HOW HOUSE 17’S EXTERIOR GOT ITS GROOVE BACK
Let’s be honest - we’ve all judged a house by its cover. You drive past, glance up, and instantly get a vibe. Whether it’s a charming cottage with a storybook gate or a modern masterpiece with crisp lines and lush landscaping, the exterior of a home sets the tone before you even step inside.
At House 17, we knew the exterior makeover wasn’t just about creating a pretty façade but also about giving every inch of this home’s outdoor presence a glow-up. From the front entry to the backyard, the landscaping to the lighting, the materials to the mood - we wanted the whole exterior to feel cohesive, thoughtful, and totally Cali Cool.
And as we always say: first impressions count - big time. But so do second glances. And sunset BBQs. And driveway arrivals after a long day. That’s the magic of a beautiful exterior - it welcomes, uplifts, and makes you fall in love with your home over and over again.
Before we got our hands on her, House 17 was more “blink and you’ll miss it” than “stop and stare.” The bones were there, but she was hiding in plain sight - old brick, weather-worn paint and a backyard that didn’t reach its full potential.
So, with our vision board in hand, we carefully selected the materials, colours, and products we needed to transform the entire exterior, both aesthetically and functionally. We were on a mission to make every corner of this home’s outside space feel as beautiful and intentional as the interiors. Here are a few things we did to ensure House 17’s exterior stood out from the crowd, while staying true to our Cali Cool vision.
SET THE SCENE WITH LOVELY LANDSCAPING
There’s nothing quite like a bit of botanical beauty to set the tone for your home. So, when it came time to green-up House 17, our first port of call was hipages. Honestly, it’s like having a tradie genie in your pocket. Just open the app, pop in the job details, and voilà! Licensed landscapers come to you, already briefed and ready to dig in (literally).
And boy, did our landscapers deliver. They didn’t just zjoosh up the gardens inside the fence; they prepped and planted the garden boxes built into the fence, installed our dreamy new entry gate, and added cross-bar detailing that mirrors the design on the carport. And they nailed it!
Why we love using hipages to find tradies to bolster our dream team:
It’s super simple to search, compare and hire book trusted tradies from your phone or computer.
Verified reviews and star ratings make decision-making a breeze.
It removes the stress of finding reliable, high-quality trades. Just enter your job details and let the magic happen.
🌶️ Reno School Hot Tip: A great design is only half the job. Skilled tradespeople are the magic-makers who turn Pinterest boards into real-life perfection, so choose wisely and treat them like gold.
CREATED A WELCOMING ENTRY
The front door is like a handshake for your home, so naturally, we wanted it to be firm, stylish, and effortlessly oozing Cali Cool charm. Enter Corinthian Doors. We went with the Blonde Oak AWO 5, a timeless stile-and-rail beauty that anchors the façade and brings all the elements together like a dream.
Why it works:
It’s solid and secure, giving peace of mind as well as polish.
The style complements both the old and new parts of the home.
It sets the tone for what’s inside: clean, calm and considered.
It comes in a versatile white oak veneer that can be stained or painted. We painted it in dreamy Dulux ‘Tuft’.
🏆 Top Tip: Never underestimate the power of a front door. A quality design can instantly lift your exterior and boost street appeal, and often more affordably than you’d think, giving you great bang for buck.
COMPLEMENTED THE OLD & THE NEW
The new rear extension was always going to be a different material from the front of the house, but it was essential that the new complemented the old.
Having previously used and loved board-and-batten finish at House 13, we knew this look would work well for the exterior finish on the new extension. Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding, paired with Hardie™ Axent™ Trim, create the perfect chic, streamlined look. We spaced the Axent™ Trim (89mm wide) at 450mm intervals to give us the strong lines we wanted, without overpowering the design.
Board-and-batten is a great choice if you’re looking for a clean, modern silhouette with just the right amount of texture and interest - a signature of our beloved Cali Cool style.
Here’s what we love about this combo:
The textured finish adds visual interest without overpowering.
The battens create architectural rhythm and detail.
🔥 Hot Tip: All cladding is not created equal! James Hardie™ products are made from fibre cement, so they’re built tough to withstand the Aussie elements. That means long-lasting good looks with less painting, no warping or termites, and minimal upkeep. Yes, please!
CHOSE LIGHT AND NATURAL TONES
Colour can completely transform the mood of your home, and it can make or break your vision board dreams.
When it comes to painting, we always reach for Dulux Weathershield for exteriors because it’s built tough to withstand the harsh Aussie climate. It’s specially designed to provide a hard-wearing finish that protects against all weather conditions. Formulated with MaxiFlex® Technology to expand and contract with the surface, Dulux guarantees that Weathershield® won’t peel, flake or blister for as long as you live in your home. Wow!
For this Cali Cool home, we opted for a soft, natural colour palette that feels fresh, calm, and totally in line with the vision.
Here’s what we chose for the exterior:
Front Porch
Entry Wall: Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Oyster Linen
Front Door, Ceiling, Eaves, Fascia, Posts & Arch: Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Tuft
Rear Extension
Eaves & Fascia Board: Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Tuft
Cladding, Accent Trim, Ceiling & Pergola Fascia: Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Oyster Linen
Carport & Front Fence/Gate
Carport - Ceiling, Eaves, Barge Board, Gables, Posts & Balustrade: Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Tuft
Fence & Front Gate: Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Tuft
The result is a simple tonal, layered palette that lets the architectural details shine.
👩🏫 Learning Moment: A timeless exterior colour doesn’t mean boring. Start with a warm base tone and layer in depth with texture and detailing (think mouldings, trims, cladding lines) for a façade that feels rich but still relaxed.
A FEW THINGS WE’VE LEARNED ABOUT EXTERIORS
With over 17 renovations under our toolbelts, we’ve picked up a thing or two about transforming exteriors!
💡 First impressions start outside
Your exterior is the first hello. It sets the mood, builds anticipation, and gives a little glimpse into the magic waiting inside.
💡 Street appeal = serious value
Buyers fall in love from the kerb. A well-thought-out exterior creates an emotional connection before anyone even knocks on the door.
💡 It’s your home’s signature look
Whether it’s modern coastal, Hamptons charm or Cali Cool, your exterior should reflect the vibe you want to live in every day.
💡 It feels so good to come home to
There’s something pretty special about pulling into the driveway and thinking, “Yep. This is ours.” Pride + joy = the best combo.
If your home’s exterior is feeling a little underwhelming, this is your sign! A few simple upgrades like fresh cladding, a standout front door, a zjoosh of your garden or even just a lick of paint can totally transform how your home looks and how it makes you feel.
Get The Look For Less!
Dreaming of that drool-worthy exterior but keen to save a few (thousand!) dollars along the way? We hear you. With the Three Birds Card, you can shop and save on all your exterior needs, from cladding to trims and everything in between.
It’s your VIP pass to dreamy discounts that’ll help bring your dream home to life without blowing the budget.
Ready to start saving?
Hit the button below and let’s make those exterior goals happen for less!
