Every so often a project comes along that reminds me why I love this work. Not because the house needed saving, and not because the transformation was dramatic. This facade makeover is the opposite of dramatic, and that’s exactly the point.
When the owners of this two storey home first came to me, their house wasn’t a problem. It was new-ish, well-built, and perfectly liveable. But it looked like a hundred other homes on a hundred other streets. Nothing about the front of the house said anything about who lived inside it.
That’s a familiar starting point for me, and it’s one of my favourite kinds of project to work on.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
The Starting Point
The before photo tells the story clearly enough. A rendered upper level in a flat, cool grey. A stacked stone feature wrapping the entry and garage corner, done in a warm sandstone tone that didn’t quite sit with anything else on the facade. A dark, heavy garage door taking up a huge portion of the street-facing elevation. A simple timber paling fence.
None of it was wrong, exactly. It just wasn’t working together. The colours were fighting each other rather than supporting one another, and the proportions of the stone feature made the entry feel bulky rather than considered.
The owners weren’t after a new house. They loved where they lived, they loved the floor plan, and they had no interest in structural changes, extensions or anything that meant moving out for months. What they wanted was for the outside of their home to finally feel as good as the inside and back yard already did.
That’s a request I hear often! A facade makeover doesn’t need to involve rebuilding anything. It needs someone to look properly at what’s already there and work out what’s holding it back.
The Design Challenges
Working with an existing facade brings a different kind of challenge to working from a blank page. I couldn’t move a window, change a roofline or shift a garage door. Every decision had to work within the footprint that already existed.
The first thing I needed to solve was the stone feature. It was well-built and structurally there to stay, so ripping it out was never on the table, nor was it necessary. My job was to work out how to bring it into balance with everything around it rather than have it dominate the corner of the house.
The second challenge was the upper level. A single flat render finish across such a large surface area gave the whole facade a heaviness that didn’t suit the home’s actual scale. I needed a way to break that surface up and add depth and texture, without adding a single extra square metre of construction.
The garage door was the third piece of the puzzle. On a lot of homes, the garage ends up dominating the street view simply because it’s the largest single element at eye level. I needed a solution that let the garage recede into the background rather than announce itself.
None of these were expensive problems to fix. They were thinking problems. And that’s where a facade design plan earns its place before construction starts, because working through these decisions on paper, tested and detailed properly, is a lot cheaper than working them out on scaffolding.
The Design Decisions
Once I understood what needed solving, the decisions themselves were about restraint rather than addition.
For the upper level, I introduced vertical timber battens in a warm, natural tone. This did two things at once. It broke up that heavy flat render into a more human, textured surface, and it gave the home a contemporary edge without pushing it into a style that would date quickly. Timber battens are forgiving that way. They read as considered rather than trendy.
For the stone, I kept the material, because it was already there and it was a quality product. What I changed was its relationship to everything around it. Softening the surrounding palette to a lighter, warmer white let the stone read as a genuine feature rather than competing for attention against a busy backdrop.
The garage door was repainted in a lighter tone closer to the main render colour, which immediately reduced how much visual weight it carried on the elevation. Paired with the newly painted white fence, the whole lower half of the facade now feels lighter and more welcoming rather than closed off.
A few of the decisions that mattered most in this project:
- Choosing warm timber tones to soften a large expanse of render
- Retaining the existing stone rather than replacing a perfectly good material
- Lightening the garage door colour instead of replacing the door itself
- Selecting a fence style that complements the new palette rather than competing with it
- Making sure every material specified was available locally, suited to our climate, and within a realistic budget
Nothing about this list would surprise anyone once they’ve seen the after photo. That’s exactly why the plan behind it matters. Getting to “obvious in hindsight” takes a lot of testing options that don’t work before you land on the ones that do.
The Outcome
The finished facade doesn’t shout – and it doesn’t need to. What it does is feel considered, calm and complete, in a way the original never quite managed.
Nothing about the layout changed. No walls moved. No windows shifted. What changed was the relationship between colour, material and proportion, and that’s often where the real value in a facade design plan sits. It’s not about how much gets done. It’s about how well it’s thought through before anyone picks up a paintbrush or a batten.
This is also why I always give clients more than a pretty picture. Behind this result sits a full specification, down to the exact products, finishes and quantities needed, so the builder or painter working from it isn’t guessing either. A design that can’t be built accurately isn’t much use to anyone, no matter how good it looks as a render.
