Thats actually a lovely, well designed garden. Someone has put a lot of thought into it and you have some absolute gems!! You're blessed with some great sized trees and shrubs and trust me, Australia needs to be keeping more of these established gardens rather than ripping them out! It would be a wonderful sanctuary for birds and wildlife not to mention bees. Giving you lovely shade during your hot summers. Its one of those gardens you could actually go out and sit in for your morning cuppa. If youve got the budget consult a great landscaper/designer to help. Have fun...can't wait to see how your home evolves.
Yes I love all of the different plants in the garden and we’ve seen so many bees and birds already! Definitely going to choose wisely before we change anything xx
I am so obsessed with that backyard already. The amount of different plants is amazing. Would love to see Susie consult with a landscaper who's keen on wild gardens and biodiversity so they can tell her what gems she has back there and what needs to go (weeds, invasives, etc.) and what would be good for her lifestyle (level of care, fruits and flowers they like, etc.). It's going to be so so dreamy when they're done doing it up, I am already so jealous 😂
@@lucyddreamwithme This would make a great video actually, a walk through the garden with someone pointing out the plants and trees and helping her make a plan for it!
@@MangoBells I would watch the absolute shit out of that lol. The before and after footage of whatever they do with that consultation info would go so crazy.
My only advice is to live in the house for a little bit before making any big changes to see what works and what doesn’t with its flow. Congratulations! Can’t wait to see what you do with the space 🏗🦺👏
I second this!! I rent my house but when we first moved there I mentioned how if we owned it I would do a list of things… now that list is completely different. Except changing the bathroom door… there’s an open cat door in the bathroom door and you can hear (and smell) whatever you’re doing in there.
Like someone else said, if you get rid of the carpet and tiles and chuck down a beautiful hardwood floor it'll make the place much less beige and creamy! The kitchen I actually love and I think you could make it to your taste without spending too much at all-- change the backsplash if you want more colour and change out the handles on all the cabinetry and maybe change the sink/tapware for something more functional but it's honestly really nice. Personally I kinda dig a separate kitchen/living sitch so I wouldn't want to knock the wall down but it depends on your lifestyle. Do nottttt paint brick, not because I disagree with it stylistically but because it is SO bad for it and traps the moisture in. You will be giving yourself future problems. Also congratulations, I've been so excited to see your househunting videos and hoped you'd find a place speedily. I just bought an apartment in Melbourne solo and will be doing some fixing up too so I'm keen to see what you do with your place!
i think its awesome that the garden has become overgrown bc that means it needs very little tending and a lot of the mature plants are self sustaining! just trim it back and do some weeding and watering in the summers :)
My biggest regret is renovating my current home immediately and not living there for a few years, really figuring out what works and what doesn’t before tearing our walls, adding rooms, etc. I redid the kitchen, dining room, flooring immediately then realized I despise the actual layout of the kitchen. So now I have to redo it all…again. I added French doors to a few rooms before living in the space and realizing they aren’t needed, arches and the office being open would work better for how we live. This home has lovely bones, really live in the space, especially that kitchen layout, before committing to any renovations. You’re going to have so much fun turning this into your dream home!
I lived in a 1970s house for a few years. It had a room with those big tiles, and the room opened onto the back patio. I had a small pool. I made the mistake of walking on those tiles with wet feet one time. I fell, and it was not good. I have hated those large tiles every since.
with the open plan idea: i wouldn't purely because it is so incredibly annoying when you're trying to watch tv or just relax in the living room and someone's banging around the kitchen. plus having all the kitchen smells permeate the entire downstairs, both good and bad. if you would like more space, maybe do the kind of open plan you can shut off with doors (like the sliding pocket doors maybe) so it's flexible and you're able to shut off and be cosy and quiet when you want to, and open and 'social' when you want to
It’s so personal though - I’ve had both and I LOVED the open plan kitchen. For our lifestyle it works so well. But if you have kids it might actually be nicer to have a separate zone
You and another creator I follow are buying houses this year and I just bought my first property and it warms my heart to see women our age being able to afford it
Omg Sussie! This house has beautiful bones! The windows are amazing. The space is unreal! I personally love cream I’d just redo the floors to some sort of wood or wood alternative. The cupboards and kitchen are perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. The new windows are so nice and the back door. You crack me up the 70s room you don’t want to change. Then all the modern parts I think I want to change this 😂. The garden is a dream! Just needs a little green thumb and some tlc.
Everything is lovely and once you live in it, you’ll realize what you need to do. My only advice from 5 years of house Reno’s. No one needs a dining room. You’re better off (when you renovate the kitchen.) extend the kitchen into that dining space. Then you’ll end up with a bigger ‘eat in’ area. Where you can put a nice big table. Shifting the kitchen into the dining space, will allow you to have things like a big pantry and an island if that’s your jam. It really is a beaut of a house!
Susie, congratulations on your house. It's a big big achievement at such a young age. I have a couple of suggestions: 1. The walk in closet in the master bedroom seems small. I suggest you connect it with the bathroom and add a duo bathtub+shower setup. The glass shower door situation in the bathroom is high maintenance and honestly there are so many better options available. I wish I could describe it without references/pictures. 2. Turn your smallest bedroom into a walk-in closet. You make makeup and outfit related content as well so that space will be highly useful (for vanity/filming). 3. I suggest you scan pinterest and interior designing pages thoroughly. You have a ton of space which can be utilized and also changed as per your aesthetic. Good luck on your journey!
I would keep the kitchen wall for privacy - also changing out the handles in the kitchen cabinets would make it look so much more updated as would changing out the sink & crown moulding on the cabinets. I love the orange tile you have & the black windows - they’re gorgeous!! Obviously structural & moisture issues take priority but I’m excited to see the aesthetic updates!! ❤ Also if you want the arches to show, you could place your curtains below the arch portion of the windows - or do blinds/window cling where you want privacy. OOKKAYY the garden is gorgeous. I wouldn’t do much but definitely add a seating area It’s so cute! Also, would not paint the brick for anything. It is so cute & goes so well with the garden.
