Elegant Simplicity

Martin Kolarik  Home Design
Creating Simply Elegant Home Designs For Your Family
0407 900 068
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News

The Key Elements of Designing a Family Home

10 September, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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designing a family home

The best home designs are the ones that grow with your family. Anticipating your family’s needs ahead of time will help you arrive at a great home design. A solid home design is a fabulous investment. It will also help you save on renovation costs in the future.

There are key elements to designing a family home. If you take these into consideration in your extension and renovation design, you and your family will be able to enjoy your home at present and even as you grow and change.

It is every good home designer’s goal to design a home that’s for today, tomorrow and the future.

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Topics: elegant home design

Conservatory And Sunroom Are Two Different Things

3 July, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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conservatory and sunroom

A conservatory and sunroom are structurally quite different yet similar in that they bring sunlight into the home.

A conservatory is very popular in Europe and especially in England. Whereas a sunroom is an Australian and North American phenomenon.

In our Australian climate of mild winters and hot summers, there are very few opportunities to have a conservatory. This is mostly due to excessive heat.

If you live in a cold-climate highland town or rural area in Australia, you may consider a conservatory. As long as you have the space. In metropolitan Northern Sydney, you are most likely to find sunrooms in homes that have the ideal northly aspect to accommodate them.

Let’s take a closer look at their respective histories, similarities and differences.

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Topics: elegant home design

How To Keep The Original Look Of Your Deck Intact

5 June, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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clean and oil your deck

Perhaps you have recently renovated your home and added a new deck. To keep your deck looking its best for its lifetime, it must undertake regular maintenance. You must clean and oil your deck, plus check for loose or damaged boards or nails that need resecuring.

Moisture, UV radiation, and mould are the biggest causes of discolouration in your timber. Yet you can avoid discolouration and damage with some extra care.

Find out how you can maintain the original look of your deck.
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Topics: renovating your home in style

18 Floor Plan Mistakes – The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

23 May, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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Many homeowners have faced this dilemma, “It all looked good till I moved in and now it just doesn’t work. Where have I made mistakes?”

The most likely answer is the floor plan!

Irrespective of whether you are house hunting or sitting with your home designer contemplating your renovations or new house plans, you must give this aspect of home design some thoughtful consideration.

I have lined up for you 18 of the most avoidable mistakes you can commit with your floor plan. This includes that one single mistake that will make the biggest difference to living in your home. Read along to know about it and avoid this right from the start.

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Topics: elegant home design renovating your home in style

How Much Should You Spend On Home Renovation?

22 March, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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how much should I spend on home renovation

Overcapitalising on home renovations or extensions is a big concern when it comes to selling soon after construction is completed. The fear of overcapitalising or under-investing could derail us from the potential profits when the time comes to sell our home.

Here are some considerations to evaluate how much you should spend on home renovation. What is “the right amount” of money for you to spend, even if resale is not a principal factor now?
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Topics: renovating your home in style

Will My Home Renovation Require a Council or State Approval? – DA, CC and CDC

21 February, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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council or state approval for home renovation

Do you love the suburb you live in and your home is need of a change? A renovation is an excellent way to update an older home, accommodate a growing family and add your own style to your home.

For your Designer to develop design options, it is essential to consider the local Council’s and State’s regulations for building, including Bushfire and Heritage.

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Topics: council regulations

What You Should Know Before Adding a Second Storey

9 February, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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adding a second storey

An efficient way to gain more floor area and living space to accommodate your growing family’s needs is by adding a second storey to your home. This is especially the case if your property already extends to the boundary set-back lines.

Adding an additional floor to your home can really open-up your floor plan. It also lets you maximise space and tends to capture much better views.

Find out what significant issues you should be aware of before proceeding.

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Topics: elegant home design renovating your home in style

Things to Consider When Converting Your Garage

1 February, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

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converting your garage space

If your garage is nothing more than a place to store stuff you barely use anymore, you may have considered if converting that space to something else is worthwhile.

However, there are certain things you need to keep in mind should you decide to convert your garage.

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Topics: renovating your home in style

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Client Feedback

Extremely Happy

The conversion of our 2 bedroom 1950’s bungalow to a modern 4 bedroom house has been an enjoyable journey that completed on time, on budget and with results that far exceeded our expectations.

