Tag: home reno

Reno Rumble’s closest house reveals yet… just half a point!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 1, 2015
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Just half a point separated the two teams, but in the end it was the Blue Tongues who were victorious. With new Redbacks couple Ben and Jemma (the teams were mixed up this week), sent packing. But what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Redbacks

Josh and Jenna

With quite the challenging brief, mid-century modern American, the judges thought Josh and Jenna’s kitchen slightly missed the mark. More 2015 than mid-century, the kitchen was too on trend and current for the judges liking. Romy loved the tiles and the integrated fridge, however thought two integrated fridges was one too many. Yet the big miss was the lack of bench level powerpoints, with the only powerpoints being at the back of the drawers.

Ben and Jemma

The Besser block bricks in the dining room caused quite the controversy throughout the week, however the judges loved them! Romy admired the use of the original floor boards juxtaposed against the concrete blockwork and the shelves. Both judges liked the furniture but felt it was more Danish than American and were a bit concerned with how much space the fireplace took up.

Kyal and Kara

While the “kooky” tiles were risky, both judges thought they was a great move. Darren loved the tapware and the abundance of storage, but thought the statement tiles would have been better off just on the floor rather than turned up on the bath.

Blue Tongues

Ayden and Jess

With no real bathroom prior to the reno, Ayden and Jess added a whole new room. The judges applauded the couple on how they were able to make a narrow space work, and also liked the dual showerheads, heated towel rail, speakers, floating vanity and storage. However, they weren’t fans of the mixed tiling and the shower screen that ran higher than the tiles. Over in the lounge room, the judges were blown away by the structural change. They loved the furniture and thought they nailed the contemporary part of the Art Deco contemporary brief. They did however think the television was too high and the window seat too thin.

Carly and Leighton

Perfect for entertaining, as the brief asked for, the judges loved the concrete finish on the island, the ample storage and how the kitchen connected to the outdoors. The splashback and handles were also a hit, however a matt finish on the cabinetry would have been preferred over the gloss. In the dining room, the artwork was the real hero, and both judges loved the table and chairs.

What did you think of the houses? Did the Blue Tongues deserve the win? And were Ben and Jemma the right couple to send home?

Get the look: two perfect kitchen scores on Reno Rumble

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 29, 2015
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Real reno: the $2.5 million transformation of one of Sydney’s grandest estates

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 27, 2015
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When a renovation takes two years to complete and costs a whopping $2.5 million, you know you’re in for a pretty spectacular end result!

Restored by Sukari Design, the 1930s estate in Sydney’s Wahroonga features three dwellings: a main home, a gardener’s cottage and a pool house, alongside horse stables, a swimming pool and a tennis court! And the main home’s far from understated either, with six bedrooms, 10 bathrooms (yes, 10!), three kitchens and a theatre.

Before - Formal Lounge — Before – Formal Lounge

After - Formal Lounge — After – Formal Lounge

However, while the home is a testament to exemplary architecture, prior to its renovation it was a far cry from its glory days. Extremely worn and featuring some rather unsightly green carpets and yellow walls, the home had to be completely gutted. “It was very neglected however the beautiful curved walls, Juliette balconies and domed ceiling in the foyer showed that this home was once amazing and had the potential to be extremely special,” says Joumana Sukari, one half of Sukari Design. “So we completely gutted the home and several walls were removed to allow for an open plan kitchen/family room. Revitalizing the home was a key factor in the clients’ brief.”

With the new owners (who have chosen to remain anonymous) wanting to maintain the integrity and history of the estate, but with a more transitional design style, Joumana and her sister-in-law/co-owner Michelle Sukari created a grand and luxurious home, that they refer to as one of their all time favorite projects.

Before - Entrance Hall — Before – Entrance Hall

After - Entrance Hall — After – Entrance Hall

Yet that doesn’t mean it came easy, with the project seeing some nasty surprises and unexpected expenses pop up along the way. “When the old carpet was removed we discovered that the timber flooring, which we were hoping to retain, was infested with termites,” explains Joumana. “New hardwood timber flooring had to be installed, luckily we had budgeted for unexpected expenses.”

Challenges also came in the form of a rather testing brief, to create 10 different bathroom schemes! “Our clients wanted each bathroom to have its own individual look, so creating 10 schemes that complemented each other but were different was definitely the biggest challenge!”

Before - Main Bathroom — Before – Main Bathroom

After - Main Bathroom — After – Main Bathroom

While the home obviously went through quite the transformation, for Joumana the biggest change came in the form of the new kitchen and the decorative wall mouldings. “The location of the original kitchen and its deteriorated state devalued the home, however the new kitchen is fresh, elegant and sophisticated and has an abundance of natural light. Also the mouldings, architraves and skirting boards all made a huge difference. The walls seemed very bare prior to installing these.”

Before - Master Bedroom — Before – Master Bedroom

After - Master Bedroom — After – Master Bedroom

Undoubtedly a huge project, Joumana learnt some invaluable lessons during the renovation. “Make sure that every aspect of your renovation has been accurately budgeted for and allow for unexpected expenses (such as termites) to appear! Importing products from overseas and dealing with shipping companies, customs brokers and tax law is also a huge learning curve.”

But, when all is said and done, would she and Michelle do it again? “In a heartbeat!”

For more information.

Tags design, home reno, interiors, Joumana Sukari, Michelle Sukari, real estate, renovating, Sukari Design, wahroonga

Designers House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ most emotional home reveal yet

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 25, 2015
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The teams worked extra hard this week to transform a lifetime of wear and tear into an award-winning display home for father and daughter duo, Steve and Tiana. At just 28, Steve was left to bring up Tiana and her younger brother Andrew when Tiana’s mother Danielle passed away. It was therefore an emotional homecoming, with the duo being delivered some amazing highs and some rather bewildering lows!

