If you're in a hurry, here's the gist. The "personality reno" is the best way to modernise a 1970s or 80s brick home in Orange without a full rebuild. By using a professional textured coating like Taubmans Armawall and bold trim colours, you can turn a dated exterior into a high end designer masterpiece. This approach is cost effective, fast, and adds significant property value.
If you have been looking at real estate around Orange lately, you have probably noticed something interesting. The "ugly duckling" houses of the 1970s and 80s are suddenly the hottest properties on the market. These solid brick homes were once overlooked in favour of classic Federation cottages or sleek new builds. Now, they are being reclaimed by savvy renovators who see them as a blank canvas for what we call the "personality reno." The short version is that with the right exterior painting system and some bold design choices, you can turn a dated brown brick box into a high end masterpiece. It is faster than a full renovation and much more affordable than a total rebuild.
The Era of the Orange Brick Transformation
For a long time, the 1970s era was the "forgotten" decade of Australian architecture. People saw the heavy brown bricks and the simple shapes as something to be hidden or replaced. But those houses have incredible bones. They were built to last with high quality materials and often sit on generous blocks in established parts of Orange. They have the space and the light that modern families crave.
The problem is usually the visual weight of the original brick. It can feel dark, heavy, and stuck in the past. That is where a professional exterior painting plan comes in. We are seeing a massive shift toward "heritage-modern" styles. This involves taking those solid 70s structures and giving them a fresh, textured finish that looks like a premium render.
Micro takeaways
- 1970s homes offer solid construction and great layouts.
- The "personality reno" focuses on high-impact visual changes.
- Professional painting is the most cost-effective way to modernise these exteriors.
The real magic happens when you stop trying to make the house look like a new build and start leaning into its unique character.
Inspiration From the Bon Bon Project
If you want to see the pinnacle of this trend, you only need to look at the Bon Bon project in the Orange CBD. This was a row of tired 1970s brown-brick townhouses that most people walked right past for decades. Designer Pip Brett and her team transformed them into a vibrant, colourful landmark that has become a local icon.
The project showed us that you do not have to settle for safe or boring. By using a mix of bold colours and high-quality finishes, they turned something mundane into something extraordinary. They used colour as an anchor to give each unit its own identity. It is a perfect example of why these 70s stocks are the "new Federation" houses. They offer a sense of history and soul that you just can't manufacture in a brand new suburb.
Micro takeaways
- The Bon Bon project proved that 70s architecture can be world-class.
- Bold colour choices can create a distinct personality for your home.
- This trend is specifically thriving in the Central West region.
Seeing what is possible with a bit of vision and professional workmanship should give every owner of a 70s home a lot of confidence.
Why a Standard Paint Job Isn't Enough
Many homeowners think they can just grab a few tins of paint and start rolling over old bricks. We have seen the results of that many times over our 45 plus years of local experience. Brick is a porous material. It breathes and it moves. If you use a cheap paint or a DIY approach, you often end up with a finish that looks flat and plastic. Worse, it can start to peel or trap moisture within the walls.
A real "personality reno" requires a specialized system. We recommend a render-look coating like Taubmans Armawall. This is not just paint. It is a high-build, flexible coating that adds actual texture to the surface. It fills in the heavy mortar lines and softens the harsh edges of the bricks. This creates a surface that looks and feels like a modern cement render but with the added benefit of being flexible and weather-resistant.
At CWP Painting, we do not use subcontractors. Every person on your site is an in-house qualified painter who understands the specific needs of Orange homes. With 45 plus years of local experience, we know how the Central West sun and frost affect these materials over time. That local knowledge helps us choose the right system and apply it properly the first time.
Micro takeaways
- Standard paint often looks flat and cheap on old brickwork.
- Taubmans Armawall provides a premium rendered texture and superior protection.
- CWP Painting uses in-house qualified painters only, not subcontractors.
- Local experience matters when you are painting older homes in Orange.
A professional finish is about more than just colour. It is about the physical texture and the long-term durability of the work.
The Five Layers of a Professional Transformation
To get that heritage-modern look, we follow a strict process that ensures the finish looks better and lasts longer.
- Preparation. This is the most important stage. We clean the surfaces to remove decades of dust, lichen, and salt. We repair any damaged mortar joints because a beautiful finish cannot hide structural flaws.
- Priming. We use a high-quality masonry primer. This creates a bridge between the old brick and the new coating. It prevents the alkalinity of the brick from reacting with the paint.
- Texture. This is where the Taubmans Armawall system comes in. We apply the texture coat to create that consistent, rendered look. You can choose from fine or medium textures depending on the style of your home.
