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Knockdown or renovate? Expert tips to help you decide

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Whether your family has grown in size, or your house is looking a little tired, you might be weighing up the pros and cons of renovating versus demolishing and starting afresh. Itโ€™s a quandary that Melbourne architect Anna Dutton, of Bower Architecture, sees all the time and she’d like to help our readers put some clarity around the issue.

โ€œThis week I chatted to some really lovely potential clients who had mid-century houses, and they were struggling with whether they should renovate or create a new home. It’s a question we get so often that I thought it might be worthwhile to share our thoughts with anyone else who is facing the same challenge,โ€ says Anna.

Bower
This Bower Architecture new build sits atop a demolition site

While renovating can produce a great result from a design, sustainability and cost perspective, Anna stresses that a home must pass a simple three question test to figure out if itโ€™s worthy of demolition or an overhaul.

Is your home structurally sound?
Is the house or building in good structural condition? Answer with a โ€˜yesโ€™ if it feels solidly built and there are no large cracks appearing, no springy squeaky floors, no damp on the walls (or on your nose!) and if the walls and floors are straight or level. 

Are you happy with your home’s room sizes?
Are the majority of the rooms a good size to be re-used? Answer โ€˜yesโ€™ to this one if you could imagine re-purposing most of the spaces with a continued or new use. For example, in an existing house, are the bedrooms a size that you are happy with keeping? Are bathroom spaces large enough to be re-used?

Bower Architecture new build
The owners of this home decided to start afresh because the old one had small room sizes

Does your home have good bones?
Finally, does the house or building have some architectural character and do you actually like it? It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece but if it has something interesting to you, and some charm, answer โ€˜yesโ€™ to this question.

The old home on this site was poorly oriented. A new build remedied this.
The old home on this site was poorly oriented – the new build remedied this.

โ€œFor the house or building to be an ideal candidate for a renovation, you need to have answered โ€˜yesโ€™ to all three of these questions. If you have answered yes to only two you could have a renovator on your hands, but it may be similar in cost to a rebuild. If it is a โ€˜noโ€™ to all, a new project will probably be your best option financially,โ€ says Anna.

And while we love a one-size-fits-all approach (I mean, who doesnโ€™t want this issue resolved in three simple steps?), there is one factor that completely nullifies the above. And that is a matter of the heart โ€“ are you emotionally attached to your existing home? Has your home been in the family for years or has it been the backdrop to many amazing memories? โ€œIf this is the case a renovation is the only way forward even if you have answered โ€˜noโ€™ to all of the questions above.โ€

Architecture & interior design: Bower Architecture | Photographer: Shannon McGrath | Shoot stylist: Ruth Welsby | Builder: Macasar | โ€‹Furniture, decorating and artwork selections: Tara Wood | โ€‹Window coverings by Nicole Bell Design

For more

How to budget your next kitchen renovation
The kitchen is arguably one of the most important rooms in the home. Itโ€™s where you feed your family and entertain your guests, and itโ€™s usually in a central location.…

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May 20, 2021

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New @kmartaus home has dropped! Hit up the link i New @kmartaus home has dropped!

Hit up the link in bio for more and links to buy. Enjoy!

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Take a scroll through the stunning new art on line Take a scroll through the stunning new art on linen collab from @grottilotti and @linen_house We love it! โค๏ธ

And even if you're not in the market for new linen, the bird cushions would look fab on a sofa. The pink one might be finding its way to my house...

More info on the homepage now via link in bio.

#grottilotti #artistcollaboration #australianartist #australianart #australianartists #bedlinen #linenhouse #boldbedroom #colourfulbedroom #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #bedroomrefresh #bedroomgoals๐Ÿ˜ #linenaddict  #cockatoos #australianbirdsofinstagram
I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scal I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scallop design and colour pop of these lampshades from new brand @soffle_lights 

Read founder Sophie Cartwright's top tips for transforming your rental home on the blog now. Via link in bio.

Which colour is your fave?!

#lampshademaker #lampshadedesign #lampshademaking #floorlamps #lampshades #scalloped #sofflelights #lightingdecor #rentaldecor #rentalhome #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

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๐Ÿ“ท@the.palm.co
Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

#kidsroomstyling #kidswallpaper #playmats #feedingchair #nursingchair #nurseryroomdecor #washablerugs #washablerug #bouclechair #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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