So what did team NSW and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Ben and Danielle – 22/30

Before - Living Room — Before – Living Room

LIVING ROOM AFTER (QLD ZONE) — After – Living Room

Queensland’s Ben and Danielle took out their first victory with a score of 22. Their zone (Andrew’s room and living area) was a hit with both the homeowners and judges. Praise was given to Danielle, who painted an original artwork in the room of Steve’s eldest son, Andrew. The homeowners gave them a top score of nine with Tiana heaping praise on the living area: “You did such a great job.”

Bronik and Corrine — 21/30

After being near the bottom of the leaderboard last week, Victoria bounced back with 21 points to finish second. Bronik and Corrine impressed the judges with their bathroom and dining room. “The bathroom was the best room in the house,” said Joe. “I liked the layout in that crisp white space.” But the homeowners were less impressed, scoring them only a six. “I definitely wasn’t a fan of the artwork in the bathroom,” said Tiana. “To me it looked like a zombie massacre.”

Cassie and Matt — 20/30

Tassie’s Cassie and Matt couldn’t repeat their win from last week, settling for third spot with 20 points. Their super-hero themed room for Steve’s six-year-old son Rory was a winner, but their laundry let them down with Wendy saying: “The laundry was like a great book with a bad cover. Inside there was good storage, a fantastic use of space…but the doors themselves were so poorly finished, they brought down all the good work.”

Ryan and Marlee — 19/30

SA’s tumultuous week was reflected in their scores. After several heated arguments, Ryan and Marlee could only manage 19 points for their zone to finish in second last place. Tiana called their kitchen “absolutely amazing” but the judges were less complimentary. “It was generous, well-planned and showed the makings of some design flare,” said Joe. “But a house rule was also to create the feel of an award-winning display home, and that’s where it stumbled.” Their unfinished hall also cost them points.

Karina and Brian — 10/30

After delivering an unfinished master bedroom, WA’s Karina and Brian hit rock bottom with only 10 points. Their plan to mask their incomplete feature wall with a tacked on curtain didn’t fool anyone. “The master bedroom was just awful,” said Wendy. “The quick fix solutions to fake a finish just made it look tacky.” Tiana called the toilet a “let down” and together they gave WA the lowest homeowner score this series – three points!

This week the teams are off to Queensland to transform Ben and Danielle’s house of horrors. House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a new house reveal each week on Sunday at 7:00pm.

For more on House Rules.

Tags design, home reno, house rules, interiors, joe snell, reno, renovating, renovation, wendy moore

Architecture Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s third round of house reveals and elimination

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 25, 2015
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With the Blue Tongues struggling with budget issues and the Redbacks dealing with the infamous Reno Rumble bathroom curse, it was always going to be a tight race. And it was, with just six points dividing the teams!

In the end the Blue Tongues were the losing team, and Michelle and Steve were sent home. So what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Blue Tongues

Michelle and Steve

“This is mental!” said Darren upon entry. Their living room and entranceway saw Michelle and Steve pull out walls, change ceiling heights and fix all the cornices, which both judges agreed was done at a professional designer level! Romy loved the wall treatment, but thought the entranceway was a little busy and Darren thought the joinery around the fireplace could have been improved.

Carly and Leighton

Scoring a massive 20/20 for their kitchen and dining, the judges loved how they connected their space to the outdoors, through a window splashback. Darren loved the islandbench, the storage and the brick work. Romy thought the dining table felt warm and inviting and both judges agreed it was spot on the brief of relaxed industrial.

Ben and Jemma

Both judges loves the finishes in the bathroom and Romy especially liked how it wasn’t too fussy. She thought the strong grout lines and subway tiles worked beautifully but would have preferred brass tapware. Darren though the pendant light was superfluous, but both agreed all misses were miniscule.

Redbacks

Ayden and Jess

“Wow, wow, wow, this is heaven,” said Darren. The judged loved the combination of furniture and the white timber boards on the ceiling. Darren thought it was right on the money for the brief of Hamptons and the only miss was the aircon unit was a split system rather than being integrated.

Kyal and Kara

Receiving the second 20/20 for the night, the judges thought the kitchen and dining were amazing. Romy loved the splashback tiles and all the great detailing. Darren loved the atrium skylight over the dining room and the bench seat storage. Considering the major structural changes that had occurred, the judges thought the end result was extraordinary. “I’m loss for words,” said Romy. “This is sublime.”

Josh and Jenna

Using the same herringbone tiles from the kitchen for the floor tiles, was for both judges, a great choice. Romy thought the bathroom was very elegant and Darren loved how the roofline had been changed to give a sensation of space above you. Both judges loved the dual basins, the storage and the sconces on the wall, but thought some downlights by the mirror would have been beneficial.

What did you think of the houses? Did the Redbacks deserve their second win? And what do you think about this week’s massive twist that will see the teams change teammates?

8 ways to help finance your reno

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 22, 2015
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If the popularity of television shows like The Block is anything to go by, Australians don’t just love their homes – they also love to decorate, renovate and generally improve them.

If you’re bitten by the renovation bug, rest assured, a well-planned renovation can give your lifestyle — and your home’s value — a welcome boost. However, the key is to focus on improvements with broad market appeal and give careful thought to how you will fund the project, something that is often glossed over in renovation shows!

So here’s how you can finance your project:

1. To avoid overcapitalising – where you spend more on the renovation than the value it adds to your home — consider the market in your area to be sure your improvements will fit in. Adding a fourth bedroom for instance, can make sense if you live in a family friendly suburb, less so if you’re in an area popular with young singles.

2. Next, put your hard-earned cash to work where it will deliver the greatest benefit. High quality kitchen and bathroom renovations almost always add value to a property. The same can’t be said of outdoor spas or swimming pools, which can be high maintenance and don’t always deliver a fiscal return.

3. It’s also worth thinking about eco-friendly renovations. Home buyers can’t get enough of green features like rainwater tanks, energy-efficient appliances and drip-feed irrigation systems. Along with adding value to your home, you’ll also save on utility bills.

