renovation

A mid-century Auckland home is reconfigured to make it more functional for a young family

Two sisters and their husbands created a luxurious weekender with multi-seasonal appeal from summer to winter

A renovation pro tackles her most personal project yet – a forever home for her parents

A plan to build in Tolaga Bay changed when this homeowner chanced upon an unpolished gem

Once lined wall-to-wall with dull Seventies plastic, this bathroom has been transformed into a black, white and pink room of teenage dreams

A shed on the garden’s edge became a healing renovation project

A dynamic mother-and-daughter team were up for the challenge when a 70s brick house at the Mount needed a magical makeover.

A 1970s home renovation took this old and run down building and turned it into a modern family retreat

Keen to care for the planet, a savvy designer revamped a harbourside home destined for demo with a light touch – no bulldozers required

An extensive Mount Eden renovation, 10 years after the first one, has transformed this bungalow into an open-plan oasis

Enhance your home improvement game with this list of toolbox essentials – whether you’re a budding builder or DIY dab-hand Whether you’re renovating the guest bathroom, installing floating shelves of just making minor repairs around the house, having the right tools makes all the difference. A well-stocked toolbox can save you time and frustration and […]

Drawing on countless international influences, this multifaceted farmhouse renovation is the perfect fit for GlobeWest’s Stephen Mendel and his wife, Tanya

Thinking outside the box worked for this creative couple who went door-knocking in search of their new home

Connection was the goal of this Wellington renovation, which now has room for the whole tribe.

Wall-to-wall wood is given a modern makeover Lydia and Richard Rayner dreamed of renovating their Lockwood home in Auckland for many years, but the thought of the effort required was enough to keep the pair putting off their plans. However, with the arrival of their newborn baby, they finally decided to tackle the project and […]

This farmhouse makeover was all about working through the quirks of an old home.

A minor staircase change was the first step in a major architectural metamorphosis at this mid-century townhouse.

Follow the reno as Eric Murray transforms a Cambridge villa Don’t miss our new My New Home series where we’re following in the wake of Olympic rower Eric Murray as he transforms a grand old villa in Cambridge. One of the country’s most celebrated athletes, Eric has turned his focus from paddling to painting as […]

Connecting with nature is a shortcut to wellbeing, with natural light, fresh air and greenery proven to reduce stress and benefit physical and mental health It’s no wonder indoor-outdoor flow has become the ultimate home selling point, blurring the boundaries between home and garden. It encourages us to wander outside while giving us the benefits […]

From street appeal to a budget-friendly bathroom and kitchen renovation, we’ve listed the best things you should do in your house flip. You’ve made the leap and bought a house to flip. Before this, you would have assessed what work the house needs according to your budget and time frame. Studying house sales in your […]

Years of letter writing to own this Dunedin villa culminated in a labour of love renovation Meet & greet Claire Robinson (registered valuer/risk manager), Cameron McLellan (solutions analyst), Lyla, two, and Moss the retrodoodle. The property A circa 1905 renovated three-bedroom weatherboard villa in Dunedin. For four years, while living in the leafy suburb of […]

What you need to know if your home has been affected by extreme weather events We’ve been dealt some tough blows in 2023 so far. Floods, cyclone damage, rising interest rates, pressure on the renovation sector. If you’ve been impacted by the floods and cyclone – or both – then you might be navigating an […]

Elegant and sophisticated, but also welcoming and family friendly – this renovated charmer in Wellington has it all meet & greet Sean Bennett (explosives detection dog handler), Laura Bennett (financial crime analyst), son Harper, 10, and daughter Frankie, eight, plus Muffin the rabbit and Maddie the dog. the property Four-bedroom, two-bathroom renovated 1920s bungalow in […]

A lot can be achieved with a bit of DIY determination and an eye for economy Meet & greet Jayden Winterburn (youth worker/pastry chef), Stephanie Gaudencio (administrator), Nico, six, dogs Keeta and Lady, and Puss the cat. The property Renovated 1930s three-bedroom home in Napier. So often we read about homeowners needing to undertake extensive […]

