\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUpdated:<\/p>
24.8.2022<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Share on:<\/h4><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>W<\/span>hen one door closes another one opens (quite literally) for avid property investors, Melissa and Paul, whose latest project was turning this Auckland townhouse into a stylish contemporary home.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>Once brown throughout, a bit dull and simply outdated, the unrecognisable Ellerslie property is on the market and ready to become someone\u2019s forever home.<\/p>\n
The people behind it all? Enter Melissa and Paul.<\/p>\n
This powerhouse couple knows what it takes when it comes to turning a property on its head.<\/p>\n
With each new venture, this pair exhibit their unique aesthetic and eye for detail, ranging from interior design to staging homes ready for market.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve considered restoring, revamping or modernising a property, you\u2019re going to love this Project Story. We\u2019ll cover Melissa and Paul\u2019s latest project, including:<\/p>\n<\/div>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
The lead up to investing in property and home improvement<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Choosing the right tradesperson for the job<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
The trials and tribulations of preparing a property for market<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Advice from one home renovator to another<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
And, their take on why there\u2019s no time like the present to get stuck in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-After3-1200x800-1.jpg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Sneak Peak: An exterior facelift, to match the flooring | Photo: John Q (Ray White)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Lockdown 2021: Inception<\/b><\/p><\/h3><\/div>When I first chat with Melissa about their Ellerslie project, I find out that she and Paul are already deep into their next project; it\u2019s business as usual for these new venture seekers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve renovated investment properties before, many years ago,\u201d Melissa says.<\/p>\n
Melissa and Paul\u2019s sheer determination is clear to me as we continue our conversation. And with no surprises, I find out that with last year’s lockdown and housing frenzy, it was the perfect time for the couple to dive back into the market.<\/p>\n
The first in line, a three bedroom Ellerslie home, which was well overdue for a facelift after being listed for the first time in 18 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything was brown with carpet throughout and beautiful high ceilings,\u201d Melissa says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just wanted to make it light and bright,\u201d Melissa adds, alluding to her vision of the home, which they purchased shortly after its debut.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-Before6-1200-x-800.jpeg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-Before-1200x800-1-1.jpeg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-Before-1200x800-2.jpeg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-Before5-1200-x-800.jpeg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Before: Once brown throughout, a bit dull and simply outdated | Photo: Diakrit<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Journey To The Market<\/b><\/p><\/h3><\/div>Melissa and Paul had foreseen most of the risks involved in renovating a home; timing for tradespeople, materials shortages, increased costs and potential risk of losing gains.<\/p>\n
But even with their vision in mind, Melissa and Paul soon uncovered some minor hurdles along the way; the first one being wallpaper.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe painted over the wallpaper upstairs, but in hindsight, we would have 100% stripped back the wallpaper and started with a blank canvas,\u201d Melissa reflects.<\/p>\n
Their second hurdle was timing; a struggle most people are familiar with these days.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we\u2019re both working quite a lot, it\u2019s hard to be there to oversee things and make things happen on time,\u201d Melissa says.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-After9-1200x800-1.jpg\" "\\"drawphoto")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The floor-plan | Photo: John Q (Ray White) <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>The Flooring Decision: Carpet Or Vinyl<\/b><\/h3><\/div>What Melissa and Paul had never anticipated was the difficult decision on which flooring to go with: carpet or vinyl.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201cMy husband said \u2018we\u2019ll just go for the cheapest option\u2019, so I said \u2018let me do some research and see first\u2019,\u201d Melissa laughs.<\/em>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\u201cUsually we put carpet throughout because it’s a whole lot cheaper, but I\u2019ve always wanted to do the flooring thing, as I just think that laminate and vinyl looks amazing!\u201d Melissa says.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-During2-600x800-1.jpg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-During3-600x800-1.jpg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-During1-600x800-1.jpg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>During: A work in progress | Photo: Melissa<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Matching A Tradesperson<\/b><\/p><\/h3><\/div>For Melissa and Paul, deciding on the best tradesperson for their job boiled down to two things: great reviews and aesthetics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only way you can know if a tradesperson is good is if they have raving reviews,\u201d Melissa says, \u201cI love seeing the photos and if they have a bit of style, because for me it’s an aesthetic thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a few people over and I particularly gelled with Andy,\u201d Melissa says, listing the reasons why she believed Andy was a good fit.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy was really efficient at booking in a time and brought all the samples over, which was great,\u201d Melissa says commending Andy\u2019s professional touch.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was also able to do the carpet upstairs, so it was a win-win!\u201d Melissa laughs.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
