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Innovation and connection
Welcome to the very first edition of Distinctive Designs covering the Central and Lower North Island — a region rich in architectural diversity, innovation, and connection to the environment.
In these pages, you’ll discover homes that challenge convention, elevate craftsmanship, and respond thoughtfully to their natural surroundings. From bold builds on coastal hillsides to character-filled renovations and refined rural retreats, each project reflects the unique vision of the people behind it — architects, builders, designers, and, of course, the homeowners themselves.
What unites them all is a shared commitment to quality, creativity, and a sense of place. Whether you're seeking inspiration or simply admiring the view, we hope this collection sparks fresh ideas and deep appreciation for what makes design in this region so distinctive.
Thank you for joining us on this exciting new journey.
Stuart Dye Group Editor | 021 676 320 stuart@academygroup.co.nz
Crafting homes that reflect your authentic identity, inspired by natures textures and hues. Lauren blends colour, comfort and functionality to create beautifully personalised designs.
027 344 9132 | lauren@lozinteriors.co.nz
www.lozinteriors.com | � � /lozinteriors
Lauren Bolton Interior Designer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Items of desire
The very best ideas to furnish your home.
The art of living
A contemporary reimagining of a heritage Mount Victoria villa.
Anchored in the environment
Sun and sweeping views from an Island Bay hillside masterpiece.
A hole in one
In harmony with the outdoors for a golf-loving family.
Kapiti views
Award-winning home a perfect blend of modern luxury and timeless restraint.
These four walls
Industrial design high above the Kaptiti coastline.
From country to coast
From redefining rural architecture to a Hamptons home in the dunes.
Kovacs Design Furniture is available through interior design professionals, get in touch through our contact page. You can also experience Kovacs for yourself at one of our nationwide retailers, scan the QR code to find a stockist near you.
Elton Modular Lounge and Ottoman
Thinking of building in Queenstown?
Whether you’re relocating, investing, or dreaming of a holiday home, Primevue makes the process seamless from start to finish.
Specialising in everything from full residential builds to renovations and extensions, Primevue delivers projects on time, on budget, and to the highest standard. Based in Queenstown, Primevue is owned and operated by young Kiwi couple Blair and Jess, who are passionate about the region and the future of its building industry. If you’re building from the North Island and want trusted, local expertise on the ground in Queenstown, Primevue offers the skill, transparency, and innovation to bring your vision to life.
Wynn Coffee Table
Bring balance and natural warmth to your living space with the Wynn Coffee Table. Defined by its sleek ski-base design and gentle chamfered edges, this piece embodies understated craftsmanship that defines contemporary New Zealand design.
RRP $2,050.00 www.woodwrights.co.nz
Tribu Senja Meridienne by Studio Segers
The Tribu Senja Meridienne combines deep, inviting cushions with a sleek powder-coated frame, offering comfort and elegance outdoors. Customise with a choice of finishes and weather-resistant fabrics. A refined side table can also be attached, making it perfect for relaxed lounging with everything close at hand.
RRP $13,679.00 www.dawsonandco.nz
Alesso Curved Sofa
Bring contemporary style outdoors with the Alesso Curved Sofa. Crafted from powder-coated aluminium and styled in elegant curves, its natural tone and moistureresistant spun-polyester cushions create a relaxed, weather-ready focal point.
RRP $2,199.00 (down from $2,999.00) www.earlysettler.co.nz
Aster 9 Light Rectangle
Marble Chandelier
Illuminate your space with understated luxury. The Aster 9 Light Rectangle Marble Chandelier brings together a fine brushed-bass metal frame with natural marble pieces, each subtly different in tone, meaning every piece is unique. Designed to span 120cm and drop 119cm from the ceiling (with rods that can be removed to adjust the height), it’s ideally sized for larger rooms, such as dining areas or kitchen islands, where you want presence and balance.
RRP $1,699.00 (down from $2,299.00) www.earlysettler.co.nz
Greg Natale ‘Fragment’
Rendered in luxurious Tibetan wool and bamboo silk, the hand-knotted “Fragment” rug by Greg Natale is a monochromatic ode to nature’s abstract forms. Measuring approximately 300 x 240cm, it brings sophisticated texture and quiet luxury underfoot.
RRP POE www.designerrugs.nz
Atelier Sofa
Crafted in a softly curved silhouette, the Atelier Sofa brings a refined sense of Parisian chic to modern living rooms. Tailor it to your space with a choice of over 40 luxe upholstery options, ensuring your sofa is individual to your style.
RRP $5,020.00 (down from $6,695.00) www.cocorepublic.co.nz
DISCLAIMER: Please note prices listed here are recommended retail pricing. Prices are subject to change at the discretion of the seller. The information on this page is for information purposes only. The Job Agency Ltd assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Concertina Skylouvre
Invented in New Zealand by J&C, the Concertina SkyLouvre is NZ’s first fully retractable roof louvre, offering open-sky freedom or full shelter at the touch of a button.
Euro Boulevard Awning
Contemporary retractable awning with manual or motorised control. Add sensors or lighting for effortless shade and comfort, beautifully tailored to your home.
OUTDOOR LIVING, REDEFINED
Proudly New Zealand-made, every product is custom-built, colourmatched, and powered by premium European motors. Backed by a 3-year warranty for total peace of mind.
Enjoy year-round outdoor entertaining with Johnson & Couzins, New Zealand’s leaders in premium outdoor living solutions. Their innovative SkyLouvres adjustable aluminium roofs let you control sunlight and rain at the touch of a button, transforming decks and terraces into beautiful, functional spaces. Johnson & Couzins offers a wide range of awnings, canopies, umbrellas, shade sails and outdoor screens. They provide stylish shelter, shade and privacy throughout New Zealand with a free measure and quote service.
Calido Vista Screen
Transform your deck into a windproof outdoor room with elegant, motorised Vista Calido Zip Screens - sleek, quiet, and built for year-round comfort.
Solido Skylouvre
The Solido SkyLouvre offers stylish, permanent shelter. Durable aluminium and integrated gutters deliver lasting protection with minimal maintenance year-round.
Silencio Skylouvre
Whisper-quiet, effortlessly sleek, the Silencio SkyLouvre rotates 120º for perfect shade or shelter, combining smart automation, heating, and lighting for effortless year-round comfort.
A stylish retractable awning offering shade on demand and seamless retraction. Customisable colours, wind sensors, and premium European design for lasting performance.
www.johnsonandcouzins.com
Cabriolet Boulevard Awning
AN EXPLORATION OF LIGHT, SPACE AND COLOUR
WRITTEN BY JONATHON TAYLOR
Max Patté is a contemporary multimedia artist known for his vivid interplay of light, colour, and form. Educated at the Wimbledon School of Art in London and elected an Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 2008, Max has developed a practice that spans sculpture, painting, and immersive light art.
His studio work is driven by a fascination with the liminal spaces where light and colour meet — the threshold where mood shifts and perception of space changes.
“I’ve always been captivated by that moment of transition, when light shifts and suddenly a space feels entirely different. That’s where the magic happens,” Max says.
He works across traditional sculptural mediums such as cast iron and bronze, but equally embraces digital and technological toolsets, including CNC milling, 3D scanning, digital programs, and apps, which are all part of his working vocabulary. “I don’t see a divide between traditional and digital tools,” he explains. “They’re all ways of making, and each has its own strengths in helping me express an idea.”
