Modernising a 1930s bungalow in Onehunga, Auckland

This Auckland property had loads of potential but was desperately in need of a revamp. Opening up space between the living room and kitchen has created an attractive open-plan living area, while the kitchen and both bathrooms now display the perfect balance between style and functionality.

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Initial Consultation

Sally and Ena’s 1930s bungalow had an old-fashioned layout with many elements that were tired and dated. They wanted to create a modern, open-plan living space, add a laundry, replace the kitchen, and renovate both bathrooms.
Knowing that this would be a large undertaking, they contacted Refresh Renovation Consultant Saleem Bhikoo who has a passion for transforming older properties into beautiful and functional homes.
At their consultation, Saleem was able to provide useful advice and give Sally and Ena an initial estimate of the cost for their renovation. Using Refresh meant they could be sure that everything would be taken care of from start to finish, including scheduling and managing the contractors.
Self-managing the project would have been both time-consuming and stressful, given the size and complexity of their renovation, so Sally and Ena were grateful to have Saleem on hand to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Creating A Plan

The next step was to decide exactly what work needed to be carried out, and the design that would best suit both Sally and Ena’s tastes and the property itself. With Saleem’s guidance, Sally and Ena decided that the kitchen and both bathrooms would be completely transformed, a laundry room created, and work carried out to the hallway and lounge.
Concept drawings enabled Sally and Ena to tailor the plan to suit their needs and budget. Knowing this information at the start enabled them to make informed decisions and find the right balance between their vision and how much they were happy to spend.
Once the working drawings had been finalised, Sally and Ena were provided with a fixed quote for the entire renovation. After they confirmed they were happy with it, Saleem and his team swung into action.

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Bringing It To Life

The amount of work required for the project made it necessary for Sally and Ena to move into rental accommodation while the renovation was carried out. Therefore it was essential that everything ran smoothly so Sally and Ena could return to their property as soon as possible.
Clever scheduling and Saleem's excellent organisational skills made it possible for numerous different contractors to work together, avoiding any wasted time or avoidable delays.
During the renovation, contractors discovered that the property’s wiring and switchboard were not up to code. Luckily, Saleem was able to use his contacts to get this addressed quickly, along with some other minor structural repairs.
Throughout the process, Sally and Ena used the Refresh online portal to see how their project was progressing; they also received regular email updates. Both were really impressed by the level of communication and felt reassured they wouldn’t be away from their home for any longer than was necessary.

A Contemporary Kitchen

Opening up the doorway between the living room and the kitchen has created a spacious open-plan living area that’s ideal for entertaining. The kitchen has been totally transformed with beautiful stone benchtops giving the room a luxurious feel. Pendant lights illuminate the kitchen’s new breakfast bar, while a fresh coat of Resene paint and oak effect flooring have added the finishing touches to a stunning kitchen that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Beautiful Bathrooms

Wooden vanity units from Robertsons contrast with white marble-effect walls and flooring to create a stylish look. Mirrored cabinets, also from Robertsons, enhance the natural lighting and help to create two bright and modern bathrooms that are the perfect balance of functionality and luxury.

Final Thoughts

Sally and Ena are delighted with their finished renovation and the whole process: “The quality of the work is very high. The site was kept clean and tidy throughout, and checks on quality were regularly undertaken as the works progressed. We would definitely work with Saleem and the team again in the future.”