It’s been less than a year since Sydney-based duo Steph and Gian walked away from Melbourne’s Charming Street with an extra $1.75 million in their bank account after their auction windfall on The Block. Not ones to sleep on an opportunity, the pair touched down in Sydney and kept the momentum going, finishing the renovation and extension of their Federation charmer in Bexley, subsequently selling it for a tidy $1.825 million and launching their homewares brand, Japandi Estate, somewhere in the midst of it all.
The metaphorical (and probably also literal) dust is far from settled for Steph and Gian, but they’ve already trained their eyes on a new renovation project: a grand old Queen Anne in Sydney’s inner west. Complete with all the best traits of the era, the pair’s new digs is adorned with a steep, gabled roof, a verandah sheltering the entryway, and an asymmetric facade.
“Much like Glenfarne Street [in Bexley], we were taken aback by how much original beauty and character the home had. From hallway arch mouldings to the ceiling roses, we saw so much potential. All it needed was a bit of love – and that’s what we plan to give it,” the couple say. “We were drawn not only to the home but also the suburb it is situated in. There’s such a strong sense of community and neighbourly warmth here.”
Steph and Gian’s tips for buying a home
- Look for good bones: our home is on the higher side of the road, so it’s not subject to rising damp
- Check the orientation: take a look at what direction your home and any of its outdoor spaces are facing
- Location, location, location: the area we bought in has a really great community feel
But, despite all its charm, there’s no denying that this 100-or-so-year-old home is in dire need of some TLC. No strangers to a big project and with an architecture degree in Steph’s back pocket, the pair say they plan to tackle the renovation in two stages. ‘Phase 1’, as they’ve dubbed it, will take “about a month”, and will involve new floors and window furnishings, a fresh lick of paint, new fixtures and fittings, and “a lot of gardening”.
“We could see that there wasn’t much work needed to get the home to a liveable state, and we want to take time to understand the area and sun to inform our grander vision.”
“Our vision for ‘phase 1’ is to give the home a minor cosmetic facelift and just enjoy the space.”
STEPH AND GIAN, HOMEOWNERS AND FORMER CONTESTANTS ON THE BLOCK
The pair are remaining tight-lipped about the scope for ‘Phase 2’, hinting at an open-plan design at the home’s rear that will employ a slew of skylights, as well as the addition of a bedroom. They have also revealed that it will involve a DA.
Fans of The Block will be familiar with Steph and Gian’s signature Japandi style, synonymous with their personal brand and the design of their previous home. So, will this Queen Anne become a Japandi hybrid?
“Each home has a unique story, and we want to acknowledge that in our approach.”
STEPH AND GIAN, HOMEOWNERS AND FORMER CONTESTANTS ON THE BLOCK
“We plan to take some lessons and design aesthetics that have worked well in our previous homes. Japandi is our style and we will always go back to it, but not always in a conventional way – it’s not just beige. After all, Japandi isn’t a trend, it’s a lifestyle.”
Steph and Gian’s top three renovation musts
- Always have a plan: and, more importantly, a clear budget
- Know what you want: create a moodboard so you can keep your vision top of mind and help your trades understand it, too
- Don’t overcapitalise: know where your building and research what the area demands for resale
The pair have already begun ripping up and replacing floorboards, cleaning gross bathrooms, removing (very) deeply rooted plants, swapping out hardware, and patching deteriorating render as they dig right into the renovation’s initial phase. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Steph and Gian, it’s that they move fast – so watch this space.
You can follow the pair on Instagram, @stephandgian, where they will share regular updates on the project.
