before and after

A kitchen makeover borrows from the past to forge a new, timeless way of living Meet & greet Tara Morrison (occupational therapist), Scott Jackson (CFO), and children Ronnie, two, and Margot, eight months. The property A renovated 1930s cottage in New Plymouth. Tara Morrison just can’t get enough of her kitchen. “At night we sit […]

A ’50s home, complete with garish Axminster carpet and lino, receives a family-pleasing modern update with help from a beautiful beige and blush palette When Amie Brodie first moved into her new family home in Otūmoetai, Tauranga, she didn’t feel confident they could make it work – despite husband Anthony assuring her of its potential. […]

With a splash of colour and bucketloads of charm, two small kid’s rooms are beautifully transformed If you’re familiar with Julie Stuart’s business alter-ego, Clever Poppy, you’ll know that her style is pretty, whimsical and packed with DIY goodness. Her most recent project, creating two unique rooms for her children Piper and Harvey, delivers her […]

Time, effort and an expert way with textiles has helped transform an early 1900s house situated on the edge of a hill in Auckland into a cosy family home In 2010, Meredith and Michael (Mike) planned to renovate a tiny Auckland bungalow the couple owned. Unfortunately, the cost of the project kept escalating and after […]

A dark and gloomy Te Puna home is given a light, bright makeover with a nod to modern European flair. See the before and after shots below Andy and Summah Wright have adventure in their blood. After leaving Mount Maunganui for a brief stint in Mangawhai, the couple felt the pull of family, so they […]

Want the perfect package-free pantry? Two professional organisers show us two of their real-life makeovers Amanda Stickland and Hannah Sullivan are the founders of pantry organising service and online store, Simplify My Home. Here, they share two of their real-life pantry transformations: Case study 01 – Sweet scullery  Problem: As the scullery is a focal point […]

With a whole lot of heart and hard labour, a couple have revived a beautiful 1920s bungalow with views of Wellington Harbour This 1920s Wellington bungalow has the most inspiring before and afters Who lives here? Julian Light, communications manager, and Jordon Wimsett, doctor, plus Teddy the puppy. Where is the home? Wadestown, Wellington. When […]

This resourceful family used their talents, and those of their family and friends, to turn a tired, retro bach into a cool, cohesive home A frumpy and forlorn bach is transformed into a forever home Who lives here? Shelley Down, blogger and small business owner, Corey Down, tiler, in the process of becoming a police officer, […]

By gutting and starting again, this clever architect owner has squeezed an extra 10 percent of floor space out of her glorious top-storey abode Who lives here? Kate Beilby (architect and owner of Milieu: Architecture + Design) and a friend who went in on the purchase. Where is the home? Mt Eden, Auckland. [gallery_link num_photos=”22″ […]

A businesswoman’s crash pad in the heart of Hamilton city has been given a fresh and thoroughly modern facelift, all carefully tied together with a repeated marble mosaic tile Snapshot Who lives here? Claire Lugton (owner of Lugton’s Real Estate). Where is it? Hamilton’s CBD. Lived here for? Three years. Purchased it as a working-week […]