Petitt and Sevitt renovations

[mhills]

Hi,

We're renovating a split level 3 bed Pettit and Sevitt designed home in a bush setting in Sydney.

Has anyone out there done the same, or renovated a similar era (1963) split level home? If so would be keen to swap ideas.

We want to modernise the house.

So far we have ripped up the green shag pile and painted internally! Floorboards are being sanded and stained next month.

We are thinking of rendering the outside, at the moment it is brick, with a lot of mission brown timberwork.

If anyone has seen some good renos to these type of houses would be keen to hear.

Thanks

[pharmaboy2]

Hi, I'm not sure how much help I can be, i've lived in 3, done some minor additions to one (deck), but know what you are talking about re difficult of where to start and finish.

Houses magazine had a couple of reno's to these types of houses about 2 years ago. I'd seriously contemplate finding an architect through archicentre or the institute, who is of suitable age and experience with the style. Explain your problem, and offer to engage them for a 3 hour talkfest on site - they should have quite a few ideas.

Rendering will totally change the look, which will mean painting the window frames, removing the quarry tiles(?). Things like bathrooms you can be lucky with the white small tiles, but new benchtops , door for showers, WC can make a huge difference. Light colours outside will get more light in with light coloured carpet, and trimming the trees to the north, then painting the requisite pergola white.

Timber door handles - change em all to SS, even changing the electrical plates covers will help (tend to have discolored by now). All the walls should have been stark white already, but sometimes previous owners put i feature walls and darken the place a little more. Last idea is change as amany lights over to halogen (nice white light).

[mhills]

Hi,

Thanks for the tips...we did change all of the plate covers and you are right it makes such a huge difference!
will try and track down that issue of houses magazine

[Alfie]

My husband and I are in a similar boat - we bought a P&S house just under a year ago and are now on the endless renovation bandwagon.

We've put in a new kitchen (which is remarkably similar to the old one in layout!), painted it throughout and polished the floorboards.

Our place is split-level too and we've found some great scandinavian light fittings which have helped modernise it while staying true to the style.

Would love to swap ideas if you want, either by dropping me a line through the mailer or via this thread. We're also in St Ives (well, the Chase, actually).

Edited to add: Oh, and you may be interested to know the Powerhouse Museum has all the P&S archives. I haven't checked them out but they are publicly accessible Mon-Fri.