HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Minimalist Scandi-style Christmas decorating works a treat in this renovated period home

- Fiona Hawtin

When Catherine and Stuart Evans bought their Auckland house 12 years ago, it had been not one, but two flats.

The previous owners had a go at making it one house again but it was “very disjointed and still had two old bathrooms and kitchens and a death-defying staircase to the basement,” says Catherine.

Their initial renovation involved reconfiguring one of the old flat’s kitchen, bathroom and the original staircase into a unified large family bathroom and new stairs to the basement. They also redid the cold and draughty front bedrooms. “The key was to remove the brown aluminium joinery and cork board panels,” says Catherine.

That was enough to get them through the next few years before what they call the full renovation project. This time things got serious. They extended the footprint of the home and created an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area as well as the covered outdoor living space. A pool was installed. They added an internal access garage, created a main bedroom suite with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite as well as transforming the downstairs basement into a modern rumpus room, a guest bedroom with bathroom and a larger laundry area.

From her personal experience, what Catherine doesn’t know about renovation projects probably isn’t worth the time of day. She’s put her knowledge to good use with her interior design studio The Reno Project (therenoproject.co.nz), which specialises in transforming period houses into “functional and beautiful homes for today’s lifestyles”.