Shop 3,160-162 Balgownie Road Balgownie, NSW, 2519
Home owners Rob and Robyn have had their five bedroom home on the market for twelve years - a Selling Houses Australia record they're not so proud to own. To add to the record, not a single person has even put in an offer in this time. In fact, 250 other homes have sold in Penola since Rob and Robyn put theirs on the market.
The home, situated on 1,033 square metres, is located in the small country town of Penola, a five minute drive from the South Australian Coonawarra wine region, just four hours from Adelaide and Melbourne, and less than 200 steps to the local pub.
Yet despite having solid bones, lovely high ceilings, and a great layout, the home's interiors were tired, bland and mismatched. The outside was similarly uninviting and lacking in appeal, with a run-down and non-compliant terrace area that was more like a bus stop than a shady garden retreat.
With Rob facing some health issues, the couple were particularly keen to sell and start the next phase of their new life, and called the Selling Houses Australia team in for help.
Having spent $250,000 on an extension to the home some years prior, Rob and Robyn were keen to recoup their investment with an asking price of $325,000, and contributed $15,000 towards the makeover.
One of the biggest drawbacks of this home was its lack of street appeal and the absence of a usable garden - a key priority for young families. A significant portion of the renovation budget was therefore dedicated to the exterior of the home.
In the front, the team removed the fence which previously framed the grassed area but obscured the entry, trimmed the front hedge and tidied the garden, tiled the front porch, and painted the roof in more contemporary blue tones.
They also installed striped Luxaflex® System 2000 Awnings in Canvas fabric and in Mercury colour, which add a sense of style to the exterior, but also provide all-important UV and sun protection for the front rooms. These awnings can be operated from inside the house by gear, tape or rope, or they can be motorised with Luxaflex's home automation systems.
In the rear, the non-compliant rear shelter and screen were removed, and the garden completely opened up - with a new grassed area and gravel drive. Plants, pots and collectibles from the existing property were also re-used to give the space character and style, without requiring additional budget.
This inviting space at the front of the home was also given a contemporary makeover, with new floating floorboards, paint and furnishings.
Luxaflex® Duette® Shades in Elan fabric and Linen colour were used on the windows, to soften the flow of light, regulate the interior temperature of the room, and ensure privacy. These shades were then overlaid with Luxaflex® Curtains in Chloe fabric and in Mist colour. The pairing of the blinds and curtains adds a sense of depth and luxury to the space.
All of the home's bedrooms were also transformed into peaceful sanctuaries with new durable carpet, fresh paint on the walls, and more contemporary furnishings and bed linen.
The master bedroom was updated with the same combination of Luxaflex® Duette® Shades that was used in the main living area - adding a sense of consistency to the overall style of the home. This room also received some new built-in wardrobes - another feature that's highly sought-after by potential buyers.
In the second bedroom, a Luxaflex® Roller Blind was used in Calypso fabric and in Cockatoo colour. This highly durable and easy to use blind is a great option for kids' bedrooms.
Blockout opacity was chosen for the shades and the roller blind, to ensure these rooms could be made as dark as possible. Importantly, all of these options are easy to care for and clean - a priority for potential home owners.
The kitchen was highly functional and had beautiful limestone walls, but looked a bit dated. The team gave this space a much-needed facelift by replacing the cabinetry and making some amendments to the layout, while re-using Rob and Robyn's existing appliances.
They also installed some hard-wearing hybrid flooring - and carried this through the rest of the home, including in the bathrooms.
On the windows, they added Luxaflex® Duette® Shades in Elan Fabric and in Linen colour. As well as adding a sophisticated look, these highly innovative blinds capture air in their unique honeycomb pockets, helping regulate the temperature in the room.
The informal living/dining space was also completely transformed into a family-friendly sanctuary, with new paint, flooring, furnishings and window coverings.
Luxaflex® Silhouette® Shadings in Originale fabric and Linen Flirt colour softly filter the light flowing into the space, and add a sense of sophistication and luxury.
After a very successful open house once the renovation was complete, Rob and Robyn sold within just one week, for an incredible $360,000.
If you're interested in finding out more about the window coverings used in this renovation,