An ’80s house gets a contemporary update that makes the most of its compact footprint Meet & greet Erin (lawyer) and Ryan Drew (marketing team leader). The property A small 1980s home, converted from two bedrooms to three, and modernised. Small in size but big on charm, Erin and Ryan Drew’s Auckland home not only […]

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 […]

Changes to the Building Code are coming. Here’s how they’ll impact you if you’re planning a new build Every year the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) works alongside those working in the building and construction sector, as well as the public, to review proposed changes to the Building Code with one common goal […]

Pink, blue and orange add a natural flow throughout this villa transformation.

From shaker to tongue-and-groove, the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing your kitchen cabinet door style. So which one is right for you? Kitchen cabinets, tapware, benchtop surfaces, splashback tiles. If you’ve ever considered renovating your kitchen, you will know that there are a lot of decisions to be made, and the choices […]

Knowing what does and doesn’t trigger a building consent when you’re renovating can save problems down the track Aside from what it’s all going to cost, one of the most burning questions you’ll want answered when preparing for a renovation is whether or not it’s going to trigger a building consent. Ensuring your project is […]

Sometimes what you have to spend on big projects is less than you might like. Here’s how to make your money go a little bit further. Once you embark on a reno it quickly becomes clear that you’ve started a monumental task that could take anywhere from days to years to complete. Anyone who has […]

In search of a new challenge, Olympic gold medallist Eric Murray turned a fast-flip house into one worthy of being a forever home Meet & greet Eric Murray (business development manager and two-time Olympic gold medallist), his girlfriend Thea Lyle, and his son Zac, 10. When you’ve already conquered the world, where do you look […]

It wasn’t their first choice, but a brick house with valley views proved to be the perfect fit for this enterprising couple Meet & greet Nikki and Luke Hobbs (building and interiors company directors), Australian shepherd Aya, terrier Chelsea and palomino pony Rosé. Sometimes, when one door closes, another opens, as was the case for […]

Granny flats have come into their own in as versatile dwellings with multiple uses. Here’s what you need to know As the world has reviewed what ‘normal life’ means over past few years, many of us have re-evaluated our living situations thanks to spending more time at home. We’re looking at our surroundings with new […]

A New Plymouth couple rewrote history to give a charmless ’70s house a large dose of right-on retro appeal Home Profile: Meet & greet: Blair (operator off-shore oil and gas) and Karen Prichard (owner/manager of Social Kitchen and Monica’s Eatery). Good bones. It’s the carrot that lures would-be renovators, motivating them to pour all their […]

From the outside, new meets old at this ’60s state house in Auckland, but it’s an entirely different matter on the inside Meet & greet Matt (brand and creative consultant and co-founder of RAAD) and Rebecca Saunders (marketing contractor and co-founder of RAAD), Zoe, seven, and Issy, three. When Rebecca and Matt Saunders found their […]

The home no longer looks as it once did, thanks to a light and airy renovation Meet & greet: Alex (film editor) and Melissa O’Shaughnessy (stay-at-home mum), Emma, Jordan, Nathan, Bailey the Labrador retriever and Coco the Shih Tzu. We’ve all had one of those awkward first meetings. For Melissa (Mel) O’Shaughnessy, it took a […]

A Bay of Plenty couple spurned big and flashy in favour of stripped back and simple for their charming beachfront house Meet & greet: Mike and Laura Bryant (co-owners of Barrett Homes), Maddie, seven, Beaudie, five, and cats Blue and Little. Mike and Laura Bryant didn’t have to look far for builders to construct their […]

In artist Maiko Nagao Irvine’s newly renovated home DIY comes naturally – as do the Christmas decorations In 2018 Maiko Nagao Irvine and Mike Irvine’s Birkdale home in Auckland graced the cover of Your Home and Garden magazine. Small, cosy and filled with Maiko’s ingenious DIY projects and interior hacks, it was perfect for their […]

