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
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:
-
The garage dominates the facade
-
The entry lacks hierarchy
-
The roofline feels heavy
-
The house looks wide but not grounded
-
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:
-
Layering
-
Recesses
-
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/
