Before & After: The Unbelievable Makeover of a Small Semi in NZ
A new layout, fresh joinery and a classically elegant style were key to transforming this petite semi for a young family
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking build or renovation each week. Here, Natalie Du Bois, interior designer and principal at Du Bois Design, reveals how she transformed a dark and dated semi that was set up to accommodate a couple, into an elegant and functional home suitable for a family of four – all without adding to the footprint.
The kitchen before works
What’s the house like?
A semi-detached house built in 1938 with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It was originally my client’s elderly mother’s home.
A previous addition, which included an upper level comprising a main bedroom, ensuite and small office, was added in the 1990s. But aside from that, not much had been modified until this recent renovation.
What wasn’t working for the clients?
It was configured to suit a couple but now needed to work for a family of four.
What’s the house like?
A semi-detached house built in 1938 with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It was originally my client’s elderly mother’s home.
A previous addition, which included an upper level comprising a main bedroom, ensuite and small office, was added in the 1990s. But aside from that, not much had been modified until this recent renovation.
What wasn’t working for the clients?
It was configured to suit a couple but now needed to work for a family of four.
The kitchen before works
What was your brief?
My client wanted to give the house a classically elegant, English aesthetic.
Being a semi-detached home, the windows are only located on three sides, so we also needed to bring in more light.
What were the clients must-haves?
What was your brief?
My client wanted to give the house a classically elegant, English aesthetic.
Being a semi-detached home, the windows are only located on three sides, so we also needed to bring in more light.
What were the clients must-haves?
- A fresh and clean interior with a timeless aesthetic.
- Functional spaces.
The kitchen after works
What was your scope of works?
What was your scope of works?
- To re-design the kitchen, laundry, powder room, the daughters’ shared bathroom, main bedroom and ensuite.
- New bespoke joinery for the kitchen, laundry, main bedroom and bathrooms (recessed cabinetry).
- New wall colours and finishes, new floor finishes and feature lighting.
- New window treatments and some furniture pieces.
- Some new furniture.
What did you identify as the main issues?
It had a very dark and heavy interior with dated cabinetry and flooring.
It had a very dark and heavy interior with dated cabinetry and flooring.
What exactly did you do?
We began with the kitchen, bathrooms and powder room. Once we had established functional new layouts for these rooms, we then set about linking them to the bedrooms and living spaces using colour.
The small galley kitchen felt quite claustrophobic so we moved the fridge to the other side, nearer the dining area, to give the room a more spacious feel.
A new stained-timber herringbone floor was positioned to fit centrally between both sides of the kitchen. This, combined with the flowing veins of the stone benchtops, draws your eye towards the more spacious dining area, with its abundance of natural light.
We began with the kitchen, bathrooms and powder room. Once we had established functional new layouts for these rooms, we then set about linking them to the bedrooms and living spaces using colour.
The small galley kitchen felt quite claustrophobic so we moved the fridge to the other side, nearer the dining area, to give the room a more spacious feel.
A new stained-timber herringbone floor was positioned to fit centrally between both sides of the kitchen. This, combined with the flowing veins of the stone benchtops, draws your eye towards the more spacious dining area, with its abundance of natural light.
Storage in the 8.5 square metre kitchen was given a boost with clever additions such as a toe kick drawer for trays, and the designer opted for space-savvy dishwasher drawers and an integrated fridge
The main ensuite was one of the most important rooms to my client. They wanted it to reflect a feeling of yesteryear, with an air of romanticism. To give them that feeling of nostalgia, I designed a wall comprising individual antiqued mirrored panels with a bespoke-designed, octagonal mirror in the centre.
The walls and floor were then lined with marble tiles. Quality English tapware by Perrin & Rowe was specified throughout the home to help create a timeless feel.
All the rooms have been decorated to feel larger than they actually are. We did this by keeping them uncluttered and using simple, classic products and materials to create a continuous flow and mood throughout the home. Saying that, each room has individuality, making it an interesting home to walk through.
The main ensuite was one of the most important rooms to my client. They wanted it to reflect a feeling of yesteryear, with an air of romanticism. To give them that feeling of nostalgia, I designed a wall comprising individual antiqued mirrored panels with a bespoke-designed, octagonal mirror in the centre.
