For Cronulla Sharks prop Braden Uele, home is where family comes first. While he’s known for his powerful presence on the football field, away from the game his focus is creating a home where his wife, Chenille, and young son, Easton, can enjoy time together.
After purchasing a solid red-brick home in Sydney’s south, they saw an opportunity to transform the property into a more secure, private and family-friendly space. While the home had great bones, the front yard was completely open to the street, limiting both privacy and how the family could enjoy the outdoor area.
The solution was a combination of EstateWall® to the front boundary and TrendWall® along the side boundaries to create a modern fencing design that delivers privacy, security and a significant boost to street appeal.
Creating a safe, secure family home
As the young family settled into the home, creating a safe and private outdoor space became an important part of the renovation. With a toddler to consider, Braden and Chenille wanted an area where they could relax, play and spend time together.
“The biggest thing for us was creating a safe space for our son. The front yard was completely open, and we wanted somewhere that felt secure and private where we could relax as a family.”
As a busy professional athlete, Braden also wanted the home to feel like a retreat from the outside world.
“When we’re at home, we really value our privacy. We wanted the property to feel enclosed and protected without feeling closed or boxed in.”
The new front wall immediately changed how the family uses the home, creating a private outdoor zone that feels both secure and welcoming.
A premium front fence that transforms street appeal
The front boundary features a grand EstateWall® installation, complete with a pedestrian gate and integrated letterbox.
The clean lines and rendered appearance delivered the modern aesthetic Braden was looking for while complementing the character of the existing red-brick home.
“We wanted something that looked premium and made a statement, while still complementing the style of the house. EstateWall® completely changed the look of the property, it basically gave it an instant facelift!”
Custom-manufactured aluminium battens were incorporated into the design. Installed by ModularWalls recognised installer Prestige Fencing, the battens brought additional design flair and architectural detail to the front facade.
One of the many advantages of ModularWalls is its versatility, allowing homeowners to personalise their design with a range of finishes including render, cladding, tiles and decorative battens. The finished result creates a strong first impression while enhancing both privacy and security.
An easy DIY finishing touch: painting ModularWalls
While Braden chose to have his ModularWalls professionally installed, he decided to paint them himself. One of the advantages of ModularWalls is how easy they are to finish, allowing homeowners to personalise their wall while achieving a premium result.
Thanks to the smooth, cementitious surface of our fences and walls, a high-quality exterior acrylic paint creates a sleek, render-like finish that complements almost any home. Simply apply a mould-resistant primer followed by a quality exterior weatherproof paint to achieve a durable, long-lasting result.
Thinking of painting your own ModularWalls? Follow our step-by-step painting guide to achieve the best finish.
More privacy, more usable outdoor space
One of the biggest benefits of the new front wall has been the way it has changed how the family uses the property.
Before the installation, the front yard felt exposed to the street and offered little privacy. The new wall has created a secure outdoor area that feels like an extension of the home.
“We’ve gained a whole extra outdoor space. The front yard is now somewhere we can spend time together rather than just an area we walked through. With a toddler and a dog running around, having that peace of mind is huge. We know they can both play outside safely, and we can relax.”
For families with young children, creating safe outdoor areas is often a major priority. The enclosed space now provides a comfortable outdoor environment where the family can enjoy quality time together with greater peace of mind.
Replacing metal fencing with a more premium solution
Along the side boundaries, Braden chose TrendWall® to replace sections of the existing Colorbond fencing. While the original fencing was functional, it didn’t deliver the appearance or quality the family wanted for their home.
“We wanted something that felt more premium than standard metal or timber fencing. TrendWall® gave us that modern finish and tied everything together. All our new walls complement each other really well. Everything feels connected now and the house looks and feels much more finished.”
The addition of TrendWall® along the side boundaries helps carry the same premium finish throughout the property, giving the home a more cohesive appearance throughout.
Practical features designed for family living
The integrated pedestrian gate and built-in letterbox provide everyday convenience while maintaining the clean architectural appearance of the front wall.
Security was another important consideration.
“We wanted to feel a bit more private and secure without making it feel like a fortress. The wall gives us that privacy, but it still looks great and feels really welcoming.”
The enclosed front yard has also proven to be dog-friendly and family-friendly, creating a practical outdoor space that can adapt as their son grows older.
“It’s changed how we use our home!”
A family home transformed with a contemporary front fence
Since completing the project, Braden has been thrilled with the transformation.
“The difference is massive. It’s completely changed the look of the place and given us exactly what we wanted as a family when we bought the house.”
Friends and family have also noticed the impact.
“Everyone comments on the front fence when they come over. It’s probably the first thing people notice now.”
For Braden and his family, the combination of EstateWall® and TrendWall® has helped create the kind of home they had always envisioned — one that feels private, secure and welcoming, while giving the property a completely new look.
“It just feels like our home now. We’ve got the privacy we wanted, a safe space for our son and we’re really happy with how it’s all turned out.”
For homeowners looking to create greater privacy, security and usable outdoor space for their family, Braden’s project shows how the right front fence can completely transform both the appearance and functionality of a home.
