Charming transformations

It's the time of the year when we are full of enthusiasm, with a fresh page before us just waiting to be written on. Its a time to tackle new projects and turn our visions into reality. So I thought it fitting to show you two fabulous renovations, two of my absolute favourites that really inspire me.

First up we have a 1914 Federation house, in a beautiful heritage listed suburb of Melbourne. This house had been lived in by an elderly couple for more than 50 years, and as you can see, the house's needs obviously got too much for them. It was so painfully in need of some tender loving care. Such a sad state of affairs. The house leaned to one side, all the timber fretwork on the porch was rotted and the corrugated iron roof badly needed replacing.





Take a look at this baby now! Lovingly brought back to its former glory, painted a gorgeous clotted cream colour with white trim. Beautiful classic landscaping was added.

The back of the house was extended to add a new open plan kitchen and living area, with three sets of french doors opening on to a newly landscaped courtyard.

Here's another tired, sad little home. The owners, in their inexplicable wisdom, had covered up the charming weatherboards of this single fronted cottage with horrid brick cladding and a dreaded aluminium window, stripping this heritage home of all its charm. Sad, sad, sad. I bet many potential buyers ran away screaming....

.....But not Tina Buchanan. Tina (who had tackled 15 previous renovations) had the vision to see what this house could become. Take a look at this beauty now...

I am in love! This home deservedly won Australian Home Beautiful's home of the year competition in 2001.

I feel totally inspired by people who have the vision to see the potential in the old and unloved, and the bravery and tenacity to make it happen.

The lovely thing about Australia is that all the cities and older towns have many charming, single fronted cottages like this. They are usually in old, leafy suburbs oh-so-close to the city, so they are right by great shops and cafes. If I win the lottery any time soon, I'd being buying a lovely little single fronted cottage like either of the above homes for me and my son. I'd even be prepared to buy the ugliest and see what I could do with it! Time to buy a lottery ticket....

All images Australian Home Beautiful