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Three part garden Sally Blockley is proving that extravagant gardens aren’t just for those with a lifestyle block. Surrounding her suburban Greerton home are three garden sections perfect for entertaining guests at any time of day. “The sun warms the front garden in the morning, the fire pit area in the afternoon and the patio in the evening,” says Sally. “I’m excited to show it to people in this year’s Garden and Arts festival because I got a lot of inspiration from attending in previous years, and from my real estate clients.” Turning mostly-bare pieces of lawn into show home quality gardens has been an ongoing project, starting when Sally bought the house seven years ago. “I had tenants living here at first. The deal was that I’d come and do their gardens every three weeks. “Gardening is something I love doing, I find it very relaxing.” Her biggest garden renovation to date, where she “tore it all up and started again”, took six months and was completed at the end of last year. “I love how it looks – but I’m always swapping plants around and adding new ones.”
Sally Blockley
Grand entrance
Entrants into Sally’s home are greeted by her pint-sized Bambina and a front garden
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that says ‘resort’ more than suburban Greerton. The stand-out feature is a black pergola with pink flowers growing up it. She built it with her uncle, who is a builder and Sally’s go-to collaborator for DIY projects. Extending the border garden to meet the pergola gave Sally more room for her tropical plants, which include a househigh bird of paradise, large maroon bromeliads and succulents. Large concrete ‘lily pads’ replaced a thin concrete path leading to the front door, creating a grand entrance into the art deco era home. The varying shapes and textures provide a lot to look at and prove that adding more can in fact expand the space.
Afternoons by the fire What was once a basic lawn with a veggie garden has transformed into a cosy courtyard, kitted with a brazier for cooler afternoons and a large umbrella for sunnier days. “People begged me to keep that area covered in grass. The white stones may be harsher on the feet, but they make the space look like more of a luxury.” And most importantly, Oscar the Boston terrier can walk on them just fine. “He’s great at not wrecking the garden, too – but that may have something to do with all of my spiky plants.” Another DIY project was the black
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Catching sun rays throughout the day corrugated iron fence in the fire pit area. “I planned on doing that one myself, but the corrugated iron was much heavier than I expected. Luckily, my uncle is always on call to help, and to teach me how to do things.”
Summer nights The final part to Sally’s three part garden is the patio. Tall palms lead up to a dark stained timber deck that is surrounded by more tropical plants – including an impressive bunch of bright yellow orchids. It’s Sally’s favourite place to end the day. “Oscar and I have a chair each out here. It’s our favourite place to soak up the evening sun.”
friends and clients – my white orchids were gifted to me by a client’s family after he passed away. “Additions like that make the garden special.”
What’s next?
Sally’s yard may look Garden and Art Festival ready, but she still has big plans. “I’m training plants to grow up my garden shed, so it eventually becomes ‘hidden’ in greenery. “I think I’ll keep finding new things to work on out here – there’s always new plants to make room for.” MacKenzie Dyer
Matching inside and outside
On a budget Sally’s furniture and plants almost all have a different place of origin – she buys what she likes and is a keen bargain hunter. “I have a lot of plants that started as cuttings from
Photos: Daniel Hines.
The garden is a continuation of how Sally styles her home - bright and fun with dark accents. The three bedroom home’s master and office is painted a dark charcoal colour, similar to the fire area’s corrugated iron fence and the pergola outside. The vintage exterior continues inside through shabby chic refurbished desks and tin light shades and outside through the brazier and the Bambina, which acts as a decoration itself. “My Dad and I love vintage things. It has always been my dream to own a Bambina – it’s the car I take to open homes.”
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°°August, September September, ˜˛˜˛ life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°11 ˜˛°˝, 2020
Tips and tricks for a Renovating is disruptive at the best of times and can be even more so when taking a hammer and paintbrush to the heart of the home: the kitchen.
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With more than 30 years’ experience in renovation and kitchen design, Joanne and Renee Mouat from The Kitchen Lady have some tips to help the process run smoothly. “Getting the overall design right is paramount to the success of any renovation,” says Joanne. “From there you can get onto the fun stuff, from choosing your favourite wall colours right down to the cupboard handles.”
Where to start?
