Life + Style - 5 November 2021

A house they are proud to call home.

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life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015 5November November, , 2021

A house they are proud to call home

Michelle and Andrew Skipworth know all too well what a difference a day or two can make.

Along with their then two-year-old son Liam, they were due to move into their new Cambridge home days after lockdown.

But their Classic Builders project manager pulled strings and ensured their new home was ready significantly earlier, and they moved in on March 25, 2020, spending the first night of lockdown in their lovely new house.

“What a difference that made,” say the couple.

Lockdown obviously meant homebound, so their time was spent unpacking and excitedly dressing their home. Andrew, with his young sidekick, also dedicated days to landscaping, adding to the overall beauty of the property.

The year 2020 was an interesting one for the couple. They completed the build of their new home and moved in, came to terms with lockdown, and then along came July, and Olivia. The Skipworths added a daughter to their family.

“It was a busy year, so we really didn’t need any new-build stress in the mix,” says Michelle. “And we didn’t have any thanks to the Classic Builders team and subcontractors.

“The experience was absolutely great. We were so pleased with our project manager and the whole lowstress experience.”

Selecting Classic Builders to create their second home was a well-researched decision. Andrew and Michelle say it was important that the building company they chose really understood what they wanted. They spent time with a few building companies, and Classic Builders came up trumps.

“We wanted a company that would be really genuine and partner with us along the way,” says Michelle. “We were really up-front about our need to have everything chosen and priced before we signed anything, as it was important for us that there were no surprises.

“Classic Builders was totally on board with that.

“No assumptions were made of us, they just listened and seemed excited to do the build.

“Everyone we dealt with made us feel like we were doing this together and they were on our side.”

The result is a design and build project they are “very, very proud” to call home. Spanning around 260m2, the home is clad in black-painted brick with a smooth finish, and dark brown cedar. It features a four-bedroom wing, with bathroom and en suite, an open-plan main living wing and an interconnecting area that’s a family room opening to the outdoors.

There’s also excellent indoor-outdoor flow from the main living zone, and a portico feeding off the kitchen area adds wonderful entertainment possibilities. A bi-fold window ensures it’s simple to pass food out from the kitchen to the barbecue area.

Smart thinking ensures the double garage includes room for bikes and other toys, as well as two vehicles.

Michelle is also fond of her separate laundry with its wet-room vibe. All is as it should be!

These happy homeowners are more than happy to recommend Classic Builders.

“When people ask us about our build, the first thing we mention is that the people were awesome – from the salesperson to the design consultant, to the project manager,” says Michelle.

“It felt like a great partnership and everyone we met through the process were lovely, communicative and obviously good at their jobs.

“We also noted that the Classic Builders team had a really great relationship with their subcontractors.

“The subcontractors all spoke highly of the company and that came through strongly.

“We found that encouraging, as we felt if they were really happy doing their job then they were going to do a very good job for us.”

Michelle adds that she’s not sure if this will be their forever home.

“There’s nothing I would want different to what we have built here,” she says, “so I can’t imagine what a replacement would look like.

“It’s at least our 10-year home. If we do build house number three then we would definitely look to talk with Classic Builders again.”

05 0 8 4 C L AS S IC C L AS S IC BU IL D E R S .CO.N Z

21 August, 2015 5November November, , 2021

to your home For many Kiwis, weeks spent in lockdown staring at the same four walls has highlighted an urgent need for a refresh.

The arrival of spring is the perfect time to crack on with sprucing up your home.

Here we share six easy ways to rejuvenate your home décor, and the good news is these simple tips also add value to your property.

1. A fresh lick of paint

Whether it’s inside or out, nothing improves a home more than a fresh coat of paint. However, be careful in your choice of colour. Neutral shades and pastel colours are timeless and make your home look bigger and brighter. Plus, these tones will appeal to a broader range of potential buyers when it comes to selling.

2. Power-wash your house

If a full house paint is not an option, the next best thing is to power-wash the exterior.

After all, spring cleaning doesn’t just have to be indoors. Include decks, driveways and fences and you will add value while ensuring your home sparkles.

3. Freshen up your kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of every home, and it’s possible to create a whole new look without taking on a complete renovation.

