Bravo to all these amazing creative minds. I hate wasting stuff that still has life in it. By the way, though I have read that some pallets are treated with a fumigant which is toxic. Generally, make sure pallets are stamped with “HT”, which means they haven’t been exposed to chemicals (at least not in the treating process.) Avoid unmarked pallets or those with “MB” for methyl bromide. Well, if anyone wants some really nice, bargain 2nd hand windows we just pulled out of our 12 y-o house to make way for a sliding door, and you live around Melbourne Australia, please check them out here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/112070272414?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

Congratulation on your new home, big investment and hopefully a fruitful one. It looks like a fairly spacious house, the open areas are a bit limited but certainly great opportunity to design your own lifestyle. These are few things that you might consider in your approach to any alterations; 1. Work with a Building Designer/Architect to develop a comprehensive brief - just moving lines on a plan because you might like or dislike certain rooms is unlikely to produce a good result - you need a whole site approach especially as you have a corner site with north fronting. 2. Define your lifestyle for the next 5 to ten years - at least as far as you can - this will help in determining space allocation for perceived activities. The design relates to what you are going to do in the space and fixed factors like sun orientation and existing neighbors and neighborhood issues. 3. Determine problem issues such as structural, security, insulation heating and cooling - there may be more than first seen under a fresh coat of paint. 4. Have a budget and a timeline for achieving milestones - else time will go on forever and little will be achieved. Determine what you must do first, then what is required to do so as to achieve the next step. 5. Do a number of design proposals before settling on a result - in my last job four distinct sketch plans were done for hopefully a good result - it cost the client considerably, but as they say - "pay peanuts and .....you get ........" 6 Above all do not change anything until you are happy with the design - cheaper to move lines that walls. There are opportunities on your site - you should identify them and exploit them to your lifestyle. Wish you the best with your renovations. Michael Manias Manias Associates Building Designers mm407p@gmail.com

I don't want to be too critical , but I don't think its much . White walls , white cabinets , white appliances -- standard design for every hospital for 80 years . A couple of bits of timber to add some warmth -- well , better than nothing . Bland generic tiles on the floor , and different ones on the walls -- nothing to offend everyone . So its like 5 million other laundries . Oh , I know , a black door handle and a black tap . That'll add 'interest' . Hang on , the old door handle is already black . It looks 80 years old -- it might be a reproduction , who knows , who cares . I'll add a modern 'on trend' black tap . That'll get me credit from the heritage lovers and the modern lovers I'm sure . Ooh , the door rattles a bit in the wind ? I'll put a cheap chrome slider near the bottom . And better lock it -- phew , lucky , I have this white one . That'll do . This designing lark is pretty easy eh . . . . . . . . .

Hi @Puddle, there are many good comments and ideas for you to consider in this thread, i have been in the process of renovating a 1976 model on the southside of Canberra. I have lived with my wife in Canberra for 6 years and have been in denial of our climate until recent years. It is alpine cold in winter and insanely hot in summer. The things i recommend spending money on are Windows - Get the best you can afford, double glazed glass in uninsulated frames, or double glazed window units with high air penetration should be illegal. Good windows keep winter heat in and summer heat out, its also very peaceful in a house that is well sealed. Solar panels - This was the first thing we had installed when we moved in, we are lucky to have a north facing roof space, wife works at home most days and is a high energy user. We enjoy a fully electric home, heating/cooling, cooking, hot water. Gyprock is cheap, Insulate your walls, floor and ceiling! strip all external walls and insulate, it is also easier to do windows if the wall linings are being removed. Once complete it makes life inside much nicer. Unless already renovated the wardrobes in bed 1 and 3 are likely chipboard, not sealed or insulated and a massive heat gain/loss depending on season. Building a comfortable, functional and energy efficient home in Canberra is much more than wall locations and paint colours, initially spending money on getting the "building envelop" to a high quality, (well sealed from air transfer and insulated) will allow you to install ensuites and move kitchens with the remainder of the budget. I have a problem with people saying there is a "Canberra tax", i am a professional tradesman and there are many other professionals in Canberra getting paid more than other capital cities, This includes the public service and its "consultants". Canberra has a high cost for all services underpinned by the public sector. Everybody deserves to get paid appropriately for their work. A client should always feel comfortable with the tradesperson they are dealing with, if not keep looking until you find the right fit. Enjoy the process!