Legendary renovators Alice and Caleb Pearson are finally tackling their own family dream home to undertake the non-demolition makeover – a transformation project they’ve dubbed That 70s Reno.
“The house was built 50 years ago for a family of six too,” Alice explains. “The layout is perfect, the location is a dream and it’s a renovation. To make the whole situation even better, there’s a minor dwelling for my parents, so we get to raise our kids with grandparents close by. We’ve called that the ‘Parental Pad.’”
So as they make their way through their house room by room, Alice and Caleb have also worked their signature magic on the Parental Pad, but it wasn’t as straightforward as they’d anticipated.
“The house itself was a bit of a challenge,” says Alice. ”Being a prefab, the walls were much thinner than standard, which made everything – from adding new plumbing to rewiring and installing new windows – significantly harder than expected. Beyond that, it was overrated and not practical, like the weird shub situation in the bathroom. And, of course, there was no deck outside, which made the space feel incomplete.”
Luckily this wasn’t the couple’s first rodeo. “A covered deck extension was a huge part of the vision. The biggest surprise for me was how much the original house improved with clever design and a great colour scheme. It turned a dated structure into something beautiful and functional.”
In classic Alice form, colour is king in the refresh, with an inspired palette of Resene paints and wallpapers bringing each of the inviting spaces to life. “We went for a retro-inspired look but with my own twist. Bold colours and patterns take centre stage, creating a vibrant, playful vibe while still feeling cohesive and intentional. It’s a mix of nostalgia and modern creativity, making the space truly one of a kind.”
