RENOVATION ON OAKSHOTT ROAD

A labour of love; From derelict to dream home in Te Awamutu

This Oakshott Road project is especially close to our hearts — it was our first family home. When we first bought the property, it was in a derelict state, but we saw it’s potential. What began as a vision slowly took shape as we painstakingly transformed this “ugly duckling” into a beautiful “swan.” The journey wasn’t easy, and there were times when friends and family questioned how we’d ever achieve the outcome we envisioned. But we did, one room at a time, even living with temporary kitchens for months on end.

Our first step was removing a massive pine tree that dominated the roundabout and severely shaded the house. From there, we drilled a bore to boost our water supply, re-insulated and re-roofed the entire house, and added solar panels to the garage. We carefully sourced matching windows, realigning and refurbishing them for symmetry and continuity.

One of the home’s most charming features, the front porch, had been lost to a poorly designed addition. We brought it back to life by laying new timber floorboards and restoring the original 18-panel glass front door, complete with a classic door handle and lock. Custom replica doors were crafted to match for a new extension. We also improved the functionality of the home by removing an awkwardly placed door that compromised the usability of two rooms.

Inside, we restored and updated the house with loving care. We installed custom glass and timber joinery sliding doors and refurbished the original woodwork throughout. A special highlight was converting a front room fireplace into a bedroom and a spacious main bathroom, where we created a heritage-inspired design with a re-enameled claw-foot tub, freestanding tap set, custom kauri vanity, and black-and-white checkered tiles.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

The main living area’s fireplace, originally unstable, became a focal point after we rebuilt it using the original bricks, some stamped with “Te Rahu,” a historic local mark. These bricks, once produced in Te Awamutu, hold sentimental value, as they connect to the street my mother grew up on. We retained these stamped bricks as a feature on the hearth, surrounding a freestanding Contessa fire.

When we exposed the living room ceiling, we decided to leave the angled peak visible, adding & tongue-and-groove wood paneling to enhance the historic charm of the space. We had planned to extend the back of the house but ultimately decided to demolish the outdated 90s extension and rebuild from scratch, seamlessly blending the old and new structures. This new addition included a kitchen with a large scullery/laundry, complete with bi-folding windows that open onto a covered patio area, perfect for entertaining. We laid exposed aggregate concrete with diagonal cross-cuts and installed an outdoor bench along the kitchen windows for easy access during gatherings.

The extended hallway features a custom-made kauri office desk and a cosy bay window seat with a view of Mount Pirongia, leading to the master bedroom with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. In this space, we used old etched-glass doors to create matching cavity sliders and installed custom-made joinery for the large French doors and bay window. Andy crafted a unique copper roof for the bay window, adding a distinct touch to the design.

Throughout the house, Andy painstakingly replaced timber floorboards, carefully matching colours and sizes using wood he had collected over the years. The garage was another major undertaking; we rebuilt it, raising the roof pitch, extending the front for covered parking, and transforming the back room into a private space with its own courtyard.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

The property itself required significant attention. When we first cleared the land, it was overgrown and hidden from the road. Among the debris, we discovered an old axe — its handle and blade lying separately on the ground. Neighbours told us the previous owner had abandoned the task of cutting a large log for firewood in frustration, leaving the axe where it fell.

We cleared the land, removed rubbish, burned off scrub (in line with rural practices), leveled the area, and added new fencing, gates, hedges, trees, and garden beds. Unfortunately, some neglected trees had to be removed, including one that nearly struck the house during a storm.

Finally, we built a charming greenhouse using old windows and established vegetable and berry gardens, rounding off the complete transformation of our home.