Renovating 101

Why you don’t need to be scared of a do-up right now Through a combination of tracking the property sales in my area and chatting to local realtors, it’s become clear that homeowners are not looking to buy do-ups right now. In fact, one agent said to me that naive buyers who thought a renovation […]

It’s your property that’s being renovated or built so you should be able to turn up unannounced, right? Not necessarily That hackneyed phrase ‘the customer is always right’ is a bit outdated and isn’t always welcome in the renovation and building sector. Consultants and tradies alike are finally putting boundaries in place so consider this […]

Renovating for resale is a tricky balancing act. Here are Barfoot & Thomson’s 10 top tips to help you get the biggest bang for your buck Top 10 tips for renovating for resale Everyone has an opinion on how to achieve the best result in terms of adding value to a home; after all, we […]

Ever thought of enlisting the help of an interior designer but felt a little intimidated or confused? Homes to Love NZ sat down with three top interior designers to quiz them on the process and find out what they do, what they cost and why you need them What does an interior designer do? An interior […]

Here is what to consider when renovating the living room, from interiors expert Lizzi Hines of Spaceworks and Room by Room Consider how you’d like to use your living space. Do you want open-plan living or something you can close off? Is it a family lounge, with a TV, or adults only? Figure out if you […]

Overseas it’s quite common for homes to have laundries in the kitchen, bathroom or hallway and it’s starting to happen in New Zealand too, particularly in smaller homes Wherever you have your washing machine and dryer, make sure there is good ventilation and that the dryer doesn’t steam up the whole room. Also take care […]

How do you use your bedroom? For some it’s just a place to sleep and doesn’t need much more than a bed and some clothing storage. For others, it’s their sanctuary and might include a couch or chaise and even a desk. Do what you can with the space you have. The master bed Make […]

When renovating your home, there are generally two rooms that come to mind: kitchen and bathroom. These rooms make a statement about the age, style, standard and functionality of your house. Here’s how to get the most out of your kitchen renovation. With so many choices in fittings and cabinetry (and such a variance in price), […]

Bathrooms are one of the smallest rooms of the house yet they have to fit so much. To achieve a great bathroom, be very practical when it comes to planning and look for options that make the room streamlined and simple. Choose one thing to be the hero – the tiles, bath or even just some […]

In this installment of our renovation series, we take a look a children’s rooms and how to ensure they’re functional and future-proofed How to ensure your child’s bedroom style is future-proof If you have children, you want a room that will suit them now as well as in the future. But don’t think that you […]

The planning is done, you know what you want – now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get it done! We’ve consulted expert designer Lizzi Hines of Spaceworks and Room By Room to learn how to blast that budget when renovating. Be clear on the costs before you begin It can be awkward […]

Warm, dark and handsome, this bathroom makes use of earthy tones and a subtle industrial feel for a space you’ll enjoy for years to come Handsome and welcoming Your Home and Garden stylist Emily Somerville-Ryan selected the products for this bathroom look from Mitre 10 Mega. “I’ve gone for a warm, earthy feel. Stone, concrete, […]

For a quality kitchen kitchen that you’ll be happy using for years to come, keep it clean, keep it simple and keep it timeless Get the look with these products from Mitre 10 Mega Mercator Gypsy fabric cord 241087, $36; Mercator Fancy Globe Pear 241205, $11.98 each. Kaindl 8mm laminate flooring in Oak Silea 236125, […]

Callum and Caroline were the lucky winners of Your Home and Garden’s Then & Now makeover with Mitre 10, which saw them awarded a kitchen renovation worth $15,000 The makeover package included a full kitchen solution covering everything from the cabinetry to the tiles. Their Point Chevalier, Auckland kitchen was transformed with: Hi Gloss White […]

Take a peek inside this kitchen reno – it’s a light, bright and modern makeover that ticks every box At a glance Who lives here? Caroline Jericevich (customer manager) and Callum Bakker (project manager). Where is it? Point Chevalier, Auckland. Lived here since… April 2015. How long did the makeover take? Ten days all up, including demolishing […]

Whether you’re renovating an existing kitchen or starting from scratch, Mitre 10 MEGA offer advice, products and designs to make your dream room a reality Get the look with these products from Mitre 10 MEGA Top 10 kitchen design tools It’s an exciting time bringing your dream kitchen to life, but all of the decisions […]

Callum and Caroline won a kitchen renovation with Mitre 10 and the help of a stylist to choose fixtures and fittings. The result? A light, bright and modern makeover that ticks every box Who lives here? Caroline Jericevich (customer manager) and Callum Bakker (project manager). Where is it? Point Chevalier, Auckland. Lived here… Since April 2015. How long did the […]

Get your decor dilemmas solved by our resident interiors expert and colour enthusiast, Alex Fulton Q; We’re about to renovate our kitchen and are a bit swamped with bench top choice… granite, engineered stone or acrylic. It’s very confusing. Do you have a preference? A; I bet you’re swamped! There are many options out there […]

Rather than pull down an old bach which is often a waste of perfectly good materials, think about how the existing structure can be reworked to suit your holiday needs. Use readily available cost-effective materials for walls and furniture such as the poplar ply Bonnifait + Giesen has used in the house. Good design can […]

Our resident interiors expert solves a kitchen quandary Dear Alex, I’ve recently bought a new home and the kitchen is really basic and in need of a makeover. What are some key updates I can apply without re-mortgaging the home to pay for it (i.e. budget-friendly)? At the moment it has a lot of colourful […]