When preparing a home for sale, the right kitchen renovation can add enormous appeal and significant value. Potential home buyers form emotional connections to a property if they can visualise themselves living there – so how can you create a kitchen to capture their imagination?
A new report from the Housing Industry Association estimates that around 213,000 kitchens were installed in Australian homes in the last financial year.
While over-capitalisation is a risk for all home renovations, undercapitalisation can also compromise re-sale value. “When people walk into a house, they’re doing their sums,” explains Travis Dean, a director of Melbourne kitchen design, manufacturing and installation company, Cantilever Interiors. “If it needs a new kitchen or bathroom, they’re adding $20-to-$30,000 to the purchase price.”
Cantilever Interiors believes a kitchen should have the craftsmanship and visual appeal to take it through the decades – no matter the budget – yet the company is often asked to replace kitchens that are a mere five-to-ten years old.
So you can avoid making the same mistake, Cantilever Interiors has put together five tips to ensure maximum home buyer appeal.
1. Classic palette
A pared-back colour palette ensures timeless appeal. White, for example, gives a kitchen a minimalist and clean-lined look and can also makes a space look bigger. In short, it helps a kitchen to feel inviting, fresh, light and bright.
2. Materials matter
The choice of materials is essential to the quality and appeal of a kitchen. While materials should always reflect the value of the property, they don’t always require significant investment. Re-constituted stone benchtops or quality white laminate with ply edging are durable, stylish options for different budgets.
3. Craftsmanship is key
Homebuyers have an eye for quality. Cabinets must be millimetre perfect and refined design detailing, such as shadow lines, make a big impression on how well a kitchen does or doesn’t sit in a space. The design process is also important – off-the-shelf products don’t allow the customisation required to fit a kitchen perfectly into a space.
4. Clever components
Clever, space-saving kitchen components, such a swing-out pantry, corner cupboard storage systems and other organisation inserts, show the increasingly design-savvy buyer the thought and quality that’s been invested.
5. Open spaces
Shadow boxes (open display shelves) are a simple design element that allows the new homebuyer to express their own personal style. They can add a touch of warmth and contrast to a kitchen through placement of interchangeable potted herbs, utensils, ornaments, crockery or cook books for a pop of colour.
When homeowners Nathan and Brendon purchased a beautiful 1912 Queenslander home in Brisbane’s inner west, a complete overhaul was required – including the dated kitchen with tiled benchtops, moulded timber cabinetry and an unsightly rangehood.
BeforeAfter
“Our thought for the kitchen is something very simple and symmetrical, making he most of the available space. We want the kitchen to have very clean lines and while we want it to be beautiful in itself, we don’t want the kitchen to be a feature of the house,” said homeowners Brendon and Nathan during their initial design consultation with Anne Ellard from Kitchens by Kathie. “We want the kitchen to be central to the entertaining areas and also lead people to the outside living area and draw peoples eyes out to the back deck,” they said.
BeforeAfter
The result is a timeless, all-white kitchen, that seamlessly integrates indoors and out, while complimenting the original features of the Indooroopilly home. “We wanted it to be a bit modern looking but still have the traditional and classic features, so using light coloured benchtops and doors kept it bright and fresh, but the VJ profile on the cabinetry doors, a more traditional style handle and the pressed metal splashback, all tie in with the original features of the house,” said designer Anne Ellard.
After
The clever U shape design provides ample storage and bench space while allowing the owners to prepare food and drinks without being detached from guests on the verandah or in the formal dining area. “It also means that when moving from one area to the other, traffic just gets lead through one point. So somebody can be cooking in the kitchen, moving from the sink to the benchtop, and nobody will actually walk through that space,” said Anne.
After
Careful consideration was put into fixtures, such as the low profile tap, which is unobtrusive yet features a pull-out shower head that changes from a stream to a fine spray with the flick of a button.
The placement of appliances and the sink was also crucial to the kitchen’s success. “Putting the cooktop and the sink on the back wall was going to make it too squashed, so having the sink facing out to the deck area just means that whoever is working in the kitchen still feels part of outside. With the cooktop, the positioning was to have it on the back wall so that we could put a rangehood there,” said Anne.
After
From the initial consult, it took roughly five months to design the kitchen and around two weeks to install.
The smart use of space saw Anne earn a spot in the final for Queensland Medium Kitchen Design of the Year in the prestigious Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia’s Awards. “I believe I was a finalist because the kitchen is quite functional and practical but it still almost disappears into the background. It doesn’t detract from the outdoor area which was a big thing for the client. And probably how it ties in with the original features of the house as well. The key was to put in something new that looked like it always belonged in the space.”
From wallpaper to speckled paint, exposed brick and the living green variety, there are myriad ways for walls to bring texture to a room.
Image courtesy of HGTV
Wallpaper
When it comes to texture, wallpaper can always be relied upon to bring this to a room. Whether subtle or dramatic, wallpaper will change the feel in the room making it perfect for creating an overall vibe.
Paint
Textured paint is a great way to add texture to any space whether you purchase a ready-made one or make your own (texture can be added to paint with the use of joint compound). As an added bonus it conceals uneven or chipped walls too.
