Jean’s home in Eden Terrace wasn’t ideal, but from the moment she walked through the front gate at the open home, she could see the possibilities. The location was unbeatable, and the quaint street appeal had a character and charm that newer homes simply can’t replicate. With the right changes, she knew it could become the perfect home for her.
The problem was that behind the charm, the home was too small and didn’t flow or function the way Jean needed it to. Still, she could see the potential immediately. She had a clear vision from day one, and over time she carefully planned and saved for the extension she’d imagined from that very first inspection.
Working on a villa extension or heritage renovation like Jean’s always comes with its share of challenges. Homes in heritage zones are heavily protected, which means even relatively small exterior changes can trigger a resource consent application, alongside a building consent where required.
In simple terms, a building consent confirms that the proposed work complies with the New Zealand Building Code, while a resource consent relates to council zoning and planning rules around how the land and property can be used. In Jean’s case, because the home sat within a heritage zone, council carefully assessed every detail that affected the exterior appearance of the property.
Heritage resource consents are often some of the most detailed and time-consuming approvals to navigate, with council planners scrutinising even the smallest design decisions. In Jean’s project, for example, we had originally planned to infill an existing window to create more usable wall space in the lounge. Council requested that the window remain to preserve the character of the home’s façade. Fortunately, it wasn’t something Jean felt strongly about, so rather than delaying the project, we adapted the design and moved forward.
Thanks to the experience of Matt and Mike, the architectural designer and planner we regularly collaborate with, the consent process was ultimately straightforward and stress-free for Jean.
The goal for the renovation was simple: bring the home into the 21st century while retaining all of the character features Jean loved most. Before the renovation, the kitchen had been one of her biggest frustrations. It was cramped, impractical, and far too small for someone who loves cooking and entertaining. The priority became creating a spacious open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area where Jean could comfortably host family and friends and enjoy the home the way she’d always imagined.
Matt, our architectural designer, prepared four concept options for Jean to explore, while Emily, our client relationship manager, helped guide her through the decision-making process. The final design transformed the way the home functioned. Along with the new open-plan living area, we converted a small bedroom into a generous main bathroom and ensuite, while the original lounge was closed off to create a flexible multipurpose room that could function as a home office day-to-day and a comfortable retreat for overnight guests when needed.
One thing Jean felt particularly strongly about from the beginning was that she didn’t want the extension to feel obviously “new.” While some homeowners love the contrast of a traditional villa at the front with an ultra-modern extension at the rear, what’s often jokingly referred to as a “villa mullet”, Jean wanted the entire home to feel cohesive, timeless, and as though it had always existed that way.
That vision heavily influenced the material and finish selections throughout the project. Rather than opting for a more modern laminate kitchen, we used painted cabinetry so we could achieve the classic shaker-style detailing that suited the age and character of the home. Careful consideration also went into the selection of tiles, tapware, and bathroom fixtures to ensure they complemented both the original villa features and the updated spaces.
Even the finer architectural details were important. The skirting boards and architraves were custom machined to replicate the original profiles installed when the cottage was first built in the late 1800s, helping to create a seamless transition between old and new. Hardwood flooring was another key feature. Initially, the plan had been to retain and work around the existing kauri flooring, however once construction was underway it became clear that parts of it were too badly damaged to salvage properly. After careful consideration, we made the decision to install blackbutt flooring instead, as it offers one of the closest visual matches to kauri while also being a more durable and hard-wearing hardwood more suitable for modern living.
Jean also had a fantastic eye for colour and wasn’t afraid to make bold selections. A dark green kitchen became one of the standout features of the home, complemented by beautiful blue tiles in the ensuite and rich green tones in the main bathroom. At one stage, with so many strong design elements coming together, Jean wanted some reassurance that everything would feel cohesive rather than overwhelming, so we introduced her to an interior designer we regularly work alongside, who, as it turned out, she already knew.
That collaboration helped refine the finer details and ensured there was a seamless transition between the original villa and the new extension. While the old and new elements were never intended to be an exact replica of one another, the finished result feels balanced, intentional, and true to the character of the home.
Because of the scale of the renovation, Jean decided to move out during construction and stay with a friend nearby. While it would have been possible for her to remain living onsite, doing so would have required a temporary mobile bathroom after the existing bathroom was demolished to make way for the extension. For many renovation clients, mobile bathrooms become a necessary part of the process, but by moving out, Jean was able to avoid that additional cost altogether.
One of the biggest concerns homeowners often have before undertaking a villa or bungalow renovation is budget uncertainty. Many builders avoid offering fixed-price contracts on homes of this era because of the unknowns hidden behind walls, under floors, and beneath the ground.
At Certified Home Extensions, we back ourselves to provide fixed pricing because of the level of detail we invest into our planning and pricing process upfront. Typically, there are only three reasons a fixed price may change during construction:
In every case, any additional costs are communicated as early as possible, and where a client-initiated variation is involved, pricing is confirmed and approved before any additional work proceeds.
For Jean, the end result was a home that finally matched both the lifestyle she wanted and the vision she’d held from the moment she first stepped through the door. The character and charm that made her fall in love with the villa remain intact, but behind the original façade now sits a home designed for modern living, entertaining, and enjoying for decades to come.
Villa and bungalow renovations are never straightforward. They require experience, patience, careful planning, and an understanding that the smallest details are often the most important. When done properly, the goal is not for people to walk through the home and immediately see where the old stops and the new begins. The goal is for the entire house to feel as though it has always belonged together.
That balance between preserving character and creating a home that genuinely works for modern life is what makes renovating these beautiful old homes so rewarding and why, after more than two decades specialising in extensions and renovations, we still love bringing them back to life.