It is absolutely gorgeous, just like you both. Heaps of natural light, great backyard space, love the brick, character arches and loads of potential. Congratulations guys, I am here for the renovation era ❤
Personally I would close the ensuite bathroom with a door, because of the damp air from showering.. but anyway.. I am loving the house. Looks suuuper nice. Bit of colour and it will be the dream. Also loving Murrays commentary lol
Con-freaking- grats!! I work in the construction world in California and one suggestion I would have for you is for you are Murray to have fun with it! So many couples get strained during a renovation due to stress and decision fatigue. But have some fun and know each decision isn’t the end of the world. Also I’m sure you guys are going to do the structural stuff first because obviously that’s most important. Depending on the crawlspace under the house you may need to redo the subfloor to access the plumping lines and if there’s any rot it can spread. It can be $$ but nothing to stress over you got it girl. You just don’t want to put new floors down or do any remodeling because your contractor may need to open the walls or floor. You are going to do amazing!!
That garden is stellar! So much potential. As you live in it, you will start to envisage what you will want from it. Things like, where does the sun set etc will all impact how you foresee changing it! Love the mature shrubs and trees!
First thought was to knock down the wall between the bathroom and walk in closet in the master to extend the bathroom. Double sinks and a tub could make the bathroom more luxurious. If turning one of the bedrooms into a walk in closet is already a plan
I gotta say that something I love about the gardens in other countries are that they’re so beautiful. A lot of backyards in the USA are very flat and plain and have nothing going on. A lot of them don’t even have trees (at least where I am). If I ever want something as pretty as yours I’m gonna have to lay so many bricks and plant my own bushes and trees and that’s not gonna have any character for quite a while until they grow out
Susie, this house is amazing. What an amazing house with a bare pallet ready for you and Murray. My partner and I have just completed our journey and are selling our home, sooo similar to your house. Please be kind to yourself, Reno’s are HARD but absolutely rewarding, and when you and Murray need a break, leave the house and go chill, collect yourself then come back. SOO happy for you girlie xxx
That garden is amazing and it's set up for you! It would be a great place to sit and read! You could pull a bit out for a chicken coop if you're allowed to have them. Clean everything up before you move/purchase big furniture. Also paint as much as you can before you fill the house and put in new flooring. We didn't and now it's a pain to try and move everything to paint.
CONGRATULATIONS!! This is what my family always did when ever we had to move--my mother would buy the worst house in a decent area. I learned a lot from her when buying my own home. We've renovated one thing since moving in (because the bathroom was unusable and would flood the place when you showered). Seconding what others have said, live in the place for a bit before renovating UNLESS you're refinishing hardwoods. Do that before moving in haha. I would recommend keeping the kitchen as-is, it will allow you to do more things with other rooms. Open floor plans are strangely limiting. Installing mini split systems like the one in the master bedroom is likely the way to go, they're nice. Oh, and DO NOT PAINT BRICK, it needs to breathe!
Holy cow, you guys did great! To the contrary, it definitely doesn't look like a fixer upper. The layout is quite nice, I am obsessed with the laundry room floor, and I actually like the carpet and the curtains. All of the hard floors need to be replaced cuz those are no good, and some paint on the walls and some new hardware in the kitchen to bring it updated. Those glass cabinets in the kitchen are beautiful as well. You should look into maybe putting some wood slats or some type of modern design to close in the living room where the arches are. It will look more modern, but you won't have to do anything structural. There's lots of cool things you can do there. Beautiful house, I'm very proud of you, creeping on you over here in America lol. 😂❤❤😂
First step in updating the landscaping is thinking about what activities you want to do in the yard. Right now it looks like it’s made for strolling through, which is lovely, but berry bushes specially need some occasional pruning. I wonder if native plants could be part of the new design?
Susie congratulations on your house purchase! I just bought a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom and it felt like I was walking through our new house haha we are waiting for our place to settle though. Being a seasoned renovator, bought my first place at the age of 18 and the latest is our 3rd home, I am sure another commenter has mentioned this but would highly recommend fixing the foundations before starting the inside Reno’s. Also I would recommend not painting the brick if you are already having mold problems. Brick is so breathable.. paint stops that and will also make you have to upkeep with continuously painting. You did the right thing by buying a brick home! Our last two were wood and the upkeep and repainting is just insane. You could add some cool decorative outdoor window shutters and other black or wood pieces to break up the brick look. Also agree with other comments regarding knocking interior walls. Separated rooms are coming back into style! We just bought a brick place with arches and seperate rooms and I love it, you can style each room differently with different colors or themes, open plan you are kind of stuck to one theme. Can’t wait to see what you do to it! I’m on the south coast and already have a Pinterest board ready for settlement with the modern coastal theme to include our old arches which are also coming back into style! ❤️
I’d recommend in the kitchen making a shelf within the pantry where you can use your toaster, toastie maker etc - I’ve seen these in houses and it’s so convenient, rather than just a little box. Also means you can store your bread in there. & I would say whatever changes you make, especially in the bathroom in kitchen , make sure it’s life proof / easy to clean …. Or be ok with the fact that you’re willing to take longer cleaning.
Hi Susie 👋❤ I'm and interior designer and the fact that you said you want to bring back some of the 70s charm of the house makes me so happy. It really grinds my gears when cute 70s or other older house get turn into white boxes with no personality!!!!! So thank you for considering bringing some of the retro design back!
Area rugs for color and texture. Tiles are perfect to keep clean and cleaning rugs. I have to take my area rugs outside to clean because I have wood floors. Keep tiles for awhile to figure out the wear and tear of every day living. Bead curtains in Master for both arches. Termites can be eradicated so you don't have to remove it all. And just thinning out the bushes. I have brick too but it's more whitewashed and stands out beautifully with the greens. and colors of flowers. I wouldn't paint but stain with lighter shade. The texture remains but the dreariness goes away. And last I'm so jealous that's a fine house. Congratulations
Yay renovation videos coming up !! If I were you I'd change the floors first thing haha (wood in bedrooms and living room, different tile for the kitchen and hallway - something rich in color like those octogonal redish ones), paint the walls, redo the bathrooms to add in character and color for the love of god, change a few features in the kitchen (like changing that god awful sink), put some french doors between the living area and the dining room, create a cosy breakfast nook and put grass outside :) Oh and a stained glass window instead of that plain one in the entrance would be so pretty !
floors should always be last in a reno, just so that you don't accidentally ruin beautiful new hardwood with dropped tools/spilled paint/any number of reno mishaps haha!
