Bathroom + Interior Renovation – Oratia, West Auckland

The Brief

Sam + Dani came to us with a home that wasn't quite working the way it should. The bones were good, but some spaces had lost their way over time – layouts that didn't suit how the family actually lived, finishes that felt tired, and bathrooms that needed a serious upgrade. They weren't looking for a cookie-cutter renovation. They wanted something with personality, something that reflected who they are, while still being practical and well-built.

The Challenge

Working within an existing home always brings its own set of puzzles. Coordinating trades and suppliers while the family continued to live there required careful staging and clear communication at every step. Lead times on some of the fittings meant we had to plan ahead and stay flexible. And where new work met existing structures, getting the details right was critical – rushing those junctions would've shown, so we took the time to do it properly.

The Design

This project was all about character – and a lot of that comes down to Dani, who handled the interior design herself. It's not often you get a client with that kind of eye, and it showed. She chose the wall colours, sourced the fittings (including some playful drawer handles she tracked down in London), and pulled together a vision that's bold without being chaotic. She also found the suppliers for specific elements – including Ecodure Flooring, a NZ-owned company whose award-winning DuracoreSilent acoustic flooring now runs throughout the home, and Tonic Tiles, who supplied the striking Italian marble-look tiles used in the bathrooms.

The main bathroom became a real showpiece – deep teal walls paired with marble-look tiles and brass tapware create a space that feels luxurious but still grounded. The freestanding bath sits beneath a window dressed with hanging plants, and the custom dark timber vanity features playful dinosaur-shaped handles that make you smile. A walk-in shower with a rain head, hand shower, and recessed niche completes the space.

The powder room went in a completely different direction – bold black walls covered in a yellow lightning bolt pattern, an art deco fan mirror, and a matte black basin with brass tapware. It's the kind of room that makes guests do a double-take (in the best way).

Throughout the rest of the home, we refreshed walls in a palette of soft sage greens and greys, and enhanced the flow between spaces. The raked ceilings with exposed white beams were retained and celebrated, while a curated gallery wall now runs along the hallway and into the living areas – full of colour, texture, and personal touches. A large built-in bookshelf anchors the living room, giving the family plenty of space to display books, records, and the kind of collected objects that make a house feel like a home.

The Result

The finished home feels cohesive, considered, and unmistakably theirs. Every room has its own identity, but they all hang together – tied by Dani's consistent colour palette, complementary materials, and thoughtful details throughout. The bathrooms are standouts, but even the smaller moments (like the warm timber staircase) show what happens when you take the time to get things right.

For Sam + Dani, this renovation wasn't just about updating surfaces – it was about creating a home that genuinely suits their family and reflects their personality. And walking through the finished spaces, that comes through loud and clear.