Practical Takeaways
If there’s one thing this project shows, it’s that a facade doesn’t need a big budget or a big disruption to feel genuinely different. A few things I’d encourage any homeowner to keep in mind before starting their own renovation:
- Work out what’s actually causing the problem before deciding what to change. Often it’s a relationship between elements, not the elements themselves.
- Keep what’s already good quality. Removing a well-built feature just because it isn’t working yet is rarely the answer.
- Get the specification right before construction starts. It’s far cheaper to test ideas on paper than to test them on your own house.
- Choose materials suited to your climate and available locally. The best-looking finish on Pinterest is no use if it can’t be sourced or maintained properly here.
A facade makeover done properly should look simple once it’s finished. That simplicity is the result of a lot of decisions made carefully, not a lack of thought.
If your home feels a bit like this one did – solid, liveable, but not quite saying anything about who lives there, it might not need nearly as much change as you’d expect. I’d love to talk it through with you. Book a complimentary consultation (link below) and let’s have a proper look at what your home’s already got going for it.
Jane
📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
🌐 https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Standing seam may be having a well-deserved moment in façade design, but its value goes well beyond being on-trend. Used thoughtfully, its strong vertical lines can change the way you perceive a home’s proportions—particularly when the house is long, elevated or dominated by horizontal lines.
And that was exactly the challenge with this home.
Set above a long, rising driveway, the existing house appeared to stretch across the site. The structure itself wasn’t the problem. In fact, much of the original home remained.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
You could say it’s the same house, just wearing slightly different clothing.
The difference is that every new element was chosen to create better balance, improve the proportions and give the home a stronger connection to the ground.
Why Standing Seam Was More Than a Style Choice
There’s no denying that standing seam looks good. Its clean profile suits contemporary homes beautifully and adds architectural detail without making a façade feel busy.
But “it looks cool” isn’t enough of a reason to specify a material.
For this home, the vertical lines of the standing seam cladding had an important job to do. They interrupt the home’s strong horizontal form and encourage your eye to move vertically rather than simply following the full length of the building.
This helps the house feel more balanced and less elongated.
Rather than applying one finish across the entire façade, we used standing seam selectively. This created defined vertical moments and gave the architecture a clearer visual rhythm.
Repeating Vertical Elements Across the Façade
The standing seam wasn’t expected to do all the heavy lifting.
We repeated vertical forms through the stone feature walls and other architectural elements. Together, these features break the long façade into more considered sections.
The stone columns provide strong visual anchors, while the variation in height, depth and material gives your eye natural places to stop.
Without these vertical elements, the home could easily have felt like one long horizontal line sitting above the driveway. Instead, the façade now feels layered, balanced and grounded.
Yes, vertical design features are popular. But here, they weren’t added simply because they’re on-trend. They solved a very specific proportion problem.
That distinction matters.
Creating a Clearer Sense of Arrival
The original entry didn’t have enough presence within such a long façade.
A new front entry now creates a stronger focal point and gives you a much clearer sense of where to arrive. The widened stairs at the bottom also make the approach feel more generous and welcoming.
On the right-hand side, we introduced a new feature frame and integrated planter box.
This was an important part of the design because it’s one of the first elements you see as you come up the driveway. Rather than arriving at the end of a long, uninterrupted building, you’re greeted by a defined architectural feature softened with planting.
It creates interest where it matters—not just in a straight-on elevation drawing, but in the way you actually experience the home.
Using Darker Colours to Anchor the Home
The vertical elements help correct the proportions, while the darker colours along the lower section visually anchor the house.
Because the home sits high above the driveway, it needed greater visual weight at ground level. The deeper finishes create a stronger base and help the house feel connected to its site rather than perched above it.
The colour palette is important, of course. But colour is only one part of the design.
Without the changes to proportion, form, material and visual hierarchy, a new colour scheme alone wouldn’t have achieved the same result.
Adding Warmth Through Stone and Landscaping
With a cool contemporary palette and crisp standing seam cladding, the façade also needed warmth.
The feature stone introduces natural variation, texture and depth. It softens the cleaner architectural materials and makes the home feel more inviting without taking away from its contemporary character.
Landscaping adds another layer of softness.
