Myspace - 11 April 2025

Drabanddatedtoand

Itwasthesearchfortheperfectfamily homethatledCoreyandDeannaHinde fromruralWaikatotoTaurangain2016 –buttheyknewtheyhadtakenonahuge renovationproject.

“Igrewupinthecountrysowealwayswantedto giveourfourkidstheopportunityofthatlifestyle butthentheideaoflivingnearabeachwasalso appealing,”Deannasaid.

“Whenoureldestwas10,thetimewespentina cargettingthekidstoactivitiesfromGordontonwas

phenomenalandwerealiseditwastimetomove.”

Afterthequicksaleoftheirruralvilla,they foundadatedsplit-levelhouseonan1100m2 sectioninOtūmoetai.

“Itneededamajorreno,butitwastheperfect locationandsizewiththefivebedrooms,three bathroomsthatweneeded,”saidDeanna.“Itwasa goodpricepointbutnothinghadbeendonesinceit wasbuiltinthe1970s.”

“DeannafoundthehouseandwhenIsawit, Idefinitelythoughtwewerebitingoffaproject thatwaswaytoobig,”saidCorey.“ButDeanna’s mindwassetsoIhadfaithshecouldturnthis housearound.”

Allnewfeatures

Nostrangertohomerenovation,havingalready restoredtheirprevioushome,Deannajumpedatthe chancetoprojectmanage.Theworktookfour-anda-halfmonthsandincludedcompletelyguttingboth levels,addingfeatureslikepillars,repaintingthe interiorandrecladdingtheexterior.

“Everythingyoucanseeisnew,apartfromthe lightsinthehallwaythatIkept,”saidDeanna.“We stucktoathemeofwhite,blackandrawply.Itwas ourarchitect’sideatodotheslatsofwoodleadingto theentrancetoenclosethecarportandwebrought theminsidetoo,tolinkthespaces.”

Itevolvedintoanedgyindustrial-meets-natural warmwoodaestheticwithacleanwhitekitchenand splashesofvintagetoaddcharacter.

“Ialwaysknewdownstairswouldbeahangoutfor ourolderboys,soIwentwithstrongerblacklight fittingsandplyontheceiling.Vintagelightssoften thestairwellandIjustlovedthemandthenIworked withMrRalphtofindtherightlightsinamore naturalstyleforupstairs.”

DeannaalsoprovedafiendonTradeMe Marketplace,findingpre-lovedpieces,includingthe bathroomvanityshere-paintedandtheradiointhe lounge.Thebiggestchallenge,though,waslivingon anactivebuildingsiteasafamilyofsix.

Familyadventure

“Werenovateddownstairsandlivedupstairs,and thenweallmoveddownstairswhiletheupperlevel wasdemolished,”saidDeanna.“Itmeantthatwehad nokitchen,sofor10dayswewentandstayedwitha friend.Whenwecameback,westillhadnostairwell.”

family-friendly

DeannaandCoreyagreethatfor them,onestormywinter’snightwhen theystruggledwithgettingfoodtotheir kidsthenaged4,6,9and11wasa particularlythelowpointoftheproject.

“Theweatherturnedcold,itwasdark andrainingandwehadcookedthe kids’dinnersupstairs.Coreyheldan umbrellaovertheplatesasIcarried themtwoatatimeoutside,down thehillanddeliveredthemthrougha window,”saidDeanna.“Iremember thinking:‘Idon’tknowhowmuch longerIcandealwiththis’butwhen Iwasabletocompartmentalisethe situation,Iknewwe’dbefine.” Infact,DeannaandCoreymade theuncomfortablesituationintoa familyadventure.

Transformed

“Westartedpullingoffthebluewallpaperandwe drewalloverourhouse,”saidDeanna.“Visitors couldtoo,includingthekids’friends.”

“There’sadragonunder heresomewhere.Itwas epic,”saidCorey.

