A tired ex-rental in Hamilton is given a bright makeover inspired by its owners love of monochrome shades and keen eye for French styling
Scroll down to see this chic Hamilton home
Meet and greet
Audrey Fitzjohn, photographer and stylist, Elliot Fitzjohn, arborist, and Charles, 3.
A Hamilton home gets a $40,000 makeover with French country style
Scroll down to see this chic Hamilton home
Roofing – $11,000; exterior painting – $16,500; kitchen – $1000; interior – $9000; pizza oven, top terrace and garden – $1000; miscellaneous – $1500.
How did your budget forecast compare to your actual spend?
We didn’t plan a budget. We knew there would be bigger jobs, such as the roofing and exterior painting, that would need a budget, but the other jobs were quite minimal and we knew we’d just pay as we went. We didn’t get any nasty surprises, so it never felt like our budget was stretched.
What areas of your home do you save or splurge on?
I love a good bargain yet I love quality, too, so I usually splurge (to a reasonable extent) on pure linen bedding. We also splurge when we ship furniture from France every now and again.
Do you tend to buy high-end homeware or seek out a bargain?
Neither; we make considered choices. I recommend spending big on a sofa that will last and collecting tableware from op shops (our dinner set is Crown Lynn Apollo).
Best advice when it comes to spending money on a home?
Do what makes you happy; do not think about resale too much. Create a home for you.
How did you keep track of costs during the makeover?
We would look at our plan before starting a room, and ask ourselves what we really wanted in there. What should be the priority? This house only needed basic cosmetic work, so there was never anything that would break the bank. If there was something expensive we wanted to do, we just waited until we’d gathered the funds.
The rimu floorboards were painted white throughout the home. Clever wheeledshelves in the dining area hide access to the hot water cupboard.
The Fitzjohn home isdecorated with furniture and mementos from trips home to Europe.
The clean white kitchen is in keeping with the rest of the house.
The bright kitchen is contrasted by a moody charcoal scullery.
Audrey groups her collections of objects such as trays, books, coral and candles to add visual interest and a personal touch.
Adding different textures to create warmth and charm, such as the antique doors leaning on the wall, is the key to decorating with white.
Charles’ all-white room is softened by homemade cushions and a thick rug bought in a Marrakech souk.
The bed, shelf and table were all picked up in French flea markets.
The monochrome master bedroom shows how cool tones and simple accessories can still be cosy and inviting
The bathroom, like the rest of the house, is bathed in the soft glow of British Paints ‘Star White’. Simplicity is key with the focus on a gorgeous slipper bath imported from France.
“My style is simple and authentic,” Audrey says. “I do not care for trends much but if one inspires me I will happily follow it.”
Audrey says, “I like the handmade character of a piece, be it some furniture, a rug or a plate.”
Audrey made the shelves and shutters herself.
In a break with convention, some of the walls in the light-filled office at the front of the house have been painted in Taubmans ‘Moss Blue’, providing a great backdrop for a collection of antique drawings.
White-painted floors create a light, airy feel and make furniture stand out. Research how to clean, prep and paint before doing this.
“We renovated the top terrace and built our pizza oven using clay dug up from the garden”
The Fitzjohns’ classic aesthetic extends to their outdoor area, which is furnished with antique finds and rustic textures.
Best lesson learned?
Plan your timing well and precisely.
What would you never do again?
Make a concrete benchtop inside the room in which it is planned to go.
DIY disasters?
None.
What’s one thing you would change about your home if you could?
We would love to add an extension from the dining room to create a family room. A small, shallow pool somewhere in the garden would be lovely, too.
What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home (good or bad)?
All our lovely pizza nights outside with friends, and my 30th birthday party.
[gallery_link num_photos=”10″ media=”https://www.yourhomeandgarden.co.nz//wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/img2-6.jpg” link=”/inside-homes/home-features/hamilton-home-gets-rustic-french-inspired-makeover” title=”Read the full reno story here”]
Words by: Catherine Steel. Photography by: Audrey Fitzjohn.
[related_articles post1=”69635″ post2=”69706″]
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
