This exterior renovation project didn’t begin from scratch.
The clients had already worked closely with a building designer and had invested a lot of time getting the internal layout right. And it showed – the bones of the home were solid.
But the exterior? It just wasn’t landing for them.
They knew it wasn’t quite what they wanted, but couldn’t clearly articulate why. So while the house worked, it didn’t yet feel like them.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
Finding the Style
Before jumping into the exterior renovation design with this client, we slowed things down.
I asked a lot of questions – about what they were drawn to, what they didn’t like, how they wanted the home to feel. From there, they created a Pinterest board.
That’s where things clicked.
A clear direction started to emerge:
- Strong, modern forms
- A darker, more grounded palette
- The warmth of timber to balance it
- Texture through stone
- A home that felt bold, but still inviting
The Challenge
The challenge here wasn’t to redesign everything – it was to work with what was already there and elevate it.
Key constraints included:
- Much of the roofline needed to remain (with only subtle tweaks)
- Existing white windows were to be retained
- Gates and screening elements to the side of the garage needed to stay
- An existing poolside pavilion the clients initially wanted to keep
And then there was the biggest challenge of all:
👉 Bringing all of this together into a cohesive, resolved facade.
The Design Approach
This was about introducing a clear, confident design direction – and then applying it consistently across every element.
A Stronger Architectural Identity
The updated facade leans into a darker, more contemporary palette:
- Black and charcoal tones ground the home
- Vertical light grey cladding adds contrast and height
- Timber introduces warmth and softness
- Feature stone creates texture and a focal point
Rather than competing, each material now has a clear role.
The Garage & Street Presence
The clients were clear on one thing:
👉 They wanted the garage to be bold.
We leaned into this with an all-black garage door, allowing it to become part of the overall composition rather than something to disguise.
Paired with the darker palette, it helps anchor the entire facade.
Making the Hard Call
The clients originally wanted to keep the existing poolside pavilion.
But sometimes, part of my role is to say:
👉 “This isn’t going to work.”
It didn’t align with the new direction, and keeping it would have diluted the overall result.
So we redesigned it.
The new pavilion now complements the home – rather than feeling like it really didn’t fit.
Bringing It All Together
What makes this project work isn’t any one element – it’s how everything connects.
- Materials are repeated and balanced
- Colours are intentional and restrained
- Forms are simplified and strengthened
- Old and new elements are unified
The Outcome
The final design feels bold, cohesive and completely resolved.
- The exterior now reflects the quality of the interior
- The home has a strong, confident street presence
- Every element feels considered – not accidental
- And most importantly, it feels like them
A Final Thought
This exterior renovation project is a great reminder:
You don’t always need to start again.
Sometimes, the house is already doing a lot right.
It just needs someone to step in, clarify the direction, and pull it all together.
If you’re working with plans that feel “almost there” but not quite right, that’s exactly where I come in.
Send through your plans or photos, and let’s see what’s possible… 📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Jane https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
This project began in a place I see quite often.
The clients had already engaged an architect and had a full set of plans. The internal layout worked beautifully. The functionality was there. But when it came to the facade… something didn’t quite sit right.
They couldn’t put their finger on it – but they knew it wasn’t finished.
That’s when they reached out to bring us in.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
They were actually very clear on what they liked:
- A refined palette of materials (including light brick and off-form concrete tones)
- Bronze anodised window frames
- A flush panel garage door with a vertical timber look
- A secure, gated frontage with a distinctive entry experience
- A modern, slightly desert-inspired landscape
But what they didn’t have was a way to pull it all together into a cohesive, resolved design – or the ability to clearly visualise the outcome beyond CAD drawings.
The Challenge
The existing facade concept had good intentions, but it lacked hierarchy and resolution.
There were a few key issues:
- Too many competing curved elements, without restraint
- Planter boxes that were oversized (1.5m deep) and structurally heavy
- Windows that stopped short of the ceiling, disrupting the vertical proportions
- Non-compliant balustrade design – an important safety concern given the clients have young children
- A gatehouse that didn’t feel considered or unique within the streetscape
- A general lack of flow between the street entry, the home, and the interior experience
The result? A design that felt close, but not quite what they were after.
The Design Approach
My role here wasn’t to redesign the home – it was to refine, edit and elevate what was already there.
