a little rascal

What have you been up to since The Block NZ?

Since The Block NZ, Caleb and I have done eight renovations and featured in another television show called The Ultimate Reno. I sometimes say that my lifestyle feels like it’s The Block NZ, but just with four children.

How do your own DIY experiences compare to those on The Block NZ?

Everything is a lot harder on The Block NZ than in real life. On The Block NZ, you can’t plan or get enough sleep. It affects your sanity. Caleb and I have gained a lot of confidence because we’ve done many different projects. Now we know that it’s best to have a plan, have the right products, have a vision and then have time to execute it or even develop ideas as you’re creating. Time is a real asset when you are doing things yourself. When you are not rushing and can explore your options, you get the best results.

How do you juggle renovations and a young family?

We try to include our kids in our projects when we can. It’s not about excluding them from the journey of doing property; it is about bringing them along and making it an adventure. My six-year-old started assisting me with wallpapering with things like pasting the wall, passing me the roller and making sure the patterns match. Our children can do a lot, even at a young age, and I think it’s just giving them the confidence to do that safely.

What’s your favourite Resene colour and why?

My favourite Resene colour changes a lot because I love colour. Some of my favourites have been Resene Rascal (on a feature wall) and muted pinks such as Resene Bone and Resene Despacito.

What’s your favourite Resene white or neutral to use and why?

My top three whites are Resene Sea Fog, Resene Alabaster and Resene Black White. I’ve used them all in houses and adore how they work differently. Some of my favourite whites are the ones we just used in our latest renovation. One is called Resene Elderflower, and it’s a lot warmer than those other whites and has a creamy colouring. I also like Resene Umber White, a chalky shell-like white. It reminds me of the beach in summer, and I think it’s a striking white if you want to make a statement.

What’s your favourite Resene wood stain or paint to use on exteriors?

I love Resene Pitch Black wood stain for dark exteriors. It is a go-to as well as Resene Umber White and Resene All Black. Dark features on an exterior allow them to blend into the outdoor environment, making your home, deck or fence line seem bigger. I took a traditional white picket fence and painted it all black. Caleb was mortified because he says you should always do white picket fences. I love the twist of bringing black onto the outside, taking something traditional, and giving it a modern twist.

What’s your best tip for beginner DIYers?

Explore all the possibilities that paint can offer. There are so many things Caleb and I paint rather than replace, and it saves us so much money. Painting is an affordable option, and it’s something everybody can do. We’ve painted fireplaces, tiles, benchtops and kitchen cabinetry. Using paint to change the look rather than replace it can save you time and money and give you a beautiful makeover.

Words: Paige Thorp
Images: Emily Raffills, Point and Shoot

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