Home ownership has always been the Australian dream and our passion for home improvement has reached fever pitch. Renovating is the go-to solution for anyone who is looking for extra space, however the ups and downs of the renovation rollercoaster have become popular fodder for dinner party conversations.
Rather than trying to work within the constraints of a shipping container, Harwyn has conceived its prefabricated pods from the ground up, creating architecturally designed, self-contained modular living spaces that deliver endless possibilities of an additional room for home, business or recreation.
We put the Harwyn Pod head to head with a traditional renovation to see how it stacks up.
TIME
Traditional Renovation
How long will the renovation last? Type it into Google and you will get some wildly predictable answers, all centred around trying to be realistic. One month is a great outcome; four to six months is more realistic depending on the size of the project.
Harwyn Pod
A Harwyn Pod is installed within 6 weeks of choosing your colours and finishes in the showroom.
PRICE
Traditional Renovation
A renovation can start off on time and on budget until the first floorboard is ripped up, exposing skeletons that seem like they would have been best left unearthed. Like the certainty of taxes and death, unexpected surprises await you in every renovation and with them come blown out budgets.
Harwyn Pod
The price of a Harwyn Pod is decided once the final finishes and colour are chosen in the showroom. At the same time, everything is determined including the site preparation required. This provides a lot of certainty and no creeping costs.
SHARING YOUR HOME
Traditional Renovation
Seasoned renovators are all too familiar with living through the noise, the dust and what seems like hundreds of workman sharing your home for the better part of six months, sometimes longer.
Harwyn Pod
Harwyn pods are built in our factory and the only contact clients have with our workers is when we prepare the site, which usually takes around four hours and another hour on the day of installation. This means the peace and tranquillity around your home will not be disturbed for a lengthy period of time.
DECISIONS
Traditional Renovation
What materials to use, how will the finish look, should there be more power points, will the space feel right? There are many decisions that need to be made in a renovation and more will crop up on a regular basis throughout.
Harwyn Pod
Harwyn’s architects and designers have put more than 45 years experience in to making most of the difficult decisions, such as choice of construction material, placement of elements and finishes, for our clients. Leaving just the final decisions on the customisable options, such as size and colour, to be made by the client. Also the Harwyn Pods can be viewed in our showroom so clients can see clearly what minor changes will look like without trying to imagine it.
Watch this video of a Melbourne yoga studio owner using a Harwyn pod, which was craned into her existing premises:
— Jason Fremder is the managing director of Harwyn, the makers of beautifully designed, prefabricated studio pods, ideal for those who are serious about creation and recreation.
“When I first saw the house I thought it was hideously ugly,” explains Hayley Little. “It was painted a depressing shade of brown and didn’t feel warm or inviting. But the view was magnificent. We look out onto the Gold Coast Broadwater.”
BeforeBeforeAfter
Having already undertaken six renovations with her builder husband Terry, Hayley instantly had some ideas on how to freshen up the property; from the big changes of swapping the roof (from curved to pitched) and adding a media room, fifth bedroom and ensuite to the simpler updates of painting inside and out and updating the kitchen. “It was a structural renovation, we didn’t change the existing floorplan very much, just added a few rooms. We did lots of smaller changes like removing the old staircase, re-carpeting, pushing the garage out, renovating two of the bathrooms and laundry, adding some benchtop and storage space to the kitchen and changing the door hardware, tapware and splashback, enclosing the balcony with glass louvres and more!”
BeforeAfter
Taking around a year to complete, Hayley marks the paint job as the easiest and most effective update. That, partnered with the changed roofline and the new white cedar shutters throughout the house are her favourite changes to the property. “From the outside, the biggest change would definitely be changing the roofline. Inside I think the paint and new white cedar shutters made a huge difference to the overall vibe of the house.”
BeforeAfter
In contrast, Hayley says the hardest job was just working with the parts of the house she didn’t like and the fact she had a budget to stick to! “The hardest thing was working with what was already there. It is so much easier to start from scratch. I also found the budget hard to work within! My husband did so much of the work himself though, so obviously we didn’t pay for labour. But we ended up spending upwards of $250,000.”
AfterAfter
It also wouldn’t be a home reno if there weren’t some unexpected issues to deal with and Hayley had her fair share! “We went on a holiday to the USA during the roof removal, and then when we came home we had to stay at a hotel for a couple of months. We were hoping to move back in but we hadn’t anticipated the weather, it rained constantly for weeks and threw out the timeline dramatically.”
BeforeAfter
With Hayley and Terry owning their own building business Caribbean Contractors, they have been renovating together since meeting in 1995, a partnership that they find incredibly rewarding. “We work well together as we both know each other’s strengths and we both know our roles in renovating a house. Basically, I decide on the designs and colours and my husband makes it work structurally and within the budget. It works for us.”
I’ve always thought competing with your partner on The Block was asking for divorce (such the cynic!), however the Super Ks Kyal and Kara Demmrich are proof that renovating with your partner can be fun, you can make money and you can even become stronger from it!
Kyal and Kara Demmrich
So what are their secrets for successfully – and peacefully – renovating with a partner?
Spend time in the initial stages to plan and map out a time frame, but remember you need to be flexible
Don’t take on too much at once. It may be appropriate to tackle one room at a time.
Make sure you schedule time away from the renovation. Go to the beach or head to the gym, and get some exercise.
“Kyal and I have been together since we were 16 – so more than 10 years now! We were married in 2008, bought our first home together when we were 21, and we haven’t stopped renovating since,” explains Kara. “We love a good transformation and looking back to see what we’ve achieved but generally speaking, we don’t agree initially. We are always going back and forth with ideas and usually both end up loving the decisions we make.”
If the couple have varying ideas on a style or layout they throw ideas and suggestions around until a happy medium is found. Or they’ll sleep on it for a couple of days.
“I usually have the big ideas and Kyal is the one that logically thinks about these ideas and works out, from a building perspective, if they’re possible. But we always look back to the big picture and remember the goals of the renovation.”
The cost of renovating can be a tipping point for couples so clarifying goals and setting a budget and tracking it (through an Excel spreadsheet for example) will ensure spending doesn’t get away from you.
