Art Deco Outside, Modern Living Inside, in Tamatea, Napier

Living space and laundry renovation

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Getting Started

Napier is famous for its Art Deco homes, and the exterior of this Tamatea property is a classic example. The interior, however, reflected the home’s 1970s origin. Relics of that design era, such as kitchen cabinets complete with orange textured glass were features Noel was happy to part with.
Although he was ready to modernise his home and upgrade its functionality and style, Noel was unsure of how to move ahead with his project, so he reached out to Refresh Renovations. He was connected with Renovation Consultants, Sophia Roydhouse and Mike Ross, who would give him the expert advice he sought while managing the project from end to end.

Determining the Scope and Making Adjustments

The three discussed every detail of the proposed renovation, right down to the fittings and colour scheme. Sophia and Mike’s professional advice made it easier for Noel to make decisions, with their concept designs allowing him to see exactly what his home would look like.The Renovation Consultants were there every step of the way showing him options and materials until they ironed out the complete scope of the project.
Originally, Noel budgeted $60,000 for a kitchen and laundry renovation but, upon reviewing the scope with Sophia and Mike, he decided to extend his investment. Since contractors would already be on-site, Noel made the most of the opportunity to upgrade some of his home’s electrical work. This increased the scope and cost significantly but eliminating the need to run extension cords across the lounge would make a tidier and safer living space. These final alterations brought the cost to $71,000.

Straightforward Construction

The entire renovation was finished within five weeks, the only disruption being a COVID lockdown before they began. Once underway, the project ran smoothly. Important aspects of reworking the layout included replacing a glass feature in the atrium with a wall to create another usable space, and connecting the kitchen and lounge by removing a dividing wall.
The existing laundry was not particularly well-equipped but as a part of the new design, it was converted to a multi-purpose space that serves as both a laundry room and small scullery. After finishing the preliminary, functional parts of the renovation, the team undertook the cosmetic upgrades - paint, cabinetry, fixtures, and fittings.

21st Century Living

Reconfiguring the interior of Noel’s home to open plan suits his modern lifestyle. The uninterrupted sightlines through the kitchen and lounge make the combined living area feel spacious, while the muted colour palette adds to the contemporary style. Simple changes like trading in the dated curtains for modern roller shades have made a big difference in the space too.
The lounge no longer has hazardous wires running across the floor. However, it can still accommodate Noel’s collection of electronics thanks to the electrical upgrades he chose to add during the concept planning stage. Original wood panelling, which Noel wanted to retain, remains on one of the walls but, at Sophia and Mike’s suggestion, had it painted black for a more modern look.
By removing the built-in pantry, the kitchen lost some storage but the combined scullery and laundry ensured functionality was still at the fore. Extra space created in the atrium has also transformed the area into a small sitting room.

Final Thoughts

Noel is thrilled with how the renovation has come together in a way that suits his personal style. Although he wasn’t quite sure what that was at the beginning, Sophia and Mike’s expertise was instrumental in converting his thoughts into a tangible design.