Fireplace — ME customer Neil Ellis renovated this home and profited $335,000

4. Planning a renovation is exciting, but before thumbing through colour charts or carpet samples, it’s critical to think about how you will pay for it all. If you’re starting from scratch, you may have to make a few lifestyle sacrifices in order to get a decent amount of money together. Your home loan is a valuable tool here offering a low-cost source of funds, and there are a number of options to weigh up.

5. If you’re ahead with your loan, a redraw facility provides easy access to those extra payments. If you need a little more cash, a home loan top up could be the solution. This simply means bringing your loan back to its original level – or borrowing a bit extra, and it’s a far simpler process than refinancing to a new loan.

6. A top up works best for non-structural improvements like painting, adding new floor coverings, or kitchen and bathroom makeovers. The funds are generally paid directly to you, providing the flexibility to complete the project in your own time.

Leadlight windows — ME customer Neil Ellis renovated this home and profited $335,000

7. For structural renovations like adding a new extension or an extra floor, a construction home loan can be the answer. Lenders will ask to take a look at your building plans, so you’ll have the benefit of an extra set of eyes checking the quality of your project. Funding is then provided as a series of drawdowns as various stages of the project are completed. The beauty of this approach is that you only pay interest on the funds drawn down.

8. Finally, remember to be upfront and realistic about your budget. It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement and go overboard – decide on a budget for your renovation project and stick to it.

— Patrick is head of home loans at ME, a bank owned by the industry super funds committed to helping everyday Australians get ahead.

Tags building, design, eco friendly, eco-friendly reno, finance, financing your reno, home reno, interiors, kitchen recoe, reno, renovating, renovation

Design DIY Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

Give your patio The Block makeover

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 20, 2015
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For over 10 years, us Aussies have watched the stars of The Block come up with unique decorating and renovating ideas for their spaces. The outdoor areas continue to be a highlight, but how can you replicate them in your own home?

Below you will find out how some of the items used by the Blockheads can be used to redecorate your own patio (links to The Block Shop have also been included so you can shop the look). Who knows, after you’ve completed your reno you may even be ready to sign up for the show yourself!

Ethanol fire pit

Maddie and Jarrod’s (Sky High, 2013) rustic, yet modern design sense inspired them to use the Ethanol Outdoor Fire Pit. This environmentally friendly, perfectly circular dish uses bioethanol instead of traditional wood; thus, involving no smoke and no mess. It’s great for a quick setup when inviting guests over or having an impromptu outdoor romantic dinner.

Garden screen

The Block’s Karstan and Maxine (Glasshouse, 2014) used this Marakesh Outdeco Gardenscreen to outstanding effect. These screens are easy to install for privacy and/or decoration. Their contemporary design consists of geometric patterns influenced by Moroccan art. The durable high-quality garden screen is a simple way to make any backyard pop and features an 80% blackout range; thus, making it a perfect fence, wall or boundary to a patio.

Daybed and cushions

As seen in Josh and Charlotte’s Terrace (Triple Threat, 2015), this waterproof Daybed and Cushions are practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. They come in many different colours and patterns, so can easily be matched with the rest of your furniture.

Green wall

For a refreshing new look, Cityforest Greenwall Pockets can be installed. From the amazing herb garden used in Josh and Jenna’s kitchen (All Stars, 2013), these DIY Greenwall Pockets are simple to set up and add some purpose to your walls. Each pocket contains four pouches that can hold four-to-16 plants. Buy more and join them together to turn a bare patio wall into a luscious flowing green space.

Light panel

The Hippo Skin Light Feature Panel was used by Dale and Sophie (2012) as an outdoor lighting scheme. The stylish contemporary design of the panel added some colour and brightness to the given space. It is powder-coated in orange and comes with a tube light, opal acrylic lining and brackets for hanging.

Angelina fire pit

Featured by Josh and Jenna (2011), the Angelina Fire Pit is a rustic, yet sleek fire pit. It comes in two sizes, 85cm and 110cm, and is made from mild steel. This traditional wood-burning pit is the perfect size to create that nice glow. It’s the ideal addition to a patio that is used to entertain guests or wants a homey feel.

— Marcus is the managing director of Great Aussie Patios, Perth’s leading patio and carport builder since 2000.

Tags design, gardening, graden reno, Great Aussie Patios, home reno, landscaping, Marcus Fulker, outdoors, patio, patio reno, reno, renovating, the block, the block shop

Competitions Designers House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ second and toughest home reveal

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 18, 2015
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With 40-degree temperatures, the contestants battled the elements to turn Ryan’s South Australian bachelor pad into the perfect home for him and girlfriend Marlee. However, it wasn’t just the extreme Adelaide heat that saw there be a struggle, with the house rules causing a considerable amount of confusion! So in the end — despite having this week’s secret house rule — WA’s Karina and Brian were knocked off their perch by last week’s lowest scorers, Tassie’s Cassie and Matt, who went from zero to hero with their yellow kitchen. Who would have thought?!

So what did the South Australian couple and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Cassie and Matt – 23/30

KITCHEN BEFORE (TAS ZONE) — Before – Kitchen

KITCHEN AFTER (TAS ZONE) — After – Kitchen

The South Australian homeowners loved Tassie’s kitchen and dining room, with Marlee saying: “As soon as I walked into that zone I burst into tears, it was everything I could have asked for.” The judges were equally as impressed, with Wendy adding: “You guys completely turned your game around this week. I liked your use of yellow cabinetry. It really was a ray of sunshine.”

Karina and Brian – 22/30

MASTER BED BEFORE (WA ZONE) — Before – Master Bedroom

MASTER BED AFTER (WA ZONE) — After – Master Bedroom

Western Australia’s master bedroom and ensuite won rave reviews from the judges and homeowners alike. “Your master bedroom was a real display of confident design,” said Wendy. Ryan was blown away by his ensuite adding: “I’ve never had an ensuite before and now I’ve got an awesome one!” However, their decision to run their decking boards in a diagonal fashion – in stark contrast to the adjacent deck designed by Team New South Wales – was criticised.