- Body Colour. For 2026, we are seeing a move toward warm whites, soft sages, and earthy ochres. These colours feel grounded and sophisticated. They work perfectly with the natural light we get in the Central West.
- Bold Trims. This is the "personality" part of the reno. We use dark charcoals, deep navies, or even rich terracottas on window frames, gutters, and front doors. The contrast between the light textured walls and the sharp, bold trims is what creates that high-end designer feel.
Micro takeaways
- Proper prep is non-negotiable for a lasting finish.
- Texture coats like Armawall hide the "brickiness" of the home.
- Bold trims provide the architectural definition that modernises the look.
When these five layers come together, the transformation is usually so dramatic that neighbours often ask if the house was completely rendered in cement.
The Math of the Personality Reno
One of the best things about this approach is the value it adds to your property. In the current Orange market, a well-presented home sells for significantly more than one that looks dated. A professional exterior repaint is one of the highest return-on-investment projects you can undertake.
Think of it this way. A full cement render of a two-storey house can be incredibly expensive and time-consuming. It involves heavy machinery and can often lead to cracking if the house settles. A professional paint-and-texture system gives you a similar look at a fraction of the cost. Because we use our own in-house qualified painters and no subcontractors, we can complete the project efficiently without the delays that often come from juggling multiple trades.
With 45 plus years of local experience, we have seen this "personality reno" approach add tens of thousands of dollars in perceived value to homes across Orange and the Central West. It is a smart move whether you are planning to sell soon or just want to enjoy a beautiful home for years to come.
Micro takeaways
- A professional repaint offers a massive return on investment.
- Render-look paint is more cost effective and flexible than traditional cement render.
- An in-house team helps keep the work consistent and on schedule.
- No subcontractors means clearer quality control from start to finish.
By focusing your budget on the highest-impact areas like the exterior skin and the trims, you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Bringing the Personality Inside
The transformation should not stop at the front door. The 1970s and 80s homes often have large, open living spaces that benefit from the same "personality reno" philosophy. We often carry the warm, textured palette into the interior painting to create a seamless flow between inside and out.
Instead of flat, stark white walls, we suggest soft, atmospheric whites that catch the light. This creates a sense of "soft minimalism." It makes the rooms feel airy and modern but still cozy enough for an Orange winter. When you pair these updated walls with contemporary fixtures and perhaps some heritage-style furniture, you get a home that feels uniquely yours.
Micro takeaways
- Carry the exterior palette inside for a cohesive look.
- "Soft minimalism" is the leading trend for 2026 interiors.
- Textured interior finishes add warmth and depth to large 70s rooms.
A consistent style from the curb through to the living room is what defines a truly professional renovation.
Pro Tip: When choosing your "personality" trim colour, look at the other permanent elements of your home. If you have a dark tiled roof, a charcoal or deep slate trim will tie everything together. If you have a classic red terracotta roof, consider a muted sage or a deep forest green. This "local logic" ensures your home looks like it belongs in the landscape of Orange rather than just being a copy of something from a magazine.
Final Takeaway
The 1970s and 80s brick homes of Orange are no longer the "second choice" for buyers. They are the new gold standard for anyone who wants a solid, spacious home with a high end designer look. By using a professional system like Taubmans Armawall and a bold, personality-driven palette, you can transform your property into a modern masterpiece. With 45 plus years of local experience, fully licensed and insured service, and in-house qualified painters only, CWP Painting knows how to make that vision a reality.
If you are ready to see what your home could look like with a "personality reno," get in touch with us for a professional assessment. We would love to help you unlock the hidden potential of your property.
FAQ
Can you paint over brown 1970s brick properly
Yes. With the right preparation, primer, and coating system, old brick can be transformed successfully. The key is proper prep and the right product choice, not a quick paint-over.
Why use Taubmans Armawall instead of standard exterior paint
Because it gives you texture as well as colour. It helps soften old brick lines and creates a more premium render-look finish that suits this style of renovation.
How long does a personality reno usually take
Most exterior projects take around one to two weeks, depending on the size of the home and the amount of preparation needed. Because we use in-house qualified painters and no subcontractors, the workflow is usually more consistent.
Does this approach suit homes in Orange NSW
Yes. It works especially well on the solid brick homes common across Orange. With 45 plus years of local experience, we understand the local climate and how to prepare surfaces for a finish that lasts.
Can you match the exterior update with interior painting
Yes. Many owners update both the outside and inside to create a more consistent result. We can also help with interior painting if you want the whole home to feel more cohesive.
