could you please upload the plans ?

we've also got a beach house 3 bedrooms ..Christmas/New Year time we tend to have up to 27 in the house so I pop a tent on the deck..our retreat had lots of blown up mattresses

important thing when have guests is not the sleeping quarters..they can go into tents..but the bathrooms..

Personally I'd do only cosmetic changes ..your little boy will grow up..you'd have more additions to the family..and there's school to think of ..teens like to wander so need public transport near by..

by then you might want to move..

I didn't think we would ever move when we first bought ..we are up to our third house..

our first house was bought near to his parents ..near shops but not close to public transport ..as we both drive so not a problem

after years of me being at home we decided to move to be midway from business , his parents and mine..

this time near childcare , park for the kids and a few minutes drive to the shops..as I was planning to go back to work..

still not near schools as we were going to put them in private.

until the third popped out ruined our plans as can't afford to put 3 in

life got busy..one hour school pick up and drop off every day so then we moved again

this time hopefully the last..when we are older we'd need a lift either that or we will have to move again..

life changes..

you need to delete the photo with your address ..

That's a great house and garden!!! I would stay and extend. Here's a suggested floor plan. I have guessed the existing plan and the proportions are wacky but it will give you some ideas. Replace the kitchen with a bathroom and en-suite (if there's enough space), create a laundry and storage in the hallway and add an extension along the back with a new kitchen and living area that opens to the garden via sliding or bi-fold doors. Other options are to go up (even if just a master suite over the new area), add a carport to the side and convert the garage into studio/guest quarters.

Hello Lesley,
Thank you. Yes we think it is. The photos shown are of the real estate sale photos.
Although we loved the presentation we are trying to make it more of our style and I guess this is where we are struggling. The long layout of kitchen, lounge dining (or desk as we currently use) means there are no corner or nooks we can create bookshelves or interesting places to display our art and collections.
I would love to put a gas fire place and tv above in our lounge room with shelves either side. The entrance is a bit of a waste of space also.
We plain to paint the walls dulux natural white or lexicon quarter and are also looking to paint the floor white or japanese black.

We will add some open timber shelves in the kitchen and a new bench top.
This is so far how we have changed it...

We haven't spent any money yet. We haven't even bought paint.

These are some reference for my ideas for living room and kitchen

.

I agree with Vy - life changes when we least expect it. You have a lovely home as it now stands. Before you do a major renovation I would get a local real estate agent in to assess what the value of the property would be if you completed the renovation - you do not want to overcapitalise. You should also get a quote for the renovation works. Then do the sums. You may find that you could buy what you want in the area for less than the cost of the renovation - who knows! Alternatively the renovation could be a great investment. Important to do the basic research & crunch the numbers before proceeding to avoid heatache down the track.

fiogre99
Thanks for taking the time to reply with a plan! Legend! Your ideas are one of the options we had discussed. We just don't know how we would change the facade as the floor to ceiling windows would be too exposed for a bedroom. We have great plants but would want some additional privacy. Any ideas of how we could create an entrance and also when you thought of the place, did you have any ideas of what would you suggest for the facade?

Thank so much!

Thanks allanaspree
Yes, good advice and you know what, it did change when we bought and our income was heavily effected. Which is partly why no changes so far have been made. I thought I would through it out to the houzz community to see if people could share, and I am so thankful for everyone's advice.

We wouldn't make any changes until we worked out everything from life changes, our family needs and the potential resell and buy, and all other real estate and renovation costs.

Thats exactly what we are starting on bj605!
If we cant make it bigger inside then we will make another room to live in outside!!
You sound like you are in the same position as us. I hope you can get something satisfying done soon.
I do love the cuteness of our place. Its such a great feel to this place and its our first family home so it will always be special.
Thank you!

Hi arcmaz

Great house - fantastic 60's modern look - Harry Sidler (Modernist Architect 1923-2006 exponent of the Bauhaus style in Australia, mainly Sydney) would have loved the interpretation, its a good style, don't change it will pay dividends in the long run.

It would be good if there was a plan of the house,and a plan of the block this would allow some relatively accurate planning proposals. If you had the real-state plan with the block plan it would help a lot.

In terms of making the place bigger and retaining the style I would suggest that the extension (maybe one room and an en suite depending on a budget) be a block in the today's current style, but linked to the existing house via a "link" (Link =small walkway).

This would allow you to retain the style, but not be dominated by a past period, I have done this a few times and it has worked fairly well. If you are looking for three bedrooms it might be best to add a master bedroom with a bathroom, and then maybe living areas with back yard access.

There may be other approaches depending on the current layout that could be considered, but I would retain as much as the original as possible, and only make small cosmetic changes until you are ready for a worthy development.

I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further or work on this project.

Regards - Michael Manias

Manias Associates Building designers - mm407p@gmail.com

arcmaz

For the facade I'd replace the outdoor blind with one that's the same width as the window and has a cool pattern (https://au.pinterest.com/pinerio/annie-albers-bauhaus/) or a black and white stripe, or I'd install three sliding screens laser-cut in a cool pattern. I'd paint over the blue trim with black or dark charcoal. To finish the garden I'd lay rectangular pavers, the same size as the front step, from the driveway to the step, in an line that follows the shape of the garden bed. I'd dig them into the ground so they're at grass level.

I did think that changing the lounge into a bedroom might be awkward so here's an option that retains it as a formal lounge. You could add a wall between it and the kitchen (it needn't go all the way to the ceiling) or leave it open. This plan has a two-way bathroom as an alternative to an en-suite. I'd save money by reusing doors, windows, kitchen cabinets and bench tops. I'd keep the integrity of the the house's style but be more relaxed about furniture and decorations.

Hi arcmaz

Glad You have found the suggestions of some value

I not a Builder - I'm a - 'Building Designer' - that means I provide drawings for Sketch Plans, Design Development (including Planning applications as required) and Building Permit documents or Working Drawings for my clients.

Cost for building works do depend on a lot of items not only materials and finishes - generally they are estimated - for domestic construction - on a meter square basis. The best way to get some idea of price is to ask a local Builder, or a Builder that you know, what meter square rate he builds at-for the type of construction you describe - then multiply by the meter square you intend to build.

I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further or work on this project. If you have found my comments are of some worth, I would greatly appreciate a positive review on houzz.

I would be happy to be further involved with this project

Regards - Michael Manias

Manias Associates Building designers - mm407p@gmail.com

having just moved into a tiny house and having no money for anything permanent my daughter managed to create additional living space with a DIY Aluminium carport erected at right angles to the back of her house....a combination of brick paving and gravel floor, lattice walls, a collection of pot plants, barbq and some recycled furniture and she has created a great entertaining area that can be easily dismantled and re-used elsewhere if/when the major reno is affordable

build another pavilion on the back of the house, linked by a partially covered deck..keep the style, it's nice. Perhaps the pavilion could house the parents retreat, and additional adult relaxing space..the main living area near the kitchen could be the kids space, perhaps a small study area in the entry ? A building does not have to be conventional to work!

Hi Andy! thank you for the feedback. That's an idea we have been playing with! It makes sense and we like the new facade not having to match.

my idea for the pavilion would be to enhance the existing style of the house by including a cathedral roof with exposed timber trusses..all enclosing master bed + ensuite, adult retreat space with a deck out onto the garden. Make sure the link is covered and enclosed, with windows facing on to the garden. Your project has real potential!