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How to: Build a stylish family home on a budget

May 31, 2018 1 Comment

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Inspired by grand old Queenslander homes, but adapted to suit life in cooler climate New Zealand, this family home took just six months to build and came in on budget which as many of you will know is no mean feat. Inhabited by a young family of four, the build included many DIY elements to help keep costs down. From upcycling furniture to landscaping themselves, Rachael and Andrew Gowling (of Lover Dreamers) have plenty of experience in sticking to a budget, without sacrificing on style.

The home's exterior
The home’s exterior

โ€œOur goal with the design of this beach house was to create a practical and functional space for our family, whilst maximising the beautiful ocean view. We wanted to create an environment that felt calming, relaxing and cosy. We love entertaining, so a lot of consideration went into our living areas and a big focus went into the indoor-outdoor flow of the house,โ€ says Rachael of the home that is located just north of Auckland and was designed by the couple in collaboration with their architect and builder.

Rachael in her kitchen
Rachael in her kitchen

The financials
First up, Rachael recommends that you really do your homework before engaging a builder. โ€œThere can be many hidden or unknown costs with new builds. Finding a builder that will give you a fixed priced contract can save a lot of money and headaches,โ€ who believes it’s possible to get a bespoke finish on a budget.

Master bedroom
Master bedroom

โ€œIt is possible to achieve an architecturally designed house within a similar budget to a group build company. Itโ€™s just a matter of finding the right builder. It may take a bit of time to find the right builder but the end result will be worth it. This gives you a lot more freedom in the design of your home to achieve a home that is going to suit your needs without paying a fee every time you want to alter a group floor plan design,โ€ says Rachael who also recommends choosing an architect that your builder is comfortable working with to make for a smoother process.

The hanging chair was bought in Australia and carried in Rachael's hand luggage to New Zealand
The hanging chair was bought in Byron Bay and carried to New Zealand in Rachael’s hand luggage

DIY
โ€œOnce the house was complete there were many DIYย jobs we enlisted ourselves to do,โ€ says Rachael who landscaped the garden as well as upcycling furniture including a 2.5 metre dining table bought for just $70.

The dining room features a DIY upcycled table
The dining room features a DIY upcycled table

โ€œUndertaking the very labour intensive job of landscaping included creating a landscaping design plan, moving over 10 tonne of soil and rubbish, clearing the site, preparing garden beds, building and painting fences and our letterbox, rolling ready lawn, building a clothes line area, creating pathways, and planting 325 plants and mulching. It was extremely hard work, especially with two little kids in tow, but they loved being involved in the landscaping too,โ€ says Rachael.

Rachael has a word of advice on the landscaping front and that is to make sure you have the right tools. โ€œI would never again attempt to complete the landscaping without the right tools and equipment! This resulted in over 10 tonne of dirt being dug with a shovel by Andrew!โ€ says Rachael.

Lounge room
Lounge room

Styling
โ€œTry not to buy too many styling items before you move in. Itโ€™s always a good idea to get the large items in place first and then decide on the smaller items as this way you achieve more of a cohesive look and will find you wonโ€™t over-buy things that you figure out later on, you don’t actually need,โ€ says Rachael.

Child's room
Boy’s room

โ€œStyling and furnishing your familyโ€™s home doesnโ€™t have to be expensive. There are many cheap, quick and easy ways to use furniture paint products out there now. Itโ€™s amazing what a quick coat of paint can do to an old and tired looking piece of furniture. The results can look fantastic without breaking the bank. Take our dining room as an example!โ€ says Rachael.

Girl's room
Girl’s room

โ€œI mostly seek out a bargain. There are many furniture and homeware items in our home that I had my eye on for months and waited until they came on sale. I also love finding old furniture to upcycle and give a new lease of life to. There is nothing we own that is really high end. We have young children and I donโ€™t want to be too precious with them about ruining expensive items. I always want our home to be homely and to be lived in,โ€ says Rachael.

Be wary of trends
โ€œSpend money on items that are important to you. After all, itโ€™s your house! However, my suggestion is beware of the latest trend as trends come and go. Choose your long lasting, permanent fixtures carefully. Kitchens, bathrooms and flooring for example are very expensive items and should be chosen carefully as they need to last many years are often too expensive to change. I like to keep the tones neutral in kitchens, bathrooms and flooring and spend a little more on quality products to ensure longevity,โ€ says Rachael.

The custom designed reclaimed barn door was one of the build's special splurges
The custom designed reclaimed barn door was one of Rachael’s splurges

โ€œAs trends come and go you can easily change your wall paint colours, add feature wallpaper, change your furniture and soft furnishings to add colour or to change your style or look of your house completely. That is a much more cost-effective way to update the look of your home over time,โ€ says Rachael.

Photography: Helen Bankers (courtesy of NZ Your Home and Garden magazine)

For more | 10 tips for managing your reno budget

 

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Comments

  1. AvatarClaire Groves says

    June 5, 2018 at 12:14 pm

    Love this build! I am wondering whether you could please tell us where the dining chairs are sourced from? They’re gorgeous with the upcycled table ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

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