Hampton a family renovation

I thought I would profile the Hampton lookbook on this blog. This home was done several years ago now and just sold for well over $3.4 million dollars.

Working with the own owners on this project was really rewarding. This was a family home in Hampton that needed a big face lift and extension. The clients were very open to my ideas and together we created a beautiful family home that they have enjoyed for many years.

Modern Kitchen. It had it’s own seperate butters pantry.

Here is the recent advertisement for the home in Real Estate.com.au

Design for Hampton Home

Don't put your design dreams on hold. Seize the day!

If anything this pandemic has taught us is that the future is uncertain and we need to embrace life. Living in close quarters with other members of your family and spending more time at home now, this is the perfect time to revisit how you want to live. It is a great time to collect your design thoughts for your home revamp.

Is your dining table a makeshift office, classroom and craft room?

Here are 5 ideas to start your Design Dream of a Renovation Project.

1. Create a scrapbook/lookbook - these days collecting your ideas can be done on Pinterest, Houzz or another app. Having an area where you keep images you like can be a great starting place to refine what your style and design bent is.

By visualising your ideas you can start to see a new future

2. Decide on the amenity you need. As we face lockdowns and a new environment the home has taken on new functions. Deciding how you use your renovation space is an important step. While as an architect I can assist you with how the home functions and looks, you need to scope out what you really need. Understanding that is best done by creating a list of needs and rooms. This should take into account your family lifecycle and plan for the next 10-15 years. Will your kids still be living with you? Do you need to plan for the care of your parents? Are you likely to be working from home more in the future?

3. Get your original plans. Having your original plans from your local council is a great first step. It will assist you in knowing where the walls and boundaries of your property are and if there are any issues with the building envelope.

Ask your local council for your house plans

4. Inspiration is everywhere. Now is the time when we have more time at home to look for those little ideas that can change the way you live and make it easier. Looking on Instagram, Pinterest and housing magazines can create some new ideas and inspiration.

Know your style and aesthetic

5. Set a realistic time frame and budget

Most renovation timeframes are over a year. The permits and approvals can take 6 months depending on your council and plans. It is good to have a realistic timeframe so you can plan your life and key events around the renovation. Setting a budget is more difficult and you may need to scope your project first and then get a quantity surveyor to price it.

So as you can see there is a lot you can start to do to plan your renovation. Use your time wisely and start the process today.

Picking the right light?

Lighting is often the last part of a project that a client thinks about, however I am always designing to maximise the natural light. Lighting really has a functional and a ambient purpose and so it is worth consulting a lighting expert when designing your home. Picking the right lighting feature is dependant on function and personal tastes. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Pulling the design together. Sometimes the lighting is simple and understated and sometimes it is the key to pull the design together. Working with colour, shape and size a light is a chance to draw attention.

2. Frame a space - a lighting feature can frame a space, like a dining room or a reading nook.

3. Lights can be invisible - but still create drama. Track lighting or LED under a bench or staircase and can really set a mood in the evenings.

4. Colour and materials - are really a chance to show off your style, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Tradie prices fall by 44% - bargain time to renovate.

As double digit falls in housing prices continue the cost of trades like electricians, plumbers, builders and alike has fallen by up to 44% according to ServiceSeeking.com.au's co-founder Jeremy Levitt.

“Demand for builders has fallen by more than 40 per cent. Bathroom renovations were also hit particularly hard, with demand falling 35 per cent followed by a 25 per cent decline for bricklayers and a 20 per cent dive in requests for electricians.”

So if you are after a bargain to renovate that bathroom or kitchen, then it’s time to get going. Drop me a line for a design chat or call me on 0418100872 to get your plans sorted so you can take advantage of these record low building prices.