A dated 1980s cottage with views to die for was the perfect project for this clever working mum. See the before and afters below
Meet + Greet
Jamie Lee Loader, 31 (executive assistant and renovator), Mason, 8, and Millie, 4, plus dog Beau
Honesty box
What was the biggest challenge of this renovation?
Finding balance between spending time with the kids and work.
How did you stay on top of your budget?
I always set myself a figure to work from, try to think of ways to save money along the way, and cut down on unnecessary items. But sometimes you have to get creative and change plans at the last minute!
How did you choose the right shade of white for your home’s interior?
I aim to find a white that is in the mid range between cool and really warm tones. Also it has to be similar to the linen and accessories I plan to use.
What’s your favourite way to keep an all-white interior from looking too stark?
I usually decorate with warm, earthy tones in furniture and accessories, and a bit of greenery here and there can make a big difference. Natural timbers usually make a room feel warmer, too.
Problems & solutions
No safety rail on external stairs and deck > Built a wooden balustrade to keep the kids and dog safe
Bathroom very dark and dated > Installed all new fittings and a large vanity to take advantage of the huge space
Several different types of flooring made the home feel smaller > Ripped out carpets and old cork floors and installed laminate flooring throughout
Budget
Kitchen $13,000
Bathroom $7000
Bedrooms, hall and dining $6000
Balustrades $5000
Paint and extras $3000
Landscaping $3000
Total Approx $37,000
Scroll down to see the before & after’s of the Picton renovation
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Painting the exterior a dark charcoal (Resene ‘Bokara Grey’) helps the house blend into its bushclad setting overlooking Whatamango Bay and Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui beyond. A fire bowl with matching chairs and a simple table setting were the only additions Jamie Lee made to the spacious upper deck.
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Deck before
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Deck after.
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Kitchen & living area before.
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Kitchen & living area after.
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Jamie Lee’s eye for clean lines and fiscal discipline have led to a fresh, airy interior with no “unnecessary extras”. She added a black tap, sink and rangehood to give her Mitre 10 kitchen an edge, along with industrial-style lights (Bunnings) and bar stools (The Warehouse).
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Living area before.
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Living area after.
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Bathroom before.
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Bathroom after.
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All three bedrooms as well as the living room open out onto the vast decks and simply stunning, uninterrupted views of Whatamango Bay. Past the bay, the Interislander ferries can be seen heading back and forth to Picton, which is just a 15-minute drive away.
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Floor plan.
Contact list
Plumber Grooby Plumbing, 027 572 8508.
Electrician Total Electrix, totalelectrix.co.nz.
Plants and garden supplies Selmes Nursery, selmesgardencentre.co.nz.
Supply shop
Furniture Farmers, farmers.co.nz.
Art Harvey Norman, harveynorman.co.nz.
Paint Resene ColorShop Blenheim, resene.co.nz.
Kitchen cabinetry Mitre 10 Blenheim, mitre10.co.nz
Words by: Sally Conor. Photography by: Daniel Allen
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