This family home in Charlestown, belonging to Jess and Brent Sinclair, has undergone a renovation with inspiration taken from the simplicity and muted tones that are embraced in the coastal Hampton properties hugging the ocean on Long Island. 

The renovation of their two-storey four-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car home took five months. The job was done by Narndra Built, based on architect plans. 

A focus was placed on environmentally friendly engineered beams and finishing materials, and cost efficiency to minimise waste.

As first-time renovators, the Sinclairs were “nervous about finding a builder they could trust”, especially when it came to fulfilling their design brief and ensuring they “achieved maximum gain of the existing house structure and material.” 

Having only lived in the property for nine months before the renovation, they were keen to keep costs down. “We wanted to minimise financial investment in additional and unnecessary resources,” Jess says.

Fortunately, they connected with Nathan Webster at Narndra Built who allayed their fears. 

“Nathan and his team were consistently reliable and moved efficiently through our project, effectively co-ordinating different tradesmen as required and keeping to our budget and time frame,” Jess says. 

The purpose of the renovation was to combine multiple rooms into one large, free-flowing open-plan living space and to update the tired interior and design. 

The living room, dining and kitchen areas were previously separate, creating a disconnect between the key social rooms of the home. Opening them up and joining them together has allowed for a large breathing space in the heart of the house. 

“It’s our favourite part of the house,” Jess says. 

They created the connection by patching and restoring the existing floors with Cypress pine, stained with a satin Black Japan floor finish. It provided the foundation upon which the neutral colour scheme could be built, as classic Hamptons colours are white and its many hues, plus black. The walls were painted with Taubman’s Tundra Mist shade, while a classic, crisp white features on the ceiling to reflect the light.

Australian Plantation Shutters were installed on the windows to add that seaside feel consistent with laidback living. Furnishings are lush, yet practical - a dining table with cushioned chairs, a statement lounge and simple storage pieces that are more beachy than country. 

The kitchen is on one edge of the open space. A quartz Silestone bench top was selected in Blanco Maple Orna for a durable, low-maintenance surface – perfect for functional livability. Pendant lighting from Beacon provides the extra luminosity, while RMK Solutions completed the cabinetry. For a modern look, white subway tiles with a grey grout were added as the splash backt. The shiny new Bosch oven-stove is now the workhorse of the kitchen.

A study provides a quiet sanctuary for concentration and reflection; the natural materials and neutral palette supporting the overall aesthetic as well as helping not to distract the person at work.

Upstairs are the bedrooms with plush carpeting - sourced from Independent Carpets and Gateshead - in a similar tone to the downstairs flooring. While the colour scheme is carried through to the bedrooms, the extra finishing details and fixtures have created layers of texture and interest. Rich materials, along with patterns and modern shapes, add a sense of luxury.  

The existing staircase was reconfigured with a seamless balustrade to complement the simple lines of the overall house design. The same finish was used on the staircase as on the rest of the open-plan flooring – stained Cypress pine. New ornate cornices were also matched to the existing ones to ensure continuity throughout the home.

Outside, a new deck has been added, creating a relaxing al fresco space. It was built using spotted gum, a premium native hardwood known for its strength and vibrant appearance. Double-sided Colorbond roofing in Surf Mist maintains the visual appeal.

With their desire to create a “fresh, modern, Hamptons-style home”, the Sinclair’s expectations and visions have been met.