Notes from
the studio
Fifty years of working on Auckland homes teaches you a few things. This is where I write some of them down: what a renovation really involves, how to keep an old house feeling like itself, and how to spend your money where it counts.
Renovating an Auckland heritage villa without losing its character
Auckland is full of beautiful old houses owned by people who don't want to live like it's 1910. Here's how I think about it.
Interior design and project management: why a renovation needs one point of contact
Renovations rarely fail on the design. They fail in the gaps between people. Here's how I keep those gaps closed.
Downsizing your Auckland home without giving anything up
A smaller home, done properly, can feel more luxurious than the big one it replaced. The trick is all in the planning.
Double-glazed aluminium joinery with a heritage look, by the sea
Salt air makes the call on the coast. How to get the heritage window look with the practicality of aluminium.
How much does an interior designer cost in NZ?
From about $80 to $400+ an hour. What you pay, how designers charge, and why an experienced one can save you money.
What does a villa kitchen renovation cost in Auckland?
From a simple door swap to a full rebuild that can reach $200,000. What drives the number, and why to get quotes first.
The interior design rules I actually use (and the one I break)
60-30-10 colour, layered lighting, scale and proportion, and 80% timeless to 20% trend. The rules I use, and the one I break.
More writing on the way. If there's something you'd like me to cover, tell me when you're in touch.