A Thoughtful Transformation of a Character-Filled 1939 Home

Project Overview

The homeowners lived in a classic 1939 bungalow and wanted to update some key parts of the house. They loved the home's old character and wanted to preserve that feeling, but also wanted the rooms to look fresh, function better, and incorporate modern features.

The renovation focused on the kitchen, laundry, and bathroom, along with some paintwork, flooring updates, and improvements to the garage. The work was completed in two phases over two years to make the process easier and more organised for the homeowners.

Budget & Timeline

The project was completed in two phases:

Phase 1

• Planned duration: 7 weeks
• Actual duration: 8 weeks due to bad weather
• Scope: Decorating bedrooms, hallway, and living room + weathertightness - including new roof and rainwater system, exterior painting work on the garage

Phase 2

• Planned duration: 13 weeks
• Completed on time
• Scope: Kitchen + laundry wall removal, new bathroom layout, and final detailing

Budget

The final total for the project exceeded the estimated total for both phases, driven by increased costs for upgraded curtains, furniture, splashback, and the hot water cylinder.

Design & Planning

Refresh Renovation handled the design, scoping, costing, planning, and project management from start to finish. The client wanted to maintain the old 1930s/Victorian style, so every design choice, from colours to joinery, was chosen to suit the age and character of the home.

Some key design goals were:

• Keep the 1930s charm
• Open up the kitchen and laundry
• Modernise the bathroom with a shower
• Refresh interior paint and finishes
• Make the garage weathertight so it can be used as a workshop

The team created a clear plan for both phases so the homeowners knew exactly what would happen and when.

Project Execution

The renovation required multiple trades working together over the two phases. The team coordinated everything, including dealing with the body corporate and organising all deliveries, materials, and timing.

Trades Involved

• Builders
• Electricians
• Decorators
• Plumbers
• Tilers
• Flooring specialists (sand & polish)
• Garage carpet installer

Phase 1 – Interior Touch-Ups & Garage Work

The first phase focused on finishing parts of the house that the client had already started but couldn’t complete. This included:

• Painting the living room, hallways, and all bedrooms
• Fixing small decoration details
• Making the garage weather-tight
• New Coloursteel roof
• New garage roller door
• New side door

This work helped prepare the home for the larger layout changes that will be implemented in Phase 2.

Phase 2 – Kitchen, Laundry & Bathroom Transformation

Phase 2 held the most significant changes.

Kitchen & Laundry

The wall separating the kitchen and laundry was removed, allowing the two spaces to be combined. This created a much more open and practical area.

Upgrades included:

• Custom-painted joinery
• A pressed-tin splashback (powder-coated in black and white)
• New layout for better flow
• Matching colours to suit the 1930s character

Bathroom

The bathroom also needed a complete redesign.
Main updates included:

• Removing the old hot water cylinder and cupboard
• Reconfiguring the space to add a shower
• New wall panelling
• Timber flooring, stained dark for a classic look
• Fresh, modern but still period-appropriate colour scheme

Challenges Overcome

The house was old, so the team expected surprises, and they found a few big ones:

Borer in the wall framing

Much of the framing was weakened by borer. Removing the studs was not possible because the exterior cladding was fixed directly to the framing. Solution: Install new studs beside the damaged ones to make the structure safe and strong.

Mixed flooring in the laundry

When the old vinyl was removed, the team discovered that part of the laundry floor was concrete instead of timber. To create a consistent finish, new timber was installed over the concrete so the flooring could be stained and polished to match the rest of the house.

Despite these challenges, all work was completed safely and to a high standard.

Final Results

The finished project kept the charm of the 1930s bungalow while adding fresh, modern touches. Some of the standout features include:

• Custom-painted joinery in rich, warm colours
• Wall panelling in the bathroom for a classic look
• Pressed-tin splashback in the kitchen
• Dark timber floors for a timeless feel
• A custom exterior paint colour on the garage
• A new, practical bathroom layout with a shower
• A brighter, cleaner, more open kitchen + laundry

The home now seamlessly blends old-world character with modern comfort, providing the homeowners with exactly the look and function they desired.

Final Thoughts

This renovation demonstrates how careful design, sound planning, and meticulous project management can transform a historic home without compromising its original charm. The clients now enjoy a home that feels true to its 1930s style but works perfectly for modern living.