Something even a novice DIYer can do is replace kitchen cabinet doors and handles.

Upgrading old laminate or tile counters with modern granite or quartz is not as

expensive as you might think. These simple changes will create a more modern, sleek look that also appeals to potential buyers.

4. Upgrade the bathroom

It’s a similar story in the bathroom. Perhaps your bathroom is looking tired and dated.

Small changes like updating fixtures, vanity units or toilets, replacing tiles, and adding a modern mirror will brighten any bathroom.

For the final touch, add some luxurious new towels and a humidity-loving calathea or snake plant.

‘. Spruce up your outdoor ar ea

What Kiwi doesn’t love a barbecue and a get together with friends? Get ready for the summer entertaining season by brightening up your outdoor area with colourful pots of spring flowers.

Installing outdoor lighting in flower beds or to light up pathways gives your outdoor space instant appeal, and staining your timber decking will provide it with a whole new lease of life.

š. Revamp your garage

Is your garage a bit of a messy dumping ground? Now’s the time to get organised.

There are plenty of inexpensive storage shelves and cabinets to maximise the space and get rid of clutter.

While you’re at it, why not give the garage floor a new coat of paint? Your local DIY store will have a wide selection of special acrylic paints for garages that are sure to make yours shine.

Article courtesy of Loan Market

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5November November, , 2021 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015 After

Inspiration in A home renovation project can be as cathartic as it is stressful.

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Given she was looking for a fresh start, it was exactly what Michelle Anderson needed.

The 37-year-old interior designer had just moved to Tauranga from Auckland last year when a two-bedroomed townhouse at the end of First Avenue overlooking the harbour came on the market.

“It was such a cool project,” says Michelle. “I had come out of a longterm relationship, moved to a new town, and ended up taking five months of work to renovate this place.

“I wasn’t just rebuilding a house, I was rebuilding my life. Cam Milne from Salt Projects was like my therapist as well as my builder!”

Problem solving

The two-storey home was the epitome of style in the early 1980s, but it hadn’t been touched since. A lack of maintenance and the elderly owner’s love of large fruit trees meant there was extensive water damage and very little natural light.

“You literally couldn’t see the house for the trees,” admits Michelle. ““It was so dark inside – dark floors, awful carpet, brown doors and no light coming in through the windows.

“We ended up removing five tonnes of orchard from this tiny property. The

garden was really overwhelming.”

Multiple leaks had developed over the years so all of the interior GIB had to be replaced, which revealed many rotten timber beams.

“I was surprised the house was still standing!” says Michelle, who put her exceptional problem-solving skills to good use and could immediately see the potential on offer.

After ripping up the patterned carpet and brown vinyl flooring, she enlisted the help of Grind King in Judea to polish up the concrete floors that lay underneath. They’re now a stand-out feature against walls which are painted Resene Black White, and the dark carpet which begins at the foot of the stairs.

Michelle redesigned the kitchen to make the most of the small space. A kitchen bar has been created on one side for people to sit and enjoy a glass of wine, while an over bench pantry, flat cooktop and under bench oven create clean lines and plenty of space.

Michelle opted for a white-on-white look to create a light, airy feel. Thanks to A1 Kitchens in Fraser Cove, she now has a classy space for a very affordable price.

Other budget-friendly choices included her bathroom cabinetry, sourced from Placemakers. It’s simple, but when paired with a white bowl sink on top it looks a lot more lux and expensive than it really is.

5November November, 2021 21 August,, 2015

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Tauranga renovation She also decided to keep the existing aluminium joinery in the conservatory and simply replaced the glass with double glazed panels.

“That’s a really good option for keeping costs down,” says Michelle.

Getting multiple quotes was also key. “I got three or four quotes for pretty much everything. The price quoted for new window joinery varied enormously, so it was worth shopping around. In the end I went with Glenn’s Glass and Aluminium, who did a fantastic job.”

The final result

Upstairs, two equal-sized bedrooms have high stud ceilings and generous wardrobes. Michelle chose to install white blackout roller blinds instead of curtains to keep the walls clear of clutter and make the rooms feel as big as possible.