The walls and floor were then lined with marble tiles. Quality English tapware by Perrin & Rowe was specified throughout the home to help create a timeless feel.
All the rooms have been decorated to feel larger than they actually are. We did this by keeping them uncluttered and using simple, classic products and materials to create a continuous flow and mood throughout the home. Saying that, each room has individuality, making it an interesting home to walk through.
What was your thinking behind the colour and materials palette?
All the walls were painted white to enhance the sense of space in this fairly small home, with bright colour introduced through furniture and accent pieces.
We chose Resene Double Alabaster white for the walls throughout the house to showcase the bold accent furniture.
We then added blue, grey and charcoal tones to the built-in cabinetry and walls. Using the same colour in various strengths gives the home a sense of depth and flow.
All the walls were painted white to enhance the sense of space in this fairly small home, with bright colour introduced through furniture and accent pieces.
We chose Resene Double Alabaster white for the walls throughout the house to showcase the bold accent furniture.
We then added blue, grey and charcoal tones to the built-in cabinetry and walls. Using the same colour in various strengths gives the home a sense of depth and flow.
My client originally wanted to keep the existing tiled flooring that ran through the hall, dining and kitchen area. This would have meant keeping the existing footprint of the kitchen, which had a bulky angled mid-height unit that blocked it from the dining area.
After showing the client how much better the space could be with new herringbone timber flooring they took my advice and replaced it.
After showing the client how much better the space could be with new herringbone timber flooring they took my advice and replaced it.
What was the budget?
Around NZ $500,000 (AUD $474,000)
Where did most of it go?
Construction costs.
Browse more images of beautiful bedrooms on Houzz
Around NZ $500,000 (AUD $474,000)
Where did most of it go?
Construction costs.
Browse more images of beautiful bedrooms on Houzz
Why does an Art Deco look work here?
The house was built in the 1930s so we wanted to play homage to this period. The look also fits with the family’s personality, so it’s a match made in heaven.
The house was built in the 1930s so we wanted to play homage to this period. The look also fits with the family’s personality, so it’s a match made in heaven.
Tell us about the beautiful joinery in the house
I designed all the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and wardrobe cabinetry. To create a sense of flow, all the cabinetry has Shaker door profiles, but with subtle differences in either the colour, tone or hardware to make each piece feel unique.
I spent a lot of time coming up with unique ways to maximise storage and use under-utilised spots, such as the toe kicks in the kitchen and wall recesses in the bathrooms.
I designed all the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and wardrobe cabinetry. To create a sense of flow, all the cabinetry has Shaker door profiles, but with subtle differences in either the colour, tone or hardware to make each piece feel unique.
I spent a lot of time coming up with unique ways to maximise storage and use under-utilised spots, such as the toe kicks in the kitchen and wall recesses in the bathrooms.
A cosy spot to read in the main bedroom
In the ensuite, I recessed a tall cabinet in the wall for all the client’s storage needs as the vanity is an open design. Blum pull-out drawers and shelving make everything more accessible.
The upper units in the kitchen have Blum Servo-Drive electronic opening systems, which makes them easier to open and close.
In the ensuite, I recessed a tall cabinet in the wall for all the client’s storage needs as the vanity is an open design. Blum pull-out drawers and shelving make everything more accessible.
The upper units in the kitchen have Blum Servo-Drive electronic opening systems, which makes them easier to open and close.
What challenges did you have to work around?
A super-small space was allocated for the kitchen, which needed to be functional and practical for a family of four. My client and I got on really well, which meant there was good communication and any challenges were easily solved.
A super-small space was allocated for the kitchen, which needed to be functional and practical for a family of four. My client and I got on really well, which meant there was good communication and any challenges were easily solved.
The ensuite before works
The ensuite after works
Tell us about the new ensuite
It features antique mirror panels on one wall with an inset bespoke octagonal mirror.
Large-scale porcelain tiles on the floors and the other walls mimic marble beautifully. I made the vanity top out of these porcelain tiles too, but with a mitered edge so it appears chunky.
Tell us about the new ensuite
It features antique mirror panels on one wall with an inset bespoke octagonal mirror.
