after major wins

“ e owners went bold with the colours,” says Mike. “ e exterior’s aged copper coloured aluminium and concrete panels rendered in white plaster is easy care and durable and the contrast looks really smart.” e 218m2 home draws in light and warmth with two custom skylights in the extra-width entrance and hall and oor-to-ceiling glazing in the main living areas.

“My favourite part is the living area with its high raked ceiling,” says Mike. “ e house is elevated so it has an uninterrupted view of those amazing sunsets behind the Kaimais. It’s also cut in below the back neighbours, so it feels really private.”

Remarkable at Waihi Beach

Mike also project managed the Waihi Beach house renovation that won the Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Supreme Renovation of the Year, alongside being awarded rst place in the Renovation Over $1.5 million category and a Gold Award.

“It’s a 1990s beachfront home that was looking tired,” says Mike. “It was a tricky cladding. e sleek lines demanded some complex work, from customised ashings and cladding corners to secret screwed exterior weatherboards. It came together perfectly, and I couldn’t be happier.” e Belco team worked alongside the homeowners to meld a Kiwi coastal aesthetic with European comfort and style. “Handpicked Italian tiles, antique Swiss lighting and, on the kitchen island, blackened brass panels,” says Mike.

“My favourite feature of this home is the staircase leading up to the living area. “ e steps are industrial style that oat alongside an illuminated brick feature wall. e way the light plays in that space is amazing.” e bach is now a contemporary beachfront oasis that the judges described as “remarkable”.

“ e builder embraced the opportunity to create an outstanding home, showcasing their expertise in working with a wide range of materials, tolerances, and nishes both inside and out. e nished product is a testament to the builder’s unwavering dedication, skill, and experience.”

Now that it’s done, Nikki Flaws’ only regret is not getting her bathrooms and laundry renovated sooner.

“It’s amazing,” she says. “It’s made life so much easier, and my bathrooms are simply beautiful and so much more functional.”

Her Otūmoetai home was built in the 1980s and felt dated, tired and dark.

“Our bathroom consisted of three rooms side-byside with horrible walls, the colour of an overripe avocado, and was well overdue for an update,” says Nikki. “My ensuite was pokey with a dark shower cubicle and the laundry downstairs had a green benchtop and two tubs that didn’t seem to be the smartest use of space.”

Big decisions first

Nikki felt immediately drawn to Bay Bathroom Design & Build with its great user-friendly website. She loved that consultant Vicky Gillespie followed up her query to quickly set up an initial design meeting.

“She was friendly and helpful, and we gelled straight away,” says Nikki. “I didn’t have a lot of ideas. I just knew that I didn’t want tiles in the shower and that I wanted a big bath. I actually ended up leaving a lot of decisions to Vicky. She was really great at putting the colour palettes together. She even o ered to come tile shopping with me!”

“If you can narrow down the big decisions rst, the design features tend to fall more easily into place,” says Vicky. “I get clients to pick their furniture like the vanity they love and it helps guide me towards the ttings that would suit.”

Vicky also looks at the rest of the home and what the client chooses for themselves. “If they have carpet running through the house, we want to match that or maybe the client hates that colour and wants to change. at’s the kind of conversation we have,” says Vicky. “At the end of the day, I want something that re ects my clients’ style and personality.”

Insight and advice

Vicky was also able to o er valuable insight and advice about the ttings.

“ ere were so many things I just hadn’t even thought of – like the taps matching the rest of the décor,” says Nikki. “I had initially liked squareshaped tapware, but Vicky wasn’t afraid to use her expertise to point me in the right direction. She suggested rounded shapes to compliment the freestanding bath and she was right. ey’re gorgeous.” “ ere are so many nishes when it comes to tapware, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or stressful,”