NZ Renovation Trends NZ Renovation Trends Vol. 30/11 | Page 17

“We enlarged the existing living room slightly by taking space from the room behind, and this has become the formal living room,” the designer says. “The dark-stained European oak flooring continues up one wall.” White shelving and white walls contrast the dark wood and a coffee-toned feature wall. And with brown and white leather furniture, the room introduces the bold, monochromatic palette that features throughout the house. The master suite, opposite the living room, has also been enlarged. A bedroom and bathroom behind were absorbed to gain space for an ensuite bathroom and dressing room. But the key feature that unites the front of the house with the extension at the rear is the extra-wide hallway. “This is one of the most important features of the house,” says Florence. “I wanted to be able to open the front door and see right down the length of the house and out to the lawn at the back. “I don’t like houses to feel enclosed, and fortunately the passage was already high and wide, so it was easy to make the whole house light and airy. We were also able to keep the Above: The formal living room, at the front of the house, was transformed with white paint and dark-stained European oak hardwood. This forms the floor and continues up the wall at one end of the room. A coffee-coloured wall in the centre incorporates a recessed television. The room is designated a quiet zone in the house, to be used by children and adults alike. search | save | share at trendsideas.com 15