The Block - are women really just shoppers?
Souzette Lovell
4 years ago
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Comments (10)
3DA Design Drafting and 3D Visuals
4 years agoAnne Monsour
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Worst thing about Aussie homes?
Comments (121)You know, Alipetecampbell, I think a lot of good could be done by simply not allowing houses to be built unless they're designed by a qualified architect and signed off by a qualified engineer, and built to minimum standards that ensure proper passive climate control (insulation, glazing, orientation etc.) and social linkage issues - let's ban the food desert and the nappy valley. Developers have a vested interest in building cheap, and those rubbish houses sell because (a) there's not much else on the market and (b) superficially they look okay. You'd argue that what I'm proposing would raise housing costs, but let's stop making billionaires of developers, let's stop councils from charging silly money for planning fees (eminently doable if housing is professionally designed) and, as I have said above, use less land for more housing AND more greenspace too, and the cuts in cost these measures would create could go towards making all houses better....See MoreWhich renovation show really rules?
Comments (41)I love watching all the reno shows, doesn't matter which one, they all have their drama's & drama queen's, that's TV, loved the girls on the last Block, they were the ONLY ones with a bit of class in their design and decor, could not understand why they didn't get a much better result from buyers, especially over the nasty/slobby redhead and her slob of a partner, have to say I hate the Scandi & Industrial design they all have to stick to, to appease those boring judges, there is nothing outstanding in the rooms, they are boring, they obviously ALL have a connection with 'Pin Interest' and 'Houzz' so you know where all the designs come from. Love what "Matt & Kim" are doing here in WA with their 'Renovation Rescue', watch all the overseas reno's, Escape to the Country, Grand designs etc. the interesting knowledge & talent of UK people is excellent when restoring older homes, it would be good to have a section of the Australian shows which show how to do a particular piece of renovation....See MoreCombined bathroom laundry problem
Comments (23)Hi Lauren, without knowing the budget I will only give you ideas, you will have to do the leg work finding cost and available tradesmen in your area. People are correct in saying that it is best to renovate that area as that is not a nice colour design. I also dont know if you have the water heater in there (if so, go solar! or install one outside) and if there is a toilet the lay out of what i suggest will have to be rethought; Im going with that there is no heater or toilet in that area. *First off i would remove every tile, shelf, bathtub etc. Sell that vanity off and give the mirror to someone so they can do a mirror project. *Secondly i would look to see if the tubs brick work is sufficiently high and wide (increase its size will add a bit extra to the build) so you can make it into a roman style bath/shower. I my preference would be up to 50cm high. *For the next step i would look into getting either a sand stone or light grey floor tile (R10 tiles) and in a big size too (e.g 400mm x 300mm). White is fine too. Now the choice of colour for the tiling of the roman bath you can go the same colour or to add visually different style e.g. grey tiles for the floor + gloss white tiles for the roman bath + sandstone style tiles on the walls. Depending on your budget tile the walls up to the ceiling or if to costly try up to the 2m line (about the same height as the door). *I take it that the shower head and bath tap are on the window side. But something nice; meaning spend a bit of cash on these fittings. A shower head design that will go over your head and fall straight down. You can pick one up for about $300 or so. Also add a frameless glass plane that starts on the window side and comes out about 600 - 800mm (your prefence and budget on that one). It will create a clean image and you can still get in and out of the bath without moving sliding/swinging doors. The panel doesnt have to be to the ceiling but still high enough; maybe 1800mm high should be good. *Since you have removed the vanity and mirror you have brought in more natural light. On the side of the current steel sink, dryer and washing machine; put in cupboards. I will link in some pictures of inbuilt laundry ideas. Essentially hiding your stuff while giving you more storage space. Also think about putting mirrors on the outside of your cupboard doors to make the place feel bigger and give you your need for a mirror. You can either install both a laundry sink and a personal sink for brushing teeth at either end or a big porcelain (or make a DIY cement sink by viewing youtube or pinterest) sink to do the duty of both. Personally i would get both. *If you have issues with your enter door using up space; think about getting a accordian style door (they clasp in on themselves. Bunnings has some examples). Maybe go with a white top style (below) for the personal sink and laundry sink. Note the mirror doors, enclosed machines and lighting. This is the white top and bench space that would nice on that side. Also the visual effect of having the machines enclosed but still showcased. Another style. If this is all too modern for you or for the federation house then go for a similar design like sandstone coloured tiles, light grey wall tiles with a 4 legged bath tub and accompaniment brass over head shower and other brass fittings. Still have an enclosed laundry area but made more victorian like. Then next picture has only some of the points im trying to make but you can combine the 2 styles at your leisure....See MoreHow do I improve the kerb appeal of this apartment block?
Comments (17)I really like this building, and I love the railing... I would not change the railing. Is the railing the same thing as balustrade? (sorry I am not familiar with that term.... if it is, I think that I agree that I would do my best to maintain the character of it when I am trying to meet building code requirements). I think that it is reflective of the period that this house was built. I think that some nice landscaping of the property would add to its street appeal. I would love some hedging, and perhaps some flowers. I would remove the white railings that are next to the parking area (I am not speaking about the staircase railing, which I like.) The railings that are next to parking area, and entry into parking area are not very appealing... some hedges here would definitely add to the appeal. I would also remove all of the straggly looking plants and opt for something slightly more formal. The parking garage next to the building is unattractive. I think that this is much less appealing than the apartment building itself. The area definitely needs to be paved and I would explore the costs of improving this area. I think that while people like car spaces, this whole area detracts from the apartment complex which is actually quite nice. Also, is the paved area that is outside the stairs for visitor parking? I think that could be improved as well. If you do not need visitor parking, I would put a grass area here, and possibly a gate or formal hedging at the boundary of the property. I might even add something for tenants to use. Perhaps a bench or picnic table. I am not certain what the horizontal bar is that is between the windows on the upper floor. Can you have something more decorative there? (perhaps the street name 32 Hill Street (or whatever the street number is) ... written out in a decorative font that is in keeping with the time period of the building. I have seen this on some buildings in Sydney, and it actually looks nice. I think that I might change the red color on the end of the stairs. Is the seemingly paved area outside of the stairs a parking area? In one of the pictures I see a set of blue curtains in the upper window. I would replace this with something like a roman blind, so that all window treatments are the same. (I think that it has more appeal from the outside.) Good Luck!...See Moredreamer
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