To take a good foundation and turn it into something that felt intentional, balanced, and complete.
Creating a Clear Hierarchy
One of the biggest shifts was introducing a stronger sense of visual hierarchy.
The focus was deliberately placed on the ground and middle levels, where the interaction with the street happens. These levels now carry the weight of the design – through materiality, detailing and structure.
The upper level was simplified. Still interesting, but intentionally quieter. It supports the design rather than competing with it.
Refining the Material Palette
The clients already had excellent instincts with materials.
My job was to edit and balance, not add more.
- Light brick and off-form concrete tones create a soft, architectural base (as outlined in the material schedule )
- Bronze anodised joinery adds depth and warmth
- Vertical timber elements introduce rhythm and contrast
Rather than overcomplicating the palette, the focus was on repetition and placement, ensuring each material had a purpose.
Reworking Key Architectural Elements
Windows
The windows were redesigned to extend fully to the ceiling line. This simple move dramatically improved the proportions and brought a more architectural feel to the facade.
Planter Boxes
The original 1.5m deep concrete planters were reduced to approximately 700mm deep.
This achieved three things:
- Reduced structural complexity
- Lightened the visual weight
- Maintained the design intent without overbuilding
Balustrades
A compliant, integrated balustrade solution was introduced—designed to feel seamless rather than added on. This was especially important for safety, without compromising aesthetics.
The Gatehouse & Entry Experience
This was a key moment in the project.
The clients wanted a gatehouse, but not one that felt like a repeat of others in the street.
The solution was to create a layered entry sequence:
- A defined gatehouse with strong vertical detailing
- A controlled, secure frontage with integrated access
- A clear visual and physical transition from street → entry → home
This creates not just security but a sense of arrival.
Introducing Restraint with Curves
The original design leaned quite heavily into curves.
Rather than removing them completely, I refined and reduced their use keeping them where they added softness and contrast, but eliminating where they created noise.
The result is a more sophisticated balance between:
- Linear structure
- Subtle curvature
Privacy Without Compromise
A standout moment in the design is the curved screen to the pantry window.
This solved a practical issue; privacy to a street-facing space, while becoming a feature element in its own right.
It’s a good example of where function and design meet seamlessly.
A Cohesive Journey
One of the client’s key goals was flow – from the gatehouse, through the entry, and into the home.
Every decision was made with this in mind.
Materials, lines, and forms are repeated and aligned so that the experience feels connected – not disjointed.
The Outcome
The final design feels calm, confident and resolved.
It takes everything the client already loved – the materials, the palette, the overall direction… and brings it together into something that feels intentional and complete.
Most importantly:
- The facade now reflects the quality of the home internally
- The design is buildable, practical and considered
- The clients can clearly visualise the outcome through detailed colour illustration
- And the home has a strong, distinctive presence in the street
A Final Note
This project is a perfect example of something I see often:
You don’t always need to start again.
Sometimes, the right move is to refine what’s already there – to bring clarity, balance and direction to a design that just needs resolving.
If you’re building a new home or considering a facade renovation and want to make sure you get it right first time, start with a design plan from Hotspace.
Send me some photos via email or the link below and I’ll be in touch… 📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Jane https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
If you built a project home 10–20 years ago, it probably served you beautifully. It was practical. Sensible. Within budget. It allowed you to live in the area you love.
But now? You’ve grown. Your success has grown. Your equity has grown.
And your home… hasn’t.
The good news is that you don’t need to knock it down to create something remarkable.
You just need to redesign it properly.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
Step 1: Fix the Proportions (Before You Touch Colour)
Prestige isn’t about stone. It’s not about render. And it’s definitely not about picking a “luxury” colour palette.
Prestige comes from proportion.
Most project homes feel underwhelming because:
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The garage dominates the facade
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The entry lacks hierarchy
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The roofline feels heavy
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The house looks wide but not grounded
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Windows aren’t aligned with intention
No amount of beautiful finishes will fix structural imbalance. When the proportions feel resolved, everything else falls into place.
This is why I always design structure first, materials second.
Step 2: Create Entry Hierarchy
If someone can’t immediately tell where your front door is, your facade lacks hierarchy. A well-designed entry creates presence. It creates arrival. And it makes the house feel intentional.
Prestige homes always have:
A shallow porch with two posts isn’t hierarchy.
