Life + Style - 20 November 2020

Saving Tauranga’s oldest hotel P4

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life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°20 ˜˛°˝ 2020 ˜˛August, November, ˜˛˜˛ A grey main colour matched with a white feature colour.

An exterior refresh Staring at your weathered 70s brick home and wondering how to up its street appeal can be an overwhelming experience.

Refreshing a house’s exterior doesn’t have to equal a major re-cladding project though – sometimes a few smaller changes will do the trick.

So whether it’s for your own home or a house heading to market, here are some cost effective ways to make an old build leave a contemporary impression.

Accenting features

An art Deco style house built in the ˜°˛˝s, befor e.

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A fresh lick of paint is an obvious approach when it comes to updating any part of a house.

But, you don’t necessarily have to paint the entire house to achieve a modern exterior look.

Neutral tones and are in, so taking a deep charcoal or dark, earthy brown to the eaves, doors and windows can elevate your housefront view into 2020.

Clean lines are a popular aesthetic, and can be emphasised through painting the gutters and trims the same colour.

For classic 70s and 80s homes, it’s common for the garage door to be at the front of the house – double points if it’s on a bottom story wall that’s a different colour than the top half.

Being such a prominent feature, painting the

After.

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garage door your feature or house colour can work wonders, as minimising the amount of colour used creates the illusion of a larger exterior.

A new look

If you aren’t intimidated by the mammoth task of painting your entire exterior, black, white and earthy colours are a modern option.

White and light colours are effective at making your home look bigger, and make a statement when paired with contrasting feature shades.

Featuring multiple colours can have the opposite effect – especially when blocks of clashing colours and different materials are used on different sections of the house.

As well as creating a sleeker look, using a minimal amount of colours unifies different materials, so a brick home on top of a concrete basement looks less disjointed.

Painting brick

Owners of brick homes – the painting option includes you, too.

Painting over your multi-coloured brick with black or white can transform your home into a bold statement piece while achieving a clean, current look.

It’s a practical option that provides an extra layer of protection from the harsh outdoors, and an easier surface to clean.

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˜˛ November, ˜˛˜˛

life+style The Weekend Sun ˙ Using neutral colours and clean lines throughout the front yard creates a modern, cohesive look.

“Breaking the mould is a great way to update the look of your home”

underestimated, and it pays to keep in mind that returning brick to its natural look after it has been painted can be a tricky task.

Landscaping

The composition of the front garden can assist with creating a straight-line design aesthetic, by painting features like garden beds, and raised wood or brick edges, to match the feature colour.

Extending out a classic border garden and experimenting with different shapes, like hexagons and circles, can make the front garden interesting for the eye line.

The old rule is that the garden should match the design and era of the house, so a cottage garden should feature fragrant flowers, fruits, and veggies.

However, breaking the mould is a great way to update the look of your home. So why be restricted, when you can plant a tropical garden filled with elephant ears and birds of paradise outside an art deco-style house?

Nature-fying concrete

Pot plants are low maintenance way to bring life to your street view, especially for those without a front

lawn to work with.

Rather than committing to a massive landscaping project, something as simple as three identical pots in a row that match the house feature colour can tie in greenery into the overall look.

For this, a buxus microphylla (box variety) or yucca are hardy options to withstand Tauranga’s warm climate.

Another trendy no-garden, garden option is having planter boxes attached to the fence (hello again, straight lines), and planting them with fragrant herbs or bright berries.

Fresh fence

When talking street appeal, one must consider the fence – it’s often the first thing people see from the street, and can help make everything inside the border pop.

Therefore, painting your fence your feature or house colour can be the bow that ties it all together, by showing cohesion throughout the entire front yard design.

If looking to replace your fence, timber is a great option for cost effectiveness and design flexibility, while aluminium louvres and coloursteel fencing is durable and modern.

A modern fence.

A modern entrance.