“For example, are you renovating your home to sell or is it your dream home you want to invest in? Thinking about these points will help to ensure that you don’t over capitalise or regret the choices you make. Don’t try and do too much of it yourself. This is usually when mistakes are made or corners cut. With a budget in mind, getting in professionals for certain trades will probably save time and money in the long run.”
–Kyal and Kara starred on The Block Fans vs Faves and are now Beaumont Tiles ambassadors.
Buying their 1929 California bungalow in 2002, it took Jennifer French and her husband Ian a whole decade to complete their renovation. But looking at the finished project, it was certainly worth the wait!
BeforeAfter
“When we bought, we knew we would renovate but it took us about five years to employ some architects,” explains Jennifer. “They came up with so many things we hadn’t thought about. We were just going to update the kitchen and take out a wall, but they were thinking so much bigger. So it then took us four years to finally decide to do it! I’m married to an accountant so the shock of how much everything cost had to sink in with him!”
BeforeAfter
Taking off two fibro 1070s additions and rebuilding in the same area — but with a larger footprint — the three-bed, one-and-a-half-bath home became a four-bed house with four toilets (one ensuite, one bathroom and two powder rooms), a studio, formal and informal living rooms and a dining room.
BeforeAfter
The biggest job was definitely the transformation of the kitchen and dining area, creating an open plan living space that had previously been lacking. “We took out the adjoining wall between the kitchen and TV room, and put the kitchen where the old TV room was and the casual dining room where the old kitchen was. We then added another room for the TV room. We really opened up the floor plan, as originally they had all been individual rooms and the kitchen had four walls. Now the kitchen is completely open and goes out onto a covered deck, perfect for entertaining.”
BeforeAfter
Situated in the Sydney suburb of Roseville, the original property had standout architraves and skirtings and ornate bedroom ceilings. Jennifer wanted to stay true to the house’s design. “Our brief to the architects was that we wanted the house to look like it had always been in this format; that the additions weren’t just tack-ons. So we matched the architraves and skirting boards to the existing ones, stained the four different types of timber floors the same dark colour and gave all the bedroom ceilings (bar the master) the same ornate design.”
BeforeAfter
While the renovation was the result of 10 years of preparation, the actual construction only took seven months (but then another two years to do all the gardens and painting!). Jennifer and Ian did a lot of the labour themselves, painting the whole house inside and out, as well as picking the finishes, fittings and colours. Even so, the whole reno wasn’t cheap, costing around 60% of what they paid for the property. Yet while they have no plans to sell, the current market value is about two and a half times the original purchase price, meaning the project is sure to have been a fine investment.
BeforeAfter
Having done multiple personal renovation projects herself, Jennifer also runs her own interior decorating and colour consulting business, Inside Out Colour and Design, where she helps others with their renos.
A reader has sent in the following question for our resident expert Baz Du Bois:
“Hi Barry. We are about to renovate our bathroom and replace everything, including the toilet. We want to pull out as much ourselves as possible to prepare for the new bath, shower and toilet etc. What should we demolish ourselves and what should we leave for the experts to remove? Do we need to be careful when removing the toilet?”
Here’s Baz’s great advice:
Thanks for the question. Bathrooms are one of the most difficult and expensive rooms to take on in a reno, so with that in mind, it’s great that you want to jump in and get some of the hard labour done yourself. Even as a DIYer, it’s first important to have a critical path and demolition plan mapped out on paper so you and your tradies are on the same page and can schedule and collaborate.
Start with the date the plumber has agreed to start and work back with your demo from there. I find it very helpful to make a note of what I am going to do, in what order and what equipment I may need. For example:
remove toilet, vanity and bath (large hammer, crowbar, screwdrivers), one day, two people required for lifting.
remove mirror and wall tiles (small grinder with masonry disk, cold chisel, spade, buckets or bags for debris), two days.
remove floor tiles, one day (hire jack hammer).
By doing the job on paper like this, you will discover tools and processes you may not have allowed for in your timeline. Delays or delaying your tradies will cost you money. At this point ,you may be saying things to yourself like ‘that’s a lot of trips to the street or yard, do I have the time it takes, where am I going to put all this waste?’ They’re great questions so also add the answers into your construction plan and when you’re getting prices from your tradies, ask them the same questions. Collaboration and communication are the keys to a good reno.
My next tip is if your home was built before 1987, it could have asbestos in some of the building products. It’s not easy to know if it has, so treat the project as if it does and take best practice measures. Check out asbestosawareness.com.au but a couple of measures I always take are to wear personal protective gear (like disposable overalls, gloves, a mask and eye protection) and use a plastic drop sheet or similar to isolate any dust from spreading through the rest of your home.
Ok, let’s get down and dirty. I see no reason why you can’t carry out all the demolition but be aware that all ceramics tiles, baths, basins and toilets can be dangerous and sharp when broken so where possible, cover such items with a towel etc if you need to break them up to remove them and wherever possible, remove them intact. Many of these items are accepted at reuse and recycle yards.
As soon as you remove items such as the vanity, bath and toilet, use an old shirt or rag in a strong plastic bag to temporally seal up the plumbing and protect it from building and demolition debris. Force it like a plug into the pipe. This will also stop any smells!
Demolition is hard work and renovating is very rewarding. I promise the more times you do this on paper, the smother the process will become.
Ever since watching House Rules last year, I’ve been a big fan of Adam Dovile, one half of the winning Victorian couple, Adam and Lisa. With his happy-go-lucky attitude, broad grin and roaring laugh he has a personality that seems made for TV. So it comes as no surprise he’s now back on our screens, this time as the resident builder on Better Homes and Gardens.
“I was working back in Melbourne when I got a phone call asking if I’d like to join the team for 2015. I actually said to them are you sure you want me? I was absolutely blown away. So now Lisa and I have moved to Sydney. It was a big decision, but we just thought you only live once you, have to give it a shot!”
The move to Sydney meant Adam had to put his building business on hold, Lisa quit her job and they both had to leave their newly renovated House Rules’ home. However for Adam it’s all been worth it, being able to share his love of building and DIY with the rest of the country. “As the resident builder and carpenter for the show, I’m basically there to show people the DIY tricks they can do around their home and also the big projects both indoors and out. We’ve been doing bathroom and kitchen renovations, so people will be able to get ideas and tips on all the processes that are involved in renovating. There’s a lot of steps people aren’t aware of.”