Some of Max’s most iconic works have become landmarks in New Zealand. Solace in the Wind, a figure cast in iron and placed on the Wellington waterfront, leans into wind and weather in a gesture of human vulnerability and connection to place. “That piece was about surrender,” Max reflects. “Letting go, being present, and embracing the elements, literally and emotionally.”
Max’s Infinity Works series employs illuminated spheres and wall works in which colour, tone, saturation and negative space co-operate to affect not just what is seen, but how one feels in a space. “These works aren’t just visual, they’re emotional landscapes,” Max explains. “They change the way a room feels, how your body feels inside that room.”
The pieces are neither purely decorative nor merely technical: they alter environments, shifting the viewer’s relationship to the space in which the artwork lives.
Max’s art is available through Lightworx Gallery by ArtBay in Queenstown. Lightworx represents both his sculptures and light works, offering collectors and visitors access to iconic outdoor pieces and his more experimental, luminous creations.
Beyond individual works, what makes his practice compelling is how he merges the visceral with the conceptual. He draws on natural phenomena, such as how daylight moves across surfaces or how sky colours shift, and filters this through both traditional craft and modern fabrication.
The result is work that is grounded yet ethereal. “Nature is still the biggest inspiration,” Max says. “The sky, the sea, the way light hits a surface, is all endlessly inspiring. I just try to respond to it in my own way.”
www.maxpatte.com
CRAFTING QUALITY FOR ALL NEW ZEALANDERS
WRITTEN BY PAIGE O’BRIEN
IMAGES BY DAVID HENSEL
Arête Architects was founded at the start of 2021 with a simple yet purposeful idea in mind. “The goal at that stage was to design architecture that was more intrinsically responding to its environment,” says director Sam Brown.
As the practice evolved, so did its ethos. When Johnny Fletcher joined as a business partner in early 2023, the firm further refined its direction. “Since then, our focus has become about promoting conscientious architecture,” Sam explains. “Environmental aspects are at the forefront of that, but it goes beyond now, more of a holistic view.”
This shift in identity was the driving force behind a recent rebrand. “In March this year, we started on a rebranding process, which we launched in May/June,” Sam says. “We’re five years into business, and what we thought we were going to be on day one is not necessarily what we are now. We wanted to realign our emerging voice and how we present ourselves as an architecture firm to better reflect the work we do.”
One of Arete's standout projects, The Restricted Section, marks a key moment for the practice. “That was our first foray into SIP construction and a chance for us to deliver good quality, high-performing architecture at a price point that’s available to everybody,” Sam says. “A big focus for us is bringing better housing to New Zealand, because there’s a lot of housing out there that is not up to scratch. The Restricted Section was our first attempt at that, and a pretty successful one.”
Although residential projects are the core focus, Arête has also made a mark in the hospitality scene. “Mojo café on Brandon Street is probably our flagship hospitality project to date,” says Sam. “Through the design of Brandon Street, we worked hand in hand with Mojo to create a new image for them, and we’ve since established a common aesthetic across their stores.”
With a growing portfolio of projects in Central Otago and originally being from Dunedin, Sam is planning on making the move down south to support that work more directly and be close to family. “Since 2022, we’ve been doing work in and around Central Otago, and that area of growth has been a big one for us.”
While Arête still operates primarily from the North Island, the move signals an exciting new chapter. “One of our main drivers is wanting to deliver quality architecture to all of New Zealand,” Sam says. “Having a base in the North and South Islands is pretty key to that.”
www.aretearchitects.co.nz
WHERE NATURE MEETS DESIGN
Mark Newdick is a Wellington-based landscape architect specialising in residential design. Growing up in the spectacular landscapes of the South Island led him to study ecology and landscape at Lincoln University, beginning his fascination with the myriad textures, colours and characters of native plants and with abstracting natural forms and patterns into domestic landscapes.
Mark applies his fascination with abstracting natural forms to a variety of scales, from small urban retreats to sprawling rural and coastal gardens. One of his earlier works, the Webb Street Garden, takes inspiration from the pared-back, simple block forms typical of the new-build architecture from David Melling. Mark’s design fractures this in myriad ways through paving, water features, seating and fencing, wrapping a continuous sculptural landscape around the home.
WRITTEN BY PAIGE O’BRIEN
IMAGES BY ANDY SPAIN AND JULIET NICHOLAS IN ASSOCIATION WITH LOCAL
The organic arrangement of hard landscape elements softens the edges of the landscape, drawing the eye away from the edges and creating a peaceful space in a tight urban site. The water feature enhances the calm as ripples of water gently cascade over fractured bluestone, creating ambient sound.
Te Whare Mara (The Garden House) extends the architectural language of The Webb Street garden pond throughout the entire garden. Located on a typically steep Wellington site, concrete paving, steel planters, and timber fencing organically step up in seemingly random intervals, deftly navigating the terrain and inviting one into the garden. The planting design complements and amplifies this, with a diverse palette of strong forms and textures, including from many unique divaricating New Zealand plants. Combined, these elements provide strong forms and visual interest, with a softness and ease that creates stunning views from inside the Gerald Parsonson-designed house.
Different in scale and context, the Raumati Beach garden is on a large coastal section surrounding a new home by Wellington designer, Gavin Wallace. The spacious garden contains many distinct spaces united by a consistent design language and stylistic elements.
An artificial lawn provides an all-weather spill-out space and connects to a set of steps which double as a grandstand seating area for the larger natural lawn. A sunken garden, private and sheltered, hosts larger groups gathered around a brazier. An elevated viewing deck is a sought-after vantage point for beach gazing and afternoon drinks in the sun.
Throughout his work, Mark applies themes of natural abstraction to any space – small or large, urban or rural.
Although based in Wellington, Mark works throughout Aotearoa and enjoys the challenge of reconciling a client’s design brief with the natural character of any given site.
www.marknewdick.co.nz
CHARACTER
WRITTEN BY SHELLEY SWEENEY
This farmhouse style villa kitchen, has been restored with great care and artistry by Fusion Joinery. From the initial designs through to the selection of materials and installation, this sympathetic kitchen restoration combines traditional style with modern convenience.
“The clients wanted to recreate accents to be in keeping with the home. To give the look of traditional furniture rather than a modern look,” says Thaine Newport from Fusion Joinery. “We used detailing mimicking the doors, furniture and architraves from the home.
“Fusion Joinery worked through the entire design process, concepts, mock up samples manufacture and install of this kitchen. We project managed the job, from floor sanders and coaters to the electrician and plumbers” says Thaine.
“Our brief was to create a kitchen that fitted the home in both styling, function, aesthetics and of course a kitchen our client would love for years to come. And they do!”
Thaine and his team used materials with a traditional aesthetic in the kitchen construction.
The exterior of the cabinetry is a combination of high-density moisture resistant MDF and treated pine. “We used a porcelain butler sink from ABI interiors for the main sink and a Robiq stainless steel sink by Archant for the pot sink,” says Thaine.
The Tapware was supplied by Archant, along with the bench top and splash back in Florim Porcelain Calcutta Gold. The high-quality hardware, hinges and draw runners by Blum soft-close naturally and a selection of brushed brass handles on the drawers and cabinets were supplied by Archant.
