The Star: June 14, 2018

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday June 14 2018 33
Need help with your home?
Shelley Robinson
counts down and
previews what will be
on offer at the Star
Media Home & Leisure
Show
MY 1910s villa is a bit of a
liquorice allsort, according to
my new best friend Sarita. To be
honest, I prefer Fruit Bursts, but
I don’t think that was her point.
Sarita Scarlett is Agility
Building Solutions’ project coordinator.
I call them the house
whispers of restoration and
renovations.
Of course, Sarita doesn’t know
she is my new best friend, but
she won’t be perturbed. She has a
great laugh about her – I imagine
she’d be a gas out on the town.
Let me rewind for you to see
how she came into my life.
I popped around to my parents
and the telly was on. Apparently
there is a whole rudding channel
dedicated to home improvement
and pa has developed a fondness
for it, knowing that he will be
called upon to help fix my house.
The programme on nearly
drove me to drink. It was a stone
ADVICE: Check out what’s on offer at the Star Media
Home & Leisure Show, June 29 to July 1, Horncastle Arena.
house restoration. Completely
shagged of course. Half an hour
later, though, it was an ode to the
forefathers of the United Sates or
some rot like that.
But I was in a state of misery. A
team of restorers had to be used
and there were hidden defects
HORNCASTLE ARENA
June 29 - July 1 10AM - 5PM
TICKETS ONLINE: starhomeshow.kiwi
that would have seen the upstairs
crash down upon those bathing
below.
Now when I look around
my house, which I’ve named
Mildred Mary, my naive No 8
wire spirit has been rocked. And
I’ve no mind to have someone
crashing down on me while I’m
showering.
That’s when Sarita came into
my life. She is chief hand-holder
and soothsayer for the house
whisperers. Though she does
draw the line at relationship
advice.
I confided in her that I don’t
actually know what I am doing.
I know the council and a builder
will be involved. Very likely my
wine merchant for sustenance.
I told her Mildred Mary was
once a grocery shop – I have the
1932 photo. Teenagers casually
rocking their pinafores, puffing
out their smocked chests.
But then there is the kitchen,
living room and master suite,
which looks more modern,
and then the bathroom, spare
bedroom and attic studies from
the 1980s.
“It’s a liquorice allsort,” said
Sarita, as she soothed my furrowed
brow,”when you’ve done
it up, it will be beautiful, I love
those places with character.”
My heart swelled with pride.
Like my bathroom with condensation.
She will take care of everything
alongside of the project
managers including owner
Harry.
Everyone needs a Sarita in
their lives, so head down to the
Home & Leisure Show, take in a
few photos of your project and
let the house whisperers take it
from there.
•Visit www.
starhomeshow.kiwi to buy
tickets
•To get in touch with
Agility Building Solutions
Ltd, email www.agbs.co.nz
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