Haven March 2022

Overseas inspiration OPEN SECRET Take small-space inspiration from a breezy cabin that combines dramatic views with pared-back, multitasking interiors. PHOTOGRAPHY WARREN HEATH/BUREAUX WRITTEN BY LORI COHEN PRODUCTION SVEN ALBERDING Haven 51

A rattan hanging chair is the hero of the combined kitchen and lounge. “It’s such a fun addition,” says interior designer Kim Spyron. 52 Haven

The cabin was positioned to make the most of its expansive views, while plants that occur naturally in the local ecosystem were incorporated, and arranged to create privacy. Building a cabin on an untouched your little pocket of nature. Every angle, movement piece of land at the edge of an or position presents you with a magnificent view. It orchard and vineyard and overlooking radiates tranquility, ease and a sense of connection.” a trout-filled stream called for smart and sensitive design choices. Structurally, the cabin was a relatively simple First and foremost, says interior endeavour – a laser-cut lightweight-steel kitset that designer Kim Spyron, was the need was delivered flat-packed to be assembled in six weeks for the little weekender to recede into its site, leaving into a two-bedroom 60sqm cabin with two en-suite the attention-seeking to the stunning surroundings. bathrooms. Kim’s challenge was to transform the Kim had camped with her young family on the basic steel structure into a cosy, serene getaway. property, which lies about 100km east of Cape Town in South Africa, before being tasked by the owners Small spaces, big ideas with helping to create the tiny holiday home. They gave her and the architect a simple brief: floor-to- Presented with such a petite footprint, Kim says ceiling views and a prefabricated build that ticked she had to approach the design carefully to ensure comfort and affordability boxes. everything had its place. This functional strategy had “I loved the idea of a simple pod structure that could to be balanced with an ethereal one, ensuring the cabin be placed in the environment to maximise views and complemented the landscape. “It was very important prioritise privacy,” says Kim. “From the moment you that the layout, furniture and other elements worked drive up to the cabin, you have a sense that this is together to give it substance. I wanted to balance the hard black-steel outer structure with a strong connection to nature internally.” → Haven 53

KITCHEN The kitchen hugs the exterior wall of the central room of the cabin, which it shares with the lounge. Kim kept things simple with white porcelain tiles and melamine cabinets, and upped the style factor with a benchtop inlaid with recycled glass. 54 Haven

LOUNGE Kim chose furnishings that encouraged the ǽŰNjŰĴîŃƖîťēŚŃĵĽƪ͆ such as a perforated ČĽîŃƖîťēČŰĴĴĚĚƪîċŚĚ͋ SPACE- SAVING TIP eŃţĽîēîƞƪǑŚŃƞĽƞŰĴî bed custom-made so the cabin can expand to accommodate ĚǐƪƖîNJŃƞŃƪŰƖƞ͋

SPACE- She took inspiration for the interior from SAVING TIP the fresh and breezy elevated site. “I set out to incorporate the element of air with my choice Deeply recessed of materials and objects, which meant I was shelving in the lounge naturally drawn to neutral shades.” creates storage The sense of lightness and expansiveness was opportunities, without also achieved with a playful approach to storage and fitted furniture. Recessed shelves were left intruding on the exposed and cabinets were wall-mounted so they limited space. didn’t touch the floors. “We took this philosophy right through the design from choosing sheer LIVING ROOM Kim’s son Silas curtains to a perforated coffee table and laser-cut heroically resists the temptation chair,” Kim says. of the hanging chair. MAIN BEDROOM (facing page) The central conundrum A basin and open wall-mounted storage make the most of space The space restraints called for a clever design, within the bedroom suites, while especially in the living area in the centre of the ƖĚǽĚČƪŃNJĚƞƲƖĴîČĚƞîťēNjŃťēŰNjƞ cabin, which had to function as both kitchen give an illusion of spaciousness. and lounge. Even the fireplace does double-duty, multitasking as a barbeque. 56 Haven “The challenge was to provide sufficient storage and functional space in the kitchen without hindering the seating space,” Kim says. “We needed a simple, flexible way of integrating the two. I intended to make it feel calm, airy and clutter-free.” One solution was to provide versatile seating configurations. Lightweight chairs can be shifted with ease towards kitchen conversations or nearer the fireplace for a cosy nightcap. The star of the space is a hanging chair that creates a “special spot” and was positioned to have a line of sight down the valley. “It can allow you to feel contained and private. But you can also swing one way to enjoy the view and swing back to participate in kitchen chatter,” says Kim. The pale timber interior cladding dominates the cabin, and Kim says they chose to embrace this feature by doubling down on the palette throughout. Anything added needed to blend with it or complement it, which led her to select blonde and neutral fabrics and woven elements. Small concessions to glamour were made in a white kitchen counter embedded with recycled glass fragments, and a bronze and marble coffee table. Indoor-outdoor connection With such a small footprint, compromises naturally had to be made, so Kim saw an opportunity to treat →

