The Reveal

21.11.2019

Updated:

6.5.2021

4 min read

In this series, we follow a Christchurch couple in their bid to turn their 1960’s fixer-upper, from a retro rental to a modern home.

If you’ve ever considered buying an older home but have lacked the confidence to tackle something totally outdated, this guide is for you. It’s a whole lot of fun, and not as hard (or anywhere near as risky) as you might imagine.

In the previous chapter, we explored flooring and carpet choices, and took a look at how both were laid.

With the flooring down, the house was ready for a weekend furniture move. With friends and family onboard, this came together a breeze.

And with that done and dusted it’s time to reveal the finished interior!

The Kitchen

We wanted to create a classic “heart of the home” in our kitchen. To us, this meant a roomy area to move, lots of bench space to work and an easy flow between kitchen, dining and living spaces.

After living in our home for a couple of months now, there isn’t anything we’d have done differently in the kitchen. It is most definitely the heart of our home and a space we really enjoy being in.

The Laundry

We wanted to create a classic “heart of the home” in our kitchen. To us, this meant a roomy area to move, lots of bench space to work and an easy flow between kitchen, dining and living spaces.

After living in our home for a couple of months now, there isn’t anything we’d have done differently in the kitchen. It is most definitely the heart of our home and a space we really enjoy being in.

Dining Room

This sunny little nook didn’t need much work, rather, it was more a case of ensuring the kitchen return didn’t intrude on the flow between kitchen and dining space. We paid careful attention to this in the design stage and the result is a separate dining space fit for purpose.

Living Area

The key objective was indoor-outdoor flow, and what better way to create this than with two triple stacker sliders. Of course, this would also require a wrap-around deck… a project for the next holiday break!

The living area is comfortable, light and warm. With the triple stackers both wide open, we have built the basis for a classic great kiwi living space.

Hallway

Without a lot of natural light, we were relying on our paint choice to brighten up the hallway and give it a lighter feel. With plastering, painting and carpet the only improvements, the transformation is amazing.

Bathroom & Toilet

As there had already been some work done to the toilet and bathroom previously, we didn’t need to invest a lot in bringing these spaces up to standard. A plaster, paint and new flooring really set them off.

Bedrooms

Again, a plaster, paint and carpeting was all that was needed to brighten and cosy up the bedrooms. Not to mention the noise-reduction double-glazing making for quiet, warm spaces.