Wall Treats is repositioning as a premium interior and exterior painting and decorating specialist, with a clear focus on heritage homes including villas, bungalows and restoration projects.
Award-winning master painter Daniel works on every job, all expertly priced by Ashley, who sits down with us to share more…
Can you tell us a little bit about how Wall Treats came to be?
Daniel and I both grew up surrounded by buildings that demanded care. He was raised in a Peruvian mountain village, where structures are made to endure – instilling in him an appreciation for craft that lasts. I grew up amongst Singapore’s shophouses, where the past is always peeking through the present.
I was fascinated by the decorative panels and friezes on those shophouse facades. At first glance, they resemble ordinary tilework. But look closer, and you’ll see entire narratives – Chinese cultural motifs, auspicious symbols, folklore – created through the art of Jian Nian (剪捻): pressing colourful porcelain shards into lime plaster to form vivid reliefs.
What sparked the decision to reposition Wall Treats toward heritage homes and high-end restoration work?
Homeowners who choose villas and bungalows do so because they love the patina and craftsmanship of such buildings. They’re passionate about the stories their homes hold – in the bones, the materials, the lives lived within. They embrace the care these houses require because these buildings are the legacy hey promise to future generations. Once lost, they’re gone forever.
What sets you apart from others in the industry?
Unlike ordinary contractors, we see preparation as investment, not cost. Surfaces are treated like the ‘glaze on a vase’ – revealing both beauty and quality beneath, sealed from the elements.
My background in finance taught me that financial uncertainty is what keeps people awake at night. That’s why we’ve engineered our quoting process to achieve roughly 99% accuracy.
We also understand the headaches clients face: disrupted routines, trades who overpromise and vanish, and the constant worry that details will slip through cracks. With Wall Treats, project management is as important as brushwork.
Heritage properties demand a different level of care – talk us through your process.
Our villas and bungalows were built in an age of abundant native timber, whereas today treated pine dominates. It’s vitally important to understand timber types because treatments and products differ dramatically. Different timbers also respond better to different products. We take time to understand the science behind compatibility rather than rush in.
The intricate fretwork and panelling that grace heritage homes were all carved and crafted by hand. We pay homage to those hands by working closely with homeowners to find harmony between their vision, the original craftsmanship, and longevity of the finish.
What are the most common mistakes people make when choosing colours or finishes for villas and bungalows?
When these homes were built, the landscape was vastly different. It makes a profound difference when paint colours make a house look like ‘it’s meant to be there’ versus a building that was ‘lifted and brought to site’. There’s also beauty in patina – it holds memories of lives well lived. Rather than expect the veneer perfection of a sprayed-on finish, embrace the perfection of imperfections.
What are your future goals for Wall Treats?
To be Auckland’s preferred artisan wall treatment specialists, bringing heritage, precision, and culturally informed craft to premium homes. We enter early as planners and coordinators, not just the last trade on site. We lay the invisible foundations: preparation, sequencing, quality control, and communication that protects standard, budget, and legacy. The result is calm delivery and a finish so seamless it disappears.
If you’re seeking both peace of mind and surfaces worthy of your story, discover more at walltreats.co.nz
WIN WITH VERVE
Gift your heritage home with the right paint colours so it sings with how it was meant to look.
WIN a bespoke interior or exterior paint colour scheme – valued at $1,000 – specially crafted by award-winning designer, Kelly Gammie of Rarebirds Interiors, click here to enter.