Other highlights include a double glass shower in the bathroom with moody black tiles, and new electrical ports throughout the home where you can plug in USBs as well as regular appliances.

“It’s important to think about how your home will function and what needs to go where,” says Michelle.

A new garage door has also been installed and the exterior painted with Resene Half Ironsand.

The overall effect of the whole renovation (which took five months

to complete) is a smart, executive feel to match its location in the heart of Tauranga’s CBD. “It definitely feels like a trendy innercity pad now. I’m currently looking for tenants and I’m really pleased with the final result.”

Prior to moving to Tauranga, Michelle spent 16 years working as an interior designer in both Auckland and Sydney. She specialised in commercial and retail fitouts including bars and restaurants, before moving into the high-end residential space.

This property on First Avenue is actually the first renovation she’s undertaken on behalf of herself and other family members. Having now been through the process as a co-owner, she doesn’t believe you can or should work full-time and manage a renno on this scale without a professional interior designer or project manager to co-ordinate things for you.

“If you want it done on time, and on budget, then a bit of effort is required,” she says. “You need time to shop for the best products, at the best price, with the best availability. You also need to engage the right sub-trades and then actually line everything up so your schedule goes to plan.

“It’s no small task. At the end of the day you want to be able to step back and enjoy the finished result, whether it is for yourself or your client.”

Jo-Marie Baker

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Update your blinds for summer

life+style The Weekend Sun 215November August, 2015 November, , 2021

ADVERTORIAL

Bay Blinds manufacture blinds that are stylish, versatile and are proudly made by their local team.

With Summer coming, it’s important to keep the heat out and protect your furnishings against UV rays, and the team at Bay Blinds are ready and waiting to discuss your options.

“Our sun filter fabrics have earned their popularity by keeping the glare of the sun out and allowing light in, while they effectively block heat and UV,” says Bay Blinds’ Greg Adams.

“Our Venetian blinds are another great option that offer so much versatility for control of light, privacy, airflow and filtering of harsh UV.” But if you’re looking for blinds for a different purpose, the team can help.

Bay Blinds specialise in roller blinds, Venetian blinds and vertical blinds.

All of these blinds are very popular, and they have lots of different fabrics and colours to suit individual styles.

Add a wifi hub to your remote motorised roller blind order so you can be sitting on the beach and check in at home on your phone to see if you lowered your sun filter blinds before you left. If not, one swipe and all your blinds can be dropped down to ensure you are keeping out the UV. Alternatively, you can control the blinds when away from the holiday home, keeping heat in or enjoying a bit of a sleep in on the weekend with pre-

set blind rise times.

And don’t think you can’t have blinds operating at the touch of button in an existing home. Modern battery-operated motors can now be fitted into blinds installed in any home. For those with little ones running about, the child-safe feature of having motors and no cords or chains is an absolute must.

The Bay Blinds factory showroom, located at 8 Maleme Street, Greerton, is open to the public, with hundreds of fabrics, styles, colours and blinds on display.

The team manufacture a range of products and offer free, no-obligation quotes to custom-make to your exact requirements.

The team have more than 40 years of combined experience, and customers can rest assured that they will give the best advice, every time.

Their pricing is very competitive because they sell direct from their factory and there is no middleman.

Their quotes are also all-inclusive, meaning they include all items that are required to get your blinds fully installed.

For your free in-home consultation, the team can bring the showroom to you and give you a price on the spot.

Make sure you look at their textured fabrics, as blinds are no longer the plain option they once were.

For more information, visit: www.bayblinds.co.nz or pop in and see the team at 8 Maleme Street, Greerton.

NEW YEAR, NEW BLINDS We’re rapidly approaching the new year and with it, the beautiful but harsh New Zealand sunshine.

With three types of lightfiltering fabrics available, our roller blinds can help provide a protective barrier against UV exposure.

• Sunfilter - blocks out heat from UV without compromising your view.

• Blockout - provides evening privacy and helps keep the sunshine outdoors, while providing thermal efficiency.

• Lightfilter - A higher degree of light diffusion than the Sunfilter fabric but allowing more light in than the Blockout blinds.

Our local team specialise in motorisation, perfect for those who want to control their blinds with just a touch of a button! Contact us today.

