This family gave their Hamilton rental a major makeover for $3400

Article by Your Home and Garden

Vintage finds picked up for a song and old furniture revamped with paint give this family home a cool, arty style

Meet + greet

Tash Stokes, 26, Arie Stokes, 31 (photographers and co-owners of Black Robin Photography), Ruby, 3, and George, 1, plus Bobby the family pooch.

Thanks to a unique agreement with their landlord this creative couple was able to turn this tired rental into a fresh family home. We chat to Tash and Arie about their highs and lows and get a full budget break down.

Where have you saved money? Tash: Not doing anything structural to the property.

Where have you splurged? Not many areas!

What was your best buy? The Karen Walker Blanched Pink paint on the office feature wall. It has such a beautiful tone.

Best memory in your home? Bringing our new baby home and starting life as a family of four.

What would you never do again? After removing wallpaper in every room of the house, I will never put wallpaper up, ever!

Best lesson learned? Take your time with prep work; it always shows in the end result.

Gallery | 11 Photos
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Top Tips

Shop secondhand; there are some great op-shops in Hamilton.
Refurbish old furniture.
Start collecting. You never know where you’ll come across something that will fit in with your home. Sometimes it’s an op-shop, sometimes it’s a big chain store, so always keep an eye out.
Change things around. Don’t live with things looking the same for too long; keep it fresh. Shop in your own home! Ask yourself what you could move to make the space look new.

Budget

Kitchen
Paint: $300
Vinyl for splashback: $200 Lighting: $100
Styling: $150
Living room
Paint: $250
Shelving and desk: $150
Carpet restretch: $250
Styling: $150
Bathrooms
Paint: $150
Bedrooms Paint: $450
Styling: $450
Home office
Paint: $300
Landscaping $500

Total: $3400

See more of the rental home below

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Old wallpaper and dated paint colours have been replaced with fresh white walls throughout the house.

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Open shelves in the Stokes’ home display the finds Tash has thrifted – it’s her favourite way to buy homeware. The tablecloth is from EziBuy and the highchair is from Farmers.

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A new vinyl splashback, updated lighting and a lick of paint were the only changes needed in the kitchen.

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Arie created a series of bespoke shelves to display family photographs and other treasures, including a collection of vintage cameras.

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The master has a minimalist style.

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The children’s rooms are fun and playful. The bed is from Ikea with bedding from H&M or made by Tash.

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Ruby’s room has a reading nook with cushions from The Warehouse, a canopy from Numero 74 and a revamped bookshelf.

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Tash made the bunting in George’s nursery, the chair was found on the side of the road and restored, and the book basket is vintage.

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Tash and Arie run their wedding and portrait photography business, Black Robin Photography, from an office connected to the garage. A bright, white space, it works for both photo shoots and client meetings.