A Fresh Interior in Time for Christmas in Hamilton Lake, Waikato

Planning a Surprise

With both the summer holidays and a visit from his parents fast approaching, Hamilton Lake homeowner Kevin wanted to renovate his tired 1990s home as a surprise for his parents, but he needed industry experience and sound advice to start. 
As with so many renovation first-timers, Kevin was apprehensive about embarking on such a project, but he also knew of Refresh Renovations’ reputation as a ‘one-stop-shop for all things renovation’. So he reached out and connected with Waikato Renovation Consultants, Lawrie and Mandy Foster. 

Designed with Mum in Mind

During their initial consultation, Kevin explained his primary objectives were to modernise the interior of his home and ensure it was warm, dry, and insulated to required standards. He also noted that his mother loves to cook, so he wanted the kitchen design to be really fantastic. 
Design and budget were of equal importance for Kevin, so the costing and concept phases at the beginning of the renovation were an integral part of the process. Kevin was keen to get as much done as possible as he didn’t want to renovate again. 
Lawrie and Mandy worked closely with Kevin to define the project’s scope which included a completely reimagined kitchen and entranceway, relined walls with insulation, fresh paint and flooring throughout, and new LED lighting — for $100,000. 
Once Kevin signed off the build contract with a fixed quote, Lawrie and Mandy got to work. They had five weeks before Kevin’s Christmas deadline. 

A Tight Turnaround for the Building Team

With little insulation in the interior walls, Kevin’s home felt damp. So to begin, the crew insulated and relined the entire interior, the only exception being the bathroom. With all the new GIB walls in place, the rest of the renovation could continue. Lawrie and Mandy coordinated a crew of tradespeople from their trusted network of industry professionals - builders, electricians, painters, glaziers - and took care of everything. 
New carpet and vinyl flooring, LED lighting, and a coat of paint freshened up the rest of the house without over-spending. The kitchen and entranceway where Kevin wanted to focus his investment, underwent the most dramatic transformation during the building phase. The schedule was tight, but the crew managed to wrap up the complete renovation in five weeks and handed the home back to Kevin just in time for him to host everyone for Christmas dinner.

Sophisticated Results
Crisp white walls and wood-look vinyl floors give Kevin’s home a clean, modern look, but the kitchen and entranceway are this renovation’s standout features. Design inspiration for the entranceway came from Kevin’s mum. Elegant and inviting, the white and timber colour palette reflects a beach-inspired theme, with hat hooks and bench seating providing both ambience and practicality. 
The white and timber colour palette continues into the light and airy kitchen, but this time with a pop of colour from the glossy blue-green splashback that adds to the aquatic feel. Exposed shelving gives Kevin a place to display his choice of frequently used items or decor, and closed cabinetry hides clutter and small appliances out of sight. What’s more, there is ample bench space for Kevin’s mum to use when she dons the chef’s hat!

Final Thoughts

Lawrie and Mandy love the results and were thrilled to help Kevin create such an exciting surprise for his parents. He’s equally delighted and proud of his new home:
“It was an enjoyable experience working with Lawrie, Mandy, and their team. They brought my family’s design ideas to life. It was a great process from beginning to end. It was beautiful and amazing how things went from concept to reality. Completely amazed at how beautiful and modern the house looks now with the help of Lawrie and Mandy’s team. The hallway has been a stand out among guests.”
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