Image courtesy of Somhome
Water colour
Painting a wall in a water colour design is a great way to add unique texture to a space, and it also has a lovely painterly quality. Any colours can be used to create this look, however it is best to use hues that complement one another – a trio of purple, blue and pink is one such alternative.
Speckled paint
Adding paint speckles to a wall is a great way to add texture to a space, depending on what colours are used. In a child’s bedroom, speckling bright coloured paint on a neutral toned wall is a great way to add texture and create a unique space that is unlike any other. Speckling paint can also be achieved through flicking the paint on the paintbrush onto the wall.
Image courtesy of Inside Out magazine
Timber
Much like painting brick, painting timber is great for an injection of texture. If the timber isn’t smooth, painting over it will create a unique, rustic design in the room. Similarly, leaving timber exposed and unpainted will also retain texture in a space.
Brick
With the industrial aesthetic trending, exposed brick has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the last few years. Leaving bricks exposed, or roughly painting over brick to give it a faux worn look adds fabulous texture to a space. Much like wallpaper, exposed brick allows any space to have a unique texture and feeling.
Image courtesy of Atlas Concorde
Three dimensional tiles
Three dimensional tiles, or tiles that appear that way, are a great way to add something different to a space and will usually make it feel larger too. Three dimensional tiles are easy to clean and maintain, however it’s worth considering that they don’t age that well.
Metal
Exposed metal, or pressed metal is a great way to incorporate an industrial feeling into a space. Metal works better as a feature on a wall – don’t cover the entire thing as it can be overwhelming. Exposed metal tends to look more rustic the older it gets – its unique patina only improves with age.
Image courtesy of Home Designing
Green walls
Green walls are a great way to add texture and they provide a host of other benefits too. While they can be difficult to construct and maintain they can help improve air quality, focus and productivity. In purely aesthetic terms, filling a wall full of greenery will leave a lasting impact whenever you walk in to the space. When paired with neutral soft and hard furnishings, the greenery will pop all the more.
Caroma’s Aura back-to-wall bath combines innovative design with optimum functionality, offering the luxury of a freestanding bath with the practicalities of an island bath.
Designed to fit a small area whilst maintaining an elegant look, the Aura back-to-wall bath is both spacious and comfortable.
Sitting flush to the wall not only is the bath easy to clean, it’s a space saving solution that opens up the choice of tapware to wall bath mixers.
Available in three sizes (1400, 1600 & 1800mm), there is a one or two person bath ready for a relaxing soak. Prices start at $2,049.
View the Aura back-to-wall bath instore or online.
With ice-cold winters, it’s little surprise that Scandinavians know how to create swoon-worthy interiors for Christmas – and the wonderful news is the crisp, minimalistic look is easy to replicate!
I already had most of the decorations at home, and managed to pull this Scandi-inspired table setting together for under $100. So, with Christmas now just an exciting few weeks away, here’s a peek at how my family will be dining this Christmas, and a few tips to help you achieve the look at home.
Keep it elegant and understated, by opting for a monochrome palette. Group decorations in uneven numbers and add touches of gold or silver for a festive touch.
Ditch the tinsel and add a little sparkle with gold ribbon, copper twinkle lights and candleholders.
Make your guests feel extra special, with personalised name tags and plates wrapped up like presents.
Skip the iron and crumple your linen to add texture to your table setting.
A handmade pine wreath makes a beautiful statement, as does the greenery on the table.
–Lauren Ellis is the feature writer on our sister site Reno Addict.
All too often we see investors contacting specialist quantity surveyors to organise a depreciation schedule after they have completed renovations to an investment property. In most instances this is too late for the investor to claim all of the deductions they are entitled to.
If a client mentions they are considering renovating their investment property, it is important to recommend they speak to their specialist quantity surveyor straight away. This is because there may be depreciation deductions available for any disposed assets or demolished building assets being removed during the renovation process.
Property investors scrap items within a property for several reasons. The most common reason is ‘not fit for purpose’ because of obsolescence, functional inadequacy or dated style.
Essentially, if an item is scrapped it is a loss to the owner. Legislation allows property investors to claim additional deductions over and above their normal depreciation claim for assets being removed from their property. The remaining depreciable value of any scrapped items can be claimed in the year these items are removed from the property.
To take advantage of deductions for scrapped assets, a depreciation schedule must be arranged both before and after the renovation takes place. This will allow the quantity surveyor to complete a site inspection of the property to value all of the items and to take photographic records of the assets contained within the property. This evidence and the pre-renovation schedule will substantiate an investor’s claims should the Australian Taxation Office complete an audit of their annual income tax assessment.
Once the renovation has been undertaken, the quantity surveyor will compile an itemised schedule which will detail the depreciation deductions available for the new plant and equipment and capital works deductions obtainable for the owner of property.
Any removed assets identified initially will show a left over un-deducted amount in the property depreciation schedule. This amount can be claimed immediately. The new assets can then be depreciated as normal based on their effective life.
