Regional 70s inspired split level cladding and brick exterior

7 years ago

Hi,

I am new to renovating but have a new home in Ipswich QLD. This home is a bit dated and i want to make it tidy to rent out but also make the front a bit more appealing.

Open to any ideas, so i don't end up going off the beaten path :)

I was going to paint and perhaps replace the glazing for newer glass?

Any tips would me much appreciated :)

Charlotte

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PRO

Alistair McLean

7 years ago

I suspect that as your home has some mid-century influence that the sunroom at the front may have been a balcony when it was first built. You may want to consider re-instating this balcony to give it a more welcoming appearance and as a semi-private outdoor sitting area. Have a look at Secret Design Studio's Pinterest boards for some inspiration:

https://www.pinterest.com.au/secretdesign/aussie-mcm-exteriors/

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

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Comments (8)

annb1997
7 years ago
Hi Charlotte. Congratulations on your purchase. some ideas:

Definately paint fascia boards and shed door, AND weatherboards and/or enclosed sunroom cladding (if needed - can’t tell from photo).

RE windows: only replace if not operating properly or of poor quality and/or thermal properties.

RE Amber glass: not sure if this was the glass you want to replace. I’m not a big fan of the amber glass, but If you don’t like it by all means go ahead and replace it.
annb1997
7 years ago
Pressure wash all concrete areas.

Replace outdoor light for larger and brighter one (marine grade). The small one pictured isn’t doing much for illumination and it’s too small for size of wall.

Leave brick as is. It looks fine. Whatever paint colour you choose for fascia and shed door should complement bricks.

Trim and tidy all bushes and landscaping plants. The shrub obscuring the steps to entry need to be trimmed by one-third.

Does the metal ballustrading & handrail need paint as well?
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I am with you Zara - I think it could definitely be a contender for ugliest fibro ever. I think I prefer the neighbour's house. Why would someone choose to place the bathroom at the front like that? And the front door opening off a gloomy single carport - definitely a mid-century modern touch. My suggestion would be to build a modest addition that would draw the eye away from the boxy elevation - possibly convert that carport to a decked outdoor entertaining area and open the wall next to the front door into the living room (guessing that is the floor plan). Or push something up through the roof, maybe a clerestory window to capture light and air - this would give the building a bit of vertical energy. Then paint the original fibro monument, as fulton & salomon suggested. Or matt black. Very dark colours will make the building look more substantial and work well with the texture of the fibro panels. I saw a very impressive building in North Fremantle once - three storeys + roof garden with a big concrete curved panel falling over the front like a waterfall. It wasn't until the owner/builder pointed it out that I realised that the ground floor was actually a single storey salmon-brick 70's house. The roof had been removed and the upper floors cantilevered over the original walls which had been painted black. The original building just disappeared. Lately I have been fantasising about doing something similar with a fibro beach shack like yours - flying a lightweight, open-plan structure with strong geometric form over the top but keeping the core of the shack for bedrooms, laundry etc.
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Do people lime wash brick in Australia for exteriors much? Perhaps your facade is not the type for it and anyway I think it's a really cool facade as is. It strikes me as going with a mid century modern vibe as oklouise is suggesting rather than perhaps more trad plantation shutter look. But if it is a look you like then limewashing could inspire. Having said that I like your bricks and the idea of using Domino.
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annb1997
7 years ago
A couple of Acapulco chairs (aqua?) or small Colourful cafe table & chairs on patio would look inviting. Maybe a couple of hardy potted plants (tall pots) also.
annb1997
7 years ago
It appears the front fence is black. Is that right? Maybe paint the step ballustrading & handrail could be painted to match?
annb1997
7 years ago
What is the gravel area under sunroom used for?
annb1997
7 years ago
I think once you have decided upon and carried out the improvements to the building, you might consider what to do about the garden, apart from general tidy up. Low maintenance yet attractive may work best for you and any renters.
siriuskey
7 years ago
That sunroom looks like the one on the house next door to us and it was a verandah, Keep the mid century vibe as it's once again popular and that means retaining the amber coin glass.

Freshen up the paint and do a big tidy up in the garden. Great house

Regional 70s inspired split level cladding and brick exterior

Alistair McLean

Comments (8)

annb1997

annb1997

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