Designer Haven

HAMILTON EAST

Good design can make or break the perfect family home. But what do you do when you can’t quite find the right place for sale? You start from scratch with a big vision and an extensive renovation project.

When Alexander and Kristin Wastney got in touch with us about a Hamilton East house they were considering transforming into a family home, good design and sticking to budget were top of the priority list. And, of course, they wanted our help in understanding whether the project was viable before they decided to buy. But as with all projects, our first step was to understand the purpose of the property – which in this case was a long-term family home. Our focus was on understanding the needs of the family so we could design liveable spaces that fit the brief.

Right from the start, the project was alive with inspiration. The couple are the powerhouses behind Designwell and their interior design expertise ensured there was no shortage of ideas. Our focus was to bring the project to life within budget while honouring the objective of great design. From a practical standpoint, at times, this also meant challenging expectations and initial plans. The result? With a boardwalk connection to the street and a darkly clad exterior, the home is a contemporary haven that fits perfectly into the established suburb of Hamilton East. The open plan living area that flows seamlessly into the large flat section behind the home, makes it easy for Alexander and Kristin to relax while keeping an eye on the kids playing outside on the trampoline or running around on the grass. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home, which Alexander describes as ‘humble’ is a testament to what can be achieved with a big vision and a well-executed design process.