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Real reno: the $9,000 budget transformation by one very determined woman

By Olivia Shead โ€ข Leave a Comment

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Making a net profit of $20,000 in just six weeks is no mean feat, but it isย one thatย Kylie Nolan achieved when she undertook her first renovation for profit.

Before - Kitchen
Before – Kitchen
After - Kitchen
After – Kitchen

Buying her two bed, one bath Queensland duplex for $215,000 in May 2014 (and selling that September for $265,000), she took the two month settlement period to get her plans in order, buyย all theย fittings and fixtures and organise trades. And while she admits she was raringย to go, her detailed prep time saw Kylieย manage to spend justย $9,000!

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room
After - Living Room
After – Living Room

“I was on a tight budget so I was careful to keep existing fixtures that were okayย like the carpet, the wall tiles in the bathroom and the shower cubicle,” explains Kylie. “However, the kitchen had to go and was replaced with a new IKEA white gloss design forย $1200.ย I then bought a packaged appliance special at ALDI for $1000 which included the oven, cook top, dishwasher and range hood. I had to line up at ALDI before they opened to get one before they sold out!” Other ways Kylie saved money wasย by doing a lot of the work herself — such as painting the whole home, grouting the tiles and evenย laying the floors — as well as getting the help of a bargain handyman.

Before - Kitchen/Living
Before – Kitchen/Living
After - Kitchen/Living
After – Kitchen/Living

With theย previous owner having crammed belongings into every corner of the property, Kylie’s aim was to open up the cluttered space. To create aย light and brightย home, Kylieย got rid of theย kitchen island that cut the kitchen/living roomย in half and gaveย the high rake ceilings a fresh makeover; though the latter was no easy job! “The raked ceilings were an issue as I wasnโ€™t sure what to do with them; but I knew they had to be changed as they were so dark and dated. I had called painters to work out a way to paint the gloss wood, but they all said to sand it back, prime and paint, but I couldnโ€™t do that on my own, it would just take too long. I didnโ€™t have the budget to plaster them, so I just googled how to paint gloss wood and found the productย Zinsser B.I.N Primer at Bunnings.ย I’m really happy with how they turned out and Iย think they are a great feature of the duplex.”

Before - Bathroom
Before – Bathroom
After - Bathroom
After – Bathroom

Clearly not afraid to getย on the tools, Kylie’sย biggest hurdleย was surprisinglyย no DIY challenge, but rather getting people to take her seriously. “I had a few tradies and guys at some trade shops laugh at me because I was a single female with no real experience doing renovations on my own โ€“ but I guess I’ve had the last laugh! It was a massive learning experience and has given me much more confidence in my ability.”

Before - Guest Bedroom
Before – Guest Bedroom
After - Guest Bedroom
After – Guest Bedroom

Already onto her second renovation, Kylie has well and truly caughtย the renovation bug. So she is the perfect person toย goย to for advice: “When renovating for profit education is key. The saying: ‘You make your money when you buy a property,’ is really true. You just have to know which property can make you money, the renovation is the easy bit! Go to seminars on renovating by renovation experts, read books and watch the real estate market in your area. Don’t let fear stop you. You can do it!”

For more Real Renos.

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June 25, 2015

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There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We f There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We finally knocked out our 60s brown tile back step and replaced it with a smaller grey one made from @trexcompany Island Mist decking to match our deck (that went in 4.5 years ago) and now painted brick exterior. Making the step smaller allowed us to add in an additional manhole under the back door too to allow easier access under the house at the back. And we made a cover for that too (final slide) using Trex. I say "we" but I really mean our handyman ๐Ÿ˜‰ One plank was enough for both jobs. Why we didn't do this ages ago I do not know but it's done now! ๐Ÿ˜ Installed with @trexrainescape to ensure it stays dry and lasts!

Disclosure: Plank of Trex decking was gifted. I paid for the handyman.

#backstep #doorstep #deck #decking #deckdesign #deckideas #compositedecking #trex #trexdecking #greydecking

Mat from @doormatau
Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

#fantasticfurniture #aussiemade #australianfurniture #FindyourFantastic #FantasticFamily #affordablehomewares #affordablefurniture #custommadesofa #custommadelounges #australianhomes #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmettโ€™s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see and read more!

#bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #bunkbeds #bespokebunkbeds #custommadebunkbeds #sharedbedroom #sharedbedroomforkids #boysroominspo #boysroomdecor #junglebedroom #kidsroomstyle #kidsroomstyling #childrensrooms #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #brittwhitestudio #highriseliving #apartmentlifestyle #penthouses #apartmentlivingwithkids #newsteadbrisbane 

Pix by @joebrosnan.photo
Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed ๐Ÿฅฐ
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Comments

  1. Avatarlynette says

    June 25, 2015 at 11:25 am

    Well done and great spotting a nice unit that was previously crammed with someone else’s stuff – visions fix everything. Also about the Zinsser B.I.N Primer – used it myself on similar renovation project and it is the best ever primer for covering the most tacky oil based lacquered timber and it ensures no bleeding into the white paint you put over the top of it. Like you I researched it myself.

    Reply
  2. AvatarSuzanne Commerford says

    July 3, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    I hear you Kylie.

    Using tools, tackling a tiling job with no past experience all paled in comparison with my personal challenge to get over the need to be liked and to be assertive instead.

    I thought I’d write blog posts on how to do a renovation but instead I wrote about assertiveness!

    Post the results of your second reno soon!

    Reply
  3. AvatarMelinda says

    July 4, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    I love your work Kylie! You go girl.
    Thanks for the primer paint tip -saving that in Evernote for later.
    Bunnings is our go to shop too for renovating, but you gotta know where to find the cheap solutions. I really wanted a timber bench top with waterfall edges to our island bench (this is when the bench top runs down the either side of island bench). So if you head to their kitchen range they have timber oak tops for $450sqm -way too expensive for our budget. Head to the trade section and look around I found timber sheets 2100 x600d for $60 a piece on sale. There’s more mucking around because of joning the pieces together but a good carpenter should be able to do this for you. Luckily I’m married to one.
    Can’t wait to get more idea’s from your next Reno Kylie.
    Melinda xx

    Reply
    • AvatarKylie Nolan says

      July 17, 2015 at 10:13 am

      Melinda that is such a great tip! Thankyou! I will remember that for next time for sure! xx

      Reply
  4. AvatarDamian Borger says

    July 17, 2015 at 11:07 am

    Congratulations to Kylie on a brilliant renovation. I was fortunate enough to meet Kylie in my role as the real estate agent acting for the seller of this unit. I could tell from my first inspection with Kylie that she had a clear vision for the unit and was super-organised in her plan to execute it for a quick turnaround. Amazing result for someone so new to renovating…well done!

    Reply
  5. AvatarMardi says

    July 19, 2015 at 10:05 am

    Fantastic Reno Kylie,

    Hubby and I are looking at trading in our current work to start to do renos for profit.

    I have been to a couple of seminars and now completing an online course. I was wondering if you could recommend what you found best in this area? Some seem to be very $$

    TIA

    Mardi

    Reply
    • AvatarBelinda Smith says

      July 21, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      Hi Mardi,
      It is absolutely possible to earn a living doing renovations and you have sensibly completed some education around that. Please don’t quit your jobs to begin.
      Unless you have enough cash to complete the property purchase and renovation, you will have to borrow from the bank. They will look at your ability to service the loans on what you earn, not what you think you will make when the renovation is complete, until you have done enough of them successfully, to establish a solid relationship with your lender.

      Reply
    • AvatarKylie says

      November 13, 2015 at 10:47 am

      Hi Mardi, well done on educating yourself on how to get into the renovating for profit business! There are a number of courses available and I would recommend shopping around, see what trade discounts are included in the course and if they offer continued support after the course is completed. The hardest part of the renovating for profit process is finding the right property that has the potential to make a profit. T

      Reply
  6. AvatarMegan says

    July 31, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    Hi, Could you please tell me where you bought the sofa in the living room.
    Thanks Megan

    Reply
    • AvatarKylie says

      November 13, 2015 at 10:35 am

      Hi! I bought the sofa from Ikea, it’s modular so I can add on sections later if need be. They come in a range of colours but I wanted something very neutral so I could work around it with any colour combinations when styling/ staging a house ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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