Adam on set
While the building and DIY jobs have come naturally, Adam does admit that the biggest challenge has been talking to the camera! “In House Rules it was completely different. That was reality TV and the camera basically just captured Lisa and I doing work. But as a presenter, you have to talk to the camera like it’s a person and that feels a little weird!”
However, what has made the process easier is getting to just be himself (as he says: “If I can’t do that, there’s something wrong with me!”). With no script or teleprompter in sight, instead he just speaks his mind. “When I got offered the role I said to them, yes I’m a builder and I understand all the processes, but I’ve never presented in my life. But they said they just wanted me to be myself and I didn’t need to read anything. That took a lot of the pressure off.”
Adam with presenters Johanna Griggs and Demi Harman
Having had a whirlwind 2014 after taking home the House Rules’ grand prize of getting his mortgage paid off, Adam is ready for an equally big year. “Winning was amazing! Not having all that money taken out of our account each month (for the mortgage) has been great. It’s opened up a lot of new opportunities and I’m very excited for what this year holds.”
Our Resident Expert Naomi Findlay takes us through her latest reno. What a stunning end result!
Property: Small, inner city cottage in Newcastle, NSW.
Time to renovate: 6 weeks
Profit after all costs: $35,000
Exterior afterExterior before
What were the biggest challenges?
Creating an extra room in the home (the dining room as it did not have one originally) without increasing the overall floor plan. I had to milk that floor plan for all I could get out of it.
Watch the floorplan change…
Any nasty surprises?
There are always surprises when you renovate. Years ago I used to see them as nasty, now I work hard on seeing them as part of it. I figure if you have a budget buffer nothing is too nasty. I was not happy when I found a 30mm height difference between floors when I removed a wall! Also, in old homes there are always hazardous materials that need to be handled appropriately.
Did you change the floorplan? How?
I moved the kitchen location to make it at the rear of the property and to allow for a flow from the kitchen to the outdoor space. I created a dining off the kitchen, opened up the living and dining/kitchen to open plan and opened the rear of the house to the yard. I created a European laundry, made the bathroom twice the original size and turned the old kitchen into a bedroom.
Before: this old bathroom was doubled in sizeNew bathroomBefore: the old kitchen became a bedroomAfter: the bedroom that was a kitchen!
How did you approach the decor and styling? What was your target market?
When renovating to sell, it is so important to walk the fine line of appealing to a huge market. Even when you think you know your market you have to play it safe ‘ish’ to some extent. Yet at the same time make sure it stands out from the crowd enough that someone will pay top dollar for it.
Did you enjoy this reno?
I love every renovation, my happy place is on a building site!
What sort of interest was there in the property?
There was strong interest once the property was on the market. There were offers on it the day after it went to market, and an offer accepted within the first week.
What are your top tips for dealing with trades?
Be kind, be honest, be involved, be real and LISTEN! As well as this take coffee and kebabs.
How do you know when to spend or when it’s not worth doing something? How do you avoid overcapitalising?
You must know your market and you must know what the end-user will expect. When renovating for sale it is all about them and how you can get them what they want on a budget. If you can define who is going to buy it, and what other houses they are looking at, you can make sure that you are on the money with your inclusions. A detailed property comparison is essential before you even commit to buying the property.
There are many reasons bathroom renovations get put off and put off (sometimes for years) despite a brand new shiny one being top of many people’s wish lists. Two of these are the expense and having better things to do with your weekend then traipse around bathroom showrooms. But did you know, as with most things these days, you can now get a great deal online and not have to leave the comfort of your own home? Yes, even with bathrooms. So long as you have a tape measure, you’re set!
Allure Bathrooms are one such supplier, specialising in a wide range of great value vanities at all budgets, delivered direct to your home. Having replaced one last year, I know a new vanity alone can transform the look of a tired bathroom, not to mention adding valuable storage space you may not have had before.
Starting at just $549, they have a wide range a range of styles and sizes, from contemporary, wall mounted bathroom vanity units to more traditional, timber ones. Whether you want one basin or two, sleek and modern or traditional, a budget buy for your investment property or something really fancy for your spacious family bathroom, Allure have you covered.
They also sell tapware, shower screens, basins, toilets, bath tubs and accessories. Pretty much everything you need except the tiles and flooring. And of course you just need someone to rip out and install at your house, whether that’s your trusted tradie, a plumber or yourself!
If you’re in Melbourne you can even visit their Collingwood showroom and see for yourself, or give them a call on (03) 9419 5282 for some advice.
“Allure Bathrooms is passionate about bringing the best in quality contemporary bathroom products to Australians at a price they can afford. With guaranteed lowest prices and the best in contemporary bathroom design, a walk through of our showrooms in Melbourne will be enough to convince you that we have the bathroom supplies you need to give you the refined decor you desire. Come in and talk to us and we will help you bring your bathroom to life.”
With its rotting cabinetry, leaking dishwasher and even some resident possums, Nadine Wood’s kitchen was in serious need of renovation! “It was just revolting! I had originally thought we’d live in it for a while, but we ended up renovating it straight away. I always knew the space had potential; it’s got great sunlight and in the neighbouring room (I call it my breakfast room), there’s big east-facing windows.” The space has now become her favourite in the house.
Before
With the hope to one day knock down and rebuild their 1966 North Turramurra home in Sydney, Nadine created what she calls an affordable and temporary kitchen; replacing all the internals, but putting the new appliances in the same spot as where they originally were. “I didn’t want to go really cheap because there was always the thought in the back of my mind that we might end up living here for 20 years! I didn’t want to spend too much on the fixtures that were permanent to the house, in case we knock it down, but many of the things, like the carcasses, the doors and the handles, could easily be used in a new kitchen.”
Before
As an interior decorator and organiser, Nadine had all the necessary skills to design the kitchen; sourcing all the appliances and finishes and even building a lot of it herself. “The floors have all been re-polished, the cornices were changed (I had a great carpenter do that) and the upper cupboards were moved so there was an instant sense of space. I designed the kitchen and ordered it through DIY Australia and my husband and I built it and did all the painting. We then got a contact to put in the Caesarstone benches.”
What’s even better is Nadine managed to come in under budget, with the tiles and the blue-grey feature wall her cheapest but most effective quick fixes. “I always thought the splashback tiles would cost more, but they really didn’t and I just love them. I love the colour, it’s made the kitchen go from drab to something a lot nicer. Then the dark wall behind it (Porter’s Paints’ Atlantic), ties everything together beautifully. That’d have to be my favourite.”
