Old Houses with Amazing Renovations

Buying a house always involves trade-offs and it can be really hard to prioritize. They say the most important factor to consider when buying a house is location, location, location. But what are you giving up to buy a house in the right location? Often the right location means old houses with smaller rooms, that are very different from newer homes with open floor plans.

Many homeowners assume that if they want the perfect neighborhood with picket fences, where their children can walk to school, then they can't have an open floor plan. That simply isn't true and once you experience some of the incredible renovations shared by Build.com's article, 10 of Australia's best ‘face saving' renovations, you'll have to agree.

Old Houses Can Transform into Amazing, Contemporary Homes

For example, this 1930's California bungalow in Melbourne, Australia, known as the “Blurred House” looks rather old fashion and traditional at the front of the house. There's only a slight hint of something new and different, in the upper right corner where there's a clerestory window to let in more natural lighting. Many old houses are located in historic districts where there are tight controls over the home's exterior appearance. So if you're faced with this dilemma, keep reading because you'll be amazed.

The Blurred House is now a hybrid combining the old with the new. The front rooms of the original house has been “… left largely unadulterated, remaining more enclosed.” In contrast with the traditional front, the house transitions into more contemporary open spaces connecting the house with the garden and pool. There are updates indoors and outside, from new materials and more focus on the acoustic and light qualities of the new space. According to BiLD.com.au in their description of this house … ” Whilst these spaces are linked to a greater or lesser degree, they are not ‘open plan’ in a conventional sense, rather configured in a more nuanced distribution of distinct spaces and functions.”

Photos of the Blurred House by Tanja Milbourne

More Examples of Amazing Renovations to Old Houses

To show that these renovations of old houses are happening everywhere, here are just a few of the other homes shared by Build.com, and we hope you visit the original article.