Now,thetransformed familyhomeiswarm, sunnyandwelcoming withspacestofindsomealonetime,aswellasplaces tospendtimetogether.

“Weloveourbedroombecauseyoucanclosethe dooranditfeelslikeanapartment.Wehaveourown bathroomandaccesstothedeck.It’salovelyspace,” saidDeanna.“Thepoolgetssomuchsunandthe sunkenloungeislovelyandcosyinwinter.”

“Wehangoutatthekitchenbenchalot,”added Corey.“There’sagreatskylight,sohomeworkand cupsofteahappenthereandsocialisingwithwine andcheese.Alltheadultscanbeinsideoronthe deck,whilethekidscanbeinthespa,pooloronthe trampoline.”

AndtheHinde’spieceofadvicetothose consideringtacklingamajorrenovation?

“Haveyourinteriordesignoryourthemesdone, becausedecisionfatigueisreal,”saidDeanna.“Be committedtothebigideas.IfyouneedtoU-turn onanything,you wantittobethe smallstuff.Also, findabuilderand architectwho’ve workedtogether, becausewhenthey understandeach other,anyproject willrunsmoother.”

Create a honeycomb haven!

Bay Blinds’ managing director Marc Siljebrandt said there are very good reasons to consider installing cellular honeycomb blinds in your home.

“As temperatures begin to drop and autumn kicks in, now is the perfect time for Kiwi homeowners to upgrade their window furnishings to more energy efficient options like cellular honeycomb blinds,” said Siljebrandt.

The unique honeycomb structure of cellular blinds creates air pockets that function as a barrier against heat transfer, Siljebrandt said

“This is crucial in New Zealand’s varied climate, helping to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer

“By minimising heat loss in the cooler months of the year, cellular honeycomb blinds reduce the reliance on heaters and heat pumps, for noticeable savings on energy bills. This is a significant benefit for Kiwi households, especially when we are seeing rising energy prices across the board.”

In March 2021 Consumer NZ found that up to 45% of heat loss in insulated homes occurs through windows. That is a significant amount of wasted energy, said Siljebrandt.

“This shows the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to your window treatments – the right blinds or shutters can save two-thirds of the heat lost through your windows.

Consumer NZ testing proved Cellular Honeycomb blinds retained more than 60% of heat, “which was far more than other window coverings,” said Siljebrandt.

To maximise the heat retention in your home, local experts Bay Blinds offer a wide range of cellular honeycomb blinds, offering more than 70 colours and a number of different cell sizes to suit your home design and interior needs.

Book your free in-home measure and quote and rt saving on your energy bills. Call 0800 229 254 or visit: bayblinds.co.nz

Thepowerofproperty

Whenitcomestosellingahome, firstimpressionsareeverything.

“Awell-stagedhomehelpsbuyersfall inlove,”saidpropertystylistSammi Marley.“Often,they’vedecidedwithin 30secondsofwalkinginthedoor whethertheylikeitornot.”

Herbusiness,HouseCouture, helpshomeowners,investors,and developersmaximisesalepricesby transformingspaces.

“Manypeopleseestagingasan unnecessaryexpense,butafewthousand dollarsinvestedcanadd$20,000to $30,000,orasmuchas$100,000,tothe finalsaleprice,”shesaid.

ForMarley,itwasanatural progressiontotakeoverthestaging businessstartedbyherparents,Jennifer andWarren,in2003.

Freshandspacious

“Iwasthekidwhowaspedanticabout makingmybed.Bytheageof14,Iwas workingafter-schoolinthefamilyhome stylingbusiness,”shesaid.“Myparents startedthecompanybecausetheycouldn’t findsomeonetostagetheirhouse.It’snow thelargestintheBayofPlenty.”

Professionalstagingmakeseventhe mostdatedandtiredhomesfeelfresh andspacious,saidMarley.