Large-scale porcelain tiles on the floors and the other walls mimic marble beautifully. I made the vanity top out of these porcelain tiles too, but with a mitered edge so it appears chunky.
A whimsical Designers Guild wallpaper brings colour and charm to the hallway.
The powder room before works
The powder room after works
Tell us about the powder room
With its antiqued mirrored wallpaper and blue ceilings and trims, this room has a dark and moody feel.
An Art Deco vanity and toilet and an antique Indian storage cabinet add a unique flavour.
Tell us about the powder room
With its antiqued mirrored wallpaper and blue ceilings and trims, this room has a dark and moody feel.
An Art Deco vanity and toilet and an antique Indian storage cabinet add a unique flavour.
The vintage cabinet was purchased online and the colour was not quite as bold as we had hoped when we saw it so I arranged for a furniture painter to add more teal to it.
A dark and moody powder room with blue ceiling and trims. An Art Deco vanity, toilet and Indian antique storage cabinet make this bathroom feel unique.
Tell us about the girls’ bathroom
The tiny family bathroom, which is used by the two daughters, is kept light and fresh with a soft blue-painted wall and large marble-look porcelain tiles on the other walls.
The tiny family bathroom, which is used by the two daughters, is kept light and fresh with a soft blue-painted wall and large marble-look porcelain tiles on the other walls.
A small bathroom was kept light and fresh with a soft blue painted wall teamed with large marble- look porcelain tiles
Why do you think the house works so well?
There is a harmonious flow throughout this small home that makes it feel so much larger.
Why do you think the house works so well?
There is a harmonious flow throughout this small home that makes it feel so much larger.
What was the client’s response?
My client says that she loves how her English-style home now has a beautiful flow throughout. She loves how the colours are repeated from room to room with careful consideration, including unique and bespoke detailing.
She loves how each room has colour, from the moody greys and the bright teal to the fresh and fun fuchsia.
My client says that she loves how her English-style home now has a beautiful flow throughout. She loves how the colours are repeated from room to room with careful consideration, including unique and bespoke detailing.
She loves how each room has colour, from the moody greys and the bright teal to the fresh and fun fuchsia.
The kitchen
In the client’s words; “I had asked Natalie for every room to have a stunning hero feature that your eyes would be drawn to and she has accomplished this admirably”.
In the client’s words; “I had asked Natalie for every room to have a stunning hero feature that your eyes would be drawn to and she has accomplished this admirably”.
The laundry before works
The laundry after works, with a concealed washer and dryer
Interior materials palette
Interior materials palette
- Forte Black Forrest stained oak herringbone flooring.
- CDK Stone Super White Extra dolomite to the kitchen and laundry benchtops.
- Blum hardware.
- Perrin & Rowe tapware to kitchen, bathrooms and laundry.
- Southern Cross Ceramics tiles to the laundry.
- Estatuario porcelain marble-look tiles to the ensuite walls and vanity top.
- Artisan Collective carpet.
- Designers Guild wallpaper in the hallway.
Key design aspects
- Hexagonal mirror and antique mirrored wall in ensuite custom designed by Du Bois Design and made by Image Glass.
- Small Acorns antique vintage cabinet.
- Acquello butler’s sink to laundry.
- Philippe Starck dining chairs at Du Bois Design.
Paint colours
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this elegant re-do as we are? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s opulent curved kitchen? Catch up here with this Room of the Week: A Spacious Kitchen With Luxurious Materials
- Resene Double Alabaster to walls, ceiling and trims.
- Resene Blue Moon to powder room ceiling, door and trims.
- Resene Half Tuna to ensuite walls.
- Resene Quarter Stack to the family bathroom.
- Resene Half Stack to the master bedroom.
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this elegant re-do as we are? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s opulent curved kitchen? Catch up here with this Room of the Week: A Spacious Kitchen With Luxurious Materials
Who lives here: A couple with two daughters
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Three bedrooms, one powder room, one family bathroom and an ensuite
House size: 180 square metres (including a double garage)
Budget: Around NZ $500,000 (AUD $474,000).
Interior designer and stylist: Natalie Du Bois at Du Bois Design
How did you use Houzz for this project?
We used Houzz to show inspirational images to the client.