Transforming a Tired Thorndon Apartment into a Modern Home

Project Overview

The project involved giving a city apartment in Thorndon a full refresh before the homeowners moved in. The condo was in good condition, but felt outdated and didn’t match the modern, bright look the clients wanted. They wished to remove an unnecessary glass wall, repaint the entire home, install new carpet and blinds, and make minor upgrades to the kitchen joinery.

The Refresh team took on the entire project, from start to finish, encompassing planning, design, build, and project management. They also handled all communication with tradespeople and managed the Body Corporate requirements, which were important given the property's location in a busy apartment building with limited access.

Budget & Cost Changes

The original budget increased during the project as the clients added several variations to improve the overall finish. These included upgrades to items such as curtains, furniture, and joinery details, as well as other enhancements that aligned with their vision for the home.

The key priority was completing the renovation within 6 weeks so the clients could move in before Christmas. The team successfully delivered the full scope of work, including all approved variations, within this period, ensuring a smooth move-in and a high-quality result.

Timeline

The project was initially planned for 3 weeks. It took 4 weeks to complete due to the added variations requested by the clients. The clients needed everything finished by mid-December so they could move in before Christmas. The team worked efficiently to ensure the apartment was ready on time.

What the Refresh Team Did

Refresh Renovations handled:

• Design
• Build
• Project Management
• All sub-trades
• Body Corporate logistics

Trades Involved

• Painters
• Builders
• Flooring installers
• Kitchen joiners
• Electricians
• Plumber

Each contractor played a key role in giving the apartment a fresh, brand-new feel.

Renovation Work Completed

1. Full Interior Repaint

The clients wanted a simple, modern colour palette with a bold feature wall.
The team repainted:

• All walls
• Ceilings
• Selected accent areas

Colours supplied by the decorator included:

• Resene Oxford Blue – study and entry wall
• Resene Half Blanc – main walls
• Resene Alabaster – ceilings

These choices gave the apartment a crisp and stylish finish.

2. New Carpet and Blinds

The original carpet was worn out, so it was replaced with fresh, modern carpeting that brightened the whole home. New curtains and blinds were also installed to enhance privacy and give the apartment a more polished appearance.

(The curtains upgrade was part of the variation that increased the final cost.)

3. Kitchen Joinery Upgrades

The kitchen joinery was updated to be more practical and modern. A standout feature was the Ripple 47 Flex Primed Wood Panel installed around the kitchen island. This panel was painted in Resene Half Blanc, which contrasted beautifully with the blue side panels. This unique touch made the kitchen feel much more stylish.

4. Removal of the Glass Wall

There was a partly-glass wall in the dining/study area that didn’t serve any purpose. The Refresh team removed it to open up the space and make the room feel larger and more practical.

5. New Appliances & Hot Water Cylinder

Some appliances were replaced, and the hot water cylinder was upgraded. These changes provided the homeowners with greater long-term value and modern functionality.

6. Bespoke Furniture Design 

The team also designed custom furniture pieces specifically for the apartment. These items were made to match the new interior style and delivered in the new year, completing the home's refreshed look.

Challenges & How They Were Solved

City-Centre Parking

One of the biggest challenges was finding parking and easy access in a busy city-centre building. To solve this, the team:

• Secured one parking space outside the apartment
• Used the client’s reserved garage space when needed

This made deliveries, trade work, and material management much easier.

Final Result

The updated apartment now feels fresh, modern, and ready for occupancy. Some of the improvements include:

• Fresh paint across the whole home
• A bold feature colour
• New carpet
• Stylish blinds
• Better kitchen joinery
• New appliances
• Cleaner, open layout

The combination of new colours, textures, and design features gave the apartment a bright, polished, and welcoming look. The clients were able to move in before Christmas, just as they wished.

Customer Experience

The clients were pleased with the final result and shared a detailed review about their experience working with the Refresh Renovations team. They said the team showed:

• Excellent listening skills, taking the time to fully understand the job, the timeline, the budget, and the design details.
• Helpful creative suggestions, offering alternatives when needed, while respecting the clients’ ideas.
• Strong planning and coordination, with all trades working together smoothly in the correct order.
• Quick problem-solving, thanks to a clear understanding of how the final project should look.
• Reliable, skilled tradespeople who were used to working together and supported each other on-site.
• Flexibility, with the team willing to adjust plans when required.
• Honesty and trustworthiness, staying within the estimated costs and never making the clients feel overcharged.
• Good supplier access, with strong knowledge of where to source the best materials and furniture nationwide.

The clients also mentioned that they would highly recommend the entire team involved in their renovation.

Conclusion

This project shows how a well-planned renovation can transform an older unit into a bright, modern home. With fresh design, smooth project management, and smart upgrades, the apartment now looks clean, stylish, and ready for the owners to move in and enjoy.