Ben and Danielle – 19/30

GUEST BED BEFORE (QLD ZONE) — Before – Guest Bedroom

GUEST BED (QLD ZONE) — After – Guest Bedroom

Although the judges loved Danielle’s original artwork in the guest bedroom, Queensland lost points for their “dark and moody” bathroom, with Joe and Wendy scoring them 5 and 6 respectively. However, the South Australian homeowners awarded them their highest score of 8, with Marlee telling them the guest bedroom was her favourite room in the house. “That artwork was incredible,” she said. “If you painted that, that’s a new career for you girl. I was blown away!”

Bronik and Corrine – 15/30

After - Living Room — After – Living Room

The Victorian reno rookies were given the biggest zone this week consisting of the living room, laundry, hallway, entry and broom closet! They scored 5s all round to finish in second last place. Their first renovation earned them praise with Wendy stating: “I was really impressed with your living room. It showed great talent.”

Steve and Tiana – 13/30

Team New South Wales struggled the most this week with Tiana’s lack of decision-making costing them dearly. “There is no vision in this room,” Wendy said about their lacklustre mancave. But the homeowners disagreed with Ryan saying: “I loved the mancave. When I opened the door, I felt like a big kid again!”

With the second renovation down, the teams will now head to New South Wales to give deserving father and daughter team Steve and Tiana the makeover they’ve always dreamed of. House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a new house reveal each week on Sunday at 7:00pm.

For more on House Rules.

Tags building, construction, design, home reno, house rules, interiors, joe snell, reno, renovating, renovation, wendy moore

Before & Afters Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s most gorgeous house reveals yet!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 18, 2015
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After a week of four couples against three, last night’s episode saw the playing field become equal, with the Blue Tongue’s (ex-House Rules contestants) Chris and Nick, going home.

In my opinion, both houses were beautiful and much nicer than the Redbacks (ex-Blockheads) and Blue Tongues’ first attempts last week (read all about that here). But what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Redbacks

Kyal and Kara

With their design brief being modern vintage, both judges agreed their bathroom hit the nail on the head! A modern take, with some classic vintage elements, the bathroom fused modern matt black tapware with a claw foot bath. The judges loved the storage and tiles, but thought the shower head was way too low.

Ayden and Jess

Ayden and Jess scored a whopping 19.5/20 for their lounge room. “I am blown away,” said Romy. The judges loved the modern vintage feel and their only criticism was the finishing around the TV.

Josh and Jenna

Also getting a huge score of 19.5/20, the judges loved the daring kitchen and dining room. Light, bright and airy, they were wowed by the bold move of blue cabinetry and thought it managed to look fresh, rather that kitsch. The judges also liked the leather handles, the built-in fridge and the sky lights, however they both agreed the timber floor patching could have been better.

Communal space

With Michael and Carlene now evicted, the laundry/bathroom became a communal space. The judges really liked it and thought the shower was a welcome addition to the home. Darren thought it would have worked better if it had a door and that the toilet was a little too tight for the space.

Blue Tongues

Nick and Chris

Romy loved the floor tiles and how Nick and Chris had reconfigured the space to improve the bathroom’s layout. Both judges loved the bath being under the window, the floating vanity and the simple matt tiles. But then Darren realised something strange! The tiles were positioned differently on opposing walls. “I don’t understand why,” said Darren. Romy agreed: “I don’t see any rationale for changing it.”

Carly and Leighton

With a brief to design the house with a Scandinavian feel, their living and dining was spot on. With a warm, fresh feel, the judges thought the two spaces worked really well together. Darren liked the fireplace but Romy worried the rug was not appropriate for the homeowners’ one-year-old child.

Ben and Jemma

Both judges applauded Ben and Jemma on the massive amount of building work they had done. They agreed the kitchen was really functional, but thought the handles were a little clinical. Romy loved the accompanying family room and thought the TV was in a really beautiful piece of joinery. Darren said the space — like the kitchen — was really functional but thought the styling could have been less like a magazine and more like a home.

Michelle and Steve

Romy really liked the bathroom and Darren thought it was much better than Nick and Chris’: “It’s got more life, more soul!” Both judges really liked their second space, the laundry, and thought it had great character. Darren particularly loved the entrance way from the kitchen and the splashbacks, storage and cool drawers were also hits.

Both houses really nailed their briefs and while I did prefer the Redbacks’ home, it was a tight race. Which house was your favourite? Was it time for Nick and Chris to go?

Real reno: from blank canvas to the perfect kids-friendly backyard

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 13, 2015
No Comments on Real reno: from blank canvas to the perfect kids-friendly backyard

It wouldn’t be a true home reno if there wasn’t some nasty surprises along the way! And for Alana Koch and her husband Alex, their unexpected expense came in the form of a $14,000 hole! “Our pool had to be dug out of solid rock. So instead of two days digging, it took 14 and cost $14,000. Jackhammering for two weeks straight anyone? The neighbours loved it of course.”

Buying their Randwick property off-market, they immediately fell in love with the home for its flat backyard, a rarity in Sydney’s east. The ideal blank canvas, the couple was quick to decide on a renovation plan, wanting to transform the outdoor space into the perfect garden for their three young boys.

Taking five months to transform – though a few plumbing issues with the pool saw this drag to nine – the backyard renovation wasn’t cheap, costing $120,000! Putting in a pool, deck, new shed (concealed behind the pool’s feature wall) and new fencing, Alana called on the help of professionals to bring her ideas to life. “My husband and I have zero handyman skills, so we called on the team of Harrison’s Landscaping to help us design and build the garden with another subcontractor for the pool. It was a massive job, and I can honestly say that bar painting the fence, we could have done little of it ourselves. I gave Harrison’s a big pile of images that I liked and they bought it together.”