A dark and unwelcoming Despicable Me-type villa was reanimated into an Auckland family’s dream home The calm feeling that envelops you as you walk into Chloe and Shaun Lincoln’s home belies the hard work that went into making it the serene space it is today. The 1910s villa wasn’t always this polished – in fact, […]

It must have been fate that led two globe-trotting Royal New Zealand Ballet leading lights to a neglected, historical Cuba Street penthouse apartment in Wellington Before settling in Wellington as the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s artistic director, Patricia Barker and her husband Michael Auer had only spent three days on a whistle-stop tour of the […]

Interior designer Vic Bibby from Bibby & Brady shares five golden rules for laundry design There’s something about a beautiful laundry that never fails to evoke a look of longing, or a gushy ‘wow’. Perhaps that’s because we’ve resigned ourselves to the fact that this hardworking space is just that, a space for hard work. […]

A white bathroom with dated vinyl and a small showerbox simply didn’t cut it for colour-loving Nikki Kettle, who’s transformed the ensuite into an engaging new space     Nikki Kettle doesn’t mind a challenge. The builder, and DIY expert for Your Home and Garden, has already painted and then repainted a giant mural in […]

Take a tour of style aficionado and TV personality Neale Whitaker’s freshly renovated home After 10 years of holidaying in rental properties, Love It or List It Australia host Neale Whitaker and his partner David Novak-Piper decided to take the plunge and relocate from their home in Sydney. It was here in this blessed location […]

A New Plymouth couple’s arts and crafts home is the result of time, patience and meticulous attention to detail Ros McKenzie hadn’t even driven all the way up the driveway when she realised she’d fallen in love. She and husband Craig had been alerted to the New Plymouth arts and crafts home where their good […]

Four property experts spill on how to increase the value of your house for resale soon or in the future What do people most commonly pay a premium for when buying a home? Greer Tulp, sales manager at Premium Realty Milford: A full site. Land goes up in value, whereas a house only goes down […]

A dark and dreary home is polished until sparkling light and bright. Take a tour of this inspiring renovation below When Brydhi Williamson first spotted this Alexandra home online, she was sure it was a diamond in the rough. Beneath the burgundy walls, crazy cottage wallpaper, dark wooden panelling and cluttered interior was her and […]

Driven by a highly refined taste and a love for plants and flowers, a TV producer has radically refurbished a basement apartment “I really wanted to create a space that felt completely separate from the bustling city outside,” says Rosie Rockel, who works in the entertainment industry as a television producer, when asked about her […]

Designer Lynda Gardener mixes old and new with the found and the collected to create a warm sense of whimsy in her inner-city home Lynda Gardener, an interior decorator and owner of boutique accommodation, is an avid collector. Her warehouse home is filled with countless treasures she has slowly collected throughout the years. What is […]

Jo Lavender and Rob Newland’s coastal cottage blends sorbet shades and vintage fabrics, for a home that’s cosy and chic After visiting a pretty coastal town a few years ago, Jo Lavender and Rob Newland fell in love with the idea of a home by the sea. They’d stayed at a local hotel recently renovated […]

There’s no place like home for this young family, who have breathed glorious new life into their cottage home What began as the chance to transform a dilapidated cottage into a dream home to be sold to another family, soon became so much more for builder Dale Cheesman and his wife Gemma Sampson. To the […]

A Wellington two-bedroom cottage has expanded over the years to become a restful, warm and beautiful home to a family of seven filled with vintage treasures collected over the years Everywhere you look in Sarah and Mark Vivian’s Wellington house there’s vintage rubbing up against new. Green velvet Trade Me chairs book-end a contemporary black […]

How to make our new favourite room – the laundry – a functional and practical space that’s full of style Unlike the kitchen, we don’t really expect to be enamoured by a laundry. That’s because this hard-working room is normally all function and no frills. But when a laundry delivers the unexpected – beautiful design […]

