Help Incorporating support beams.
Amy Connaghan-Harris
last month
We are building in the outside patio. knocking out the kitchen window and doors. Opening this whole wall right up. But we can not have the middle pillar or support accross the top removed. im looking for ideas on how to modify it to some how make it look less offensive. Having a big pillar in the middle of my new kitchen dining is not my favourite thing. So needing ideas please 🙏 Sorry about the mess! School holidays urhh!!
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (21)
dreamer
last monthdreamer
last monthRelated Discussions
Help! Our 1980s home needs a facelift
Comments (68)Hi Sarah, If you refer back to my initial 'Help' post, you will see the ideas were already there and our dilemma was actually more in relation to which paint colours might work with our bricks. Also, I'm not sure where the idea of us not wanting to add a garden has come from as my post clearly states that the improvements 'will also include a simple low maintenance garden'. I can only assume that the confusion has come about due to so many expressing that we should just do the garden and not worry about anything else, but that would simply put us back to where we were before the previous garden was removed. With all due respect, I can appreciate that many have posted in an effort to save us from what they consider to be unnecessary work and expense, and for that I am truly grateful, because it would be really lovely to simply not worry about doing anything, and as you said, go and enjoy a holiday instead! :) That said, people also need to acknowledge that we are not all of the same opinion when it comes to buying or selling a home. Aside from focusing on our revamp, we've also been actively searching for our 'retirement' home. Suffice to say, the first thing we notice while driving around is kerb appeal, or should I say, a lack of when it comes to some properties, including ours at the moment! :( While the photo's may look good, in reality, the exterior is tired and dated, with the gravel driveway being close to bare earth. Compared to the interior of our home, costs outside have been relatively minimal, therefore I can honestly say that we are quite excited about this project, but, it's goes without saying that we don't want spend a bomb either. Might just be the only little revamp this exterior's ever going to get! :D Anyway Sarah, full credit to you for giving me my first aha moment, which came through reading the final paragraph of your post. You've made me realise, that up until now, some of the decor and colour preferences I've presented are those both myself, and my husband would like if we were the prospective buyers, as opposed to what might work in favour of a broader market. Therefore, after some discussions tonight, we have concluded that... Columns, will definitely be plain square, as round will appear too similar to the existing ones. Front Door and handle will be simple classic Porch tiles - both against the idea of painting, so will definitely replace Paint - haven't ruled out neutral creams. Colour is simply something we're going to have to experiment with Existing gates will stay and get a repaint Our home is a spacious 3 bedroom/ 2 bathroom/ 2 car space with granny flat out the back, therefore we see it appealing more to couples with a young/growing family. I can't thank everyone enough for their time and effort in providing an endless stream of invaluable advice and photos... it's been nothing short of enlightening and I only wish I could print the visual that's in my mind now, compared to the muddle that was present when I first reached out for help. As with any revamp, the journey will be a mix of both highs and lows. That said, it's the end result we're working toward, and we expect to achieve nothing less than a positive outcome. Cheers again to all, Sandi :)...See MoreHelp please! Floorplan ideas needed for underneath the house...
