When building or renovating, time is your friend. If you want the best results and the best deals, start the mission early. “Suppliers can often hold items for a long time; once builders are on-site, deciding what you want in terms of fixtures and finishes is almost too late,” says Mary-Ellen Hinton of Hello Saturday. “You don’t want to be in a rush and have to take what is in stock because of poor planning.”
Building is expensive so reduce the overall size, rather than the cost of fittings, to fit your budget. “I would go for quality over quantity any day,” advises Mary-Ellen. In one Mount Albert renovation, her clients kept the original floorplan and did not extend but updated their small kitchen to high spec with heaps of personality. When it comes to hardware for hardworking utilitarian rooms, invest, invest, invest. “So often I hear about people who have cut costs only to have to replace products in three to five years. Taps and plumbing fittings move water around your home; this is not somewhere to cut costs.”
An interior designer as part of the team is an asset not only to aesthetics but can save you money and time by liaising with the builder. And if the paint colours, window treatments, soft furnishings and furniture have been quoted and chosen beforehand, you’ll know the total build cost before you begin on site.
Adding stylish touches to your home needn’t cost the earth. Use colour, pattern and vintage finds, to effect a low-budget makeover that will bring you joy in the moment (the thrill of the chase) and hopefully for years to come. Take heed though: “Everything dates, so no matter how hard you try, it will age eventually,” Mary-Ellen warns. By not following trends and sticking to what you love now and, perhaps, have always loved, that will become your own personal classic.
Right now, colour blocking, where you paint the walls, ceiling, window frames and all, is in vogue – but choose the right colour for your cocoon (and get expert advice from an interior designer if you’re unsure). A more tentative step is a feature wall of wallpaper or tiles. “In bathrooms, don’t stop tiling at the top of the shower – go all the way to the ceiling, otherwise it looks cheap.”
Upcycle and recycle should be your buzzwords in these straightened times – and you’ll win in the sustainability stakes. “I hate the waste associated with builds, so I always recommend my clients sell their old kitchen, even for $1, as one person's trash is another person's treasure and saves on dumping costs.”
Finally, if you’re looking for an art update, shop directly from the artist or consider joining an organisation such as artmoney.com which helps you buy art and pay it off over time, interest free.
As featured in NZ Home & Garden July 2025 issue.
