Cute-as-a-button cottage on a Wainui farm

Article by Your Home and Garden

Plenty of pink, a dash of mint and a whole lot of imagination have transformed this old ballroom into a fully functioning, cute-as-a-button family home

At a glance

Who lives here? Kaitlin Chapman, owner of kaitlinchapmanmakeup.com and Hello Darling Prop Hire; Jamie Robertson, mechanic, Stella, chocolate lab Chevie and Cavoodle Petal.

Homeowner Kailtlin’s makeover secrets

Paint, paint, paint is what Kaitlin suggests for an easy home transformation. A fresh coat of paint gave her home a totally new lease of life as well as defining areas in the open-plan space. Since this photoshoot, Kaitlin has painted all the window frames white, replacing the previous dark-stained wood. It’s made a massive difference in helping the space appear larger and allows the view to shine through without distraction.

Fossicking in second-hand stores and op shops is a great way to hunt out old furniture that can be transformed with a lick of paint. Over time Kaitlin has accumulated quite a large stash of wooden chairs, armchairs and occasional chairs, which she has restored. Rather than letting them gather dust, she puts her collection to good use, hiring them out (along with other styling items) for weddings and parties through her Hello Darling prop-hire business.

Words by: Debbie Harrison. Photography by: Helen Bankers.

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Kaitlin and Jamie’s house interior is the perfect example of mix and match: new and old.

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Kaitlin has a thing for chairs and unearths them from everywhere. This pink chair was a $5 op-shop find. The chairs in the sunny dining area were upcycled with a lick of paint – in pastel tones, of course.

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Kaitlin Chapman, owner of kaitlinchapmanmakeup.com and Hello Darling Prop Hire, Jamie Robertson, mechanic, Stella, 3, chocolate Lab Chevie and Cavoodle Petal.

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Kaitlin groups together items of all sizes and types to create her gallery-style art wall. Prints, framed art, cards and garlands all make the cut.

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The DIY open shelving was a cost-effective option for the kitchen, but also allows Kaitlin to put her pretty crockery collection on display.

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Kaitlin created the bathroom vanity from an old table of her mum’s; she painted it a cooling mint and says it set the tone for the rest of the styling in the house.

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The cute-as-a-button playhouse is as practical as it is fun.

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A pegboard wall makes storage and hanging items a breeze, and it’s simple to lock and leave.

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It can be adapted as Stella grows, becoming a teenage hangout in future years.

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“Stella has her little Needle & Nail letterbox outside and the whole family write her letters. She’s definitely making memories in that playhouse”

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A white base throughout this small home creates cohesion and allows the fresh colours of the furniture and furnishings to ‘pop’. Wardrobe space is limited so Kaitlin and Jamie whipped up a few racks using supplies from Bunnings and added lots of baskets to the mix.

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Kaitlin had the candy-floss pink headboard in the master bedroom custom made and reports that Jamie has never minded the colour. “At the end of the day, all he cares about is a good night’s sleep – so I get free rein over the linens!”