It’s compliance.
Step 3: Add Depth and Shadow
Flat facades feel budget. On the other hand, prestige homes have:
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Layering
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Recesses
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Projections
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Defined framing
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Shadow lines
Shadow is what makes architecture feel expensive. Sounds weird but it’s true.
When light hits depth correctly, it creates richness. Without depth, everything feels two-dimensional.
This is where many renovations fail – they add materials without adding architectural layering.
Prestige is not about adding more.
It’s about adding intention.
Step 4: Use Materials With Restraint
Luxury is rarely loud.
The most elevated homes use a limited, cohesive palette. Throwing stone cladding, timber battens, render, cladding and feature panels all on one facade doesn’t create prestige. It creates confusion.
Refinement is restraint – and that’s what we do to create a high end look.
Step 5: Anchor It With Landscaping
You cannot create a prestige property without addressing the front yard.
True high-end homes integrate structured planting, defined driveway edges, symmetry or easthetic balance and feature lighting
Architecture and landscape should feel like one composition – not two separate projects.
The Real Shift
Turning a project home into a prestige property isn’t about pretending it’s something it’s not.
It’s about elevating what’s already there.
Your home once reflected what you could afford. Now it can reflect who you are.
And when you pull into your driveway and feel that quiet sense of pride – not because it’s flashy, but because it feels resolved, that’s when you know it’s been designed properly.
If you’re considering a facade renovation and don’t want to waste money on cosmetic upgrades that miss the bigger picture, start with a design plan from Hotspace.
Send me some photos via email or the link below and I’ll be in touch… 📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Jane https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
A coastal home renovation should make your house feel intentionally calm and cohesive, usually with the use of naturally warm colours and textures.
Too many coastal-style renovations end up looking busy – all-blue (see below!), layered cladding, mixed materials, strong contrasts and added features that compete rather than complement.
If you’re planning a coastal home renovation, here’s what actually makes it work.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
1. Start With Proportion Before You Choose Finishes
Most homeowners jump straight to colours and materials. But if the lines of your home feel awkward or heavy, no amount of beautiful cladding will fix that.
Before selecting products, ask:
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Are vertical and horizontal lines balanced?
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Does one level visually dominate another?
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Do balcony edges align cleanly?
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Is there unnecessary visual clutter?
A successful coastal home renovation feels calm because the structure feels resolved first.
2. Keep the Colour Palette Warm – Not Stark
Coastal doesn’t mean bright white and high contrast. In fact, overly crisp whites and dark trims can make a facade feel harsh and busy.
Instead, aim for:
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Soft, warm whites
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Muted sandy tones
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Natural timber finishes
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Subtle stone textures
Warmth creates sophistication. Stark contrast creates noise.
When renovating a coastal home, think sun-faded and grounded – not sharp and shiny.
3. Limit Your Materials
One of the biggest mistakes in a coastal home renovation is using too many feature materials. Coastal style is built on simplicity.
A good rule of thumb:
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One dominant material
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One secondary texture
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One accent
That’s it.
Layering beyond that often reduces cohesion rather than increasing interest.
4. Integrate Shade and Screening Into the Design
Coastal homes need sun protection – but it should look intentional.
If blinds, shutters or screens feel like they were added later, the whole facade can lose refinement.
When planning your coastal home renovation, ensure:
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Screening aligns with architectural lines
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Colours match or complement the main palette
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Shade elements look built-in, not attached
Good coastal design hides practicality inside elegance.
5. Think About How It Feels – Not Just How It Looks
A calm coastal home should feel:
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Balanced
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Light
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Grounded
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Uncomplicated
If your renovation plan feels layered, fussy or overly detailed, it may be drifting away from coastal refinement.
Often, the most successful coastal home renovations come from editing, removing unnecessary elements rather than adding more.
Refinement is the real upgrade!
A coastal home renovation isn’t about recreating a beach shack or copying a Pinterest board. It’s about creating a cohesive exterior that feels warm, settled and intentionally designed.
When proportion is resolved, materials are restrained and colours are naturally warm, the result isn’t just coastal, it’s refined.
If you’re planning an exterior renovation and want a clear, expert approach – not guesswork – send me some photos via email or the link below…. 📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Jane https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
When people contact me about a renovation, they often lead with the same question: “What house colours should we choose?”
