Podcast

How These DIY Renovators Are Restoring A 1970s ‘Shag Manor’

Georgia Frances King and Mete Erdogan are first-time renovators who have recently taken on the huge task of renovating a fully original 1970s brick veneer home in Melbourne’s north.

Houses of this era are increasingly demolished and replaced, but Georgia and Mete are on a mission to prove their potential. Despite having no renovating experience, they’ve been able to revive the home mostly through DIY updates, plus some help from family and friends.

They’ve also assembled a community of like-minded 1970s design enthusiasts who follow their every renovating move on their Instagram account, @shag_manor.

In the latest episode of TDF Talks, Georgia and Mete talk to us about why they’re passionate about honouring their 1970s home’s history. They also share the updates they’ve made so far, what they’ve learned from YouTube tutorials alone, and how much it’s all cost!

Take a closer look at the house and find out more below, then listen to the full episode now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes
|
Photography
by
Supported By Koala

Mete Erdogan and Georgia Frances King in their 1970s home in Melbourne’s north.

The home is affectionately known as @shag_manor on Instagram, where the couple are documenting their renovating journey.

The original orange 1970s bar is going nowhere!

No expense was spared in the original build of the home, which features about $50,000 worth of Italian light fittings.

Mete likens this original wallpaper to the Bert’s jumper from Sesame Street.

Georgia’s office still features the orignal wallpaper.

The amber glass sliding doors have been retained.

Georgia says, ‘It’s so rare to have the luck to find a house of this era that no one’s done a bad ‘90s reno in.’

Mete and Georgia discussing future plans for the home.

The couple complete all their DIY renos around their full time jobs.

Honouring the original interiors is at the heart of everything they do.

The 1970s laminate kitchen.

Those floors!

Writer
Amelia Barnes
Photography
13th of June 2024

Publisher and editor Georgia Frances King and art director Mete Erdogan, love the character of Australia’s 1970s brick veneer homes — a style they call ‘Fediterranean’ due to their historic association with European migrants who often built and lived in these homes post WWII.

Mete is Turkish Cypriot, and his own grandmother lived in one of these homes, so he instantly connected to this property for sale in Melbourne’s north. It not only shared the same nostalgic qualities, but was incredibly well built.

Georgia and Mete bought the house in 2023 and have been updating it ever since mostly through DIY cosmetic renovations. Honouring the original interiors is at the heart of everything they do.

Lucy Feagins sat down with Georgia and Mete for the latest episode of TDF Talks. Listen to the full episode to learn everything they’ve done so far, and read the highlights below!

Why they chose to buy this particular house

After looking at over 150 homes, Georgia and Mete knew exactly what they were looking for in a property: natural light, and an open plan kitchen and dining area.

They also have fondness for 1970s brick houses that once dominated much of suburban Australia. Many of these homes have been, or will be, demolished, but Georgia and Mete say they’re often brimming with untapped potential — and it seems they’re not the only ones! Their Instagram account @shag_manor documenting the renovation has 70k people following along to see what they’ll do next to restore and enhance this 1970s beauty.

How they’ve honoured the home’s history

Georgia and Mete purchased the home with no intention of stripping away its 1970s flavour, which Georgia describe as a ‘Wes Anderson ‘70s dreamscape.’

In fact, through their Instagram account, the couple have become friends with the family of the original homeowners, who have gifted them crystal glassware, and materials leftover from the original build, which Georgia and Mete plan to integrate into the home’s renovation.

‘It’s been incredible because we’ve had the chance to walk around the house with the person who built the house,’ says Georgia.

Mete and Georgia have made all their design decisions with the intent of restoring what’s already in the home, rather than ripping features out and starting from scratch.

Georgia explains. ‘It’s so rare to have the luck to find a house of this era that no one’s done a bad ‘90s reno in.’

The original orange 1970s bar and amber glass sliding doors are going nowhere!

How they’ve managed being first-time DIY renovators

Prior to tackling this project, the closest Georgia and Mete had come to renovating was assembling some IKEA furniture!

They’ve since learned how to renovate almost entirely through YouTube, tackling projects such as wallpaper stripping, carpet removal, painting, welding, and building a kitchen island bench.

Of course, they’ve hired professionals when need be, such as for plumbing, electrical work and sanding the floors.

What they’ve spent so far

Buying an underappreciated property freed up some budget for Georgia and Mete to spend on the renovation.

So far, they’ve spent $15,000-$20,000 mostly on the floors, paint and various materials from the hardware store.

Another $20,000-$30,000 is earmarked for turning a laundry and toilet into a second bathroom, plus another $20,000-$30,000 is for finishing the garage, landscaping the backyard (which is currently all concrete), and building a deck.

This episode of TDF talks is brought to you by Koala. Head to Koala to check out their full range of Australian-designed furniture at down-to-earth prices!

Listen to the full episode with Georgia and Mete below, or find TDF Talks on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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