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Renee and Joanne say ironing out the practical details is the best way to start a kitchen renovation. If the upgrade is taking place in your own home, it pays to decide whether to live around the works, or to stay elsewhere, early on. “You could be without your kitchen for about a week or two depending on the scope of work, which is definitely something to consider. “We’ve had clients create ‘mini kitchens’ in their garages, and/or stay with family and friends close by while work is being undertaken.” Letting your designer know whether the renovation is for your family home,
a property to be sold, or a rental is also key. “From there, we can work with your wish list and budget expectations.”
Balancing a budget
Despite money restraints, Joanne and Renee say never be afraid of sharing your ultimate wish list with your designer. “What you think is ‘too out there’ may very well be achievable. The kitchen is the heart and soul of the home, so it’s best to do it once and get what you want. “It always pays to meet with your kitchen designer on-site so they can get a feel for the space and take your lifestyle into consideration.” Spending time on the design is Joanne and Renee’s top money saving tip. “Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. There are so many options and products available, it’s important to always come back to the questions: does it meet your needs? Is it going to add value to the home?” “When comparing quotes, make sure it’s apples for apples. A quote may look cheaper, but it may not include everything you need. For The Kitchen Lady clients the quotes are the total package – there are no addons or extras.” They say that hardware – and anything that increases the kitchen’s functionality – is worth the investment.
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kitchen renovation “Drawers and corner solutions are a great way to improve ease-of-use and the investment is well worth the additional storage.”
Trends
Trends come and go, so Renee and Joanne suggest creating a kitchen that suits your personal style, rather than what’s ‘in’. “White kitchens are always at the top of the list, however, suppliers are bringing out new colours like beautiful sage greens, darker blues, metallics and a lot of timber-look melamine. “Open shelving is also making a resurgence, as people want to display their beautiful serve ware, feature pieces and indoor plants. Having everything at your fingertips is also a bonus.”
Making it modern
For people looking to make only a few changes to modernise their kitchen, Joanne and Renee recommend targeting the wall colour, splashbacks, accessories, handles and bench tops to create a fresh look. “Also consider upgrading the hob and oven, as it’s a practical and aesthetic option.” The Kitchen Lady often has clients looking to renovate for a more modern look. “A recent example is a job we did for clients Soroya and Dave McGall. This started with a small enquiry, but after
two site meetings and the openness of the clients, we were able to transform their existing kitchen into something outstanding. “We maximised storage by swapping cupboards with drawers, which is always a great investment. “Sleek, to-the-ceiling over-cupboards replaced the existing rangehood and enabled us to hide the power pack, extractor and incorporate built-in LED lighting, giving a clean modern look.” “Open ‘cubbies’ above the pantry continued the ‘to-the-ceiling’ theme, which gave Soroya somewhere to display her Crown Lyn collection. “Complementary black handles, an eco-granite sink and accessories finished off the renovation beautifully.” Above all else, The Kitchen Lady’s top tip is going for a design you love. “Advice and recommendations are great, but the most important thing is that you love the end result.”
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MacKenzie Dyer
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Neutrals with soul In the decorating world, what we’ve come to know as character neutrals are paint colours that make for a much richer interior look – and they are trending. These are not the tans and beiges of the 90s, nor the one-dimensional greys of the 00s and 10s. They are neutrals with soul. It’s complex variations like nude taupe, mushroom taupe, new-age greige, terracotta and deep-smoked coffee browns are taking their turn in the spotlight – think Resene Zorba, Resene Otter, Resene Tide, Resene Santa Fe and Resene Barista. While Resene is well-known for its daring fashion colour fandecks, there is a place in every home for whites and neutrals too. These are the colours that designers turn to again and again to create classic palettes for their clients, and often their own homes. They provide a perfect canvas for building varied décor themes both outside and inside. Until recently, the most popular neutral colours have been leaning toward flat, cold and steely greys, but things are changing.
Soft brown tones
Wall in Resene Rocky Mountain and floor in Resene Sixth Sense. Project by Annick Larkin. Photo: Melanie Jenkins.