The owners like to entertain so dual ovens were installed in two locations to cater for guests, offering multiple zones in which to cook. The larger oven is ideal for entertaining and the second smaller oven is used for everyday meals.
The client chose Fusion Joinery because of how well they listened and considered every request to create a truly unique kitchen that will be enjoyed for many years to come.
www.fusion-joinery.com
CRAFTING HOMES WITH INTENTION AND CHARACTER
WRITTEN BY JONATHON TAYLOR
Kurio is a Wellington-based interior design studio founded by Katie Peck and Nikki Burnet, whose shared vision brings together decades of international and local experience across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Europe.
With a reputation for delivering thoughtful, wellcrafted interiors, Kurio’s work sits at the intersection of creativity and functionality. Their design philosophy is grounded in three key principles: well-executed, intentional and unexpected. “We want our spaces to feel deliberate, not over-designed,” Nikki says. “Every decision should serve a purpose, whether that’s practical, emotional or aesthetic.”
Kurio’s residential work reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, offering a comprehensive, full-service approach to clients nationwide. “We have projects from Auckland down to Wanaka and everywhere in between,” Nikki says.
This collaborative approach encompasses guiding a project from its early concept to final styling, encompassing everything from space planning and material specification to custom joinery, furnishings, and bespoke details. “It’s about taking the pressure off clients,” Nikki explains. “We handle the big picture, but also the tiniest details that make a space sing.”
Their strength lies in creating layered, cohesive interiors that feel both beautiful and liveable, whether for a new build or a large-scale renovation. Central to their process is a belief that good design begins with listening. “We always start by understanding how people live,” Nikki says. “It’s their story, not ours, that should come through in the design.”
Materials and textures are handled with a refined and intuitive touch. Natural timbers, stones, and metals are layered with precision, often accented by custom-made elements that bring warmth and character. While Kurio’s palettes often lean toward timeless neutrals, they aren’t afraid to take risks. “We love working with unexpected colour — rich
teals, mustard tones, deep greens,” Nikki says. “Used thoughtfully, those moments can add a layer of surprise that still feels cohesive.”
Kurio also offers bespoke furniture design and custom joinery, frequently collaborating with local makers to realise site-specific solutions. “There’s something really special about working with craftspeople,” Nikki adds. “It means we can create pieces that fit perfectly, both in terms of scale and story.”
Final styling including art, accessories, and soft furnishings, is never an afterthought. It’s treated as an essential final layer that brings the entire vision together. “Styling finishes the sentence,” Nikki says. “It’s where personality, memory, and emotion live.”
Kurio’s residential interiors stand out for their quiet confidence and clear sense of identity, homes that are not only refined and timeless, but also deeply connected to the people who inhabit them. “At the end of the day we want to design spaces that feel like home — not like a showroom, but a place that reflects who you are and how you live.”
www.kurio.co.nz
KATIE PECK AND NIKKI BURNET
THE ART OF LIVING
WRITTEN BY SHELLEY SWEENEY
IMAGES BY ANNA BRIGGS
This double bay heritage villa in Mount Victoria has been artfully reimagined, embracing contemporary living with a rear extension that engages with the garden and a cherished century-old pear tree.
Having worked with the homeowners on a previous interior project, Kurio Design were engaged from the start. Interior Designer Katie Peck viewed the house with the clients prior to the purchase, offering insight and design advice.
Katie says: “At our recommendation, the clients engaged Slessor Architects to help with the addition, then Kurio set to work designing
the bathrooms, kitchen, bespoke joinery, lighting, fittings, and finishes, right down to the soft furnishings.”
The rear of the house was opened up and connected to the back garden with a new extension to complement the original house. The home features three bedrooms, including a generous primary suite, along with three bathrooms and two living areas.
“Slessor Architects gave us a great plan and blank canvas to start designing from and did a great job of keeping the ceilings high in the new addition,” says Katie.
The client’s extensive collection of contemporary wall art and sculptures became the starting point for the interior design, inspiring an over-arching neutral palette of rich timber.
“We combined a bold industrial aesthetic with fun, vibrant colours to create energy and personality. At the same time, we incorporated a mid-century nod through the use of warm wood tones and a carefully curated colour palette, striking a balance between a playful and timeless look,” says Katie.
“We wanted to keep the heritage proportions of the property whilst injecting the client’s personality into the spaces,” says Katie.
Vibrant jewel-toned colours were chosen for drapery and tiling to reference late Victorian interiors, and were contrasted with crisp Resene Alabaster walls. The transition between the original double bay villa and new extension is marked by a bespoke crittall steel framed door with fluted glass.
“We kept the base palette of materials natural in essence; including marbles and granites, larch veneer, steel, matai flooring, and wool carpet,” says Katie.
Katie and her team designed a range of bespoke joinery throughout the home, which was crafted by Well Hung Joinery. The kitchen, laundry, banquette, breakfast nook, fire hearth, dining room shelving, Crittall door and custom wardrobes in all three bedrooms were expertly designed and fitted.
“Well Hung Joinery really understand how we think and our need for perfection and high quality craftmanship,” says Katie.
The kitchen features a wrap-around envelope of stone on the back wall in Infinity White quartzite. This is bordered by VidaSpace timber veneer cabinetry in Winter Larch to bring a warm midcentury aesthetic.
The hero piece in the living space is a Fusion Green Quartzite fireplace hearth which
complements the wall art while bringing an earthy, grounded feel to the room.
The dining cabinetry with its slim steel inserts is an understated but refined detail in contrast with the rich larch veneer. The custom green leather banquette with velvet bolster back is a striking feature that maximises space.
The main bathroom, the smaller vibrant emeraldgreen tiles above large-scale white Carrara marble tiles are contrasted with black tapware. This bold contrast is visually striking, yet classic in intent.
Katie likes the way the open plan kitchen, dining and living space flows. “There is a lot of quiet, intentional, bespoke detailing in each one of these zones which I love and those elements create a visually satisfying and ultra comfortable living space for our clients.”
“This home showcases the Kurio Design love of mixed style, material, colour and form in a way that perfectly celebrates the personalities of its owners.”
www.kurio.co.nz
WALKER BOX
WRITTEN BY JONATHON TAYLOR
IMAGES BY DAVID STRAIGHT
Walker Box is a delightful defiance of the expected. Born from a selfbuild spirit and squeezed onto a sliver of Wellington hillside, this 63-squaremetre tower challenges planning norms, spatial conventions, and the very idea of what a home can be.
This space combines a home, a studio and a tribute to architect Roger Walker in a colourful, vertical design filled with personality and smart details.
Designed by its owner-architect, Micah Rickards of Micah Architecture, the project won the 2025 NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards’ Small Project Architecture category. Quirky, compact, and deeply personal, it embodies Wellington’s architectural flair and the art of creative constraint.
Walker Box was a long-gestating, mostly self-built labour of love. “It involved years of pencil-in-hand design and many more weekends with a drill, hammer, and saw,” Micah says. The project also channels his childhood adventures, when he and his father searched for Roger Walker’s houses scattered throughout Wellington’s hills. His father later became a key collaborator on the build.