After
With her current home being her third personal reno project, Nadine is a serial renovator. With a great love of transforming spaces and making them both functional and beautiful, she also offers decorating services through her business, Fresh Focus Design.
Admittedly, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for former Blockhead Dan Reilly (one half of the rather feisty Dan and Dani), but having already competed in two series, I thought it was safe to say that Dan wouldn’t be coming back to The Block anytime soon. But… I was wrong! The Block Triple Threat sees Dan come back not as a contestant, but rather as a foreboy. Fore-what?! I hear you ask. I’ll let Dan explain this one…
“I’m Keith the foreman’s (fore-man, fore-boy, get it?!) righthand man and we pretty much make sure the build is up to standard. As you can imagine, I’ve copped a lot of flak for my name on site. There’s been a lot of laughing. But I guess I have to own it. I’m happy to be the foreboy, I look at it as if they’re saying I’m still young!”
Keith and Dan, foreman and foreboy!
Having worked as a site manager for a construction company for the last two years, Dan has had considerable experience running a building site, but little did he realise how hard managing The Block would actually be. “I never knew how hard Keith’s job was because there’s just so much going on. You’ve got the site tradies doing the base build, you’ve got the tradies of the contestants, you’ve got the contestants themselves and then you’ve got all the politics between the contestants, and you get dragged into all of that! It’s a pretty full-on gig, so at the end of the day, you’re as exhausted as everyone else.”
Working 13 hours a day, six days a week (he gets to enjoy a sleep-in on Sundays) Dan has had no issues working under Keith, which comes as a surprise, seeing as they’ve not been shy of an argument in the past. “When I was a contestant, we did have a few arguments. But we are mates, we’ve had a beer and made up! Working under him has been really easy. Obviously, you’d never do anything like The Block normally, so I have been able to learn a lot from both Keith and Scotty.”
What Dan has found the hardest is navigating his relationships with the contestants, realising he can’t give them too many hints and tips, but rather they’ve got to figure it out themselves. “I sort of still see myself as a contestant, but I’ve kind of jumped ship to the other side and I have to remember that. I have to try not to help and guide the contestants too much. I mean we’re all still friends, we still have a laugh, but when it’s time to be serious, I’m serious with them.”
So has Dan ever had to put his foot down, in the infamous way Keith does oh so well? Yes! “There have been a few tiffs with some contestants. I think it was inevitable. It does happen, that’s just part of the role.”
With the upcoming The Block Triple Threat set to start next week on 27 January, Dan promises we are in for show that has lots of tears, lots of laughter and is even a little bit brutal! “There’s never been a dynamic like this before. We’ve got six new couples and the way they have to get onto the show is quite brutal I reckon! And then we’ve got three all-star couples competing as well. It does get very full-on at the beginning but it sorts itself out!”
When you decide that your home could use a renovation, you may be excited to dive into the project to get to the end result. However, planning and preparation can be considered the two most important steps in the renovation process. Ensuring that you choose your project carefully and budget it out before starting is essential, and you may even want to consult with a professional to make sure that you stick with your budget and stay on track.
1. Getting To the ‘Why’ of Your Renovation
If you’re thinking about renovating without determining why you want to do so, you’ve missed a crucial step. Are you hoping to add value to your home? Are you trying to regain functionality in a space that is not being used to its full potential? Figuring out why you’re moving forward with the renovation helps you determine whether it’s a good idea.
2. Evaluate the Type of Renovation
If you are doing a renovation to update a space, you might want to check on whether the renovation is really worth the money. For example, garage renovations tend to be money pits. In terms of adding value, kitchen and bathroom projects are the best. The goal is to find a balance between adding value to your home and making the space more aesthetically pleasing and functional to you.
3. Make a Strict Budget
Your budget should certainly be based on how much you can afford, but there are other factors that go into this calculation. The value of the renovation is an important consideration. Financial advisers and experts can help you determine how much a renovation will add to the value of your home in order to give you a guide when you’re budgeting.
4. Research Prices
If you find a contractor that has received positive reviews from past clients, you may be inclined to pay whatever they charge. However, it’s in your best interest to call around for estimates before settling on a price. Contact at least three contractors for estimates to get a good idea of how much your renovation should cost.
5. Choose Your Contractor Wisely
Even if your contractor was recommended to you or offers fair prices, you should still do your research to determine whether the contractor is certified. You’ll also want to ask about current insurance to ensure that you don’t end up being held liable if a worker is injured while working on your renovation. While you can save money by going with an unlicensed contractor, you’ll end up paying more when problems arise in the future.
6. Consider Consulting a Building Lawyer
You probably haven’t considered the need for a building lawyer when it comes to your renovation, but major renovations could necessitate a consultation. If your estimate is $12,000 or more, a building lawyer can help you determine whether the contract that the contractor has presented to you is one that keeps your best interests in mind.
7. Time Your Renovation Wisely
Contractors tend to have slow times during which they lower their prices, so getting your checklist together and waiting for the right time is a good way to save money. December and January are often the slowest months due to holidays.
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To say 2014 was a whirlwind year for brothers Shannon and Simon Vos would be a massive understatement. Not only did they win The Block Glasshouse, and pocket over $400,000 as a result, they got themselves a manager, started their own design and construction business and even did some modeling on the side!
Shannon (right) and Simon
“We’ve been absolutely flatstick since The Block,” explains Shannon. “I think I had three days off after the show and then got straight back into working as a painter. Then there was also the juggling of our Mitre 10 and Beaumont Tiles commitments and our appearances for Channel 9, whilst also being inundated with job requests for renovations.” First world problems, eh?
One of their most exciting renovation projects is a training facility for boutique coffee company Pablo & Rusty’s. A multipurpose space near Sydney’s Castle Hill, the centre will double as a barista school and a retail space. Alongside this, the duo are also in the initial stages of conducting a full-scale renovation on a well-established pub in Coffs Harbour which, with three or four bars and a huge verandah, could be a 12-month project. “These are some really quirky, exciting and fun jobs,” says Shannon. “Simon and I worked really well together on The Block and we definitely want to keep that ball rolling as we form our own business.”
