Project of a month - October

One more Strata Building make over. This one is in Dee Why.

Val, the lovely older lady who is managing the property and owns an apartment here since the building was built in 60’s – is a great story teller! Hard to believe, but this was a very first building of a brand new green field subdivision. The land was previously owned by the Salvation Army, and the condition of property sale was that residents are not allowed to consume an alcohol. How peculiar!

And apparently Paul Hagan was growing up in this block! Val was telling stories of former residents “…We had those Hogans living here. Their young sun Paul was very naughty. The mother was always telling him off and saying – you will not end up well…” And then he grew up to become everyone’s favorite Paul Hogan! How funny!

After



Confirming colours



Before

Project of the month - August 1

Looking today at this gorgeous and spacious Surry Hills terrace it is hard to imagine that just few months ago this was a tiny dilapidated house! It was just redesigned and renovated by talented Jonathan Clarke from Urban Interior Design.

I do not recall such a spacious & brilliantly designed terrace (and I have painted a couple hundreds of them!). Helping to transform this tiny dark house was transformed into such a retreat was amasing. I’m still not sure where the light & space came from. Looking from the street you would never guess how large the house is inside - 3 high ceiling levels, 3 bedrooms (one with a study), 3 bathrooms, a dressing room, large kitchen, dining & living, & lots of light!

Courtyard is my favourite part of the house! How gorgeous are these manicured trees and antique mirrored French doors & shutters that Jonathan searched and selected in France himself! Some people just so talented!

The difference a good paintwork can do!

A lot is said about a difference and painting can do. But a picture worth a thousand words!

These photos are of two almost identical Kings Cross buildings. One was recently repainted in a fabulous colour scheme (it was mentioned in my post on the feature doors). Other one was neglected for a long time.

Guess which of two buildings reached a street record unit price? Which has a triple rent?

Project of the Month - May 2

Lately we have done a lot of wallpaper removal, like in this harbour view Lane Cove apartment.

The bad thing about wallpaper – you never know what it covers! Often there are patches, damages or uneven surfaces underneath of it. This unit had very rough porous concrete walls that never were painted before. They required full skimming to fill in those pores before painting.

Project of the Month - December 3

If you think that “the complete make-over’s” are only for old houses or units – think again!

Few decades ago Domain Apartments went through a massive transformation – it was converted from an office building to an apartment block.

Now the time came for a new massive interior refurbishment for this block of units – a new paint, tile, carpet, new everything! The 80’s interior of pink and brass metal is gone. It is now replaced by an absolutely stylish colour scheme of olive green, dark red, and neutrals. What a difference!

Project of a Month - AUGUST 2

BEFORE

AFTER

Our second terrace makeover this month. This one is in Paddington.

Dulux colour consultant picked a gorgeous grey for walls. But balcony railings were specified in dark charcoal and this was making house look very serious and official. The owners did not like it. So we paint it back in white. It is much better this way. It makes the house look light and funky. It really suits the lovely young family living here!

Project of a Month - AUGUST 1

BEFORE

AFTER

This sad looking Stanmore terrace has just received a facelift. You always hear that painting can change the whole look of a house – here’s a proof. It looks charming after brickwork was painted and rusted ironwork repaired and repainted?

Tip for DIY’ers:
It takes 3-6 coats to paint the brick wall, depending on a brick quality. The first coat usually almost completely gets absorbed in a brick. So you can use a paint of almost any colour (be reasonable) as long as it is an undercoat or a self-priming exterior paint. Use your left-over paint or buy mis-tinted paint from a paint shop for a fraction of a price.

Project of a Month - JANUARY 2

WALSH BAY - TODAY

TODAY - Walsh Bay Waterfront

THEN - Walsh Bay Shore 2-3 during construction

THEN - our team. I'm no the left.

This sunny apartment at Sydney’s Walsh Bay had to be quickly repainted before a new tenant moves in.

I’m very sentimental every time I’m asked to do painting on Walsh Bay waterfront. My last job before I started my Ol’ Painting business was as a foreman at Sydney’s Walsh Bay development. I supervised lead pant removal at Shore 2-3 and new painting at Shore 6-7. At one stage I had to give a final polish EVERY SINGLE NAIL of the exterior walls of Shore 2-3! Took me five days to complete!

I’m very proud that I was engaged in transformation of this precinct! Walsh Bay is one of my favourite places in Sydney.