An Eclectic Kitchen Revival in Tawa, Wellington

The Initial Consultation 

Ie’u, the owner of this 1970s Tawa home, previously worked with Mark Morrison from Refresh Renovations on a bathroom renovation. It was a great experience with successful results. So when the time came to renovate again, there was no doubt about who to call. Back to transform the rest of their home, Ie’u connected with Mark and his team, working closely with his Project Manager to undertake a large interior renovation.

What was on the docket this time around? During the initial consultation, Ie’u expressed interest in completing their long to-do list, including replacing the sliding doors to the balcony, adding new lighting, recarpeting, repainting the walls, and giving the kitchen a facelift. Normally, one has to spend their own time reaching out to different building companies for assistance with each of these tasks. But when working with Refresh Renovations, undertaking multi-faceted renovations like Ie’u’s becomes a breeze. 

Concept Creation and Costing

Having worked with Mark before, Ie’u had an idea of what the renovation would cost. But they still wanted to keep the price tag low and the timeline short. With the Project Manager overseeing the project, Ie’u could rest assured these goals would be carefully considered. 

The project's manager initially estimated a timeline of ten weeks with a cost of $200,000. As for the design itself, the new interiors entailed marrying contemporary styles with industrial elements for an eccentric yet refined result.

A detailed plan makes it much easier for projects to come to fruition in a cost-effective and timely manner – two fronts on which the Project Manager delivered. This renovation came in precisely on time and within budget.

Renewing the Interiors

All fundamental elements of this home renovation were chosen because they unified the home in a subtle, organic way. The results of which are both beautiful and seamless.

Ie’u’s home initially had wallpaper lined walls, which is not necessarily ideal in the notoriously damp Wellington. Removing the wallpaper and re-plastering created a fresh canvas that was brightened up with white paint throughout the home, further unifying the interiors. The existing carpet was given the same treatment and renewed with a plush new replacement.

The phenomenal rimu floors running throughout the kitchen and lounge received a clear matte Loba floor coating. The finish allows the wood’s stunning natural grains to be appreciated while staying sealed and protected. 

Installing sleek french doors in the open-plan living area takes full advantage of the home’s neighbouring Redwood Bush Reserve. The kitchen and lounge can now completely open up to the porch for expansive indoor/outdoor living.

A Sleek and Spacious Kitchen

The kitchen confidently showcases a blend of contemporary and industrial design. Elegant white cabinetry runs along the room’s length, making the most of the available space. Meanwhile, the glossy, white tiled splashback offers subtle textural contrast.

A massive kitchen island takes centre stage, featuring a 30mm Uniquartz engineered stone benchtop with waterfall edges. This material is carried throughout the rest of the kitchen and brings more than just an industrial touch. The durable material is scratch-resistant, and with its leathered finish and slate-grey colouring, the bench does well to mask any typical wear and tear.

Edison bulbs in the pendant light fixtures create warmth amongst the cool-toned materials, as does the surrounding decor. Robin’s egg blue, cherry red, and canary yellow accents peppered throughout the open-plan living area add a fun contrast to the abundant neutrals and contribute to the overall eclectic vibe. 

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A Gratifying Renovation Journey

The plethora of improvements Ie’u had lined up was enough to make even the most ambitious home renovator baulk. But with the Project Manager at the helm, Ie’u had the confidence to go for it full steam ahead. 

The list of tradies needed for this project was lengthy; builders, painters, electricians, and plumbers, just to name a few. Finding these professionals on your own isn’t only frustrating and time-consuming but risky too. Thus, it’s highly beneficial to have an expert competently coordinate your project from beginning to end. It’s this professional project management that can turn a daunting renovation into an exciting journey.

This sentiment certainly rings true of this Tawa home’s upgrade. Both homeowner Ie’u and the Project Manager were over the moon with the outcome. Not only did Ie’u get to check everything off their to-do list, but the project's manager was able to achieve the home renovation in a timely and cost-effective manner, just as promised.

Would you like to discuss your home renovation ideas?

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