Nat Wheeler’s 1920s Californian Bungalow renovation

Do you love Scandi style?  The decorating mantra of light, white, texture, beautiful muted grey colours, natural finishes and simplicity.  Where can you go wrong with that?  The team behind the successful Melbourne based Scandinavian Interiors store Norsu Interiors have lots to tell you and tempt you with if you love this style.  If you haven't come across them yet and you love Scandi style, you must visit their online store and blog and their bricks and mortar store when the lockdown is over!  Today I'm going to start by showing you Co-Founder Nat Wheeler’s original 1920s Californian Bungalow renovation which she achieved on a tight budget in just five short months.  I know you will be inspired!

Nat, along with fellow Co-Founder Kristy Sadlier, seized the chance to renovate when the Wheeler family purchased the Glen Iris property in late 2017 and the duo saw an opportunity to demonstrate their team’s styling prowess in norsu’s undeniably distinctive aesthetic.  All of the images below are from NorsuHome.

Exterior of Nat Wheeler's 1920s Californian Bungalow

Nat used a soft grey palette for the exterior of her 1920s Californian Bungalow renovation.  The colours are Dulux Teahouse for the fence, gutter and fascia with Dulux Milton Moon for the weatherboards and gable front.  Completed with Dulux Natural White as a trim colour.

A classic black full gloss front door completes the look beautifully.

Styling is one of Norsu Interiors' specialties which is evident in the selection of outdoor pots and greenery to complement the Dulux Milton Moon weatherboards.

Interior of Nat Wheeler's 1920s Californian Bungalow

Committed to designing and executing a superior look and feel at an affordable level (think flat pack Kaboodle Kitchen cabinetry cleverly used as bedroom wardrobes), norsu partnered with an incredible line up of Australian and International suppliers.

Heading into the project, the plan was to conduct a quick ‘cosmetic renovation’ that most home-owners could confidently tackle on their own, however, after realising the true renovation potential of the house and the ability to make a huge impact without major changes to the existing floorplan, the focus quickly shifted. The result is an open plan, Nordic-inspired practical family home that Nat, together with her husband Dan, and children Annabel (7) and Harvey (4) now lovingly call the norsuHOME.

The welcoming hallway is painted in Dulux Tranquil Retreat with accent walls and custom Kaboodle cabinetry in Dulux Flooded Gum.

Dulux Tranquil Retreat is painted on the VJ paneling in the living room, while Dulux Vivid White has been used on other walls and custom Kaboodle cabinetry.  The pale oak flooring, textured rugs and accents of soft pink and grey are hallmarks of a classic Scandi style.  The home is classic enough to suit the 1920s exterior but contemporary enough to appeal to today's style.

The custom kitchen cabinetry from Kaboodle is painted in Dulux Milton Moon with Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete benchtops.  This lovely soft grey colour palette has had warmth injected with the gorgeous brass tap, sink and kitchen handles.

The main bedroom is serene and comfortable with a gorgeous range of different textures against a calm background of Dulux Terrace White.

One of my favourite greys from Dulux has been used in Harvey's delightful bedroom, Spanish Olive.  With it's soft green base, this grey is perfect for interiors and exteriors and suits Scandi style perfectly.  Partnered with clean and fresh Dulux Vivid White for the cabinetry and trim, this is a great colour combination.

Dulux Mornington Half has been used in Annabel's room.  This is a lovely soft pink that isn't too bright or sugary and works perfectly with soft grey and white tones.

Nat's love of pink is evident throughout the house but no more so than in the bathroom.  I love this welcoming look, with accents of timber and brass, the soft pink works beautifully.

Even the laundry looks good with the clean combination of Dulux Vivid White with Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete and one of my favourite colours, terracotta.

Find out more about NorsuHOME

Having thoroughly enjoyed renovating several homes in the past, the decision to capture the journey of this reno was easy states Nat. “We wanted to share the journey with our social media followers and prove that renovating doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Our goal was to show viewers how to apply some creative choices during the renovation process without breaking the bank, while sharing tips on how to confidently select finishes, incorporate colour, create cohesiveness, and of course have some fun along the way.”

“After the reno was complete, our day jobs kicked into gear, and we had some serious fun with the styling” states Kristy. “We live and breathe interiors, and truly believe you can create something magical by carefully selecting the right furniture, art and soft furnishings for your home. For us, it’s all about the feeling you get when you walk in that front door. By focusing on the right pieces, tones, placement and layering, you have the ability to create cosiness, joy and warmth which allows guests to instantly connect emotionally with the space.”

This project has been the perfect platform for the norsu team to officially launch their dedicated styling services arm led by in-house qualified interior designer Lauren Bartlett-Bragg. “If you’re drawn to the norsuHOME and would like assistance recreating this look and feel within your own home, we offer a range of services to suit any budget ” says Lauren.

Capturing the entire process of Nat Wheeler's 1920s Californian Bungalow renovation on video through an informative, fun and relatable 11 part episode series, the duo share practical reno and styling tips, along with focusing on the various elements to consider when renovating, such as painting, flooring, tiling and lighting. Each episode is supported by detailed commentary from Nat on her personal experiences, learnings, and guidance, along with tips and tricks from their expert suppliers.

Visit norsuhome.com to binge watch the complete series, read all content and take a virtual tour of the home now.

If you love Scandi Style I have an in-depth post giving you the 5 key elements of Scandi style

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