Project Of The Week
Before & After
Renovating
Before & After: A Dated City Terrace Made Modern & Enticing
See how an inner-city terrace in original condition was made market-ready with a $300,000 architect's update
This family-held heritage terrace in Sydney, NSW, was bought in 2019 as a do-up for short-term rental. But, responding to the Covid-19 pandemic’s travel restrictions and a stronger property market, the owner changed their mind and asked PandA Studio Architecture to get it ready to sell. If you’re interested in flipping property in a hot market, see how this simple but effective upgrade was carried out.
The facade before works
What was the scope of work?
Overall, PandA Studio Architecture was engaged to work within the existing footprint of the house to improve the layout, circulation, light, and connection and views to the courtyard. Some of the important factors were:
What was the scope of work?
Overall, PandA Studio Architecture was engaged to work within the existing footprint of the house to improve the layout, circulation, light, and connection and views to the courtyard. Some of the important factors were:
- Sightlines through the house from the front door through to the rear.
- The improvement of wet areas (the bathroom and laundry).
- A new kitchen.
- Relocation and replacement of the bathroom and the incorporation of storage into the space.
- New doors and windows to the rear.
- With a leaking roof in some areas, it had to be replaced.
- New floors were laid as they were warped in some areas.
The facade after works
What did you do to improve the street appeal?
The front facade was entirely repainted, including the front door security grille and the front and side fences. The front garden was also replanted.
Renovating your forever home or doing up a property to sell? Find an architect near you for expert advice
What did you do to improve the street appeal?
The front facade was entirely repainted, including the front door security grille and the front and side fences. The front garden was also replanted.
Renovating your forever home or doing up a property to sell? Find an architect near you for expert advice
The floor plan before works
What changes did you make to the floor plan?
What changes did you make to the floor plan?
- The rear storage area and bathroom were moved within the home (without changing the home’s footprint or roof profile).
- The kitchen walls were knocked through to open up to the living room.
- The kitchen was relocated to the former rear storage and bathroom area.
The floor plan after works
The front bedroom
What changes did you make to the first two bedrooms?
What changes did you make to the first two bedrooms?
- We added new carpet.
- We replastered the walls.
- New Ikea Pax wardrobes were installed by a joiner.
- We added desk nooks.
The second bedroom
- We installed new air conditioning.
- We added new doors.
- We repainted in Dulux Vivid White throughout.
- We incorporated new lighting.
The study nook in the second bedroom
The third bedroom
What did you do in this smaller room?
What did you do in this smaller room?
- We replaced the floor structure and laid new carpet.
- Replastered the walls.
- Integrated a wardrobe and desk nook.
- Added air conditioning.
- Repainted in Dulux Vivid White throughout.
- Incorporated new lighting.
Image by Daniella Photography.
The hallway view into the living area.
The hallway view into the living area.
- We reconstructed the wall to the hallway.
- We added new doors.
What did you do to transform this room?
The bathroom was relocated next to the third bedroom and a laundry was incorporated into the space.
Materials
The bathroom was relocated next to the third bedroom and a laundry was incorporated into the space.
Materials
- Johnson Tiles in Cemento Grey.
- Johnson Tiles Ultra White rectified diamond tiles in black mosaic satin.
- Ikea Bosjön mixer tap in brushed black metal.
- Everhard Nugleam All In One Laundry Unit vanity.
- GJ Aluminium windows.
What did you do in the living area?
We made it open plan. First, we removed the lean-to and reconstructed the rear to match the existing footprint, as well as knocked all the walls through to the rear.
We made it open plan. First, we removed the lean-to and reconstructed the rear to match the existing footprint, as well as knocked all the walls through to the rear.
Materials
Browse more modern dining areas by Australian designers
- Blackbutt flooring.
- GJ Aluminium windows.
- Dulux Vivid White paint throughout.
Browse more modern dining areas by Australian designers
What did you do to modernise the kitchen?
- We installed an Ikea Metod Kitchen with Voxtorp Dark Grey doors and drawers and Ikea Kasker grey stone-effect quartz.
- We used Eternity Kitchens, BE Classic Stone and AS & KB Constructions for the electrical, plumbing, lighting, flooring, plasterboard and painting.
- We designed a servery window.
Other components include:
- Integrated 266-litre Fisher & Paykel fridge.
- Ikea Matälskare stainless steel forced-air oven.
- Ikea Matälskare microwave oven.
- Ikea Skinande integrated dishwasher.
- Ikea Kilsviken wide inset one-bowl sink.
- Ikea Matmässig induction hob and Underverk built-in extract hood.
- Ikea Voxtorp Dark Grey paint finish.
- The fence is painted in Dulux Monument.
- The reconstructed rear exterior was reclad with James Hardie Scyon Axon cladding.
- It was painted with Resene Lumbersider CoolColour Steel Grey.
- The butler’s bench is Ikea Kasker grey stone-effect quartz installed by BE Classic Stone.
- Bi-fold windows from GJ Aluminium.
- A new timber deck was installed.
- New pavers were also laid in this area.
The courtyard before works
Your turn
What do you think of this transformation? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more inspiring homes? Check out How a Shipping Container was Made Into a Luxurious Off-Grid Cabin
Your turn
What do you think of this transformation? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more inspiring homes? Check out How a Shipping Container was Made Into a Luxurious Off-Grid Cabin
Location: Surry Hills, NSW
Duration: From plans to finished product was 18 months
Other professionals who worked on the project: Nemco Design
Approximate budget: $300,000