“Reclaim living space and update the floor plan”

the extension

This home has a huge terrace and it’s a good idea to use some of it to create a bigger living area and a large entertainer’s kitchen. A timber frame extension, which is already part of the plan, is a great start. Beyond that, I’d like to see something totally di erent from the existing building. I’d love to see a matt black Colorbondand-glass inish with a large window to the south. To facilitate the build, the terrace loor needs to be replaced in its entirety. I’d re-tile it with large concrete pavers in a pale grey.

the bathroom

Lisa and Tim are keen to create a second bathroom so they have facilities for guests and a growing family. The current laundry is in their sights, as the existing laundry will be integrated into a new kitchen. Just because there’s plumbing in here doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. Getting rid of waste water is an issue in apartment blocks. You either have to go under the loor, which requires access to the neighbour’s ceiling, or put a pipe on the outside of the building. Strata bodies don’t tend to be keen on that, although you can sometimes ‘persuade’ them with a cash injection for the sinking fund. Lisa and Tim need to talk to a plumber for expert advice. On the upside, if the bathroom can’t be done, the laundry area would make a great study.

the flooring

There’s currently a big step up to the outdoor terrace – it would be preferable to have level access here, to create a low from inside to out. We could achieve this by raising the loor level to match the outdoors – there is enough ceiling height – then place the ‘down step’ further back towards the entrance. Slate tiles at the front door give way to a timber loor where Lisa and Tim have taken up the old carpet. This will create a de inition between the entrance and access to the bedrooms, with a step up to the living/dining/kitchen area. I’d go with lighter timber looring to provide contrast, and we could put double glass sliding doors out from the kitchen and living area to the terrace.

the bedroom

There are two bedrooms here. Once the living area is extended, I think this ratio will be out of kilter, especially as the kids get bigger. If Lisa and Tim want to futureproof their home, I suggest going up – they have a lat roof and an opportunity for a penthouse bedroom. They’d need to get permission, but it’s not an unusual request for top- loor apartments. They could sacri ice the existing laundry/powder room/study to put in a staircase and build a master suite on the second loor. They’ll need to save more money, but it would be an amazing longer-term plan.