Jon and Lindley Randle

Lane Cove

Invaluable Expertise

You can see quality in every design detail. During the construction process, Martin's expertise proved invaluable when dealing with council and a somewhat recalcitrant builder.

Dolien and Peter Nicolsen

Berowra NSW 2081

Innovative, highly professional and sympathetic

We wanted to suit the needs of our young family but Martin advised us on how to future proof our house design and meet our needs as our family grows up. We now have a stunning home and we couldn’t be happier with the architectural design.

David & Pauline

St Ives Chase

Fantastic

Martin Kolarik was instrumental in the design and documentation of our family home renovations a few years ago and I have pleasure in recommending his professional services.

Warwick J. Higgs

Chartered Accountant, Wahroonga

Far Exceeded Our Vision

At the completion of the building works, the end result is fantastic and far exceeds the vision we had all those years ago. Martin was able to take our scattered ideas for what we needed in a major extension/ renovation, at all times patiently working with our changing requirements, and deliver an end result that we are extremely pleased with.

Graeme Bradford

Turramurra

Very Happy

Martin's capable oversight of the builders and other contractors ensured we had a trouble free building experience. We continue to be very happy with the result of his efforts.

Patrick and Laura Mooney

A Joy To Work With Martin

Martin is very knowledgeable, organised and professional and it is a joy working with him. He gives every request due consideration, no matter how challenging the request.

Anja & Perry Poehlmann,

St Ives Chase.

Seven years on and still really happy

Seven years on and still really happy I am sitting here typing this testimonial for Martin, 7 years later, and really appreciating this amazing home we live in that is part of the bush environment, as well as providing my family with a very comfortable and modern home.

Mateki and Liam Payne

Hornsby Heights

Exceeded Our Expectations

Martin's ability to understand our core requirements and present answers and new ideas for our project exceeded our expectations. Several design features that Martin presented to us regularly get positive comments from visitors to our home, these comments have come from builders, designers and engineers.

James Douglass J.P.

Lane Cove

Invaluable

Martin has exceeded our expectations during a lengthy design and approval process. His attention to detail and flexibility in being able to interpret our ideas into a new functional space has been outstanding. His assistance during the quotation phase of the project was invaluable and resulted in us engaging a first class builder to complete the works.

Teresa and Peter Gray

Very Attentive

Martin listened very attentively to our requirements and very cooperatively finalised the plan, with careful discussion back and forth. We felt he always took on board our thinking, while respectfully putting his own suggestions.

James and Irene Franklin

Lane Cove

Very Happy

Now that we have lived in the finished product we can categorically state that we wouldn't change any part of the design. Indeed, the only parts of the renovation that we would change are those you weren't involved with!

Michael and Quyen

I Cannot Begin To Thank Martin Enough

One of our main concerns was getting the design through council as we were in a conservation area. Again Martin handled it with ease, going through first time with no amendments! Practically unheard of in our area.

Joe and Sonya La Rosa

The Ultimate Professional

On each occasion I have dealt with Martin and his business I have always found him to be the ultimate professional. One of Martin's strong points, which I particularly admire, is his ability to design to a budget and his understanding of building costs. I feel this is an area of design which many designers are particularly weak.

Mark Newman, Director, Newmark Constructions

www.newmark.com.au

Excellent All the Way

Martin Kolarik was the first person to provide a solution that specifically addressed our requirements. His additional suggestions very much enhanced our living and the value of our home. His unwavering commitment continued until the last paperwork was done, long after the final fee was paid.

Ross & Daphne Bishop

West Pymble

About Us

Accredited Building Designer

Martin Kolarik Home Design your Sydney North Shore specialist home designer. We live here, work here and have done so for decades.

We design extensions and renovations of houses to deliver beautiful, functional homes that complement your lifestyle and budget.

Martin Kolarik’s central design philosophy is modernism for its elegant simplicity.

He appreciates and employs the use of architecture to introduce natural light and ventilation as significant components of the design. This in turn has a positive effect on the sustainability of your home.

Martin creates spaces which are designed to be aesthetically elegant, comfortable and functional which will stand the test of time. He challenges the design solutions to ensure your design maximises every opportunity and the investment you are making to achieve a home that you will be excited to live in.

Welcome

home designer in Sydney

Welcome to my website. My purpose is to help you create a wonderful place you and your family can call home.

It is about listening and understanding your needs and what you would like to achieve. I have spent the better part of my life learning how to create warm and welcoming spaces rather than simply designing houses.

