Young couple turns run-down home into stunning cottage

A YOUNG couple has transformed their home from a drab, lifeless residence into a modern character cottage.

END OF ERA: Karlie and Mason Ross with their son Leo Ross. They are saying goodbye to their home at 132 Stuart St Mount Lofty.

A YOUNG couple has transformed their home from a drab, lifeless residence into a modern character cottage.

Mason and Karlie Ross are only 25 years old, but they already have one renovation under their belts, with plans to complete more in the future.

Mr Ross comes from a family of builders and together with his brother Jacob they bought 132 Stuart St, Mount Lofty in 2010.

BEFORE: The frontage of the Ross' Mount Lofty home.

Mrs Ross took over Jacob's half of the house when she and Mr Ross married three years ago.

It started out as an outdated home and over the course of three years the couple transformed it into a stunning modern cottage.

Mrs Ross said it wasn't just small changes here and there - every wall in the house was new.

AFTER: The kitchen's modern makeover.

"We stripped the whole house and even changed the layout. It was a bit of a weird design and we wanted to utilise the space the best we could," she said.

"Mason and his brother did most of the renovating but we both had a share in ideas.

"We wanted the cottage design and we both decided on the incorporation of stone to add a feature to the outside.

"It has taken a lot of work but I love it."

BEFORE: The bathroom was in desperate need of a revamp.

Mrs Ross said there were so many people buying and renovating in Toowoomba at the moment, adding that if young people wanted to get into the market it was the way to go.

"I think it is the most affordable way for people to buy a home," she said.

"We saved and saved and did one room at a time.

AFTER: The main bathroom is spacious.

"My biggest tip is to search around for the cheapest items, we saved so much money by not jumping in and doing our research."

The home has hit the market for offers above $499,000 with the first inspection this weekend.

The pair plans to build next and while Mrs Ross is excited for the future she feels sad to leave her home.

132 Stuart St Mount Lofty.

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"Mason is really excited about what is coming up but I am a bit upset because we put so much personal investment into the house," she said.

"Bringing your first child into a home also gives it a significance to us but we will renovate again one day."

The home is open for inspection from 1.30 to 2pm today.

For more information phone Colliers International Toowoomba real estate agents Dominic Ryan on 0499440292 or Luca Greenleaf on 0458793904.

Originally published as Young couple turns run-down home into stunning cottage