Constructed on the site of a friend’s disused garage, the 6x4m footprint rises 8m over three stories, with one function per floor. The choice of concrete block as a primary material made itself, as it was the only feasible material for the amount of substantive retaining work required.
Living sits at the top to capture views and winter sun, the middle holds a bedroom and compact bathroom and a closet, and the lower level offers a flexible space. It’s a ‘big small house’ working hard across every square metre.
“Subdividing has been a win-win for myself and the owners of the host property,” Micah explains. “Our tiny 100m² lot certainly raised council eyebrows, but it was worth it for having good friends living just up the back. It’s the best sort of community for those of us who like a quiet life.”
“The lower flexible space has a curtain which divides the space. It is currently used as my partner’s hair salon. At other times, the curtains create a guest nook so they can have some privacy. There is space for yoga, a gym and my grandfather’s piano, where me and music friends get together, on the odd occasion, and have a play.”
The home’s distinctive elements pay homage to Walker: spiral stairs, pops of colour, exposed timber beams, and compressed yet open spaces. A Parkwood Duramax composite front door stands up to Wellington’s harsh weather. Inside, the flooring is finished in Natural Paint Company’s Hard Floor Oil. “I didn’t want anything toxic or plasticky,” Micah says. The sculptural spiral staircase is a kitset design by enzie®, combining sculptural elegance with efficiency. The award-winning steel form suits the home’s tight dimensions and vertical flow.
The exterior and interior palette was developed in collaboration with Lauren Bolton of LOZ Interiors.
“Immediately, I could see this project was special and had instant identity,” she says. “We wanted to elevate its already notable street presence.
“I could see that Micah has a real eye for how light funnels into a space through his masterful window dimensions and placement. Thus, the idea of colour blocking the internal edge of the concrete on various windows in Dulux Mairangi Bay blue emerged. This meant the colour was going to be viewed on both the exterior and interior, which was important as the colours thread throughout, and create such a beautiful connection,” Lauren says.
Lauren Bolton Interior Designer
Micah’s precise window placement became the springboard for an inventive colourblocking approach. “We used Dulux Mairangi Bay blue on the internal concrete edges of key windows, so the colour is visible both inside and out,” Lauren says. “It threads the entire home together beautifully.”
A playful Dulux Intensity Sunshine yellow was chosen for the underside of the rainwater head and downpipe. “I love looking up at the blue sky and seeing that pop of yellow from the street,” she adds. “We also used Dulux Moutere red and Oriental Bay to provide a vibrant but cohesive exterior base,” she says.
Due to being dug 3.2 metres into a hillside, the engineer on the project, Chris Speed from Dunning Thornton, suggested using block
for the entire structure. “In a small project like this, it made sense. It’s quick to assemble, cost-effective, and serves as both structure and cladding, and is low maintenance,” Micah says.
With a wide range of influences behind it, this building remains unmistakably one of a kind. Inside, the contrast between solid forms and open spaces adds to its compelling atmosphere.
“I focus on smaller home design, where small also means beautiful, warm, efficient and hard-working … with a playful touch,” Micah says. The solid shell enabled Micah and his father, now in his 80s, to complete the interior themselves, a poetic full circle from their early Walker-spotting days.
www.micah.co.nz
ANCHORED IN THE ENVIRONMENT
WRITTEN BY SHELLEY SWEENEY
IMAGES BY SIMON DEVITT PHOTOGRAPHER
Expertly carved into the steep Island Bay hillside, this light-filled environmentally conscious design from Arête Architects is positioned for sun and sweeping views across Wellington and Cook Straight.
Rob Seymour of Seymour Construction is both the builder and owner of this high-performance home. Rob who grew up locally says, “The opportunity to secure a piece of land in Island Bay, not far from where we lived at the time, was too good to miss.”
Rob and his partner Maria met architect Sam Brown from Arête Architects through mutual friends. “We came to him with a few ideas, but we also wanted to give him the freedom to create something unique.”
Sam says: “Rob and Maria were keen to use a young, creative and flexible architect. We signed the contract the day my daughter was born so it was all go, from the start.”
The couple were impressed by Sam’s diligence and ability to make the most of the tricky hillside site. “He knew the site would present challenges, but he had planned for them from the very beginning,” says Rob.
Australian Hardwood by:
Sam says: “They had both worked incredibly hard to be able to build their forever home and wanted it to be a true testament to this hard work. As Rob was building it too, he wanted a chance to showcase his skill set, so no concept was too outlandish.”
This steep site came with some even steeper challenges including the complexity of the consent process. Rob says, “With a 35 to 40-degree slope, everything had to be carefully planned from the outset.” A considerable 1,600m³ of rock was excavated to carve out a platform for the 276 square metre house and garage from the 506 square metre section.
“Working with Mark from Collab Engineering was such a positive part of our build,” says Rob.
“He made the structural side of the build feel less intimidating and much more collaborative.
Sam says: “The design is unique and inviting, clean and mature - with the exterior being prominent but also sympathetic of the surrounding environment.”
The main house is comprised of three bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus a large office and three decks. Above the garage is a one-bedroom self-contained studio with an ensuite and deck which has been a very popular holiday let.
The kitchen features custom elements created by Rob from Seymour Construction, from the, floating, chamfered concrete bench to the swamp totara pendant and deep green cabinetry the kitchen has a rich and natural aesthetic.
“In the main house, the bedrooms have been designed to make you feel as though you are floating above Island Bay below,” says Sam. “The corner floor to ceiling glazing, hung out on the edge of the home is not a place for those with vertigo, but is one of my favourite places in the home. It expresses a beautiful juxtaposition between comfort an unease.”
The main ensuite features sage green mosaics from Artedomus. The bath boasts an uninterrupted view over Island Bay and the Cook Strait. “Soaking there feels like a retreat, with the landscape stretching out in front of you through the full-height glazing,” says Maria.
The blue bathroom was designed with guests in mind. Maria says: “We used Queensbury tiles with Inkiostro Bianco wallpaper sourced from Italy. It’s bold, and we absolutely love the statement it makes.
“For the downstairs guest bathroom, we kept the tiles simple, a classic white square but gave it a playful twist with custom pink grout. It’s unexpected and fun, and always gets a reaction.”
In the studio space above the garage, the couple wanted a handcrafted look. “Rob built a handmade tōtara vanity with a custom concrete top. We added an Eden Stone basin with a curved profile, a beautiful detail that softens the overall look and makes the vanity a real feature,” says Maria.
Wainui Joinery crafted some of the key elements that make this house feel special. They completed the painted-finish kitchen in Resene Black Forest, beautifully paired with aged walnut panelling. They also designed and built the oak vanity in the ensuite and the laundry cabinetry in Melteca Bayleaf, each piece tailored perfectly to the spaces.
Rob sourced and used a lot of recovered swamp totara through the build from the treads of the main stair to the handrails, kitchen light, vanities and external timber screens.
LMA recycled timber cladding in Ironbark Australian eucalypt hardwood was specified to bring character and sustainability to the exterior. Inside, the lounge ceiling and soffits add warmth and texture paired with VidaSpace hardwood flooring.
“Building on such a steep, technically demanding site was never going to be easy, but pushing the limits of structural engineering and architectural design in a residential setting was incredibly satisfying. Achieving a high-performance standard added another layer of complexity, one that made the finished result feel even more special," says Rob.
