Sitting on a gorgeous, elevated, and extremely private site in the rural hills of Tauranga, this Whakamarama property is blessed with ever changing coastal views.
This is the third property interior designer Terry Walsh has helped his clients with, which he describes as having a “less than perfect” feel about it. “We never set out to make it look like a show home.”
Derived from a simple building form and modest materials, the project was about careful execution of the details – with the plan to build and deliver a home that was timeless and beautifully complemented alongside gardens that the owner would endeavour to create.
What separates this home from others is the use of materials. The painted timber joinery and cedar shingles visually illustrate what an investment into signature elements can achieve. Other materials have been kept honest and true, like the simple corrugated iron roof and ply board and batten.
The ‘no fuss’ look while still capturing a luxurious feel, is made possible with wire brushed herringbone floors, natural black slate, beamed ceilings and battened walls. The feature concrete fireplace claims centre stage and bespoke Porters Paints add a touch of the extraordinary.
Over the years the homeowner has acquired the most amazing classic and antique pieces, which set the footprint for a lot of the way we approached each space.
We wanted these items to feel like they were not the hero in the room, but that they were purposely meant to be there. Most of the furniture, aside from a few items – like some gorgeous sisal rugs and a few side tables – have been bought over from previous projects for the same client.
Antique lanterns line the hallway and deer antlers light up the lounge, and immediately you notice the house overall has a completely different aesthetic – what he describes as “a graceful ambience.”