However, while the reno was costly, there were some budget buys! “The Bluestone around the pool from Eco Outdoor was only $59 per sqm, which was cheaper than some non-stone tiles! Bargain. We also got our pool interior tiles online and they were really cheap – we didn’t mind that they were a plain colour as it allowed the outside of the pool to be the feature. We didn’t want too much going on! Finally the frangipani was a bargain buy off Gumtree, but then my husband dropped it off the back of the truck so it lost many of its branches. Still not sure if it will ever look as good again!”

Being their third renovation, and with Alana currently managing a fourth reno in Clovelly: “My husband is happy I get to enjoy the renovation with someone else’s money for a change!” she has learnt some valuable lessons from her garden reno. “My biggest learning would be just trying to manage communications between the certifiers, landscapers, pool builders and council. It is a big beast to keep track of! And my advice for would-be renovators would be if you have a hard budget, then take 30% off when you tell the builders/landscapers/architects. They will go over it. Every time!”

Processed with VSCOcam with 4 preset — After

Now there forever home, Alana is ecstatic with the final result; though it’s a challenge to pick her favourite part. “The deck is awesome as it has made the whole space feel larger. It goes straight out from the house which is great for entertaining and little kids. Of course the pool is amazing too – it is far easier for us than dragging three little kids to and from the beach! And lastly we noticed the biggest change when we painted the fence charcoal (Dulux Monument). It tied all the fencing together and really made the plants pop.”

Tags design, exteriors, Garden, garden reno, home reno, interiors, landscaping, outdoor, randwick, real reno, reno, renovating, sydney

Bedrooms Competitions House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ first home reveal

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 11, 2015
2 Comments on House Rules’ first home reveal

This week’s first home transformation was quite literally one of blood, sweat and tears; with contestant Karina, having to be rushed to hospital! But when it came to tools down, first-time homeowners Bronik and Corrine, who had previously been sleeping in their living room (as it was the only habitable space!) had themselves a beautiful, fully transformed 1960s weatherboard home.

So what did the Victorian couple and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Karina and Brian – 20/30

After a falling roof tile left WA’s Karina with five stitches and out of the competition for one day, the husband and wife duo fought back to win this week’s renovation. Their ensuite and living room received a combined score of 20, narrowly beating Team NSW on 19 who were their biggest rivals. Although not the judge’s favourite zone, Bronik was particularly impressed with his new ensuite and their use of timber in the living room: “The ensuite is one of my favourite rooms in the house!”

Steve and Tiana – 19/30

DINING ROOM BEFORE (NSW ZONE) — Before – Dining Room

After - Dining Room — After – Dining Room

The judges felt that Team NSW, Steve and Tiana, followed the his and her rules perfectly in the dining room, giving them the highest combined score of 13 out of 20. However, the homeowners disliked the dining chairs and artwork, only scoring them a six.

Ben and Danielle – 17/30

Team QLD, Ben and Danielle served up the kitchen of Corrine’s dreams finishing in third place on 17 points: “It just blew my mind, it’s amazing!” But they were let down by their unfinished entry and hallways and were marked down by both the judges and the homeowners.

Ryan and Marlee – 16/30

Although impressed with SA’s master bedroom, the judges struggled to find something positive to say about Ryan and Marlee’s laundry and gave them the lowest combined score of eight. Luckily, Corrine loved her “happy and bright” laundry, saving SA from the dreaded tent.

Cassie and Matt – 15/30

Before - Guest Bedroom — Before – Guest Bedroom

After - Guest Bedroom — After – Guest Bedroom

Tassie were not surprised to finish last this week on just 15 points, especially after ignoring Bronik’s rule to deck their house in black steel and timber. Their decision to use composite boards on the deck instead of timber and failing to complete their zone will see them sleeping in the tent next renovation.

With the first renovation down, the teams will now head to South Australia to transform Ryan and Marlee’s double brick bachelor pad into a love nest for two. House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a new house reveal each week on Sunday at 7:00pm.

For more on House Rules.

Tags competition, home, home reno, house rules, joe snell, reno, renovating, renovation, wendy moore

House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules returns next week!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 27, 2015
No Comments on House Rules returns next week!

Australia’s biggest renovation show is back, with six new teams from around Australia putting their homes on the line and their skills to the test, as they battle it out to become mortgage free!

Together, they’ll travel the country, hand over the keys to their homes and leave their opposition to transform every room of their house in just seven days! One by one the teams will be eliminated before two couples face-off in the grand final for a chance to win the most coveted prize on Australian TV… their entire mortgage completely paid off!

The familiar House Rules faces will be back, with Johanna Griggs hosting the show and designer Carolyn Burns-McCrave supervising the teams. The expert judges – award-winning architect and Reno Addict resident expert Joe Snell and Home Beautiful magazine editor Wendy Moore – will also return.

House Rules premieres Tuesday 5 May at 7.30pm on Channel 7. For more information.

Tags Carolyn Burns-McCrave, design, home beautiful, home reno, house rules, interiors, joe snell, johanna griggs, reno, reno addict, renovating, renovation, wendy moore

Before & Afters Design DIY Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real reno: dated and termite damaged property to bright and airy home

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 22, 2015
No Comments on Real reno: dated and termite damaged property to bright and airy home

I’ll be the first to admit I romanticise the idea of renovating. Conceptually it sounds so fun and creative but in practice it is a lot of blood, sweat and tears; which Carlie Spiteri quickly found out!

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“I have to say that I had a romantic notion of what renovating would be like, but about halfway though painting we almost had a nervous breakdown and found the money to get it finished professionally! There are so many things to consider every day and on top of that, we were working full-time and I was pregnant, so it was extremely exhausting!”