Tauranga interior designer Marilyn Cleland says she’s certainly noticed how soft brown tones are returning to the popular palette, which has been eclipsed by grey over the past few years. “These new mushroom smoky pinks and nude taupes could also be described as new generation neutrals. They are used to complement stronger colours, as soft grey neutrals once would have. They also add a warmth when used next to cooler-toned colours.” Marilyn believes that new-age greiges – a grey beige blend – can shine in both cool and warm colour schemes. She finds them very relaxing background colours to live with.
“Greiges sit comfortably between greys and browns and are fabulous trimmed with the greatest neutral of all – white. They allow a widely varied range of accessories and furnishing colours to shine – yellows, duck egg blues, blacks, coral tones and the new spice tones. These can all live happily together,” she says. With the new mushroom smokey pinks in mind, Marilyn suggests considering Resene Wafer and Resene Shabby Chic. The first is described as a pink biscuit, the latter as a faded peach-edged pinky beige. Resene Urbane, meanwhile, is a pale milk beige – polished and sophisticated. Such colours show how neutrals offer a haven of delightfully muted colour choices with endless combinations possible. And neutrals with extra character also provide a more soulful backdrop for combining brighter, more intense feature colours into your scheme. While character neutrals are trending, Marilyn is adamant grey will never be overlooked as a choice of wall, door, window or furnishing colour. It’s a universal colour, she says, that closely morphs into lilacs and blues, which blend well with warm taupes and mushroom tones. She suggests Resene Archive Grey, a dusty dawn grey, full of a quiet old-fashioned charm, and Resene Half Copyrite, with its tint of leaden, salt-bleached grey, as ideal choices.
Moody colours
Interior designer Heather Lochhead has noticed clients are, in general, keen to include browns in their schemes but aren’t ready to eliminate grey completely. They’re mixing the two. She’s found Resene Quarter Ironsand is a popular, smoky warm brown with an undertone of dense grey. Heather, who is a fan of moody colours, says neutrals are ideal on their own or to anchor a scheme, providing a soulful backdrop for brighter, more intense feature colours. For example, grey and strong beige tones can
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The colours that anchor our homes are becoming far more interesting be successfully married with beautiful mustards and charcoals. She is particular to Resene Tuna, a bluey-charcoal, which is a hit with camel and beige.
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Wall and floor in Resene Suits, fireplace in Resene Noir. Project by Vanessa Nouwens. Photo: Melanie Jenkins.
Hints of grey
Resene colour expert Christine Hodges was asked if the popularity of these complex neutrals – the tans and beiges heralds an adieu to grey? Greys still have their place, she assures, but browns are on the move up on the popularity scale. “I am finding people are liking the warmer tones, rather than the stark black or white, so yes, there’s been a move over to the luscious chocolates,” she says. She’s noticed that the warm, grey-brown of Resene Fuscous Grey is trending, for both the interior and exterior of homes, and pairs well with Resene Quarter White Pointer. Resene Eighth Bokara Grey – a warmed charcoal blended with slate and mudstone with red undertones – creates a point of difference and looks great with brass and timber. She’s recently used Resene Dark Web on a study wall where a light wooden desk and orange, leather chair contrast beautifully with this dense blackened brown. Interior designer Kathrine McDonald says that when she mention neutrals to the bulk of her clients, they think white combined with grey. The Mount Maunganui-based interior designer thinks where her clients’ notions are based has something to do with the love affair with white and grey. “Greys and white are so fresh and go with a coastal locality,” she says. “I have very few clients who, regardless of trends, say they want beige or brown colour. Resene White Thunder, a true grey, and Resene Sea Fog, a white with a hint of grey, remain very popular amongst my clients. “I find browns can put you in a challenging position to work with. Greys are easier to work with and provide a great base colour. I think grey is here to stay,” she says. Looking for extra inspiration? Visit your local Resene ColorShop or www.resene.co.nz/latestlooks for more colour and paint ideas and inspiration.
Main wall in Resene Merino. Circles: Resene Swiss Caramel, Indian Ink and Route ˜˜. Project by Vanessa Nouwens. Photo: Bryce Carleton.
Back wall in Resene Merino, front wall in Resene Alabaster, floor in Resene White Pointer. Project by Gem Adams. Photo: Melanie Jenkins.
