In an effort to document the renovations of our newly purchased house I've started with the before photos. The renovations are to come next. As a result I would ask that you keep one word in my while viewing the house - potential...
Here we have the internal stair case leading from the front door, which is next to that window down there.

Looking in to the lounge room, which currently features stained carpet that is probably as old as I am, original light fitting (sans glass shades) and original faded salmon velvet curtains on the sliding doors leading to the front deck. Please excuse the quality of the photos, it was an overcast day.
To the right of the lounge we have this lovely arch way leading into the dining room. They were all the rage at one stage, weren't they? They do waste an awful lot of space though.

Adjacent to which is the peach coloured kitchen.

The back door leads out to this nifty deck overlooking our backyard and the worlds largest tree right in the middle. You don't believe me yet. I shall get better photographic proof shortly.

Down the hall from the kitchen is this bathroom. Clean, functional and ugly.


On the other side of the hall is the first bedroom, also featuring original 70's curtains with wooden curtain rods.

Next to the bathroom, the third bedroom, smaller than the first and hung with modern faded blue curtains.

And the final, or master bedroom, which has rather hideous curtains, hideous mirror tiles and hideous purple painted built in cupboards.

Not to mention peeling paint and more stained carpet. We do have access to the front deck though, which runs the length of the front of the house.

Continuing back down the stairs we are greeted by a bright blue wall and brick bar next to the laundry. Both of which will be removed. The blue paint and the bar that is, not the laundry.

Opposite the brick bar are these brick walls. This room will eventually be my workshop / studio and be home to my jewellery bench and crafting supplies.

Some may be quite fond of these tiles in my otherwise sparse laundry, but I must say, I am not. I am fond of the size of this room though and the potential. Don't forget the potential.

Basically as it stands, this is our new house. Some of you may be wondering why on earth we brought such a house given my glowing description. Potential is my mantra. We also love the suburb and have renovated a similar house in the same suburb previously. An experience which taught us a great deal and enabled us to travel around the world for six months and still have a deposit for another house upon our return. That was pre-children. This house is going to be a much longer project. But I shall keep you posted.
First things first, we need to replace the ceiling, replace the lights, replace the colour bond roof and install insulation. Then paint the ceiling and walls, pull up the carpet and polish the floor boards...

Christina your new home is a little gem screaming with potential!! I for one love it and look forward to seeing you put your mark on it :)
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Wow! In looking at your photos I could not believe how much your place looks like my place ... I wonder if it's in the same area in Brisbane or just from the same era? We have the same arch, same stairs, same deck and very similar downstairs area.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't renovated yet, but have plans to do so very soon. I can't wait to see what you do with your place! :)
Potential is a fantastic word when you have renovating experience, ideas & amazing style, it will be incredible when you're done. The brick bar is quite the selling point, non?? You could put an ironing table in that laundry!! The outdoor deck is brilliant, oh the future you're about to create is exciting, love Posie
ReplyDeleteOh man I think that house has tons of potential!There are already so many charming features I can see why you chose it.
ReplyDeleteWow it sure does have potential. I cant wait to see all the progress photos. And what a great space for your studio. x
ReplyDeleteWow! Good luck! I think the size of that laundry alone would have sold me, I can see a heap of potential in there!
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing all your progress.
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Wow, I'm impressed - it will look great when it's finished. You can do a lot or you can do a little to it as it appears to be in good condition.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you should start up an additional reno blog??
I just bought a house (on Friday) ... we don't have to do a thing to it!
loads of potential - lots of work ahead, have fun!
ReplyDeleteI love that about renovating... seeing everything for how it could and will be :) We renovated a house ourselves when we were in our 20s and I still think about that place... it's special. Wishing you all the best in your new home :) Kx
ReplyDeletethanks for showing us your new place!
ReplyDeleteso much space. will be great when it gets going :)
I'm getting lots of early 80's flashbacks with childhood memories of brown tiles and archways :) But I do see so much potential, and it looks like you have so much space there. Can't wait to see what you do!
ReplyDeletePotential is a great word. Having seen how wonderful you and Dave made your last two houses, I think this one will be great! Nothing some paint, polished floors, new bathroom and kitchen won't fix!
ReplyDeleteGreat spaces just crying out for your creative touch and talent! It will be fun to see it turned into your home.
ReplyDeleteI love before and after photos. Cant get enough of them!
ReplyDeleteYour house looks like it will do up amazingly! It looks lovely and roomy. The deck and the laundry alone would be awesome, all that space!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm really quite jealous of that laundry. My laundry is under the house on an ancient home poured slab (read slanting).
It consists of a washing machine which sits on a pallet. Why you ask? Mostly so I don't get electrocuted in wet weather, what with all the rain and everything running through like a stream under the house. Oh, and a rusty laundry tub which doubles as a snake retreat.
I'm really looking forward to reading about your progress with your house!
I am excited to see how your home evolves and becomes you and your family's space. It will be lovely. Ps what is it with brick bars? We half heartedly look at properties every now and then and there are so many of them!
ReplyDeleteYep... there is certainly lots of potential. A very good blank canvas for you to work your magic on.
ReplyDeletePS - I just painted my bedroom a bright blue. Started while I was pregnant and just finished a couple of nights ago... my partner was all worried that I wouldn't like it now that I'm not pregnant. But I do... will post photos soon :)
Christina your place looks a lot like ours too, we bought ours mid 2011.
ReplyDeleteWe are trying to renovate ours with a very tight budget, which means we are doing as much as possible ourselves. Our house has enormous potential too, that is why we bought it. We got a 2 story brick place with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with a beautiful tropical swimming pool (which looked totally out of place).
The problem is all of the bathrooms, toilets, kitchen and laundry need to be replaced. Our house had very little maintenance done on it for the last 25 years. Luckily the structure is very strong. Mind you I've looked at it as a blank canvas, which is already starting to turn into a swan from an ugly duckling.
Just the removal of 40 year old wallpaper and carpet has made a massive difference. The removal of carpet revealed gorgeous Tasmanian Oak wooden floors that have been preserved by the hideous carpet. We were planning on sanding and polishing the floors this weekend but the weather has not permitted that.
I'd love to see what you guys have done... I'm always trying to get new ideas. I must admit I am loving the journey, even though it is quite slow.