Please have a look around. View the galleries of some recent projects and read the testimonials from past clients.

I have also written many articles on my blog to help you on your journey to creating your dream home. I look forward to assisting you,

Martin Kolarik

0407 900 068

Testimonials

A few words from our clients. Read them all in full here

Extremely Happy

The conversion of our 2 bedroom 1950’s bungalow to a modern 4 bedroom house has been an enjoyable journey that completed on time, on budget and with results that far exceeded our expectations.

Jon and Lindley Randle

Lane Cove

Invaluable Expertise

You can see quality in every design detail. During the construction process, Martin's expertise proved invaluable when dealing with council and a somewhat recalcitrant builder.

Dolien and Peter Nicolsen

Berowra NSW 2081

Innovative, highly professional and sympathetic

We wanted to suit the needs of our young family but Martin advised us on how to future proof our house design and meet our needs as our family grows up. We now have a stunning home and we couldn’t be happier with the architectural design.

David & Pauline

St Ives Chase

Fantastic

Martin Kolarik was instrumental in the design and documentation of our family home renovations a few years ago and I have pleasure in recommending his professional services.

Warwick J. Higgs

Chartered Accountant, Wahroonga

Far Exceeded Our Vision

At the completion of the building works, the end result is fantastic and far exceeds the vision we had all those years ago. Martin was able to take our scattered ideas for what we needed in a major extension/ renovation, at all times patiently working with our changing requirements, and deliver an end result that we are extremely pleased with.

Graeme Bradford

Turramurra

Very Happy

Martin's capable oversight of the builders and other contractors ensured we had a trouble free building experience. We continue to be very happy with the result of his efforts.

Patrick and Laura Mooney

A Joy To Work With Martin

Martin is very knowledgeable, organised and professional and it is a joy working with him. He gives every request due consideration, no matter how challenging the request.

Anja & Perry Poehlmann,

St Ives Chase.

Seven years on and still really happy

Seven years on and still really happy I am sitting here typing this testimonial for Martin, 7 years later, and really appreciating this amazing home we live in that is part of the bush environment, as well as providing my family with a very comfortable and modern home.

Mateki and Liam Payne

Hornsby Heights

Exceeded Our Expectations

Martin's ability to understand our core requirements and present answers and new ideas for our project exceeded our expectations. Several design features that Martin presented to us regularly get positive comments from visitors to our home, these comments have come from builders, designers and engineers.

James Douglass J.P.

Lane Cove

Invaluable

Martin has exceeded our expectations during a lengthy design and approval process. His attention to detail and flexibility in being able to interpret our ideas into a new functional space has been outstanding. His assistance during the quotation phase of the project was invaluable and resulted in us engaging a first class builder to complete the works.

Teresa and Peter Gray

Very Attentive

Martin listened very attentively to our requirements and very cooperatively finalised the plan, with careful discussion back and forth. We felt he always took on board our thinking, while respectfully putting his own suggestions.

James and Irene Franklin

Lane Cove

Very Happy

Now that we have lived in the finished product we can categorically state that we wouldn't change any part of the design. Indeed, the only parts of the renovation that we would change are those you weren't involved with!

Michael and Quyen

I Cannot Begin To Thank Martin Enough

One of our main concerns was getting the design through council as we were in a conservation area. Again Martin handled it with ease, going through first time with no amendments! Practically unheard of in our area.

Joe and Sonya La Rosa

The Ultimate Professional

On each occasion I have dealt with Martin and his business I have always found him to be the ultimate professional. One of Martin's strong points, which I particularly admire, is his ability to design to a budget and his understanding of building costs. I feel this is an area of design which many designers are particularly weak.

Mark Newman, Director, Newmark Constructions

www.newmark.com.au

Excellent All the Way

Martin Kolarik was the first person to provide a solution that specifically addressed our requirements. His additional suggestions very much enhanced our living and the value of our home. His unwavering commitment continued until the last paperwork was done, long after the final fee was paid.

Ross & Daphne Bishop

West Pymble

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renovation planning with Martin Kolarik

Contact Us

If you are considering undertaking a major renovation project, use the form below to get in touch with us:

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We service the following area in Sydney’s north:


Home Designers Sydney | Home Extensions & Renovation | House Additions & First Floor Additions Sydney

3 Valley Park Crescent, North Turramurra NSW 2074

Phone: (02) 9449 1109

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