Transforming a 1940s Art Deco Home with Vibrant Colors
Transforming a 1940s Art Deco Home with Vibrant Colors
When a lively couple from Wellington decided to renovate their 1940s Art Deco home in Ngaio, they used the power of color to create a sophisticated yet welcoming family environment. While it’s easy to enhance an interior with a few bold colors, the real challenge is executing a complete renovation that seamlessly blends the old with the new.
The Vision and the Team
Ann Hay, a netball umpire, and her lawyer husband Matt knew they needed professional help to successfully transform their home. They enlisted the expertise of Wellington interior designers Katie Peck and Nikki Burnet, the creative minds behind Esdesign.
A Symphony of Colors
From the inviting bright-orange front door with a frosted glass cabbage tree design to the sunny-yellow kitchen—which was once the darkest room in the house—the Hays’ home now buzzes with energy and interest. Ann’s vision was clear: “I wanted something unique and interesting that would also stand the test of time. We wanted the house to feel fresh and new while staying true to its original era,” she explains.
The Kitchen Transformation
Ann’s confidence in using color was music to Katie’s ears. “It was so refreshing to work with someone who wanted to step outside the traditional white kitchen box. It’s been really fun to collaborate with someone who wanted to experiment with color and texture,” Katie says. The kitchen, once a dark and dreary space, is now the bright and sunny heart of the home, thanks to the bold yellow walls and white tiles that Ann and Katie chose together.
A Home Full of Character
The home’s fresh new look is understated and casually sophisticated. The interior feels light, airy, and open, without seeming forced. The key to its success is the way the different elements have been cohesively woven together. “The house has so much character; we really wanted to embrace its style and create a personal story for the family living in it now,” says Katie.
The Renovation Journey
Initially, the couple just wanted to update their en suite and wardrobe and replace some doors downstairs. However, as they delved deeper into the project, they decided to examine the structure of the entire house. The couple and their children lived nearby in a rented house during the six-month renovation. They moved out in July 2019 and returned home just before Christmas.
The Result
For Ann, the renovation is everything she dreamed it would be, and more. “I love nothing more than sitting at the bar with a cup of coffee and enjoying my bright and sunny kitchen. It has become the beating heart of this home,” she says. “Now that we’ve opened it up and created space for the whole family, it’s where everyone wants to be.”
