Home Renovation Ideas in Gold Coast

Home Renovation Ideas in Gold Coast
By Ethan Watson
Gold Coast University
June, 12-06-2018
Abstract - Looking to update your home? Plan that fresh paint, floor, nursery room or
kitchen renovation with our collection of inspiring galleries and clever hints and how-tos. We
showcase everything from bathroom fixtures to fireplaces and outdoor furniture for the new
deck. Here are some tips and trick for home renovation in Gold Coast, Queensland.
Introduction
This guide is designed for owner-builders and first time renovators to help educate them
about the essential steps required to complete any renovation or building project.
Building is simple, right? You have an idea of what you want to build, you get plans drawn,
you get it approved by the relevant authorities, and you outsource the various tasks to a
builder so they can carry out the work.
Here are 6 tips for renovate your home
1. How to choose cooking appliances
2. 10 ways to get a designer look on a budget
3. 6 essential home extension secrets
4. 7 home office essential
5. How to paint kitchen cupboards
6. Library interior design
1 How to choose cooking appliances
How to Choose the Right Appliances
I basically had to choose 6 different appliances:
1. Dishwasher
2. Refrigerator
3. Range
4. Range hood
5. Oven
6. Microwave
The first thing you have to think about of course is your budget because otherwise, we’d all
just pick the top-of-the-line gear but like all things in life, money is usually the primary

constraint. There are definitely ways to get more out of your budget, like buying used from
Craigslist or purchasing a floor model from a local appliance store. However, because we
were under time constraints, I opted to just buy new since we already had a very generous
budget of $15,000.
For each appliance, I tried to find as many reviews as I could online (Home Depot, Best Buy
and Lowes were incredibly helpful) and used the number of reviews as a gauge for how
popular the product was.
Choosing a Dishwasher
The dishwasher decision was the easiest one. We had had a Bosch in the past and thought it
was great. It was incredibly quiet and cleaned dishes super well. The drying of plastic
Tupperware wasn’t great but I also didn’t want any extra heating of plastic so that wasn’t a
huge consideration for me.
I basically just purchased an updated version of our older Bosch dishwasher in stainless steel.
Unfortunately, we’re a month in and it’s already malfunctioning. Hopefully the servicing
department will take care of all of it and we’ll be back up and running soon. So I guess the
lesson is that you can do lots of research and buy something new and of quality and still end
up with a lemon!
Choosing a Refrigerator
Choosing the right refrigerator was definitely the hardest appliance decision. There seemed to
be so many brands and possible layouts. Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, GE, Kitchenaid? Did we
want the freezer on the bottom or the top? Or perhaps a side-by-side model? Or did we like
the French door look?
Now some models have a door-in-door layout (like this and this) where the outer door lets
you access the items in the door shelves and the inner door opens up to the entire fridge.
It helped to sit down and write down a list of what I wanted:
An external water and ice dispenser: I’ve never had this in the past and it seemed so fancy
(even though it’s a pretty common feature)
A counter depth fridge: Since we were planning on keeping our old fridge in the garage, I
decided we didn’t need the largest fridge. This meant a counter depth option (meaning it
wouldn’t jut out too much from where the counters and cabinets ended) would be fine for our
needs
More fridge space and access to fridge space: I tend to shop for the week and go through
everything I purchase (I run a meal planning service after all). When I cook, I’m mostly
grabbing items from the fridge compartment, so it made sense to have that space most
accessible. Plus, we cook for leftovers so more fridge space over freezer space would be nice
(and again, we were keeping our old fridge so would be able to freeze things in that freezer
compartment).