The integrated planting, greenery around the entry and considered garden design help settle the architecture into its surroundings. The result feels less stark and more connected to the landscape.
These elements don’t compete with the home. They allow the stronger architectural features to feel balanced.
Keeping What Still Worked
A successful façade renovation doesn’t mean replacing everything.
We retained a significant amount of the home’s existing cladding and repainted it as part of the new palette. There was no reason to remove a material that was still performing well simply for the sake of making everything new.
Instead, we focused the investment on the changes that would have the greatest impact:
- New standing seam cladding in carefully selected areas
- Vertical stone feature walls
- A more defined front entry
- A new architectural frame and planter box
- Wider stairs at the base of the entry
- Darker finishes to visually anchor the home
- Landscaping to soften and connect the design
Every material was also selected with longevity and maintenance in mind. The finishes are low or no maintenance, making the design practical to live with—not just impressive when it’s first completed.
Good Façade Design Changes How You See the House
This transformation wasn’t about disguising the original home or making it look like something entirely different.
It was about understanding what wasn’t working and making considered changes to correct it.
The standing seam, stone walls and repeated vertical elements reduce the visual emphasis on the home’s length. The darker base grounds it. The new entry creates a clear focal point. The stone adds warmth, while the landscaping softens the architecture.
Individually, each change has a purpose. Together, they completely alter the way the home feels.
The result is contemporary without relying on short-lived ideas. The standing seam may be a long-lasting trend, but here, it earns its place because it works with the architecture and improves the home’s proportions.
And that’s always more important than following a trend simply because it looks good.
If your home feels too long, unbalanced or disconnected from its site, changing the colour may only be the beginning. A considered façade design looks at the complete picture—from proportion and architectural features to materials, texture, colour and landscaping—so every decision works together.
If you’re ready to explore what’s possible for your home, you’re welcome to book a complimentary consultation with me via the link below (or send me an email directly).
📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
🌐 https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Jane Eyles-Bennett
When homeowners start researching home facade renovation before and after inspiration, what they usually discover is plenty of colour schemes, material ideas, and beautiful finished homes.
What they don’t always see is the thinking behind the transformation.
This project is a perfect example. While the finished façade looks completely different, the success of the renovation wasn’t driven by colour alone. It was the careful combination of architectural changes, material selections, and a cohesive colour palette that transformed this home from ordinary to warm, modern, and timeless.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
The Starting Point
The original home was typical of many properties I see here at Hotspace.
The structure itself had good bones, but the façade lacked a clear identity. The entry was hidden, the garage dominated the front, and the combination of brick, roofing, and landscaping just all looked pretty dated.
Like many homeowners considering a house facade renovation, the owners wanted the exterior of their home to reflect the quality and care they were about to invest inside.
Why Colour Alone Was Never Going to Be Enough
One of the biggest misconceptions with a facade renovation is that selecting the right paint colour will solve everything.
However, colour can only enhance what is already there.
If the proportions are unbalanced, the entry lacks presence, or the materials compete with one another, even the most beautiful colour palette will struggle to create a cohesive result.
Before any colours were selected, I focused on improving the overall architectural composition of the home by:
- Creating a more defined entry.
- Introducing stronger visual hierarchy across the façade.
- Simplifying the material palette.
- Adding texture and depth through carefully selected finishes.
The Colour Palette That Changed Everything
The final palette combines warm timber tones, natural stone, soft whites, and subtle grey accents.
Each material was chosen to play a specific role within the overall design.
Soft White Architectural Framing
The crisp white rendered elements create clarity and rather than drawing attention to themselves, they provide structure and definition. The result feels fresh without feeling stark.
Warm Timber Features
I introduced timber-look cladding to bring warmth and softness to the design.
Without these elements, the façade would have felt too hard and modern. The timber provides balance while creating visual continuity between the entry feature and garage door.
It also helps the home feel more welcoming and connected to its natural surroundings.
Natural Stone Texture
The stone-clad entry feature became a focal point of the renovation.
Natural stone introduces texture, depth, and a sense of permanence that paint alone just can’t achieve. It creates interest without relying on bold colours and helps anchor the design visually.
Importantly, it adds character while still feeling timeless.
Subtle Grey Accents
I used muted grey tones for secondary elements to complement the warmer materials.
Rather than competing for attention, these colours provide contrast and depth, allowing the timber and stone to remain the heroes of the design.
