Chatty Chums: Inside Sophie’s Personality-Filled Renovation

Tell us a bit about your home — what drew you to it in the first place?

I bought our home in late 2018 when I was 26 years old. It's not a romantic story at all! At the time, I was working full-time and felt trapped and hopeless at the thought of working 9–5 for someone else for 40 years. Motivated by Robert Kiyosaki, I was desperate to get on the ladder to achieve financial freedom sooner rather than later. The options were few and far between back then, and this one was the most “normal”-looking home, so I snapped it up.

What was your vision for the space? Did you know exactly what you wanted, or did it evolve as you went?

I was thrust into a full home renovation after Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc on the house. The roof leaked, and we lived in a leaky, mouldy home for a year before we could start construction. I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted it to feel modern yet lived-in and to show a bit of personality. I got my Master’s in Architecture at the University of Auckland, so I leaned on my creative streak to design something that looked good while still being budget-friendly.

Featuring furniture and decor from Soren Liv: Marcel Buffet, Elle Lune Coffee Table, Rufus Bookends, Hanson Nova Vessel. Plus, Ceramic Sphere and Object by Milka Zaleska and Marble Incense Holder from Pompeii Home.

How did your architectural eye influence the renovation process — were there moments where that training came in handy?

I didn't pursue architecture as a career, as the 14-hour days in front of a computer weren't quite the lifestyle I wanted for my extroverted personality. At university, we were taught how to self-teach, so it became a process of research and experimentation until I figured out what I liked and didn’t like.

The design challenge was to showcase a bit of personality without falling into the “Millennial grey” trap or going for an “all-white” approach. At first, I was obsessed with a latte and burgundy kitchen, but I thought it would be too polarising if I wanted to sell in the future. I wanted my kitchen to have colour without being tied to trends. It needed to be a timeless palette that I wouldn’t get sick of.

My eureka moment was going for brown walnut tones mixed with lighter, natural wooden textures to keep the home neutral and cosy. Walnut has become a big trend recently, but at the time it felt like a bold choice to go for a faux timber aesthetic in deep brown. Pinterest helped me get a sense of what resonated with me design-wise, which I’d describe as Scandinavian. But it wasn’t until I started researching available products that I could make pragmatic decisions to stay within budget.

What were the biggest design priorities for you?

Striking a balance between quality and not overcapitalising. There were a lot of sunken costs on boring but necessary things like a new roof, new walls, new ceilings, a retaining wall, and re-doing our uneven floors. My home is an ’80s build, so a lot needed a complete overhaul. I didn’t want to compromise on elements that create ambience, like lighting, or on things we touch frequently, like tapware, light switches, and flooring. It was such a hard task to make something look expensive on a budget.

Featuring furniture and decor from Soren Liv: Hanson Dapple Vase, Rufus Indra Shallow Bowl Set, Jules Dining Chairs.

What was important to you when choosing your flooring?

After a lot of research and talking to many people, I knew I wanted to go for a high-quality laminate because I wanted it to look like timber and be water- and scratch-resistant. I have two dogs, so durability was a huge factor. I went for the Quick-Step Impressive in Natural Varnished Oak, as it wasn’t too orange, red, yellow, or grey. It’s a natural, neutral tone that pairs really well with my walnut cabinets. Whether it’s a lip liner or flooring, I love a perfectly neutral brown that doesn’t lean too warm or cool.

Featuring decor from Soren Liv: Rufus Hedra Bowl.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?

Being a girl with expensive taste on a lean budget! I’m sure many can relate to this conundrum. We were also living in the home while the renovation was happening. Living in a construction site is stressful and unnerving, as contractors are constantly in and out. It gets dusty, you’re living out of suitcases, and as new problems resurface and work gets delayed, it completely takes over your life. We had to do the renovation in stages to manage costs, so it’s been a long two years. We still have our downstairs bathroom and laundry, the exterior, and landscaping to do.

And my goodness, the analysis paralysis of choosing what to go for! There are a million shades of white, grey, and neutrals, and so many things to consider, like how each texture and colour will pair together. I put so much pressure on myself to get it right and went through countless palette combinations and layout iterations before making a decision. Renovations are such a huge investment that one wrong choice can potentially ruin the whole room. It’s not the same as choosing the wrong MAC lipstick shade. For example, if I hadn’t checked on my tiler in time, the corners in my kitchen would’ve haunted my dreams. The things that make a space look immaculate are all in the details. I still kick myself over small things like the electrical socket layout in the kitchen, but now I know for next time.

Is there a detail or design element you’re particularly proud of?

I really love the bathroom. Even though I don’t appear overly feminine, I’m such a high-strung girly girl who loves a relaxing beauty ritual, and the bathroom really is my space. I wanted it to be a tranquil environment where I could wash off the day’s stresses, and it does exactly that. It’s such a relaxing room with its four lighting options and matte tiles.

The kitchen is “the party,” so I went for a glossy tile with subtle undulation to give it that artisanal, handmade effect. My fiancé is the chef in our relationship, so the kitchen is his creative space. I’m constantly cleaning up his bombsites! I absolutely love how the bold, dark walnut kitchen turned out despite the doubt and scepticism I received. I’m so glad I stuck with my vision.

What advice would you give someone about to start their first renovation?

Do your research, ask questions, and reach out to your contacts in the architecture and property industry. I’m hugely grateful to my friend Mel, who is a senior architect, as she helped me so much with my decision-making when I was overwhelmed with all the choices. She also taught me a lot about details to watch out for. I also got a 30% developer discount on my kitchen cabinets through a friend who is a property coach. Working with good people makes a huge difference — not only to your sanity but also to your bank account.