RENOVATION OVERVIEW 

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This beautiful arts and crafts home was the son's house of one of the grand old Dames on the River in Gisborne. The home was purchased by my clients who have a love and passion for restoring it and enhancing it to the best modern form of it's traditional self. The clients had asked Simon Clarkson for his design direction for the architecture and extension of the home, which was realised by Sam Gavin. I was referred by another client so hopped onto the project later in the piece. Aesthetically the client wanted dark floors and white walls for a formal grand feel. They wanted selections applicable to the home's period and design details which were timeless and elegant. The homeowner is a landscape gardener so captivating the outdoors was a key aspect also.

 

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​KITCHEN

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The kitchen layout had already been designed by Cherrywood joinery but the client asked that I give input on the style and details of the space alongside some cabinetry tweaks along the way. The client had already chosen a Travolo composite bench-top which was extremely practical and complemented the dark island beautifully. Range-hood details and splash-back tiles, alongside the ceiling batten detailing which ran throughout the open plan space, were all areas which I consulted on as well as paint colours, built in cabinetry, lighting and selected soft furnishings.

 

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BATHROOM

 

I was asked to design the bathroom, which took some re-configuring from the initial plans. As you come down the stairs you see into the bathroom as well as when you enter the house, so I wanted the line of sight to be as beautiful and tidy as possible. The bathroom was to double as a powder room (and a bathroom for the downstairs bedroom). A main consideration was hiding the usual shower clutter– so reeded glass was specified for this purpose. The vanity was positioned as you enter the bathroom, with traditional style pendant lights imported from the US and a custom made mirror.  The floor tiles were inspired by traditional Winckelmans tiles which are usually laid by hand to form this layout. These were a more cost effective version but have the same impact. The lower walls are tiled in a matte black tile (for practical reasons) which is laid offset and is finished with a white dado tile where it meets the painted walls. The shower repeats the same tiles but with white gloss subway tiles above for waterproofing purposes.
 

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PORTICO

 

The portico was a new addition at the entrance of the home. It added a gorgeous street presence and worked well with the entrance landscaping vision of the homeowners. The finer details of this portico were to be designed, so I worked alongside the builder and owner to realise this space including the cement tiles, lighting and batten detailing on the walls.