Donna and Glenn Mepstead have spent the past decade transforming a 1960s brick veneer home. Their work has now inspired many other Bunnings Workshop community members.
Based in Gembrook on the south-eastern edge of Melbourne's suburbs, their home looked dated when purchased but now has a contemporary country feel and makes great use of stunning views.
Known on Bunnings Workshop as @Dons-Glenno, Donna and Glenn have shared creative projects including their bathroom and toilet makeover, living room remodel with feature wall, upcycled bedroom furniture, and a country and industrial-style kitchen renovation that won best kitchen makeover in our search for 2024's best Australian D.I.Y. projects.
“Glenn is very savvy, and he likes to save some dollars,” says Donna, who typically is the designer of their projects. “He's a very good YouTuber and he does a lot of research before undertaking any task.”
The couple's renovation journey has also included a comprehensive exterior makeover. By replacing windows, adding a new messmate front door and recladding the home in James Hardie Linea weatherboards, Donna and Glenn shifted the house away from its original orange-brick look.
The facade now sits much more naturally in its rural setting. The soft green cladding and crisp white trims helped complete the change, giving the home a fresh look while still keeping it connected to its surroundings.
“We wanted to complement the surroundings by incorporating some green, but not make it overwhelming,” says Donna. “I love green. Green is my colour. All the trims, eaves and fascia board are painted white in a semi-gloss water-based enamel.”
What makes Donna and Glenn's story especially relatable is the way their renovation journey has unfolded over time. Completed across weekends and evenings, it reflects the kind of patient, hands-on approach that resonates strongly with the Bunnings Workshop community.
Glenn’s research-driven mindset and Donna’s growing renovation knowledge have helped the couple take on ambitious work themselves and gradually bring their vision to life.
Read more on the Bunnings website: Stunning brick home transformation with weatherboards and How to create a country-style bathroom.
