8 October 2018

Deakin home’s transformed teenage hangout named among nation’s top 50 rooms

| Glynis Quinlan
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This renovated rumpus room in Deakin with its stone-clad fireplace has been named among the nation’s top 50 rooms. All photos: Maree Homer.

A renovated rumpus room in a Deakin home has been named among the nation’s top 50 rooms by Australian House & Garden Magazine.

Canberra interior design business Journey Home transformed a former teenage hangout into a comfortable and elegant space for family get-togethers to suit their client’s lifestyle change.

In the process, they became the only Canberra business to be awarded a place on the prestigious Australian top 50 list.

Journey Home’s owner, Nadine Neilson, said that in renovating the room they drew on the original 1960s architecture and the client’s collection of Papua New Guinean artefacts.

“We were so pleased with the result of the renovation in Deakin as it allowed us to combine a classic styling with our client’s individualism, while increasing the functionality of the room,” Ms Neilson said.

“These three elements can be difficult to bring together whilst creating a seamless look with a welcoming feel.

“Our client’s lifestyle had undergone change with all the children out of the house and they were looking forward to enjoying their retirement.

“They wanted the rumpus room, which was unused real estate in the house, to become a place for family get-togethers and entertaining guests.”

BEFORE: The former teenage hangout was no longer needed after the children moved out.

AFTER: The transformed room is a comfortable and elegant space for family get-togethers and entertaining guests.

Ms Neilson said one of her favourite features of the room is the stone-clad fireplace, which she feels brings an immediate ‘wow factor’ to the space.

She said another special feature is found in the small details, such as the way the joinery meets the stone and how well the oversized coffee table fits the room.

A lot of attention has been paid to small details in the renovated room.

“We noted the room is off the pool area so we integrated a kitchenette that could service outdoor entertaining,” Ms Neilson said.

“All the elements of circulation, lighting, heating, colour and texture all came together.

The renovated room includes a kitchenette that can service outdoor entertaining.

“The best part of all is that our lovely clients now have an inviting and comfortable area to entertain, relax or retreat.”

Journey Home was announced as winning a spot in the Australian House & Garden Magazine’s 2018 Top 50 Rooms at an awards event in Sydney on Thursday (October 4).

Their room renovation will also be featured in the October 8 edition of the magazine.

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