A High Peak Renovation That Truly Became “Home”

Posted on December 3, 2025December 9, 2025 by Blaithin O'Neill

Anj & Barry’s Story

When Anj and Barry recently moved back to Christchurch, they found themselves in a house that had plenty of potential but didn’t quite feel like them yet. They loved the High Peak location, and they loved the bones of the home — it just needed a little fresh energy, personality and modernisation to match the way they live. That’s when they reached out to the Build Right team to help bring their vision to life.

From the beginning, they were clear about two things:
they wanted the home to feel like their own, and they wanted to refresh it without blowing the budget.

Together, we explored creative ways to elevate the existing spaces while keeping costs sensible. One of the biggest opportunities was in the bathrooms — instead of removing the original tile work, we brought it back to life with a professional clean and used it as the foundation for the new designs. This approach saved thousands while still allowing the spaces to look modern, calm and cohesive.

Relaxation at the Heart of the Renovation

Creating spa-like, light-filled bathrooms was a key priority. In the ensuite, we introduced soothing finishes, practical layout improvements and a brand-new sauna to create a true retreat — the kind of space where the day melts away the moment you step in.

To complete the space, we installed a beautiful double vanity that gives the couple plenty of room to get ready without feeling crowded. The large, open walk-in shower adds to the spa-like feel, offering an airy, luxurious experience with plenty of breathing room. Combined with the soft finishes and natural light, the ensuite now feels spacious, calming and thoughtfully designed for everyday comfort.

Upstairs, the family bathroom kept its original tiles, but everything around them was thoughtfully refreshed to create a brighter, more modern and welcoming space. We introduced a new vanity and mirror to bring in clean, contemporary lines and improve everyday functionality, while updated shower fittings, tapware and a new toilet helped elevate the room to today’s standards. Fresh finishes and subtle styling gave the space a lighter, more refined feel without losing the charm of the home’s existing character. The overall transformation is calm, cohesive and effortlessly modern — a bathroom that feels beautifully renewed while still blending seamlessly with the rest of the renovation.

Ensuite Bathroom

Family Bathroom

Designed for Hosting & Everyday Living

A second kitchen was designed within an awkward space toward the back of the house, giving the home a dedicated area perfectly suited for entertaining when the occasion arises. Tucked neatly behind a beautiful sliding door that connects to the open-plan lounge, the space feels both accessible and subtly separate when needed. With generous bench space, sleek cabinetry and a beautiful wine fridge, it’s an ideal zone for preparing food, serving guests or simply enjoying a relaxed evening with friends and family. The layout flows seamlessly toward the garden, making BBQs and outdoor gatherings effortless. Whether used every weekend or only for special occasions, this space adds real value and versatility to the home.

The main kitchen was completely removed and replaced with a striking new design featuring sleek black cabinetry, crisp white countertops and a large island that doubles as a breakfast bar. The perfect spot for casual meals or catching up with family. Despite the bold black cabinetry, the kitchen remains beautifully bright thanks to the abundance of natural light that floods the space throughout the day. A spacious double fridge-freezer was added to enhance functionality, along with a sleek double oven and modern hob to create a highly practical cooking space. The layout flows effortlessly into the open-plan dining and lounge areas, creating a warm, social hub ideal for everyday living. Meanwhile, the entire open-plan zone was elevated with new flooring and a fresh coat of paint, instantly modernising the heart of the home and tying the renovation together beautifully.

Main Kitchen

Second Kitchen

A Fresh, Functional Laundry & Downstairs Toilet

As part of the downstairs updates, the laundry received a much-needed modern refresh. What was once a tired and purely practical space is now bright, organised and stylish — designed to make everyday tasks feel a little easier. Clean lines, fresh finishes and efficient storage transformed it into a space that feels both contemporary and genuinely useful.

The original downstairs bathroom was also quite basic, offering little more than the essentials and lacking the personality the rest of the renovation was beginning to take on. The Build Right team stepped in to elevate the space, carefully designing around the existing tiles to highlight their character rather than hide them. By pairing the original tilework with light, modern finishes and sleek fixtures, the bathroom now feels brighter, more refined and perfectly balanced. The result is a fresh, contemporary space that honours the home’s original elements while looking completely renewed.

A Home Reborn

The transformation of this High Peak home truly speaks for itself. Every space has been carefully considered and every detail thoughtfully executed to ensure the house not only looked refreshed, but genuinely felt like Anj and Barry’s own. From the bathrooms and kitchens to the living areas and tucked-away functional spaces, each room now reflects a perfect balance of style, comfort and practicality. The entire home carries a warm, modern feel that flows effortlessly from one area to the next, bringing their personality into every corner. What began as a slightly outdated property has now become a beautifully cohesive, welcoming space that suits Anj and Barry down to the ground — a place they’re proud to come home to every day.

The photos captured from this renovation showcase the craftsmanship, detail and care that went into every decision — and most importantly, the clients are absolutely thrilled with how their home has come together.

Check out some of our reels of the property

Get in Touch today!

If you’re thinking about refreshing your own home and want a team that truly listens, works within your budget and brings your vision to life with care and craftsmanship, we’d love to help. Whether it’s a simple update or a full renovation, Build Right is here to make the process smooth, enjoyable and tailored to you.

Get in touch with us today to chat about your ideas — we can’t wait to help you create a home you’ll love coming back to.

