A 70s Inspired Kitchen and Stylish Bathroom in Porirua

Meeting the Team

Lauren and Dave’s home was built in the 1970s. Naturally, the kitchen and bathroom had become somewhat outdated over the years – the rooms were missing the modern elements that make interiors more practical to use today. But what the homeowners did like was the 70s style. 
After seeing Renovation Partner Lia Boersma’s beautiful work on a bach renovation, the homeowners reached out to organise a consultation. During their first meeting, they discussed their goals, which focused on updating the kitchen, combining the main bathroom and powder room into a larger space, and relocating the hot water cylinder into the laundry to provide more room in their linen cupboard. 
Getting the design perfect was key for Lauren and Dave. So they met with Lia’s in-house Designer Tina Daisley to ensure they were on the same page. Tina reassured them that she understood their vision, leaving the homeowners confident and excited to move forward. 

Concept Creation and Project Costing

Time-wise, Lauren and Dave were happy for the planning phase to take as long as necessary to ensure they got their dream house. Working closely with Tina, they created interior designs influenced by the 70s that still had modern features to allow the perks of a brand-new kitchen.
Being aware of their expectations, they budgeted accordingly and were happy to invest in high-end products and custom joinery work. And once they were happy with the final designs, Lia’s Project Manager Danielle Paul estimated the required budget, which came in at $200,000. 

Construction

The build phase was scheduled across nine weeks to account for all demolition and installation work alongside creating the custom-made kitchen joinery. Danielle carefully managed the entire project, sourcing all materials, organising each tradesperson required, and ensuring their work resulted in a high-quality finish. 
Building supplies were sourced from trusted partners GIB, Mitre10, and Placemakers. And as for the project timeline, the renovation ran precisely to schedule – despite supplier delays that popped up during the process.

The Warm-toned 70s Kitchen

Lauren and Dave were initially unsure about Tina’s suggestion for a yellow tiled splashback, but they’re happy to have taken the risk as its vintage look is spectacular. The yellow tiling sourced from Tonic Tiles has been installed with a unique pattern. While most tiles are set horizontally, a panel of vertically placed tiles featuring a dotted texture has been used to create a point of difference.
As exposed timber was a popular trend in the 70s, it’s fitting to weave this natural element into the kitchen’s design. Custom-built plywood cabinets with cutout handles now make the base of the renovated kitchen, establishing a pure retro style. This look is balanced nicely by the modern, wide-plank oak flooring, which keeps the room feeling fresh.
The new speckled benchtop makes another modern addition while providing ample workspace for the home cook. “Modern” can often be akin to minimalist or cool-toned styles. But this kitchen proves that style knows no bounds. Just as Lauren and Dave wished for, the kitchen has been upgraded with both modern functionality and vintage flair. 

A Stylish Bathroom with Vintage Accents

The existing bathroom and adjacent powder room have been combined to create a more spacious area. Bright, stylish, and filled with character, the bathroom is now much more practical to use and features brand new modern bathware.
White tiling used around the walls provides a stylish background for the updated fixtures, including a sleek bathtub, glass shower, and floating vanity in a similar design to the kitchen cabinets. Meanwhile, the floor’s speckled tiling offers a natural look further enhanced by the brass fittings (which can also be found in the kitchen).

Improvements to The Laundry 

Moving the home’s hot water cylinder from the linen cupboard to the laundry room created valuable storage space for the homeowners. The cylinder is now neatly tucked away inside its own cupboard in the laundry room, which also received new floor tiling to match the renovated bathroom.

Final Thoughts

Lauren and Dave’s main objective for their home’s renovation was to improve practicality through layout changes and renew the design with 70s influence – and the results are entirely reflective of that vision.
Having a team of professionals taking care of all elements ensured the project would be a success. And now, with an improved layout and retro yet refined interiors, Lauren and Dave’s home is perfectly suited to their taste and lifestyle. 

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