Depreciation and renovation case study
Jonathan purchased a fifty year old, two bedroom house. After renting it out for two years he decided to renovate the property. In its pre-renovation condition the house contained carpet, blinds, an oven, a cook top, ceiling fans, a split system air conditioning unit, a hot water system and light shades.
Jonathan engaged a specialist quantity surveyor to complete a property depreciation schedule when he originally purchased the property two years ago. Upon hearing about the additional deductions available when renovating from his Accountant, Jonathan contacted a quantity surveyor before starting the renovation to find out more. After obtaining information and discussing the benefits, Jonathan found that he was able to use his existing schedule to work out the un-deducted value of the items which were to be removed during the renovation.
When the original property depreciation schedule was completed, a depreciation expert visited Jonathan’s house and conducted a full site inspection. During this inspection they took notes and photographs of all depreciable items. This original schedule included all of the items being removed from the property.
The table below outlines the extra deductions that became available to Jonathan during the renovation.
Jonathan claimed $9,073 in extra deductions that year in his personal tax return. After Jonathan completed the renovation he contacted the specialist quantity surveyor to update the property depreciation schedule. They inspected Jonathan’s property again, documenting all of the new additions.
The specialist quantity surveyor calculated the construction write-off allowance now available on Jonathan’s new extension. Some of the new additions included a new oven, carpet, air-conditioning, a hot water system and blinds.
In addition to the $9,073 claimed on the removed assets, Jonathan was able to claim $8,700 in depreciation deductions on the new items in the first year alone and $29,300 in the first five years. Jonathan was able to maximise the depreciation deductions on his investment property both prior to and after the renovation by taking the depreciation schedules to his Accountant to make his claim when he completed his annual income tax assessment.
Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS, AVAA) is the Chief Executive Officer of BMT Tax Depreciation. Click here for more.
A hunger for change and a further blurring of the demarcation between living and food prep zones, has seen white take pole position in kitchen design. Paying homage to the beauty of white, Smeg has released its new Linear collection with a series of elegant white ovens in lustrous, light-reflective white glass and stainless steel.
The clever use of white creates a sense of seamless space – imagine a white induction cooktop on a white marble benchtop. Or a bank of sleek, minimalist ovens built into a white wall. The kitchen will recede into the overall living area, giving a sense of spaciousness and contemporary sophistication.
The new Linear collection comprises 60cm and 70cm ovens, together with compact ovens, coffee machine, warming drawer, induction hobs plus gas on glass cooktops in two widths – 72cm and 60cm.
Technology features prominently in the new Linear collection – Thermoseal oven technology ensures the perfect atmospheric balance required for optimum cooking conditions.Additional standard inclusions comprise soft close door, Ever Clean enamel, Cool Door Technology and the choice of Pyrolytic or Vapour Clean oven cleaning functions.
Other options, across the range, include SmartSense Plus – a foolproof, step-by-step guide to cooking via a TFT colour display and 50 guided cooking programmes plus the capacity to save 10 personal favourites.The range of gas and induction cooktops is available nationally from appliance specialists, electrical retailers and some department stores. The entire range can be checked out online.
An extraordinary water curtain, six-point-six metre ceilings and tiles imported all the way from Spain – no expense was spared when building “Le Farah,” a one-of-a-kind six bedroom, six bathroom home in Sydney’s north-west.
“It was very important to have seamless indoor and outdoor integration and a very open plan layout,” said designer and owner Kate Nelson. “My favourite part of the home is that I feel secluded. When I come home, I feel like I’ve stepped into a beautiful oasis, yet I’m only minutes from the city which makes it very convenient.
“I wanted to be the first developer to showcase luxury, high-end resort living in such a prestigious area. I believe you live once, and there are too many stresses in the world, so when you come home it should feel like a sanctuary. This home makes you feel that from the moment you walk in the front door, which by the way, is a huge three-metre cedar pivot door, that I personally designed and had handcrafted.”
Expansive walls of glass, maximise natural light and draw the eye out to home’s centrepiece – a breathtaking water curtain, that creates a serene atmosphere as it trickles water into the saltwater pool below.
“The most challenging part was creating a one-of-a-kind, eight-metre water curtain. It took a large crane to bring the beams into place and a number of people on scaffolds to hold them, while another person screwed the beams into the walls. It was a mission but it just fits into the place so perfectly,” Kate says.
The open-plan kitchen features Italian marble with high-end Smeg and Miele appliances, while the fireplace is wrapped in natural tiles, imported from Spain. “I really wanted to incorporate the four elements – fire, earth, water and air,” said owner and designer Kate.
“Fire is represented by the large fireplace. Earth is the nature stone walls that feature at the front of the home and extend into the large foyer.
“Water is the large pool and spa that makes you feel like you’re in a tropical oasis, while air is all the walls of glass and large stacker doors to further integrate indoors and out,” Kate says.
The majestic double story brick home, located at 16 Grosvenor Road Linfield, is now on the market. View the listing click here.
Stylish and sophisticated, the matte finish of steel designer Lisa Turley’s new “monochrome” collection, makes a statement in any home or garden.