This is a totally biased opinion, but don't knock down the kitchen wall. The place currently has a nice balance of open and closed concept and I think opening up that wall would make the place less charming. Yes to the arches! The arches and niches that are currently there are cute, even if some gave me pause I'm not normally a fan of mid-century but that tile on the floor in the laundry room was super cute. As for the rest of the tile (in the kitchen and hallway,) I'm with you. It is not good. I'm not a huge fan of the cream walls, but I think it's the curtains that make it that much bit worse. I'm excited to see it with your furniture in there. That garden is lovely. I'd definitely get a landscaper or someone to go over things with you since it's so big but, yay for fruit trees! Can't wait to see what you do with the house!
The arches are so nice throughout the house! I absolutely love the 70's floor tiles, I would use them as inspiration for the rest of the laundry room colours etc..... Something I would potentially look into is getting a really unique arch shaped door for the ensuite as if someone does something stinky in the toilet it doesn't have to permeate throughout the whole bedroom...also from a steam/humidity point it could be good to help with lowering potential mould or lots of moisture getting into your bedroom/wardrobe as it is contained in the bathroom. I enjoy a good steamy shower so I am always aware of that. Congratulations on your new home! xxx love from nz!
This house has so much potential, I recommend connecting the small room and the on-suit together (since such a tiny room, wouldn't fit a bed and a side table), and turning it into a closet. I'd also recommend knocking the wall between the living area and kitchen and making an island in the middle, realistically I don't think it would be possible since it can be a structural build, another idea is to connect the weird arch/not arch room with the kitchen.
This is my first comment. I have been really enjoying your videos since I found your channel. You are naturally funny, pretty, and encouraging. Congratulations on you and Murray’s new home!!! Can’t wait for the renovation videos!
NOT THE OPEN PLAN!!! Kitchens are a messy place with smells and whatever. You don't want that in the living room. Just closing the door on the mess and going into the living room for a minute is heaven. Open plan is a commitment and I NEVER liked it! Oh for the love of God! Do NOT paint the outside walls. You'll have to do it forever! Some nut job 80 years ago decided to paint our beautiful 1920s brick farm house and now the paint is starting to flake off after all those decades of painting it. There's no way to restore the house to its natural state either and now we're stuck with graying, flaking white paint and having to repaint every couple of years.
I am so stoke to see you have a house and that reno videos are coming soon. I'll be able to watch them as I'm doing the same to my new house as well. Definitely go for the structural and plumbing problems first and start working your way from the foundation out. I adore that garden so much - maybe some sort of grass or clove rather than the mulch but otherwise, that's a dream garden.
So excited for all your vids of the new house. Please don’t rush. As some others have said, it’s wonderful to live in a place before you make big changes, also one exception to that would be the floors. There are pros to having them done before you move all your stuff in. ❤ a HUGE congratulations! YOU are why we’re all here so YOU did it.
my bf and i bought a home this year, we're in our 20s too. it's crazy what you end up changing or doing something you didn't think you'd do. we didn't want to change the kitchen or bathroom at first but we've renovated the kitchen and are renovating the bathroom in a couple weeks lol. your house is so gorgeous i aspire to have my next home like yours, the windows and arches and garden is to die for
that is an amazing amazing house I am so happy for you !!! All the privacy, the cleanliness, the garden! 10/10. You did an excellent job! 'Id live in it for a little before changing anything permanently. For now the major things you mentioned such as foundation and carport. And interior like painting.... I have those white tiles in my house and can't stand it bc I hate grout. I switched out half the floor to lvp before moving in and I love that area and hate the tile area. I wish we had done the entire floor. Now i'm living here with my little kids and don't want to live through a renovation. We are planning to sell or put it as a rental in the next 2-3 years so I'm not planning on changing it.
Oh mannnnn those arched windows! thr archways in the master! the little inlay shelves in the entryway! the cut outs in the entryway to the dining room! AHHHHHHHHHHH I adore all the little nooks and crannies for decor!!
I'm SO excited for the renovation vlogs you don't even know susie!!!! I reckon they're gonna get a lot of traction too bc ppl love that shi especially with how funny you are, 10/10 content. I just know youre going to make this house look so gorgoeous. screamed when i saw how big the garden is too! very much my dream house to reno as well, so will be living vicariously through you lovey.
Take your time! I think renovations come out better and process is less stressful if you dont rush. Plus you have your whole lives to life and something will always need doing. Really excited to watch any renos tho! Love the laundry 70s tile so cool!
Very beautiful home ❤. Don't stress about reno and all these updates right away. It's so expensive and you'll find as you live in the house things you'll want different. Things you don't necessarily think of when buying/first moving in. Speaking from someone who just thia year bought a house with my husband, our first home in our 30s. Houses have expensive surprises. And you might love something now and find it awkward 4 months in. Or something you thought you didn't like, you love now.
Me and my partner have been renovating an old art deco house for the past 3 years, going right back to the brick (we live in Ireland). Everything needed replaced in terms of electric, plumbing, etc. My advice to anyone renovating is the work backwards in your room design and planning in terms of built-ins (bookcases, cupboards, etc.) and power outlets. We didn't think enough about power sockets and have regrets about where some were placed and not having installed enough.
susieee i never usually comment on your videos but i have been watching u since forever. im so proud of how far you have come and soooo happy for you to be owning your own property, with all the movement around you have been doing i hope you make this into your susie zen house. wishing u lots of luck in renovating and i can tell you have a lot of big plans and i cant see how much you transform it!! congratulations
Congrats on the house!! Personally, I like an open plan. But you do what you want with your home. It's where you are going to be everyday. You want to make sure you are comfortable living there. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys live your lives in that house!
