Fulfilling a Family Home’s Potential in Strathmore Park, Wellington

The Initial Consultation

Many homes built in the 1940s suffer from inadequate bracing, but not this Strathmore Park home. While the property was rock solid in foundation and structure, the layout and functionality left much to be desired. 
The first bathroom combined a shower and laundry but was serving neither purpose particularly well. Combining the two resulted in a cluttered space. The shower was being used as a storage closet, forcing the home’s other, more compact bathroom with its basin, toilet and shub (shower over bathtub) to be the main facility. Meanwhile, a poor layout made the kitchen feel cramped and failed to fully utilise the floor space available. 
With a new baby on the way, homeowner Courtney reached out to Refresh Renovations to make the necessary home improvements and create a comfortable environment for her growing family.  

Cost Estimation and Scope Variations

Local Wellington Renovation Consultant, Mark Morrison, chatted with Courtney about her renovation goals. She wanted to give the kitchen a full makeover and create two functioning bathrooms, but had no idea what that would cost.
Mark reviewed the scope of the project and provided an estimate of $80,000. Courtney was happy to spend extra to upgrade the tiling and go for a high-end finish which increased the cost to $110,000. With all the details finalised, Mark brought in his Project Manager, Jean de Lauwere, to oversee the day-to-day developments when work began.

Kitchen Construction

After demolishing the existing layout, the crew installed extended cabinetry that wrapped around the corner of the kitchen, creating an L shape that takes better advantage of the space. The installation of a beautiful white stone benchtop and herringbone splashback, the result of Courtney’s decision to spend a little extra on selected features, elevated the design to the high-end finish she wanted.
Leaving the oven, fridge, and sink where they were avoided the need for costly plumbing and electrical work. The old gas stove was replaced with an oven and induction cooktop, and the sink and dishwasher were upgraded as well. Storage capacity increased with floor-to-ceiling cabinets taking up an entire wall. Once everything was in place, the crew salvaged the original timber floors by sanding and recoating them, making them look fresh and new. 

Building the Bathrooms

As with the kitchen, the builders stripped the bathrooms back to bare frames. Large sandy coloured tiles were installed in the shower along with a chrome rainfall showerhead. Directly across from the shower the team crafted a compact but well-appointed laundry area with a small basin, mirrored medicine cabinet with open shelving, a low-profile splashback, and a stone benchtop matching that of the kitchen.  
In the main bathroom, the crew replaced the shub with a built-in bathtub and covered the exposed bath face with white tiles that matched the splashback in the other bathroom. Next to go was the high-tank toilet, replaced by an Asher back-to-wall toilet. To complete the renovation, a small sink with a timber-faced drawer was installed between the toilet and bathtub. 

Final Thoughts

Courtney is thrilled with the outcome of this renovation. Even with the additional large storage units and ample bench space, the kitchen feels more spacious than before. The combined laundry and shower, and the powder room with bathtub, are both elegant and practical, providing exactly the functionality Courtney and her family need

Would you like to discuss your home renovation ideas?

Get in touch for a free consultation with your local Renovation Consultant.