Renovating the GREAT DANE, Timaru (2026)

Join me, Alicia as my Hubby and I bring this forgotten 1910’s home back to life after sitting empty for 2 years for our family of seven with the help of incredible local businesses.

05/06/2026

Today we had the scaffold removed after a couple of months while stage one of the external renovations was completed and seeing the house uncovered again feels like a huge milestone.

Although stage one isn’t quite finished, we’re getting very close!

Planned over the next few months:

• Painters to complete the exterior, foundations and front entranceway

• Glass balustrade installed above the front door, replacing the old wooden one

• Builders to complete the front steps

• Flashings completed around the garage and over pvc pipes on the house

• Footpath sealing completed

• Removal of the old south staircase and stairwell door and bricked over

• Powder coat and adjust fire exit ladders

• Breeze blocks at the bottom of the steps

• New fencing & main corner entrance

It’s exciting watching the Great Dane slowly transform while still keeping its character intact.

Every week gets us one step closer - keep watching 👀 …

❓What’s stage 3? North balcony!

Absolute Scaffolding Ltd Jeff Allan Paint & Paper Brookland Aluminium 2016 Ltd Hanson Building Limited Dan Cosgrove 2014 Ltd Continuous Group South Island - Continuous Spouting South South Canterbury Roofing LTD Tonkin Electrical Solutions Ltd Geoff Tonkin Excavation Ltd Menzies Group Limited Patemans Lighthouse PlaceMakers Timaru Davidson Roof & Gutter Deborah Still Interior Design Alan Stringer Architect

04/06/2026

Big changes happening at the driveway entrance of The Great Dane 👏

What was originally going to be a carport has now become a three-bay garage, which meant we also needed to install a new galvanised stormwater pipe out to the gutter and new bridges and seal. 🚧

Today the team from Menzies Group Limited made a great start on the new seal and groundwork at the driveway entrance.

It’s a process that will take a few days, but it’s exciting seeing another piece of the renovation come together.

Every stage gets us one step closer 🙌

NZ Home Improvements, Renovations and Tips NZ Home decor, new build or renovation ideas New Zealand Architecture Construction, Architecture & Interior Design New Zealand

30/05/2026

The Great Dane is finally starting to reveal herself ✨

This morning, 1/4 of the scaffold came down thanks to the team at Absolute Scaffolding Ltd giving us our very first proper sneak peek at all the hard work happening behind the scenes — and wow, it’s starting to feel real.

Stage One is nearly complete:

✔️ New roof Dan Cosgrove 2014 Ltd + South Canterbury Roofing LTD

✔️ New spouting Continuous Group South Island - Continuous Spouting South

✔️ Upstairs double glazing Brookland Aluminium 2016 Ltd

✔️ Exterior painting Jeff Allan Paint & Paper + Deborah Still Interior Design

✔️ Exterior lighting Tonkin Electrical Solutions Ltd

Next week we finish the foundations and final coats on the downstairs windows before officially wrapping up this stage of the renovation journey.

➡️ And Stage Two? 👀

The balcony updates over the front door and removal of the south stairs and doorway!

🙌 Then we move into what might be my favourite transformation yet…. updating the wooden balcony and extension with glass balustrades and five-rib long run iron for a more modern look with longevity and low maintenance in mind.

Slowly but surely, this old girl is coming back to life ❤️

Construction, Architecture & Interior Design New Zealand NZ Home decor, new build or renovation ideas NZ Home Improvements, Renovations and Tips New Zealand Architecture Hanson Building Limited

22/05/2026

Another step closer to bringing our vision for Renovating the Great Dane to life ✨

We had Sam Tonkin from Tonkin Electrical Solutions Ltd here installing the final garage lights, tread lights, and the feature lights framing our front door — and seeing it all lit up at night completely changes the feel of the entrance.

Now we’re counting down to getting the front door area painted to truly complete the look. It’s the little finishing details that make the biggest difference.
Lighting sourced through Patemans Lighthouse🤍

16/05/2026

👀 I spy a little of the house…

We’ve had to have the 4th level of scaffold lowered to enable the painters to complete the painting of the window surrounds and the soffits and to also have our new spouting installed which all happens in the next ten days!!!

🙌 It’s pretty exciting to see a hint of what it will look like once all four levels of scaffold are down!

Absolute Scaffolding Ltd
Continuous Group South Island - Continuous Spouting South
Jeff Allan Paint & Paper
South Canterbury Roofing LTD
Dan Cosgrove 2014 Ltd
NZ Home decor, new build or renovation ideas NZ Home Improvements, Renovations and Tips Construction, Architecture & Interior Design New Zealand New Zealand Architecture Brookland Aluminium 2016 Ltd

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mums out there 🤍

These five are the reason behind my biggest smiles, my fullest heart, and the life I could only ever have dreamed of.

Being their mum is the greatest privilege, the wildest adventure, and without a doubt the role that has made me the happiest woman alive.

Through the chaos, laughter, challenges, and unforgettable moments… I wouldn’t change a thing.

My greatest achievement will always be these beautiful humans I get to call mine.

Forever grateful for my five greatest gifts 🤍

Address

Timaru
7910

Website

http://www.motivating-me.com/

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