Renovating your bungalow or villa can be daunting. Many bungalows and villas are in relatively original condition and need to be brought up to modern standards, with particular attention around improving their energy efficiency. It is common for homeowners to worry that they will lose the unique character of their home when they renovate. However, with careful planning this can be avoided and homeowners can enjoy the benefits of their upgraded home. We consulted the experts to get their views on both traditional and contemporary styles and how you can achieve both without destroying the character of the home.  

Ceilings & Walls - Rebecca Diprose, di Rosa

When renovating the inside of a bungalow or villa, the big question is if to keep it traditional, or take a more modern approach to the renovations. This is particularly important when considering what products to use on your walls or ceilings.

Ceilings
Traditionally a lot of timber was used on ceilings, timber beams, or plaster mouldings and ceiling panels. Nowadays you can still create this same look but using more modern products. Aluminium ‘pressed tin panels’ can be used to replace the original plaster mouldings and panels. Timber is still used, but perhaps in a lighter shade or even bleach washed. Timber beams are a popular option, but modern day GIB can be used in between the beams painted a shade of white to help lighten the room. A more contemporary feel can be created by using GIB with large traditional cornice mouldings. Or GIB and battons can be used to create a ‘board and batton’ look, painted in neutral colours with modern, flush lighting.
Walls
Walls have a lot of options to consider such as wallpaper, paint, tongue & groove look, pressed tin panels. Also decisions regarding if you line the wall right up to the ceiling, or make a feature by doing using one product up to dado height, and then a different product from there up to the ceiling.

There are modern products available nowadays to create these looks in an easy manner eg, Hardies board can be used to create the tongue & groove look (rather than traditional timber tongue & groove), all sorts of different ‘3 dimensional’ appearing wall papers can be used, aluminium ‘pressed tin panels’ painted any colour you like, to name just a few. In villas you may choose to use a plain or simple product on the walls (eg, GIB) if the ceiling is quite busy, therefore keeping just one feature in the room.
Dado Features
Dado height features are a good way of bringing in some texture onto a wall which can often be a large blank area (eg, in hallways). Products used can be tiles, wallpaper, hardies board or pressed tin panels. For example, you may choose to do pressed tin panels or tongue & groove look up to dado height and then keep it plain or a wall paper above this, with a feature rail at dado height. This can help break a room and add a bit of character.

It is important that any addition or renovations to your bungalow or villa is in keeping with the rest of the house. There is no right or wrong if you choose a more modern look, or keep with a more traditional look – as long as there is a flow through the house and a consistency.

www.dirosa.co.nz

Wood Flooring - Jemima Piesse, Forte Flooring

Original bungalow or villa style homes typically have solid tongue and groove floorboards made from native timbers finished with a glossy varnish. Since most NZ native timbers are quite soft, the average villa floor in its original state is aged and worn by many years of use. When renovating you can choose to restore the existing floor, replace it completely, or overlay the existing surface with a new floor. This generally comes down to the condition of the original floor, what look you are after and of course how much you are willing to spend.
Replacing the existing floor is not recommended as it can be very costly and it is highly likely that you will come across other problems during the process. The original floor can be restored but this is only recommended if the floor is in very good condition with little or no borer, rot and/or mould. Should repairs be necessary, finding a match for the timber can be timely and expensive. You will also need to think about the colour of the floor - original villa floors are commonly orange or red tones, are these going to match the interior style of your renovation? If not, you may be able to get the boards stained or bleached, although note that many native timbers do not take a stain well so best to check with a professional.

Most often, the quickest and easiest option is laying a new floor over the existing surface. If a real wood floor is your preference, we highly recommend an engineered type as opposed to a solid wood floor as it is much more stable. Most suppliers have a 12-15mm option available which is ideal for overlaying. For those on a tighter budget or concerned about durability, a laminate floor could be the perfect option. Laminate flooring is generally between 7-12mm thick and perfectly replicates the look of a real wood floor. It has an incredibly hard melamine surface which is highly resistant to damage, whilst being much less expensive than real wood and available in a wider range of colours.