“Ifaroomfeelssmall,simplyplacing therightsizedfurnitureandaccessoriesin itcanmakeitseemlarger,”saidMarley. “Wealsoimproveflowandhelpdefine confusinglayoutsandambiguousspaces, makingiteasierforbuyerstovisualise

theirownfurnitureinthehome.”

Andtheserviceisnotjust forhigh-endhomes,House Coutureofferspartialstagingfor alltypesofproperties,usinga homeowner’sexistingfurniture withexpertadjustments.

“Wedeclutter,depersonalise,and refinethestyling,”saidMarley.“A simplefurniturerearrangementcan makeahugedifference.”

Tailored

Openhomeconsultationscanalso helpvendorspreparewithoutafull staginginvestment.

“Thebestfeedbackwegetis whenclientsfallinlovewiththeir ownhomeagain–sometimesthey

evenhavesecondthoughtsabout selling,”Marleysaid.

“Weworkhardtoperfect everyproperty.Wehavealarge warehouseofuniqueitems,so wetailoreachhome’slookrather thanusingaone-size-fits-all approach.”

Fromhigh-endhomestosmall propertiesandretirementvillages, HouseCoutureensuresevery listingshines.“We’reareferralbasedcompany,soexceptional customerserviceiskey.

“Realestateagentstrustusto deliverstunningresultseverytime.”

TocontactSammiMarley,visit: www.housecouture.co.nz

Sustainablehomesforwellbeing

AtBayPropertyProjects,wespecializeinsustainable designsolu onsthatenhancewell-beingandpromote abalancedlifestyle.Ourservicesincludeinteriordesign, landscapedesign,andholidayhomemanagement,witha strongfocusonwellnessandbiophilicdesignprinciples. Wehelphomeownersandinvestorscreatespacesthat supportmental,physical,social,andfinancialwell-being throughthough ul,sustainabledesign.

Inaddi ontoourclientservices,wearedevelopinga NetZeroBuildingPrototype.Agroundbreakingproject thatintegratesrenewableenergy,waterconserva on,

andsustainablebuildingprac ces.Thisini a veis designedtosetanewstandardforeco-friendlyurban livinginNewZealandandworldwidetodemonstrate howsustainablesolu onscanbeprac cal,accessible, andprofitable.

Withapassionforhealthyliving,we’recommi edto crea ngfunc onal,beau fulspacesthatimprovequality oflifewhilerespec ngtheenvironment.Whetheryou’re lookingtoredesignyourhome,op mizeyourinvestment property,orexploresustainablebuildingsolu ons,we’re heretobringyourvisiontolife.

Spa alplanning

Consentapplica ons Fixtures&finishings

Management

Furnishing&procurement

Outdoorliving Plan ngPlans

Eco-friendl

MelissaWinnisyourclassicbiophilicdesigner.To her,homerenovationisn’tjustaboutfreshpaint andfunctionality,it’saboutcreatingahealthy spacethat’sconnectedwithnature.

“I’mabitofahippie,”laughedtheownerofBayProperty Projects,whotransformedherown90m2homein Otūmoetaiintoalight,airyfamilyoasis.“Ispecialisein biophilicdesign,blendingsustainabilitywithbeauty andconnectingthebuiltandnaturalenvironmentsfor mutualbenefit.”

Whileothersfocusoninside-outsideflowforaesthetics, Winnusestheconceptforoverallwellbeing.“Plantsemit redlight,whichishealing,”shesaid.“Bysurroundingyour homewithgreenery,you’renaturallygettingthosehealthy, naturalred-lightemissions.”

Winndescribedhercompanyasaone-stopshopforecofriendlyrenovating,newbuildsandongoingmanagement servicesforinvestmentproperties.

Concepttocompletion

“It’sahands-offapproachforclients,”shesaid. “IfsomeonelivesinAucklandandhasapropertyhere, itdoesn’tmakesensetodrivedownjusttodothelawnsor project-managearenovation.That’swhereIcomein. Icanhelpwitheverythingfromconcepttocompletionand everythingthereafter.”

