Bespoke updates for two bathrooms in Belmont, Lower Hutt

Ready to move on 

The smaller the tile, the more excessive the grout. It may not be an adage but it’s a statement that rang true for Belmont homeowners Anna and Dave. The two bathrooms in their two-storey home had vanities with small square tiles that were a nightmare to clean; coupled with vertically mounted shiplap walls and tired flooring in the hallway and laundry, the property was dated past its true age by these design features. 
Anna and Dave were planning to sell their home and knew that the current state of their bathrooms wouldn’t be a tick in the right column for potential buyers. They wanted to update the designs, giving them a more modern look that would be attractive to buyers and raise their property’s value. To achieve this, they reached out to Refresh and were connected with Wellington Renovation Consultant Lia Boersma who would guide the couple through their bathroom updates. 

Strict deadlines

Anna and Dave explained their time constraints during their initial consultation with Lia. They had planned to work from their holiday home in the South Island for the duration of the construction phase but needed to be back in their Wellington offices in seven weeks. Therefore, staying on schedule was crucial. 
As for their budget, the couple had allocated $100,000 for the dual bathroom renovation and flooring update. For the concept and costings phases, Lia engaged her in-house interior designer, Tina Daisley. Together, they worked closely with Anna and Dave to refine the project scope, make detailed design decisions, and finalise the plans.

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Building begins

For the construction phase, Lia coordinated a team of reliable and experienced tradespeople, from electricians and plumbers to flooring specialists and expert tilers. However, almost immediately, the crew was presented with challenges, not ideal in any circumstance but even less so with such a strict deadline. 
Much of the house was constructed from concrete, and the existing shower was positioned on a concrete plinth with the plumbing built in. Quick-thinking Lia enlisted the help of a concrete specialist and together, along with the plumber and builder, came up with a solution to adjust the plumbing plans and avoid drilling any new holes which would have incurred additional costs and pushed out the finish date. Thankfully, the rest of the renovation went smoothly and the final product was delivered on the expected date for $105,000.

Designed to sell

Materials that were difficult to maintain have been traded in for chic, stylish, and easy-to-clean surfaces which have elevated these bathroom interiors ten-fold. Elongated subway tiles in a monochromatic blue palette create a tranquil ambience and are complemented by simple white vanity tops.
To enhance the light and airy feeling in the main bathroom, there’s a white vanity. However, a dark wood finish was selected for the vanity in the second bathroom as darker flooring was used. Warm, lighter timber flooring was installed in the main bathroom, hallway, and laundry which has done wonders to modernise the overall appearance of the home. Thoughtful design decisions such as heated towel racks; rounded, space-saving capsule showers; and streamlined batten lighting have certainly positioned Anna and Dave’s property attractively to potential buyers. 

Final Thoughts

Lia is proud of the outcome, citing the beautiful tile work in each room as her favourite feature. These fresh bathroom designs are a dramatic improvement on their previous appearance. But more importantly, Anna and Dave could return to their home on the scheduled date, back to work and ready to enjoy their new bathrooms. Until they decide to sell, that is.

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