SPACE- SAVING TIP Sliding doors separate the bedrooms and en suites, clad in identical timber to the walls to make them seem to disappear. Haven 57

SPACE- SAVING TIP The pendant light was chosen for its streamlined silhouette. Kim installed hooks in the wall so that if the beds are split for visitors into two singles, the light can be shifted into the right spot. This eliminated the need for bedside tables big enough for lamps. 58 Haven

BATHROOMS White tiles with a mushroomy vein were used to give the bathrooms an earthier, less sterile feel. The bathrooms are bolted onto the sides of the structure so they don’t rob the cabin of space. the deck off the living space as an additional room. Bedrooms & bathrooms The eave was extended out over the deck and a shade sail was installed above the outdoor (and only) dining With the focus naturally falling on the living area and table to shield it from the peak heat of the day. The deck, Kim says it was important that the bedrooms sail’s strategic placement ensures it doesn’t hinder and bathrooms didn’t feel like an afterthought. the deck’s openness or sunset views, while pergola roofs off the bedrooms break up the blocky feel of As the cabin is primarily used as a weekend the modular build. getaway, generous cupboard storage wasn’t required, but space still had to be maximised. Instead of The deck, which features a hanging daybed and built-in cupboards, Kim chose to use one wall of connects to a custom-built little heated pool, is home each bedroom as a hybrid space incorporating a to alfresco dining and dreamy afternoon naps. It’s all basin and black steel shelving. This also created about living inside and outside seamlessly, says Kim. more room in the little en suite bathrooms. “When we thought about the design, we kept in mind the flow of the day and how we wanted to experience Kim says she went to great lengths to source items it and journey through from morning to evening. We that would speak to the philosophy of airiness while imagined someone sitting on the deck with their feet adding personality. Quirky cloud-shaped mirrors dangling into the pool, or children swimming while wrap around the shelving in the bedrooms, reflecting you are reading on the daybed,” she says. glimpses of the surrounding views. Above the basin in one room is a further strip of windows that catches mountain and sky views. → Haven 59

OUTDOOR LIVING With limited interior space, the deck that leads from the kitchen and lounge multitasks as a dining room. A small sail was strategically placed to cool the space in the afternoon without eclipsing the views. The bathrooms, each containing a shower and toilet, are bolted to each side of the cabin to save on floor space, and separated from the bedrooms by sliding barn-style doors. Kim chose to treat these little units differently from the central living area, with marble tiles for the walls instead of timber cladding. “We wanted some movement in the tiles so the bathroom didn’t feel too sterile. We landed on a white marble tile with a mushroomy tone in the veins.” There’s also the option of soaking in the coil-heated circular pool outside, which can be warmed by its own little fireplace at night. Clad in raw wood, it seems absorbed into its surroundings, sitting level with the deck so the view is unencumbered. “Everything we did internally and externally had thought put into it – how it would contribute to pulling the environment into the space?” Kim says. 60 Haven

2 1 Swipe the style 3 7 COSY CABIN Capture the getaway feel with pieces that set a mood of rustic simplicity. 5 46 9 8 11 10 1 Stacks bookshelf, $849 from Freedom. 2 Aero ceiling fan, $799 from Lighting Plus. 3 Sammie hanging chair, $799 from Home Lab. 4 ØŰŰē͞ǼƖĚē hot tub, $15,640 from Stoked Stainless. 5 Louvre roof system, $2799 from Trade Tested. 6 Le Creuset Peruh kettle, $230 from Le Creuset Boutique. 7 Resene All Black, from Resene ColorShops. 8 Exotic Mulberi cowhide rug, $679 from Target Furniture. 9 Westport sofa, $2159 from Freedom. 10 Storm Carrara tiles, from The Tile Depot. 11 Ajman coffee table, $1595 from Republic Home. Haven 61