Renovating their Thornleigh property in Sydney’s north-west, Carlie and her fiancé Matt took on an extremely challenging project, what with the house being infested with termites! “We specifically wanted high ceilings, north facing living areas and a garden, and this place ticked all those boxes. The only thing was, it had significant termite damage. It was also dated inside and had lots of different work done over the years so needed a consistent look to be applied. We almost didn’t buy it but got convinced by Matt’s dad who had renovated a lot and felt convinced we could easily repair the damage and add value to it.”

Buying the home for $745,000 in 2013, they spent approximately $85,000 renovating the property in a three-month period. And with a bit of a design flair between them — Carlie having recently undertaken a ISCD course and Matt being the co-director of Exquisite Solutions (a curtains, blinds, shutter and soft furnishing company) – they were able to do much of the work themselves. To add to this, Matt’s brother-in-law is a carpenter and kindly used his long service leave to repair all the main termite damage (after all, what are family for?).

The main changes to the home saw them replace the floor, add insulation, repair all the termite damaged beams (and there were a lot of them!), paint the whole interior, add a new kitchen and do significant work to the garden. But for Carlie, the biggest change has actually been one of the simplest. “The new floor and simply painting everything white has just lifted the home so much. We had whitewashed Oak engineered floors laid throughout the living/kitchen area and we just love these!”

cIWjpWDAW37veOsNTgYgV7U7E-HG9Mt-OugvpUaBOOY — Before

With the property now valued in the early $900,000s, Carlie is happy to stay for some time, though the question is: has the first-time renovator caught the renovating bug? “At the time, when renovating we said: ‘No way would we do it again!’ But since we’ve finished we have said we would consider it!”

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But if (or maybe more likely when) she begins her next project, she’ll have some key learnings remembered. “Document every expense and constantly reassess your budget; find the money for a painter — it’s really time-consuming and difficult when you have cathedral ceilings — and finally, the reality is that half of Sydney’s homes probably have termite damage. We now pay an annual fee for termite checks and I would say to people: ‘Monitor your home because you never want it to get to a stage where there is no turning back.’”

Tags building, design, Exquisite Solutions, home reno, interiors, iscd, real reno, reno, renovating, renovation, termite damage

RENO ADDICT The Block

Stair and study week, otherwise known as The Block’s “worst room reveal ever!”

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 20, 2015
1 Comment on Stair and study week, otherwise known as The Block’s “worst room reveal ever!”

As Scott Cam said: “That was always going to be hell week!” And by the looks of the contestants’ broken faces, he was right on the money. With all couples having to finish every last inch of their townhouse’s interior, which included three levels of staircases and two remaining rooms, only one couple finished, Ayden and Jess. With a score of 28/30 they won for the second week in a row. But unfortunately, the good news stopped there; with the remaining contestants getting rather abysmal scores, especially Tim and Anastasia, who got the worst score in Block history. Eeek!

So, onto the judges’ comments…

Josh and Charlotte – second place (19/30)

“I feel like they’ve just moved onto The Block,” said Shaynna when she walked into the space. The others agreed, with Neale saying it felt like “week one,” what with how many unpainted walls were in sight. Having built their staircase and surrounding walls from scratch, all the judges were surprised that they had gone for a completely enclosed design, with Shaynna believing they could have had open treads and a light well to flood the space with light.

However, once they went up the stairs to the next floor, there was a sigh of relief! Their study was in Josh and Charlotte’s signature style of classic simplicity, or as Neale referred to it “industrial merged with colonial.” Darren loved the layout of the desk, the shutters, the bulkheads, everything! But unfortunately, the compliments stopped there. When the judges did a 180 and looked behind them, they saw how much was unfinished and how much painting still needed to be done. As Neale said, “Great hint of what it could be, but it’s not there yet.”

Our pick to buy: Desk top

Tim and Anastasia – last place (8/30)

Oh what a hot mess this was! The couple failed to deliver any spaces, and Shaynna’s face said it all: “What on earth happened?” Neale said he never remembered walking into a room like this on The Block ever!

As the stairs were completely unfinished, they made their way to the cinema room and Shaynna’s words upon entry? “Idiots! Worst room reveal ever!” With nothing except a huge TV, all the judges thought it had been a massive missed opportunity to have not made the room a fourth bedroom.

Walking up to the top and third level and there was another room with nothing except a TV! “They’re seriously having us on!” said one very annoyed Shaynna. Neale said the whole top floor should have been luxury but it was just TV overkill. He thought it was just heartbreaking and clearly this was the week that had broken them. All the judges agreed they were very worried about them come auction day.

Our pick to buy: Nothing revealed!

Ayden and Jess – first place (28/30)

Finally some good news! Achieving the near impossible, they were the only couple to deliver and finish all their spaces! Walking in, the judges were worried, they had seen one pretty average reveal, one pretty terrible reveal and they didn’t know what to expect. As Scott said: “Pretty would be nice, but they got a whole lot more!”

The judges loved the architectural detail of the staircase and the floating raw timber treads that let light through. Shaynna thought it was stunning and Darren thought it made such a strong statement that tied all the rooms together perfectly. Up the stairs and into the study and the “oohs” and “ahs” continued. Perfectly balanced, the study didn’t feel small. The judges also liked the linen cupboard and the pendant light. “This is glamour!” said Shaynna.

Onto the third floor and they also loved the TV room, with coffee machine and mini fridge. They were all very proud. “Out of all the four couples they’ve been on the biggest journey,” said Neale. “They’ve built on their confidence every week and this has taken it to a whole new level.”

Our pick to buy: Meyer floor lamp

Dea & Darren – third place (15/30)

After not finishing their staircase on the Glasshouse series, they were keen to not let history repeat itself! But unfortunately, they weren’t successful, and like Tim and Anastasia, failed to deliver any finished spaces. “Here we go again,” said Neale. But looking at what was there, the hint of tiles and the styling, and Neale thought had it been finished, he would have really loved it.