Inspired by the clean lines and white palette of Scandinavian design, the distinct white finish looks fabulous both indoors and outdoors – adding a restful contemporary feel. The super versatile black is a great accent, looking edgy and sleek, making greenery really pop.
Designer Lisa spent much time working on the perfect matte finish with each piece electroplated for added durability and finished by hand.
“It’s the combination of classic black and white and the amazing matte texture that really makes these pieces special,” says Lisa who recently launched the Summer 2016 collection in New Zealand.
Priced from $149, the collection can be purchased from selected retailers or online.
Inspired by irregular shapes below the earth’s surface, Caldera basins are the latest addition of nature-inspired products by Rogerseller.
True to their name, Caldera basins mimic the shape that’s created when a volcanic crater is formed after the collapse of an emptied magma chamber.
The collection represents two varying organic Caldera forms, one comprising of an elongated asymmetric oval shape, and the other rectangular in geometry.
“Caldera by Rogerseller marks a new era of innovative in-house design that testifies the commitment to superior design and quality we’ve held for the last 120 years. Our past has not only prepared us for this exciting new journey, but forms part of our inspiration to continue innovating day after day,” says brand manager Tanya Sharpe.
Caldera by Rogerseller is available in white engineered Ceramilux as well as Bianco Carrara or Emperador Grey carved from solid marble slabs, and comes complete with a matching free flow waste.
The range is currently on display at all Rogerseller showrooms and can be viewed online.
Caesarstone has just opened the doors to a brand new Sales and Distribution Centre in Heatherton, Victoria.
Caesarstone quartz surfaces feature throughout the showroom with large wall panels of every colour and an awe-inspiring kitchen island benchtop that spans 5.2 metres and features the Supernatural design, Statuario Maximus combined with the Bora down draft induction cooktop, Abey undermount sink, Gessi mixer, Gaggenau oven and Vintec wine fridge.
“We are thrilled to open our new state-of-the-art showroom here in Melbourne and offer our customers the full Caesarstone brand experience” said Chris Lenihan, regional manager Caesarstone Victoria. “We wanted to show a variety of new colours not only in large format panels but also in applications such as our very latest new release White Attica, which is showcased in a very impressive 4 metre long reception desk.” Inspired by classic natural marbles, White Attica features a clean white base with dense, dark grey interwoven veins.
With expert staff on hand to assist with colour selection this new showroom will no doubt become a popular destination for anyone looking to design, renovate or build.
The Heatherton Showroom and Distribution Centre is located at 57 Corporate Dr, Heatherton. Doors are open Monday to Friday from 9am-to-5pm and Saturdays 9am-to-5pm.
As we awake each day, design touches us in many ways – from the clothes we choose to wear and the car we drive to work, to the café we grab our morning coffee from. Everyone has an aesthetic, an inherent style of their own that reflects their personality, but where does it come from and how do we truly define it?
To help Australians discover their own style, Laminex has partnered with four renowned Australian creatives – Chkya Keebaugh, Anna Polyviou, Steve Cordony and Virginia Martin – to release the “Find your Style” quiz.
Chyka Keebaugh is a successful businesswoman, online editor of a lifestyle magazine and the inspiration behind the Laminex “Classic” kitchen.
Chyka KeebaughClassic Kitchen
Dubbed the punk princess of pastry, Anna Polyviou is an award-winning pastry chef and represents the “Inner Urban” look.
Anna Polyviou“Inner Urban” kitchen
Steve Cordony is a leading Sydney-based interior and event stylist, and the style director at-large for Belle. Steve is passionate about the “Mineral” look with its sophisticated yet strong statements.
Steve Cordony“Mineral” kitchen
Virginia Martin launched her fashion label búl in 2010 and represents the minimalist and functional look of “Scandi” – now one of the world’s most popular styles.
Virginia Martin“Scandi” kitchen
The other eight inspirational styles Laminex have developed include Glamour, Natural, Modern & Co, Noir, Industrial, Coastal, Vintage and Zen.
New floorboards, a neutral colour palette with pops of mustard yellow and wallpaper, and a clever use of space, has completely transformed a home-away-from-home in Melbourne’s inner south-east for a busy mum and her teenage daughter. “My daughter and I live here during the week for work and school/university. We have a family home in Olinda (in the Dandenong Ranges ) which we retreat to on weekends,” said Jo McComiskey, former creative director for House & Garden magazine and owner of The Bedspread Shop.
Before living roomAfter living room
“The home was previously owned by a lovely old lady who sadly needed care. It had been freshly painted white, which was great, however the soft green carpet had to go. The potential was there, as it was an empty shell once the floors were replaced. It was then a matter of style, a colour palette and clever storage ideas,” she said.
To date, Jo has spent around $10,000 on the cosmetic renovations, which she’s chipped away at for the past two years, starting with faux timber floorboards from Masters and a kitchen revamp. “The cabinetry was fine, it just needed tweaking so I replaced the green laminate benchtop with white Caesarstone and the stove top. We also removed all the little silver handles on the cabinets and replaced them with natural timber knobs (I didn’t want any cold metal and prefer the look of soft timber hardware).”
