Perfect timing in the property market, meant that interior design student Ginny, alongside builder husband Chad, found a character home in central New Plymouth to put their own stamp on. After selling their first renovation project and putting in an offer on the villa all in the same week, the rest is history.

The vision for the 1930s property was to create a home to champion the traditional villa front façade. Ginny and Chad also wanted to maximise aspects of modern living as you walked through the space. “As you walk down the hallway, we wanted the original villa to open up to an open plan kitchen, dining and living space,” explains Ginny. “We wanted it to feel like a light, fresh and relaxing space to be in with a great connection to the outdoors. An oasis to have that holiday-at-home type feel.” Thanks to a thoughtful renovation driven by Ginny and Chad’s clear vision, they captured the best of both worlds.

It is important for a successful renovation to have a builder engrossed with your project - all the easier when it is family! With Chad and his brother at the helm of Chad Niwa Building, they set to work on the renovation full time.“They need to be on board with what you’re trying to achieve,” she noted, “and it helps to have selected as many of the finishings before work commences to get an accurate gauge on price. Choosing quality fixtures and fittings that you appreciate everyday will always be money well spent.” For five months the focus was the interior so that the family could move in as soon as possible.

Ginny’s attention to detail is evident throughout the home. The oak tones of the timber flooring in the living space mirror the soft beige of the wool loop pile carpet used in the bedrooms. The chunky loop carpet design contrasts with the sleek timber planks. It also provides a grown up palette for the modern nursery. Topped with the Ombo rug, this elegant room will with stand changes in décor and furnishings as Indi grows up.

The mix of traditional and modern aspects within the home are evident, all the while carrying a high standard of quality throughout. The wool loop pile is then revisited in the form of the Nebraska rug that defines the living space. “We wanted to bring in some softness to this part of the room. The rug ties the spaces together and offers the cosy feel of wool that you can’t look past,” says Ginny.

Credits
Who: Ginny & Chad Niwa
Where: New Plymouth
Photographer: Helen Bankers