Spruce & Sell
with Raine & Horne
The owner of this sandstone worker’s cottage in a Redfern rear lane lived in New York and rented the property out. He decided at the end of September that he wanted to renovate and refurbish the property to put on the market for sale before Xmas.
It was a tall order, meaning that we had no time to lose in concepting the design, getting sign-off from the client via international zoom meetings, sourcing all the plants and other materials, lining up the contractors to build and install the garden in time for Raine & Horne Double Bay to organise styling and photography to take place mid-November so the property could be advertised ‘for sale’ at the beginning of December.
“A beautiful, thoughtfully planned and well landscaped garden is an asset to a home and can add significantly to the value of a home. In this case, the garden has become an extension to the living areas and a peaceful sanctuary in a suburb that is known for high density living”
Our savvy client knew he didn’t just want to spruce up the interiors, he knew how much value would be added to his hip pocket by renovating the outdoor areas as well, adding a substantial boost to the quality of lifestyle alongside kerbside appeal to the cottage. For the most successful sale results, the landscaping and quality of the garden is equally, important as renovating the interiors and selling the complete ‘dream home’.
Our client was adding tens of thousands of dollars to the value of his property – one of the few home improvements we can say, not only instantly adds value, but essentially continues to increase in value and beauty over time if maintained. As plants grow in and begin to thrive, there’s nothing better – it’s a living thing that continues to give added benefits to those living in the property and using the garden.
“Not only does looking after and maintaining the garden beneficial in that it is an enjoyable activity, it helps maintain good health and encourages movement and mobility but also reduces stress levels and increases relaxation. Just being in the garden, in the fresh air and sunshine, close to plants, can help create a sense of wellbeing and harmony.”
BEFORE
Upon our initial visit, the site appeared less than impressive and in need of some serious landscape love in time for going to market.
WEEK 1
Demolition has begun, clearing out plants and existing rocks etc that were not needed, including an old outhouse in the backyard. We kept old bricks to be repurposed as the new brick-paving steppers throughout the back garden. We kept the Blueberry Ash hedge.
There is a lovely, borrowed landscape from neighbours to the left and right over the back fence – We re-used/reclaimed old garden edging from the backyard into the front garden as the edging for the garden beds on both sides.
WEEK 2
Sandstone for the new bench seat enclosure around the firepit at the rear of the garden – This is sparrow-pecked sandstone blocks.
WEEK 3
New front fence being built – new services cupboard for gas, water mains, electricity on the right, to the left we created an enclosure for screening away the garbage bins – painted fence black to match the shutters and roof – all black would tie-in better with surrounds – figuring out the gap between palings for the fence onsite as we went.
WEEK 4
Sandstone steppers – hand-shaped and spatial placement decided onsite – sandstone cobble stone front path – set out and grouted in with sand and cement to try and match the existing grout colour. Planting going is now going in.
WEEK 5
Planting, mulching, gravelling, and building of sandstone firepit enclosure, painting of the rear studio black to match the rest of the painted timbers.
WEEK 6 - COMPLETION
The final result is quite impressive and has such wow-factor when you compare with the ‘before’ images. Even just looking at the front façade, street appeal of the house from the back lane. A truly exemplary result for our client.
PROPERTY YIELDS ABOVE RESERVE
The house went on the market with a price guide of $2.6 million and sold under auction conditions for an amount well above. It was considered a truly successful project due to its timely preparation for the marketing campaign through to it selling at Auction.
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ARD Byron
Adam Robinson Landscape Design opens for business in the Northern Rivers, NSW