Te Ngaio House
One key objective of this renovation was to achieve functional, uncluttered space - aiming for areas that work hard but still give a feeling of roominess. Storage is key, and one of the exciting challenges was reimagining small areas to work effectively. The end point was a stylised home with clever intricacies which look simple to the eye. Flooring is an exquisite feature throughout. The Basket Weave in the kitchen speaks to the stained veneer of the cabinetry, while the hardwearing and stain resistant Dekton porcelain benchtops combine form and function perfectly. A focal point is the handmade ceramic wall lights, reflecting the clients love of individuality. Moving through we removed a stairwell wall and added a balustrade which transformed the space; the client was not afraid of rich tones, so we brought these in through a beautiful Bremworth wool carpet. Similarly, the client was fearless with depth and texture; the master bathroom is compact - however large format tiles enhance the space and dark tones create a feeling of luxury and intimacy. A textured vanity wall tile adds interest and the warm tones of the bronze mirror elevate the experience. The flooring in the bedrooms again allowed me to create a visual link with the location. In the spare bedrooms a sisal carpet conjures a pure beach vibe, which was reflected back through the décor; the guest bathroom showcases a ceramic basin and bronze tapware – a warm ivory wall of natural limestone gives off calm understated elegance. The use of V-groove paneling serves to create a sense of size, space, and elevates ceiling height.
“Kath the absolute pocket rocket has had my admiration for her craft and client projects for many years. There was excitement when she accepted being a partner for our Reno project. Kath definitely has a natural calming organic style but she also embraced and complemented some of our bold preferences and finishes so all worked together in harmony. She listened to our brief of textures and material preferences and helped along the way with some special pieces like our hand finished Turkish stone tiles… Loved the onsite practical visits and visualisations and assistance… mucking in whenever needed in the dust onsite to clarify a placement or fixture… not just the pretty presentations in studio. Always available or quickly contacted back with any question or query from either ourselves. Builders, kitchen team or other subs. Maddy the able side kick on hand with extra hands or recording decisions and selections. Such a pleasure working together and both Kath and Maddy held as much excitement for viewing the finishes as we did - a true feeling everyone was included and invested. Now we get to love, live and enjoy…”