Since building her much-loved Sumner home twenty-five years ago, owner Sharen has completed a series of stunning renovations – and trusted builder Daryl Hewitt of D.J. Hewitt Builders has been there every step of the way.

WORDS Anna Scaife PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Rowlands   DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Hutchinson

Embarking on a new build for your first home is not for the faint-hearted, but that’s precisely how owner Sharen came to spend the last twenty-five years in her much-loved Sumner home. House hunting in the early nineties with her heart set on a character villa in St Albans, Sharen found many of the homes she viewed were dark and cold. Sharen's father suggested she would like Sumner and she and her sister arranged to view the steeply sloping section on Richmond Hill. She bought it without hesitation and embarked on the building journey.

Sharen admits she had no experience with building, placing the creation of her home firmly in the hands of architect Graham Allen which allowed him the freedom to determine the design. “I didn’t know anything really, so I just asked Graham to design me a house. He came up with the plan, and I made a few small changes. Some of his ideas were very forward-thinking, and I wasn’t quite there yet,” she says.

Working for the chosen building contractor at the time was foreman Daryl Hewitt. This initial meeting marked the beginning of an ongoing client relationship that’s seen him take on all of Sharen’s subsequent renovations. “I found Daryl to be reliable, trustworthy and honest – and having never built before that was important. I never use anyone else; I trust him and know he will always do a good job,” Sharen says.

Wanting more space and a greater connection to the garden, in 2007, Sharen again engaged Graham Allen to design the box-like extension that now sits comfortably against the hillside surrounded by greenery. This stylish space offers a snug retreat where she can relax in front of the fire, play the piano or entertain guests. Despite the predominantly glass walls, the mature gardens provide privacy and shelter when the sliders are flung open on warmer days.

By then director of his own company, D.J. Hewitt Builders, Daryl was pleased to return to the site as the builder for this latest project to enhance the original home. “It was great to be invited back to work on the extension. Sharen has always been a loyal client, and we really enjoy working with her,” he says.

Subsequently, in 2015, Sharen again embarked on an ambitious project encompassing earthquake repairs plus a smart facelift including re-cladding and re-roofing alongside a full renovation of the interior.

Completing the excavation for the original build and subsequent renovations was the long-time collaborator and trusted professional excavation team, Trevor Stevens Excavations. Working with Daryl on most of his projects, the team are no strangers to tricky access and the challenges of a hillside build.

Leading trade merchants and pre-nail frame and truss manufacturers, Carters, were engaged to supply the broad range of building materials required for the project. Gareth Holley of Carters says, “The high-spec materials used in this particular case were in keeping with the stature of the project and team involved.” The tricky location and difficult site access meant communication between Carters and the build team was paramount to ensuring the supply went smoothly and safely.

Lindsay McLeod of CS Roofing Canterbury agrees the job was a challenge saying, “The site was tight and awkward. It’s a complex roof making it a tricky job, but the result is very appealing. The guys were working at 30 degrees, and the Rib Solar product we used is a metre wide and pretty heavy.” With fifty years’ experience in the roofing business, the company has long held a reputation for bringing a superior standard of craftmanship to their projects. The roofing material used has a similar look to a tray roof and was also used as an exterior wall cladding alongside the Linea weatherboard painted in Resene Sonyx 101.

Indoors, Sharen had tired of the palette of blues and terracotta from the nineties. Her extensive renovation included new paint throughout, a kitchen refresh with new tiling, cabinetry and fittings, and a remodel of the existing balconies into enclosed window seats. In a sweeping change, Sharen opted for white throughout. This crisp palette serves as the perfect backdrop for the collection of artworks and lovingly curated furnishings that add the personality and elegant touches of personal style to an otherwise blank canvas.

Employed to paint both the interior and exterior, GreyTone Painters chose Resene products for their superior durability. They opted for wipeable SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel for the walls, paired with hardwearing oil-based enamel on the doors and trim. The team are trusted subcontractors to D.J. Hewitt Builders and alongside the expert plasterers from Broomfield Quality Stoppers, achieved a high-quality finish throughout the home.

In the kitchen, Sharen chose to keep the original timber benchtop, adding warmth and character. A new tiled splashback features white textured geometric tiles, installed by Jeff Ellis from J.E. Tiling. Jeff also tiled the two showers and the bathroom floors as part of the renovation with Moy Moka tiles on the floor and Marmi Blanco on the walls supplied by Nextdore, from their premium Porcelanosa range. Nextdore has been flooring supplier to D.J. Hewitt for twenty-five years and supplied and installed the Hamptons Cavalier Bremworth wool carpet for Sharen's home. Sleek white cabinetry and new kitchen fittings completed the makeover. Oakley’s Plumbing Supplies have enjoyed a longstanding and loyal client relationship with Daryl and his team, making them the first choice to supply the required plumbing fittings for the project.

Working alongside DJ Hewitt for 25 years, Geoff of Geoff Curle Plumbing enjoys the challenges and rewards that come with high-specification projects. Geoff has regularly worked at the Sumner house over the years and says, “It has been a privilege to work for Daryl on these jobs and meet the clients. I have been involved with the alterations on Sharen’s house during the last 20 years, and I was pleased to play a part in the transformation of the house.”

Working with the builders from the outset, Daikin dealers and experts in heating and air conditioning, Active Refrigeration, upgraded the heating with the design and installation of two Daikin heat pump systems. Having been involved throughout the build process, they were able to install pipework during construction to ensure a tidy, seamless result.

Most recently, a remodel of the exterior landscaping, again managed by D.J. Hewitt Builders, involved a filling in of the pond to create the planters and seat, and reshaping of the wooden deck area to create a larger, more useable outdoor area. The added outdoor space offers a further connection to the garden and the outstanding sea views, plus an excellent spot to entertain and enjoy the last of the afternoon sun. The blockwork that forms part of the extension and the subsequent landscaping work was completed by Coastal Brick and Block. The expert team have worked with D. J. Hewitt for 15 years and have enjoyed working at Sharen’s home as the property has grown and changed.

This series of upgrades and renovations have meant that the house has evolved with Sharen’s lifestyle. She has added modern comforts and refreshed the look along the way; making it easy to stay in the place she loves. “To me, this is not a house, it’s my home, and it’s the only home I’ve ever owned. I never tire of the view, or sitting in the window seat when it’s cold and listening to the sea.”

For Sharen, having a builder she can trust has been instrumental to the success of her home. After 25 years of working with Daryl Hewitt, she continues to be impressed. “He doesn’t cut corners, he is thorough and careful, quoting everything upfront. I trust him absolutely to do the job properly,” she says. There’s no doubt when it comes to Sharen’s next project, D.J. Hewitt Builders will be the first call she makes.