On the staircase, everything was completely mismeasured, but it was the low hanging pendant that really got the judges going, especially as Darren is 6 foot 7 (he did admit he hit his head on it!). They liked the artwork, but could all agree the space was more style over substance. In the study, the disappointments continued, with a huge hole in the wall and missing cabinetry. Shaynna thought the space was great but didn’t like the orientation of the desk, Neale liked how it was styled but thought on a practical level it wouldn’t work as a study nook so close to the TV. “I seriously think Dea and Darren are in trouble,” were Shaynna’s last words.

Our pick to buy: Paris Madness #09

See all our Block coverage.

If you love renovating, check out the real reno section on our sister site RENO ADDICT!

Tags home reno, interiors, reno, reno for profit, renovating, room reveal, staircase, stairs, study, the block, the block triple threat

Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to choose the right floor with Alisa & Lysandra

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 20, 2015
No Comments on How to choose the right floor with Alisa & Lysandra

You can update your home with paint and you can change or add to your furniture as often as you please, but flooring is something that is unlikely to change in your home for years or decades to come, so making the right decision at the start of your renovation should be high on the agenda. In the hierarchy of questions around your interior flooring, you need to consider the following:

Alisa and Lysandra square — Alisa and Lysandra

How much can you spend?

In any build or renovation, budget is important, but investing a few extra dollars on the right flooring is worthwhile. Do your sums, and if dollars are tight, consider cutting costs from other areas of your renovation or build; you will not regret it.

Will it stay or will it go?

Are you likely to keep this property or sell it after a few years? If you’re renovating for investment purposes you can afford to choose more mainstream and cost-effective flooring options. If you’re likely to sell later on, we still recommend you invest in good flooring that will not age or feel the effects of use and foot traffic in the meantime.

What look and feel appeals to you?

This is the part where you need to make an emotional connection with your floor. Yes, you read that correctly. How do you want to feel when you wake up in the morning? Picture yourself walking barefoot and most importantly picture your home in winter. For instance, how will it feel walking on timber floorboards as opposed to tiles? Then consider your decor and architecture; make a choice of at least two types of flooring and create a mood board – it will instantly highlight which option compliments both your decor and layout.

Does your chosen look and feel meet the demands of your lifestyle?

Whilst the idea of carpeting your entire home feels warm and cosy, it’s not likely to be the best option especially if you have children and pets. Consider how much foot traffic your home is likely to receive over the years and the activities that will take place in your space. Are you big on entertaining? Frequent dinner parties and get togethers can easily damage floors that are prone to scratching or breakage. If you are renovating for investment purposes, you will need to consider the exact same questions because chances are that at sale time your buyer will be too.

Will you love it in years to come?

We’ve transformed a number of homes where the owners were quick to point out that their flooring was impractical, the wrong colour and in may cases they’ve referred to it as cringe worthy! Remember that your floor will need to seamlessly accommodate your styling choices for years to come. For this reason it is important to pay particular attention to the hues and colours available to you and make the right textural and colour choices from the start.

From our experience with home renovations, we’ve come to love four types of flooring, and with the exception of bathrooms, there is no surprise that tiles did not make an appearance on our list!

Hardwoods

Still one of the most popular flooring options, hardwoods or solid timber floorboards will add warmth, softness and an ageless appeal to a home. If you’re renovating an older home you may already have good quality timber floorboards laying dormant and covered under lino or carpet; and with a good sand and polish they can come up looking beautifully, saving you thousands of dollars. Solid timber floors are easy to maintain, they are generally sound proof and can be extremely durable if sealed well. If budget allows, consider Royal Oak for its gorgeous ash shades and soft contemporary feel.

Polished concrete

The popular myth that polished concrete only suits modern homes is now long gone, and for good reason. Polished concrete is extremely durable, incredibly easy to maintain, and will survive through high traffic without looking worn. Sure, some may argue that it feels relatively cold, but this can be counteracted with the use of seasonal carpet or rugs. We love it because it’s highly versatile and the colour options are endless!

Stone

Natural stone flooring is a more eclectic style of flooring due to its high cost and lack of uniformity. It will not suit all homes or budgets, but it will make a statement in your home particularly if you want your floor to be the main feature. Even though it’s not our most frequent choice we love that it is natural and no one piece is the same, giving you a one-of-a-kind look and feel.

Carpet

Whilst we don’t recommend carpeting the entire home, we do like the warmth of carpets in key areas such as bedrooms and sitting rooms. Wool carpet is strong, feels pleasant and is fairly resilient. We love natural fibres and for this reason we also recommend sisal and jute which will suit most contemporary-classic decors.

Your choice of floor has the capacity to make or break your renovation especially if you’re considering a quick sale. Make sure you don’t rush the process and remember to create and work with a mood board.

Read all the twins’ posts.

Tags alisa lysandra, carpet, expert tips, flooring, hardwoods, home reno, polished concrete, reno, renovating, renovation, resident expert, resident experts, stone, the block

Before & Afters Design DIY Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real reno: The Block’s Dani Wales transforms her mum’s dilapidated home

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 16, 2015
No Comments on Real reno: The Block’s Dani Wales transforms her mum’s dilapidated home

When Dani Wales’ mum decided to sell her Townsville rental property, the two-time Blockhead couldn’t resist returning to her hometown and giving her nearest and dearest a helping hand.

dani-wales-interiors-addict-640x427-1 — Dani Wales

However, the job was far from easy. The fibro home – much to their shock – was in an awful state, having miraculously undergone every rental inspection without raising suspicion. “The previous tenants had allowed their children to draw all over the walls, there were holes everywhere, the kitchen had been damaged beyond repair (both by ill-treatment and water), the whole house was infested with cockroaches and a family of rats had moved in! There was a rat’s nest underneath the kitchen sink cabinet and another behind a temporary cabinet in the dining room. There was even a dead rat in that one!”