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°°August, September September, 2020 life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°11 ˜˛°˝ , ˜˛˜˛
Show homes inspire visions
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Choosing the best place to build in the fast growing Bay can be tricky, but Highmark Homes’ 50 years of experience in the region can help the process run smoothly. “As well as offering home and land packages across the Bay of Plenty, we can assist in sourcing land, design to build on land you already own, or on land you’re acquiring,” says Highmark Homes managing director Ryan Hunt. “We provide assistance across the entire construction process, from finding a site that suits clients’ requirements, to designing and building dream homes.” In addition to Highmark Homes’ office at 8 Palliser Place Mount Maunganui, the business has show homes in two of the Bay’s fastest growing hot spots that are sure to spark design inspiration. The first is a light and bright four bedroom family home in Golden Sands Papamoa, which is only a 20 minute drive from Tauranga CBD and Mount Maunganui. It models the benefit of strategic positioning: the kitchen, dining and
patio are in the perfect spot to catch the morning sun. The white kitchen, walls and light coloured furnishings bounce around natural light, making the 201m2 home feel even more spacious. For fans of warm-toned modern design, Highmark Homes’ four bedroom show home in Harbour Ridge Omokoroa is sure to please. Ryan says the lounge’s double cavity sliders showcased in the Omokoroa property has proven popular with clients, as it allows flexible functionality between open plan living and privacy. “Whether you want a quick and easy build by choosing one of our classic, contemporary and stylish packages or a new design from scratch, we can work to match your individual needs. “Visit one of our show homes to discuss your dream home with one of our sales consultants.”
The Highmark Homes team.
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Golden Sands, 186 The Boulevard: open 1 to 4pm Thursday to Sunday. Contact Audrey: 027 5557812, audrey@highmarkhomes.co.nz Omokoroa, 1 Ridge Drive, Harbour Ridge: open 1 to 4pm Thursday to Tuesday. Contact Sally: 027 5361003, sally@highmarkhomes.co.nz
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Ask an architect As a result, Bertoloni Architecture owner Nara Bertoloni has noticed a shift in people’s home design queries since the COVID-19 lockdown. “Before COVID-19, I would get a lot of questions about how a client could get most value from their property for the money they spend,” says Nara. “I believe a shift started happening after lockdown where people started to realise how important functionality is.” To achieve the best balance between usability and design, Nara says there is no going past the advice of an architect. “A cleverly designed home changes the dynamics of your day-to-day living for the better – you can’t put a price on it. “Don’t underestimate the power of a welldesigned house.”
No job too small
The services of an architect aren’t exclusive to intricate or alternative builds, says Nara. “People should engage an architect or architectural designer from the simplest to the most complex questions they have in regards to their property – whether it’s a home new build or renovation, commercial or residential. “When a client has questions about their property, a good professional should be able to advise on whether what they want to achieve is viable and if it’s worth their money.
Indoor-outdoor flow.
“In the long run, engaging an architect in the early stage of the process can save the client a lot of money.”
Choosing an architect
Nara says it pays to do your research to find the ideal architect for the job. “Having a look at an architect’s past work will help give insight into their design skills and industry experience. But actually meeting with them and seeing if your personalities work well together is also really important, because it really is a collaboration.” At Bertoloni Architecture, Nara focusses on using architecture as a bridge to connect people, nature, culture and its environmental context. “To me, that means looking at the project at a micro to macro scale by thinking how the design fits in itself and within its own environment. I’m a firm believer of working on the relationship between architecture, nature and art.” The ‘Find a Designer’ tool on the Architectural Designers New Zealand website can help, by using project type and region search filters.
Natural colours.
Sharp architecture.
The process
The next stage is meeting with the architect on-site. “It’s important to meet up on a first instance at the client’s property, so the client can get a feel from the architect. “The scope of the project determines how the design process ensues, but your architect can guide you through all of this, and create a space that delivers on liveability and looks.” MacKenzie Dyer
BERTOLONI ARCHITECTURE Services provided: Hand Sketches 3D Architectural Illustrations & Walk-Throughs Sun Studies Consent & Construction Documentation Bertoloni Architecture is an architectural based practice originated on the idea of using architecture as a bridge to connect people, nature, culture and its environmental built context. The firm primarily centres its work on the relationship between architecture, nature and art. The firm provides Architectural Services for New Builds, Residential Dwelling Alterations, Commercial projects, Fit-Outs, Interior Design and Lighting Design.
