"Once a notorious eyesore on the street, a pair undertook a transformation challenge, revamping a dilapidated cottage into a breathtaking residence"
In a daring renovation project, Mike and Jane have transformed a small, pitch-roofed cottage into a contemporary dream home, inspired by LA West Coast architecture. The couple embarked on the ambitious project in 2015, purchasing a property that was marketed as a cottage on two acres but was more like a small, dark, and cramped double garage with a kitchenette and two small bedrooms.
The original cottage was a far cry from the spacious and light-filled home that now stands. The key to this transformation was careful planning, disciplined organization, and proactive management of the renovation process.
Overcoming Challenges in Self-Managed Renovations
Self-managing a house renovation without a project manager can present significant challenges. These include a significant time investment, dealing with safety risks, managing unexpected delays or hidden issues like mold or structural problems, budgeting accurately to avoid financial stress, and handling the chaos of living through renovation with clutter and debris.
To address these challenges, Mike and Jane set a realistic budget with detailed estimates plus a 10-20% contingency for surprises such as permits, inspections, or structural fixes. They planned and managed space efficiently to minimize clutter and disruption in their living environment, which also improved safety and workflow for workers.
Preparing for time investment and communication demands was also crucial. Mike and Jane were responsible for scheduling, sourcing materials, and coordinating with contractors or suppliers. Anticipating safety risks was another important factor, with the couple ensuring they understood and mitigated hazards related to electricity, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials.
Arranging for waste management was also key. The couple rented roll-off dumpsters and secure storage to keep the site clean and organized, preventing delays and accidents. Being ready for unexpected structural or system issues was also important, with the couple thoroughly inspecting early and staying flexible to adjust plans and budgets as necessary.
The Result: A Contemporary Dream Home
The resulting house renovation is unrecognizable from the small, pitch-roofed building that previously inhabited the site. The house design features a sleek exterior of white render and timber cladding, with steel and timber frame extensions constructed around the existing building.
The rear of the house features extensive glazing, allowing for indoor-outdoor living, which was high on the couple's wishlist. The rear of the house can be fully opened up to the adjoining patio, and corner sliding doors are a key feature of the new space.
The redesigned property features a spacious kitchen diner with high ceilings and a curved kitchen island as a unique design feature. A dedicated boot room is a practical addition to the floorplan, while the games room, featuring triple bunk beds that the couple made themselves, provides a fun and versatile space.
A standout feature of the property is the wine storage, another of the couple's own designs. The hallway is formed from parts of the original house, maintaining a connection to the past while providing a modern and functional space.
The roof was finished with a rubber membrane, adding to the contemporary feel of the house. The big draw for Mike and Jane was the woodland garden, which backs onto a golf course and is an incredibly secluded and peaceful setting.
In essence, careful upfront planning, disciplined organization, realistic budgeting, and proactive space and waste management are essential to successfully self-manage a renovation project without a project manager. The result is a stunning contemporary home that perfectly suits Mike and Jane's lifestyle and tastes.
- Despite the original cottage being small, dark, and cramped, Mike and Jane transformed it into a contemporary dream home through careful planning, disciplined organization, and proactive management.
- To address challenges in self-managed renovations, Mike and Jane set a realistic budget with detailed estimates, planned and managed space efficiently, and anticipating safety risks.
- The house design features a sleek exterior of white render and timber cladding, with steel and timber frame extensions constructed around the existing building.
- The rear of the house features extensive glazing, allowing for indoor-outdoor living, and corner sliding doors are a key feature of the new space.
- The redesigned property features a spacious kitchen diner with high ceilings and a curved kitchen island, a dedicated boot room, and a games room with triple bunk beds that the couple made themselves.
- A standout feature of the property is the wine storage, another of the couple's own designs, formed from parts of the original house.
- The roof was finished with a rubber membrane, adding to the contemporary feel of the house, and the big draw for Mike and Jane was the woodland garden that backs onto a golf course.
- To avoid financial stress, the couple budgeted accurately, including a 10-20% contingency for surprises such as permits, inspections, or structural fixes, and arranging for waste management was also key in the successful renovation project.