Winnhasabackgroundinhospitalityandmassagetherapy butfollowedherlifelongpassionforbeautifulhomesby studyinginteriordesign,architecturaldesignandbusiness, usingherownhomeaspracticalexperience.

“Iboughtthishouseasado-upinvestmentpropertyin 2015,”shesaid.“Itwasaprettyambitiousfirstprojectto takeon.”

Beautifulfrontfacade

Herhousehadthreebedroomsandonebathroomwitha tinyseparatetoilet.Acarportthatruineditsstreetappeal

hadtheentrancesecretedattheside.

“Iremovedthecarportandaddedaguestbedroomand ensuitewithitsownentrance,”saidWinn.“Thatcreated abeautifulfrontfaçadewithanewrooflineandanactual frontdoortowalkinto.Thestreetaspectaddshugevalue forresale.Asaninvestormyself,IknowthateverythingI domustaddvaluetotheproperty.Thenewroomgivesus flexibilitywithinourfamilyaswellastheabilitytohost guestsforpassiveincome.”

Minihouse

Byaddingaminihouseforthelaundryandstorageout back,thehallwayspacewasfreedupforachild’sbedroom thatcouldalsobeahomeoffice.Newintegratedwardrobes ineachroomofferstoragesolutions,whilethenewopen planloungeandkitchenfeellarger.

“Ilovenaturaltimber,”saidWinn.“Rippingupthecarpet andlayingdownrecycledRimuthroughoutthehousewas actuallythefirstthingwedidbecausemysonisallergicto dustmites.Timberisahealthy,sustainableproductand runningitthroughthehometiesthespacestogethernicely.”

Structurally,therearen’tmanywallsthathaven’tbeen changed.Cavityslidersreplacedswingdoors,windows havebeenexchangedfordouble-glazeddoorstoadd naturallightandairflow,andnewdeckingwrapsaround thehousewithstorageaddedbeneath.Itwasahuge transformationofacompacthousethatisnowan impressive120m2withfivebedrooms,twobathrooms plusoutdoorliving.

Winn’stalentisnotonlyindesignandproject management;forclientslivingintheirhomeduring renovation,shehasideasonhowtocope.

“I’maverypracticalperson,”shesaid.“Whenwedid ourownkitchenrenovationin2023,Iwasstilllivinga lifewiththreekidsandgueststoo,soplanningisvital. Wecreatedatemporarygalley-stylekitchenwithsome cheapshelving,atableandthebarbecuetocookonand wewereperfectlycomfortable.”

Withafocusonhealth,Winn’sdesignsarebiophilicor ‘connectedwithnature’.

“Studiesshowthattherearethingswecandoinourbuilt environmentstoimprovewellbeing,”shesaid.“Hospitalsthat havenaturallight,ventilationandaccesstogreenspacesseean improvementintheirpatients’healing.Inmywork,mygoalisto improvehomesusingthesefindings.”

Winnisalsopassionateaboutcreatingediblegardensbasedon foodforestprinciples.

“Wearepartofnature,”shesaid.“Weneednatureandnature needsus.It’snourishingforourprimalbraintogooutsideand harvestdirectlyfromtheplantorwindfallproducefromthe ground.So,I’mtryingtoencouragepeopletodothat–evenif it’sonasmallscale.Justonefruittreeinthegardencanmake suchadifferencetoourwellbeing.”

Winn’sultimategoalistouseherbiophilicdesignprinciples tohelpherclientslivealifeofabundanceandhealth,allwhile lookingafterMotherEarth.

“Myphilosophiesarearoundlifestyle,lifebalanceand long-terminvestment.Iwanteveryonetobecomfortable, peacefulandconnected.”

Tolearnmoreaboutwellnessdesign,supportMelissa’sNetZero BuildingPrototypeorifyou’dliketobookafreediscoverycall,go to:www.baypropertyprojects.co.nz