When choosing a floor colour, consider the size of the rooms and the amount of sunlight they get. Avoid using dark colours in very small spaces with little light, as it will make the room look gloomy and cramped. Lighter coloured flooring is best in small spaces as it maximises light and makes the room feel larger. Should you plan to keep with the traditional style of the villa, we recommend you choose an aged or rustic-look floor in a natural colour. For a more modern style, choose a floor in a lighter shade with less knots and feature, which makes for a look of serenity and spaciousness.

www.forteflooring.co.nz

Kitchen Tips - Toni Roberts, Kitchen Architecture

There are two schools of thought in deciding on a particular style for a new kitchen in a bungalow or villa: either work entirely with the home’s architectural character repeating key detailing or go the polar opposite with a contemporary even minimalist styled design. It is entirely personal.

One thing owners of traditional homes consistently do request however, is a timeless design that integrates the practicality of ‘now’ technology in all its function, yet holds a visual look that is welcoming, homely and connected.
For us here in NZ there is a lovely refinement of the traditional kitchen that I have found suits our more relaxed kiwi lifestyle. It is what I call the “New Classic” (or Transitional look). This is where some of the classical rules of symmetry, balance and order are applied and a clean paneled doorstyle incorporated; yet contemporary handles, materials and surfaces are specified. In this bungalow extension (below), modern elements are introduced to the kitchen’s balanced form with square cornicing, frosted glass inserts and by selecting the crisp Resene Black White for the cabinetry doors.
If owners prefer a more authentic connection with their typical NZ bungalow or villa, an assessment of existing architectural elements throughout is usually considered.

Here in this home (below), a central focal point around the Aga stove begins the symmetry then Black Totara timbertops on shaped posts grace the island. As in both these designs, colour palettes are often nature inspired with dirty creams and off-whites, while a mix of dark and light doors is proving equally striking. Sometimes as in this example, the lacquer may be over-painted with a wash to give a hand-crafted and worn patina.

Villas and bungalows tend to comfortably welcome the more country-cottage styling too. Yearning of ‘homeliness’ and a relaxed lived-in aesthetic, elements like open shelving, plate racks, exposed wicker baskets, colonial cornice trims and tongue and grooved panels, all contribute to the timeless style.

The more recent Urban trend blends touches of metallics (raw steel, copper) and rusty surfaces into the classic style for an industrial loft aesthetic. Introducing statement pieces such as pendant lighting and barstools into this style can help define the overall look yet be easily changed.

And while the visual appeal is one of the ‘first impression’ impacts of a kitchen’s design, it should embrace all the benefits of modern technology, be a dream to cook in, flow effortlessly and ooze a sense of space within. It is likely going to last a long time after all.

www.kitchenarchitect.co.nz

Wardrobes - California Wardrobes

When creating wardrobe storage in a Villa or a Bungalow the first step is planning the layout ensuring there will be enough storage space to meet your needs. Will you be thinking about a traditional reach in wardrobe or a more modern walk in wardrobe?

Make sure when planning the internal space of your wardrobe that you have allowed for both short hanging ¾ hanging and long hanging clothes. Allow for enough shelving to accommodate items of clothing that do not need to be hung. Ask yourself if you would prefer flat shelves or sloping shelves for footwear or maybe you prefer shoe storage in another area. Do you require a belt rack, a tie rack, trouser rack or a high lift mechanism that will enable you to utilise the space up high that you would normally not be able to use. Choose sizes of drawers that allow for the types of clothes you wish to store. Finally when choosing the style of the doors, make sure they match in with the existing style already installed within the home.
Colour choice is important. White internals whilst they are fine for a reach in wardrobe, covered behind closed doors, may not be suitable for a walk in wardrobe that is far more visible. Coloured board or a woodgrain board may be more aesthetically pleasing. If you find you are unsure contact an expert, they will be more than happy to help.