A non-smart fridge: I know Silicon Valley is all about smart everything but it just felt like
one more thing that could go wrong so I’ll be a later adopter on this one . . .
Based on the list above, I decided on this Samsung model, a 4 door French door layout (see, I
told you there are so many layouts to choose from!). There are 2 French doors for the fridge
up top and 2 more French doors on the bottom freezer compartment. The freezer
compartment is actually split into 2 separate sections. The left is always a freezer and the
right section can be set to 4 different temperatures so you can use it as a freezer or more
fridge space.
We’ve been using the bottom right as a fridge and it’s where we keep drinks and packed-up
leftovers. Now instead of searching through the fridge in the morning, we know we can just
open that separate compartment and grab our packed lunch. It’s such a simple little thing but
has made life feel a bit more efficient, which always makes me happier.
Choosing a Range
The range was actually a fairly easy decision to make too. I had sort of debated between an
induction or a gas* range top but I think I was always leaning towards old-fashioned gas.
There are definitely some downsides with gas though. You add a lot of heat in the air so if
you live in a hot place without good AC, be prepared to do a lot of sweating over the stovetop
(or consider it extra flavoring). Induction is also much easier to clean. You can just wipe the
smooth surface with a damp cloth after cooking versus dealing with all the hardware of a gas
range. Lastly, an induction stove is also safer for kids since the surface doesn’t stay hot. I
definitely get a bit nervous now with a toddler around the stove, but I realize my children
won’t have undeveloped brains forever and it’s a great way to learn about safety.
In the end, even after evaluating these downsides, there’s just something about fire that
makes cooking a bit more satisfying so I decided on gas.
After working with such a crappy electric range for so many years – it only had 1 burner that
got hot enough to boil water – this was definitely my big splurge appliance. I read reviews
comparing 3 of the higher end brands – Viking, Wolf and Miele – and ultimately decided on
this Miele rangetop because it seemed to be the most consistent at the high end and low end
of BTUs so I could stir-fry or simmer to my heart’s content.
I only looked at rangetops because I was planning to place cabinet drawers underneath my
range (freestanding or slide-in ranges always include an oven below). These cabinet drawers
contain all my pots and pans, so they’re easily accessible for cooking. Because I entertain a
lot and of course do lots of Cook Smarts cooking, the more burners the better so I went with a
6 burner option.
I still get so excited every time I hear the click of gas and have loved having 6 burners to
choose from, all of which are powerful enough to boil water!

My mother-in-law also gifted this carbon-steel wok to me for Mother’s Day this year, and it
works beautifully on my new gas range. After seasoning it with salt, it’s pretty much nonstick
and it makes me excited to stir-fry all the time.
As a serious cook, I would never consider a non-induction electric range if I had the choice –
it’s just too finicky and hard to control. However, if you’re a serious baker, electric might be
better for you since electric ovens are more precise. This only applies if you’re purchasing a
range that’s a range / oven combo (I was getting a range top and wall oven so this didn’t
apply to me).
These days there are also dual-fuel ranges where you can get a combination gas range and an
electric oven together. It might be costly for the installation so talk to your contractor about
that, but this might help you get the best of both worlds.
Choosing a Range Hood
My dad said that the most important appliance in a kitchen is the range and the second is the
range hood. Because Chinese cooking is done at such high heat, it produces a lot of “wok
hei”, literally the breath of the wok. Basically that’s just a euphemism for all the fumes
released during stir-frying, which need to be vented out to keep your kitchen environment
clean and safe.
In my old kitchen I had a microwave / range hood combo, which basically did nothing. It
sucked the fumes up from the bottom of the microwave and then vented them right back into
the kitchen through the top of the microwave. Our smoke alarm went off all the time and it
left a lot of our surfaces grimy and sticky despite our best efforts to clean all the time.
I definitely knew that I needed something super powerful, especially since I had 6 strong
burners. The power of a range hood is measured in CFM (cubic feet for minute), and my
designers recommended that I get something with the ability to vent at at least 1000 CFM for
the Miele rangetop I chose.