Comments (14)Thank you oklouise. That’s very nice of you to offer. We have had a builder provide some advice around some of the structural walls, etc - one of which is that little storage area under the new ensuite. We had explored removing that to make it a double garage but it really would blow out costs and advice was the extended double garage would probably be cheaper. I do very much see your point about spending money on legal-height extra room though - makes complete sense. I would like to do something with the front porch - with the deck and under deck areas, I don’t foresee us using the porch much at all. The exterior house walls are structural though so again, it could be costly to move. There is also a window into Bed2 that opens onto the porch so this would either have to be filled in (there is another one but not sure we want to decrease light or breeze) or built around. I did want to close in the screen door to the living room and build in a bit but it could be a lot of expense for perhaps a metre wide gain!!? I wasn’t sure how we were going to use the storage under the new ensuite but from your design, I think that garage area would be good as the kids play room and that area as their toy/games storage. With family overseas, we usually travel once a year and have luggage for all of us so happy to have just an extra storage room (such as that under the porch). We only really need 4 bedrooms so I still think sacrificing the upstairs study is probably still the best use of space. We were going to do the reno in two stages - garage, ensuite and stairs before we moved in and then downstairs afterwards. Perhaps we hold off on the stairs to live in and feel first....See MoreRenovation design help
Comments (6)I'd suggest to decide on a budget that you're comfortable with. You may not know costs but its what you can afford to spend. If you can still comfortably live with spending $50k then set that as budget or maybe its less maybe more, doesn't matter set it in stone first! Thats step 1! Step 2 is then deciding what you're needing, not wanting or wishing for but what you really need. Certainly add wishlist items but be prepared to compromise along the way so it suits step 1 (budget). This the Design Brief step. Vital for step 3! Step 3 is discussing the project with a designer, you may go through a few before you find one that understands costs and construction. This where reality will hit. Thats a good thing because a plan of attack can commence. Each project is different, different budget, different needs and wants, etc. As Dr has noted you could spend $100k or could spend less. Personally I'd probably combine existing kitchen and meals to have one large kitchen. I would relocate the dining area wall across to make it wider, 600mm - 1000mm would make a massive difference and allow a very comfortable dining area. I wouldn't do any other major works aside from renovating existing....See MoreHelp with our reno costs
Comments (6)Yep, it sure adds up doesn't it! It's a lot of money for perhaps not an equivalent amount of value gain. But it's not necessarily the builder's fault or issue here. Their pricing here is not surprising, but to clarify not sure how you can isolate the kitchen or what exactly does 30K mean? Is it joinery only, is it including fittings? Is the balcony upper or main level. The question is, is this actually the best way to spend your money? Considering how much you're spending, should you be considering getting proper value for the money and getting more for your money with potentially a different design?. Are you happy with the design? It's going to be super? Is it worth $400K to you for what you're going to get? If the answer's no then a design rethink is possibly in order. Where are you at in the design/doc process? have you used a drafty, designer, architect to help you with the process? What people often get quite wrong with renovation projects is the distribution of budget in regards to HOW it's being spent (you WILL spend it one way or the other), and it always comes back to the design/layout as to how well or not it's spent. Really need to see actual plans to be able to assess and comment further with more accuracy otherwise just speculating on in all. Depending upon your finishing decisions this sort if thing could easily nudge the $450K mark....See Moredreamer
last monthExamples. The supporting pillar can be clad in timber etc, depending on your interior design.
dreamer
last monthbigreader
last month
PROrob art8
last monthAmy Connaghan-Harris
last monthIm sorry i forgot to mention we want to remove the kitchen & build a new one in the new space. Yes bigreader id LOVE a smooth run of ceiling! But have been told some sort of beam will have to remain? Cost may or may not be an issue once i know what itll be & if itll be worth it. Dreamer the curtain picture was just to show the wall that i wanted gone..hope that makes sense?
dreamer
last month
Kate
last monthAmy Connaghan-Harris
last month
siriuskey
last monthlast modified: last monthAmy Connaghan-Harris
last monthsiriuskey- this is the house now. sorry im not sure what you mean by aspects?
siriuskey
last monthUnable to read all dimensions, aspect , which way is North etc. Is the following what you are planning
Amy Connaghan-Harris
last monthsiriuskey
last monthdreamer
last monthAmy Connaghan-Harris
last monthKate
last monthsiriuskey
last monthHi Amy, I haven't had a lot of success reading dimensions but I make the following suggestions to you.
By running the Island of a support wall will allow you to open up both walls on either side to ceiling height. If My dimensions are correct you will also have enough space to run a WIP behind the kitchen and connecting to the BBQ and Outdoor kitchen. The WIP could be divided for dual purpose and you could also open to the WIP from both ends of the wall cabinets. You mention 4 Kids needing a study desk within that space, without correct dimensions I could suggest that a desk backs onto the laundry wall and keeping the living room space free. I also think it could be a good idea to move the new Master Ensuite to the wall between the Theatre and bedroom to further sound proof the bedroom.
siriuskey