“One of the key things about this project was the young, keen and capable team that was on it. The Hill House is certainly a flagship project for me and Arête and one I and the entire team involved can be incredibly proud of,” says Sam.
Rob says: “I particularly love the use of recycled timber, which brings both sustainability and character to the home. Island Bay is a stunning place to work, but it’s an even better place to live. At the end of the day, what stands out most is creating a home that isn’t just a feat of design and engineering, but a beautiful, comfortable place for my wife and our cats to enjoy every day.”
www.aretearchitects.co.nz
A HOLE IN ONE
WRITTEN BY SHELLEY SWEENEY
IMAGES BY AVODAH
This gabled cedar, concrete and steel residence built by Inhouse Construction enjoys a unique position bordering a golf course, nature reserve and the Manawatū River.
The site of this builder’s own home for Ben Cousins and his golf loving family was ideal. “We were lucky to secure a double section backing onto the riverbank reserve, right beside the golf course. As a golfing family, it couldn’t be a better fit and the reserve gives the kids room to explore. Hughes and Baker Surveyors were onsite at the start to ensure a smooth consent process for the property.
Ben and his wife Shinade had been planning the build for few years, with a wish list that included vaulted ceilings, plenty of light, seamless indoor-outdoor flow, and a mix of robust yet warm materials.
Tim Geard architectural designer and director at Precinct Architecture and interior designer Nicola Ross have worked with Ben on multiple projects. “They’re both incredible to work with. Tim’s designs are clever and cohesive, while Nic’s interiors tie everything together with texture, detail, and style,” says Ben.
“This was the fourth family residence we have designed for Ben and Shinade, which meant there was already a strong foundation of trust and creative alignment. They provided a handful of reference images to convey their aesthetic preferences but largely entrusted me with the conceptual direction,” says Tim.
Ben’s brief was fluid, to adapt to the evolving needs of his growing family with architecture that engages with the surrounding landscape to create a sense of retreat and openness.
The main residence features four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a double garage, and a media room complete with a golf simulator. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area is complemented by a spacious scullery.
The internal courtyard is sheltered from the elements and equipped with an outdoor kitchen.
The outdoor fireplace from Heatrite is a cosy feature for entertaining in cooler weather.
“Ben entertains often and wanted the house to feel dramatic but still practical day-to-day. That influenced how the kitchen was designed as the hub of the home, with vaulted ceilings giving it presence and the material palette reflecting his love of stone, steel and timber,” says Nicola.
The pool house provides luxurious guest accommodation and includes three double bedrooms, an open-plan living area with a kitchenette, a bathroom and a laundry.
Several bespoke design features were incorporated to reflect the client’s lifestyle and elevate the spatial experience. A step-down media room was designed to accommodate a golf simulator, creating a separate recreational zone acoustically separated from the main living areas.
At the entrance, a pond with floating stepping-stone pavers was introduced an idea inspired by Ben’s travels in Bali.
“The architectural response was carefully oriented to maximise views and privacy,” says Tim. “The private zones including bedrooms, media room and bar were positioned to overlook the reserve, while the communal areas such as the living, dining, outdoor entertaining space, and pool were arranged around the central courtyard.”
Sustainability was integral to the project. Particular focus was placed on thermal performance, passive ventilation and long-life materials that reduce embodied carbon and future maintenance. Particular focus was placed on thermal performance and passive ventilation. Altherm Window Systems supplied thermally broken aluminium joinery for energy efficiency.
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Ben’s approach to building is deeply detail oriented. Whether it’s concealed joinery, custom finishes, or integrated architectural features, craftsmanship plays a central role. This project was no exception, with several components such as the floating entrance pavers, herringbone soffits and a bespoke spiral stair case requiring precision and a high level of execution.
“We had a tight crew of four builders onsite with support from a strong network of subcontractors. The project came together over just over a year,” says Ben.
Nicola’s background in joinery is a core strength. On this project, she drew detailed joinery plans for the kitchen, vanities and wardrobes. While Avant Garde Interiors designed and crafted the stunning spiral staircase.
The ceilings are vaulted and were part of the architectural design. “My role was to work with the scale of those vaulted ceilings so the kitchen felt grounded within the volume. The height allowed us to use strong, dramatic materials without the space feeling heavy,” says Nicola.
The lighting was designed to highlight the architecture and materials while also creating atmosphere.
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Functional task lighting was layered with feature lighting that draws attention to the stone and joinery, fitted by Dean Smith-Pilling Electrical.
“Nicola’s design input has a huge impact on how the spaces feel and function,” says Ben. Tim says: “Over the years, Nicola, Ben and I have built a strong collaborative team, one that brings a distinct point of difference to the typical builds you see in the Manawatū. It’s that shared vision and attention to detail that really sets our work apart.”
“Ben would set out his vision and I would translate that into joinery details, layouts, and material selections,” says Nicola. “The palette is very true to the way Ben builds. Wide-plank
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timber flooring grounds the home, stone anchors the kitchen, and steel details add strength.
“Ben loves that the house is a direct reflection of his style. It is bold, material-driven, and dramatic, but still practical to live in every day.” “The interiors support his vision without competing with it, and the flow feels seamless from one space to the next.”
Ben, Shinade and their family are enjoying their new home. “The house feels modern yet welcoming, spacious, light-filled, and perfectly suited to our family’s lifestyle. It’s a home that works for the kids, celebrates our love of golf, and connects us to the outdoors,” says Ben. www.inhouseconstruction.co.nz
KAPITI VIEWS
WRITTEN BY PAIGE O’BRIEN
IMAGES BY AVODAH AND TONI LARSEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Perched to capture the views, this build is a home that perfectly blends modern luxury with timeless restraint. Designed during the COVID lockdown by husband-and-wife duo Lisa and Tom Driffill of Narley Construction, and realised with architectural designer Mike of New Dimension Architecture, the home is both a personal milestone and a showcase of their combined expertise in building and interior design.
“We had a very clear vision for this home,” says interior designer Lisa. “It was a home that Tom and I designed during the COVID lockdown, and working together with our architectural designer, Mike, we came up with a very cohesive home that will be admired for years to come. The brief was modern, on-trend (at the time) luxury but homely. We actually designed and built this home as a spec home, but then released it on to the open market for sale.”
Lisa spent a lot of time refining the finishes and fittings to ensure that every room connected visually yet felt distinct. “I am an overthinker naturally,” she says. “But I wanted each area of the home to make sense. I love lighting and wanted to create a talking point with every light.”
Feature lighting became a defining element.
Large living room pendants were imported from Australia, while pieces from Nightworks Studio, such as the Off Cut wall sconce in the entry, Code Kilo beside lights in the master, and the Duomo Piccolo Stem Wall Light at the window seat, were
selected to act as “pops of art” by day and create a soft evening glow. “We love lighting and love the fact that these lights are proudly designed in NZ,” Lisa says.
The kitchen showcases Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo benchtops, chosen for their creamy base and elegant grey veining. “It really complemented the rest of the kitchen,” Lisa notes. A scullery-style nook introduces drama with a darker tone and custom steel shelving, while the adjacent bar area doubles as a place to display collectables or host casual drinks.
