Oh C'mon V Richards...every epoch has its treasures. B4 you make a mad run for it stop a while and consider the period and the reasons for the style...it can be extremely enlightening....unless its not the period you want to escape from but from some of the opinions. I spent many years of my youth outside of Australia living surrounded by old ruins in Europe. I forgot what it was like here. When finally I returned to Australia and found myself living in some of the 60s and 70s places..I found much to admire and wonder about. I may not have fallen in love with much of it but there was a certain mistique and a feel that I can still conjure when talking about certain places. Not saying that it was all romantic and pleasant but it conveyed something of the era and the kind of Aussie from those days.

I'm afraid to say that I think your Dad is right. I love the look of Scyon Axon but I think it has a slightly more contemporary feel and the vertical recesses are quite subtle. In your photo example the verticality to the gable element is provided by timber battens which are much thicker than the Scyon Axon recesses. Your gable end has a strong vertical emphasis and the horizontal weatherboard will give it some counterbalance, a more classic look, and more interest with the horizontal shadows. In this photo I used Scyon Axon and the vertical recesses are very subtle. Your Dad probably prefers the weatherboard as it is easier to install than the Scyon Axon panels. Have you thought about the horizontal joint between the Scyon Axon panels for tall vertical walls, such as your gable? This joint has not been drawn in your elevation so here is a photo of how it should look: As you can see the horizontal weatherboards are much more dramatic. Best of luck with your considerations. Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

I'm no expert , but I can't quite work out why you/they did a few things ? Presumably , people would have headed to the the 'right' on the stomework , with the original design ? It looks like there is a pathway there , whilst the wrought iron gate near the garage looked like it was ( purposely or not ) quite uninviting . So you add a really nice front door and foyer . I understand that , and encourage it . You change the windows . Presumably remove a door or ranch slider . Update everything . Again , pretty easy to understand . You add a hedge so people don't head there . Fair enough . But here's where I scratch my head . The new front door is further out -- not even sure if it is ? Maybe just a larger terrace ? So it needs a new roof profile . You change the tiles to long-run iron , so the tiles come off . You put in a new garage door . It actually looks like you have sloped the 2 roof ends -- a lot of $$$ for almost no visual effect IMO . And it even looks like you have added a new roof and profile on the left hand end , where there was a carport ? Me , I would have kept the roof profile , and therefore the same timber and framing . I would have done the new front door and foyer a bit further inwards . If I wanted more roof over the entranceway -- a flat or slightly sloping roof with a grey concrete pillar in a style sympathetic to the blade . And just me -- I would have most likely done a new , slightly larger garage on the left hand end , and used the garage space for another bedroom , or an office , study , sewing room , spa , pool table -- almost any excuse . OR have left the garage as it was , but painted the door , The 4 glass panels wouldn't have looked out of character IMO -- hey , its the customers decision , but I would have utilised the same roofline , maybe added onto the left end ( or the right depending on the construction and requirements . If you are spending money you want more space if you can IMO , rather than just an updated look , but everyone is different .

it is always a good idea to improve your home and there are many inexpensive ways to add value. Do your research in your area - always make improvements that will INCREASE the value of your home Take ideas from what’s sold in your area- which homes achieved the highest prices - in particular what features made the most impact and why... The most impactful way to improve your home - befor you renovate.. De clutter de clutter de clutter . if you can’t then add storage - storage is king. Look at door hardware - is it outdated ?? change to a more modern look - black hardware adds a great contemporary look to doors, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry - if you have a contemporary home that is! Bathroom mirrors - if your home is a standard 4 x 2 and holds a simple frameless mirror - then update it!! if there is no window treatment in the bathroom add one - 64mm venetian come in contemporary colours including black. best idea- use Houzz to find bathroom images of similar style and look to yours / then look for bathrooms that emulate the look your going for! sometimes cleaning grout and changing a shower screen can make all the difference! Kitchens - if your kitchen is functional and your cabinetry carcass is in good nic - change the doors with a local cabinet maker - if your carcass is good then don’t go over board! Having renovated over 300 properties to sell I look for simple but effective solutions that will impact a sale... Paint paint paint - best and cheapest solution by far! TVs - if they are currently sitting on tv units - mount them to a wall- create as much floor space as you can - sell your tv unit to fund your new monitor arm. a small floating cabinet or shelf underneath the tv should do the trick! Look for effective storage solutions for everyday appliances or gadgets that you use - you’ll be surprised at how much “bigger” your home will be! Use old bathroom mirrors and glue them to alfresco limestone walls behind your feature plants ( i’ve done this many a time is small complexes and large and they are always fantastic! ART - large pieces of art - if you can’t afford a great piece then find some beautiful upholstery or fabric and staple to an old canvas or multiple canvases to creat one large art piece even multiple fabric choices Recover old cushions - there are so many seamstresses out of work that i can get them done for under $10 per cushion .. Good window treatments can make all the difference. Pick your main areas to invest in the best window treatments and do the basics in the smaller rooms .. you can always update them later. Look at the companies warranties - the longer the better is what you want! make them guarantee fabric and components and ask them which products look good and stand the test of time year after year. Lighting - both mood and functional is so important - LED people ... will save you so much more money in the long run! If you can’t afford a lighting designer - go speak to the people at beacon or smaller lighting shops They will consult for you for free so ask them! I aiways guarantee that every dollar i invest in a project must make me at lest 1 - 3 dollars in return. Do that with every renovation idea make sure you’ll get your money back!