Relatively unique home renovation ideas you've either thought of or actually done?

Especially if you are short, like me.

Not only would you have the reach issue, as above, it would be way too high.

 

In slab electric coil floor heating that is attached the the slab reinforcing before the pour ... not exactly unique - but not really known about in Australia. Ours was a first for our builders' electrician, and cost no more than a single reverse cycle aircon unit at around $5,000, fully installed for a 3bed/2bath open plan living house (each room is on a separate thermostat).

Not sure who our electrician actually used for supply, but this website gives a pretty good idea of the product.

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Most people know about hydronic in floor heating, and are horrified at the cost - or under carpet/tile/floorboards which doesn't "store" the heat, so it dissipates quickly - but this product gives off a crisp radiant heat (not muggy like aircon), toasty underfoot and I would recommend it to anyone looking to build in a cooler climate.

We run ours for a couple of hours during the day - so it runs direct off the solar - and the slab stored heat keeps the house cosy and warm all night. Only downfall is that it can get a little hot during a sunny day, so we have to open a window or three, which is great for keeping the air fresh anyhow - but doesn't affect the heat given off as it's slab stored.

Granted - not so good for keeping cool in summer, but that's why we live on the coast

 

I'd put it in the if I can't have anything else list. There are definitely situations where it is well suited but they aren't the type of things I dabble in

 

"under island bench" artwork being installed ... still to be screwed in place, then covered with scratch-resistant acrylic and edging trim

 

Mitchell Revs! A great young local talent

 

Very much so - I'll get some proper photos done for their promotion, when it's fully installed (and the kitchen is tidier).

What I would do different tho, is get the image printed on the reverse of the acrylic (they print it back to front so comes out the "right way" when installed) as sticking the vinyl mural to the backing board was a bit of a nightmare ... didn't know that's how the installer does it, but do now for next time

 

Not professional (18yr old's iPhone) - but better than my old Android and looks amazing with the acrylic installed

 

Off the shelf, flat pack, Easy-As (seriously, that's the brand) plantation shutters from Bunnings.

Not exactly easy as - but not particular difficult either - and half the price of having a professional installer

 

Looks great @Lizzie !!

 

The shutters look really good. Do they come in set sizes - so they work only for standard size windows?

 

They do come in set sizes or you can order to size (bit more expensive per sqm for special orders)

 

Due to a lack of wall space in our kitchen design there was almost nowhere for a power outlet

So bought an office desk pop up power tower

When you don't need it just push it into the bench out of the way

 

Its a really neat solution.

 

We did that too, in the stone island bench, as didn't want plugs on the waterfall sides. It looks fab and cost less than $100. They run to an in-cabinetry power point (on the back of a cabinet, behind a drawer), so not hard wired in.

Ours also has usb chargers for the phones

Can get them with the stone inserted in the top, and hydraulic lifting, but cost 7 times a much