With Shannon having studied interior design for the last two years and Simon soon to have his builder’s license, the duo are keen to play to their strengths. “I’ll be more focused on design, and Simon on construction,” explains Shannon. “Of course we will throw ideas off each other and help each other where needed. But the dynamic we had on The Block worked, so we want to continue that.”
With 2015 having only just begun, this year doesn’t look like it’ll be any quieter than the last, with talks of a TV show in the pipeline. “We’ve just shot a sizzle, which is like a 10-minute teaser, and are now at the stage of selling it to the networks. It would follow Simon and I working together and all the quirky stuff we get up to. We’ve been approached by a few companies to represent them, we’re flying all over Australia and we’ve done a few modeling shoots (which isn’t really work!), so the camera crew would follow us around doing all of that.”
And on the topic of TV, what do the boys think of the upcoming series, The Block Triple Threat? “It’s massive, there’s a lot going on, and I think it’ll be quite interesting having the old Blockheads versus the news ones,” says Shannon. “It’s a big leg up having done it before but I’ll tell you what, I’m very glad we’ve done ours and we’re finished! I wouldn’t want to do it again straight away.”
But would they ever do The Block again? “Definitely, but just not straight away. After the Glasshouse I needed some time off, I needed to go for a surf, I needed to lie on the beach! Simon and I both literally lost 10 kilos so it’s nice to eat a normal breakfast again, relax and just do nothing for a bit.”
With the warm weather upon us, it’s time to spend time outdoors, open the windows, and start the home renovation projects. You might be planning to get some jobs done over the holiday break. If you choose to do your home renovation projects on your own, make sure to do your best to prevent injuries, be prepared for accidents, and to have a basic understanding of first aid.
It is always better to be prepared, even if you don’t need your first aid skills, than it is to find yourself or a loved one injured and not know how to handle it.
Know what you know, and what you don’t
The best kind of first aid is prevention. You know what you are capable of, so use your best judgment when determining when to do it yourself, and when to hire a professional. Saving money and pride by completing an entire project by yourself is not worth your health and safety, and the health and safety of those who will interact with your renovation when it is completed.
Wear protective clothing and gear
No matter what your home renovation project may be, you always need to wear the right kind of clothing during the completion of the project.
Eyes: Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from both flying objects and airborne particles.
Feet: Especially when you are working with any kind of equipment, wear thick work boots that will protect your feet from all sides, whether you drop something on them or you step on a sharp object.
Skin: If you are working with chemicals, keep your skin covered to prevent burns, contamination, or potential allergic reactions.
Nose & mouth: If you are painting, working with chemicals, removing asbestos, or near dust, protect your health with masks to keep yourself from inhaling harmful substances.
Have the right tools
Not only do you need to make sure that you are using the right tools for the job, and using them the right way, but in order to take care of yourself or loved ones in the case that they do get hurt, you need to make sure that you have well stocked a first aid kit. Depending on what your renovation entails, you should be prepared to treat burns, cuts, abrasions, stings, splinters, sprains, strains, blisters, mild pain, and know when to call an ambulance.
Basic first aid skills
Working on home renovation projects means that there is always a chance for injury. It is in your best interest to have some key first aid skills. Make sure that you have some knowledge of first aid relating to your project. If the injured person is bleeding, put pressure on the wound. Cuts and scrapes should always be cleaned and left covered during the day. If they have suffered a stab wound, do not remove the object, but immediately call an ambulance. The best way to get the skills that you need might be to take a certification class.
CPR: A CPR certification is usually valid for one year, and could potentially be a lifesaving skill, especially if you are working around water or at heights over ground level. If a person stops breathing before an ambulance arrives, knowing CPR may be their only chance at survival and minimising brain damage.
First Aid Certification: A first aid certification can train you to take care of anything from cuts and scrapes to blisters, sprains and minor head injuries. You can learn how to set a broken bone, how to care for burns, and when you need to call an ambulance. It is always best to be prepared for what might happen.
Please remember that no matter what your project entails, your safety should be the number one priority. Good luck with your renovation, and stay safe!
–Mark Partridge is the director of Training Course Experts (TCE) in Perth, Western Australia. TCE is a registered training organisation which specialises in forklift training, senior first aid training and more.
Remember Matt and Kim from The Block Sky High? If you were fans, you can check them out tomorrow night on Nine in Domestic Blitz – Matt and Kim to the Rescue.
The Napolis were just like any other hardworking Australian family. Rocco Snr is a self-employed tiler; his wife Ricki, a dedicated wife and mother. Along with their two children Rocco Jnr (10) and Melina (8) they’d built a modest and happy life in the Perth suburb of Belmont. Rocco was a sports mad West Coast Eagles and Perth Glory fan, with a zest for life and a big personality.
However a year ago, their lives changed dramatically.
Young Rocco was suddenly struck down by fatigue, headaches and irritability. When the family had Rocco examined by a specialist their worst fears were realised. Rocco had a rare type of brain tumour called craniopharyngioma: a benign tumour that develops on the pituitary gland. Surgeons were able to remove the primary tumour however, in the process, they also had to remove his pituitary gland. This would have shocking consequences for Rocco and his family. Due to the absence of Rocco’s pituitary gland and the malfunction of his hypothalamus, Rocco has been struck down by debilitating fatigue, irritability and excessive, uncontrollable weight gain.
Their already rundown residence in Belmont, Perth, became more dilapidated as the family struggled to make ends meet and endured endless trips to hospitals for treatment. With Rocco being so quick to fatigue, the family spend the great majority of their time at home, so their living environment is crucial to their state of mind. This family desperately needed a ray of sunshine to change their fortunes and provide much-needed hope and relief.
Matt and Kim and an army of tradespeople surprise the Napoli family with a seemingly unachievable sized renovation over just three action-packed days. Emotions ran high and the results were groundbreaking.
Expect tears. Expect laughter. Expect drama. Expect a life-changing event.
Domestic Blitz – Matt and Kim to the Rescue, Sunday 14 December 2014, 7pm Australia wide, on Nine. For more information.
“A kitchen design is certainly one thing that you need to get right because once it is in, for most of us, we are stuck with it for a long time.” That’s the advice from one half of The Block Sky High’s “kitchen queens” Alisa Fraser. “Spend the time planning and don’t feel pressured into making any decisions that you are not comfortable with. Look at products that are sustainable and will serve you well in years to come. You really need to picture yourself working and living in the space and make a list of things that don’t work in your current space and apply them to your new design.”