Before kitchenAfter kitchenAfter kitchen and living room
A coat of chalkboard paint transformed the side of the pantry into a handy message board, while the living room, Jo’s favourite space, was given a lift by changing the all-white colour palette. “Painting one wall in the living space a soft grey has made a huge difference; too much white can be vacuous and wallpaper adds softness and surprise. The wallpaper is from the Sanderson Home range,” says Jo.
“The plantation shutters really lifted the space. It instantly lost its tired look once they went in. I love the gallery wall which is still a work-in-progress, and the light from the large windows. I’ll eventually buy a daybed to position along the windows and little door to the balcony.
“I also made a huge square-panelled mirror for the living area which measures 180x120cm. I bought the backing, mirror squares etc from Bunnings – it weighs a tonne! It’s like a Pottery Barn style mirror that stands against the wall,” said Jo.
After entranceAfter study
The Glen Iris ground floor apartment also had an unusual layout. Jo’s solution: turn the main bedroom into an entrance and study, and the dining room into the new main bedroom. “Everyone comes in the old main bedroom door through the driveway and garden, so it was odd having that as a bedroom. Plus my daughter was in her final years at school and needed a private study space (her bedroom is too small). We wallpapered the study too in a sweet floral as it’s so close to the garden,” says Jo.
Before dining room (now main bedroom)After main bedroomAfter main bedroomAfter main bedroom
“In the main bedroom I installed floating Ikea storage as space is tight and there were no built ins, and wallpapered one wall in a Scandi style paper, again from Sanderson Home,” Jo said.
Now Jo’s daughter has finished high school, the bathroom is next on the reno hit list along with replacing the 80’s silver door handles. “Timber handles are hard to come buy, however I have a source (a friend) and I’m just waiting on him to change over his handles so he can pass the old ones on to me. If you are reading this Bill…I’m still waiting, I haven’t forgotten!” she jokes.
After hallway
And it seems Jo, who has now overhauled four homes, isn’t the only one in her street with the renovation bug – her neighbours have also been busy and have repaid her (well sort of) for her patience. “I love our little garden – I have done a lot of work planting, and for privacy have installed a sweet standing herb planter, a lemon tree, and an extended paved area for seating. The boys at the construction site next door were kind enough to ‘donate’ some pavers that matched my existing paving in the garden. How thoughtful after a year of 7am drilling, hammering, listening to Eddie Maguire and mountains of dust — it was the least they could do!”
What is sustainable renovation? Here is our guide to sourcing eco-friendly materials, selecting energy and water-saving products, and creating environmentally sustainable spaces.
Sustainability is more than a buzzword, it’s a way to be resourceful and create long-lasting changes for the better. Being aware of environmentally sustainable products and practices when you renovate can reduce your carbon footprint, help you decrease energy and water usage and give you long-term financial savings.
Image courtesy of Dezeen
What is sustainable renovation?
In this context, sustainability is reducing our impact on the environment. Sustainable renovation is the practice of using materials and products that maintain ecological balance through form and function.
Sustainable materials may include recycled surfaces such as reclaimed timber, secondhand fixtures and eco-friendly choices of certain products, such as paints and tiles. You may also choose to install products that will assist energy and water saving, such as LED lighting and appliances with good energy ratings, plus low-flow showerheads and water-saving toilets.
Image courtesy of Dezeen
1. Choose sustainable materials
Sustainable materials are those that come from a replenishable source or have been reused, repurposed or recycled.
Timber from old growth forests is not sustainable; compare this with plantation timber or reclaimed wood. The benefit of reclaimed or recycled wood is its beautiful weathered look and sense of history. Don’t forget you’ll need to treat the wood to protect it from rotting and this substance should also be eco-friendly.
Your choice of material may dictate the aesthetic of your renovation or vice versa, but fortunately there’s a big enough range to fit into a lot of different themes. Reclaimed pieces can be used for retro chic, rustic or industrial looks, for example, or it can shake things up in a modern home.
Consider also the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content in the materials you select. VOCs are chemicals containing carbon that evaporate into the atmosphere and unfortunately little is known about the health hazards. Low or zero VOC paints, urethanes and particle boards are all available, albeit at a higher cost.
Other materials you might consider include recycled plastic and laminates as well as glass and ceramic, both of which can be recycled.
Image courtesy of Dezeen
2. Aim for efficiency
The bathroom, kitchen and laundry are the three areas where we tend to use the most energy and water so when you’re in the market to purchase fixtures, fittings and appliances for these rooms, make efficiency a key criterion. Not only will this reduce the resources you use, it will save you money in the longer term as well.
Energy star ratings and water ratings (WELS) are a good start but even before you buy items, think of how you can reduce or eliminate the need for them. Creating a temperate environment within the home through good insulation (including to insulate your water pipes) and ventilation will reduce the need for air conditioning and heating. Having a lot of natural light may reduce your reliance on lighting.
