Ghetto Reno #3

Ghetto Reno #3

I was selling this house during the economic downturn, and the realestate agent valued the house at $480,000 before we did the reno..

I only did one structural change in the kitchen, which was to removal the wall in between the lounge and the kitchen, just so we could capitilise on the views of the city. I replaced the wall with a kitchen breakfast bar.

In the house before we renovated, we saved a couple of mirrors that were hanging behind the bedroom doors. We used them horizontally in the lounge to bounce back the view and to add more light. Gave the room a very modern look. The house is only very small, but with these changes, it really did become a roomy well ventilated home.


With some roadside cleanups happening around the area, we did a little bit of snooping around to see what we could find. Just 2 houses up we found some stools for the breakfast bar. I recovered them in white vinyl to match the kitchen and now they look great up against the bar. I think this cost about $5..





Lots of little things make the difference. Here i have added some ceramic budgies to the hanging plants out the front. Things like this give the impression of a much loved home.

You need to add these things around the home to catch the female purchasers eye, as they are normally the ones that make the final decision on which house they end up buying.



The deck was painted a smooth cream colour and hammocks added. I must say that they are very comfy, and it is a great place at night to sit and watch the twinkling city lights.

The lounge and the dining table were bargains on ebay. The full set only set me back $800.






Another roadside find was this little cocktail cupboard. I added a splash of paint (same colour as the feature wall) to a couple of the doors, added some $3 handles, gave it an oil with some lemon and olive oil, and now it has turned into one of my favourite things. Very art deco, but dont worry about the style when you are renovating. Old and new mix well together and also adds a little more character and homelyness.

Add something quaint like the ships decanter on the top to make it look more expensive..






The lounge was the most expensive furniture item we added to the house. It was $799, but well worth it.
There was no other way the lounge could be presented in such a small room.

It does join directly to the dining room, which is also a small room.





Added some dragonflies for a bit of interest and another homely touch.

The kitchen was replaced, but i used the same sink. Kept the kitchen bright with clean white lines, and laminate cupboards to keep the price down. It still looks just as good as an expensive kitchen. Stainless steel appliances were used.

The open shelves gave the room more space and the continuation of the lines of the tiles with the laminate shelves bought it together. I added funky plates, glasses and bowls etc to the shelves..

Wine glasses, coloured glasses and bowls are easy to pick up cheap.. Try some op shops first to see if you can get a collection. Do some footwork, it really is worth it..

Trailing water plants would also look great on the top shelf too.

In the main bedroom, the previous tenants left an old laminate 1970's wardrobe. As i never look a gift horse in the mouth, i decided to give it a paint (the same colours as the walls), some new knobs and some hooks to make it fit in perfectly.

The little "what-not" box above the bed was the plinths from the old kitchen. They are made out of pine, so i gave them a paint, again the same colour as the wall, added some nic nacs, and now it gives the bed the impact of a bed head.

The linen was kept crisp and white with a natural colour bedwrap. The room also had some natural fibre curtains hung to give the room an earthy feel.

The carpet was left over from a previous house that i did, and looks great.






The curtains were put on normal rod pocket rods, and all together cost about $75.

The feel of this room is fantastic. A very calming and earthy feel.












Another "what-not" box was used in the bathroom above the toilet to house some items. Again painted the same colour as the wall, and some op shop finds added and also a couple of leaves from one of the plants in the garden. The leaves last about 3 or 4 weeks in a vase like this. Much better than having to buy bunches of flowers throughout your open houses.

This has got to be one of my favourite things ever. The ebay dresser ($130) is absolutley gorgeous. Silky oak is such a great timber. Dont worry if there are blemishes or cracks in the dressers. They still look great. I add a pretty crystal bowl (op shop) with some lovely smelling potpouri and a lovely little plant to this for a bit of romance..

Another lovely piece of silky oak furniture, the wardrobe was another ebay special $145. Again, with a polish and adding a lovely designer (op shop) dress with crystals to the end of the cupboard, you would never know.

The sheets were kept white and crisp and simple white blanket was added to the bed. The hot pink throw on the bottom brings the room together with the same pink used on the feature wall, pictures and accessories. I really love this room..

This day bed was also from the roadside clean up. The drawers were in good condition, but i didnt use them here. I turned the bed backwards and put a mattress that was being thrown out, on it with another wool throw. The curtains were added to add some whimsyness to the room. With the crystal windows, privacy is not an issue, so end curtains were plenty. Some lovely cushions on the bed give it a luxurious look.

This is a perfect place to read in the afternoon with the breezes blowing in through the window.

Another "what-not" box was added to the end wall, and a vase with orchards and some pretty butterflies make it a lovely piece.

A photo frame with a magazine picture, a little white box for some nicnacs add a lovely feminine touch..

When i walk into this room, i love the feel and the simplicity.

One of my all time favourite rooms....

After the realestate valuing the home at $480,000 before we started. The home now has a contract on it signed for $560,000. Just goes to show, to spend a little really does increase your return.....

Another Ghetto Reno Success!!!