Everyone has their own Covid lockdown story.
Awkward zoom meetings, long days trying to entertain the kids and facetiming into an open inspection of a property you are about to buy interstate.
OK, maybe the latter was just Hannah.
“I didn’t step foot into the place before I bought it, which now looking back is a bit surreal,” the JamFactory star tells Place Journal.
“It happened really quickly but it felt right, my family went to the open inspection and took me around on facetime, which was quite a laugh.
“Things then took a bad turn in Melbourne which meant I had to quarantine, so it was an unusual experience to say the least buying my first house whilst I was under lock and key.”
The property was a unit in a 1960s apartment block in Adelaide’s inner south-east.
It was outdated and needed work.
But, don’t worry, the screen didn’t lie this time.
“It just needed some love,” Hannah says.
“The original kitchen was planned very poorly and was not user friendly, so upgrading it to be functional was high on the priority list.
“And I also just wanted to add my own touch and make the space a reflection of my taste and style.”
And over the next two years, she did just that.
Painting, flooring and lighting was all done slowly during the first 12 months as Hannah settled back into life in South Australia.
Then came the kitchen and back into lockdown – sort of.
“There are only so many meals you can make with a toaster, kettle and air fryer,” she laughs, recalling the period the unit’s second bedroom became an “everything room”.
“I am not a big cook, but never have I appreciated a finished kitchen more.”
Yeah, eating is cool, but this kitchen can be appreciated for far more than the food it produces.
Designed and modelled by Hannah, and built and installed with the help of dad Mike and the rest of the family, the main works were completed over seven months.
That’s a lot of air-fried chicken wings.
“The process dragged on longer than expected due to unforeseen circumstances,” Hannah says of this renovation of a 1960s Adelaide apartment.
“The one downside to DIY renovation is that life often comes first, so things like work and health caused a few delays, but we got there in the end.”
And getting there, on a slightly different path than expected, with her family, made Hannah appreciate the journey even more.
“It’s been a real DIY process, so there is a real sense of satisfaction and appreciation of all the work that’s happened to get the space to where it is,” Hannah says.
“My home wouldn’t be my home without the help that I’ve had from my family.
“They’ve been there during the entire renovation process.”
That process has delivered a kitchen that ties the entire apartment together. It’s now a space that feels bigger - and actually works.
“I decided to match the colour of the kitchen joinery to the colour of the original bathroom floor tiles,” she explains.
“It’s this detail that brings such a nice level of cohesiveness to the overall space.”
And that space is filled with beautiful things.
“My apartment is my little sanctuary and my happy place,” Hannah says.
“My home literally is where my heart is as I’ve filled the space with things I love, made by people I love.
“I have lots of art, handmade objects and mementos that have been made by friends or local artists, I really just love to surround myself with things that make me smile and my apartment does just that.
“It’s a space that I love inviting friends and family into, for a meal or a glass of wine, my home is a place that brings happiness.”
Sounds like a place where she wants to stay inside – not one she has to.
Words: Jordan Pinto
Photography: @
HANNAH'S PLACE
Built: 1969
Land: 86m2
Bed: 2
Bath: 1
WHAT HANNAH'S PLACE TAUGHT HER
Model first.
3D modelling definitely was a huge asset when designing my kitchen. Being able to re-configure and test different options meant I was able to refine the design to the most efficient, and enjoyable outcome.
Enjoy the journey.
Don’t be hard on yourself if things take longer than expected. You can do all the planning but there are always unknowns that can change your direction. Best to just enjoy the journey and do your best.
Scroll through to see what Hannah's place looked like before