And this is where I see the biggest mistake being made. Many homeowners believe that picking new colours is enough to transform their home. That a fresh palette alone will do the heavy lifting.
In reality, colour on its own rarely delivers a true transformation – especially during a renovation.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
House colours aren’t the starting point
In my work, colours are almost never the first decision I make.
They’re usually the fourth or fifth.
Before I even think about colour, I’m looking at things like:
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the overall proportions of the home
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rooflines and how the house is visually grounded
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the entry and whether it feels clear and intentional
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the balance between old and new elements
Only once those decisions are resolved does colour come into play, because by then, it has a job to do.
Why choosing house colours first often disappoints
When your colours are chosen too early, they’re expected to fix problems they simply can’t.
Colour can’t correct poor hierarchy.
It can’t resolve awkward proportions.
And it can’t make a renovation feel cohesive if the design underneath isn’t there.
This is why I so often see homes that have been freshly painted – yet still feel unfinished or underwhelming.
Where colour actually makes the difference
When house colours are selected at the right stage of a renovation, they become incredibly powerful.
They can reinforce proportions that already work. They visually connect new additions to the existing home. And they create depth, calm and balance across the facade.
The takeaway
House colours are essential – but they’re not the magic wand many people hope they are.
If you’re renovating and want a result that genuinely feels transformed, colour needs to support the design, not lead it.
In the right order, and in the right hands, house colours don’t just change a home – they complete it.
If you’re planning an exterior renovation and want a clear, considered approach – not guesswork – get in touch via email or the link below…. 📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Jane https://hotspaceconsultants.com/contact-us/
If you’re considering a carport extension, you might think you’re solving just one problem. More cover, more storage, and somewhere better to park the car.
But in my experience, adding a carport, garage or extension is often the moment everything else finally clicks. It becomes the catalyst to re-thinking your entire exterior.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
Why a Carport Extension Changes Everything
A carport or garage isn’t a small add-on. It’s a large, highly visible element that instantly affects the balance, proportions and style of your home. Once it’s added, the rest of the facade either works with it or fights against it.
This is where many renovations fall apart.
Out and about, I regularly see carport designs that are well intentioned but completely out of sync with the home they’re attached to. The carport is new, yet the facade around it hasn’t been updated. Or the style of the carport is a mismatch that makes the house feel unfinished.
Treat your carport extension as the starting point for the overall exterior, and the transformation becomes far more cohesive.
How to make your Carport or Garage the Design Anchor (and why it’s important)
When I design house facades (with a new carport/garage etc), I’ll often use the carport or garage as the visual anchor for the whole home. It allows you to reset the exterior language and then flow that logic across the facade.
This might include:
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Updating materials so the carport feels intentional, not tacked on
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Aligning rooflines and fascia details
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Introducing new textures that repeat across the home
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Reworking the front entry so it feels connected and welcoming
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Using the extension to improve scale and street presence
Suddenly, the house reads as one cohesive design rather than a series of past decisions.
Carport Extension Ideas That Go Beyond Parking
A well-designed carport or garage extension can do far more than just shelter a car. It can create a stronger sense of arrival at the front of the home, add architectural weight and presence, and improve privacy from the street.
When thoughtfully designed, it can also allow for concealed storage or services, set the tone for a more modern or elevated aesthetic, and increase the perceived value of the home before you even step inside.
That’s why I always encourage clients to think bigger than just the structure itself.
What to Consider Before You Build
Before locking anything in, ask yourself:
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Does this carport or garage match the style the house wants to be?
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Will the materials work with the rest of the facade?
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Should this be the moment the exterior gets fully refreshed?
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How will this extension change the way the home is seen from the street?
These questions are going to save you time, money and regret, down the track!
Why This Approach Works So Well
When a carport extension is designed as part of a broader exterior strategy, the result is a home that looks genuinely updated rather than partially renovated. The facade has better visual balance and stronger street appeal, the renovation feels considered rather than reactive, and decisions around materials and colour feel far more confident. Most importantly, the end result actually feels worth the investment. This is where good exterior design earns its keep!
If you’re going to do it, do it properly and let your carport be the beginning, not the end!
Thinking of an exterior upgrade? Email me photos of your house and I’ll see if I can help… 📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Jane https://hotspaceconsultants.com/contact-us/