Urban retreat PERFECT FIT An 80sqm short-term housing solution for a creative Auckland couple 62 Haven

PHOTOGRAPHY HELEN BANKERS WRITTEN BY SHARON STEPHENSON has turned into a treasured home for more than a decade. Haven 63

LIVING The Victorian green velvet sofa was restored by Wistle + Co in Kingsland. The couple bought most of the vases and ceramics on trips or for special occasions. 64 Haven

KITCHEN & DINING The plywood veneer shades are by Whanganui artist Gavin Buxton. Rosetta found the Tulip table and chairs at Homage. Artworks by Martin Poppelwell, Tracey Tawhiao, Jeff Scott and Annie Smits Sandano add colour. It’s hard not to feel envious of Rosetta Allan’s This is the fourth house the couple has owned family and friends. Because once a year the since meeting in Hawke’s Bay 38 years ago. James, Auckland poet and novelist has a massive clear- a visual artist, started his own advertising agency out, giving away covetable artwork, books and shortly afterwards. decorative pieces such as vases, cushions and candles to her nearest and dearest. “James managed the strategy side of the agency, “We live in an 80sqm house and we’re definitely I was the creative and writer, and at one stage we had not minimalists,” says Rosetta of the two-bedroom 15 staff. We only retired from it in 2020,” Rosetta says. home in Kingsland, on Auckland’s city fringe, that she and her husband James bought 12 years ago. “So They initially bought this place – one half of a every year we give stuff away. You have to be clever when 1970s duplex – as a rental, but plans quickly changed. you live in a small space and like collecting things.” At the time they were living in a large house with For Rosetta, the magpie gene is strongest when it expansive views in Red Beach and were planning a comes to clothes, shoes and books. For her husband new build in Muriwai. “But then I realised Muriwai James, it’s all about vases, cushions and candles, would be too remote,” says the mother of two and while both of them love collecting New Zealand grandmother of eight. “So we sold that land, along art. “We need to move things on so we can make with the building plans.” space for more!” she says. Meanwhile, the flow-on effects of the Global Financial Crisis were denting their finances. “We had nowhere else to go, so we moved into this place.” → Haven 65

‘James makes great choices when it comes to the contrast of light and dark, of colour and texture – he makes my world beautiful.’ They had six weeks to renovate the home before they moved in – and it wasn’t in good shape. “We were both overwhelmed when we realised how much work there was to be done.” But this is a couple who don’t muck around, and they got stuck right into basics such as replumbing, rewiring and repiling. They also reconfigured the internal spaces, knocking down a wall that separated the “poky” kitchen from the living space. “By opening up the room we were able to reposition the kitchen along one wall and create a sense of space.” Although they both love colour, they hadn’t planned on installing an orange kitchen. “But we needed a kitchen in a hurry and the only one that worked in this space was the one the kitchen place used for their staff! So we grabbed that and added an aluminium splashback and a black free-standing cupboard, which we turned into a pantry.” An oversized teak bookcase came from their previous home. Though it was a challenge to get it through the door, it now serves as the perfect room divider. On the kitchen side of the bookcase is a piano that once belonged to James’s grandfather. “I wasn’t sure we had the space for it but it fitted in nicely. James plays it, as do our grandchildren and our musician friends, who love to jump on it while we’re cooking dinner.” A vintage Chinese cupboard also made the trip from their previous home and is the perfect spot to display a Jonathan Adler vase that James bought Rosetta for her birthday last year. When it came to designing the interior, James took the lead. “He runs everything by me but because of his design background I trust his taste,” Rosetta says. “James makes great choices when it comes to the contrast → 66 Haven

BEDROOM Dark-stained plywood adds intimacy and ambience, complemented by a Balinese/French-style bed from Coco Republic. Crown Lynn swans and various ceramics and artworks by Martin Poppelwell line the shelf above the bed. Haven 67

