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Here’s how to shop this Greytown home’s clever style

You loved the renovation story of this young Greytown family, so we’ve made it easy for you to get inspired and steal their style

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Steal their style: A young family’s inspiring Greytown renovation

After moving home to Greytown in the Wairarapa, Matt Calder and Alex Hutchings planned to settle into the 1950s house they had relocated to their section (their first foray into the property market). However, events did not unfold quite as they’d expected.

The pair had been living in Wellington before their move and both their jobs were still in the capital. The challenge of commuting an hour and a half to Wellington six days a week, and nights spent renovating, meant that family time was almost non-existent. The stress and exhaustion nearly broke them.

Eventually, Alex left her job in Wellington and began working part-time from home as a graphic designer. When her workload increased, Matt helped out with a few client meetings.

Realising he enjoyed the work, and desperate to change his commuting lifestyle, Matt left his job to help set up Alex & Matt Creative, an agency focused on graphic and digital design and media strategy. To come up with the capital to start the business, the couple decided to finish renovating their house and sell it for a profit. Their budget was fluid but the total cost of the renovation was around $160,000.

Steal their style

Piccolo teepee, $89.99, from Mocka. Eiffel rocking chair, $129.95, from Zuca. Project trestle desk, $390, from George & Willy. Concrete kitchen bench made by Deco Precasters, decoprecasters.co.nz. Carpet from Flooring Xtra, Decking timber from ITM.

Contacts

+ Bathroom fittings: Mitre 10 MEGA,
+ Drafting: Willem van der Laan
+ Electrician: Sparkies
+ Homeware:  Nood
+ Relocation: Brittons

Words by: Fiona Ralph. Photography by: Nicola Edmonds. Video by: Melissa Tapper and Lakshmi Beresford.

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