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Weatherboard cottage gets a modern makeover: before and after

cladded house
A cute cottage gets a sleek and modern extension – It’s Possible With James Hardie™

Fine lines

When Jane and Matt outgrew their 1940s cottage, it was time to upgrade and expand. Inspired by an image found on Pinterest, the couple dreamed of an extension that would bring their home into the 21st century. “We didn’t want anything old and boring, we wanted something bold,” says Jane.

1940s cottage house

Jane and Matt’s original 1940s weatherboard cottage

Modern love

The brief was simple: modern, clean lines, and plenty of natural light. Nestled on the south side of a hill, the home needed height to capture the northern sun. Using Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding allowed them to build a soaring, steeply pitched roof with expansive windows and large doors that opened onto a decked alfresco area. The home’s bold, modern design and abundant sunshine was everything that Jane and Matt dreamed of. 

close-up of an outdoor wall light on Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding

Face value

Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding was chosen not only for its durability, but also for its fine textured finish and contemporary matte look. “The look is so much better than brick and at a lesser price,” says Jane.

Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding also resists cracking, so Matt and Jane felt free to go bold with a punchy charcoal, Dulux Domino. “We’re just thrilled that a photo on Pinterest has taken us on a journey that has led us to our dream home.” See Matt and Jane’s full story on the JamesHardieAU YouTube channel.

Looking for more inspiration?

You’ll find more exterior makeover ideas on our James Hardie page.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.