A COTTAGE EXTERIOR RENOVATION WITH SERIOUS STREET APPEAL
We've all driven past a house and thought, Ooh, that's a good one.
The pretty colour. The gorgeous front door. The garden that looks like someone delights in taking care of it.
It's rarely just one thing that makes a home look beautiful. It's all those little decisions working together.
And that's exactly what we wanted to achieve with our Cottage Exterior renovation in Sydney’s south.
When it came to giving this charming cottage a fresh new look, we focused on making thoughtful changes that would have a big impact without losing any of its original character.
BEFORE
AFTER
The secret to getting this exterior transformation just right?
It wasn't one big change.
It was a whole lot of clever design decisions working together.
From the cladding and exterior colour to the beautiful new front door, tiled porch, recycled brick pathway and garden details, every element had a part to play.
Let's take a step-by-step look at how we achieved this transformation.
Step 1: A fresh take on classic cottage cladding
To refresh this cottage without losing its original charm and character, we turned to our friends at James Hardie. We used their Axon™ Cladding to introduce beautiful vertical lines to the exterior, paired with Hardie™ Axent™ Trim to create a modern take on traditional board-and-batten detailing.
And… what a difference.
The vertical cladding gives the home a sense of height, while the horizontal trim adds definition and character. Together, they create a look that feels both timeless and fresh.
It's classic cottage style, but with a contemporary twist.
There’s a practical side to all this prettiness too.
James Hardie's fibre cement products are designed to stand up to Australian conditions, with resistance to moisture damage and termites. The cladding also comes pre-primed and ready to paint, making it a great choice when you want a beautiful finish without signing yourself up for a lifetime of maintenance.
Pretty AND practical? Our favourite combination.
Step 2: Transform the Mood with A TRANQUIL COLOUR PALETTE
We chose a beautiful, soft green exterior paint that gives the cottage a fresh, understated feel while letting all that gorgeous cladding detail shine.
Paired with white trim around the windows and front door, the green creates a lovely contrast that feels contemporary, without losing an ounce of the home's original cottage charm.
And it's not just about looking pretty. The white trim helps define the architectural details, while the green works beautifully with the natural textures we've introduced around the entrance.
It's a good reminder that choosing an exterior colour isn't just about finding a shade you love. It's about how that colour works with everything around it, from the trims and doors to the tiles and landscaping.
Step 3: CREATE an Entrance with A NEW FRONT DOOR
Who doesn't love a beautiful front door? It's the first thing that welcomes you home, greets your guests and makes an impression before anyone's even stepped inside.
For this cottage, we introduced a gorgeous new arched front door with reeded glass detail to give the entrance a fresh focal point and a little extra personality. Paired with the new cladding, soft green exterior and crisp white trim, it's a detail that really helps bring the whole façade to life.
But while a new front door felt necessary for this project, we were pretty besotted with the existing windows. By refreshing the cladding, colour and trim around them, the original windows feel right at home in the new design.
It's a great reminder that a successful renovation isn't always about what you change. Sometimes, it's about knowing what to keep.
And if that means saving a few renovation dollars along the way? Even better.
STEP 4: CREATE A FRONT porch worth coming home to
Let's move down to the front porch.
Because while the cladding and colour create the overall look, the finishes underfoot are just as important.
We teamed up with Amber to bring beautiful natural-looking texture to the entrance, using their Classic Travertine Tile and Carrara Marble Tile as part of the exterior transformation.
We love the way these materials bring softness and character to the space.
The warm, earthy tones of travertine sit beautifully alongside the cooler, classic feel of Carrara marble, adding depth and interest without competing with the rest of the façade.
It's the kind of combination that makes the entrance feel considered, but not overdone.
STEP 5: A recycled brick pathway with all the charm
Now for one of those details that might not be the first thing you notice, but makes SUCH a difference.
The path to the front door.
Rather than choosing something brand new and perfectly uniform, we introduced a recycled brick pathway leading towards the home.
We love the character this feature brings. The recycled brick feels warm and established, which makes it a beautiful match for a cottage.
It adds texture, a little old-world charm and a lovely contrast to the clean lines of the new cladding.
Plus, it's a clever way to introduce a material with its own history into a refreshed space.
STEP 6: The curved garden bed that softens everything
You know how sometimes an exterior can look beautiful, but feel a little too straight and structured? That's where landscaping comes in.
With the strong vertical lines of the cladding and the crisp trim detailing, we wanted to bring a softer shape into the overall design.
Enter the curved garden bed.
It's such a lovely contrast to the architecture, adding movement and helping the garden feel like a natural extension of the home.
Rather than having everything follow straight lines, the curve introduces a relaxed, welcoming feel, and it helps guide the eye towards the entrance.
It's a good reminder that landscaping isn't just the cherry on top of an exterior renovation but part of the whole design.
STEP 7: Last, but not least, let's talk fencing
Because you can have the most beautiful house in the street, but if the fence and front gate don't work with the new look, the whole thing can feel a little unfinished.
For this makeover, we introduced a white Hamptons-style fence and custom-built arbour to create a more cohesive look from the street.
Together with the recycled brick pathway and curved garden bed, these details create a welcoming journey from the street right through to the entrance.
The finishing touches make all the difference
What YOU CAN Learn from This Makeover
If there's one thing this cottage makeover can remind you of, it's that street appeal is all about the bigger picture.
The cladding gives the home its character.
The colour and trim bring definition.
The new front door creates a focal point.
The tiles add beautiful texture.
And the pathway, landscaping, fencing and gate bring everything together.
And while a beautiful exterior can help make a home more appealing to future buyers, the biggest win?
Creating a home you love coming back to. Every. Single. Day.
Feeling inspired to give your own façade a little love?
Explore the cladding and exterior trim options from James Hardie and the beautiful tile range at Amber.
Because sometimes the dream home you've been imagining is already there.
It just needs a little makeover magic.
Spotted something you love?
Head to our Get the Look page for all the details.