At that power, there just weren’t a lot of island range hood options but they did find this one
by ProLine. It wasn’t a brand that I had ever heard of but after some Googling, it seemed legit
and met our CFM needs (it’s got 6 settings and goes from 300 CFM to 1100 CFM).
It’s definitely a bit distracting to have a huge stainless steel contraption hanging down from
the ceiling in the middle of the kitchen, but I really wanted a pro rangetop on a center island
so the physical presence of a large range hood was the tradeoff I had to make.
So far, the venting has been great (test the power of your range hood by turning it on and
seeing if it has enough suction to keep a piece of cardboard stuck to it). It gets loud at the
higher settings but that’s because it’s working hard!
Choosing an Oven
A few years ago I saw an oven with French doors and immediately knew I wanted one for my
kitchen some day. It just looked so sharp and also functional for a shortie like me (I’m just
5’1”).
For a wall oven installed at a higher height, it means that I don’t have to bend over an oven
door while trying to lift like a heavy turkey into the oven. That might be an easy task for a
normal height person but I’ve definitely had issues in the past. Plus since you can walk right
up to the oven, it’s easier to get things in and out of all the shelves.
My husband asked, “Wouldn’t French doors be more of a pain since you needed both hands
free to open them?” However, smart product designers have thought through that problem.
Opening either one of the doors pulls the other door open too.
Because I was set on a French door look, I didn’t have a lot of options in my price range.
Since my rangetop was my big splurge, I knew I wasn’t going to go with a luxury brand for
this one. I ended up choosing this GE oven and am just loving it so far. I’ve been doing lots
of testing and it roasts and crisps food up beautifully. I can’t wait to roast my first big turkey
in it!
Choosing a Microwave
We eat a lot of leftovers in our house so a microwave is key for reheating them up. Plus, I
find that the microwave can be a fast way to cook vegetables too so I like having a fairly
roomy one. However, I didn’t want a large microwave taking up a lot of counter space, so I
was looking for a built-in option.
And then I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to have a second oven too? However, because I also
wanted a built-in desk in our kitchen, it just wouldn’t have been possible to have a double
oven and also a built-in microwave. Luckily, there are lots of microwave / oven combos
available these days!

After reading lots of reviews, I ended up picking the GE Cafe Wall Oven (pictured above
beneath the French door oven). My aunt had chosen it when she did her kitchen remodel a
few years back and so I had experience using it. It has a bit of learning curve because it’s able
to do so much – microwave, speedcook, baking, broiling, proofing, warming and toasting. I
haven’t had time to test out all of the different features but think it’ll prove to be a versatile
workhorse over the years.
2. 10 ways to get a designer look on a budget
You’ve been led to think that the essence of elegance is in shopping expensive items or
collecting antique furniture pieces from medieval times. You dream about transforming your
homes into that celebrity house you saw in a magazine; but what you may not realize is that
you don’t have to buy expensive items to transform your living space into a luxurious home.
You just need to know a few simple tricks!
Interior designers over the years have shared some trade secrets that provide insight on how
homeowners can make their homes more stylish without going broke. This article highlights
the best budget-friendly tips that will raise the value of your home and trick guests into
believing you’re living a million dollar life.
Prepare the ground
The evident barrier facing home decorators as they attempt to redesign their home is clearing
out clusters of junk accumulated since they moved in. Ruthless declutter is key and the

process is only complete if you’re left with only bare essentials you use on a daily basis.
Possessions sometimes can hold you back and de-cluttering is a way to let go.
Every detail matters – Crown Molding
Where superb home décor is concerned, it’s all in the small details. Crown molding makes a
room look complete by bringing ceilings and walls together for a distinguished appearance.
Without these extra touches, the home looks bland and cheap.
It is affordable on any budget, especially if you’re using the printable, plastic versions. There
are different width to choose from, but for the best impact, use a wide trim that fits into your
budget. For ultimate glamor, include different assortment of molding in your home such as
ceiling beams, medallions, columns, chair rails, etc.
Use mirrors to give the illusion of space
Mirrors are an essential accessory that makes your home more glamorous, trendy and light.
Every room should have one for uniformity. The cost of quality mirrors varies, but there are
cheaper options you can buy to redesign the edges instead of splashing on an elaborate
French piece. A good idea is to use ropes and glue to turn an inexpensive plastic-framed
mirror into a beautiful interior decoration.
Make a statement with your rug choice
Contrary to popular belief, patterned rugs don’t always cost a fortune. They give the room the
impression of having a designer’s touch it may have lacked. Pick designs that compliment
artwork, images and furniture in the living room. The best way to incorporate this feature is
to place the rug square with a coffee table in the centre of the living room, and facing the sofa
to bring it all together.
Choose the right paint hue
One of the most difficult decisions you make when designing your home, especially the
living room is the color to paint the walls because the color pattern of the house will be based
off this. If you want a luxury home, some colors are more effective.
For high impact, chose two colors with one being bold/dramatic and the other
understated/soft hues. “A great color to use for interior doors is black,” says Jay Himmel, Co-
President at Himmel’s Commercial Doors in New Orleans. “Black automatically adds an
expressive feeling that doesn’t cause any damage to your wallet. Include some black
accessories to the rooms to complement the overall design”.
Try dark wood in the bathroom
Most modern bathrooms feature grey and white palette, but dark-wood ensures your
bathroom looks stylish and luxurious. For example, you could try a modern vanity to add
deep tone to brighten the space.

