My favourite definition for renovating - to reinvigorate; refresh; revive. That is exactly what we did within our front yard and hallway renovation, we worked with what we had and gave it a fresh new look. Discover the whole makeover process on our latest reno recap.
Read More
Our lounge is situated at the front of the house and looks out onto the front yard. It is a room with large windows and a wood burner fireplace, it just needed to have an updated look that was comfortable and practical. With all the other living areas at the back of the house, we created a formal lounge that is a combination of old world design with a new world twist. Discover we renovated this space…
Read More
It’s easy to underestimate how long it will take to finish a project or you make the mistake of starting too many at once, leaving your house looking more like a construction site. However, not every DIY task needs to be a lengthy process. In fact, there are plenty of projects you can take on that will only require a free weekend and some DIY willpower.
Read More
Our original master bedroom came with challenges - two different ceiling heights, a wardrobe in front of a window, a power plug from the spa bath sticking out of the wall! The long and narrow shape of the room meant we had to be intentional as we designed and problem solve the poor renovation choices we had inherited. We took a space that felt problematic and created a space that feels bold and sophisticated. Discover how we made it happen…
Read More
Home ownership is a fantastic goal and aspiration. Not only providing personal benefits, but also collective benefits to a community, as people take ownership and pride in their piece of dirt and become more invested in their neighbourhood. Whilst much is written about the purchase process (including our own articles), we thought we would share some of the realities and responsibilities that come with the purchase of a house.
Read More
Our guest bedroom renovation was all about giving this space a distinct look with bold design. We took a room that blended into the rest of the house to a show stopping zen retreat! See our reno recap to discover how we did it…
Read More
When it comes to spending money on your property, most home owners will consider what will add value to their home. Whether you own your forever home or are using your current property as a stepping stone, making calculated and considered financial decisions can result in your property being worth more than what you invested. We all like a return on our investments, but how is that achieved for your house?
Read More
Our original laundry inspired thoughts like “dingy, dark, damp, mould, cold” - not exactly the greatest motivation to do laundry on any given day! There was plenty of space to create something pretty special, and with some careful and creative planning, we have renovated our best laundry yet!
Read More
Our Kids Bedroom renovation was all about taking a dull, dark, cream coloured space and making it full of texture, warmth and colour. Watch our full reno recap to see how we designed, renovated and styled our Kids Room in our Diamond in Richmond Project.
Read More
At the end of our Dollars and Sense series, let’s chat about how the final numbers stacked up! Did we stick to our budget, blow the budget, change our budget, follow our own advice, was it worth it in the end?!?
Read More
If there is one constant in renovating - it is that plans will constantly change! Some changes are big, some are small, some might save you money, some you might choose yourself, but the end result may mean you need to review and adapt your budget. Watch our latest VLOG to see how to deal with the situation head on by adapting the budget.
Read More
Our Diamond in Richmond. She might not be a diamond just yet, but we can sure see her potential. We didn’t seek out another old character home, but she definitely stood out. Another 1910’s beauty, a flat faced villa with a central hallway, high studs, and the lean-to extensions added over her 100 year life. Another big outside area, screaming for some attention and the chance to create some great outside living spaces.
Read More
As soon as a house is on the market it is not only the place you live but a product you have to sell. Whether you are selling your house with an agent or doing it by private sale, consider yourself a key part of the marketing team. Furniture placement, cleanliness and styling are crucial to making the images of your house stand out, your open homes successful and ultimately getting your house the sale price it deserves. Here is how to do just that within your own home...
Read More
So, you have decided to sell your house. That might be the big decision done, but what next? There are many questions to consider in this process. And everyone’s situation and house is different, as well as the ever-changing property climate, so there is not one right answer. Here is our advice to common questions to help you if you are thinking or have made the decision to sell your home.
After Christopher purchased his first home - a brand-new 136m2 3 bedroom Fletcher Living Home in Awatea Green Development in Christchurch, he needed a whole lot of help. He didn’t own any furniture or décor. He knew he had a blank canvas – but he had no idea how to paint!
Read More
See how we took an overgrown and neglected outdoor space and created a lawn, a spa pool area with a spa leaner, a fire pit area with wood storage and then fenced off space for the washing line and the bins. It was big project that was our largest allocated budget... but so worth it.
Read More
Our kitchen renovation was all about adding practical elements to the existing space and updating the design. We kept the original benchtop, cabinetry and layout but gave it a completely new look.
Read More
Our master bedroom has the most windows in the house and is the largest of the three bedrooms, this room deserved design that made a statement and was retreat from the rest of the house. Our reno recap shows how we did just that!
Read More
This bathroom renovation has taken us by surprise, we haven’t made any major changes and yet the reno recap says it all! We didn't have budget to make any big changes, we had to work with what we had and embrace the existing farmhouse style. It meant hours of hunting down the right products to add and giving everything a good clean and a new coat of paint.
Read More
The centre of the house, the source of heat and the place we eat! Our dining room is the heart of the home and was full of potential. Discover how we took this simple space, gave it a complete makeover with simply DIY projects and made it a show stopper.
Read More
