This Hamilton renovation goes large with colour

Article by Your Home and Garden

A beautiful riot of bright hues and playful patterns takes command in this busy Hamilton home

Who lives here?
Angie Millar (general/accounts manager), Ryan Millar (builder), Matilda, Mack, Lulu and Poppy.

Angie, what influenced the new decor?
I’m drawn to fresh, modern pops of colour and pattern. I also love jewel tones especially navy, emerald, and pink with gold.

What room is your favourite?
Angie: The entrance, it makes me smile every time I walk in the front door. The living and dining rooms were the biggest transformations and they are the areas we all use together. The round dining table makes mealtimes fun and social. Ryan: The playroom; it’s a great place for the kids to escape to, giving us some peace and quiet, and I love how the daybeds and built-in wall unit turned out.

Their story

Angie and husband Ryan initially rented their home, which was built in 1982 on a strawberry farm. At that time, they often talked about what they would do to the house if they owned it. So when they took the opportunity to buy it, in December 2013, they were already clear on what renovations were needed to create the perfect home for themselves and their three young children, Matilda, Mack and Lulu (who have since been joined by Poppy, now 7 months).

Knowing that she and Ryan could take care of the renovation work themselves, Angie turned her focus to the interior design. As a follower of the Cush and Nooks blog, she was one of the first to learn that its founder, Vic Bibby, was joining fellow interior designer Dael Brady to form Bibby + Brady. When they announced their e-design service, providing home makeovers online, Angie became their first customer.

Reno tricks

The key to this successful renovation was the fact that Ryan did the majority of the work himself. “We saved so much on labour, which we could then spend on other areas.”
Don’t be put off by features you consider to be permanent. Ryan and Angie removed a brick fireplace and replaced an angled ranch slider with a taller and wider bifold door. “We pulled up the carpet and replaced it with concrete floors, which are brilliant; it’s now warmer, even without the fireplace.”
Get the basics right and ensure your finishes, such as light fittings, paint and flooring, are done really well.

Words by: Catherine Steel
Photography by: Helen Bankers

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From the kitchen and study nook, two steps lead down to the light-filled dining room and the heart of the home.

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The living area and dining room (featuring an eye-catching blue ‘Higgledy Piggledy Stripe’ wallpaper by Anna Spiro) went through the biggest transformations and now get plenty of use by family and friends.

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The ‘Mosaic’ wallpaper is by Minakani Lab and the bookshelves, desks and storage seats were all built by Ryan.

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The kids' playroom.

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Spot decals and festive bunting give Matilda’s room a whimsical air.

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In Mack’s room colour and pattern deliberately clash for a fun, relaxed effect.

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The master bedroom.

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The Famille Summerbelle map in pink was a starting point for the scheme; the wall behind is papered in ‘Harlequin’ by Ferm Living.

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What was once an awkward space that offered little in the way of seating is now a cosy living room.

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Matilda, Mack and Lulu love to draw and paint in the playroom, and the concrete floor makes for easy clean-up.

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Millar family portrait.

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The key to this successful renovation was the fact that Ryan did the majority of the work himself.

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Mack’s love of skateboarding has been highlighted, too.

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The creation of dedicated zones has given areas of Angie and Ryan’s home new purpose.

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When Ryan and Angie open their bedroom door they can look down the hall to the landing where a juju hat is set against ‘Wilderness’ wallpaper by Ferm Living.