Choose pillows
Pillows in your home should serve two purposes, if chosen appropriately. First, they enhance
the look of elegance and secondly, provide extra comfort for you and your guests. The
comfort aspect is clear if you choose large, cosy pillows that guests can rest on. When
shopping pillows, avoid the common 12-18 inches and pick stuffed 22-inch pillows.
Integrate your tech with the design
We live in an internet age, so tech devices such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers and
wireless sound systems are a part of every living room. Hide cables and blend devices such as
the television with living room décor. Use a bright coloued frame to highlight the TV in the
room based on the primary colour scheme in the home.
Window treatment
A Baltimore home lacking window treatments looks cheap and unfinished. Thankfully, they
are an affordable purchase that adds elegance to your home and provides privacy from prying
eyes.
Make smart choices when choosing window elements by picking line drapers with colorful
patterns that look expensive even when the price is cheap. Good materials include linen,
natural silk and cotton. If you don’t like drapers use wood blinds or bamboo shades to make
your home look well-designed.
3. 6 essential home extension secrets
1. Continuity is key Before you build, the addition should work seamlessly with the
original section. Along with your own personal taste, you need to take into account
the architectural integrity of your home and street. An industrial-inspired home in
steel and glass, for instance, can stand out like a sore thumb in a heritage precinct.

It’s important to blend the old and new, particularly when an home extension is added to a
traditional home extension. A good idea is to extract elements that are still relevant in the
original section and feature them in the new part of the house.
Period items such as pendant lights, recycled boards or fireplace surrounds provide a visual
link. Replacing old door handles and adding new matching ones is a simple and reasonably
inexpensive way to add continuity. And another way to create a cohesive look is to use
similar paint colours and timber tones in the new and old sections.
2. New advances If you are following a traditional aesthetic, look for new advances to make
things easier and cheaper. A good example is pressed-metal ceilings – it’s now available in
lightweight aluminium and in a range of original embossed designs.
Massive advancements in digital printing also make expensive finishes, like marble, more
affordable. It’s also easier to maintain in the form of porcelain tiles. Original window casings
can be replicated in the new section, keeping the look but updating to modern levels of
security and safety.
Also, inspect the original frames – if the timber is rotted, the glass is thin or the putty is
cracked, it’s time to talk to your builder about updating.
3. Teaming up When adding a major extension, an architect can supply the real wow factor,
thanks to their construction knowledge and design prowess. An architect also advises you on
all aspects of building – undertaking feasibility studies, designing for the site, tendering and
managing the project team.
Another option is hiring us so that we provide everything from the design to the final
finishes.
4. Go solo For a small extension, doing your own project managing is a cost-saving option, as
long as you have strong organizational skills and plenty of time to research and negotiate. As
a project manager, you can work with a builder who supplies sub-contractors, or you can hire
independent tradies yourself.
5. Council checks Even a small addition usually requires a development application. Check to
see if there are heritage stipulations – the extension might have to be in keeping with the
precinct’s character, which limits the design, layout, materials and colour palette.
6. Seasonal solutions When an extension is being built, it’s common to stay put during the
build. Even if there’s no kitchen, a barbecue and friendly neighbours can keep you surviving

