Elizabeth Allnutt
Melbourne couple Dan and Dani were contestants on Channel 9’s hit reality show The Block in 2012 and 2013 and proved themselves to be skilled renovators, pocketing $668,000 in winnings.
Dan is a licensed builder and handles all the construction, while Dani has a very good eye and takes care of the design. They make a great team and have unsurprisingly continued to utilise their skills off-air.
One of their most ambitious projects to date has been the transformation of a dilapidated weatherboard house in Melbourne’s inner-west. The couple hesitated when they first spotted the property because it needed a lot of work, but when it remained on the market for 18 months they snapped it up for a bargain. “There were rats everywhere and it had kind of become the neighbourhood dumping ground,” says Dani. “I felt sorry for the old girl.”
The house in its original condition.
With a budget of $400,000 the dynamic duo set about creating a three bedroom family home with a cohesive feel. This was no easy feat. “Almost every part of this project had some kind of issue tied to it,” says Dani. “Whether it be the electricity supplier not connecting the power, the decorative pieces attached to the façade being lost, the second timber stain not matching the first, break-ins, damaged floors… seriously, you name it and it happened.”
High quality and natural finishes were a focus of the renovation.
The biggest challenge was the three month delay and financial hit that occurred when they realised the property had not been adequately restumped. The couple had based their renovation on a promise from the previous owner that the work had been done, and were suddenly forced to resubmit plans to build on a concrete slab.
“The kitchen is so practical, it’s going to kill me to leave it when we sell,” says Dani.
All the hard work however has paid off with a beautiful result. “Being an owner builder on a project of this scale was a tough gig especially with our limited experience, but holy hell we have learned a lot,” says Dani.
The outdoor entertaining deck was designed by Franklin Landscape & Design.
The modest 200 square metre block has been cleverly utilised to create an amazingly spacious home. Downstairs the beautifully finished open-plan living areas flow outside to an entertaining deck via bifold doors. And upstairs the study and luxurious master suite have panoramic views of Melbourne’s skyline. “I love seeing other people’s reactions when they come through the house, it never gets old,” says Dani.
The interiors have a contemporary Australian feel.
Dani’s top renovating tips
Plan and research: You can’t plan enough at the start. Seek advice and ask the experts, people are very willing to share their knowledge, experiences and opinions with you.
Stick to your budget:If the project is your forever home then I believe the budget is endless (within reason). If the project is an investment then it becomes a business decision, so definitely stick to your budget and be smart with where you spend your money.
Be flexible: I like to say be flexible instead of compromise because I don’t feel we should have to compromise on anything. Be flexible with your choices and accept that if something isn’t going to work, don’t fight it, just come up with a solution… it will often be better in end.
The luxurious master suite.
Dan and Dani bought the property for $462,000, invested $500,000 for renovations and, after a year living it, listed it on market. They sold it in November 2016 for $1.3 million after auction.
