A Modern Kitchen and Bathroom Transformation for a Lockwood Home in Maungatapu

Project Overview

Renovating a property while living overseas can be challenging, especially when the home needs significant updates and there is a limited window to complete the work.

That was the situation for the owners of this two-storey Lockwood home in Maungatapu, Tauranga. Based in Zambia, they wanted to modernise their ageing property before deciding whether to rent it out again, list it as an Airbnb, or return to live there themselves.

The kitchen, bathroom and laundry had become dated, with tired finishes and areas requiring attention. However, the homeowners wanted to preserve the distinctive character of their timber home rather than completely change its appearance.

They approached Refresh Renovation Consultant Sharon Giblett for a complete design-and-build service, knowing they needed someone who could oversee the renovation from start to finish.

Design & Planning

With the property vacant for a limited period, the team needed to move quickly from initial planning into construction.

Sharon worked with the kitchen designer to develop a scheme that balanced modern finishes with the home's existing timber interiors. Her vision was to introduce lighter colours and contrasting textures while remaining sympathetic to the original Lockwood style.

Since the homeowners were overseas, Sharon took responsibility for selecting colours and materials, regularly sharing options and updates through WhatsApp and Zoom meetings for their approval.

Budgeting was another important consideration. During the scoping and feasibility stage, it became clear that the desired improvements would cost more than the homeowners' original budget.

Sharon helped identify affordable yet quality materials suited to the property's standard. After reviewing their priorities, the clients agreed to increase their investment to achieve the renovation they wanted.

Project Execution

The renovation involved updating several important areas of the home, including a new kitchen, laundry, downstairs bathroom and separate toilet.

The kitchen was designed to be both attractive and practical, with a spacious layout, modern state of the art appliances and improved storage. Its position also makes the most of the property's beautiful views, creating an inviting environment for cooking and entertaining.

In the bathroom, laundry and toilet, new tiled splashbacks introduced texture and visual interest. Painting of the doors throughout and new door handles, provided additional contrast to the dark timber, helping with the reflection of light too. Updated flooring also helped give the interiors a more modern appearance. 

One distinctive design choice was the use of limewash on the internal brickwork. Sharon selected this finish to create a softer appearance than conventional paint while retaining the brick's natural character.

New carpet was installed throughout the home, bringing comfort and durability to the refreshed spaces - the new carpet is lush and wonderful to walk on in bare feet!

The work involved builders, electricians, plumbers, kitchen specialists, tilers, flooring installers, painters and other trades, all coordinated through Refresh's project management process.

Challenges Overcome

Renovating a Lockwood home requires careful planning because its construction differs from conventional framed houses.

With limited wall cavities available, installing new electrical wiring, powerpoints and switches proved particularly challenging. The electricians had to develop practical solutions for routing cables without compromising the existing structure.

Demolition also revealed an unexpected opportunity. A concealed void in the kitchen provided additional space, allowing the team to widen the pantry. Making use of this discovery required adjustments across several trades.

However, other findings created extra work. Sections of the existing chipboard flooring had swollen following previous leaks and spills, meaning affected areas needed to be ground down or replaced before new finishes could be installed.

The originally selected kitchen splashback tiles were also unavailable within the construction timeframe. Sharon arranged an alternative to prevent unnecessary delays.

Despite these complications, the team maintained steady progress and completed the renovation in six weeks, ahead of the original six-to-seven-week estimate.

Client Experience

For the homeowners, the greatest advantage of working with Refresh was having someone locally who could manage the entire project while they remained in Zambia.

Rather than coordinating multiple contractors across different time zones, they could rely on Sharon to oversee design decisions, suppliers, trades and construction.

Regular WhatsApp and Zoom communication kept them involved in important selections without requiring them to be physically present.

The project also demonstrated the importance of maintaining some flexibility during renovations. Although the original budget increased and unexpected issues arose, the team worked through these challenges while keeping the clients informed.

Sharon was particularly pleased with how the updated interiors complemented the original timber features. The finished kitchen became her favourite part of the transformation, combining contemporary styling with the practicality needed for everyday living and entertaining.

Final Thoughts

This Maungatapu renovation has given a tired Lockwood property a fresh lease of life while preserving the character that makes these homes distinctive.

By combining thoughtful design, creative problem-solving and efficient construction management, Refresh delivered a modern, functional interior within a tight timeframe.

Planning to renovate your home or investment property, even while living overseas? Explore renovation services in Tauranga and contact Sharon Giblett today to discuss how Refresh Renovations can help bring your ideas to life.