Style by the Sea: Character Villa Renovation in Devonport, Auckland

Ready For Market

This charming villa in Auckland’s iconic Devonport suburb needed a refresh before hitting the market. Despite the enviable seaside location, the 1910s character home was looking lacklustre with dated colours, a tired kitchen and bathroom, and flooring that wasn’t living up to its potential. 
Owner Graham knew he was ready to list the property but wanted to unlock the best sale price possible without over-spending. Modernising the home, and refreshing rooms within the house that catch the eye of any seller, would prove to be a wise investment.

Exploring Possibilities

Graham didn’t want to over-capitalise on the property, which he had only purchased the year before, but he was willing to invest in the renovation to get top dollar when it came time to sell. He had determined that to get his property market-ready, he needed to renovate the family bathroom, sand and polish the original wooden floor, lay new carpet, refresh the internal painting throughout the home, modernise the lighting, update the kitchen, and add shutters in two rooms.
With such an extensive list ahead of him, Graham contacted local Renovation Consultants Johannes Jacobs (JJ) and Anthony Bayne (Ant) to discuss his ideas and to tap into their expert knowledge and network. Together they were able to develop a personalised plan that would maximise the sale price of his home by focusing attention on areas where improvements would make the most impact and ensure his house would stand out in the market.
Graham had a budget of $100,000 to work with. However, during the renovation, he decided to upgrade the kitchen benchtop and tidy up the area a bit more. This variation cost an additional $20,000, bringing the project to $120,000.
Having undertaken a renovation on his previous home, Graham was well aware of the inconvenience that can be caused by living in a construction zone, so he moved out of the home for the entire duration of the project.

Stress-Free Renovation Process

JJ and Ant were ona tight scheduleto get the home market-ready. Graham was planning on staging the home prior to listing it, and the home-staging company only had a certain window of availability.
Fortunately for Graham, JJ and Ant had everything under control. From design through to delivery, the Refresh Renovation process saved Graham countless hours as the dynamic duo managed the entire project.  
What’s more, the stress of obtaining dozens of quotes and scheduling multiple tradespeople was eliminated. JJ and Ant had a team of experts they could call on for every aspect of the renovation, including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, sanders, and painters. Graham could simply watch the transformation take place and keep up to date with the progress from afar through his online customer portal.

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Marvellous Makeover

JJ and Ant had estimated that the refurbishment of Graham’s Devonport villa would take five weeks, and they weren’t far off. Graham’s home was market-ready in six!
The villa’s original wooden flooring was sanded and polished throughout and is a standout character feature that adds to the home’s charm and appeal. New interior Resene paint brightened the entire home and has been tastefully complemented by modern light fixtures, both inset spotlights and statement hanging lanternsin a natural colour palette.
By removing the island and cabinetry in the kitchen, changing handles, and adding a new kitchen benchtop, this central space in the home has been modernised to create a space any home cook would love! New hardware also contributed to the updated look and improved functionality.

Final Thoughts

Graham’s villa underwent a beautiful transformation. The result is a warm, inviting home that combines heritage charm and contemporary comfort. 
JJ is thrilled with the outcome. “Restoring the wood flooring was a huge undertaking, but it was a crucial part of this villa’s appeal. The polished flooring makes the home feel bigger now and, combined with cosy new carpet in loft areas, the flooring is a real feature.” 
By refreshing some areas and then adding value where it mattered most, Graham was able to update his home into a light, bright sanctuary by the sea, and secure top dollar when the home went to market.

Would you like to discuss your home renovation ideas?

Get in touch for a free consultation with your local Renovation Consultant.