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of light and dark, of colour and texture. He makes OUTDOOR LIVING Two my world beautiful.” courtyards are divided into a dining area, outdoor lounge James came up with the clever idea of covering îťēǼƖĚƓŃƪ͆îēŰƖťĚēNjŃƪĽ the original brick walls with cladding and marine ply, which not only modernises the space but also retains ŰƲƪēŰŰƖƞČƲŚƓƪƲƖĚƞ͋ warmth and creates a sound barrier. One ply wall in the living room was painted black, as was one in the main bedroom, to provide contrast and cosiness. “The old brick walls were cold in winter and you could hear every sound the neighbours made,” Rosetta says. Art is the fuel this home runs on, with most of the pieces in it by emerging artists. “We used to have investment art but sold it to focus on emerging Kiwi artists. There isn’t a piece on our walls that didn’t come from an artist we know and love.” That includes a red rose painting – a gift from artist Martin Poppelwell on his wedding day (“I wrote a poem for his wedding and he gave us the painting”) – portraits of the couple by Jamie Chapman, and a large painting of Rosetta by Toby Raine. “Tony saw a picture on my Facebook page of when I won the Mrs New Zealand Elegance title in 1986, so he painted that photo and gave it to me.” While James has commandeered the house’s second bedroom as his office, the couple’s sons built her a → Haven 69

WRITER’S HUT Rosetta’s writer’s hut downstairs. They borrowed space from writing studio was built the garden to create the studio, which is decorated in a corner of the garden. in bright red paint and textured wallpaper. A striking Three novels have been artwork by Tame Iti takes pride of place above a written in this space, console stuffed with notebooks and ideas for Rosetta’s including her latest, future novels. Crazy Love. The garden she gazes upon while tapping on her 70 Haven laptop certainly looks better than it did when the couple bought the house. Then it was an overgrown tangle but over the years they’ve created two distinct courtyards, adding a spa, brazier and sculptures by Ricks Terstappen. Although they only intended to stay for two years, the couple recently celebrated their 12th anniversary of living here. It is, says Rosetta, their happy place. “We love this house and the neighbourhood and we definitely love the city buzz and energy. I can’t see us leaving any time soon.”

Swipe the style 1 URBAN RETREAT Crank up the creativity and cosiness with these cool finds. 2 3 56 4 8 7 9 11 10 1 ƖČŰǽŰŰƖŚîţƓ͆ͷ̄̈˿ĴƖŰţ'ĚƖgŰŰŖ͋2 îťŖƞǑČƲƞĽŃŰťČŰNJĚƖ͆ͷ̇˿ĴƖŰţOŰţîĵĚ͋3 Crazy LoveċǑ¤ŰƞĚƪƪîť͘¡ĚťĵƲŃť͆ͷ͙̂̅͋4 ƲƖîŰƲƪēŰŰƖƖƲĵŃťŰČĽƖĚ͆ ͷ̀̀̀̄ĴƖŰţŰŚƪŰĴ ŚŰƪĽ͋5 GƖŃťĵĚŰƪƪŰţîťŃťNjĽŃƪĚ͆ͷ̂̆ĴƖŰţeţîƖƪ͋6 ¬ĽĚŚŚƓŰƪŃťŰĴĴ͞NjĽŃƪĚ͆ͷ́˿̈͋̈̈ĴƖŰţά OŰţĚƞƪŰƖĚ͋7 /ČŚŃƓƞĚƪNjŰ͞ēŰŰƖČîċŃťĚƪ͆ ͷ́̈̈͋̈̄ĴƖŰţqŰČŖî͋8 ¡ŰƖČĽƖîƪƪîťŃťēŰŰƖîƖţČĽîŃƖ͆ͷ̃̆̈ĴƖŰţ'ĚƞŃĵťØîƖĚĽŰƲƞĚ͋9 ¤ĚƞĚťĚØĚƞƪ¬ŃēĚ͆ĴƖŰţ¤ĚƞĚťĚ ŰŚŰƖ¬ĽŰƓƞ͋10 ¬ƪŃƪČĽNJĚŚNJĚƪƞŰĴî ѝیŃNJĚĵƖĚĚť͆ͷ́̃̈̈ĴƖŰţ/îƖŚǑ¬ĚƪƪŚĚƖ͋11 qǑƞƪĚƖǑ ƖĚĚŖ ĚƖîţŃČƞƞƪƖŃƓĚēČĚƖîţŃČţƲĵ͆ͷ̄̄͋̈̈ĴƖŰţƲČŖŚîťēƖƪHĚƖǑ¹ŰŃŰ¹ĄţîŖŃ͋ Haven 71

