Family bonds
WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands
This Christchurch home renovation by SemiCreative shows how ingenious design can transform a beloved family home without sacrificing its treasured past.
A humble home in St Albans, affectionately known as ‘Paddy’s Pad’, has recently undergone a beautifully sensitive transformation, driven by family ties and a desire for functionality. Built in the early 1980s by the late grandfather Paddy, and enjoyed by Paddy and his wife Mary for over 35 years, the 110 square metres home has always held a special place in the hearts of this family. When Paddy’s grandson, James, and his partner, Fran, decided to purchase the cherished home after his grandparents’ passing, they envisioned a space that could accommodate the couple and their two young daughters.
The renovation brief was straightforward yet ambitious: the couple needed more space without the luxury of a large budget or the option to extend.
“The challenge was to reconfigure the existing layout to create a third bedroom while maximising the space and ensuring it felt open and welcoming,” says James Irvine, Creative Director at SemiCreative, who also happens to be Fran’s brother. With a personal stake in the project, he was deeply motivated to deliver a design that would not only serve his family but also reflect their lifestyle.
The original layout consisted of just two bedrooms and small, closed-off rooms – less than ideal for a family of four. James’s vision was to remove walls and merge spaces, turning cramped areas into a fluid, open-plan abode and increasing the number of bedrooms to three. This meant converting the existing bathroom into a new bedroom and redesigning the laundry to become the family bathroom.
One of the standout features of the renovation is the large, multifunctional kitchen and living space that doubles as a social hub. As someone with a hospitality background, it was essential for Fran to have an inviting kitchen where she can cook and entertain. James embraced the challenge of making the kitchen stylish and practical. “We wanted the kitchen to be the heart of the home, where family and friends could gather,” he says. The design includes a striking stainless steel bench and an innovative downdraft extraction system, which was integrated into the countertop to avoid the use of a large bulkhead.
Also high on the priority list was the placement of the couple’s much-loved record player in the centre of the living room, with bookcases of records within easy access. “The couple’s love for books and music was something to be celebrated here,” says James. “With a full-height bookshelf and a dedicated record cabinet, we were able to integrate their passions very much into the home’s design.”
Light was another crucial element in the renovation. The previous interior was somewhat gloomy, typical of the homes of that era. To combat this, the team installed skylights, brightening the space and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
The strategy also focused on integrating original features like rimu window jambs and Japanese-inspired shoji screens with modern elements. Red bricks were reclaimed and recycled from the family’s former bach and cork flooring has been reinstated as a nod to its former era. The modern dark walnut cabinetry provides a rich, warm contrast to the sleek stainless steel kitchen benches, chosen for their durability and contemporary look.
The renovation process wasn’t without its challenges. Fitting a new bedroom into the existing layout required minutiae planning and multiple iterations. “It was a delicate balance between space constraints and budget limitations,” James says. The team worked closely with The Woodsmith builders to navigate these hurdles, ensuring that the project stayed on track while remaining cost-effective. “I’m just delighted for my sister and brother-in-law that we’ve managed to create a space that looks beautiful while being functional,” he says. “It’s easy to get caught up in resale value and all that, but at the end of the day, we wanted to make the space just right for how the family want to live today.”
The culmination of this heartfelt project is not only a beautifully transformed home but also a recognition of its impact. Paddy’s Pad was named a Finalist in the Best Awards 2024 for Residential Interior Architecture. For James, this is particularly special. “This was our first foray into residential design, and it has since opened up a new avenue for our studio, with our work now a balance of residential work and commercial and hospitality design.”
As the family settles into their new space, this home demonstrates that a limited budget does not have to compromise quality or vision. Instead, with careful planning and design and a focus on personal needs, a home can be transformed into a nurturing haven that reflects the spirit of those who live within it.