Why This Palette Will Still Feel Relevant Years From Now
What looks fashionable today can quickly feel dated tomorrow.
Instead, I focus on creating façades that feel appropriate for the home, the homeowners, and the way they want to live.
This palette succeeds because it is built around enduring design principles:
- Natural materials that age gracefully.
- Warmth without being overpowering.
- Balanced contrast.
- Architectural simplicity.
- Cohesive material selections.
These are the elements that create longevity.
The Finished Result
This home facade renovation before and after demonstrates the power of thoughtful design decisions working together.
Not simply to create a different façade, but to create a home you’re proud to come back to every day.
📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
🌐 https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Jane Eyles-Bennett
As a facade design expert, I could immediately see the potential in this architecturally designed home – it just wasn’t being realised.
While the structure itself had been well considered, the materials hadn’t stood the test of time. Finishes were beginning to look tired and weathered, giving the facade a slightly ratty, unresolved feel. Instead of enhancing the architecture, they were letting it down.
This is exactly where someone like me, a facade design expert, makes all the difference – not by redesigning everything, but by refining and elevating what’s already there.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
The Brief
My client’s brief was clear: to lighten and brighten the overall appearance, replace ageing materials with something more durable and refined, retain the architectural intent while improving the execution, and introduce depth and interest without overcomplicating the design.
The Problem
Like many architecturally designed homes, the bones were strong – but the finish was lacking. The materials hadn’t weathered well, the facade felt dull and there was very little layering to bring the design to life. Given how close the home sits to the street, this lack of presence was even more noticeable. Recognising this, my client chose to engage a facade design expert to help unlock the home’s full potential.
The Design Approach
I tried to approach this project with restraint and precision, working with the existing structure rather than against it. My goal was to rebalance the facade through materiality, colour and detail – making considered changes that would have a lasting impact. For example;
- Updated the cladding to a more durable, refined finish
- Introduced aluminium timber-look cladding to add warmth without maintenance
- Added vertical feature fins to the upper level to create rhythm and architectural interest
- Refreshed windows and trims to align with the new palette
- Redesigned the carport ceiling with a timber-look finish and integrated strip lighting
A darker tone was deliberately applied to the upper level. For homes positioned close to the street, this slightly top-heavy composition works in your favour – visually anchoring the home and giving it a stronger, more confident street presence.
What’s Next
The landscaping, front fence and gates are still to come and will be completed over the next year or so (hopefully!).
These final elements will further enhance the overall outcome, adding softness, structure and a sense of arrival to complement the facade. But even now, the transformation is already doing what great design should do – elevating the home and allowing it to sit confidently within its setting.
Need help with your facade? Send me some photos and brief overview of what you’re looking to achieve and I’ll see if I can help.
📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
🌐 https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Jane Eyles-Bennett
Through my lens as an exterior designer, I could immediately see the potential in this home. However, it was being weighed down by dark, heavy finishes.
Set on a generous parcel of land, it had presence… but the dark brick, deep tones, and lack of detail made the facade feel closed-in and dated.
My lovely clients had already completed an interior renovation, so naturally it was time to turn their attention to the exterior. That’s when they began looking for an exterior designer and found us here at Hotspace.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
The Brief
Their direction was clear. In short, they wanted:
- A lighter, brighter facade
- A home that felt soft, inviting, and full of character
- A design that stood apart from the surrounding homes (without going over the top)
Importantly, with such a large block, they knew this wasn’t just about paint. Instead, it needed an exterior designer’s approach to get the balance right.
The Problem
Like many homes of this era, the issues weren’t just about colour. Instead, it was the heaviness of the materials, a lack of depth and variation, and no real focal point or sense of arrival.
As a result, simply repainting this home white would have missed the opportunity entirely. This is where working with an experienced exterior designer makes all the difference.
The Design Approach
This transformation was all about softening, layering, and elevating rather than just lightening it and painting it white.
1. A Lighter, Cohesive Palette
The dark brick was replaced with a soft, light palette that immediately lifted the home. Rather than going stark white, the tones were carefully balanced to feel warm, timeless, and liveable.