Definitely keep the kitchen the way it is. I’ve always lived in open plan houses and I now rent an older hold with actual rooms and the seperate spaces is SOO much better than the open plan
2:11 If those are structural, a less invasive upgrade could be adding French doors and adding windows in the gaps I’ve seen a few other yt home updaters do it, it separates the space without affecting lighting
The garden is actually really nicely designed, with a few big tweaks it will be awesome. And yes, please paint the bricks! You will have a lot of work to do inside, but the house is liveable and well kept until you change it to how you would like it. Well done you two
Love the suggestion to live in it for a while. Open up the floor plan a bit. kitchen wall goes, get rid of all the tile, turn the main bath into a wet room style bath, smallest bedroom as Murray's man cave/hiding space, switch sliding doors for french doors.
I adore that laundry. I'd hold fire on any major renos until you've lived there for a bit, although with summer starting you can definitely get some painting done. Off-white, while boring, is always a good idea to start with because you can chuck any manner of colours, patterns and textures with decor, curtains, furniture etc and jazz it up as you like. Plus, if you really hate it later, it's a good base to start on 😅
Love watching your channel! Not much advice but to take your time renovating and make sure the changes are absolutely what you want and can afford. I remember when my husband and I bought our first home. It was built in the 80's, and it had a lot of old charm as well (including the tile in the kitchen). We couldn't afford to change anything so we just made it warm and homey with decorations for our newborn. We spent 3 lovely years in it before we moved to another state. Currently waiting for the right time to buy our second home.
What an achievement Susie! Just be careful of asbestos still in the house! You may find some in the laundry and even the bathrooms hiding behind the walls
Omg I'm so happy for you Susie!! YES a pool would look lovely in the back garden, that space is huuge. Can't wait to watch renovation videos from you 😍
i would keep the garden as is, but replace the wood chips with some kind of ground cover like clover, maybe add a fishpond/ natural pool. and the cream has definitely got to go. very excited to follow along
you could merge the small walk in wardrobe with the ensuite, small room next to the master you could turn into your walk in closet and connect it to the master. then you kind of have your own wing. the house overall looks good it just needs some love and updating.
Congratulations on your new home. I wish you the best. The tip for the bugs that I use on my ranch in Texas is peppermint and spearmint diffusers. It’ll make your home smell nice and help with any insects coming into the home.
I think the first thing you should tackle is the master bedrooms’ closet. Everything else just live with for a bit. I think structural/design of most thing is good and you just need a paint job. Painting the kitchen an orange that matches the laundry room would certainly bring some of that 70s vibe. Spend some money on a bigger tub for murray and address the cracks in the ceiling and the rotted wood on the carport immediately
This is so exciting! Congratulations! We bought our first house this year too! Fix all that important stuff first then live in the house until you are sure what you want to do. You will be shocked what a little paint and new furnishings will do to a place! I also love the kitchen how it is! I can see you and Murray doing more hello fresh cooking nights it is already!
Congrats Susie!!!! This home actually looks lovely, I know you're going to make it look even lovelier and homey! Wishing you all the best in your new home, girlie 💖💕
My only advice would be to get rid off the carpet on the floor ! This is so bad for cleaning, for allergies and asthma… it would so much prettier with wood flooring! Of course it personal preference 😊 I think the house has SO MUCH potential 🫶🏻 love the round windows !
Painted brick would look great, but make sure to do an off white breathable paint. Bright white over older brick homes clash. A creamy beige white would look beautiful!
SUSIE GIRL LOOK INTO GRASS REPLACEMENTS LIKE A MOSS, CLOVER ECT!!! its my dream and i also feel like you'll love it and its much easier maintenance!! P.S - Congrats on the house, I have been watching you since your gorgeous lord farquaad diy haircut and I am so so proud of you!! xoxo
Hello Susie ! Congratulations on the house 🎉🎉It is a lovely house with lots of natural lights. Something that could make your house stand out is removing all the carpets in the house, taking down the wall in your dinning area and repainting the walls
Thats actually a lovely, well designed garden. Someone has put a lot of thought into it and you have some absolute gems!! You're blessed with some great sized trees and shrubs and trust me, Australia needs to be keeping more of these established gardens rather than ripping them out! It would be a wonderful sanctuary for birds and wildlife not to mention bees. Giving you lovely shade during your hot summers. Its one of those gardens you could actually go out and sit in for your morning cuppa. If youve got the budget consult a great landscaper/designer to help. Have fun...can't wait to see how your home evolves.
Yes I love all of the different plants in the garden and we’ve seen so many bees and birds already! Definitely going to choose wisely before we change anything xx
Oh, cant't wait for - Susie`s renovating series!!!! ❤❤❤
I am so obsessed with that backyard already. The amount of different plants is amazing. Would love to see Susie consult with a landscaper who's keen on wild gardens and biodiversity so they can tell her what gems she has back there and what needs to go (weeds, invasives, etc.) and what would be good for her lifestyle (level of care, fruits and flowers they like, etc.). It's going to be so so dreamy when they're done doing it up, I am already so jealous 😂
@@lucyddreamwithme This would make a great video actually, a walk through the garden with someone pointing out the plants and trees and helping her make a plan for it!
@@MangoBells I would watch the absolute shit out of that lol. The before and after footage of whatever they do with that consultation info would go so crazy.
The floor tiles in the laundry room are to die for😭😭 pls pls keep them😭
YESSSS! They are gorgeous!
Absolutely agree👏🏻
They are lantern shape tiles.
I totally agree! If I had them in my house, I'd never replace them. If anything, I would look for more for other rooms
My only advice is to live in the house for a little bit before making any big changes to see what works and what doesn’t with its flow. Congratulations! Can’t wait to see what you do with the space 🏗🦺👏
THIS!!
Good Idea 👍
I second this!! I rent my house but when we first moved there I mentioned how if we owned it I would do a list of things… now that list is completely different. Except changing the bathroom door… there’s an open cat door in the bathroom door and you can hear (and smell) whatever you’re doing in there.
Great idea.
YES. This is always the Best Advice. You'll be surprised how your mind will change once you've lived there.
Like someone else said, if you get rid of the carpet and tiles and chuck down a beautiful hardwood floor it'll make the place much less beige and creamy! The kitchen I actually love and I think you could make it to your taste without spending too much at all-- change the backsplash if you want more colour and change out the handles on all the cabinetry and maybe change the sink/tapware for something more functional but it's honestly really nice. Personally I kinda dig a separate kitchen/living sitch so I wouldn't want to knock the wall down but it depends on your lifestyle. Do nottttt paint brick, not because I disagree with it stylistically but because it is SO bad for it and traps the moisture in. You will be giving yourself future problems.