Efficiency in heating and cooling also applies to water. A continuous flow hot water system, for instance, will heat water when you need it, whereas a tank system uses energy all day by heating water in the tank whether or not you’re using it. Keep in mind that what a continuous flow system saves on energy it can waste in water as you wait for the water to heat up and reach the outlet. So choose a water wise unit or install a recirculating pump.
If you want to go a bit further, installing green spaces, such as vertical gardens or a green roof, can also support insulation as well as improve air quality.
Image courtesy of Architect Matt Elkan, photograph by Simon Whitbread
3. Future-proof your home
You can use your renovation to future-proof your home in two ways. The first is by preventing unnecessary repairs in the future, for example leak-proofing your house by checking gutters and the roof and undergoing proper waterproofing for wet areas such as bathrooms and the laundry to prevent damp.
Secondly, you can install sustainable features—or plan for them if you cannot afford to include them now. Some ideas include:
Rainwater tank to capture clean rainwater. Instead of going down the drain you can use rainwater on the garden or to flush your toilet.
Greywater recycling takes soapy water from washing machines and basins for use as above.
Solar panels and a set of home batteries like the Tesla Powerwall will store the sun’s energy. It’s possible to live ‘net zero’ (no more electricity bills!) but have the security of being connected to the grid if you ever need it.
Roof colour is often overlooked as a way to reduce energy usage. Dark colours can absorb up to 90% of the sun’s radiant heat—fantastic in a cold climate but uncomfortable if not. Studies show that a white, mid-grey, or steel roof can have approximately 30% lower heat gain than a dark roof.
Don’t forget to see what rebates, buy-backs and other incentives are available for sustainable practices.
Lastly, make sure the people you hire demonstrate sustainable practices too. There are certifications for professions such as plumbing that will help you discern practitioners. A certified Enviroplumber, for example, completes six years of training to become a qualified plumber, drainer and gasfitter and has additional training in sustainable plumbing practices such as installing rainwater tanks and fixing solar hot water systems, as well as abides by the Enviroplumber Code of Practice.
With these considerations in mind you’ll be well on your way to creating a sustainable home.
Laney Clancy is the marketing and finance Manager at Pipe Perfection Plumbers in Sydney. She is married to Darren, the owner of the business, which has a team that includes specialist enviroplumbers and more, servicing the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.
In the latest episode of Deadline Design, an inspirational new renovation series on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel, renowned interior designer and television presenter Shaynna Blaze helps parents to three young children, Martin and Teresa, revamp their 1930s clinker brick house before winter arrives.
Martin and Theresa have a tired and (thanks to some bad renos over the years), mismatched house in Deepdene, Melbourne. Jobs have been banking up for years and they’ve put up with things missing or broken longer than many would. With no oven, Theresa can’t face winter cooking on the BBQ. Enter Freedom Kitchens – proud kitchen suppliers to the renovation show.
The Shaker style kitchen in Alabaster Matte complements the integrity of the 1930s heritage of the home.
The unique configuration of the space includes a generous butler’s pantry, oven alcove space and a large island bench in Caesarstone Nougat for preparation and seating.
Floating shelves in Black Fine Grain allow for gallery-like display and items to be stored for easy access.
The budget comes in around the $260,000 mark with the kitchen and a fantastic attic conversion hogging the biggest chunks of that.
Deadline Design with Shaynna Blaze airs on The Lifestyle Channel on Wednesday nights at 9.30pm.
For more information on Freedom Kitchens, or to arrange a free in home appointment with a professional kitchen designer click here.
The Cosentino Group has launched its premium granite surface, Sensa® by Cosentino in Australia.
The first eight exotic granites to be launched here are Black Beauty, Glacial Blue, Orinoco, Colonial White, Indian Black, Ice Blue, Moak Black and Bianco Anticoare.
Black Beauty (polished): Perfect combination of gloss and matte. Black Beauty features a textured finish that perfectly combines the most exotic gloss and matte to provide a deep black granite with random white veining.
Glacial Blue: The more exotic side of silver Glacial Blue features a polished texture and a silver hue that combine to make a crystalline appearance.
Orinoco: The wild side of granite. White, gold and copper veins are sometimes interrupted by silver minerals which stand out against an intense black background creating a unique and inimitable stage.
Colonial White: Spectacular white with a hint of red. Colonial White, with its polished finish, is an Indian granite with a white background that is contrasted with round accumulations of various sizes that stand out for their dark red colour.
Indian Black: Exotic dark intensity. With a bright polished finish, Indian Black offers a dark and intense granite throughout the entire volume. Its black background is interspersed occasionally with different and captivating clear veins, almost crystalline, which further enrich the aesthetics of the granite.
Ice Blue: Wild combination on a surprising white background. Ice Blue is a granite with a polished texture and has a striking white background, something very hard to find in this material. The black enclaves, together with cream or tan veins, offer a seductive and wild design in the final appearance.
Moak Black: The sheer elegance of an intense dark granite. The granite in its suede finish, has a matte and intense black hue that provides impressive result for its harmony, uniqueness and beautiful finish. The neutrality born of nature with this granite is characterised by exquisite elegance.
