The Art of Renovation: Alex & Corban's Bungalow Revival
Alex and Corban Walls, the dynamic design, build and interior design duo, have recently added another successful project to their portfolio. Following their impressive renovation of a rental property in Birkenhead, Auckland, the talented pair has now turned their attention to restoring the original bungalow on the same land. Despite budget constraints, Alex and Corban have masterfully transformed the small family home into a trendy and stylish sanctuary, demonstrating Alex's keen eye for design and innovation. Alex shares with us invaluable renovation tips, her creative vision, sources of inspiration, and what exciting ventures lie ahead for this unstoppable dream team.
Credits
Last time we spoke you had just finished the renovation of your first rental property. Now on completing your second, how did it go this time around?
This time round felt a lot sharper with the direction already being established with the first home. We had created the look and feel that we wanted to carry through with, so the second house was easy to apply a similar colour and texture palette with some minor adaptions. This renovation was quite fun with the kitchen being a renovation rather than replacement/new, it made us think a lot about how to reuse and recycle, but make things look fresh and new.
You’re becoming a very well-seasoned renovator - what’s something you’ve learnt that you wish you knew earlier?
The best way to manage costs is make sure you are managing people well and not wasting their time by not having a well organised site. Ensure the different trades are well directed, and before they arrive to work ensuring you have all hardware and products on site ready to go. Plus, a clean and organised site is a safe and efficient site.
Tell us a little bit about the vision behind this renovation?
I will often spend a good while on Pinterest before I start pulling together my own refined mood boards and designs to help direct a project. I love to watch what 'The Local Project' puts up, the projects that they cover are normally highly sophisticated and out of our budget, but I am inspired by the finer details and overall looks to help inspire direction for our designs.
Tell us a little bit about the vision behind this renovation?
I will often spend a good while on Pinterest before I start pulling together my own refined mood boards and designs to help direct a project. I love to watch what 'The Local Project' puts up, the projects that they cover are normally highly sophisticated and out of our budget, but I am inspired by the finer details and overall looks to help inspire direction for our designs.
Where are you drawing inspiration from?
Tile People, Artedomus and Tile Space. The Slow Store, Ferm Living, and Good Form for a very special piece that tells a story.
What is your favourite room or area of your home?
I will often spend a good while on Pinterest before I start pulling together my own refined mood boards and designs to help direct a project. I love to watch what 'The Local Project' puts up, the projects that they cover are normally highly sophisticated and out of our budget, but I am inspired by the finer details and overall looks to help inspire direction for our designs.
Which interior design trends are you loving at the moment?
Love a bit of checker tile, but we are mindful that it’s one of those very distinct trends that will come and go. So applying it in a classic way is how we have approached it. Same goes with stripes, a lovely simple stripe in soft furnishings and wall paint for a dare I say it ‘Feature Wall’. I also am loving seeing teeny pops of Red coming through in interior styling, just a very small spot of it with a vase, or tap-ware or hardware can bring so much character to a space.
Do you have a forecast for any upcoming flooring or interior design trends?
I think that cobblestone and brick for flooring in entry ways, kitchens and bathrooms is creeping in as a trend. Pairing it with mid brown wide plank timber flooring and timber lined walls. I’m actually excited to be looking at applying this trend in our next project.
Where are your top places to shop and source furniture and homewares?
Tile People, Artedomus and Tile Space. The Slow Store, Ferm Living, and Good Form for a very special piece that tells a story.
What’s next for you?
We are working on a Beach House renovation project in Northland. A large Airbnb home that has accommodated many families on their summer holidays over the last decade. However it was originally built on a very tight budget, and after some heavy and happy use, it’s tired and needs an upgrade. We are going to work on it over the next two years, with stage one being the interior fit out, and stage two a re-thought exterior cladding and landscape design to suit how it is used. Very excited to be moving into this one!