for a month or so. A summer build can make life easier, but check weather reports to see if
there are storms brewing.
4. 7 home office essential
1. Daily Planner
One of the best things you can do when you work from home is create a daily schedule. Even
if you don’t jot down the exact time you’re going to do every task, listing your daily duties
will remind you of what needs to be accomplished each day. Of course, having a planner is
also a great way to keep track of important meetings, phone calls, and appointments.
2. Pen & Paper
Even though I do most of my work on the computer, I always keep a pen and paper next to
me while I work. You never know when a great idea will come up, or when you’ll need to
write down a phone number or other important information. Maybe you think of something
that you want to mention to your boss. Or you come across an inspiring article that you want
to send to a co-worker. Having a pen and paper around will allow you to scribble down quick
notes when you’re too busy to do something at that moment, but don’t want to forget about it
later.

3. Calculator
Not every work-at-home job requires number crunching. In fact, the only time I need a
calculator is when I’m submitting invoices. However, it’s really important that I send
invoices that are accurate and free of mathematical errors. Whether your job entails a lot of
math or not, a calculator will definitely come in handy at some point.
4. Phone Charger
If you have a landline phone, you won’t need to worry about this. But if you’re like me and
the only phones you have are cellular, you’ll want to make sure yours is fully charged. I use
mine for work on occasion, but I also like knowing that it’s there in case of an emergency. If
your job requires a lot of phone calls, making a phone charger part of your home office setup
is crucial.
5. Desk Clock
Depending on what you do for work, you may need to track your hours. I use an app on the
computer to track mine, but I also have to watch the time so that I don’t miss picking my
children up from school. Or missing an important work meeting. Having a clock at your desk
can make the days feel longer sometimes, but it will help keep you on schedule.

6. Drink Coaster
Even workaholics need a break sometimes. And if you refuse to leave your seat to take that
break, I hope you at least have a drink to keep you hydrated as you work. Whether it’s coffee,
water, juice or lemonade, your brain and body need nourishment throughout the workday.
Keep your drink on a cute little coaster to protect your desk, and act as a reminder of the
importance of taking beverage breaks.
7. Idea Board
You don’t need anything fancy, but having an idea board of some kind will keep you
motivated. Whether you compile a list of ideas you find on Pinterest, display interesting
photos that you come across, or stick up inspiring quotes that you read, an idea board is a
great way to store all of your ideas so you can refer to them when you need to. This can also
spark creativity in your personal life and contribute to your growth as a woman and mother.

5. How to paint kitchen cupboards
Painting kitchen cabinets can be tiring and you can easily hire a pro to do the job for you, but
if you're up for the challenge and want to save the money, do it yourself.
The best way to paint kitchen cabinets is with a paintbrush and small roller. Spray painting is
also an option if you want the process to move more quickly, but it can be tricky.
When you're ready to get started, clear off your kitchen counters, empty your cabinets, and
cover your backsplash and appliances. Remove all of the hinges, hardware, doors and
drawers from your cabinets. Label each door with masking tape so you'll remember which
one goes where and put all of the hardware in plastic bags so you don't lose anything. If you
can fit a worktable in your kitchen, it will be much easier to paint the doors. If you don't have
a large worktable, 2x4 boards propped on buckets or boxes will also work. If you don't have
those materials, work on top of a drop cloth.
You'll want to prep all of the doors and drawers properly to ensure your paint will stick. Start
this process by scrubbing your cabinets to get rid of any grease or residue. If you're planning
to use new hardware, cover the current holes with wood filler. Next, use 100-grit sandpaper
to make all of the surfaces smooth and make sure to wipe away any dust with a tack cloth
before drilling your new holes. To ensure a nice finish, use caulk to fill in any gaps or seams.
If you want professional-style results, it's imperative to prime the boxes, door fronts and
drawers before you begin painting. Once your primer has dried, use an angled brush and a
mini foam roller to apply your paint. A latex satin finish works well on kitchen cabinets and it
isn't as hard to work with as oil paint. Start working in sections with your angled brush and
go over your work with the roller for a perfect finish. When you're done painting, you can
also use very fine grit sandpaper for a final sanding and even a coat of a satin polycrylic for
extra durability as well. Once your paint has dried, reinstall the doors and drawers and install
your hardware.
Spray paint is another option for painting kitchen cabinets, but this process is best done
outside or in a designated workspace so you don't have to worry about overspray. If spray