Bathrooms were designed to stay subtle enough for future owners to personalise but still feel considered. Layered Design sourced all tiles selected by Lisa, including a quiet pop of green in the main bathroom and powder room. Installation was completed with precision by Turbo Tiling. White and brushed brass flow throughout, seen in the Astra Walker tapware from The Kitchen Hub, paired with chrome in the main bathroom to demonstrate mix-and-match possibilities. A soft texture is achieved through panelled
feature walls, layered curtains, and custom joinery. “We keep things quite minimal and elegant but then had some pops of darkness, like with door hardware," Lisa says.
While Lisa finalised the interiors, Tom led construction with his Narley Construction team, navigating technical complexities to bring the vision to life. “The entrance area, how this was executed to create the right height, size, and proportions, and the rain screen using Abodo Vulcan Cladding were both standouts and challenges with this home,” he says.
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The Abodo Vulcan Cladding in Nero, used as a dramatic rainscreen on the gable end, was new to the team but quickly became a defining feature. “We love working with the Abodo cladding; it performs well, and our team loved installing it,” says Tom. To balance the warmth of timber, KH Plastering delivered crisp, white plasterwork. “Keilan is an absolute master at his work,” Tom adds. “The simplicity of the plaster in white works so well with the texture of the Abodo cladding.”
Thermal performance and views were prioritised with Kalos Aluminium Joinery, which supplied an APL residential suite with Argon-filled SoluxE glass. “We had a few larger window components that went together really well, but required glazing on-site,” Tom notes. “All windows were carefully thought out to maximise the view and designed accordingly to suit the windy elements.” Flooring was supplied by Flooring Xtra Fielding, with the couple very happy with the result. “It was nice to see it installed and perform as it should,” Tom says.
The exterior spaces were equally considered, offering multiple zones for entertaining and relaxing. A Narellan Pools Palmerston North pool anchors the landscape, complemented by a custom double-curved plaster privacy wall. “It was easy to integrate as this property had a generous lawn,” Tom says. “We worked with Mike, our designer, to design this area, which integrated back to the already completed alfresco area.” Covered outdoor living spaces, one enhanced by a Louvretec system and featuring stone pillars, extend the home’s functionality year-round. At the same time, the main alfresco area connects directly to the pool for effortless summer entertaining.
Inside, a pivot front door opens to a lightfilled living wing where kitchen, dining, and lounge all flow together, anchored by a window seat designed for sunsets and storage. A formal lounge with skylights, recessed LED lighting, and an Escea gas fire offers a refined retreat. The master suite is generous yet serene, featuring a walk-in wardrobe, a textured feature wall, and direct access to the pool. “Every project is memorable for us,” Lisa reflects. "But this was a little bit more unique. It was a combination of Tom’s and my personalities from the exterior through to the interior."
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THESE FOUR WALLS
WRITTEN BY BEN O’CONNELL
IMAGES BY HAMISH WHITE
Sitting high above the Kapiti coastline, Rochelle and Sam’s home represents years of planning and collaboration. They sought a sleek, industrial design that required minimal styling.
“We wanted the design, features, and craftsmanship to speak for themselves,” Rochelle says. “Hamish from ETAL did a great job translating our ideas.”
“Organised into four quadrants of living, sleeping, studio apartment, and garage, the layout unfolds around a central spine, allowing each space to function independently while maintaining a strong sense of internal connection,” Director of ETAL Architecture, Hamish White, says.
This central spine integrates Abodo timber, polished concrete, and clever storage, including a hidden under-stair area and laundry chute between floors. Skylights and picture-frame windows at each end of the upper-level hallway flood the space with natural light, framing pastoral views and creating a gallery-like feel. Large barn slider doors separate zones when privacy is needed.
Hamish says the design was conceived to flex with the changing dynamics of family life. “The house can be lived in as a cohesive whole, or easily reconfigured to accommodate a semi-independent rental unit or multigenerational living, thanks to its clear spatial zoning.
Elevated to the second floor, the primary living areas take full advantage of the landscape. Raking ceilings and skylights prove grand without sacrificing intimacy. A formed concrete wall anchors the space. A window seat and lantern-style lighting balance industrial elements with warmth.
The couple’s wish list was clear: spaces that felt generous, adaptable, and easy to live in. Storage was carefully considered, circulation kept simple, and each space was designed with flexibility in mind.
As both the homeowner and the builder, Sam’s role saw personal details and care realised. Hamish says it was a deeply collaborative effort.
“In terms of compromises, we didn’t really have to make anything substantial,” Rochelle says. “We were always conscious of our budget, so being realistic with design and material choices from the outset was key. Sam’s knowledge and experience were invaluable, as they meant we were setting ourselves up for success with decisions and choices that were made.”
Framed by a generous dining area, the galleystyle kitchen has a large island with ample space for cooking and hosting. Complete with an oven at standing height and a proper coffee machine, it’s the homeowners’ dream kitchen. This leads to a covered deck that is more of an outdoor room. When its double-stacker door is fully open, Rochelle says the indoor-outdoor flow creates the perfect space for summer entertaining. An exposed steel portal lines the angled roofline.
The choices for paint colours, flooring and tiles were deliberately kept quite neutral and classic, Rochelle says.
“I really enjoyed working on this project with Build 2.0,” Colour Lane owner and project colour coordinator Hannah Coulson says. “The home, with its modern and industrial feel, was a fantastic canvas for design. We opted for a neutral palette to highlight the different materials and textures used throughout the build.”
Externally, Colorsteel Ebony was chosen for the roof, joinery, and front door, contrasting with the Dulux Okarito bagged brick and natural Abodo timber cladding. Internally, walls painted Dulux Mt Aspiring Half complement exposed steel beams, tying together the industrial aesthetic.
The covered, battened outdoor room, with a built-in barbecue area and bar fridge, is perfect for the Wellington weather. The space balances openness with a cosy sense of seclusion, Hamish says. “It’s a sun-soaked retreat, protected yet permeable.”
With such a hands-on team, the building process was largely stress-free. “It’s so critical to have a team you can rely on and trust to have your best interests at heart,” Rochelle says. “It’s knowing they want to achieve the best outcome for you as the client.
“Sam and his team put a lot of effort into the craftsmanship, and there were a lot of areas they went over and above to get things looking slick.
“We’ve had a couple of summers in our home now, some good nights and weekends celebrating and sharing it with our nearest and dearest. It’s awesome.”
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Architecture & Construction
FROM COUNTRY TO COAST
WRITTEN BY SHELLEY SWEENEY
IMAGES BY MID SUMMER STUDIO
Positioned amid the open plains of Kairanga, in the heart of Manawatū, this refined, gabled home from Slate Studio redefines rural architecture through a modern interpretation of the classic ‘H’ floorplan.
This beautiful 315 square metre family home is designed to maximise views of the stunning rural landscape with high ceilings and glazed gabled forms on a generous 18,040 square metre site.
The 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom country property is efficiently designed to house living and sleeping wings as well as a guest wing. The H-shaped floorplan allows for two central courtyards, designed to provide privacy and shelter from the elements.
Working in close collaboration with the skilled construction team at Rouxel Construction and engaged clients, Slate’s architectural role centred on shaping a home that unites timeless simplicity with high-performance detailing. The result is a residence that feels both rooted in its rural setting and elevated in its design language.
