3 years ago we attached the back yard which I documented here - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=86779 (unfortunately the photo bucket links are broken and I haven't been bothered to go and fix them).
After upgrading the Master Bedroom and Ensuite, the next item on the agenda was the Kitchen. The floor plan had the Kitchen with a dining space separated by a wall from a living and lounge room which meant we had two fairly large spaces disconnected from each other which we wanted to open up into a single open plan environment. That is documented here - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=99464
The new kitchen design we decided on included the removal of an existing large external sliding door and replacing that with fixed windows along with knocking out an existing bay window that overlooked an outside deck, and replacing that with french doors. We knew we wanted to try and upgrade the facade of the property eventually and wanted to make sure whatever windows/doors we put into the kitchen space, matched that end goal. However we didn't have a design in mind so enlisted the services of a professional, who after a couple of consultations about what look we were after and what we wanted to achieve, they came up with a design that we fell in love with and we decided to knock the whole thing over in one hit, new kitchen and new facade.
The starting point:
The first set of conceptual sketches:
We decided we liked the last one the best and asked to proceed with a final design being completed using that as the basis. This is what we received.
It was better than we could have imagined. We found a builder who was able to take the work on and had a good idea of how to pull it off and got started. All in all it took around 5 months to complete with some breaks in between while we waited for windows to be delivered and the custom front door to be made.
Progress shots along the way.
Old windows removed, ready for the new double glazed black framed ones to go in. Side note, we were able to sell the old windows and shutters to a family who were shipping them to Tonga for a house they were building there. Great that they could get a second life and not end up in landfill!
New windows in.
Next step was to work out how to build out what we were calling 'the reverse C'. We decided to go with spotted gum cladding and I spent a few days oiling about 200 lineal meters before it was installed. First step, framing it out and tying it back into the roof joists.
Then it was time to clad it.
Was great seeing the progress with the scaffolding being moved out the way.
Next it was time to render and paint.
Didn't get any photos of the roof being sprayed too but you can see from here where the old red tiled roof is now the charcoal colour to mach the downpipes and windows.
The original concept design had the garage doors being cladded in the same timber as the reverse C however we weren't able to find anything that matched closely enough to the spotted gum finish. We decided to use some of the leftover charcoal paint to slap a coat on the existing garage doors to see how it looked. Were pretty happy with the results.
By this stage we were just about done with the first phase of the external renovation (landscaping will be phase 2 which we aim to do the beginning of 2022). We just need the custom spotted gum feature door to be finished and the final light fittings to be done.
New door, ready for staining.
All installed:
Finally, we were done. Final shots of the finished product....
Very pleased with how it has turned out and with the kitchen upgrade, it's made it feel like a new home. Looking forward now to doing the planning and design for the front landscaping to really finish it off.