painting your cabinets, you'll follow the same process as above but instead of working with a
paint brush and roller you'll use spray paint instead.
6. Library interior design
It was the Roman scholar Marcus Tullius Cicero who said, "If you have a garden and a
library, you have everything you need." Here at AD, we tend to agree. When it comes to
design luxuries, a personal library is a major draw for its grand visual display, ability to
convey a sense of relaxation, and generosity of literature within arm’s reach. “It says a lot
about the inhabitant,” says architect Joel Barkley of New York–based firm Ike Kligerman
Barkley. “If I look at your titles and spines, I know a lot about who you are.” Adds partner
Thomas A. Kligerman, “I like long horizontal planes of wood or metal in a contemporary
house. Vertical structures look unified with continuous crown and base molding.” We asked
Barkley and Kligerman for tips on how to design a dream library and learned that a range of
materials—steel, zinc-wrapped shelves, or rich walnut—serve to either recede into the
background or play a larger design role, while collections of books charm whether set in a
traditional or modern setting. Here's what else they had to say about things to keep in mind
when creating your own personal book sanctuary.
Consider the context. The materials you choose should reflect the space's overall aesthetic.
Inside a timber-framed barn (above) with glass walls, oiled-steel shelving units give the
publisher client a bold setting to display many of his own imprints. “They were designed to
take full advantage of the loft ceiling and ended up being incredibly heavy,” says Barkley.
“We detailed the edges with eased corners to protect the bindings.” In another project, the
architect dressed a Soho loft with rows of zinc-wrapped horizontal surfaces that cantilevered
off a painted brick wall. Kligerman looks to rich woods like fumed white oak or Claro walnut
for a more historic feel. “In the past, I’ve been inspired by the architecture of Carl Linnaeus’
Swedish house,” he says, “and ran horizontal rustic boards to resemble a classic cornice.”
Pick a style. To incorporate a library into a streamlined interior, it is often more about the
tomes themselves which are featured “front and center,” says Barkley. “They become a
dynamic, colorful plane of books.” In a traditional house, vintage-looking publications are
vital supporting actors in the overall design scheme surrounded by architectural elements or
positioned to punctuate a fireplace or window.
Decide between built-ins versus furniture. Integrating and displaying a personal literary
collection can be considered an art. “To me, modern domestic architecture is horizontal,
where vertical supports are eliminated,” says Kligerman. “They should sit on long,
uninterrupted planes of wood or metal.” While the go-to for many architects are clean lines, a
piece of furniture can bring a unique personality to the space. “By using a vintage hutch, a
space becomes more layered with items that exude character or a past life of its own,” says
Barkley. Not to mention, with books housed in a mobile unit, any corner or niche can become
an instant library.

Stay organized. To keep the structure balanced and visually tidy, Barkley often designs the
shelves to adjust so heavier books can group on the bottom, while lighter ones go on top.
When it comes to organizing an expansive modern library, Kligerman offered a tip the firm
employs in their own offices: “In a whole room dedicated to architecture, periodicals are laid
out like a giant map of the U.S.A. Books on Maine are catalogued on the upper right-hand
corner, Florida resides on the lower right-hand, and California takes up all the bookshelves at
the far left.”
Conclusion
It does not mater as the same principles apply to each, and may only need to be scaled up or down
depending on your individual circumstances. The other thing to note is that various states will have
different regulations, guidelines, and authorities, so where possible I will link to those resources.
References
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7 Home Office Essentials Every WAHM Needs | Retrieve 12-06-2018 from
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Best Way to Paint Kitchen Cabinets | Retrieve 12-06-2018 from
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TISHA LEUNG (2016) | How to Design a Home Library in Any Space | Retrieve 12-06-2018
from
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