BERTOLONI ARCHITECTURE ph. (+64) 21 029 12463 nara@bertoloniarchitecture.com | www.bertoloniarchitecture.com
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Many people have spent more time at home this year than ever before.
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°°August, September September, ˜˛˜˛ life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°11 ˜˛°˝ , 2020
Room to cool o° Thinking about a piece of lawn that you’re not quite sure what to do with? Well, it may be big enough for a pool. Narellan Pools Bay of Plenty have an entire range of fibreglass plunge pools made specifically for smaller backyard spaces. “Our Eden range has proven really popular, as it allows people to be less restricted by the size of their outdoor space,” says Narellan Pools BOP business manager Arlette McNaughten. “The Eden range is a great option for suburban BOP properties that are short on space.”
Preparing for the pool installation.
Papamoa pool
Before. The lack of privacy before the renovation.
An Eden plunge pool works perfectly for Papamoa’s Tracy and Bevan. “We came from a lifestyle block. When we moved to Papamoa, we wanted our home to be smaller, low maintenance… and we wanted a pool, which is exactly what we’ve got,” says Tracy. “The size of our section is about 500m2 and the house takes up 223m2. So as you can imagine, there’s not a lot of outdoor space left – not to the naked eye at least.” Tracy never doubted that the pool would fit in the space.
“With the pool in and the landscaping done, it has created the tranquil space we envisioned.”
The specs Tracy and Bevan’s pool is the Eden 5 Slimline, which is 4.75m by 1.85m. “My husband and I were just after something big enough to cool off in and, of course, aesthetically pleasing. “It’s the perfect size for us and our two dogs – they absolutely love it.” The Eden 5 Slimline is one of the bigger pools in the Eden range. The smallest is the Eden 3.5, which is 3.2m by 3.2m. “The Eden 3.5 is a recent release and the Eden range is really popular for those smaller yard spaces,” says Arlette. “Like all of the Eden range, it has a flat bottom and is 1.65 meters deep.”
Low maintenance land Tracy and Bevan wanted the landscaping around the pool to be low maintenance too. They’ve retired their lawnmower by laying artificial grass. “Artificial grass is something we never thought we’d even consider, but we have no regrets,” says Tracy. The grass was ‘sewn’ by Countrywide Contractors Ltd., a Papamoa business specialising in both educational play spaces and residential landscaping.
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Small spaces make room for swimming
The pool process
Pool installations with Narellan Pools usually takes two weeks. “In week one, the hole is dug out and the ground is assessed by an engineer, before the pool is installed, backfilled and filled with water,” says Arlette. “The following week we work on the pool surrounds and setting up the filtration system.” With a turnaround time of just a few weeks, Arlette says any time of the year works to install a pool. “We recommend not holding off until the suns out to lock in your pool installation, summer pools are built in winter, so your pool is ready to go for summer.” Working with Narellan Pools made the
process easy, says Tracy. “They really are a remarkable team of professionals, who kept exceptional communication with us throughout the project. “From administration to installation, their service was flawless.”
Regulations
When assessing small spaces, one of the main things Narellan Pools has to consider is council regulations. “A section’s boundary fence must be a minimum of one metre away from the water’s edge, which is the main criteria and starting point we consider when working in smaller spaces. “Luckily, Tracy and Bevan’s place had enough room for the pool they wanted.” Imagining a digger trying to access small sections sounds like no easy task, but Arlette says their experienced operators are used to the challenge. Tracy and Bevan have the advantage of living next to a reserve. “We were very fortunate, as we got consent for the contractors to drive through the reserve to access the space, which gave them plenty of room,” says Tracy. “Watching how everyone worked together was amazing. Our backyard turned out exactly how we wanted it, and we’re all set for summer. “Much appreciation goes out to everyone involved.” MacKenzie Dyer
Photos: Daniel Hines
“It wasn’t as easy coming in and laying it down – there was a lot of prep work involved. “We are extremely grateful for Mike Wilson and Munokoa William from Countrywide. Their expertise was evident throughout the whole process. “They continually made suggestions for the better, and remained committed to achieving our vision.” Originally, Tracy and Bevan’s plan was to surround the pool with decking. “We changed our minds because we have two elderly dogs, so having a hard surface out there wouldn’t be fair on them. The 50mm grass works a treat.”
