THE PROJECT
Interior stylist Kate Oppenhuis and her lawyer husband Dean renovated this four-bedroom villa in Wellington for themselves and their children Willem (14), Maddy (12) and Fred (10).
months on end; the laundry was out of action.” But the result? “It changed our lives – it’s just awesome.”
The extension aside, the couple can credit themselves with turning their house into their castle. It might have made lesser humans run for the hills, but as far as Kate’s concerned, “DIY is just what you do. I’ve never been afraid to get my hands dirty. I just slap paint on, and if I don’t like the colour, I’ll change it.”
For everything Kate and Dean have altered, some charming heritage features remain. Kate says the house would be “soulless” without its central fireplace. The leadlight and sash windows are original, and so is the front door, which Kate had coated in glossy black marine paint to withstand the sun. The corroded brass doorknocker was also restored.
“To me, if you have too much new stuff, it can look clinical,” says Kate. “I like things that have a history, so I introduce antique and vintage pieces where possible, as well as textured items and fabrics, to try to create a mixture.”
The living is easy here, from the ground up. “I don’t like things to be too perfect,” says Kate. “Because the floors are recycled, we’re not precious about them; there’s no shoes-off policy. The kids scootered on these floorboards when they were little and the boys are always kicking a ball around while my daughter dances up the hallway. I think [the floorboards] are gorgeous because they show their age – there are lots of cracks and variations in colour. There’s wear and tear, but it’s just part of the character of the house.”
Like anything worth having, this home has involved some sacrifices, but, says Kate, “Anyone who’s done a reno knows it’s all part of the adventure. We love our house. Every nook and cranny has been painted or sanded by us, right down to the fence and planting a trillion buxus plants with the kids’ help. It’s taken a long time to get it where we wanted, but the house has evolved around us – and that’s why we’re so attached to it.”
That’s not to say Kate’s work here is done. “The kids will often come home to find I’ve been trying out new colours. Being a stylist, I’m constantly making changes to create a new look: repainting a chair, rearranging furniture, regrouping objects.”
And so it goes – then, now, always.