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Renovating Novice Needs Help

10 years ago

Hi all, new to
this forum and interested in helpful ideas to smarten up the exterior of our
new (old ) house. So far we have an idea to use paint as the first step and have come up with Colourbond
Woodland Grey for the posts and beams, and Colourbond Dune for the door and
window frames. The bricks are tumbled clay and in good condition. We are not
thinking of rendering. Looking forward to any comments. Cheers T&S.

Featured Answer

Mel

10 years ago

Your location looks amazing!!!

I like the move from blue to grey.. I never have been a blue fan for facades! I know your not looking a render but have you considered a brick paint? I have found that clean solid colour can really modernise a façade (and much cheaper than render too!!)

You look coastal... so maybe changing the balustrades to stainless steal wire?

Cladding on the underside of the deck and the roof above will tidy it all up.

Is that top picture your front yard... very jealous! Is there room for a feature loop driveway? That way you can plant in the round.

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Comments (15)

User
10 years ago
Love your house! Did you have a builder inspection done on the deck supports before purchase?
The Sheriff
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks Chookchook2. The first time we saw the house was auction day. No time for inspection. The deck joists are hardwood and in good condition. Some of the posts have been replaced over the years ( I replaced another one a few weeks ago). We have had a builder come and have a look with the intention to even up the post spacing's and replace the deck beams. Also we want to do away with the timber decking and replace with Tiles so as to protect the ground floor from the prevailing weather a bit better. The bones of the the house are double brick and solid which is good.
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Hi Mel, Kitchens are an integral part of any home and particularly a busy family, so much to consider. I personally think an Island clear of any sinks or utilities makes for a more workable space. It lends itself to food prep, kids homework, meals, guests perched on a bench whilst you prep. Sinks always accumulate mess so I think a sink put to the side works better. Gone are the days where you will stand at a sink hours at a time. Think about how you like to cook and use a kitchen a cooktop not far from the sink works best think straining pasta pots, vegies etc.. As for butler's pantry's I'm not a fan, why spend money on a lovely kitchen only to be cooped up in a small kitchen off to the side, very unsociable. Houses are made to be lived in and sometimes that comes with a little mess particularly in the kitchen. Don't hide away in a butlers pantry embrace your home and kitchen and all that it entails. I recently completed a kitchen with a similar colour scheme to what you are suggesting black, white and timber, I anchored the kitchen with the black Island and used white cabinets for the rest of the kitchen. Matt surfaces are on trend at the moment as opposed to gloss or semi gloss, matt finishes hide finger prints and children's hand marks better, dust will show up on darker surfaces so be mindful of this. I adore natural materials and feel that a timber floor really adds warmth. Take a look at the kitchen I recently designed for my clients, would love to hear your thoughts. Happy to assist you any way - Good luck with your renos. Thanks Collaborative Interiors
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The Sheriff
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Mel,

Thanks for your comments and questions.

I hadn't really thought of brick paint, but I might try it on the garage / granny flat first as it's the same rough brick.

We live on a Sunshine Coast canal block and totally agree with the SS wire. Looks great and easy to install.

The decking rebuild, later this year, will incorporate cladding under the deck joists as you suggest.

I probably won't clad under the roof as it is quite low at the hip and posts. The internal ceiling is raked with exposed beams and rafters so makes a nice transition from inside to outside when the doors are opened up.

The top photo shows the yard between the garage / granny flat and the front of the house. Unfortunately no room for a feature driveway. The concrete pool was filled in and turfed about 8 years ago. I would love to make a feature garden in this area ( that will be the subject of a different thread ).
joadymcmanus
10 years ago
I am currently loving the look of grey painted brick with white trim. May I suggest you have a look at this website www.threebirdsrenovations.com (I'm not affiliated). Have a look at the gas strut window, your bottom centre window looks like a perfect candidate. Congrats on the idilic location!
The Sheriff thanked joadymcmanus
Jonny Perumal
10 years ago
Offcourse this all depends on the budget but there are a few things I would look into. In order(These two will cost the most)
-acrylic render the house, apart from modernising the look you can also mix in your paint colour right into the render, it's more flexible than cement render and overall works out about the same as cement render plus painting. Also bear in mind with cement render you have to wait 6-8 weeks before painting to ensure the water has all come out.
- replace the handrails with glass, this might be a bit pricey but it will immediately smarten up the house and as you are looking out at water your view will improve.

Next I would:
-sheet the ceiling above the balcony and put in some down lights and possible outdoor speakers depending on how much you plan to entertain.
-paint the windows, doors and beams as well as the facia boards

Overall the house shape is very modern and I think these touches will really help bring its overall look up to date
Alison Siciliano
10 years ago
I love Dulux Wayward Grey for externals. It is a deep purplish grey - great contrast against green foliage. we painted our fibro fence with it. looks fantastic ( well I think so!).
PRO
Yardware
10 years ago
Like your choice of grey.

Is the house well insulated? If not, you said you didn't want to sheet the ceiling rafters but it would help with cooling inside if that is an issue. I did a similar house in Mt Tambourine, replaced the first metre of timber decking that had been weather affected and then clad the underside in corrugated iron to let the water runoff but keep the ground floor verandah dry. You will have to get an engineer to check out the load bearing before you replace decking with tiles. Then the tiles will need more cleaning than a timber deck.

Don't paint your brick, do all your improvements and then take stock. Painting means creating work for yourself or employing a painter. Every time I render I put an oxide in the cement, its fiddly but the results are worth it, never have to touch it again.

Try to make a feature of your Front Door as it is a nondescript at the moment. Two nice pots with plants or hanging baskets either side, paint the door in a contrast colour to make it stand out.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.
denisreno
10 years ago
I think the plans that you havecome up with at this stage are fine. Yes, there are a million things you can do in the future, but just as you can afford it. For me, it would be the verandah 'fencing' (I'm not very technical) but I think timber horizontal could be the go - but only about 2 wide planks - I appreciate it's at the seaside(!) but there must be a similar product that would not deteriorate from the sea air. Bunnings is a good place to go for advice(I don't work there either!!!)
PRO
Timandra Design & Landscaping
10 years ago
You have a great home. But do make sure, as highlighted by chookchook, that the balcony is secure.
There is nothing wrong with the appearance of your home. The brick - in its natural state should be left alone. Don't render - this will cause constant maintenance.
The grey instead of the blue is a good idea.
But as usual in the photos submitted, it is the garden that is letting your house down. The palms are fine because they suit your home. But much of the rest of your garden in plants and layout is cottagey. Your home is not a cottage so the garden needs upgrading.
User
10 years ago
I wouldn't wait until later this year to shore up the flooring joists and beams on the deck. Safety first.
User
10 years ago
Here's some inspiration pics for you

The following are all by knotwood, a wood look aluminium, that comes in multiple colours.
User
10 years ago
Southern American mansions
User
10 years ago
Queenslander style
User
10 years ago
Knotwood website

https://www.knotwood.com/

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