Beachfront

This property was a neglected arts and crafts style bungalow in a stunning elevated position with 180 degree sea views. The house was very dark throughout due to extensive Rimu wood panelling, paired with old fashioned peeling textured mustard cream wallpaper. The brief was to change the feel of the house with no structural alterations and reconfigure the back garden to put in a pool and landing areas suitable for entertaining.

The first step was to paint all the wooden panelling a crisp white which made the house seem twice the size immediately.  The walls were painted a beautiful warm soft pale grey which sat beautifully with the greys often seen on the water.  Engineered floors were then laid on top of the Rimu floors and the home was re-carpeted.

The home has a lot of natural character and this was accentuated with some stunning wallpapers in the bathrooms.  The master ensuite was very run down, with rotten floorboards and a dirty yellow colour scheme.  The floors were covered with marble tiles laid in a striking chevron pattern.  The shower and bath were also re-tiled with marble and glass mosaics.  Variations of this were carried into the other bathrooms.

In the kitchen a gorgeous slab of stone was laid on top of the dark green granite (as bench height was not ergonomic anyway) and the splashback was freshened up with new tiles. All the lights were changed to LED with a signature feather light added to the entrance way and Bomma hand blown pendants over the dining table.  The light switches were bright garish gold, and these were electroplated to bring them back to an elegant antique bronze.

The results are stunning; now a light bright elegant home with an interior scheme that talks to the beautiful coastal position.  This house now has a quiet serenity to it, each room is understated and elegant and the materials and colours flow from one room to the next with subtle variations. The garden was completely re-worked. Previously full of black stoned off “areas” the entire section was cleared and replaced with a clean precise plan that includes three sections, a landing, a lawn and a pool - beautiful symmetry and perfect use of the space.