Call

03 323 5771

Address

31 Jocelyn Street,  Casebrook, Christchurch 8051

A Christchurch Bungalow Reborn

Posted on October 9, 2025October 15, 2025 by Karen Foreman-Brown

Respecting the Past, Reimagining the Future

When the owners came to Build Right, their brief was clear: respect the features of the original bungalow, but open the door to a more contemporary lifestyle. The vision was to preserve the soul of the home while creating spaces that felt modern, connected, and effortless.

The transformation process began with the heart of the home: the kitchen. The cramped, outdated layout was replaced with a generous open-plan kitchen and dining space, designed for cooking, entertaining, and modern family life.

The feature tiles used as the kitchen splashback are a repeated design feature that is also incorporated into the scullery and bathrooms, conveying an organic sense of movement that the owners love.

A sleek new scullery was added next to the kitchen, offering additional storage and functionality that older homes rarely provide, while keeping the main kitchen clean and uncluttered.

The scullery space serves multiple functions, incorporating a laundry, a butlers sink and a desk area suitable for having a laptop set up adjacent to the kitchen.

Multi purpose scullery, laundry and desk area

Bathrooms with Character

The bathrooms became a defining feature of the renovation. The original bathroom was completely removed and the space was reworked into a completely new, fresh, modern space for the family to enjoy. At its centre sits a modern, stunning free-standing bath that adds a sense of luxury and relaxation.

A custom-designed timber vanity grounds the space with warmth with its natural finish echoing the heritage of the bungalow. Above it, a striking Art Deco-inspired wall mirror makes a bold statement, blending perfectly with the home’s character era while adding a touch of glamour.

And completing the ensemble, a fully tiled shower provides modern comfort, with clean lines and timeless detailing that will stand the test of time.

The master ensuite was created with the same philosophy: modern convenience layered with subtle character touches. Together, these new spaces bring a fresh elegance to the home, transforming everyday routines into moments of enjoyment.

Bathroom renovation Christchurch bungalow

Character, Modernised

Throughout this project, every decision made reflected the balance between old and new. The original features — timber trims, ceiling heights, and the sense of warmth that defines a bungalow — were celebrated, while the new design brought in openness, natural light, and easy flow.

The result is a home that feels renewed, not replaced. The owners can now live the way they want to in a home that works for their lifestyle, while still enjoying the character and history that made them fall in love with their bungalow in the first place.

“It still feels like our bungalow,” the client shared, “but now it finally works for us.”

The Build Right Difference

For Build Right, this project was about more than renovating a house, it was about honouring heritage while making space for modern life. It’s the kind of renovation that proves you don’t have to choose between character and comfort. With thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship, you can have both.

And in this bungalow’s story, that blend of old and new has created a home ready to be loved for many more years to come.

Are you passionate about a character home that needs to be revived?

Let’s chat about how we can help create a renovation that will restore the best features, while ensuring your home is comfortable and designed for the years ahead.

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Schedule Your Free Consultation: 03 323 5771

Idris Road deck — The new deck area with skylights overhead is an important part of the home, enabling year round outdoor living.

Christchurch kitchen renovations Idris Road — The new deck area with skylights overhead is an important part of the home, enabling year round outdoor living.

A New Chapter in North Canterbury

Posted on October 1, 2025October 9, 2025 by Karen Foreman-Brown

Bringing Back the Beauty

When the current owner purchased the property, it was clear the potential was there. The bones of the original home remained strong, but the relocation renovation had left much to be desired. What it needed was not just a makeover, but a master plan that would restore its heart and soul, and shape it into a long term home.

For the new owner, a lifelong farmer in the region, this lifestyle property represented more than just a change of scenery, it was a conscious step into the next stage of his life. A place where work would give way to relaxation and the ability to enjoy the beautiful country garden setting they had created.

To bring his vision to life, he turned to Build Right, engaging our team for both the design and the build.

The brief?

“Respect the character. Reimagine the layout. And deliver a home with quality craftsmanship, considered spaces, and timeless finishes.”

The renovation process focused on restoring and enhancing the home’s original features: high ceilings, beautifully crafted timber window & door joinery, new rimu fire surround & mantle, timber panelled doors and many other character features, while integrating a new open-plan extension that houses a light-filled kitchen, dining, and living area, creating a welcoming hub for everyday living. The result is an amazing blend of craftsmanship & elegance that has proved to be a comfortable and welcoming space for its owners.

Finishes That Tell a Story

For this client, the finer details mattered. With an appreciation for craftsmanship, he personally oversaw the selection of materials, fittings, and textures, opting for quality that he knew would endure.

Timber panelling, corbels, scotia, skirtings, dado rails and a new rimu fire surround the client had commissioned for the home, that stands as a centrepiece, stone benchtops, tiled splashbacks and period features throughout the home.

“Everything had to feel just right,” he explains. “I wasn’t just doing this to increase value – I was doing it to enjoy every day that I spend here.”

Built for the Next Stage of Life

This is a home that has undergone an amazing renovation without compromising on character. It’s the kind of home where morning sun floods the kitchen, where doors open wide to the amazing lawns and garden, and every space invites you to stay a little longer.

For Build Right, this project was a chance to work with a client who had a clear vision and a deep connection to the land.

“It was about honouring the past while designing for the future,” says Rex. “We were proud to bring this home back to life.”

Standing proudly in its North Canterbury setting, this character villa feels completely at ease, rooted in history, tailored for modern living, and ready for many more seasons to come.

Are you passionate about a character home that needs to be revived?