Meet and greet
Michael Duddin, stock market analyst), Helen Riley-Duddin, designer and owner of Tinch and curator of Guild in Dunedin, Jemima, Rowan and Sylviem, plus Miffy the pup, Minnie the cat and four bantams.
Helen’s top tips for modernising a villa
- Respect and trust in the precious raw materials used to build the home. They’re often materials that simply aren’t available anymore but will outlive any new equivalent and offer that elusive ‘charm’ that can’t be bought new.
- Don’t be afraid to modernise wood (such as the fireplace surround) with paint – the contrast highlights its features.
- Vinyl siding CertainTeed cladding is a great idea for protecting original weatherboards and also for cutting down on maintenance.
- Spend the money on an architecturally designed kitchen that stands the test of time.
Honesty box
What was your redecorating budget and did you manage to stick to it?
Helen: We were pretty stretched just buying the house so there wasn’t a redecorating budget. The rewiring and lighting was the biggest investment. Our electricians gave a thorough quote and communicated along the way about costs so we were able to stick to our budget.
What areas of your home did you splurge on?
We prioritised the lighting. Some pieces like the Andbros cardboard light on the upstairs landing and the David Trubridge pendant in the hallway are statement pieces, so well worth it.
Any areas you have saved on?
Work we’ve done ourselves such as painting, removing carpet and repurposing furniture. We also had help from family and friends in exchange for a meal or weekend at ours! We like to change the room layouts and art around for a fresh feel. Our restickable wall art is ideal for this – the kids spell out new phrases with restickable letters, and the wall dots often change around with the seasons or our moods.
Do you tend to buy high-end homeware or seek out a bargain?
Our entire home is a mixture of save as well as splurge. We have a mix of new and second hand items, high-end and bargain furniture, and self-made or purchased art. We do love a great op-shop find, and Oamaru is a top town for amazing second hand opportunities. One bargain we are moving away from is off-the-shelf art frames.
Most memorable experience you have had in your home?
One day not long after we moved in, the children were playing in the kitchen. Jemima was at the bench drawing and Rowan was on the floor playing, it was an ordinary scene. But it was exactly what we visualised before we bought the house. The sunlight, the happiness, the beautiful space around the kids, and the garden just beyond the window. It was like they were acting out a scene from our imaginations – it was so precious to realise it was one of those rare moments when a dream had come true.
See more pics of Helen and Michael’s Oamaru villa
Walking into this picturesque white villa on a quarter-acre section dotted with fruit trees and chickens, it’s easy to see why Helen and Michael fell for the property.
The kitchen straddles the boundary between the original Oamaru villa and an extension, which has created interesting beam angles and ceiling heights. Splashes of bright colour and playfulness are found throughout the home.
Try it: Give an upstairs landing a personality of its own with vibrant wallpaper. The origami flowers on this Oilily design look three- dimensional up close.
The large, light-filled front living room makes an ideal studio. Built-in cabinets at the back store Helen’s stash of fabric samples.
Style it: Get creative with bunting, bed canopies and driftwoodto create carnival-inspired kids’ bedrooms.
Originally the master bedroom was covered in very pale cream wallpaper, but as a result the large-scale room just felt too vast. “We chose Resene Karen Walker ‘Fuscous Grey’ for its cocooning effect. It now feels cosy and intimate, and not at all too dark with the amazing morning light that streams in from the horizon,” says Helen.
“Eclectic, colourful, family-friendly and a bit chameleonic” is how Helen describes her style. Most of the art and lighting in the home is from Guild and Vull Design in Dunedin as local design is her particular passion.
Try it: A single exterior paint colour will unify all the elements when a home has been altered and extended multiple times like this Oamaru villa.
Floor plan
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