I know, I know, but seriously I prefer the 'before' at least it has some personality. 'After' booooring, sterile.

Yes Paul you are right. Since my post I've had a big rethink. Would love some input on the best way of dealing with the old tiling and benchtop. The Better Homes & Garden Channel 7 makeover recommended by Siriuskey talked about a Dulux paint for that purpose so I wonder if others have experience doing this or using any other products or approaches that work long term. Not sure I have the confidence to do it myself either, would a house painter be the trades person to do it ?

I love your ideas , and the concept -- I have done several similar cheapee renovations . Some people give me grief about being budget , but I like the challenge . So maybe this will grate a bit , but the only area inside I would have done differently is the bathroom -- I saw at the end your budget there was $500 -- I would have gone a bit more lux and upmarket and spent $2K , and gotten it to a similar standard as the kitchen . The outside is brilliant -- clean and tidy and imaginative . The only 2 comments I have regarding the outside is firstly -- changing from charcoal to grey paint at the door . I personally wouldn't have ( I would have stayed charcoal right around ) , but if I 'had to' ( to save a divorce haha ) I wouldn't have made the change over at that veranda wall -- it makes the wall look 'tacked on' IMO . And the other observation / suggestion -- that front concrete wall thing at the front of the section looks a different white to the house 'base' -- I'd repaint to be an exact match , BUT also add ( probably wooden ) uprights around 250mm high , and do a 150 x 50mm horizontal 'front mounted rail' along the length , and paint this rail and posts/uprights in the charcoal -- I love the rest , but that very front of the section seems a bit flat in comparison to the house and the new gardens .

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!