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˜˛August, November, ˜˛˜˛ life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°20 ˜˛°˝ 2020

Saving Tauranga’s oldest hotel When The Commercial Hotel was rebuilt in 1918 following a fire two years earlier, newspapers described it as ‘Tauranga’s most fireproof building’ thanks to its concrete foundations and double-layered brick walls.

The original staircase’s makeover.

It may have been ‘fireproof ’ but 102 years on, 105 The Strand wasn’t up to earthquake standards following the Christchurch earthquake.

In hopes of saving Tauranga’s oldest standing hotel, Sarah Meadows and Matt Young, who own a backpackers inside the building, purchased 105 The Strand in 2019.

Sarah and Matt signed themselves up for a massive earthquake strengthening project, and gave their backpackers, now called Wanderlust NZ, a re-brand while they were at it.

“Being able to preserve a bit of Tauranga’s history is a great feeling. Many locals have memories of this place,” says Sarah.

“It was a massive undertaking but somehow we managed to pull it off, and it looks incredible.”

Earthquake proofing

The ˜˝˝ year old Robin Hood Boiler.

Matt Young and Sarah Meadows at the opening of Wanderlust. Photo: MacKenzie Dyer.

New Zealand’s Quietest Heat Pumps

Laying new foundations under a pre-existing building required old-school manual labour.

“We couldn’t use machinery, because having petrol fumes inside the building is a health and

safety risk,” says Matt.

“We dug up 80 tonnes of dirt by hand and removed it with wheelbarrows, going more than a metre under the floor and 300mm into the water table. We raced the incoming water while digging with our hands.

“Doing this allowed us to back fill that space with concrete so the original foundations could sit on top.”

The building was reinforced with 300 tonnes of concrete and steel through the doublelayered brick walls, connected together using 2,500 Helifix ties, spaced at 600mm.

“The building is like a giant pin cushion, ensuring that no bricks will come loose during an earthquake.”

To help its structural soundness further, 12 new walls were erected.

Into the future

When it came to navigating the building’s century-old quirks, Arrowsmith Builders were up to the task.

Construction manager Logan Basham says getting an old building to comply with modern standards was the biggest challenge.

“From electrical to fire compliance there’s plenty to consider. For old-building projects, I recommend engaging with a building company early on so they can work alongside the designers and engineers, to help the process run as smoothly as possible.”

In 102 years, the fire-safety strategy has

˜˛ November, 20 2020 ˜˛˜˛ ˜° August, ˜˛°˝ The Commercial Hotel in the early ˜°˛˛s.

life+style The Weekend Sun ˝

Wanderlust today

Photo: Supplied, source Tauranga City Library.

“We’ve brought the staircase back to life with a fresh coat of paint, and by powder coating the original metal railings.

It looks beautiful” gone from building with brick and concrete, to automatic fire doors and smoke screens, which create a safe route out of the building.

“We’ve kept a lot of the original rimu doors as fire doors because they’re so thick and heavy, they meet the required 60 minute burn time,” says Matt.

Unearthing trinkets

Sarah says many hidden treasures were found throughout the renovation.

“We found lots of glass bottles and animal bones under the building but there were some gems too, like a beautiful piece of totara.

“Inside, we found lovely old wallpaper and windows that had been panelled over.

“We upgraded our water heating system from a 100-year-old Robin Hood boiler. It’s huge and very inefficient, but I think it will make an awesome fire place.”

Waterproofing

A stand-out feature of 105 The Strand is its large balcony that overlooks the Tauranga Harbour.

To protect the decking area from the outdoor elements, Matt and Sarah enlisted Alpha Waterproofing & Roofing Ltd. “We installed a waterproof membrane, which improves the durability and the look of the area,” says director Les Hepworth.

“It only took a few days to complete the job thanks to fine weather. If you’re looking to waterproof, now is the perfect time to get in touch as we head into sunnier days.”

