Reno of the Year We reveal which amazing whole-home renovation scored $10k thanks to Colorsteel®

Taking care of both the big picture and the small details while transforming their home was a winning formula for this clever couple, who take home the $10,000 cash prize

“I was really impressed with all the finalists but Emma and Josh’s villa was a standout. Not only was it one of the most ambitious entries we saw but it was finished to a very high standard with brilliant attention to detail. One of the highlights for me is the kitchen – it’s a gorgeous space that perfectly suits the house and their lifestyle. The thoughtful addition of heritage elements throughout also makes it a really special home that they should be very proud of.” KATIE NEWTON EDITOR

From the reworked floor plan to the addition of heritage features, Emma and Josh Smaller’s New Plymouth villa shows how important it is to think both big and small when renovating. While the overall vision needs to be bold and cohesive, it’s the little details that make the end result a showstopper. Here, the couple share the lessons they learned during the reno.

What was one of the biggest lessons you learned during the renovation? Emma: Learning to enjoy the journey. Sometimes we got too fixated on the outcome and forgot to enjoy the process. We wanted to be in by Christmas 2018 as we were getting married in January. We moved in at the end of October 2018, well before our mental cut-off date – so in hindsight, there was no need to rush.

What are you most proud of? We’re proud to have stayed true to the original character of the home but enhanced it in a way that’s more userfriendly. We’re proud and very fortunate to have it as our place to call home.

How does it feel to win the Colorsteel® Renovation of the Year competition? We’re stoked! We’ve had lovely feedback from people. We love our home, and it’s pretty special when others notice the little details and offer congratulations on a project well done.

“Emma and Josh’s project stood out from the rest of the entries thanks to their vision and skill and their commitment to honouring the home’s heritage. From top to bottom, it is a very well-executed renovation. Congratulations.” SARAH PEPWORTH HEAD OF MARKETING, COLORSTEEL®