When Interior Designer, Shaye Ford from Co. Interiors embarked on the journey of renovating her own home, it was a real labour of love. The old home had great bones, however, it had zero character, according to Shaye, with mission brown ceiling beams and window frames, a converted garage, a sunken sunroom, and a driveway leading to a brick wall. But that is all now a distant memory as floors have been lifted and levelled, walls removed, and the carport/sunken sunroom is now a glorious light-filled open space that is the heart of the home.
Shaye's expertise in combining British and American design elements, along with her love for saturation, texture, and pattern, has led to stunning transformations of many homes and when designing her own home it was no different.
Why Easycraft?
As a household name that has been around for nearly 40 years, easycraft is synonymous with quality, longevity, and ease of use. Shaye wanted to saturate the entire room with easycraft panels to create a cohesive and harmonious space. She also wanted to hang the boards horizontally for a unique touch not commonly seen in Australian homes. “When you are using a wall panel on almost every surface, it needs to be trusted and hard-wearing. That is exactly what easycraft is” says Shaye.
Shaye and her team aimed to achieve the classic shiplap look with a depth and dimension that would truly elevate the space and chose the easyVj 150 profile as it struck the perfect balance of width, adding old-school charm without feeling dated.
Practicality and Functionality
Functionality and practicality played a significant role in the decision-making process. Larger sheets made the installation process much quicker and easier, saving valuable time and effort. Shaye chose the largest sheets available at 1200mm x 4500mm and while these required the hire of a mechanical panel lift due to the height of the vaulted ceilings, they were completely covered in no time. Compared to single panels, using these larger easycraft panels was a no-brainer.
Cost and Time Savings
The benefits of using easycraft panels extended beyond aesthetics and practicality. By choosing to install the easycraft panels themselves, Shaye and her team saved a substantial amount of money compared to traditional plaster alternatives that would require hiring additional labour. The use of larger sheets also expedited the installation process and with all easycraft panels pre-primed this saved time, effort and money.
Durability and Future-proofing
Shaye also considered the long-term performance of easycraft panels in her decision-making process. “You want something that can withstand busy family life including children and pets. The durability of what is on your walls and ceilings has to be the deciding factor”. Easycraft panels are designed to withstand the impacts of day-to-day life, making them an investment that ensures the beauty and functionality of the space for years to come.
Enhanced Acoustics and Insulation
Easycraft panels proved to be more than just aesthetically pleasing, they significantly enhanced the acoustics and insulation properties of the renovated space. The density and structural properties of the panels contributed to better heat retention from the gas fireplace and a reduction in outside noise, creating a more comfortable and enjoyable living environment.
Sustainable and Environmentally-friendly
Shaye's commitment to sustainability led her to consider the environmental impact of her choices. Easycraft panels stood out as a more sustainable option with higher thermal performance compared to traditional plasterboard, higher moisture resistance, and greater overall durability, ensuring a longer product lifespan. “Renovating or building is an expensive and time-consuming exercise. You need your design choices to have longevity and a timeless aesthetic so that what you put in your space will last and not end up in landfill in a few years when you change your mind”.
A Transformed Experience
With easycraft panels as the foundation of this renovation project, the space is now aesthetically pleasing, character-filled, and exudes the perfect balance of warmth and functionality. From enhanced energy efficiency to improved acoustics, the easycraft panels have seamlessly integrated with Shaye's design vision in breathing new life into her home.
To see more of Shaye's work visit Co. Interiors or follow her on Instagram. You can see the entire range of easycraft’s profiles by visiting easycraft.com.au
You can also download our latest product brochure or visit the easycraft help center for tips and videos.
Words: Carley Eldridge