Preserving History

Sarah and Matt worked with Heritage NZ throughout the renovation process, as 105 The Strand is a Category Two heritage building.

Therefore, certain elements of historical significance had to be preserved, including the building’s centrepiece staircase.

“We’ve brought the staircase back to life with a fresh coat of paint, and by powder coating the original metal railings,” says Sarah.

“It looks beautiful.”

Balancing old and new

It may be a historic building, but Sarah and Matt still wanted to create a modern space that sparks a sense of adventure.

Bright murals of sea life by artist Erika Pearce swim up the walls around the staircase, and more beachthemed wall art, like a flamingo on holiday in the lift, features throughout.

Sarah and Matt completed all of the interior and exterior painting, with help from backpackers staying at their sister business in Mount Maunganui.

“Some people who helped us along the way came back after doing some travelling, and can’t believe what it looks like now,” says Matt.

“It’s a phoenix from the ashes.”

MacKenzie Dyer

Commercial Alterations, Maintenance & Fit Outs Earthquake Strengthening, Remediation & Reclad

07 576 7303

arrowsmithbuilders.co.nz

Commercial Alterations, Maintenance & Fit Outs Earthquake Strengthening, Remediation & Reclad

07 576 7303

arrowsmithbuilders.co.nz

The art continues in the elevator.

During the renovation.

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˜˛ November, ˜˛˜˛ life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°20 August, ˜˛°˝ 2020

Hand making bedheads A headboard can change the entire look of your bedroom – from improving composition and balance by adding height, to turning the bed into a visually pleasing statement piece.

Finding the perfect headboard for the size of the bed and the style of your bedroom can be tricky, not to mention pricey. So get creative with cheap and easy, DIY alternatives.

The pallet headboard

For fans of rustic chic, a wooden pallet headboard is a simple way to elevate a room – a good sanding and a fresh coating is all you need.

Embrace its natural look by using a stain, or get creative with a paint colour that suits your room’s style.

To create more of a centrepiece, use different varieties of recycled wooden planks together, assembled in a row or pattern.

A solid piece of wood is an even easier option to sand and stain, and is a great way to bring warmth into a room.

Cosy bedhead

Upholstered headboards with matching fabric or statement buttons are all the rage at the moment, as they perfectly balance soft cosiness with luxury looks.

While spending upwards of $600 makes sense when buying an elegant room addition, a DIY version can be made for less than a third of the price.

Start by purchasing a piece of plywood that is about an inch smaller than your desired headboard size, and

that doesn’t have a strong, treated smell that will keep you up at night.

Staple on enough foam to cover at least the front, and about two inches over the plywood’s edge (tip for the frugal: not covering the back is a coin saver – less fabric means less spend). Foam mattress toppers are a great size and thickness for this, and are very cost effective.

Buy enough fabric to cover the foam and staple it onto the back of the ply, followed by stapling the front in a pattern to form even gatherings of fabric.

Sew on statement buttons onto the front staples, and voila.

Smart shelving

A headboard that doubles as statement shelving can open up a world of decorative possibilities – from showing off your favourite books to becoming a place for plants.

Whether you’re refurbishing shelves from the op shop or finding a new space for shelving you already own, the shelf-headboard can be a very wallet friendly option.

For safety, leave some room between the bed and the shelves, and ensure all of your display trinkets are secured.

Paint perfect

If stability or available space are a concern, ditch a furniture bedhead all together and paint one on the wall instead.

From half-moons to geometric shapes, a wall painted headboard creates the effect of the real thing, while providing total design freedom.

MacKenzie Dyer

˜˛ November, 20 2020 ˜˛˜˛ ˜° August, ˜˛°˝

life+style The Weekend Sun ˘

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˜˛ November, ˜˛˜˛ life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°20 August, ˜˛°˝ 2020

Laundry space savers If mundane day-to-day life had a mascot, a pile of washing would make a good candidate.

But facing the never ending cycle of washing, ironing and folding can be made a little better when doing so in a pleasant and functional space.