Block kitchen queens Alisa and Lysandra Fraser
I couldn’t have put it better myself. Although I personally have never designed a kitchen (the one house I bought had a kitchen I loved just as it was and since I’ve been in Australia I’ve been renting), I’ve certainly pinned enough ‘Dream Home’ photos to Pinterest and given my opinion when asked by numerous friends about theirs. I also happen to hang out with a fair few people in the interiors business (understatement!), so I like to think I have an idea of what makes a good design and what’s in.
Alisa and her twin sister Lysandra won the title of the kitchen queens on the hit renovating show, impressing the judges and the public on both the Sky High and Fans vs. Favourites series. “I think we are good at visualising a space,” Alisa says. We are very conscious of not just choosing a product because it is the latest trend, as we all know that trends come and go so quickly these days. I remember Neale Whitaker commenting on our Fans vs. Favs kitchen and saying that it would still look good in 30 years. And that is the trick! Kitchens are expensive so you don’t want to be changing them every five or so years. It’s also about making the most of a space and utilising every part of it. But most of all, a kitchen needs to be functional and practical.”
SPATIAL PLANNING
Image: Fisher & Paykel
Not everyone has the vision of Alisa and Lysandra. My advice would be to call in a professional, even if you think you know what you want. The reason for this is they do this stuff day in, day out and may well think of things you’d never have thought of. Chances are you’ve gotten very used to living with your space, which can make it hard to visualise it any other way. Most kitchen companies offer free consultations and can whip you up a CAD model of your future kitchen. Seeing it on paper in 3D will really help. They’ll also know about the latest appliances and clever storage options you might not be familiar with. I’m talking pull out pantries, dishwashers or refrigerators in drawers and combination induction and gas cooktops here!
If you feel uncomfortable about having someone in your kitchen or feel like you’ll be given the hard sell, head to your local showroom armed with a simple drawing of your kitchen with measurements. Also mark on it the location of doors, windows, plumbing and anything that can’t be moved.
THE WORK TRIANGLE?
I’m sure you’ve heard of the theory of the work triangle; that is that your stove, fridge and sink should be laid out in a triangle for optimum ergonomics and use of space in the kitchen. Is it relevant in 2014? Probably not. There are many reasons for this, not least that today’s kitchens tend to be open plan, larger and used for many more things. They’re so often the heart of the home. People eat in them, cook in them, do homework in them, and so it goes on.
While it used to be taken as Gospel, Fisher & Paykel reject the traditional notion of the work triangle. Their head of industrial design, Mark Elmore, says: “There are many more advantages to be gained through the use of distributed appliances. Consumers can choose to position modular appliances or combinations of appliances wherever they think they’ll be most useful in the kitchen, entertaining and living spaces.”
Fisher & Paykel’s head of industrial design, Mark Elmore
The work triangle came about off the back of time and motion studies. But today’s kitchens are both individual and more social, says Mark. “Today’s layouts suit a more social, usually open-plan kitchen. And layouts are more ergonomic – ovens are higher in walls and dishwashers and fridges can be distributed to suit your patterns of usage or positioned higher to minimise bending. This concept sees modular appliances, such as Fisher & Paykel’s DishDrawer™ or CoolDrawer™ positioned around the kitchen – or beyond – to suit the way people live.”
Image: Fisher & Paykel
Consideration should be given to which and what style of appliances you’re after at the very beginning of your design process. “When it’s stripped back to its elements, a kitchen is space plus functionality,” Mark says. “How you and your family use your kitchen should determine not just the position of appliances, but also the features you look for.”
BUDGET
It’s a good idea to set one early. So many people go into a kitchen store and for some bizarre reason, are afraid to disclose what they’re willing to spend. Quite frankly, it’s a little ridiculous. These people can help you much better if they understand the sort of money they’re working with. Don’t feel embarrassed that your budget is too low because you can only afford what you can afford. And there is no point quoting more than you intend to spend either. My advice is to be honest with the professionals. They’ll tell you what’s possible within your budget and if you then decide you can find extra money for the marble benchtop or built-in coffee machine you really can’t live without, then so be it. Not being open or honest about your budget is just going to waste everyone’s time.
Mark says, in general, people spend between a quarter and a third of their budget on appliances. “Passionate foodies who demand top performance from their appliances daily, might spend more.” An important point Mark raises is that a new kitchen gives you the opportunity to consider your whole life and design a functional space that responds to your needs.
APPLIANCES: THE BASICS
“The basic appliances every home needs are an oven, cooktop, rangehood, microwave, dishwasher and fridge-freezer. Yet the appliances you select will depend on how you cook,” Mark says. “People who love to bake or cook several meals simultaneously might go for a double oven or an extra large 90cm wide oven. Many people get a premium built-in oven and then supplement it with a combination microwave or steam oven that can be used for a different purpose.”
APPLIANCES: AESTHETICS
“Styling has become increasingly important as the trend of open-plan kitchens continues to grow,” says Mark. “Contemporary styling which works with living spaces is in high demand and if your kitchen is one of the increasing number that extends into your living area, then the look of your appliances will be more important.”
Image: Fisher & Paykel
Fisher & Paykel’s range of cooking appliances are designed to match each other – in finishes, proportions and details. Rather than having a clashing array of styles and brands, you can buy a complete suite of appliances with a cohesive, consistent look.
While integration is popular, Mark says not to discount the ‘wow’ factor of a big statement piece such as a robust, freestanding 90cm cooker or a sleek line-up of built-in appliances from their Companion range such as a coffee maker, combination microwave oven or steam oven.
THE LATEST INNOVATIONS
There is of course, always some new gadget to add the wow factor. Alisa says there are so many new appliances hitting the market every day, it is sometimes hard to keep up. “From built-in coffee machines, to steamers and instant hot and cold Zip taps, innovative appliances are what make kitchens stand out from each other.
“Appliances are not only essential and practical, but nowadays they are sexy and make a statement of their own. The right appliances in a kitchen say a lot about the people cooking in it. You can add your own personality with the many types of models now available. Choosing appliances has never been as exciting as it is today.
