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 4 - Just a Little World-Wide Pandemic
With funding finally secured, major renovations at Casa Nova House are ready to begin—until the world comes to a screeching halt. As Covid-19 sweeps across the globe, Katrina and Brenda find themselves in lockdown, juggling halted progress, limited income, and growing financial pressure.
In this episode, hear how they navigate isolation in a half-renovated mansion, facing uncertainty with grit, humor, and just enough toilet paper—but maybe not enough paint. Will their dream survive a global pandemic?
Casa Nova House - The Journey