Also congratulations, I've been so excited to see your househunting videos and hoped you'd find a place speedily. I just bought an apartment in Melbourne solo and will be doing some fixing up too so I'm keen to see what you do with your place!
Congrats on your apartment that’s so exciting! Hardwood is so expensive but would definitely be a fave flooring option 👀
She lives in canberra which gets really cold in winter. Carpets in bedrooms for sure
@@SusieJTodd Do LVP! Looks like wood but is wayyy more durable and long lasting.
Melbournite here too 😊
i think its awesome that the garden has become overgrown bc that means it needs very little tending and a lot of the mature plants are self sustaining! just trim it back and do some weeding and watering in the summers :)
My biggest regret is renovating my current home immediately and not living there for a few years, really figuring out what works and what doesn’t before tearing our walls, adding rooms, etc. I redid the kitchen, dining room, flooring immediately then realized I despise the actual layout of the kitchen. So now I have to redo it all…again. I added French doors to a few rooms before living in the space and realizing they aren’t needed, arches and the office being open would work better for how we live.
This home has lovely bones, really live in the space, especially that kitchen layout, before committing to any renovations. You’re going to have so much fun turning this into your dream home!
I lived in a 1970s house for a few years. It had a room with those big tiles, and the room opened onto the back patio. I had a small pool. I made the mistake of walking on those tiles with wet feet one time. I fell, and it was not good. I have hated those large tiles every since.
with the open plan idea: i wouldn't purely because it is so incredibly annoying when you're trying to watch tv or just relax in the living room and someone's banging around the kitchen. plus having all the kitchen smells permeate the entire downstairs, both good and bad. if you would like more space, maybe do the kind of open plan you can shut off with doors (like the sliding pocket doors maybe) so it's flexible and you're able to shut off and be cosy and quiet when you want to, and open and 'social' when you want to
Totally agree! Also, it seems like everyone goes open plan. A galley-style kitchen is a bit more unique!
It’s so personal though - I’ve had both and I LOVED the open plan kitchen. For our lifestyle it works so well. But if you have kids it might actually be nicer to have a separate zone
The living room lighting? Are you KIDDING!!! That’s gorgeous
You and another creator I follow are buying houses this year and I just bought my first property and it warms my heart to see women our age being able to afford it
Congratulations gal that’s amazing! ❤ hope you’re loving it xx
@ I am thank you 💕 can’t wait to see your renovation vids 🫶🏽
Don't paint the brick!! 😮 But, if you must make sure to use the proper paint for brick is porous and brick needs to breathe. Gorgeous home!!
I honestly feel like the kitchen could be “updated” quite nicely with just new handles! Really excited for you! ❤
Omg Sussie! This house has beautiful bones! The windows are amazing. The space is unreal! I personally love cream I’d just redo the floors to some sort of wood or wood alternative. The cupboards and kitchen are perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. The new windows are so nice and the back door. You crack me up the 70s room you don’t want to change. Then all the modern parts I think I want to change this 😂. The garden is a dream! Just needs a little green thumb and some tlc.
Thankyou! I love the bones xx agreed for the floors 💕 I just love those funky 70s tiles hehe
Everything is lovely and once you live in it, you’ll realize what you need to do. My only advice from 5 years of house Reno’s. No one needs a dining room. You’re better off (when you renovate the kitchen.) extend the kitchen into that dining space. Then you’ll end up with a bigger ‘eat in’ area. Where you can put a nice big table. Shifting the kitchen into the dining space, will allow you to have things like a big pantry and an island if that’s your jam. It really is a beaut of a house!
Susie, congratulations on your house. It's a big big achievement at such a young age. I have a couple of suggestions:
1. The walk in closet in the master bedroom seems small. I suggest you connect it with the bathroom and add a duo bathtub+shower setup. The glass shower door situation in the bathroom is high maintenance and honestly there are so many better options available. I wish I could describe it without references/pictures.
2. Turn your smallest bedroom into a walk-in closet. You make makeup and outfit related content as well so that space will be highly useful (for vanity/filming).
3. I suggest you scan pinterest and interior designing pages thoroughly. You have a ton of space which can be utilized and also changed as per your aesthetic.
Good luck on your journey!
Yes, I agree. Could make the bathroom bigger, instead of keeping the walk in closet in the bedroom.
I would keep the kitchen wall for privacy - also changing out the handles in the kitchen cabinets would make it look so much more updated as would changing out the sink & crown moulding on the cabinets. I love the orange tile you have & the black windows - they’re gorgeous!! Obviously structural & moisture issues take priority but I’m excited to see the aesthetic updates!! ❤
Also if you want the arches to show, you could place your curtains below the arch portion of the windows - or do blinds/window cling where you want privacy.
OOKKAYY the garden is gorgeous. I wouldn’t do much but definitely add a seating area
It’s so cute!
Also, would not paint the brick for anything. It is so cute & goes so well with the garden.
It is absolutely gorgeous, just like you both. Heaps of natural light, great backyard space, love the brick, character arches and loads of potential. Congratulations guys, I am here for the renovation era ❤
Personally I would close the ensuite bathroom with a door, because of the damp air from showering.. but anyway.. I am loving the house. Looks suuuper nice. Bit of colour and it will be the dream. Also loving Murrays commentary lol
I vote for reinstating the arches leading into the dining room, and knocking down walls to open up the kitchen!
Con-freaking- grats!! I work in the construction world in California and one suggestion I would have for you is for you are Murray to have fun with it! So many couples get strained during a renovation due to stress and decision fatigue. But have some fun and know each decision isn’t the end of the world.
Also I’m sure you guys are going to do the structural stuff first because obviously that’s most important. Depending on the crawlspace under the house you may need to redo the subfloor to access the plumping lines and if there’s any rot it can spread. It can be $$ but nothing to stress over you got it girl. You just don’t want to put new floors down or do any remodeling because your contractor may need to open the walls or floor.
