The owners of this slice of paradise on Paritai Drive, realised their nest would be emptying soon and that their beach bach was beckoning. So, a downsize was in order but the property would still have to contend with the reality of three teenagers which would require a thoughtful approach with durability in mind.

Our clients asked for the terrace house to reflect their taste and personality and embraced the concept of colourful interiors. The brief required their artwork to be incorporated into the design and that the living/family room would be the heartbeat of the home- a place where they could comfortably gather.

The master bedroom was to be an oasis for these busy parents with a dash of functionality with a custom wardrobe to keep things tidy and organised. The showstopper of the room is the velvet and metallic wallpaper with cranes. This was selected because of the enchanting wildlife that lives in the nearby basin. A custom bed was made with a grey velvet headboard that features lots of texture and hints of metallic silver to tie back to the wallpaper. Linens include soft velvet for a touch of elegance. The dark wood side tables are understated yet still offer necessary surface area.

The wardrobe is custom-built with his and her storage and a special spot for shoes. The light-washed oak wood is very rich and practical with a sophisticated elegance. The custom ottoman ties back to the main bedroom and the bespoke mirror is utilitarian yet stylish.

The formal lounge has a custom rug with a black floral dahlia pattern as part of the design which helped to anchor the open floor plan. The fabulous wingback chairs have a chevron design that positively screams “Missoni” and floral cushions play on the mixture of patterns. The textured, three-piece semi-nested tables overlap each other and offer flexibility in addition to functionality. The client’s artwork embraces the playfulness of the space.

In the dining room, a statement Moooi wallpaper was selected to complement the more classic and muted mid-century tulip dining table and A.I. chairs by Kartell. The custom-built unit behind the dining area offers sleek and subtle storage for the owner’s office work and tech and keeps it out of sight when it’s not in use.

Finally, the outside courtyard with its large dining table and chairs is sure to be a regular family gathering area. Artwork using reclaimed fence posts will withstand the NZ outdoor elements yet add an element of texture to the space.