Coastal Cottage Renovation by Hayley Smith Architecture

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how Hayley Smith Architecture came to be? What first drew you to architectural design?

I started Hayley Smith Architecture because I wanted flexibility as a business owner and as a mum. I have always loved drawing, being creative and solving problems. My work today is mostly focused on affordable architecture and working on everyday homes with realistic budgets.

Architecture is not just for large scale projects. So much can be achieved with affordable solutions when you know where to focus. My husband is a builder and together we have designed and built our own homes and subdivisions. We understand the real costs of projects and what it feels like to be on the client side. This brings so much value to my work.


What did you set out to achieve with this space? Which design considerations shaped your approach?

This coastal cottage always had lovely street appeal but inside it felt backwards and disconnected. The kitchen sat in the middle of the home with the bedrooms and bathroom on either side. The spaces were small and dark and did not work well for everyday living or for having friends and family over. Our goal was to open it up and maximise the interior spaces and their connection to the outdoors.

We kept within the original footprint to avoid changes to the roof and foundations and opened up the living area. This involved removing key internal walls and relocating the bathroom to the other side of the house. We added a large deck that ties everything together. For the finishes we wanted the home to feel calm, warm and coastal.

When you are designing a space, what do you prioritise most?

How it will actually be lived in. How people move through the home, where they spend their time and what they need day to day. Then we design where it will make the biggest difference. In this house that meant spending on changing the internal layout.


Is there a part of this project you are especially proud of, or one you find yourself drawn to most?

How much the house offers for its size. It is only 70 square metres but it feels so much bigger. The open living area runs right out to the deck and there is room for a large dining table in the centre of it all. Every nook has been considered for storage and the roof space is full of storage too. The house works right to its limits and you can feel that when you are in it. It feels organised because there is space to be organised.

How did you choose materials and finishes that would work together throughout the home?

The kitchen, flooring, carpet and bathroom tiles all meet each other so it was important they worked together. The kitchen is Laminex in Mist and that sets the tone for the rest. I went into the Flooring Xtra team in Glenfield several times to lay out my palette. I also took samples home to check them in natural light.

You have to be willing to change your mind. I often try to go warmer with the flooring but sometimes it just does not work with the rest of the palette. Here I pulled back to a lighter oak and it was the right call.


What role did the flooring play in realising your vision for the home?

It had to look good and work hard for a family home. In the living areas we used Quick-Step Impressive in Classic Oak Natural. We use laminate a lot because it is waterproof and very hard wearing. It stands up well to kids and pets. The classic oak tone sat nicely with the kitchen and the rest of the palette.

For the carpet we chose Andes Peak in Patilla. My sister sourced it for one of our other projects and we have had so many compliments on it since. It has a loop finish that gives the texture you used to only get in wool and now nylon can do that at a much more affordable price. It is also hard wearing and easy to clean which suits the busy lifestyle of an everyday family.

Looking back, which single choice had the greatest impact on the way the home feels to live in?

Getting a building consent to remove internal walls. There were options to work within the existing layout and avoid the extra cost of a building consent. As an architect I pushed for a small consent so we could move walls and open up the whole side of the house. Working within the building code rules to avoid consent work can hold a project back and it can affect value at the end too. The consent let us do it properly and that is what changed how the house feels.


Where do you see flooring trends heading over the next few years?

I think products at every price point will keep getting better. Nylon carpets that give the texture of wool and laminates that look and wear well mean homeowners can get a quality finish without the high price. I think people will keep choosing lighter oaks that feel timeless and experimenting more with textures.