Creating this can be tricky because even if your washing machine doesn’t reside under the kitchen bench or in the corner of the garage, chances are the laundry is still the smallest room in your home.

Making the most of the laundry space you do have can have a positive flow-on effect throughout the whole house by keeping the mess of washing in one designated place.

Here are some ideas to make your laundry a winner for workability, with no space wasted.

The right washer

Choosing the right washing machine for your laundry space can make a huge difference to improving its layout.

Top loaders are a great height without needing to be elevated, but utilising the space above them is not an option – which may explain the growing popularity of front loaders There are many ways to maximise space

with a front loader. They can sit above or beneath a bench, dryer or shelving. Front loaders tend to be smaller than their top loading counterparts.

Two for one

Ditching the dryer for a two-in-one washer and dryer combo is a great space saver.

True to their name, these frontloading appliances wash and dry clothes in one unit, and can switch between functions without intervention.

While the wash function is comparable to a standard front loader, reviews say the drying cycle tends to take longer.

Maximising storage

The same storage rules that apply to kitchens and wardrobes work for laundries, too: being able to see and reach items is key to a tidy and functional space.

So, opt for drawers instead of deep cupboards wherever possible, or section deep cupboards with smaller containers so everything can be easily accessed.

Cabinetry that uses the height of the space creates storage, and makes the room look bigger.

For example, a to-the-roof pull out compartment (like a pull-out pantry) would make a great place to stow away

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life+style The Weekend Sun 9

Tips for a space-saving laundry cleaning products, while still keeping them handy.

Door-less cupboards

For high-up components, open and shallow shelving makes everything visible and easily accessed.

Open shelves are also a great place to stow away washing baskets, so washing is kept close to amenities without cluttering the room.

Hanging out, folding in

If you’re short on shelving, consider installing connected, fold away amenities, such as an ironing board or clothing rail.

Back walls are storage waiting for a clothing rail or hooks to be attached.

Create a workspace

Leaving as much space as possible for a clear workbench is an important feature when it comes to keeping laundry contained – even if it’s just enough room for a soaking bucket or to fold a shirt.

If a permanent bench isn’t possible, a fold away trolley that can be stored flat, or a fold-up bench connected to cabinetry may be doable alternatives.

Doubling as décor

Having things in the laundry that are purely decorative may help it look nice,

but are impractical when space is tight.

Turning necessities into décor is an easy way around this. Choose laundry baskets, coat hangers and containers that complement each other to make the laundry look cohesive, right down to the tub tap.

Putting laundry powder in matching glass jars with cork lids, wooden pegs in glass containers, and using woven storage baskets can create a warm, rustic look without creating unnecessary clutter.

Brighten up

Letting in as much natural light is the best way to make small spaces appear larger.

If this is not possible, having a variety of other light sources at different levels (such as the addition of bench lights and lamps) can help extend the look of the space.

Space creation aside, the chore of laundry will seem much less dreary in a bright and inviting room.

Sliding doors

You can create an extra square metre of space in any room by opting for a sliding door, which is nothing to be scoffed at when dealing with a small area.

Not having to wrestle with a swinging door will help the laundry feel more open, by freeing up the entryway.

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˜˛August, November, ˜˛˜˛ life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°20 ˜˛°˝ 2020

Katikati kitchen in the running for award A new kitchen in Katikati in the running for an international renovation award.

It features in the Best Kitchen category in the Refresh Renovations People’s Choice Awards, going head to head with other kitchen revamps from Australia, the US and UK. The home is an old schoolhouse situated on a kiwifruit orchard. The kitchen’s large windows overlooking stunning views provided the perfect backdrop for a new renovation.

“The final result was fantastic,” says Refresh Renovations renovation specialist Peter Jenkins.

“We managed to keep it in-line with the rest of the house and its combined coastal, orchard and rural environment.”

