Homes don't have to be made low maintenance - regular cleaning keeps a home maintenance free. Cleaning as you go or regular dusting and vacuuming keeps housework minimal so nothing is a huge effort. Squeegee the shower after use for minimum cleaning for example. If you don't have a place to store everything, then maybe look at just what you are trying to store and how much you really need. I can't visualise "hidden" areas that accumulate junk, maybe they should become storage areas so necessary "junk" can be stored neatly. Weeds can be kept to a minimum in gardens with mulching, which is also good for water retention, most trees need regular pruning and drop leaves and twigs regardless of whether they are evergreen or not so they aren't exactly non-maintenance, sure there are a lot of plants that need little watering if one is short on water, but that is good for the environment too. Specific plots for vegetables is a sound investment or flowering plants just to pretty up the garden are not a lot of work and if water is readily available a sprinkler system can take the drudge out of that. The garden is good therapy for reducing stress and if approached that way can only benefit our lives.

Hi Josie love that area! I used to live and work nearby..... Without knowing the budget or what you intend eg living there / going to make it a family home / investment property, there are quite a few options that depend on answers to the above. sticking with your original question, there are companies around that prefab the entire second storey that is installed in 1-2 days ( the structure install only- doesn't include roof prep etc) This includes the roof, finished walls (exterior and Gyprock internals). Your builder then needs to do the staircase, paint, finishes, bathroom fit off etc but it is very cost effective and is in the $1500m2 range. you obviously need to renovate the existing but $2500m2 is a good guide as others have said.... It really depends on your taste and again, whether it is a home for you or an investment. I understand the detonate thinking, however the existing layout can be worked with. Before detonating, it would be smart to speak to the Council about your setbacks etc of the existing home as quite often the existing home is closer to the boundary than what a new home could be. For a quick and dirty answer to replacement cost for a new double storey home, speaking to a double storey project builder with standard designs will allow you to see what works without a lot of expense as they can advise if their designs will fit. This will give you a budget and allow you to see some designs. you may even see some ideas you like and with which a designer can build on (no pun intended ) cheers

This is actually a three storey house with a small entry, which makes it a little trickier to select a scheme. As it is quite imposing from street level, have you considered a darker shade straight across on the lowest level to 'ground' the house? Lighter tones can then be used on the living levels. Try using an app that allows you to 'colour in' to change and view various options.

First of all. Family portraits? Old Masters? Snaps of people at Birthday parties, small children? Black and white or colour? What kind of frames are they in? Are you prepared to spend money on the display? Are you trying to hide them or make a feature of them? I personally hate family photos scattered about! Besides the light damaging them, there’s the family pecking order which always exists. Who gets the best spot? My solution used to be the back of the toilet door when the kids were small. I cut them all out and assembled a collage, but with age they grew yellow and faded. Now I have a large photo which my 3 kids had done for me as a Mother’s Day gift just after they left home. It’s in a plain black and silver frame and it’s in black and white. It’s right opposite my bedroom door in the hallway. If you are a visitor, unless you visit the loo you would not see it, and even then its probably not that noticeable. I think we need more information to help you.