In a recent project, everything from the walls to the floors needed saving in this home as it had been stripped of its beauty and endured years of cheap renovations while being used as a multi-floor apartment building.

So, bring it back to life we did! This transformation included the garden apartment.  Our goal: transform the space into a spacious, clean, and modern home we could rent out.  I put my designer hat on and did some puzzle-solving special planning to make every square inch of space as efficient as possible so we could maximise rent dollars.

For me, the two areas of attention were an epic open-plan kitchen, (no shocker there!), and a bathroom with swoon-worthy aesthetics that would work well for a family. I knew most people would struggle with the idea of renting a 2-bedroom space with only one bath. With these zones in mind, it was clear where to focus my spending. Zeroing in on these spaces only made sense – I mean, we do eat and bathe daily, right?

So the big question was, how could I use simple materials in clever ways to stretch my dollars and elevate the quality of life in the space as much as possible? Here is how I did it – off-the-shelf tile from our collection clad the bathroom, but to give it a modern edge, I used contrasting black grout. This economical choice allowed me to splurge on the tapware and hardware. These golden fixtures acted as multifaceted jewels in an otherwise rather simple space! What I loved most about the their design were the brushed matte finish and cross-hatch detail. The treatment offered a bit of glam without being over the top. The simple yet stunning design of the fixtures helped bring refined style to the bath – I mean, what rental apartment do you know that includes a multi-functional hand shower!

In the kitchen I chose to keep things minimal and sleek in a juxtaposed palette of black and white. The least expensive marble I could find at the stone yard was Carrera. The finish was honed and sharp-edged, and it was offset by an elegant matte black faucet.

To sum up my splurge versus save advice, I say pin down what is most important to you and channel your energies and finances into those areas. Within these well-defined zones, ask yourself: what are the jewels that will elevate your space? For me these rooms tend to be the kitchen and the bath. These are the places I use more than any others. My objectives for these spaces are to make them functional, beautiful to look at, and overall “wow” a tenant. I want them to scream, “choose me, choose me!!!”