Check out this reno of a mud brick country house
Thought I may as well start documenting my family renovation as we are partway through it over a number of years!
Bit of background, my mum fell in love with the property about 15 years ago, purchased with my stepfather, however they split up before anything was really substantially done to the house. Prior to us owning, it was a self builder who got as far as he did (including making the bricks!!) all on his own.
It sits on 20 acres in the Otways in Victoria - and we have a cabin that we stay in while we are renoing. Our plans are to build a holiday house that will be in the family forever - somewhere where we can entertain, relax, have kids hooning around on horses and motorbikes and swimming in the river.
House in approx 2014.
The upstairs was completely a blank slate, only accessible by ladder, with no floor plan, and there was no walls, or windows on the back wall where you can see straight through the windows and doorway on the left.
Current situation:
Comments (10)
Mikaela O'Shea
3 years agoI am currently working on the ensuite bathroom of my room - which in the second photo with the doggo, is the first floor, with the round vent and square window on the side. As upstairs was totally blank, we got layout the floor plan, meaning I was a little overwhelmed with options, but this room made itself so to speak.
There was no insulation (the lining boards went straight onto that silver paper that is exposed, which was directly onto the tin roof. This property can get between 40 degrees celsius, and 0 degrees, so insulation was a must.
Start:
Where we are currently:
I am planning on a terrazzo floor, with white subways vertically, as per below, however this is still up for debate - especially on if I tile to ceiling or to top of door height.
The doorway into the bathroom is identical to this: so there is a lot going on!
Mikaela O'Shea
3 years agoAs keeping the beams was so important to me, we spent a lot of time sanding and staining the beams. As we didn't want to lose the beams in insulation, we have used Kingspan as insulation, and covered with lining boards.
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Comments (7)We got them at Phil's Tile Warehouse, Eumindi Road, Noosaville (actually on a little side road, turned off the roundabout, with other trade businesses). http://www.philstilewarehouse.com.au The tiler (he did a bathroom floor-to-ceiling too) was Chris Melville (C & P Melville Tiling) and I couldn't recommend him enough. He was more expensive than an earlier tiler, but it showed in attitude, cleanup, organisation, suggestions, work tools and result....See MoreBrick house has no style!
Comments (28)Hi Bron. I'm totally with those who have suggested a. Colorbond Monument and b. No rendering. As a professional renovator, I see clients who had not taken into account the maintenance - cleaning, patching the cracks when the house moved and they all do, eventually) and would not render again. Bagging is really old-fashioned. The bricks are a great colour to work with. The suggestions of plants , a path leading (directing visitors) to your door, and I'll add using a feature colour on the door (an unobtrusive screen door - or even removing it) would make a big difference. It would be great to see a pic of the house from the street to see if there's anything else to suggest. Happy reno!!...See MoreHelp needed for our big reno plans
Comments (66)you are super-patient!!! :) :) thank you :) I'm so sorry but I do actually have a couple MORE thoughts!! argh! there are just so many different options.... and this is a bit of an all consuming puzzle to try to solve. here they are: 1) study could become main bathroom - leaving new Bed 4 as per plan since it is bigger & a better size for guests. in this option, some area could be stolen from the study to boost ensuite size - even if it just made the ensuite 1 full metre. Ideally not requiring study window to change. 2) WC could potentially be separate either within this space OR at the back of the old kitchen (allowing for the remaining, longish hall wall to be shorter again) oklouise you may think some of these ideas are not very workable & I'd be so glad for your feedback & comment (and anyone else's comments as well), it's really so incredibly helpful - unbelievably helpful - to have everyone's input. i'd love recommendations on which ideas & options might work best for that balance between function & budget...See MoreEighties clinker brick house colors help
Comments (13)Love the photo posted by Dr Retro of brick house with dark joinery. I would paint the boards on second level above front door, say Resene Ironsand as well as downpipes that sit in front of the brick around the house. Also paint the barge board in Ironsand on the roof line and also around the top of the square roof above the front door. Under the eaves, and front door paint a light taupe colour like Resene Quarter or Eighth Pravda. Paint the pillars (if that's not a stain on them) the Ironsand again. The garage door also back to Ironsand if possible. Ok, that's all very dark.. paint your front door a super vibrant colour! Turquoise, fire engine red or bright orange. Remember to ask about cool colour technology at Resene with the dark colours as you live in a hot climate. We all have different ideas but that's the vision I see. Good luck....See MoreMikaela O'Shea
3 years agoSome other quick shots internally:
My mum's room (back of house) with view down to river. Mum also had beams, however didn't treasure them as much as I did, so went the normal insulation route and boarded over them. Due to the collar ties, getting these pre-made boards into place was TRICKY!
Half the ceiling in my room (more sanding, staining, kingspan and lining boards to come)
Mikaela O'Shea
3 years agoFinally - the last HUGE project. This is main room upstairs (i'm standing on the stairs to take this shot). There is two bedrooms and a bathroom on the right of the photo, and my bedroom is to the left. These ceilings are HIGH. We are also sanding, staining, kingspaning and lining boardsing. I'm not looking forward to this part.
Kate
3 years ago
I B
3 years agofianou luca
3 years ago
siriuskey
3 years ago
Jo M
3 years ago
Mikaela O'SheaOriginal Author