Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/7 | Page 53

However, this is only half the design story of
the large, single-level house.
“Overall, we wanted this newly constructed
home to look like an old building, but with an
unashamedly modern rear addition,” says Lane.
To this end, the back of the house comprises
one large, open-plan room that incorporates the
kitchen, dining and living areas – spaces that are
in constant use by the whole family. The lightfilled volume has a wall of windows looking out
to the rear deck and pool, a bell-shaped central
ceiling that soars to nearly five metres at its
centre, and clean, unadorned window and door

openings. While all the front rooms feature
strong colours, for the sake of tradition and
because they have a more internal focus, the
open-plan rear volume is finished in a light grey
that merges with the white ceilings, allowing
the external views to draw the eye.
“With such a marked change between the
front and the back of the house, we chose some
elements to draw the two together,” Lane says.
“Smoked oak floorboards run through most
areas, and the high skirting boards seen in the
bedrooms and sitting room are also continued
through to the rear.”

Top and above: The sitting room
is at the front of the house and
features ornate cornices, a traditional
fireplace and a strong colour scheme.
Pops of pink in the sofa and painting
are picked up in lampshades in the
family living room. The classic-look
furniture was chosen by Candlewick
Interiors, the owner’s interior design
company. Wool carpet features in
most private areas of the home, and
in this semi-formal space.

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