You are going to do amazing!!
That garden is stellar! So much potential. As you live in it, you will start to envisage what you will want from it. Things like, where does the sun set etc will all impact how you foresee changing it! Love the mature shrubs and trees!
First thought was to knock down the wall between the bathroom and walk in closet in the master to extend the bathroom. Double sinks and a tub could make the bathroom more luxurious. If turning one of the bedrooms into a walk in closet is already a plan
Love hearing Murray’s comments agree with everyone else. Live there for a while then you’ll know what you really want to change.
THAT GARDEN!!!! It's perfect! just keep it! just cut what is overgrown and keep it. maybe put automatic watering and just leave it! CONGRATULATIONS!
I gotta say that something I love about the gardens in other countries are that they’re so beautiful. A lot of backyards in the USA are very flat and plain and have nothing going on. A lot of them don’t even have trees (at least where I am). If I ever want something as pretty as yours I’m gonna have to lay so many bricks and plant my own bushes and trees and that’s not gonna have any character for quite a while until they grow out
not gonna lie i think it’s stunning as it is, obvs fixing the bigger issues looks-wise, so pretty!
The garden is so perfect - definitely keep what the previous owner had going and don't strip it back! What a haven for little birds and critters 🐝
So excited for your renovations era, Susie! Congratulations on the home purchase ❤
I love the kitchen how it is, not the finishes but the layout. Open concept seems great but it’s nice to have a clear delineation of space.
Susie, this house is amazing. What an amazing house with a bare pallet ready for you and Murray. My partner and I have just completed our journey and are selling our home, sooo similar to your house. Please be kind to yourself, Reno’s are HARD but absolutely rewarding, and when you and Murray need a break, leave the house and go chill, collect yourself then come back. SOO happy for you girlie xxx
That garden is amazing and it's set up for you! It would be a great place to sit and read! You could pull a bit out for a chicken coop if you're allowed to have them. Clean everything up before you move/purchase big furniture. Also paint as much as you can before you fill the house and put in new flooring. We didn't and now it's a pain to try and move everything to paint.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
This is what my family always did when ever we had to move--my mother would buy the worst house in a decent area. I learned a lot from her when buying my own home. We've renovated one thing since moving in (because the bathroom was unusable and would flood the place when you showered). Seconding what others have said, live in the place for a bit before renovating UNLESS you're refinishing hardwoods. Do that before moving in haha.
I would recommend keeping the kitchen as-is, it will allow you to do more things with other rooms. Open floor plans are strangely limiting. Installing mini split systems like the one in the master bedroom is likely the way to go, they're nice.
Oh, and DO NOT PAINT BRICK, it needs to breathe!
Holy cow, you guys did great! To the contrary, it definitely doesn't look like a fixer upper. The layout is quite nice, I am obsessed with the laundry room floor, and I actually like the carpet and the curtains. All of the hard floors need to be replaced cuz those are no good, and some paint on the walls and some new hardware in the kitchen to bring it updated. Those glass cabinets in the kitchen are beautiful as well. You should look into maybe putting some wood slats or some type of modern design to close in the living room where the arches are. It will look more modern, but you won't have to do anything structural. There's lots of cool things you can do there. Beautiful house, I'm very proud of you, creeping on you over here in America lol. 😂❤❤😂
lmao Hearing everyone running away from the Beige home trend is actually quiet funny! lol I love seeing a home with character!
First step in updating the landscaping is thinking about what activities you want to do in the yard. Right now it looks like it’s made for strolling through, which is lovely, but berry bushes specially need some occasional pruning. I wonder if native plants could be part of the new design?
I've been watching you for years and I've heard Murray speak more in this video than all your other videos combined.
Congratulations on your new home!
yesss!! 😂
3:52 those tiles are STUNNNIIIINNGGGG
Susie congratulations on your house purchase! I just bought a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom and it felt like I was walking through our new house haha we are waiting for our place to settle though.
Being a seasoned renovator, bought my first place at the age of 18 and the latest is our 3rd home, I am sure another commenter has mentioned this but would highly recommend fixing the foundations before starting the inside Reno’s. Also I would recommend not painting the brick if you are already having mold problems. Brick is so breathable.. paint stops that and will also make you have to upkeep with continuously painting.
You did the right thing by buying a brick home! Our last two were wood and the upkeep and repainting is just insane. You could add some cool decorative outdoor window shutters and other black or wood pieces to break up the brick look.
Also agree with other comments regarding knocking interior walls. Separated rooms are coming back into style! We just bought a brick place with arches and seperate rooms and I love it, you can style each room differently with different colors or themes, open plan you are kind of stuck to one theme.
Can’t wait to see what you do to it! I’m on the south coast and already have a Pinterest board ready for settlement with the modern coastal theme to include our old arches which are also coming back into style! ❤️
I’d recommend in the kitchen making a shelf within the pantry where you can use your toaster, toastie maker etc - I’ve seen these in houses and it’s so convenient, rather than just a little box. Also means you can store your bread in there.
& I would say whatever changes you make, especially in the bathroom in kitchen , make sure it’s life proof / easy to clean …. Or be ok with the fact that you’re willing to take longer cleaning.
The arch windows are brilliant 1:28 :)
I strongly agree.🎉
Hi Susie 👋❤ I'm and interior designer and the fact that you said you want to bring back some of the 70s charm of the house makes me so happy. It really grinds my gears when cute 70s or other older house get turn into white boxes with no personality!!!!! So thank you for considering bringing some of the retro design back!
Area rugs for color and texture. Tiles are perfect to keep clean and cleaning rugs. I have to take my area rugs outside to clean because I have wood floors. Keep tiles for awhile to figure out the wear and tear of every day living. Bead curtains in Master for both arches. Termites can be eradicated so you don't have to remove it all. And just thinning out the bushes. I have brick too but it's more whitewashed and stands out beautifully with the greens. and colors of flowers. I wouldn't paint but stain with lighter shade. The texture remains but the dreariness goes away. And last I'm so jealous that's a fine house. Congratulations
Yay renovation videos coming up !! If I were you I'd change the floors first thing haha (wood in bedrooms and living room, different tile for the kitchen and hallway - something rich in color like those octogonal redish ones), paint the walls, redo the bathrooms to add in character and color for the love of god, change a few features in the kitchen (like changing that god awful sink), put some french doors between the living area and the dining room, create a cosy breakfast nook and put grass outside :) Oh and a stained glass window instead of that plain one in the entrance would be so pretty !
