Up-cycling lover and house flipper Ange Demchy, of Hamilton, has done up seven properties in three years.
Enlisting her husband Tony's help, the 44-year-old teacher quit her job three years ago to renovate for a living.
Every house she designed is decorated with prime-looking furniture and decor pieces. But her secret? They are all second-hand, bought for a bargain, or even free.
“Mostly it’s because I can’t afford to buy stuff in the nice and expensive shops," Ange says. "I never know what I’m going to find, I just find it and make it work.”
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Ange renovates on a tight budget so is always on the hunt for winning bargains or even free items from op-shops, markets and social media trading groups. She scopes out her local Salvation Army op-shop every Saturday morning, and admits the family garage was filled with bargain furniture pieces.
She's found side tables, coffee tables, bed side tables and drawers, mostly for under $50, that she up-cycles with a quick paint job - usually white, black or charcoal – and the piece is ready to go.
“I bought a very cute little table with cute little legs which I painted black and used in the lounge. It was a bit pricey ($120) but then I saw the same piece for $250," she says. "But I don’t usually pay that much.”
Old op-shop and found furniture and accessories are upgraded with Ange Demchy's favoured palette of black, charcoal and white. Picture/supplied.
She likes to style her home with what she calls “old world charm” saying vintage, modern farmhouse and Hamptons-style interiors are her go-to styles. She says trends as die quickly while traditional styles don’t.
“I don’t really use current trends because to me trends date really quickly. If you buy a house with a brand-new kitchen that is ready for today, in 10-years' time it will be dated and needing replacement."
Upcycling furniture and accessories is a creative outlet and relaxation for Ange.
“People relax when they read a book or watch telly, my relaxation time is creating things. I’ve always done it from when I was little.
“Sometimes I buy things and never get around to doing them but am not prepared to throw them away," Ange admits.
Renovator Ange Demchy upgraded this kitchen with paint, new flooring, fashionable black handles and tile, and a new bench and appliances. Picture/supplied.
The family is currently renovating their family home of five bedrooms and three bathrooms. It’s the first time they’re working on the place and living in it at the same time.
The biggest challenge to date was renovating the kitchen as it had unexpected plumbing issues and burst pipes causing a major flood in the house.
“It was a huge flood, I had to use every towel and sheet in my house to clean it up," she says.
She considers herself fortunate that walls were still unfinished and the kickboards not installed, so the damage was limited.
Two out of Tony and Ange's three children still living at home are used to constant do-ups and Ange is considering giving them tools soon.
“We would quite like to start getting [her son] involved. He mows the lawns and things for us but it’s time to get him painting, I think," she says. “The kids know we are eating takeaways for dinner when we are renovating.”