W<\/span>hen one door closes another one opens (quite literally) for avid property investors, Melissa and Paul, whose latest project was turning this Auckland townhouse into a stylish contemporary home. Once brown throughout, a bit dull and simply outdated, the unrecognisable Ellerslie property is on the market and ready to become someone\u2019s forever home.<\/p>\n The people behind it all? Enter Melissa and Paul.<\/p>\n This powerhouse couple knows what it takes when it comes to turning a property on its head.<\/p>\n With each new venture, this pair exhibit their unique aesthetic and eye for detail, ranging from interior design to staging homes ready for market.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve considered restoring, revamping or modernising a property, you\u2019re going to love this Project Story. We\u2019ll cover Melissa and Paul\u2019s latest project, including:<\/p>\n<\/div> The lead up to investing in property and home improvement<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Choosing the right tradesperson for the job<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> The trials and tribulations of preparing a property for market<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Advice from one home renovator to another<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> And, their take on why there\u2019s no time like the present to get stuck in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div> Sneak Peak: An exterior facelift, to match the flooring | Photo: John Q (Ray White)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Lockdown 2021: Inception<\/b><\/p><\/h3><\/div> When I first chat with Melissa about their Ellerslie project, I find out that she and Paul are already deep into their next project; it\u2019s business as usual for these new venture seekers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve renovated investment properties before, many years ago,\u201d Melissa says.<\/p>\n Melissa and Paul\u2019s sheer determination is clear to me as we continue our conversation. And with no surprises, I find out that with last year’s lockdown and housing frenzy, it was the perfect time for the couple to dive back into the market.<\/p>\n The first in line, a three bedroom Ellerslie home, which was well overdue for a facelift after being listed for the first time in 18 years.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything was brown with carpet throughout and beautiful high ceilings,\u201d Melissa says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just wanted to make it light and bright,\u201d Melissa adds, alluding to her vision of the home, which they purchased shortly after its debut.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Before: Once brown throughout, a bit dull and simply outdated | Photo: Diakrit<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Journey To The Market<\/b><\/p><\/h3><\/div> Melissa and Paul had foreseen most of the risks involved in renovating a home; timing for tradespeople, materials shortages, increased costs and potential risk of losing gains.<\/p>\n But even with their vision in mind, Melissa and Paul soon uncovered some minor hurdles along the way; the first one being wallpaper.<\/p>\n \u201cWe painted over the wallpaper upstairs, but in hindsight, we would have 100% stripped back the wallpaper and started with a blank canvas,\u201d Melissa reflects.<\/p>\n Their second hurdle was timing; a struggle most people are familiar with these days.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we\u2019re both working quite a lot, it\u2019s hard to be there to oversee things and make things happen on time,\u201d Melissa says.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The floor-plan | Photo: John Q (Ray White) <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> What Melissa and Paul had never anticipated was the difficult decision on which flooring to go with: carpet or vinyl.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cMy husband said \u2018we\u2019ll just go for the cheapest option\u2019, so I said \u2018let me do some research and see first\u2019,\u201d Melissa laughs.<\/em> \u201cUsually we put carpet throughout because it’s a whole lot cheaper, but I\u2019ve always wanted to do the flooring thing, as I just think that laminate and vinyl looks amazing!\u201d Melissa says.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> During: A work in progress | Photo: Melissa<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Matching A Tradesperson<\/b><\/p><\/h3><\/div> For Melissa and Paul, deciding on the best tradesperson for their job boiled down to two things: great reviews and aesthetics.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only way you can know if a tradesperson is good is if they have raving reviews,\u201d Melissa says, \u201cI love seeing the photos and if they have a bit of style, because for me it’s an aesthetic thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a few people over and I particularly gelled with Andy,\u201d Melissa says, listing the reasons why she believed Andy was a good fit.<\/p>\n \u201cAndy was really efficient at booking in a time and brought all the samples over, which was great,\u201d Melissa says commending Andy\u2019s professional touch.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was also able to do the carpet upstairs, so it was a win-win!\u201d Melissa laughs.<\/p>\n \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The Flooring Decision: Carpet Or Vinyl<\/b><\/h3><\/div>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Before\"](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-Before-1200-x-800.jpeg\")
![\"After\"](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-Facelift-After4-1200x800-2.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-2-1200x800-1.jpg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Flooring-1200x800-2.jpg\" "\\"Flooring")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>