Childhood memories of the bush and nature inspired the design of this cool home Jane Power grew up on large farm and, as an adult, had visions of waking up and looking out her bedrooom window at lots of trees, something she’s finally managed to do in her new home by award-winning architect David Boyle. […]

Renovating to add value? Reno queen Cherie Barber shares the top mistakes to avoid Whether you’re getting ready to sell or just looking to make a couple of updates around your home make sure you’re getting your bang for your buck. So we called in property flipping queen and founder of Renovating for Profit Cherie […]

After many years living abroad, a small but perfect Auckland cottage caught the homeowner’s eye After years of working abroad, Gretchen Young knew exactly the kind of home she wanted to live in when she returned home to New Zealand: sun-drenched, character-filled and close to all the action in central Auckland. It didn’t take long […]

A husband-and-wife design team dramatically transformed their cramped and dated bungalow To look at the sleek timber lines of this home in a small seaside town, you’d never know that a few years ago it was a pokey 1970s bungalow with a cramped, complicated layout. “People who knew the house from before we bought it […]

If you’re looking to build your knowledge about the renovation process and hear from leading industry experts, make attending the online Home Renovation Summit 2021 a top priority New Zealand and Australia’s first ever online Home Renovation Summit 2021 is going live from August 24 to August 26, and it’s a must-attend for would-be renovators. […]

A Wellington couple transformed their little bungalow into a bright new home – but not without plenty of hard graft                   When Ryan and Hannah Frost first clapped eyes on the 1925 Island Bay bungalow they now call home, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. “It […]

Intent on creating a luxe holiday at home vibe, an Auckland couple took inspiration from coastal Hamptons sophistication and Hawke’s Bay landmark Black Barn Vineyards While most of us look forward to escaping everyday life with long weekends in the holiday hotspots of Hawke’s Bay or Queenstown, Sarah and Matt Cotterall took it one step […]

Renovating a home with hubby who likes to tear things apart and two tiny ‘helpers’ has its own challenges and blessings. See the before and afters of their reno below When teacher Hayley and firefighter Isaac first met they were living on opposite coasts. Hayley was based at Mt Maunganui, while Isaac was in Taranaki […]

Statement pieces, a touch of whimsy and a tactful approach to colour ensure personality reigns in this two-storey, city-fringe apartment Crafting a comfortable, stylish home out of an apartment isn’t always easy. Even if you’re the owner, you can be restricted with what you can change in terms of the structure, and space is often […]

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. […]

The renovation project was incredibly complex, but perseverance has reaped beautiful rewards for the owners of this semi-detached heritage cottage by the sea There’s no such thing as the too-hard basket for Jo Gillies, director of Archisoul Architects. If there was, this renovation would surely be in it. The owners of this early 1900s semi-detached […]

A family’s space mission led to a simply spectacular renovation Not everyone gets a second bite of the cherry when it comes to renovating, but Terri Shannon did: she’s had the good fortune to have renovated her bayside home twice now, with the most recent project seeing an open-plan extension added. “Our house is a […]

A century-old Californian-style bungalow in New Brighton, which fell into disrepair after the quakes, is restored to perfection Damaged by the earthquakes, boarded up for three years and stripped by vandals, the century-old, two-and-a-half storey California bungalow in New Brighton was rather down at heel when Matthew Ayton and Tanya Boe bought it as-is at […]

Hard work and a savvy budget has helped this first-time homeowner transform her ’70s brick unit one room at a time. See the before and afters below When Rebecca Hall clapped eyes on the 53sqm 1970s Huntly brick unit in New Plymouth, she saw the opportunity to star in her very own The Block NZ, […]

Author Alice Nelson and her husband Danny saw great potential in this home. Their recent renovation is the latest update in a century-long tale of transformation. Author Alice Nelson used to write in cramped studios and at noisy public libraries, always dreaming of having a library in her own home. It would be a peaceful […]

A carefully considered extension to a compact bungalow has given an Auckland family some much-needed breathing room – and extra display space Michelle Hall Collins and Michael Collins are “serial renovators”, but they may have done themselves out of jobs. The Aucklanders have spent almost 20 years having their 1930 bungalow in the city’s seaside […]

Influenced by holidays abroad, this family’s transitional villa embraces the colour and vibrancy of exotic Turkey and Morocco Clarissa and Doug Thompson’s brief for revamping the transitional villa they’d just bought was simple and unambiguous: “Anything but white.” They wanted the interior of their house to be colourful and to work with some of the […]

Painted breeze blocks and wooden battens have transformed this retro family home.

