FIFTY SHADES OF FABULOUS

Interior design expert Shelley Ferguson honoured a vow to give a 1920s home a new lease of life, writes DONNA FLEMING

When interior designer, editor and TV presenter Shelley Ferguson bought an ageing St Heliers bungalow at auction last year the vendor implored her, “Please tell me you’re not going to pull it down!”

Shelley recalls, “The owner, Carol, had lived there for 45 years and her parents had lived here too. I think everyone thought it would be bowled and townhouses put up. But I was able to say to her, ‘I promise you, I will bring it back to life’.”

And she has been true to her word, transforming the 1920s home into a stylish and sophisticated modern haven.

The project was a joint effort between Shelley and her friend Nicky Richardson, who together run interior design, shopping and renovation website Rock the House.

Nicky used her organisational skills to deal with various tradespeople, balance budgets and timelines, while Shelley put her talents to good use overseeing the design side of things. The host of TV shows like The Block and Slice of

Paradise, she has renovated homes in the past with her husband, but the work they’ve done has been mostly cosmetic.

“This however was a huge job,” she says.

Attracted to the house because of its abundance of character, wide frontage and location handy to St Heliers’ beach and village and the Maskell St shops, she and Nicky had the bungalow pretty much re-built.

“We basically stripped it back to its frame and everything is new — new wiring, plumbing, gib, insulation, skirting boards… we worked closely with the builder and spent a lot of time on site.”

Faux stone cladding on part of the home was pulled off and overgrown vegetation at the front of the house removed to allow the light to flood in.

“Getting natural light is important to me,” says Shelley, pointing out how sliding glass doors were installed in the open-plan dining and living area to let in the light as well as provide access to a deck with an outlook towards the sea.

Walls were knocked down to create the open-plan living space which includes a striking designer kitchen from Auckland firm Hewe. It has a separate scullery, burnished brass tapware and a porcelain Cosentino benchtop. The cabinetry has a woodgrain to provide texture and is painted a very pale grey.

“I’m calling this my ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ house because I’ve used so much grey but I really love it, it’s so elegant.”

Much of the inspiration for the decor came from art deco style. For example, the herringbone oak floors are a nod to the geometric patterns that were popular back in the 20s. Other period touches throughout the home include reeded glass in the main bathroom and stunning chandeliers.

The master bedroom, which previously had three different ceiling levels and an odd sunroom, was turned into one gracious room with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe. The wide central hall leads to two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The back of the house was reconfigured so that there’s now a flight of stairs down to a bonus room that could be used as a fourth bedroom or playroom.

It would also make an ideal home office as it can be accessed from outside.

A new pull-down staircase leads up to the attic which has plenty of storage, and there’s more room to store things in the newly rebuilt double garage.

Shelley is so thrilled with the way the house has turned out that she seriously considered moving in with her family. But now someone else gets to reap the benefit of her expertise and passion for design.

“Nicky and I have loved being able to enhance this beautiful house and we’re keen to do it again,” she says.

Heather Walton from Ray White says she and fellow agent Ryan Teese are loving the chance to sell the house. “Everyone who views it is so complimentary about the presentation. Shelley has such a glamorous yet functional style about what she does.” Sale: Auction August 5

Contact: Heather Walton, Ray White, 021 432 167

“We basically stripped it back to its frame and everything is new — new wiring, plumbing, gib, insulation, skirting boards…”