How do I make my open-plan room more contemporary?
Likes Cooking
6 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (61)
annb1997
6 years agojulie herbert
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Floor plan layout advice to make this house feel more open
Comments (33)I'd say it's an easy min. $250K minimum flagfall on a relatively basic/not fancy spec/fit-out in a super good package deal. You're essentially renovating an entire house including moving plumbing, walls replastering, new floors throughout etc....not to mention lights, rewiring etc etc, it goes on and on.......This scope would still cost a builder themselves $150K, not factoring in their own time/labour, paying cash for sub-trades and getting super deals on all materials....and then you could only really potentially roll this type of operation out if you actually have the money in the bank. If you need to borrow then you'd need a building contract which then brings in market rates, profit margins and GST. Take profit and GST out from $150K and there's barely enough left to cover materials alone, when the labour/materials ratio (of a construction cost) these days, particular for renovations is labour being the most significant cost involved.............you can fine tune and perfect a floor plan like you have (which I reckon is pretty good as a plan), but when push comes to shove it always comes back to budget and costs, which is why we always are encouraging people to utilise design professionals who manage the challenge of designing within budget limits. If you separate budget/costs from the design process (rather than integrate it) more often than not it will leads to disappointment and misalignment of your expectations of what is realistic....See MoreHow can I make my house look more modern?
Comments (14)Thank you all for your comments, photos and links. Thank you all for your comments, photos and links. This style of house is what I like but I only have a small budget -$5000.00. I have researched roof painting and read several forums where people have painted their own roofs with good results as long as they were meticulous with the preparation. I will remove the shutters and definitely engage the services of a garden designer. I live in Perth and we haven't seen rain for awhile. Seems sensible to get rid of the lawn. And I will further research painting or re surfacing the driveway and change in the future. But, where do I start? What should I do first to implement change? Thank you for any further comments....See MoreHow do I give my living-dining room more warmth?
Comments (33)What you have created is a beautiful clean open space. But that is only the foundation. Now what is needed is you. You need to inject your personality and your family’s into the space. For nowhere do I see anything that tells me who lives there. And this is something you can add to as you live and use the space - in effect turning a gorgeous room into a home. Perhaps a vase of flowers on table or photos on sideboard or yes perhaps eventually changing mirror to a piece of art that grabs you. The trick is to not rush this stage. Live with the room and gradually add items you love to personalise it as yours. You have created a beautiful backdrop now it just needs you....See MoreHow do I open up my kitchen?
Comments (24)Hi Jennifer, I concur with all the other comments here but please avoid all dead corners! Make one long stretch of cupboards along under the window and put cook top at dining end: it will be safer. Sink and DW doesn't matter at family room end. I would keep the oven tower with microwave on the other wall with the fridge, build in as large a pantry as you can there and have drawers everywhere. Outside I suggest a pergola with deciduous vine over it. It will allow sun thru in winter and beautiful green cool shade in summer. Tho having said that I do not know where you are. Maybe building pergola up from the raised garden bed, leaving room for planting underneath and vine over the structure will make area look larger. Always love to see the final results. Hope the bathroom is ok: better the water on the outside of the walls! Hah Cheers Margot...See Morejulie herbert
6 years agoKim
6 years agobigreader
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agojuliahocking
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agojulie herbert
6 years agoIlluminide Interiors
6 years agoLikes Cooking
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agogirlguides
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years ago94236633
6 years agoBAYRI & KIKI INTERIORS
6 years agoLikes Cooking
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agojulie herbert
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoIrene Morresey
6 years agoIrene Morresey
6 years agogirlguides
6 years agoKim
6 years agoEl Miller
6 years agoCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agocloudpants
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agolmabbatt
6 years agojuliekb26
6 years agoLikes Cooking
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agojuliekb26
6 years agojulie herbert
6 years agoJennifer Bradley
6 years agohouscom
6 years agoKim
6 years agohouscom
6 years agojulie herbert
6 years agoUser
6 years agohouscom
6 years agoUser
6 years ago
C P