The character features in this classic bungalow have been given the most elegant update. We talk to the homeowner and interior designer to get all the details Meet + greet Emily White, 44 (sales manager at Les Mills), David McKellar, 48 (general manager, corporate travel), and Molly, 9, plus cats Colin and Malcolm. Problems & […]

A mother-daughter duo give their old family bach a much-needed update with nods to the past When Henrietta MacDonald and her daughter Emma decided to renovate their bach at Buckleton Beach, on the Tāwharanui Peninsula north of Auckland city, preserving its history was at the top of their minds. The land surrounding the bay was […]

Slowly but surely the garden of this character-filled Art Deco Tauranga house has become as heart-felt as the home itself Sally Blockley remembers well the day in May 2013 when her home dream in Tauranga became reality. She’d seen the house she now calls home but hadn’t bothered going to the auction thinking it was […]

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 […]

Armed with a paint brush, this homeowner transformed her idyllic rural home room by room while her children napped. See the before and afters below After selling their quake-damaged home in Christchurch, Sofie and Daniel Isherwood were looking for an escape from the damage recovery and roadworks in their area. In February 2014, they found […]

A long-time renter saw the potential in a rundown Wellington townhouse that others dismissed on first viewing. See the before and after shots of this renovation below When searching for property, hopeful homeowners will often wait for the magic “love at first sight” or the “this is the one” moment. Tracy Clements experienced the opposite […]

Somehow this 1930s apartment was renovated and filled with soft colour in 10 short weeks – just in time for the arrival of daughter number five. Having four children and expecting a fifth might cause most people to put any thoughts of a major home renovation in the too-hard basket. But not Christina and Anders […]

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 […]

Tucked in between towering trees is Five Acre Farm, a renovated cottage open to visitors It’s not hard to understand why Ben Phillips and Brie Thomas fell in love with the property on the outskirts of Christchurch they now own. With a large established cottage garden, rambling green paddocks and an early 1900s cottage with […]

A tired-looking bungalow is given a fun-loving touch, resulting in a home that boasts creative colour and easy flow for a young family If there’s one thing about renovating, it’s that – if done right – a little can go a long way to creating a functional home that is pleasing to the eye. When […]

Ten years after moving in, this interior designer completely gutted her Auckland villa to transform it into her dream home Annick and Tim Larkin hunted for a new house for nine months before realising it would be better to renovate their current home to better fit their family’s needs. Although Annick is an interior designer, […]

Masters at making every dollar count, this family have worked wonders on a classic split-level house that no one else wanted When Nita Pearson and partner Francis Scordino were looking for a home, they saw potential where others saw problems. “We needed a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a boys’ backyard that sat within our budget,” […]

From all-out alabaster to pops of pearl, this handy guide will help you rethink basic blanc. Here are three ways to make white work in your home The obsession with white interiors continues. Not only does white provide the ultimate backdrop to showcase personal style, it always manages to look fresh and modern and will […]

In just two months, this dark, smoke-stained cottage in Taupo was transformed into a sweet and soulful character home on a super-tight budget Meet & greet  Selena McWilliam, 33 (business owner and interior designer), Michael, 44 (builder), and Jordyn, 10. Why did you purchase the house? Selena: I fell in love with it; it was […]