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Extending a Papamoa gem Kevin Ryan.
It’s impossible to tell that Kevin and Irene Ryan’s Papamoa home has been extended – and that’s exactly how they wanted it.
Continuing their home’s unique features was important to Kevin and Irene. Completed.
“This house was built in 1994 and was owned by a builder who was passionate about recycling native timbers. He put a lot of thought into the design, so we wanted the extension to seamlessly lead on from what was already here,” says Kevin. Matching the extension to 26-year-old native timber was no easy task, but Irene and Kevin couldn’t be happier with the job that Jimmy Dow and the Coast NZ Construction team have done. “You can’t tell where the old part ends and the new begins.”
Bigger bach
During the renovation.
Being so close to Papamoa Beach, it’s no surprise that summer sees three generations of Ryan’s coming to Kevin and Irene’s. The extension added a bedroom, bathroom and separate toilet to the existing second floor. “We’re expecting eight to ten people over summer, so going to three bedrooms and two lounges and having extra utilities will make a big difference.” Finding a feasible way to erect steel
framing to support the second floor extension, while not damaging or detracting from the existing macrocarpa support beams, was the renovation’s biggest challenge. Coast NZ Construction found a way to have the extension supported by four steel pillars hidden in the walls of the original structure, something Coast NZ Construction owner Jimmy Dow describes as “pretty old school craftsmanship”. “As soon as we got approval from council Jimmy ordered the steel we needed – it was a very quick process. “The steel structure was the biggest task of the renovation and you can’t even see it.”
Matching rimu
The original builder incorporated unique details throughout the house, from a tree carved into the front door to iron artwork depicting Papamoa’s landscape along the bannister. “We wanted to continue the banister along the new part of the house, so an ironwork specialist added a tree from our view of Papamoa Beach into the artwork.” Coast NZ Construction used several types of timber in the new part of the house, including cedar, pine and macrocarpa, matching it to the original native timbers by using different colour stains.
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Having the timber continue throughout the new parts of the house was especially important to Kevin and Irene – it’s what sold them on the house. “It was the most expensive bike ride I’ve ever been on. “We were on holiday here when Irene saw the ‘for sale’ sign. We weren’t looking to buy, but the timber and quirky nature of the house won us over.”
The window seat
The family’s favourite part of the renovation is the window seat on the ground floor. “I’m an avid reader and the window seat is the perfect spot to sit down with a book.” To create it, a wall in the lounge and its large window was moved about one metre outwards. “The guys from Coast NZ built storage underneath it, which has been very handy.”
Embracing Colour
It’s common to see dark timbers like rimu decorated with dark decor to match – but Irene isn’t afraid of colour. Every room is decorated with splashes of different colours, matched with the rainbow leaf curtains used throughout the house. The only break in the rimu is the kitchen and stairway walls, which are
Photos: Daniel Hines
“You can’t tell where the old part ends and the new begins.” painted a bright yellow base Resene colour called Funk. “Irene loves colour and is great at making lots of different ones work together – from the curtains to the rugs and duvet covers.” Local artists have provided a lot of the decor: from a bright painting of the Mount to a totara coat rack. “That’s very intentional. Buying local artwork supports the creativity within the community. It makes the house unique.”
Staying onsite
Kevin and Irene work in Auckland, splitting their time between the big smoke and Papamoa. For the renovation, Kevin stayed in Papamoa full time. “That was at Jimmy’s request, because with someone onsite, it’s much easier for the builders to have open communication with us about what we want. “It also helped Irene and I stick to our painting deadlines, as we chose to do all of the exterior and interior painting ourselves. We were in constant contact with Jimmy’s project manager to make sure we were on track. “It made the build incredibly efficient. They started in January last year and were done a few months later in June.” The only day wasted was when the shrink wrap went up – it didn’t rain the entire build. MacKenzie Dyer
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Timber is used throughout the entire house.