2. Adding Character Through Detail
Subtle architectural detailing was introduced to bring personality. For example:
- Refined trims
- A more considered entry
- Elements that add interest without overwhelming the structure
3. Creating a Sense of Arrival
In addition, the new front aesthetic completely changes how the home is experienced:
- Feature fencing and gates
- Defined entry points
- Layered landscaping
As a result, there’s now a clear journey from the street to the front door.
4. Landscaping as Part of the Design
With a large block, the landscaping needed to do more than just “fill space.” Instead, it was designed to:
- Soften the architecture
- Add depth and movement
- Reinforce that relaxed, inviting feel
The Result
What was once a dark, heavy facade is now:
- Light and inviting
- Full of subtle character
- Perfectly aligned with the interior
- And completely at home on its large block
It doesn’t scream for attention, but importantly it stands apart for all the right reasons.
Thinking About Updating Your Facade?
If you’re in a similar position, working with an exterior designer like Hotspace can help you make the very best of your home.
So, if you’re looking for professional guidance, you can get in touch below:
📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
🌐 https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Jane Eyles-Bennett
As a facade designer, I’m often brought in when a home has all the right ingredients, but still doesn’t feel quite right.
For example; this South East Melbourne project home, valued at around $2.8M, had a generous footprint, good proportions, and a strong street presence.
But despite all of that, it lacked depth and refinement.
👇👇 Designed by Hotspace 👇👇
The Brief
The clients weren’t looking for a dramatic reinvention.
They wanted a fresh, contemporary look – but importantly, they didn’t want to fall into the trap of simply rendering and painting everything white.
Their key goals were:
- Replace all facade windows and doors
- Create a more refined, contemporary exterior
- Introduce a stronger sense of design without overcomplicating it
- Maintain the existing mature trees (a non-negotiable – and rightly so)
- Add subtle landscaping elements, including planting to the balcony (still establishing)
In essence, they wanted the home to feel intentional, elevated, and cohesive. without losing its underlying simplicity.
The Challenge
The bones were good – but that can sometimes be the hardest part.
Because when a home isn’t wrong, but just not quite right, the solution isn’t about adding more… it’s about making smarter decisions.
The original facade relied heavily on:
- A single dominant material (brick)
- Minimal contrast
- Little hierarchy or focal point
Which meant the eye had nowhere to land.
The Design Approach
As a facade designer, my approach here was not to over-design, but to bring clarity, balance, and restraint.
1. Colour Blocking to Create Structure
Instead of layering multiple materials, I used colour blocking to define the architecture.
This allowed us to:
- Break down the bulk of the home
- Highlight key volumes
- Create contrast without visual clutter
The lighter upper level helps the home feel more open and refined, while the darker base grounds it, giving the facade a sense of balance and permanence.
2. A Clear Focal Point
One of the biggest shifts was the front entry.
By introducing a taller, more prominent door and anchoring it within a darker recess, we created a strong focal point that draws you in.
It’s subtle – but it completely changes how the home is experienced from the street.
3. Cohesion Through Controlled Contrast
Every colour and finish was selected to work together, not compete.
- Soft, warm whites
- Charcoal and deep grey tones
- Natural timber to add warmth and contrast
Nothing is overly bold on its own, but together they create a layered, cohesive result.
4. Subtle Texture (Without Overcomplication)
Rather than relying on multiple materials, we introduced texture in a restrained way.
The central section adds just enough variation to create interest, without overwhelming the facade.
This is where many homes go wrong – adding too many finishes in an attempt to create “design”.
Here, the restraint is what makes it feel elevated.
5. Working With the Landscape, Not Against It
The existing mature trees were a major asset and keeping them was absolutely the right decision.
They:
- Soften the architecture
- Add scale and presence
- Create natural shadow and movement across the facade
The new design works with these elements, rather than trying to compete with them.
The balcony planting will further soften the upper level as it establishes, adding another layer over time.
The Result
This home hasn’t been transformed through excess.
It’s been refined through better decisions.
What was once a typical project home now feels:
- Considered
- Balanced
- Contemporary
- And quietly impressive
It’s a great example of how you don’t need to change everything. You just need to change the right things.
Thinking About Updating Your Facade?
If your home isn’t quite hitting the mark, a facade designer can help you see what’s missing – and how to resolve it.
Often, the issue isn’t the structure – it’s how everything comes together.
If you’d like a second set of eyes on your home, you can reach out here:
📧 jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
🌐 https://hotspaceconsultants.com
Jane Eyles-Bennett