Bianco Antico: Unpredictable exotic compositions. The combination of a clear, grey and brown background of the granite. Bianco Antico, with a polished texture, creates colour compositions giving it an unmatched exotic nature.
The Cosentino Group has also added three new ultra lustrous colours to its Dekton® XGloss line.
Glacier, Fiord and Tundra pay homage to the nobility, history and timeless qualities of materials used since ancient times. In these three colours, aesthetic beauty is fused with the fascinating luminosity and high-tech quality.
Glacier: Inspired by natural stone, Glacier displays a fine marbling of a golden colour on a white background. This is a lustrous proposal by virtue of its polished finish, and is an understated, subtle option, due to its remarkable colour. Glacier is the epitome of design, purity and elegance in its all aspects.
Fiord: Inspired by nature, Fiord recaptures the beauty of the most luxurious cream tones of Onyx. Yellows, earthen colours and other intense tones make up the range of colours within Fiord, infusing it with warmth and unmistakable nuances. The original randomness of its design lends a natural, unique and dazzling structure to its finish. Fiord is sophistication in its purest essence.
Tundra: Inspired by natural stone, Tundra offers a white base with grey flecks running through it, which create and highlight unprecedented paths. Tundra, with its candid, authentic appearance, recreates the properties of marble, with its remarkable structure of veins, its sumptuous luminosity and its subtle white background. Tundra is synonymous with infinite exquisiteness.
These three new shades are achieved through advanced nanotechnology and mechanical polishing treatment, produce a dazzling, crystalline shine, and high levels of durability and strength.
Thanks to the Particle Sintering Technology (TSP) used in its manufacture, Dekton® XGloss has outstanding technical properties, including resistance to UV rays, abrasion, staining or thermal shock, thus making it the perfect material for both indoor and outdoor use: façades, kitchen or bathroom counter tops, floors and paving, stairs and other types of cladding.
Dekton® is available for manufacture with the option of large slabs sizes of up to 144cm x 320cm and in thicknesses of 20mm, 12mm and 8mm thus increasing both its aesthetic and architectural possibilities. Dekton® by Cosentino continues demonstrate that it is the best ally for designers and architects worldwide.
Photographing gorgeous homes up and down the east coast for his book Sandcastles, inspired interior stylist Tim Neve to renovate his own beachside getaway – and he managed to do it in just four weeks!
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“At times it really was reno-by-YouTube,” said Tim who rolled up his sleeves and got to work transforming the two-bedroom red brick villa into a boutique holiday rental in the coastal town of Forster, NSW. “Overall, I would consider this a cosmetic renovation as I didn’t move any internal walls. However, I went gung-ho and ripped out the old kitchen within the first hour of keys being handed over on settlement day!”
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The uninspiring green and white kitchen was brought back to life with a spectacular Carrara marble benchtop, pastel blue cabinetry in Laminex ‘Fresh Spring’ and his own mermania tiles. “The kitchen is so simple, fresh, modern and inviting,” said Tim of what’s now his favourite room in the villa. “The most cost-effective option turned out to be having the kitchen units custom made and constructed in my hometown of Newcastle, and then shipped up to their final destination. The hard work was done, so all I needed to do was position each unit, level the legs and attach the benchtops.”
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Bare brick walls throughout the villa were painted in Dulux Timeless Grey, and feature walls in wood paneling and wallpaper from Tim’s Anchorage collection with Sparkk Studio added, to break up the block look. “I’m not usually a fan of feature walls but in this case, it meant one less bare brick wall to deal with!” joked Tim.
“Colour and paint are always my biggest styling weapons. The villa is positioned to get sunlight most times of the day, on both sides – so it always feels light-filled. As such, I took a risk on a deeper wall colour. White furniture pieces, and painting out the dark door frames and doors in gloss white, contrast amazingly with this hue too.
“I also got the sparkie to replace the traditional batten lights in the ceiling with down lights in each room – a slightly higher expense, but instantly it modernised the property – taking it into the new century.”
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Existing floor-to-ceiling storage was also cleverly disguised using wallpaper and paint. “The living area doors are covered with a wallpaper that looks like rustic grey wood – it has now become a talking point instead. In the bedroom, I opted to paint out the cupboards in the same colour as the walls throughout the villa, so they disappear into the background instead. For both, a simple change of handles to large-scale brushed steel ones, made them look like a new creation.”
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Plantation shutters in the lounge room were another big expense but according to Tim they look a “million bucks” and were essential to create the feeling of a beachside haven – a theme that also plays out in the bedrooms. “In both bedrooms, I wanted to create a relaxing oasis – one for adults, and more of a wonderland for children. I achieved this with layers of mismatched linen in tactile fabrics, and cool tones. In fact, the first thing I bought when I had found out I got the property wasn’t the practical renovation items – but all the bed linens! They kind of set the tone for the entire look.
“The main bedroom is massive, so I was actually buying additional furniture like an occasional chair, and additional storage to fill the space. The furniture throughout mixes budget buys (vintage pieces with Fantastic Furniture for example) but I like to think the overall effect is far from budget looking.”
