Villa Restoration

Project Objectives

  • Restore to former glory
    Identify features that should be kept, restored, and treasured.
  • Lighten the interior
    Combine colour and lighting plans for maximum effect.
  • Increase road appeal
    Accentuate a gorgeous detailed façade to be admired from the road.

When Jaz approached us for help with a new renovation project, we had no idea of the enormous design project we were about to embark on with her.

As the house was to be renovated to sell, everything was to be thoroughly planned out to get each section of the project completed on time for the August marketing deadline. Our game plan was to get all the structural plans, colours, new kitchen and bathroom plans and fixtures decided upon, ordered and ready to go, so that once the villa had been moved to its new spot, we were ready for action!
Setting out to to restore this home to the original splendor of the era she was built in, we firstly marked out all the definitive classic villa features that were to be kept, restored, and treasured. These included the original kauri floorboards, stunning wide skirting boards, classically carved hallway pillars, brass light switches and original grand fireplace.
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Admired From The Road

At the first site-visit my eyes lit up at the stunning bones of a turn of the century villa in need of some serious TLC. Inside and out, the villa was tired, neglected, and screaming to be restored to its former glory.

The house was sitting on a rear section and Janice had big plans to move it forward to the front, elevated section, where it’s gorgeous detailed façade could be admired from the road.
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Lighten Up The Interior

To lighten up the interior, the colour scheme was to be easy on the eye, warm, and fresh. The Resene colours ‘Quarter Tana’ (a soft, fresh green) and ‘Quarter Ricecake’ fitted the bill perfectly. This soft, classic French feel was to be continued throughout the house. Every decision, from style of tapware to the kitchen splashback tiles, the cabinetry, and style of lighting involved keeping to our ‘classic villa’ brief.
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True Vintage Chic

New wardrobes were built in the bedrooms that lacked storage to mimic the detailed, battened style of the original wardrobes. In one of the bedrooms, slightly uneven walls meant that wallpapering would be a better solution to painting - so we brought back the dado rail for a classical, balanced wallpaper divide. The stunning ‘Maison’ wallcoverings embodied true vintage chic with their romantic hues, hand-blocked style and tempting textures. Surface printing imparts a bespoke charm across the non-woven designs, embracing floral trails and beaded stripes.
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Family In Mind

For the kitchen, we chose with care and splashed out on the 40ml stone bench, more expensive than marble and granite but we felt the serviceability with a family in mind was worth it. This was complemented by a soft blue hand-painted ceramic mosaic splash-back, and quality Italian tapware.

The Outcome

This design process was a delight to undertake as it proved such a refreshing change from the contemporary homes screaming for injections of character and soul. In this case it was about enlivening an old soul which had been kept in the dark for some time. Welcome back you beauty!

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  • Thank you for the absolutely amazing job - the place looks fabulous. In fact, it's so good that we've sold already! Many thanks!
    Jo
  • From the moment I made my initial enquiry through to the day the furniture was removed the staff at The Look were a pleasure to deal with. Kate was very approachable and listened to my ideas, translated them perfectly and added her special touch, I couldn’t have been happier.
    Melanie, Takapuna
  • I have to admit I was initially skeptical about home staging, but the results are just superb and worth every penny. Congratulations again on a great job.
    Richard, Titirangi
  • I would just like to say thanks so much for such a fabulous job you have done on staging our house. You have completely transformed it and I can't believe it could look so fantastic. This has by far been the best money I have spent on the house and it makes the house look like a million dollar property.Thanks again and I will look forward to using you next time.
    Wick
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