When we first stepped into our 1920s Nelson cottage, I told Marcus it felt like the house was giving me a hug. It was small, sun-drenched, and - crucially for a mum of two - the double stroller fit through the front door!
We are so incredibly honoured to have our home featured in Your Home and Garden. This house isn't just where we live; it’s the heart and soul behind everything we do here at The Workers Cottage.
The Big Move and the 'Blessed Disguise'
Moving from a 212sqm new-build in Christchurch to this 112sqm historic cottage was a massive shift. I quickly realised that my mid-century modern furniture, which I loved, just didn’t fit the scale or the "calm austerity" of this 100-year-old home.
Selling those pieces turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I fell in love with the process of finding new homes for vintage treasures, and just like that, The Workers Cottage shop was born. Now, the old lean-to serves as my studio, photography space and stockroom.
Making a House a Home (On a Budget!)
One of my favourite parts of the Your Home and Garden feature is the focus on how we made this space work for a young family without breaking the bank. Some of our favourite highlights include:
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The $2,000 Kitchen Reveal: We found a pre-loved Shaker kitchen on Marketplace and had our joiner reconfigure it to fit our space. It saved us tens of thousands of dollars and kept quality materials out of the landfill.
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The French Workbench: Our kitchen island is actually a vintage French workbench with hidden enamel basins - perfect for storing our fruit and veg.
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A Serendipitous Choice: We chose a soft green for our window frames, only to find an old photo later showing the house had green windows back in the 1920s. It felt like the house was nodding its approval.
Small Space, Big Community
Living in a smaller home has taught us to be intentional. Every piece of furniture, from the small but mighty dining table that handles both family dinners and toddler crafts, to the Dutch wardrobe we moved from Christchurch, has a purpose.
But the best part of this cottage isn't just what’s inside - it’s the community. Whether it’s hosting pizza nights on the deck (Marcus has turned his Ooni skills into a fine art!) or chatting with neighbours over the low fences, this modest cottage has given us a very full life.
See the Full Tour
If you’d like to see more photos of our "dry" garden (inspired by Piet Oudolf) or take a peek inside the girls' vintage-filled bedrooms, you can read the full article on the Your Home and Garden website here.
Thank you for being part of our story. Whether you're here to find a vintage piece for your own home or just to follow our renovation journey, we’re so glad you’re here!
Article written by Debbie Harrison & photographs by Tim Williams.
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