Heart of the home

Before

While the owners have completed renovations and extensions over the decades, the kitchen remained in desperate need of an upgrade before going on the market.

When it comes to adding value, the kitchen is the best place to renovate says Refresh Renovations renovation specialist Danielle Renee.

“With the goal of market in mind, we aimed to modernise the kitchen quickly and on a tight budget.”

The entire renovation cost $30,000.

Fresh Floors

Danielle says the original kitchen tiles were “horrible”.

“We replaced them with new kauri flooring that matched the rest of the house.

“The wooden floors are probably the highlight of the entire renovation. They tie it all together.”

Bright white

Trends come and go, but the white kitchen remains.

Looking at the Katikati renovation, it’s easy to see why – trading dark wooden cabinets for white ones has expanded the entire space.

White benchtops beneath large windows bounce the light around and highlights the warmth of the kauri flooring, creating an inviting space.

Before, the kitchen cupboards came out further than the oven. Paired with their dark colour, this made the kitchen feel bulky and boxed in.

“There was a lot of home DIY that had been done, so nothing really lined up.”

Having new cabinets that align with the appliances is easy on the eye, and creates more floor space.

The original plan was to use engineered stone for the benchtops. But with their budget in mind, the home owners opted for laminate instead.

“Benchtops are a great place to compromise when it comes to budget, as changing materials can save you a significant amount of money.

“Laminate is a cost effective, durable option.”

Functionality focussed

Maximising space and improving functionality was a priority.

“The last kitchen wasn’t functional at all, and not very big for a five bedroom house.

“We did lots of nifty things with the cabinets to maximise space, like installing a pull out pantry where you can see through both sides.”

Voting for the Refresh Renovations People’s Choice Awards is open until November 23.

MacKenzie Dyer Vote, here: https://bit.ly/3khRE3X.

˜˛ November, ˜˛˜˛

life+style The Weekend Sun °°

Decorating tips for small spaces With house prices continuing to rise more people are purchasing smaller homes to get onto the property ladder.

Using space e° ciently

Defining living spaces

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Whether it’s a tiny home or a studio apartment, defined living areas will help create a sense of privacy but it’s important not to block out light or make the space feel smaller.

A solid room divider is an obvious choice but a decorative screen that lets light through will achieve the same effect without making a room feel claustrophobic.

A wooden partition with slats or a laser cut wood panel is a great option and with laser cutting the design options are endless. You could choose an intricate filigree, leaves or simple line work.

To define a bedroom space putting a standalone cupboard in a light colour in front of the panel will give privacy and precious storage space.

Build Tiny

Making the most of every available space is important to decrease clutter and keep your home tranquil.

Walls are an untapped resource in a home, they’re great for hanging art but in a small area they should be used for so much more.

Ensure the kitchen has overhead cupboards that extend to the ceiling and use the space between the bench and cupboards to hang things. Buy a magnetic knife holder or hooks to avoid having a knife block on the bench taking up space. Storing appliances in cupboards where possible will also keep the area tidy and clutter free.

Installing shelves in awkward spots and using them for books or small trailing plants like string of pearls or chain of hearts is a great way to add interest. Hanging planters are another way to achieve this - with a variety of options from glass ball hanging planters to macrame there is something to suit everyone’s style.

Choosing furniture that has more than one use is always a good idea in a small space.

A custom made couch or a bed with drawers underneath is a great place to store linen and utilise what would otherwise be dead space.

You can also try using a stylish side chair instead of a putting a table at the end of your couch.

Then it can double as an extra seat when guests come over.

Mirrors are multi-taskers, not only do mirrors ensure that you look good they can also make your rooms look brighter, bigger and better. For a small room a framed mirror will open the space and serve as a focal point.

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Studio apartments, compact homes and converted containers are increasing in popularity and just because it’s small doesn’t mean it can’t be modern or feel spacious.

Here are some tips for decorating small spaces to make them feel as large as possible.

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