The home’s architecture balances symmetry and connection while embracing a distinctly modern sensibility. The tactile and enduring colour palette of the exterior complements the surrounding farmland.
Generous glazing frames expansive views across the Manawatū landscape, while carefully proportioned openings and deep eaves regulate light and shade throughout the day. The restrained material composition and layered façade details reveal Slate’s commitment to creating architecture that is both expressive and enduring.
Inside, spaces transition seamlessly from private retreats to open social zones, unified by a warm, textural interior palette. The homeowners confidently selected the interior palette based around the architectural brief for a contemporary country home with natural materials and tones to blend with the rural landscape.
Hard flooring, aluminium joinery and skylights combine to create an atmosphere of understated comfort and modern elegance. Thoughtful orientation and high-performance ceiling and inwall insulation ensure year-round efficiency and environmental responsiveness.
The homeowners love the seamless indoor-outdoor flow from the kitchen to the louvred outdoor area. From there they can enjoy the scenery and the established landscaping in any weather. The homeowners enjoy entertaining family and friends
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in their new home and gather in the outdoor space with its fully louvred automated roof system complete with built-in barbeque and bar area.
The luxurious rural residence is fitted with solar provisions for future integration of solar panels; while the fire in the main living room is a Yunca Xander Insert Woodburner. The home also benefits from a central ducted heating system.
“Armada is a project about proportion, balance, and craft,” says Finn Tate, design lead at Slate Studio. “Every design move was intentional to frame the view, harness natural light and keep an open, airy form feeling homely and grounded. That was our shared focus with the clients, ensuring that no one gable felt dominant or out of scale. The aim was to create a home that celebrates volume and symmetry while feeling like a warm, contemporary interpretation of a country farmstead.”
Set amongst the dunes of Peka Peka on the Kāpiti Coast, this striking twolevel home from Slate Construction was designed by MCooper Architects and built by Slate Construction to blend naturally with its coastal setting while delivering refined, highly functional modern living.
The home features three bedrooms, multiple living spaces, a guest suite, studio, study and double garage, organised over two levels. The Arapipi residence showcases exceptional craftsmanship, intelligent detailing, and a restrained material palette that celebrates texture and coastal tones.
When the homeowners reached out to Slate Construction for the build, they had already partnered with Michael Cooper of MCooper Architects, and the design was nearing consent approval.
“Working with MCooper Architects was a true collaboration. While the clients engaged them directly, we maintained excellent communication throughout the build process. Michael’s team was incredibly responsive when addressing on-site variations and technical queries, which is crucial for a project of this complexity,” says Brett Wycherley from Slate Construction.
“The clients sought a contemporary family home based on a Hamptons aesthetic, where everyday life and holiday living would intersect. Their brief called for a house that could withstand the changing coastal environment while remaining warm, tactile and low-maintenance, expressing a modern take on the region’s coastal vernacular,” says Michael.
“The design responds directly to its unique setting, carefully orienting living areas and decks to capture natural light, prevailing breezes and panoramic views of the sea and dunes.”
Generous guest accommodation and multiple living spaces allow the home to adapt to different rhythms of family life, from quiet retreats to social gatherings. Homeowner Anita Thomas of AT Home Interiors was engaged throughout the entire construction process. “The material palette of the home was carefully selected by the Slate Design team in collaboration with AT Home Interiors to respond to both the coastal environment and a contemporary aesthetic,” says Brett.
The material palette of the home was carefully selected by the Slate interior design team to respond to both the coastal environment and a contemporary aesthetic.
“Anita brought a clear vision and impeccable taste to every space. Collaborating closely with our interior specialist and project team on everything from material selection to colour palettes, ensuring a cohesive design language flowed throughout the home. This level of client involvement created a true partnership that elevated the final result – when homeowners are this invested in the details, it shows in the finished product,” says Brett.
“Given the sandy coastal conditions, we implemented a comprehensive engineered foundation system. This included a Maxraft 400 Engineered Ribraft Concrete Foundation with hotedge insulation for thermal performance, supported by seven 1.2-metre-deep concrete piles with 450mm diameter. This robust foundation system ensures the home remains stable and secure in the shifting sand dune environment while providing excellent thermal efficiency,” says Brett.
“The home’s material palette was carefully selected to respond to both the coastal environment and the projects contemporary aesthetic. Exteriors feature BGC Nuline Weatherboard and JSC TMT Tulipwood,
paired with Colosrteel Maxx roofing,” says Michael. “This provides durability, low maintenance and a tactile natural expression that sits harmoniously within its landscape. Paints and stains were specified from Resene, chosen for their resilience and clean, modern finish. Bathrooms and kitchen feature fittings and fixtures from Plumbline, ABI, Newtech and Robertsons.”
“What makes this project truly special is witnessing the complete transformation from initial concept to a stunning coastal home that perfectly captures the clients’ vision. The seamless integration of challenging coastal engineering with luxury finishes, combined with the clients’ passionate involvement throughout the process, created something extraordinary,” says Brett.
“Our clients interior design expertise, paired with our team’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, resulted in a home that’s not just built to last in this harsh coastal environment, but also provides a beautiful, comfortable sanctuary for the family to enjoy for generations.”
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CRAFTING CHARACTER
WRITTEN BY BEN O’CONNELL
IMAGES BY SUZY GASSON-GUILFORD
Making the most of panoramic Hawke’s Bay views of the ocean and farmland, this new build by Drinkrow Homes offers ideal, easy living for a young family. Its rural setting required a team intimately familiar with the site’s qualities to achieve the precise, high-quality architectural finish envisioned. The homeowners sought a family home with character that sat naturally into its surroundings, avoiding the cookie-cutter to create a home that was unmistakably their own.
The heart of the home is a spacious, openplan living space that flows to expansive kwila decking. The kitchen features a scullery and a built-in bench seat that forms a cosy dining nook. From the main living area, the hallway splits in two directions.
One wing leads to the master suite, which features a walk-in wardrobe, en-suite bathroom, and a private deck. The other hallway provides access to three generously sized bedrooms, the family bathroom, a powder room, a dedicated media room, and direct internal entry to the garage.
Crisp v-groove linings, cabinetry, and feature ceilings give the home a timeless personality. “The v-groove internally demanded a high level of craftsmanship. It’s not a forgiving product — if your lines are out, it shows immediately,” Michelle Drinkrow says, adding that the v-groove detailing inside and the precision with which it was executed stand out as work the Drinkrow team and wider project crew are proud of. “Our team executed it perfectly.”
A covered portico with exposed feature trusses frames a generous deck. The integrated mix of Stria cladding and weatherboard adds a defined textural character. Architects Concept 2 Construction Ltd skilfully balanced multiple design goals: flexible outdoor entertaining areas, a spacious open-plan layout for family living, and a private master deck that provides a serene retreat for the parents.
“The project as a whole is a testament to teamwork. The combination of trusted trades, clear communication, and sequencing meant everything ran smoothly and the project was delivered on time.”
Choices such as Laminex Melteca cabinets in Snowdrift and Moduleo Transform flooring build a calming atmosphere. Striking feature lights and expertly placed fixtures, executed by Aeon Electrical, elevate the home’s clean, country aesthetic.
