“Make a master plan and stick to it”
the Panel’s advice
Andrew Benn
Architect and director, Benn + Penna Architecture, bennandpenna.com
This house needs a master plan. Right now, the layout jumps around from living to sleeping with rooms off rooms and there’s no cohesive vision. From the front door, you don’t have a clear direction of where to go, with the original living room off to the side and the secondary kitchen/living area straight ahead. Chris and Nicole say they don’t use the sitting room very often – that’s a shame because it’s a big space! The best layout option would be bedrooms at the front and living at the back. With the master bedroom relocated, they’d be able to take advantage of the wonderful vista with a L-shaped living/dining area leading out through glass sliders onto a deck with steps down to the lawn. Their budget should cover this.
Wayd Munro
Builder, Focusbuild, focusbuild.com.au When you have family visiting regularly, it’s great to have a separate space so they can be close… but not too close. Nicole and Chris have a studio that’s been converted into an office space and are keen to turn this into guest quarters. It would be a pretty straightforward job as there is already plumbing for the kitchenette that could be used to facilitate an ensuite. I’d take out the ceiling and line the pitch to make it bigger – this would make it warmer in winter, too. As part of the reno, Nicole is keen to bring in the laundry from its current position under the house. This would be easy enough to do and would free up a great space for a rumpus room; paint it white, polish the concrete floor and you have the perfect kids’ retreat for when they’re a bit older.
Lisa Koehler
ISCD educator, stylist and interior decorator The entry to this home is breathtaking but the layout is a disappointment as you walk inside. There’s heaps of space but big rooms can be tricky to furnish. The new L-shaped living space will be glorious but the view needs to star rather than compete with everything else, including the TV. Modular sofas work well in this situation so you have seating from which you can look in either direction. I’d suggest a low, linear fireplace with the TV placed above it – but not too high – so you have just the one internal focal point. Nicole and Chris’s house is immaculately tidy and storage in the living areas is key to that with two young kids. It’s all about matching the aesthetics – the living area storage should have a lid and be deep enough to hide toys.
“The best way to rethink this layout would be bedrooms at the front and living at the back” ANDREW BENN, PANEL ARCHITECT