DIY renovation for small flat

[RosieD]

We renovated a small flat on a very tight budget. We had to do most of the work ourselves, and used trades where necessary. 

Materials

All cabinetry carcasses: form plywood

https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-2400-x-1200mm-17mm-formply-f17_p0390224

Sliding cabinet doors: Bunnings plywood with feast Watson limping white to finish

https://www.bunnings.com.au/1200-x-810mm-3mm-plywood-pine-premium-bc-grade_p0340268

https://www.bunnings.com.au/feast-watson-1l-liming-white_p1564639

Decorative timber screen: Merbau timber battens

https://www.bunnings.com.au/42-x-18mm-2-7m-fj-pre-oiled-merbau-screening_p0177440

Wall paint: Dulux Wash & Wear 'Natural White' and 'Harpoon'

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-10l-wash-wear-low-sheen-natural-white-paint_p1370174

Timberbench tops: Victorian ash

https://www.bunnings.com.au/2400-x-900-x-33mm-hardwood-laminated-panel_p0267054

Appliances & handles: Ikea

Tiles: Original Ceramics

Tools

Steps

Step 1

Making the cabinetry. Oh god! It took quite a while. Many, many weekends in our friend's shed, as we were renovating a flat so had little space on site to work with. Form plywood was used as it is easy to work with, strong, termite resistant, readily available and cost effective. The black colour is a nice contrast to the white walls and provides a water resistant finish. We used an entire palette of the stuff for the whole apartment (50 x sheets).

Step 2

A custom made puzzle board, made from Victorian Ash with legs salvaged from the side of the road (an old chair).

Step 3

A special cat bed by the window for our furball with a nice garden view.

Step 4

A timber screen made from merbau and cut on 45 degree angles and routed to form an interesting 'bamboo like' pattern.

Step 5

Turned out great!

[EricL]

Hi @RosieD 

I love it that you've carried on with your Formply theme up to your living room. That beautifully unifies the theme of your flat from end to end. Your Merbau divider is just so original and serves as a fantastic divider between the rooms. This project is definitely going into my bookmarks.

Eric

[RosieD]

Hello @EricL,

Thanks, appreciate it!

The screen has proven to be very useful for hanging hats, coats, plants, umbrellas and whatever else.

Rosie

[Dave-1]

Good eveing @RosieD 

I really like that black and timber styling. It looks sleek and modern plus functional. You mention that you went through a whole pallet of the boards? Far out! Thats a LOT of work!

Definently worth the effort, Its an idea I will file away for future use The cabinetry in the kitchen and the shelves on the wall really are heading towards the style I have for my own kitchen. The house feels like it all fits together. The more I look through the photos the more it links together.

Really like it.

Dave

[RosieD]

Thanks @Dave-1 ,

It was a lot of work! 

We had a cabinet maker help us with installing the kitchen hardware, but the rest we did ourselves (making the cabinets, sourcing materials, measuring, design & shop drawing, cutting, installation, finishing etc).

I think it was worth it as we saved a lot of money doing it this way, but it was more of an investment in time.

What I like the most is that is a bit unique.

Cheers,

Rosie