Loving all these ideas! ❤ can’t wait for the Reno videos to start hehe
floors should always be last in a reno, just so that you don't accidentally ruin beautiful new hardwood with dropped tools/spilled paint/any number of reno mishaps haha!
This is a totally biased opinion, but don't knock down the kitchen wall. The place currently has a nice balance of open and closed concept and I think opening up that wall would make the place less charming. Yes to the arches! The arches and niches that are currently there are cute, even if some gave me pause
I'm not normally a fan of mid-century but that tile on the floor in the laundry room was super cute. As for the rest of the tile (in the kitchen and hallway,) I'm with you. It is not good. I'm not a huge fan of the cream walls, but I think it's the curtains that make it that much bit worse. I'm excited to see it with your furniture in there.
That garden is lovely. I'd definitely get a landscaper or someone to go over things with you since it's so big but, yay for fruit trees!
Can't wait to see what you do with the house!
The arches are so nice throughout the house! I absolutely love the 70's floor tiles, I would use them as inspiration for the rest of the laundry room colours etc.....
Something I would potentially look into is getting a really unique arch shaped door for the ensuite as if someone does something stinky in the toilet it doesn't have to permeate throughout the whole bedroom...also from a steam/humidity point it could be good to help with lowering potential mould or lots of moisture getting into your bedroom/wardrobe as it is contained in the bathroom. I enjoy a good steamy shower so I am always aware of that. Congratulations on your new home! xxx love from nz!
This house has so much potential, I recommend connecting the small room and the on-suit together (since such a tiny room, wouldn't fit a bed and a side table), and turning it into a closet. I'd also recommend knocking the wall between the living area and kitchen and making an island in the middle, realistically I don't think it would be possible since it can be a structural build, another idea is to connect the weird arch/not arch room with the kitchen.
This is my first comment. I have been really enjoying your videos since I found your channel. You are naturally funny, pretty, and encouraging. Congratulations on you and Murray’s new home!!! Can’t wait for the renovation videos!
NOT THE OPEN PLAN!!! Kitchens are a messy place with smells and whatever. You don't want that in the living room. Just closing the door on the mess and going into the living room for a minute is heaven. Open plan is a commitment and I NEVER liked it!
Oh for the love of God! Do NOT paint the outside walls. You'll have to do it forever! Some nut job 80 years ago decided to paint our beautiful 1920s brick farm house and now the paint is starting to flake off after all those decades of painting it. There's no way to restore the house to its natural state either and now we're stuck with graying, flaking white paint and having to repaint every couple of years.
that house actually has so much potential. i love the possibilities.
I am so stoke to see you have a house and that reno videos are coming soon. I'll be able to watch them as I'm doing the same to my new house as well. Definitely go for the structural and plumbing problems first and start working your way from the foundation out.
I adore that garden so much - maybe some sort of grass or clove rather than the mulch but otherwise, that's a dream garden.
So excited for all your vids of the new house. Please don’t rush. As some others have said, it’s wonderful to live in a place before you make big changes, also one exception to that would be the floors. There are pros to having them done before you move all your stuff in. ❤ a HUGE congratulations! YOU are why we’re all here so YOU did it.
THIS is the content I have been waiting for!!! Please share it all! Congrats!!! ❤
I can not wait for the reno videos! This is going to be fun.🎉😂
my bf and i bought a home this year, we're in our 20s too. it's crazy what you end up changing or doing something you didn't think you'd do. we didn't want to change the kitchen or bathroom at first but we've renovated the kitchen and are renovating the bathroom in a couple weeks lol. your house is so gorgeous i aspire to have my next home like yours, the windows and arches and garden is to die for
that is an amazing amazing house I am so happy for you !!! All the privacy, the cleanliness, the garden! 10/10. You did an excellent job! 'Id live in it for a little before changing anything permanently. For now the major things you mentioned such as foundation and carport. And interior like painting.... I have those white tiles in my house and can't stand it bc I hate grout. I switched out half the floor to lvp before moving in and I love that area and hate the tile area. I wish we had done the entire floor. Now i'm living here with my little kids and don't want to live through a renovation. We are planning to sell or put it as a rental in the next 2-3 years so I'm not planning on changing it.
I am soo ready for the renovation series im glad you finally found a place that feels right! I can tell it's gonna be so cute 💓
Congratulations!!!! I can't wait for reno videos. Dont feel rushed into doing all of the renos right away.
Oh mannnnn those arched windows! thr archways in the master! the little inlay shelves in the entryway! the cut outs in the entryway to the dining room! AHHHHHHHHHHH I adore all the little nooks and crannies for decor!!
The possibilities are endless! Happy for you!
I'm SO excited for the renovation vlogs you don't even know susie!!!! I reckon they're gonna get a lot of traction too bc ppl love that shi especially with how funny you are, 10/10 content. I just know youre going to make this house look so gorgoeous. screamed when i saw how big the garden is too! very much my dream house to reno as well, so will be living vicariously through you lovey.
Lights in the cupboards is so so cute and the window in the kitchen over the sink, defo a statement piece
Take your time! I think renovations come out better and process is less stressful if you dont rush. Plus you have your whole lives to life and something will always need doing. Really excited to watch any renos tho! Love the laundry 70s tile so cool!
Very beautiful home ❤. Don't stress about reno and all these updates right away. It's so expensive and you'll find as you live in the house things you'll want different. Things you don't necessarily think of when buying/first moving in. Speaking from someone who just thia year bought a house with my husband, our first home in our 30s. Houses have expensive surprises. And you might love something now and find it awkward 4 months in. Or something you thought you didn't like, you love now.
Me and my partner have been renovating an old art deco house for the past 3 years, going right back to the brick (we live in Ireland). Everything needed replaced in terms of electric, plumbing, etc.
