A Full Overhaul of a Family Home in Pukemoremore, Waikato

As if having a newborn wasn’t a big enough change, this homeowner wanted to completely update the interior of his 1980s home to better suit his growing family.

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An Exciting Start

After welcoming their new baby, homeowner Tama reached out to Refresh Renovation Consultant for help in making his home safer, more comfortable, and more convenient for his growing family.
His rural Waikato house had not been renovated since it was built in the 1980s. Some of the floorboards were rotting and the kitchen bench was patched together with bits and pieces. Structurally, the house was solid, but its interior needed some serious updates to turn it into the modern home Tama envisaged for his family.

Making Adjustments

During their initial consultation, Tama indicated to renovation consultant that his budget for the renovation was $80,000. Within that, he wanted to redo the kitchen and lounge, combine the bathroom and separate toilet, and update the laundry room.
After exploring designs with renovation consultant, Tama had his heart set on a specific look for the kitchen and bathroom. The renovation consultant explained that the high-end materials he selected would exceed the $80,000 they had discussed, but Tama was happy to extend the budget to achieve his dream home.
Once the details and working drawings were finalised, renovation consultant confirmed the total cost would be just over $116,000.

Undertaking Construction

Construction began in October with an anticipated finish of December. This was a big project that called for several contractors to be on-site at any one time. The renovation consultant carefully coordinated tradespeople and suppliers to ensure everything stayed on schedule.
Demolition took priority to make room for the layout changes. The crew ripped up the rotten floorboards and removed the dividing walls in the kitchen and bathroom areas. From there, they erected new walls, installed new flooring, and redid the ceilings. Tama’s vision for the bathroom started to take shape as the team installed beautiful floor-to-ceiling tiles.
The construction phase was running smoothly until there was a setback with materials. The renovation consultant let Tama know that the kitchen he wanted from Mitre10 wouldn’t arrive until the end of January, delaying the completion date by six weeks. While it wasn’t ideal, Tama was understanding and still excited to be getting the kitchen he wanted. The renovation consultant pushed forward with all other aspects of the renovation and, once the kitchen materials were delivered, the project was finished within a few days.

Living Spaces Worth the Wait

Although the kitchen proved to be the most challenging aspect of the renovation, the end result is stunning. At its centre is a massive island with a built-in sink and quartz benchtop. Wall-mounted white cabinetry runs from end to end and is topped with a butcher block style benchtop. In the old kitchen, the oven was tucked into a corner, the microwave sat on a dresser, and the toaster balanced on top. Now everything has its place; the cabinetry has spaces specifically for the oven and microwave while the induction cooktop sits flush on the benchtop.
Beside the kitchen is the redesigned laundry area which utilises the same quartz benchtops. The now convenient workspace includes a sink, ample storage, and plenty of room for the washing machine to fit neatly under the bench. Timber flooring used in the laundry area runs throughout the freshly painted kitchen, hallway, and lounge. White and timber are a key combo within the home’s design, with a purpose-built, mid-century style, floating console a striking new feature in the refreshed lounge.

A Grand Bathroom Transformation

The bathroom makeover is equally impressive. Combining the separate toilet and bathroom was a great decision, covering it in oversized marble tiling even more so. The functional element of having a bathtub for the baby remains, but now it’s an elegant aspect of the bathroom’s design, not a 1980s afterthought.
The new walk-in shower with rainfall showerhead spans the entire back wall of the bathroom, with chrome fittings and a new toilet an integral part of the stylish modern design.

Final Thoughts

Tama is ecstatic to have a brand new, family-friendly, interior. He knew what he wanted from the very beginning, and the renovation consultant worked hard to make it happen. The extensive renovation resulted in a sophisticated and inviting design that is fully functional with modern amenities. The renovation consultant himself is delighted that his home “looks absolutely amazing!”