25 Birigun St, Mermaid Waters goes to auction on Thursday
This renovated family home in Mermaid Waters packs plenty of personality into a contemporary coastal design and is creating a stir as demand for high-end renovated property soars.
The home at 25 Birigin St is located just minutes to popular Nobby Beach, close to shops, cafes and good schools, and an easy bike ride to nearby attractions, including the recently upgraded Pizzey Park.
It is marketed by Richard Snowden, of McGrath, and goes under the hammer on Thursday.
Heated magnesium pool and spa
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Homeowners Kimberley and Kyle Bate undertook a complete renovation over about 12 months after purchasing the late 1970s-built home on a 684sq m block in 2018.
They engaged designer Sandra Smedley — also a close family friend — to customise a stylish yet functional space for the Bates and their two young sons, Lennox, 5, and Spencer, 2, to best experience the breezy coastal lifestyle.
AFTER: contemporary style
BEFORE: in need of some TLC
Looking back at old listing photos of the original home’s brown boxy kitchen and dated yellow-and-terracotta facade, it’s hard to fathom the transformation.
“A lot of people have come through and said, ‘oh my God — did you do a reno or did you knock it down?’, because it looks so different,” Ms Bate said.
“We considered knocking it down but also we really liked the idea of creating something that could never be replicated, because we were working with what was already there, while still creating something new.
“It was a bit more of a challenge, but we love the creativity of it. I guess we just love taking something and making it beautiful,” she said.
A modern extension was added to maximise living space
The kitchen flows to the butler’s pantry and laundry
Ms Bate is a former teacher who is studying building design in order to turn her passion for property into a fulltime career.
Mr Bate owns ECP Constructions, specialising in modular buildings and renovations across Queensland and New Zealand.
The two-storey home’s floorplan comprises four bedrooms and three bathrooms with open-plan living areas, while generous timber decking opens onto a landscaped backyard complete with heated magnesium pool and spa.
Designer wallpaper adds personality
A modern kitchen extension was added from the lounge area, leading to a large butler’s pantry and laundry, then beyond to the back patio.
“I can be in the kitchen — which I always am, having two young boys — but I can always see them playing in the backyard or see them in the playroom, or if I am outside hanging the washing I can still see them on the deck,” Ms Bate said.
Parents can retreat to the first floor master suite, with its sizeable walk-in wardrobe, on-trend ensuite and balcony.
The children’s bedrooms and full-sized bathroom along with a study are also on the upper level.
Indoor/outdoor living
The family’s lively sense of style shines through in eye-catching finishes, including grey mandala patterned tiles in the bathrooms, designer wallpaper featuring blue-and-white waves in one of their son’s bedrooms, and a calming sage green feature wall in another bedroom.
“When we renovate, we really picture ourselves in that house for a really long time. We know that we get itchy and want to move on, but we always want to choose the best, like we’re going to live there. We choose all the quality that we would enjoy,” Ms Bate said.
There’s a single lock-up garage plus carport for two extra cars, with internal entry to the home through a well-considered mudroom.
