and flow. Beacon Lighting’s Eclipse Maxi LED downlights and Lexicon pendants added warmth without visual bulk. All of this together turned a cluttered room into a grown‑up space where living and dining could coexist.
A big bathroom transformation in Yarrawarrah
Upstairs was the real crisis. The family bathroom was tiny and unusable, and the huge ensuite was a disaster zone. So I flipped them. This simple layout shift transformed the way the entire upper level works.
The new family bathroom now boasts an Ingrain 1200mm wall‑hung vanity from The Blue Space, matching pill‑shaped shaving cabinet, luxe Travertine mosaic feature wall, large-format Travertine‑look tiles from National Tiles, and a Bao 1700mm freestanding bath. Chrome tapware from the Indigo range, also The Blue Space, completed the look.
The new ensuite mirrors the main bathroom with a smaller Ingrain 900mm vanity, twin shower, and travertine mosaics for consistency. Both bathrooms now feel high‑end, spacious, and purpose‑built — a critical win for family buyers.
Making small bedrooms feel spacious
Upstairs felt pokey, dark, and unfinished – not ideal for a family of five. New Rustic Manor French Beige carpet from Flooring Xtra across all bedrooms instantly increased warmth and softness. We installed blockout curtains and honeycomb blinds from Veneta to manage light and street noise.
For the master, I created a real retreat: the Arlo Queen Bed, Hallie Oak bedsides, tan Helena chairs, and a Hallie travertine chest from Lounge Lovers. We also rebuilt the walk‑in robe with custom joinery for maximum storage, a small change that massively improves functionality.
The kids’ rooms were scaled appropriately with staging furniture, gentle colour palettes and subtle feature tones (Highland Meadow, Boston Ivy and Argle Pink), and playful soft furnishings.
Heading outdoors in Yarrawarrah
The first impression of this home was shocking: an overgrown jungle hiding an unpainted brick wall that looked like the entrance to a 1970s theme park ride. So landscaper Dennis Scott stripped it back: removing trees, reshaping the garden and restoring sightlines.
He rendered and colour‑matched the lower brickwork to harmonise with the upper storey’s sandy tone, creating cohesion and contemporary appeal. Portsea 1‑Light exterior wall brackets from Beacon Lighting were added for symmetry and safety.
Out back, we transformed the “danger deck” into a usable family zone. The huge servery window, previously wasted, now connects beautifully with a styled outdoor lounge setting and new feature lighting. New turf tied everything together and ensured buyers could imagine using the space immediately.
The once cluttered living space is now a calm zone with new lighting and cohesive furniture.
Selling Houses Yarrawarrah: did it sell?
When we met Corey and Stacey, the house was valued around $1.25 million in its distressed state. Their dream? $1.7 million, but that number wasn’t grounded in reality. After the reno – with two new bathrooms, a finished upper floor, a cohesive exterior, and a welcoming living zone – the agent felt confident in listing around mid‑$1.6 million.
And the best news? The home sold at auction for $1.66 million! A life‑changing result for a family who desperately needed a reset.
Selling Houses Australia host Andrew Winter with Yarrawarrah homeowners Corey and Stacey.
Who pays for the renovations on Selling Houses Australia?
Renovations on the show are funded by the homeowners themselves. Homeowners don’t pay for the labour we undertake on Selling Houses Australia which makes a big difference to the budget – vital when families like Corey and Stacey’s are already stretched to breaking point. We also use products generously supplied by our sponsors, to get the homeowners maximum value.