This dreamy new ensuite proves even a small space can be designed to feel like a luxe sanctuary Interior designer Vic Bibby, her husband, Mark, and their three teenage daughters have always loved living in their modest three-bedroom bungalow on Napier’s Hospital Hill, with its views over the Botanical Gardens to the sea and proximity […]

Customising the design for your kitchen reno has never been easier. Discover how this home achieved its bespoke makeover and find out how you can have one too Kitchen after. Longing to fix your kitchen’s annoying layout or change those dated finishes, but find the idea of renovating too daunting? The good news is that […]

Vintage finds picked up for a song and old furniture revamped with paint give this family home a cool, arty style Meet + greet Tash Stokes, 26, Arie Stokes, 31 (photographers and co-owners of Black Robin Photography), Ruby, 3, and George, 1, plus Bobby the family pooch. Thanks to a unique agreement with their landlord […]

All it took to transform this tired rental property was a creative eye, plenty of hard work and an unusual agreement with the landlord Four years ago, Tash and Arie Stokes made the decision to start a family and grow their photography business instead of buying a house and taking on a mortgage. But when […]

Get inspired for your next renovation with our round-up of 2020’s best benchtops, coolest cabinets and sexiest surfaces Choosing cushions and rugs is lots of fun because it’s easy to swap them as the seasons change. But picking permanent fixtures like benchtops, tiles, taps and flooring is a more high-stakes pursuit. Choose well and you’ll […]

This 1950s bungalow was run down with a cramped layout, no privacy and no outdoor living. Here’s how these homeowners completely transformed it Meet + greet Renay Robertson, 44 (founder and owner of Haven Skin Spa), and Stuart Robertson, 41 (owner of Mean Business). Problems & solutions Problem: Cramped layout Solution: Rooms opened up and […]

Get inspired for your next renovation with our round-up of 2020’s bathroom trends; the best benchtops, coolest cabinets and sexiest surfaces Choosing cushions and rugs is lots of fun because it’s easy to swap them as the seasons change. But picking permanent fixtures like benchtops, tiles, taps and flooring is a more high-stakes pursuit. Choose […]

This couple made it their mission to rescue their home from dated ‘improvements’ and connect it to the world outside Renay and Stuart Robertson had been living in Wellington for almost five years when, in 2012, they decided to return to their home city of Auckland. The couple owned an investment property in Remuera, and […]

Every home is different and will have its own challenges to address. Here are 10 tasks and techniques that are likely to help you be more successful for resale on auction day. Renovating a home can be a very rewarding experience. However, when you’re doing it quickly and selling the property on for profit, the […]

Whether you’re selling the family home or renovating for resale, our experts have got you covered Selling a home is a tricky business, especially in today’s unpredictable market. But there are a few straightforward things you can do to prepare for the moment when your home hits the market. When I meet with prospective sellers, […]

Planning a bathroom renovation? Whether it’s a full overhaul or a clean and simple lift, Mico have the inspiration and the expertise Phoenix Vivid Slimline tapware at Mico The Budget: Before you begin planning your new bathroom, it’s worth ascertaining what elements are essential and where you’d like to splash out. Figure out how much […]

A dark and dated Lockwood was the perfect project for this creative couple – and enticed them to trade city life for a surfer’s paradise Hilary and Jasper Boer hadn’t planned on a move to the small coastal town of Raglan when they bought their home there five years ago. The purchase was meant to […]

This mum-of-one with an eye for eclectic design never planned to live in her grandparents’ old Napier villa, but fate had other ideas Meet and Greet Hannah Feltham, 45 (designer; runs Good Space home organising and styling), and Grace, 8, plus Peggy the Staffy Hannah Feltham never intended to buy the house her father grew […]

Jolts of primary colour and collections of intriguing objects provide surprise and delight in this mid-century home Meet + Greet Francesca Storey, 42 (research fellow), Ben Storey, 43 (manager at Ernst & Young), Lola, 10, and Hattie, 7, plus Boonen the Flemish giant rabbit. Francesca’s decorating Tips Less is not more at Christmas. Let the […]