“This build is a good reflection of what we do best: clear communication, strong attention to detail, focus on efficiency at all times, and working with a network of trades we trust,” Michelle says. “For us, building isn’t just about construction, it’s about creating a home that feels right for the family and making the process smooth and enjoyable for them.”
Practical rural solutions, such as water storage, on-site wastewater treatment, and power supply, were seamlessly integrated into the build process to ensure that the remote location did not compromise quality, technology, or modern amenities.
“Rural builds always have additional considerations, but we’ve developed systems for handling them,” Michelle remarks. “On this project, the use of RAB board on the exterior allowed us to progress with the interior trades while still working outside. That sequencing kept everything efficient and ensured we finished on time.”
The Caroma Cupid bath anchors the bathroom, lined in light grey terrazzo. Refined fittings, such as Methven Turoa tapware, complement. Owen Plumbing played its part in ensuring the bathroom spaces continued the chill interior vibe. As is the case across the home, natural light fills the space through carefully positioned windows. Family needs and a sense of sanctuary go hand in hand.
“The clients had a clear sense of what they wanted the house to look like, and our role was to make sure those choices were practical and achievable,” Michelle says.
“Everyone involved delivered excellent work, which is exactly why we continue to work with the same trusted small teams — we know the quality will be there every time.
“Seeing them move in and enjoy their new home is always the most rewarding part for us.”
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STILLNESS IN COLOUR
WRITTEN BY JAMIE QUINN
After
As the days grow longer and the first signs of Spring begin to appear, many of us start thinking about how to bring a sense of lightness, renewal, and freshness into our homes. It’s the perfect season to brighten up our spaces and embrace colours that feel uplifting and restorative.
This year, Dulux’s Spring 2025 Colour Forecast is all about comfort, calm, and shades that transform your home into a place where you can truly relax and recharge.
The forecast centres on a palette called Still, a soft and earthy mix of warm neutrals, gentle greens, moody blues, and a few surprises like warm greys and buttery yellows. According to Dulux colour specialist Davina Harper, the palette taps into the slower pace of life we tend to adopt during the colder months and the desire to create a space that feels settled and soothing.
You might wonder how Dulux picks its colours each year, and no, it’s not just a guessing game. “We plan 12 months ahead,” Davina explains. “The annual Dulux Colour Forecast is based on year-round research into the latest global and local trends that are predicted to influence interior design and how we live.”
Their team pulls inspiration from global design events like Milan Design Week, works with colour forecasting groups like Colour Hive, and tracks catwalks, product launches, and
Before
trend reports. But they also look closer to home, keeping tabs on New Zealand fashion and home design, as well as Dulux’s own colour trend data.
“As well as looking at our own colour trend data, we look to local fashion brands and localised colour forecasting information to give us insights into which global colour trends will be most popular in Kiwi homes,” she says.
So, what are we painting our walls with this year? The Still palette is full of colours that feel soft, cosy and grounded. Think muted tones that are easy to live with but still bring a bit of character.
“The Still palette is predominantly neutral, warm and earthy – these colours help to soften a space, make us feel calmer and more grounded and have a beautiful ‘lived in’ look,” says Davina.
Standout colours include Dulux Clay Pipe, a warm, brownbased neutral that works beautifully on walls and ceilings, especially when paired with warm white Dulux Epsom. For something with a bit more depth, colours like Dulux Clay Court (a rich, reddish-brown), Dulux Te Aroha, and Dulux Shelly Beach (a soft, buttery yellow) bring extra warmth and interest to a room.
Davina’s personal favourite? Dulux Kaikorai Valley. “It’s a soft, mushroom colour with warm undertones of brown and lilac. It’s both cosy and timeless.”
One surprising trend in this year’s palette is the return of grey, but it’s not the cold, steely greys we saw years ago. “The shift towards grey aligns with consumer sentiment during periods of instability, where we are drawn to tones that represent stability and security,” says Davina.
These softer greys can add just the right amount of contrast to a warm-toned space, or they can work on their own to create a soothing, balanced room.
As the days get shorter and the sun disappears earlier, the way a room feels really starts to matter. That’s where thoughtful colour choices can help.
“Colder weather often makes us crave warmth, comfort and a cosy space,” Davina says. The Still palette is designed to help with that, with colours that feel nurturing and restful.
But you don’t need to repaint the whole house to get the effect. Davina suggests focusing on smaller areas for maximum impact, like feature walls, doors, trims, or even furniture. “Paint one or two walls rather than a whole room, or paint smaller areas for maximum impact, such as the inside of shelving, a front door, furniture or small accessories,” she says.
One thing Davina stresses is that colours can look very different depending on where you live in New Zealand. Light changes everything, so what looks great in a Wellington home might feel completely different in Invercargill.
“My advice would be to always test colour in your space,” she says. Dulux offers A4 swatches and test pots so you can see how a colour looks at different times of the day, in both natural and artificial light.
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FINDING THE PERFECT HOME DESIGN
WRITTEN BY BEN O’CONNELL
Designing your dream home is one of life’s most exciting journeys, but it can feel overwhelming with so many choices and decisions. That’s where New Style Homes steps in.
New Style Homes are passionate about creating thoughtfully designed, high-quality homes built around your lifestyle.
With customised house plans that maximise space and are fit and designed to their highest potential, they take great pride in bringing your new home to life.
Each home is designed to suit how you live, from clever storage solutions to spaces for entertaining friends and family. With attention to detail at every stage, your home becomes a true reflection of your lifestyle and vision.
Entirely transparent, the new Style Homes team are more than happy to sit down and walk you through everything, anytime, so there are never any unwelcome surprises.
Building or renovating your home is an exciting journey, but it can also be complex and challenging,” the New Style Homes team says. So, to help you navigate each phase of this journey with confidence, they ensure you’re fully informed every step of the way.
From laying the foundation to the final touches, their straightforward process ensures you know exactly what’s happening and when.
“Our goal is to make the experience as smooth and transparent as possible, keeping you involved throughout the entire build.”
The process begins with an initial consultation, an in-depth discussion to understand your vision, needs,
and budget. “Our team provides expert advice and insights to shape your project.”
Next are selections. “We guide you through the selection process for materials, fixtures, and finishes, helping you make choices that enhance the beauty and functionality of your home.”
Approvals and permits can get confusing, but the New Style Homes team has it covered. “Our team can handle all necessary approvals and permits, navigating the regulatory landscape to ensure your project complies with New Zealand Building Codes.”
With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, their skilled team completes each construction stage with precision—from laying the slab and erecting the frame to securing the lock-up and perfecting the interior— ensuring every element aligns with your vision.
Upon completion, the New Style team thoroughly inspect the new build before walking you through it to ensure every detail meets your expectations and standards. By combining expert craftsmanship with transparency and professionalism, they deliver not just a well-built house but a home that perfectly reflects your lifestyle, vision, and investment.
To start your journey toward a home that truly reflects you, contact New Style Homes for a consultation today. www.newstylehomes.net
READY TO BUILD?
Welcome to New Style Homes by Nick Childs Builders - one of the most respected home and commercial builders in Taranaki. Each building by New Style Homes showcases the highest standard of quality and workmanship.
With an emphasis on flexibility, value for money and out of this world quality, it’s no wonder our clients keep coming back and are happy to recommend us to their families and friends.