My advice to anyone renovating is the work backwards in your room design and planning in terms of built-ins (bookcases, cupboards, etc.) and power outlets. We didn't think enough about power sockets and have regrets about where some were placed and not having installed enough.
susieee i never usually comment on your videos but i have been watching u since forever. im so proud of how far you have come and soooo happy for you to be owning your own property, with all the movement around you have been doing i hope you make this into your susie zen house. wishing u lots of luck in renovating and i can tell you have a lot of big plans and i cant see how much you transform it!! congratulations
Congrats on the house!! Personally, I like an open plan. But you do what you want with your home. It's where you are going to be everyday. You want to make sure you are comfortable living there. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys live your lives in that house!
This is quite literally a blank slate of a house. There's so much potential.
Definitely keep the kitchen the way it is.
I’ve always lived in open plan houses and I now rent an older hold with actual rooms and the seperate spaces is SOO much better than the open plan
2:11
If those are structural, a less invasive upgrade could be adding French doors and adding windows in the gaps
I’ve seen a few other yt home updaters do it, it separates the space without affecting lighting
I can’t wait for this renovation journey! Congrats to you and Murray you both deserve it!!! ❤
The garden is actually really nicely designed, with a few big tweaks it will be awesome. And yes, please paint the bricks! You will have a lot of work to do inside, but the house is liveable and well kept until you change it to how you would like it. Well done you two
Love the suggestion to live in it for a while. Open up the floor plan a bit. kitchen wall goes, get rid of all the tile, turn the main bath into a wet room style bath, smallest bedroom as Murray's man cave/hiding space, switch sliding doors for french doors.
Some grass in the garden is definitely needed. An irrigation system too for the grass and all the lovely plants. I'm so happy for you guys!!! ❤
The living room lighting? Are you KIDDING!!! That’s gorgeous
The living room has such a beautiful open space with those big windows. You can already see how much amazing potential it has!
Oh congrats on the new house! Can't wait for the renovation videos! 😄
I adore that laundry.
I'd hold fire on any major renos until you've lived there for a bit, although with summer starting you can definitely get some painting done. Off-white, while boring, is always a good idea to start with because you can chuck any manner of colours, patterns and textures with decor, curtains, furniture etc and jazz it up as you like. Plus, if you really hate it later, it's a good base to start on 😅
Love love love the windows mixed with the mesh curtains, under the cream ones it works so nice
Teal could be a cute basic yet bold colour while I think about it (accent not main to paint the walls)
Love watching your channel! Not much advice but to take your time renovating and make sure the changes are absolutely what you want and can afford. I remember when my husband and I bought our first home. It was built in the 80's, and it had a lot of old charm as well (including the tile in the kitchen). We couldn't afford to change anything so we just made it warm and homey with decorations for our newborn. We spent 3 lovely years in it before we moved to another state. Currently waiting for the right time to buy our second home.
Omg Susieeeeeee, congrats! It’s going to be so good to see the home renovation videos. Enjoy this 🎉
What an achievement Susie! Just be careful of asbestos still in the house! You may find some in the laundry and even the bathrooms hiding behind the walls
omw congrats! I've been watching the entire house search saga. so glad you found your home!
Omg I'm so happy for you Susie!! YES a pool would look lovely in the back garden, that space is huuge. Can't wait to watch renovation videos from you 😍
ARCHED WINDOWS BABBEEEEEE immediately yes! Congratulations 🎊
i would keep the garden as is, but replace the wood chips with some kind of ground cover like clover, maybe add a fishpond/ natural pool. and the cream has definitely got to go. very excited to follow along
you could merge the small walk in wardrobe with the ensuite, small room next to the master you could turn into your walk in closet and connect it to the master. then you kind of have your own wing. the house overall looks good it just needs some love and updating.
I’ve been watching you for so many years, honestly so happy for you guys! Congratulations on the new home 🎉
Congratulations on your new home. I wish you the best. The tip for the bugs that I use on my ranch in Texas is peppermint and spearmint diffusers. It’ll make your home smell nice and help with any insects coming into the home.
I think the first thing you should tackle is the master bedrooms’ closet. Everything else just live with for a bit. I think structural/design of most thing is good and you just need a paint job.
Painting the kitchen an orange that matches the laundry room would certainly bring some of that 70s vibe. Spend some money on a bigger tub for murray and address the cracks in the ceiling and the rotted wood on the carport immediately
This is so exciting! Congratulations! We bought our first house this year too! Fix all that important stuff first then live in the house until you are sure what you want to do. You will be shocked what a little paint and new furnishings will do to a place! I also love the kitchen how it is! I can see you and Murray doing more hello fresh cooking nights it is already!
Congrats Susie!!!! This home actually looks lovely, I know you're going to make it look even lovelier and homey! Wishing you all the best in your new home, girlie 💖💕
My only advice would be to get rid off the carpet on the floor ! This is so bad for cleaning, for allergies and asthma… it would so much prettier with wood flooring! Of course it personal preference 😊 I think the house has SO MUCH potential 🫶🏻 love the round windows !
This house has so much potential especially the garden is like a little sacred paradise 😍
Painted brick would look great, but make sure to do an off white breathable paint. Bright white over older brick homes clash. A creamy beige white would look beautiful!
You are one of the few content creators I love to keep up with and I am sooo excited for the renovation content incoming! Congrats
Yes character! Yes restoring 70s charm! 👏 Really lovely place - so excited to see how it transforms over the years
SUSIE GIRL LOOK INTO GRASS REPLACEMENTS LIKE A MOSS, CLOVER ECT!!! its my dream and i also feel like you'll love it and its much easier maintenance!! P.S - Congrats on the house, I have been watching you since your gorgeous lord farquaad diy haircut and I am so so proud of you!! xoxo
I am so proud of you. I remember watching you like I thin in 2020? I am not sure. But I am so excited for you and so happy for you.
Hello Susie ! Congratulations on the house 🎉🎉It is a lovely house with lots of natural lights.
Something that could make your house stand out is removing all the carpets in the house, taking down the wall in your dinning area and repainting the walls
SO PROUD THIS IS AN AMAZING HOUSE ❤️❤️ can’t wait to watch this journey
wow, huge congratulations! can’t wait for renovation vlogs lol