Houzz Tour: A Half-Demolished Structure Becomes a Fresh, Modern Home

It’s not every day that a design-build team gets to be their own client. But when Nathan and Bettina Waller, who manage the Sydney-based residential renovations company Capital Building, found a half-demolished structure in the eastern suburb of South Coogee, they decided to remodel it for themselves. Drawing on 20 years of experience, they built a fresh new home with a contemporary edge.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Nathan and Bettina Waller and their two sons, Jesse and Remy
Location: South Coogee, Sydney, Australia
Size: 3,552 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Completed: 2012

A previous owner appeared to have made some effort to rebuild the original 1970s house, but when the Wallers found it, the structure was partially demolished.

Once they took over the site, they adopted the approved renovation plans so that they could move forward quickly with their own renovation.


AFTER: The finished product is a multi-tiered house that suits the character of its suburban setting, maximizing natural light with myriad windows and displaying a crisp, contemporary aesthetic.

"When we were thinking about the style, we wanted to find the perfect balance of modern, neutral, textured and industrial," Bettina says. "This combination gives enough modern to feel contemporary; it's neutral enough to feel serene and doesn’t compete for attention; the texture grounds the feel back to nature; and the industrial element makes it feel like you can live in it and not be afraid to spoil it.”


Inside the home, the team employed recycled timber and a neutral palette to help deliver a soothing feel. “You feel like time can stand still in the house, and the manic pace of life outside doesn’t come in,” says Bettina.

The entrance opens to an airy reclaimed wood staircase, which leads either up to the bedrooms or down into the living area. The Wallers designed the custom-made front door using a standard solid core door offset by a jigsaw arrangement of timber in varying thickness on the outer side.


The industrial-inspired kitchen combines a wood island with a wood bartop made from a utility pole. The countertop is dark composite stone. Parisian-style metallic light fixtures hang above.

Countertop: Essastone in French Black


The dining room continues the kitchen's sleek look. A local carpenter built the table using parts of an old fence. Basic light fixtures in multiples help frame the scene. The room opens to a deck area with a basketball goal.

White chairs: OzDesign; upholstered chairs: Curio Design


The Wallers had two patterned rugs sewn together because one was too small for the living room. The minimalist fireplace burns ethanol. "They don't produce an enormous amount of heat but do create a lovely gentle warmth," says Nathan. "Plus, there's no smoke, so no mess."

Sofa: Sofa Studio; chairs: custom upholstered with Par Avion fabric from Warwick Fabrics; rug: Italtex


Simplicity influenced the guest bathroom design. A recycled wood vanity complements wood floors and organic textures. "This half bathroom is one of my favorites because we have managed to create a space that is functional but doesn’t feel like a typical guest powder room," says Bettina. "It feels like another designed space that carries our style."


The soothing main bedroom features a laminate wood floor that extends to create a backdrop and headboard. A blade wall conceals a small hall that leads to a walk-in closet and main bathroom. "We call this room 'the cloud' because you feel like you are up among the clouds," says Bettina. A custom-made floating bed pushes this effect.

Industrial elements like heavy concrete light fixtures mix with softer ones like a cream-colored shag rug. To the side, a faux fireplace made from MDF commercial wood painted white holds a bundle of driftwood purchased online.

The ceiling drops to fit the reverse-cycle air conditioning, positioned above to help mirror the placement of the bed.

Lights: Curio Design


This bathroom incorporates a recycled wood vanity and wood-style wall tiles, giving the effect of bringing the mountains to the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.

"Taking what would normally be a cold, slick space, we really wanted to keep that earthy textured feel but not make it too heavy," Bettina says.

The counter has a water-based stain and water-based clear finish.


The home's original pool filled the entire backyard space. The Wallers demolished half the pool and created a new one with a more modern shape. This freed up space where the kids could run around on grass. Glass partitions keep the kids safe. Nearby, there's a large built-in barbecue and outdoor lounge area.

“Now we have created spaces that connect with internal rooms to make each space feel larger," Bettina says. "All of the outdoor areas have a purpose; they all connect with each other and every family member of any age and stage is catered for. One of the most common comments we hear when people come in is, 'It feels like a resort.' "

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