Q&A: YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS FROM HOUSE 17 ANSWERED
When we opened the doors to House 17, you flooded our inboxes with questions, and it’s safe to say, we felt the love - THANK YOU!
From the sparkling new pool to the unexpected hallway hero, this home had more than a few surprises up its sleeve. So we’ve rounded up your top Qs and answered them all right here.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE VISION FOR THIS HOME?
‘Cali Cool’ is a relaxed yet refined design style inspired by the laidback lifestyle of the California coast. That sounds perfect for the California bungalow transformation, right?
It blends natural textures, soft neutral tones, and open, light-filled spaces to create a calm, welcoming feel. The look is effortlessly stylish, often mixing timber, linen, and rattan for comfort and simplicity. Spaces are styled with intention, but never feel overdone. Expect lots of greenery, ceramics, and plenty of layering for warmth and character. With a strong connection to indoor-outdoor living, ‘Cali Cool’ is all about creating a home that feels as functional as it is beautifully relaxed.
HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK WITH YOUR CLIENTS?
As with all our projects, our gorgeous homeowners handed over their keys, their budget, and their trust, then stepped back and let us do our thing.
They came to us with a couple of clear needs: more space and a swimming pool. With three young kids and a tired old Californian Bungalow, those requests were no-brainers. From there, we took the reins.
We get to know the family, how they live, and how they want to feel in their home. Then we design every inch of the renovation around that. It’s not about choosing tile samples or debating light fixtures, it’s about trusting us to deliver a home that’s beautiful, functional, and tailored to their lifestyle.
We manage the entire process from design through to handover. They get a dream home without the stress of decision fatigue, daily site visits, and overwhelm.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE DURING THE RENO?
Oh, this one’s a goodie. We peeled back the plaster in the hallway and 💥BAM💥 exposed brick! Totally unplanned, but once we saw it, there was no going back. It brought texture, soul, and a gorgeous nod to the home’s past… and ended up being one of the most talked-about features in the whole house.
At Reno School, we often say surprises can be budget breakers, but this one was a total win, packed with charm and character. The good kind of surprise!
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST LEARNING FROM THIS RENO?
That no matter how many houses we do, surprises will always pop up, and that’s OK.
This project reminded us how important it is to build a buffer into your budget, stay flexible with your vision, and know when to pivot. Sometimes the best parts of a reno are the ones you didn’t plan for.
Just days before hosting the Fourth Bird open home, a huge crack appeared in the giant picture window looking from the lounge to the pool. How did it happen? No idea. The kicker was that the glass came from Melbourne, and the machine that needed to fix it was out of action.
These kinds of unexpected events are part and parcel of renovating. You learn to roll with them.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SAVING?
A standout budget win was the reclaimed timber we used to build the pergola. Sourced from the final timber bridge in Inverell Shire, northern NSW, it brought rustic charm to our Cali Cool vision. It added beautiful texture and warmth without the cost of brand-new timber. A clever saving that looks stunning too.
HOW BIG IS THE EXTENSION?
The new extension stretches 9.8m x 6.3m. That’s where you’ll find the new kitchen, living and dining zones all hanging out together. The apex of the ceiling soars to a whopping 5.5 metres high, making everything feel even more spacious and airy.
DO THE CLIENTS KEEP THE FURNITURE?
They sure do! Everything from the lounge to the linens is included in their reno budget. We’re not styling for a shoot, we’re styling for real life. So when the family walked through the front door, they stepped into a fully finished home that was 100% theirs.
WHERE’S THE TV?
Ha! We get this one every time. We don’t style our homes with TVs because, let’s be honest, a beautiful artwork looks way hotter on the wall. But don’t worry, we always plan for one. Power points and mounting spots are in place, ready for the owners to add the big screen of their choice.
CAN YOU SHARE WHERE EVERYTHING’S FROM?
Absolutely! We share every product and piece from our renos over on the Get The Look pages. From the stunning natural stone benchtops to the rust-hued sofa and the herringbone flooring, it’s all there waiting for you to click, pin, or buy. You're welcome 😉
WHAT ROOM WAS THE BIGGEST TRANSFORMATION?
The kitchen/dining zone takes the crown. It’s hard to imagine the home before this extension - now it’s the hub of family life and where they spend most of their time. Before the reno, the kitchen was tucked away in what’s now the nursery, with no connection to the alfresco entertaining area. Now, it flows seamlessly and makes everyday living feel easy and beautiful.
WHAT DID THE FAMILY THINK OF THE FINAL REVEAL?
There were tears, laughter, and a few jaw drops. To be honest, every room reveal was a big moment. The family was genuinely blown away, and we were over the moon to give them their dream home.
For us, the best feedback is knowing the home doesn’t just look beautiful, it works beautifully for the people living in it. We design for real life, not just the photos, so hearing that the space suits their lifestyle means everything. Watch the series to catch every room reveal.
“Living in this house feels like a dream come true. Every corner brings us joy, and we feel so grateful to call this beautiful place home.”
WHAT WAS THE BUDGET?
As you can imagine, we get that question a lot, but we’re keeping tight-lipped on the exact figure to respect our lovely homeowners’ privacy.
What we can say is this: the house included high-end finishes, bespoke features, and a decent scope of work, so it wasn’t a bargain-basement reno. That said, the savings we snagged along the way went a long way in stretching the budget.
If you’re wondering what it might cost to renovate your own home, check out this helpful guide.
WILL WE SEE A HOUSE 18?
Yes way, rosé! Our hard hats won’t be collecting dust anytime soon. We’re jumping straight into House 18. Keep an eye on our socials for all the updates.