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°° September September, ˜˛˜˛ life+style The Weekend Sun ˜° 11 August, ˜˛°˝ , 2020
Travel inspired sanctuary It may have a higher fence, new deck and a paint job, but the outside of Lorraine and Phil Brennan’s Mount Maunganui home stays true to its roots. Their home has been a part of Mount Maunganui since 1945 – recognised for its art deco style and “Trouville” lettering on the front that is still there today, and here to stay. “The Trouville bach is a part of Mount Maunganui, so keeping the old exterior intact was important to us,” says Lorraine “Many people remember our house. When we sit out on the deck, people will stop and share their memories of it, and thank us for staying true to it.” After years of collecting trinkets on their many travels and a recent renovation, the inside of Lorraine and Phil’s home tells a very different story to their street view – turning what looks like a traditional Mount bach into an eclectic hideaway.
Letting light in
Inside the Brennan’s home feels like a retreat by making good use of Mount Maunganui’s enviable weather. An extension to the original house makes it a ‘u’ shape, which surrounds a new white tiled courtyard, complete with loungers and a date palm.
Three ranch sliders make the courtyard visible and accessible from three different areas of the house, flooding it with light throughout the day. Through the hallway, which has a ranch slider on either side, the courtyard looks out onto the street. Privacy isn’t an issue thanks to an electric sliding gate. “The gate is slatted, which gives us privacy without blocking the sunshine.” It may be a modern space, but it captures the purpose of the original house. “We’re a street away from the water now but this used to be a beachfront bach – it was made to be a relaxing place.”
Old surprises
Lorraine and Phil enlisted Phil Mouldey from Wave Construction for the renovation, which took six months. “We consulted with Phil the whole time. “We only had to move out for the last two months of the build. The rest of the time we stayed here, sharing new ideas as the house kept evolving. “Phil was great at delivering on what we envisioned the house to look like.” Lorraine says they couldn’t believe how much concrete they found when digging out the courtyard area. “We filled skips and skips of concrete. We think it’s because there was no dump
°° September 11 September, ˜˛˜˛ ˜° August,, 2020 ˜˛°˝
“It takes a bach with good bones, like the Brennan’s, that makes it worth saving”
in the area then, so unused concrete was buried on the site. “We also found some very unusual colours on the walls, including bright mustard.” Wave Construction’s Phil Mouldey says surprises are part of the fun when refurbishing a bach. “Every renovation can have hidden secrets – opening up a house can be a history lesson. “I did up my own Papamoa bach when I moved to Tauranga 18 years ago. It was all a bit of fun, but its ultimate fate was a digger, as is the case with most baches. “It takes a bach with good bones, like the Brennan’s, that makes it worth saving.”
Saving and spending
Lorraine has a philosophy: expensive isn’t always the best answer. The dark stained wood flooring in the kitchen and dining is actually vinyl. Same goes for the warm ‘wooden’ kitchen benchtops, which are laminate. “Both are long-lasting materials, and it’s hard to tell that they’re not actually wood. “Renovating is expensive as it is, so there’s no need to spend where you don’t need to.”
Lorraine balances this with knowing where to spend: for instance, on the courtyard tiles. “Good tiles aren’t cheap. But, we still saved money underneath the courtyard by repurposing paint pots to use as moulds for the foundations.”
Travel trinkets
Having spaceship-like lights from Bali, a patterned orange rug from Morocco and a brown zebra striped lounge set all in one area sounds like a lot – but it works. An interior designer herself, Lorraine says there’s a balance to making eclectic decor look intentional and modern. “The structure of the house is quite angular – it does give you that modern feel. “You soften off the decor with your drapes and your lighting. The walls are your canvas, and then everything else comes in over the top.” Most pieces have a story behind them. “The rug cost more to ship over here than it did to buy. “We wrapped up the pineapple light shades in it, and sent it from Morocco. We absolutely loved our time there – the smells and the sights create the most amazing atmosphere.” MacKenzie Dyer
life+style The Weekend Sun °˝
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life+style The Weekend Sun ˜° August, ˜˛°˝
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