The Last Resort
The Ups and Downs of Buying a Stately Manor
Follow the wild, inspiring, and sometimes chaotic journey of Katrina McLarin and her wife Brenda Laverick as they trade in the ordinary for the extraordinary—purchasing and restoring Casa Nova House, a breathtaking 1861 Oamaru Stone mansion nestled in New Zealand’s stunning South Island.
From entrepreneurial dreams to real-life drama, this podcast dives into the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of taking on a historic property with no manual and no safety net. It’s a story of bold decisions, personal reinvention, and the power of saying yes to the unknown.
Whether you're into historic homes, renovation adventures, or stories of love and transformation, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.
The Last Resort
Ep 3 - Exploding Radiators
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Expect the unexpected—now a daily mantra in the early stages of restoring Casa Nova House. In the dead of winter, with freezing temperatures and no heating, Katrina and Brenda brave the elements to begin breathing life back into this once-grand old lady.
This episode dives into the gritty reality of heritage repairs, the surprises hidden behind old walls, and the determination it takes to turn a crumbling mansion into a future masterpiece—one cold day at a time.
Casa Nova House - The Journey