Call for a free measure & quote

0800 229 254

Visit our showroom at 8 Maleme Street, Greerton | www.bayblinds.co.nz

5November November, 21 August,, 2021 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun ’

Spa pool Ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns and a lack of overseas travel mean more of us are investing in spa pools than ever before to create a resort in our own backyards.

Spa pool sales have boomed in the past 18 months as people seek to soothe their bodies and minds and entertain the kids without leaving home. It’s not uncommon for people to have both a swimming pool and spa pool side-by-side, as we treat ourselves to a little year-round luxury.

There’s no doubt a hot tub is great for all ages, and it will certainly add value to your home or Airbnb property. There are many different ‘looks’ now available. So what factors do you need to weigh up?

Choose your features

You can opt for a traditional spa pool or, if your budget and space allow, install a swim spa which will double as a gym membership.

These longer spas have swim machines and jets to create resistance while you swim.

Some even have underwater treadmills for a low-impact workout!

Your budget, and how many people you want to fit inside the spa at once, are the most important considerations, along with how much physical space you have. Spa pools can be as compact as 1.8m x 1.8m, while large swim spas extend over 6m x 2m.

A small spa pool for two-to-three people can cost as little as $5000, but larger, more deluxe models will set you back $30,000 or more.

Each make and model boasts different features, including hydromassage jets, LED

light displays, waterfalls and Bluetooth enabled sound systems, so work out what features are most important to you before you go shopping.

Location

You will need a level and structurally sound surface. A spa pool filled with water and people can weigh several tonnes – grass, sand or dirt isn’t recommended as the ground may sink or shift and damage the spa itself. A suitable deck or a 75-100mm thick reinforced concrete pad will provide a solid foundation.

Each spa will also have an equipment compartment for electrical components.

You’ll need enough space to allow the door of this compartment to open, and for you to remove and store the cover of the spa while you’re soaking in it.

Ideally you want to avoid debris or grit getting into your spa, so consider where you’ll be walking to reach the hot tub. Is there grass, sand or gravel nearby? Your spa will also need to be delivered, filled and occasionally drained, so your chosen site needs to be accessible and appropriate.

Running costs

Electricity costs to keep your spa pool warm will vary depending on a number of factors: how well insulated your spa is, how tightly your cover seals, your general climate and temperature, whether your site is windy or exposed, what sort of base your spa is sitting on, and how often the spa is used.

As a general rule of thumb, a cheaper, low-quality spa pool will cost more to run in the end, so it’s worth paying more up front to minimise your running costs long-term. A spa can cost as little as $1 or as much as $5 per day.

“Treat yourself to a little year-round luxury” For an average family-size spa in Tauranga, you can expect to pay an extra $60-$80 a month in electricity.

Site preparation

Before your spa is delivered, you’ll need to have a flat, firm base installed. This will often require a low deck area to be built, or a concrete pad to be poured.

If you’re planning to put the spa on an existing elevated deck, check with a qualified builder or structural engineer that it’s strong enough to hold the spa’s weight.

You will need an electrician to hook your new spa up to your power supply, and also buy a back flow preventor from a plumbing store to fit to your garden tap so you can fill the spa with a hose.

Don’t forget to advise your insurance company that you now own a spa – it is a valuable item!

Taking delivery

Your spa will be delivered and installed by your spa pool supplier, but you’ll need to check access before they arrive.

Walk through the exact route they’ll need to take on your property to make sure it’s not too narrow for the spa. Remember, it cannot bend around corners!

Check all gates, bay windows, garden boxes, dog kennels, low roof eaves, overhead wires, protruding meters or gas boxes, trees and shrubs.

Move items or tie back any overhanging branches accordingly.

Solutions can usually be found for ‘difficult’ sites, but it may require extra manpower or equipment and add to the cost, so discuss this with your spa pool supplier beforehand.

Jo-Marie Baker

November, ˜˛˜° life+style The Weekend Sun ˜°5˝ August, ˜˛°˝2021

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Contact us today to find out how we can build your dream home, your way.

Office/Showroom: Cnr 16th Ave & Fraser St, Tauranga | Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm* *Dependant on Covid 19 restrictions

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