Coastal-Inspired Whole Home Renovation in Papamoa Beach

Project Overview

The homeowners wanted a complete interior update for their Papamoa Beach home after years of family life with three boys.

The house had become tired and dated, and the clients felt the timing was finally right to invest in a full renovation. Their sons were now older, and the family wanted a home that felt more grown-up, calm, and connected to its coastal location.

The project had actually started much earlier. Renovation Specialist Sharon Giblett had worked with the homeowners on designs and costings about two years before the renovation began. At that stage, the clients decided to put the project on hold while they completed a pool installation.

Two years later, they came back ready to begin. Sharon worked with them again to refine the layouts, review product selections, and update pricing before construction started.

The clients had a clear maximum budget, so they needed to make careful decisions throughout the planning process to ensure the project delivered the biggest impact without going beyond what they were prepared to spend.

Design & Planning

The homeowners wanted the whole interior to feel lighter, fresher, and more relaxing.

The design direction was inspired by the home’s coastal location, with soft colours and finishes chosen to create a calm and welcoming feel. Resene Half Villa White was used as part of the interior colour scheme, helping create a light base throughout the home.

The renovation covered almost every major part of the interior, including the kitchen, bathroom, ensuite, laundry, flooring, wardrobes, lighting, window furnishings, doors, and wall finishes.

Sharon also helped the clients make practical choices where the original product selections pushed the budget too far. Some items were changed to more suitable alternatives so that enough contingency remained for unexpected issues during construction.

This became important later in the project, when several small surprises needed to be resolved.

Project Execution

The renovation included a large range of improvements across the 212m² home.

Sharon Giblett and her team coordinated builders, electricians, plumbers, painters, plasterers, flooring installers, kitchen and laundry installers, glass specialists, wardrobe installers, shower installers, and window furnishing suppliers.

The work included:

• A new kitchen
• New bathroom and ensuite
• New laundry
• New laminate flooring and carpet
• Removal of old tiles and flooring
• Full interior painting
• Repair of damaged walls
• New and replacement internal doors
• New door handles and hardware
• Resized interior doorways
• New barn doors and tracks
• Glass splashbacks in the kitchen, laundry, bathroom, and ensuite
• New light fittings, switches, and powerpoints
• Switchboard work
• Remediation of the spa pool electrical setup
• New window furnishings
• New wardrobe fit-outs
• An attic ladder in the garage

The attic ladder was installed before the main renovation began so the homeowners could use the roof space for storage during the build.

The clients moved out while work was underway. They house-sat for part of the time and then travelled overseas, meaning they did not see the renovation progress in person for around six weeks before handover.  They were able to track progress through their Client Portal and the updates and photos that were logged as a record of the progress made each day.

Challenges Overcome

Several smaller issues arose during the renovation, but careful planning helped keep the project on schedule.

One involved the heated towel rail in the ensuite. The electricians had pre-wired the wall based on the original product specification, but the supplied towel rail was a different size.

After discussions with the plumbing merchant, the affected costs were agreed and the wall was opened again. The wiring was changed, the GIB was repaired, and the wall was replastered and repainted before the correct towel rail was installed.

Another issue appeared in the hallway. A section of wall had clearly been repaired in the past, but the new paint kept bubbling.

Rather than simply repainting it, Sharon and her team investigated further. They cut out the damaged section, replaced it with new GIB, plastered it, and painted it properly.

These issues reinforced the importance of keeping contingency in the budget, especially during large renovation projects where previous work can remain hidden until construction begins.

Client Experience

The homeowners knew from the beginning that they would need help managing a renovation of this size.

They wanted guidance with layouts, colours, suppliers, products, and understanding what was possible within their home and budget. They also knew they did not have the time or experience to coordinate all the trades themselves.

Working with Renovation Specialist Sharon Giblett and her team gave them one managed process from design through to completion.

Budget decisions were an important part of that process. The clients had a firm spending limit, which meant some product choices had to be reconsidered. Sharon worked with them to protect the overall look and quality of the renovation while keeping enough contingency available for unexpected work.

The clients were away for much of the build, which made the final handover even more memorable. They had not seen the house for around six weeks.

For Sharon, one of the best moments came when the family walked through the renovated home together. Their teenage sons moved from room to room saying:

“Wow! Wow! Wow!”

It was a simple reaction, but one that captured just how different the house now felt.

Final Thoughts

The completed home is modern, fresh, and much more connected to its Papamoa Beach setting.

Soft coastal colours, new flooring, updated lighting, fresh paintwork, new bathrooms, and a completely transformed kitchen have changed the feel of the entire house. Details such as pendant lights, glass splashbacks, new wardrobes, and barn doors add personality without making the home feel over-designed.

The kitchen is another standout, with new appliances and a layout designed to make cooking and everyday family life easier.

Most importantly, the renovation gave the homeowners the calm, comfortable home they had been planning for several years.

So are you ready to give your whole home a fresh start? Explore what's possible for your Tauranga property and contact Sharon today to start planning a renovation tailored to your home, lifestyle, and priorities.