“We all want and expect more from kitchens now, so in your standard kitchen 10 years ago, a dishwasher was a luxury. Now, it’s just expected. Not only that, but now there are so many products available to us, when it comes to selecting appliances – cabinetry, benchtop finishes – reaching a final decision is so much harder.”
To create more flexible options, Fisher & Paykel have designed innovative appliances in drawers – the DishDrawer™ dishwasher and CoolDrawer™ multi-temperature refrigerator – plus a range of modular cooktops available in up to five burners or zones. Instead of having a traditional dishwasher next to the sink, you can put a single DishDrawer™ beside the sink and another closer to cupboards where glasses and crockery are stored. Putting appliances in the kitchen island is also a great option for open-plan kitchens.
Image: Fisher & Paykel
SPEND VS. SPLURGE
One area you can save money is on your splashbacks, says Alisa. “Glass splashbacks can be quite expensive, so head to your local tile store and see what is on special. A tiled splashback, done right, can certainly create impact. If you are really looking to save money on your kitchen renovation then as nice as it is to have soft closing drawers, they are not an essential. Another money-saving tip is to go out and source your own handles. Generally kitchen places offer the top of the range kitchen hardware, but it is amazing what specials you can pick up at your local hardware store.”
So, where should you splurge? “I certainly think quality appliances are always going to serve you well,” says Alisa. “They should last you a long time and it will save you the effort and hassle of having to replace any faulty appliances down the track. I also feel that investing in some kind of stone bench top is well worth it. Even though there are some pretty amazing laminates out there, I still feel nothing screams class as much as the real thing.”
When it comes to deciding whether to replace your appliances, bear in mind that old ones can consume more energy leading to increased costs. “Fridges are often the worst offenders,” Mark notes. “It’s really not a good idea to put your old fridge in the garage either because it can cost the price of a basic new fridge simply in running costs!”
When it comes to the cost of a benchtop, Caesarstone offer the following advice: “There are many factors to consider beyond the actual cost of the material itself. The cost to fabricate a benchtop can vary widely but it’s important to keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always necessarily better. Another simple cost-cutting measure is to factor the size of the raw material into your kitchen design – a small change in the length of your kitchen island for example, could be all the difference between needing two or three slabs of stone, which will make a big difference to the bottom line.”
WHAT’S TRENDY NOW?
When it comes to the biggest kitchen trends of the moment, Alisa highlights the comeback of the butler’s pantry and even the addition of a laundry within the kitchen to optimise space. “People are becoming more creative when it comes to storage solutions. Now they can be discreet and practical.”
View to the butler’s pantry in Carlene and Michael’s kitchen in the current series of The Block Glasshouse
Another trend is the use of slab splashbacks. “They are predominately used in open kitchens that have the advantage of working with space. Slabs with marble veins can create a focal point and in essence, become a piece of art. I am loving the use of timbers throughout kitchens this season. Whether used subtly or throughout the entire kitchen, there is something sexy and inviting about timber. It is clean, contemporary and always looks amazing with white clean lines.”
Like the twins’ kitchen in Fans vs. Favourites, which Alisa calls her dream kitchen, she is seeing a lot of designs take advantage of the space-saving and entertaining benefits of having a dining table integrated with the kitchen benchtop. “When done well, this can make your kitchen look bigger and creates dimension in the room.” When it comes to layout, Alisa doesn’t believe there is a set rule. “Each space is unique and every person has different wants and requirements.”
In fact, if you had to highlight one consistent trend in kitchens at the moment, it’s for customisation in all areas. “People who want very high temperature burners or wok cooking often select one or two gas burners and put them together with an induction cooktop,” says Mark. “Fisher & Paykel caters to this customisation as people make their own cooktop combinations. Each of the gas and induction variants are designed to match, in the same easy-to-clean, reflective black Stopsol glass and unifying polished metal strip.”
Image: Fisher & Paykel
When it comes to benchtops, due to improvements in technology, Caesarstone are seeing a trend back toward more natural looking surfaces with their marble-inspired Supernatural designs and colours in high demand. “As the modern industrial look becomes increasingly popular, we are also seeing a growing trend toward concrete-look benchtop surfaces being incorporated into mainstream kitchen designs, as more affordable and practical alternatives such as our Sleek Concrete become available,” says Caesarstone’s George Skentzos.
CHOOSING A BENCHTOP
Benchtops seem to be one of those things people um and ah over for a really long time, trying to get just right. At the end of the day, the look, colour and quality of your choice will have a big effect on the aesthetics of your kitchen. Then again, there are so many practical considerations as benchtops get a bit of a battering and you want them to last. Marble, in my opinion, looks amazing, but you wouldn’t catch me installing it as a benchtop even if I was made of money, due to its bad relationship with water!
George says: “Like the icing on a cake, a benchtop is the finishing touch for any kitchen – a personal signature which can dramatically transform the overall look of your kitchen. When selecting your benchtop, it’s important to ask yourself what overall look you want to achieve and whether you want the surface to become a focal point or blend in with the décor.”
Caesarstone’s online visualiser showing a kitchen with Sleek Concrete and Calacatta Nuvo benchtops
Designing a modern kitchen that will stand the test of time is a balancing act between incorporating current style trends with classic design elements to create an overall look that feels both modern and timeless. “Often, people make the mistake of designing their kitchen to be more clinical than contemporary, so my advice would be to incorporate natural materials like stone and timber over a neutral foundation which will always be on trend, then introduce a contemporary twist with fixtures like taps, feature lighting and splashbacks, which can be updated easily and affordably over time to keep the kitchen looking fresh.”
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
So, if you’re about to design your kitchen, listen up to the following advice from Alisa: “There are two places where people go wrong when designing a kitchen. Firstly, they don’t think about the functionality and layout. This is a huge mistake as once a kitchen is in, the layout is extremely difficult and expensive to change. The other mistake is that people design their kitchen around what is on trend right now, but come the next season, the trend will have changed. There are simple ways you can add trending products into your kitchen that can easily be changed, like pendant lights, stools, tea towels and vases. These are affordable items that can easily be removed and changed.”
CONCLUSION
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to designing your modern kitchen. While trends come and go, I hope we’ve offered you some great advice on how to budget, what to consider, where to invest and where you can make some clever savings. We know a kitchen reno is a huge and sometimes daunting task to embark on, but don’t put it in the too-hard basket anymore. Armed with the right information and having done your homework, you can have a dream kitchen that you’ll use and love for many years to come. Good luck!