Combine this with a gag worthy smell and a number of structural issues and it’s safe to say the home was crying out for some serious TLC! So together with her mum, dad, partner (The Block’s foreboy Dan Reilly) and some licensed trades, they set out to transform the tired house with a budget of $70,000. “We altered the floorplan slightly downstairs as the existing bathroom didn’t meet code in a number of different ways. This bathroom was deleted and halved in size and a new laundry was built there. We then added an ensuite to an existing bedroom downstairs so that we still had two bathrooms in the house.”

hi-plkr2tuG78fuMsGLW4C9XskfiK6scwgv0K_SVuCQ — After

On a superficial level, they changed the flooring from a cheap mahogany coloured laminate to Formica’s (who sponsored the project) Golden Wattle, all walls were painted a warm white, a Kaboodle flatpack kitchen was added, the bathrooms were updated, new internal doors were fitted and the exterior of the house was washed and repainted in an inviting beige. “Both the simplest and biggest changes would have been the painting and the flooring. The flooring and walls are now a great neutral colour that’s brightened the whole place up.”

However, while there were some easy aspects to the reno, Dani and her family certainly had their fair share of troubles. “My mum was diagnosed with cancer mid way through so things slowed down quite a bit. It was also difficult managing from Melbourne but I did a number of short stay trips to Townsville when I needed to. Overall, it was a six-month process.”

Having been purchased for $105,000 11 years ago, the property is currently under contract for $350,000. And with such a good profit in sight, Dani has not just her Block reno experience to thank but also the friends she met during the process, enlisting previous contestants to style the property prior to going on the market. “Jesse and Kenny from My Handsome were knocked out during eliminations on the Fans vs Faves series of The Block but I definitely don’t think Australia saw the best of them. They are based in Townsville and have a successful interior styling business and have recently opened an interiors store for children in the heart of Townsville’s CBD. The brief was bright and modern and Jesse did a fantastic job.”

Find out more about Dani’s post-Block adventures on her blog, The Home Journal.

Tags before and after, dan reilly, dani wales, design, home reno, interiors, real reno, renovating, renovation, renting, the block

Designers Expert Tips Kitchens RENO ADDICT The Block

Reno inspiration from The Block’s kitchen reveals

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 15, 2015
No Comments on Reno inspiration from The Block’s kitchen reveals

While The Block’s kitchen reveals may have left the judges a little disappointed, the organic colours and textured surfaces of the benchtops did manage to invite some enthusiasm!

With the Blockheads picking their surfaces with the help of quartz surface specialists, Cosentino Australia, their colour specialist and showroom manager Ruba Jaajaa now shares her advice with us. Read on to find out how to bring the latest kitchen trends into your home.

Marvellous marble

All four couples on The Block selected marble patterns for their kitchens – a sign that this popular European trend is not going away any time soon. Marble adds depth to any design, with lighter patterns complementing other elements while bold marbling can create a focal point within the room.

Nice and natural

With natural materials continuing to grow in popularity, it’s no surprise that all four couples featured natural elements in their kitchen renovations. From wood and greenery in Dea and Darren’s modern-glam space, to the beautiful contrast of marble tones and timber in both Josh and Charlotte’s and Ayden and Jess’s renovations, natural materials help create a space that strikes a balance between polished and warm.

Tempting textures

The Block renovations show that you don’t have to be bold to create a striking space. Adding texture to any room helps add interest to your kitchen. From the rough grain of timber to their showstopping, jewel-toned splashback, Dea and Darren created a kitchen that offers plenty of excitement while still keeping their kitchen design classic.

Durable designs

Kitchens are one of the busiest rooms and one of the biggest investments in a home. With constant traffic, people, plates and food, it makes sense to invest in high-quality products that will not only last, but will look great for many years.

Seamless spaces

Like the contestants on The Block, it’s important to consider not just the kitchen but how the space will flow into other rooms within the home. Selecting natural tones and common colours will help create a space that flows seamlessly into adjoining rooms. You can extend this further by using complementary or even matching materials throughout spaces like the kitchen and outdoor areas to create spaces that encourage interaction.

What the Blockheads used

Kitchen winners Ayden and Jess, selected Silestone Lyra for their traditional, classy kitchen with neutral, veined tones for their benchtop.

Josh and Charlotte and Tim and Anastasia opted for the subtle marbling of Silestone Lagoon.

Darren and Dea chose the charcoal tones of Silestone Cemento Spa with Suede finish for their benches, along with a floating island in Silestone Pulsar to complete their modern, glamorous design.

For more information.

Tags Cosentino, Cosentino Australia, design, home reno, interiors, kitchen, kitchen reno, marble, quartz surface, Ruba Jaajaa, surfaces, the block, the block kitchen reveal, the block triple threat

Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Get reno ready with an intensive interior design workshop

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 14, 2015
No Comments on Get reno ready with an intensive interior design workshop

Renovating can be extremely exciting, but it can also be extremely overwhelming, time-consuming and expensive! So how do you go about creating your dream home, without forking out thousands on an interior designer?

Introducing the two-day intensive workshop from G.A.B.B.E, where they will teach you everything you need to know about your dream home renovation and have you walk away with interior fixtures and finishes schedules.

What many people don’t realise — and what sees them go over budget — is that when you get a quote off your builder you need to present them with a full documentation package, not just drawings and plans. For builders to quote properly they need schedules and finishes and a full idea of what they need to quote on. Without this you are receiving quotes from builders that don’t actually reflect what you want, ultimately leading to you spending more money than you have!

Each workshop will only take four people (or four couples), so they’re extremely hands on. They will run every month in G.A.B.B.E’s Melbourne headquarters, with the first this weekend. And there’s still one space left! So hurry!

For more information.

Tags builder, building, decorating workshop, design, G.A.B.B.E, home reno, interior, reno, renovating workshop, renovation, workshop