RECAP: Danielle and family recently purchased a 1960s house in outer Melbourne in need of renovation on a tight budget.
THE DESIGN
The first step was to develop a new floorplan that avoided extensive, expensive structural work. Over a few weeks with the help of a local draftsman, Danielle and her partner came up with a design that met their needs.
A new entranceway is to be established by enclosing the outdoor space between the house and existing garage. The entranceway will lead to an open plan living area created by removing some doors and a non-load bearing wall. With a lounge, dining space, a remodelled kitchen and the old laundry now a pantry, the open plan area will become the hub of the home. A small utilities room is to be converted into a warm, sunny playroom also open to the living area.
One of the existing bathrooms will become the ensuite to the main bedroom. A new powder-room and a separate compact laundry will both be accessed from the entranceway.
SCOPE FOR GROWTH
The clever design will meet the family’s immediate needs and can evolve as the kids grow, priorities change and finances permit. Down the track, the playroom could become a study or the windows in the living area could be replaced to create an indoor/outdoor living space.
Coming up next week: Danielle selects her interiors
