Renovation of the year: An old garage transformed into a two-bedroom cottage

02 Nov 2022

How often do you look at your garage and think, “I could be using this space better?” The winners of the 2022 New Zealand Property Investors’ Federation/Resene Renovation of the Year did precisely that, transforming a garage and sleepout into a charming two-bedroom cottage. The project has not only transformed the value of their investment, but has provided a new, healthy and dry home for their tenant.

“We bought the property in Flaxmere, Hastings, in 2004,” says Jenny Forbes of Quarry Park Investments. “The property had a three bedroom home with a large garage sleepout down a drive at the rear of the property. Tenants used the garage sleepout for storage and a ‘party place’”. In 2019, Jenny and her husband Garth decided to convert the garage at the rear into a two-bedroom cottage and set plans to begin the project. However… we all know what happened in 2020. The couple and their builders, McClean Bros Construction, sat on their paintbrushes with the garage cleared and ready, waiting for lockdowns to ease.

Work on the conversion started in January 2021. “The new plaster exterior in Rockcote Plaster System tinted to Resene Half Bison Hide was followed by the installation of aluminium windows, doors and insulation. The drywall plasterboard was plastered and painted in Resene Zylone Sheen waterborne low sheen paint in Resene Quarter Fossil.

By February 2022, the deck was built, landscaping started, and a fence (painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, tinted to Resene Half Bison Hide) erected to divide the two homes. Adding a new concrete pad and driveway meant the house was ready for our new tenant.”

Jenny and Garth use the same Resene colour palette for the two houses to achieve a cohesive look and save on costs. It’s also the same colour scheme as their own home.

“I’ve used Resene Quarter Fossil for all the interior and Resene Bison Hide for the exterior. I still love it after six years, and as we are gradually repainting our properties, we’re keeping the same colour scheme for both the internal and external surfaces, so there is less wastage of paint. I keep the spare tins for touch-ups - accidents sometimes happen!”

With the homes being tenanted, Jenny selected a subtle colour combination that doesn’t compete with a range of colours. “The colours work well with primary colours (including black and white), allowing most of the tenants’ furniture and decorative features, such as cushions, to work with the colour scheme”. Another bonus? “Resene paints also last well and are easy to wash and keep clean.”

The completion of the project has not only thrilled Jenny and Garth but delighted the tenants. “Our tenant has moved into a brand new home, and she loves it. While it creates a financial gain for us, it also benefits our tenant, who now lives in a warm, dry, healthy home. I am thrilled with the completed house and would be happy to live in it. It is the pride of our portfolio.”

Before: The garage had been used by tenants for storage and the occasional party.Garages have a habit of accumulating old couches and this was no exception, with four sofas making their way into the skip.

Resene Quarter Fossil adorns the walls, with Resene Eighth Fossil on the woodwork and doors. The open plan kitchen flows seamlessly into the living area and dining, with the sliding barn separating the living from bedrooms.

The exterior is Resene Construction Services Rockcote Plaster System tinted to Resene Half Bison Hide, with the soffit in Resene Quarter Bison Hide and fascia in Resene White. The fences have since been painted in Resene Quarter Bison Hide and Resene Porter.

The marble-look tile works seamlessly with Resene Quarter Fossil.

Published: 02 Nov 2022