NEED MORE HELP & INSPIRATION?
If you’re planning to renovate, you can find out more about the latest Fisher & Paykel offers here. For more design ideas you can explore the inspirational case studies here or check out Interiors Addict’s Kitchens & Bathroom section.
We all love a house tour but I think we particularly like a look behind the front door of an interior designer’s home, don’t we?! Well, I have a treat for you today with Ioanna Lennox’s 1879 Inner West Sydney terrace.
Ioanna Lennox
While it’s still a work in progress (aren’t all homes, really?), Ioanna, who left her corporate job to follow her passion and work in interiors, has done plenty to transform it. The painted striped runner on the staircase was a project she had been dying to attempt and thought she’d better try it out on her home before attempting the look for clients! She is thrilled with the result and we agree it looks spectacular.
Being her own client was an interesting experience: “The brief kept changing but some things remained the same: it had to be classic, beautiful and elegant, without being over the top; glamorous but in a modern, contemporary way; respectful of the terrace’s original features such as the high ceilings, cornices and fireplaces, but make these work in today’s living environment.
“I started out resonating with the modern French style, then switched to Hollywood Regency, where for a while, everything that I gravitated towards was shiny, shimmery, plush or mirrored! I think the end end result will end up being a nice mix of the two. The colours changed too. Initially, it was going to be all black and white – I wanted drama, lots of contrast and typical Parisian chic. I remember doing a concept board with the “client” being very happy, but six months later, it went out of the window.
“I came across my favourite Bromley nude at an art auction and I begged, begged, begged my husband for us to get it. When we found ourselves the last ones to hold up the little auction card, I almost screamed! I’ve loved and admired David Bromley’s nudes for years and to finally own one was a dream come true. When we brought ‘Chayenne’ home with her striking aqua blue palette, I fell in love with blue. So started my blue phase, which I have to say I’m still in. This meant the formal lounge and dining rooms now had to have an injection of blues.”
Somewhere in all this, Ioanna had to consider her husband, although he was generally happy to leave her to it, so long as it wasn’t too frou-frou or feminine. “I started coming up with the original concept for the front terrace at least three years ago. Finances, Bromley purchases, leaving the corporate world and my mum’s death all played a part in the snail’s pace that things have progressed at.
“To be your own client as an interior designer has be the hardest job ever – I found it frustrating, painful and creatively thwarting. As the designer, I often had days when I just wanted to kill my client! As the client, I just thought the designer was too out there at times for this regular, Inner West family of four. I feel like we got there in the end and even though we’re not yet finished, every detail is nutted out, all the fabric has been bought for the sofa and soft furnishings so nothing else is changing!”
The French wall panelling, which makes such an impact, was at times a nightmare. “I decided to take this on myself just after my mum died. I had my cousin here from Germany, who’s a tradesman but not a carpenter. He called my bluff and said if I was serious about panelling the front rooms, he’d help me. I measured everything up and drew detailed diagrams of the panels to the millimetre, then ordered over 150 metres of timber for the chair rails and panels. Over the next week, my cousin and I worked around the clock.
“When we started putting up the chair rail, we realised there wasn’t one straight wall in the house! This made it all the more entertaining as we couldn’t always rely on the trusted spirit level to hang the panels. In the middle of our little project, my cousin had to return home, so that left me with a very unfinished project. Out of sheer pity or insanity, my husband eventually stepped in and helped. That put him in my awesome husband books for at least 6 months!”
Ioanna selected a duck egg blue/green for the inside of the panels (Dulux Georgian Silver), which interplays with the soft grey background . “I’m beyond thrilled with the results, but knowing what I know now, I’m not so sure I’d take it all on again.”
The entire front of the terrace — formal living and dining rooms, hallway and stairs – have been overhauled. The existing traditional yellow wallpaper, which had over the years become one with the render, was removed, parts of the rooms had to be re-rendered, and the cracked ceiling and ceiling roses reconditioned. Ioanna then chose a warm grey throughout and a dark charcoal above the fireplaces to turn these into a feature.
She kept some of the original furniture (“I had our old mango wood dining table stained a dark walnut with a French polish finish. So too with the dining chairs – I had them reupholstered in a soft blue velvet with nail trim detail. This kept the budget down and it looks like a whole new dining setting anyway.”) Keeping the budget under control meant she could splash out on a Moooi chandelier for the dining room.
Every visitor comments on the wall panelling, which is Ioanna’s favourite element. “It gives the room such presence and grandness, pushes the 3.5-metre ceilings even higher and makes the decorating effortless. Between that and the Bromley hanging on the wall, there’s not much else the room needs – ok, maybe just a nice comfy chair to sip a cocktail in!
“So, is the client content? Yes, she’s happy. But I’d probably never want to work with her again!”
See more of Ioanna’s interior design work on her website. Photography by Stan Ngo and Susan Papazian.
It’s finally time to reveal the finished reno and let you know how much money was made on the investment. In this episode, we have more keeping-it-real information and advice from Naomi Findlay and we also hear from real estate agent, Damon Sellis. We think the house is transformed and looks amazing! We think you’ll agree…
An offer was received and accepted after a mere five days on the market. Over 135 parties went through the property during open inspection during that time.
The final project profit, after all costs were taken into consideration, was $25,000. Not bad for six weeks’ work!
“What makes it all happen is a great team of trades and a great agent working hard on the overall goals of the project,” Naomi says. “Vision and design obviously play a key role but it must always stay grounded on the goal of the venture and the business. It is not all about design. It must be grounded in market research and a budget. Top that off with some targeted styling and you are away!”
Watch all five episodes of our Diary of a Reno video series as we take you through a real life renovation, from purchase to sale and $25,000 profit six weeks later! Our expert Naomi Findlay, an experienced property developer (and busy mum of four!) owns successful business SILK Home Staging & Styling and teaches others how to stage for sale and set up their own styling businesses through her International Institute of Home Staging. Former Block winners Alisa and Lysandra are just some of her students!
Watch videos 1 through to 5 to follow the whole story of this project in Newcastle, NSW.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5
We hope our warts and all, keeping it real advice has inspired and helped you. If you have any questions for Naomi, please put them in the comments below.
