Design Case Study: A Personality-Packed Home

Between creating content for top New Zealand brands and sharing life updates on @oheyitsfifi, Sophie Chung managed to completely renovate her Auckland home — a project sparked not by choice, but by necessity when Cyclone Gabrielle caused major damage.

Sophie bought the house in 2018 at just 26, motivated by a desire for financial freedom. What followed was a long, budget-conscious transformation. With a Master’s in Architecture behind her, Sophie leaned on her eye for design and many hours of research to shape a home that feels modern, warm and personal. Wanting to avoid “Millennial grey” and stark white minimalism, she landed on a timeless palette of walnut wood, soft neutrals and layered textures — Scandinavian-inspired but full of warmth.

Structural fixes consumed much of her budget, but she refused to compromise on the everyday details: lighting, tapware, switches and flooring. With two dogs, practicality mattered — she chose laminate flooring that mimics natural timber while staying durable and water-resistant. Living through the renovation was challenging, with dust, delays and endless micro-decisions, but Sophie embraced the process, learning the power of details: one tile alignment or socket placement can make or break a room.

Her advice: research everything, lean on knowledgeable friends, and work with good people — they make all the difference to your sanity and your savings. The project isn’t quite finished, but the home already reflects Sophie’s personality: intentional, stylish, lived-in, and full of character.

Homeowner Sophie Chung

Installed by Flooring Xtra Mt Eden

Photographer Olivia Pitcher

Flooring: Quick-Step Impressive Laminate Natural Varnished Oak