Renovations

The ground (and grandest) level in an historic townhouse has been transformed – turning the previously cramped and partitioned space into a free-flowing living-and-dining area

This home's coach house origins are retained mainly in the form of ruby brick courtyards – the reinvented interiors are a mix of 1960s-meets-contemporary elements and the outcome is a charming one

So you live next to the sea, but why not get closer? This renovation facilitates open connections to the water and also celebrates hand made

A three-storey extension is added to a compact Anglo-Italianate townhouse, expanding the living spaces and creating a restful, elegant place to come home to

Pantone has revealed its Colour of the Year, and it may not be quite what you expected. 

Kiwis are looking to spend on renovations. That’s according to Independent Economist Tony Alexander’s November 2020 Spending Patterns Survey, which shows more than 30% of respondents are looking to spend more on sprucing up their homes. This isn’t a one off. It’s been a notable trend in the monthly data post-COVID-19

Babe Ruth once walked the floors of this apartment but it's unlikely he would recognise it now. A transformative interior design interwoven with exotic wall treatments and artworks has given this riverside eyrie a rich, opulent air

Take a classic log cabin and add a contemporary addition – on top! See how the architects approached this tricky renovation move. The outcome speaks for itself

Along with a new guest house, this home has been comprehensively reinvented with only accents and the original floor slab retained. The new home boasts space, light and a character all its own

Part of a major renovation and extension, floor-to-ceiling sliders open the main living areas up to this rear deck which is sheltered from the street by the carport. Feathered slats on the carport soften its form and admit natural light while a pergola roof defines the deck area

Sitting behind this former shopfront facade is a new three-storey addition that prioritises sustainability and natural light 

A three storey addition and dramatic rear garden architectural spaces all work well together in this far-sighted and sustainable project

A classic sandstone cottage is opened up at the rear with a complementary yet contrasting extension in this light-bringing, sustainable renovation by Sanctum Design

This renovation's expanded interiors could have potentially lacked natural light. However with a section of roof removed and a skylight in its place, the home takes on a welcoming light-filled aesthetic

Not-so-little moves like appropriating and demolishing the next door house along with tucking another floor in under the existing roofline, were just two aspects of this makeover which has brought a grand-looking manor house back into its rightful glory. Another design move has future-proofed the house well into the future

Continuing the tradition of refurbishment of Auckland’s heritage housing stock, this renovation is a re-interpretation of the ‘lean-to’ form. Traditionally used as service spaces, the ‘lean-to’ here is re-cast as living space, opening the house up to the north facing backyard

A large circular mirror ties in with the rounded stone basins as well as other fittings in this renovated bathroom

The owners of this townhouse contacted Montreal architect Guillaume Lévesque for a unique renovation project. They wanted to transform an old 1880s duplex into a multi-unit and harmonise the original style of the building with a decidedly contemporary and uncluttered addition.

In a home renovation with plenty of timber finishes – the floor included – a little more has crept into this white kitchen's cutlery drawer. 

Opening the interiors up like a doll's house, this renovation and addition has transformed the owner's lifestyle, not least in terms of indoor-outdoor flow. The dramatic floor-to-ceiling bi-folds that make this possible are drawn to one side, out of sight. 

Same space, better flow 

Renovating for improved flow and modern functionality will destroy the delicate heritage of my home, right? Not if a professional designer like Donna Hunter becomes involved, as was the case with this fisherman's cottage renovation.

Internal glazing at the entrance to this bedroom means that natural light can spill into the adjacent corridor. A curtain can be pulled across when privacy is required in the bedroom

Hidden behind the original facade of a former shop is a beautifully considered family home. Discover how it manages to make a dramatic statement while treading lightly on the land

Here, we take a look at some of the things to keep in mind when beginning a home renovation

The renovation of this classic Victorian home celebrates heritage style and modern living with a beautifully refined palette and expansive extension out the back

Classic design meets a modern monochrome palette in this townhouse. See how a major renovation and custom-made furniture have created a home with timeless style

Featuring a carefully chosen colour palette, arched window frames and patterned brickwork, this home's new extension opens the interior up to the back garden in an architectural way 

This sleek bathroom by LSA Architects feels bigger than it is and a long vanity plays a part in that. Find out other aspects of this 'super-size me' renovation story

Following on from an upstairs rethink, this renovation opens up the ground floor of the home front-to-back with a deft reworking of the existing rear spaces

This home came out tops as our most popular renovation story of 2020. Step inside to see why. 

Ruby red brick and oh so pretty but if the ceilings are low and outdoor links limited then a solution is called for. Who would have thought removing a floor could add so much more?

An 1850s heritage sandstone coach-house is given a 21st century makeover that highlights its rugged origins

This architectural home with its over-aching roof forms and see-through heart is the result of a comprehensive renovation and extension – hard to believe the residence had its origins in the 1970s

For this bathroom and matching ensuite, antique penny rounds in the showers, artistic swirls on the Corian vanities and the choice of rose gold fixtures all combine to elegant, matching effect

Natural, textured materials give this renovated kitchen a strong connection not only to its wooded outlook but also to the rest of the home

A dramatic cladding rethink and manipulation of internal spaces, including raised ceilings, has brought this home a more contemporary sensibility

After living in their apartment for over a decade, this family of four decided it was time to renovate. The result is a practical home that uses colour to create separate yet connected spaces

Looks can be deceiving – that's definitely the case here. Hiding behind this historic villa's traditional facade is a much more modern home, thanks to its contemporary extension

This home renovation emphasises natural materials and sustainability with the wrap-around living area feature in recycled wood left over from the upgrade

After years of muddled renovations and ad hoc alterations, Bijl Architecture stepped in to overhaul this inter-war cottage

One highlight of this renovation was transforming the many small rooms into larger, light-filled spaces. Plus, as well as having a tree at its heart, the home is a zero-energy building

On a compact suburb site, this extension to a 1920’s bungalow seeks to provide new north-facing living space and a master 'retreat' area to a landscaped courtyard.

In this major renovation project, a narrow single storey addition sitting at right angles to the existing home, terminates in a large window framing the view of the pool and garden beyond

Creating a sense of space within a small footprint became the central challenge for the architects behind this project

Contemporary extension to traditional Californian bungalow in major renovation project provides large open-plan family living area, lap pool

It started out as a tired stone house and a number of outbuildings – but extensive renovation and additions has turned it into a character home that stays true to the original farmhouse style  

This indoor-outdoor entertaining space meets pool house features a semi-industrial palette and a rooftop terrace, while the new pool alongside has an eye-catching feature of its own

Around the corner from London's Hyde Park, two upmarket townhouse front doors open to a combined, transformed lux interior 

The interior design brief for this villa makeover was for modern spaces while maintaining refined character villa details and finishes for a warm, sophisticated and luxurious feel. The reinvented bathroom, kitchen and living space have all been transformed

A new home by the lake makes a statement but it is the interiors that really respond to the views – the dramatic great room in particular

Will working from home become the norm? If so, commercial addresses may well become more appealing as private residences. This transformative makeover provides inspiration

A major renovation project is not just a chance to replace a dated decor scheme – even more important is the opportunity to right the wrongs of the original space planning and circulation pathways

This white and wood kitchen in a new light-filled extension to a 1920s cottage melds into the wider colour palette, while standing out in terms of texture