When modern farmhouse dreams meet real-life renos.

Some homes don’t need a complete reinvention - just a little vision and a few smart design choices to bring them into a new era. This Queensland home already had charm: a lush tropical setting, strong two-storey structure, and a welcoming layout. The owner loved its personality but wanted to see what it might look like with a more modern, grounded, and slightly rustic edge.

Inspired by the Barndominium and Modern Farmhouse aesthetic, the client’s brief focused on mixing cladding, stone, and timber. But instead of diving straight into construction, we started with AI-generated concept images to explore the possibilities. These quick visuals gave the client an overview of different roof colours, material combos, and front-entry ideas. From there, we refined the design direction in photorealistic 3D renders, allowing every detail to be dialled in before committing.

Key Design Decisions

There were two main render versions developed for this project. The differences might seem subtle at first glance, but they played a huge role in final decision-making. One version featured Colorbond Monument, while the other used Colorbond Woodland Grey for the roof, roller doors, and window trims. We also compared driveway options - concrete vs. a French pattern paver and looked at two garage door styles, one with windows and one without.

The final renders also showcased:

• Stone cladding wrapping around the porch and framing the new timber entry

• Thick timber posts and gable detail to add architectural weight and warmth

• Vertical cladding to break up the existing brick and create a cleaner, more modern feel

• Garage door options to help the client visualise both functional and aesthetic changes

Every element was viewed in realistic lighting with the original tropical landscaping retained, ensuring the design updates felt true to the home’s natural environment.

Why 3D Rendering Was So Valuable

When it comes to major exterior changes, especially with materials that have strong visual impact like stone, cladding, and roof colours seeing the full picture makes all the difference. For this homeowner, rendering meant no second-guessing: they could confidently explore their ideas, compare options, and tweak details before lifting a finger onsite.

Considering a facade refresh of your own?

3D renders are a great way to bring your ideas to life and make clear, confident decisions, especially when working with multiple material options or colour schemes.

3D Render | melodee g miller

Working with homeowners, designers, and builders across Australia