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In the bathroom, a few low cost upgrades like new tapware and tiling over the existing floor tiles, completely transformed the space. “Removing the old shower screen and replacing it with an off-the-shelf glass panel was another smart choice. For the shower walls, I used waterproof sheeting that comes in a gloss Carrara marble look – so easy to clean, and didn’t have to bother about cut tiles. All of these items for the shower were a couple of hundred dollars each,” said Tim.
The renovation added an estimated $100,000 to the value of the property and has dramatically increased the villa’s rental return, much to Tim’s delight. “As a run-down rental it was lucky to bring in $200 a week, but as renovated boutique holiday accommodation I can ask around $2,000 a week in the high season – that’s a ten-fold increase!”
A relief, considering the renovation – at times – proved incredibly challenging for Tim who set a strict four-week deadline, managed all the trades (many of whom fell ill during the build) and lived on site. “About two thirds of the way through the process, I had a meltdown. I had been working so hard, around the clock, for weeks – but the end just didn’t seem to be in sight. However, something happened after that day – I must have turned a corner emotionally and found new energy, because after that, everything seemed like fast-forward and suddenly all came together perfectly. So, hang in there!”
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Needless to say, Tim has now well and truly caught the reno bug, and after successfully completing the overhaul has this advice: “Manage the settlement period wisely. I knew this wasn’t the six weeks to kick back and relax! Instead, I ordered and paid deposits for all my furniture, and started stocking up on the materials and tools I needed. I tried to get three quotes for my trades and custom-made items during this time, but I can tell you now – contact three and you’ll be lucky to get one formal response. I considered if they had done that, they deserved being considered for the job.”
He admits he was was scared about buying into a strata property. “I had so many changes I wanted to make that actually needed everyone’s approval, I went into the first meeting with pages of requests, thinking they would shoot them all down – things like changing the screen doors from the retro 70’s grid style, to a modern security grill. In the end, they not only approved everything I wanted to do, but under strata some things – like the doors – were paid for!
“Another note on strata I didn’t realise — they may have different hours when you are allowed to make construction noise – reduced compared to normal residential allowed hours, so I worked out I was missing out on at least three hours of productivity a day, compared to if I was renovating a normal home.”
‘Benalta’ Holiday Villa Forster by stylist Tim Neve is available as a holiday rental – for weekends away or full vacations. Click here to book through Stayz. If you have a styling enquiry, contact Tim here.
We all know that a renovation well done is one of the most rewarding projects you can pull off, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. That’s why many people choose to leave it in the hands of experienced project managers, be it a licensed builder or a specialist kitchen or bathroom renovation company – if you’re doing those two important rooms.
These pros will manage and coordinate everything for you, so you can sit back and relax while they take charge of ordering in materials, organising trades, managing timelines, overseeing every stage of the renovation and ensuring all the boxes are ticked in terms of regulations and sign-off. And you’ll pay them a hefty premium for their troubles.
So if you want save serious money – and feel your have the skills and know-how to carry it off – then project managing your renovation effectively cuts out the middle man (or woman). But there are some key things to keep top of mind.
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The first step is nailing your budget, followed by a detailed list of all the works you’re doing, and the precise sequence in which they need to be done. This avoids getting expensive tradies back every five minutes for unnecessary tasks they could have been done in one hit. That’s the quickest way to swallow up a budget and blow out your timelines. It also means you’ll have the right materials ordered in for your tradies – when they need them.
And, of course, you want to get at least three quotes for any major works.
Mapping out the tasks in the right order will highlight which trades you need when. For example, let’s look at the sequence of tasks that are typical for a kitchen renovation.
Strip out the kitchen so you’re back to a bare shell. You’ll need electrician and plumber to disconnect power points and water supply. And possibly a handyman for the demolition.
Wall and floor set-out (if you want to change or correct these in any way). This may require a carpenter or builder and perhaps even a structural engineer, if you’re taking out a supporting wall.
Plumbing and electrical rough-in. You’ll need this if you’re moving power points or changing around the plumbing. So back comes the sparkie and plumber.
Install the new kitchen cabinets (cabinetmarker or carpenter).
Install the benchtop (cabinetmaker or carpenter)
Install the splashback (generally glass or tiles, so you’ll need either the glass installer or tiler for this).
Install sink & appliances (you’ll need the plumber and sparkie back again).
Painting
As you can see, there’s a lot more to project managing a kitchen renovation than first meets the eye. If you’re not extremely organised and knowledgeable about what needs to be done when, you’ll have tradies waiting on work that hasn’t have been done and materials that haven’t arrived.
That’s why it’s so important that renovators invest time, and money if necessary, properly educating themselves about what is required. “Winging it” is the surest path to disaster.
–Cherie Barber is the director of Renovating for Profit, a company that teaches everyday people how to buy and renovate properties for a profit.
Additional standard inclusions comprise soft close door, Ever Clean enamel, Cool Door Technology and the choice of Pyrolytic or Vapour Clean oven cleaning functions.
The range of gas and induction cooktops is available nationally from appliance specialists, electrical retailers and some department stores. The entire range can be checked out 