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Working from home Hair & now For a cool Wellington family, work is an extension of home. PHOTOGRAPHY BONNY BEATTIE WRITTEN BY SHARON STEPHENSON Haven 73

LIVING ROOM Sophia and Teal, with their daughter Lola, transformed a sterile ŰĴǼČĚŃťƪŰîČĽŃČNjŰƖŖ͑ ĽŰţĚƞƓîČĚ͋qŰŰēŚŃĵĽƪŃťĵ ČŰţĚƞČŰƲƖƪĚƞǑŰĴîŚîţƓ ƖĚƞČƲĚēĴƖŰţĴŰƖţĚƖ ØĚŚŚŃťĵƪŰťċîƖqîƪƪĚƖĽŰƖť͋ ¬g~s͘ĴîČŃťĵƓîĵĚ͙¹ĽĚ NjŰƖŖŃťĵƞƓîČĚĴĚîƪƲƖĚƞî ČîċŃťĚƪĴƖŰţ¤ĚēČƲƖƖĚťƪ îťēŃťēƲƞƪƖŃîŚNjŰƖŖ ċ̝ȼĚƞĴƖŰţ¹ĽĚǐĚ͋ 74 Haven

Working where we live is a concept agent, has an eye for property, and when a 200sqm many of us have had to get used space in the heart of Wellington came up for sale to over the past few years. in 2017, they jumped at it. But it’s second nature to Wellington hairdressers Sophia “We loved living in a house but missed the buzz and Teal Mau, who’ve spent 14 years living behind of the city,” adds Sophia, who has worked alongside their salon. The first place was in Boulcott Street, her husband in their various ventures for 23 years. on the fringes of the capital’s CBD, where they turned a former office building into a boutique hairdressing “I’m always on the lookout for the next thing,” salon in the front and a two-bedroom apartment admits Teal, who came to New Zealand in 1977 as with an interior courtyard to the rear. a Cambodian refugee, and stepped into the public spotlight in 2017 when he and Sophia appeared Then, after 14 years of inner-city living, the couple on TVNZ cooking programme My Kitchen Rules. and their daughter Lola, now 10, longed for a lawn They placed third overall, winning over judges and vege garden, so they decamped to an Eastbourne with delicious Cambodian food based on Teal’s villa, which they then renovated over three years. mother’s recipes. And that could well have been the end of their When Teal spotted this compact space, it was in housing story. But Teal, who also works as a real estate a less than ideal condition. “It had been a computer shop for years, and before that we think it was a → Haven 75

LIVING ROOM The vintage industrial reception desk and chair were imported from France via Whirlwind Design Store in Miramar. The repurposed wooden staircase balustrade is by local artist Nick Blake. furniture shop,” he says. “No one had ever lived here.” They could, however, see beyond the office-style interior and the lack of earthquake strengthening, both of which could be fixed. What appealed were the high ceilings, the warm interior and the location, across the road from Te Papa and a stone’s throw from Wellington’s waterfront. Built in 1907 as a warehouse, the space also boasted thick brick walls, which meant that even though it was close to Courtenay Place’s party zone and tucked next to a busy restaurant, noise was kept to a minimum. The couple signed on the dotted line in late 2017 and immediately moved into construction mode. The bulk of the work involved earthquake strengthening, which took around six months, and then they ripped into making the space their own. “We had three weeks to get it done because we needed to get the salon open,” says Teal, who has owned five Wellington salons at various times. The biggest challenge was opening up the space and removing several walls to create a workplace with two chairs, a basin and shelving for haircare products. They then added a wall to separate their living quarters from the salon and carved out two bedrooms → 76 Haven

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SALON The metal window frame is an original feature, which the couple restored. The wallpaper was imported from Canada through Resene. KITCHEN A large Perspex image of Teal and Sophia, a gift from a friend, hangs over a white oak dining table with bench seating. The large black metal safe came from The Axe and is great for kitchen storage. 78 Haven

and a living room. Their builder, Junior Teau, have followed the family from previous homes. That constructed the wall from marine ply, adding includes a retro lamp that Teal found in a vintage detailing to the wood to provide texture. shop years ago. “They told me it wasn’t for sale but I kept going back until finally they sold it to me.” It made financial sense to keep the kitchen where it was and renovate it, and this now serves as both This is a couple who know and like good art, and the family’s kitchen and a refreshment centre they’ve filled their apartment with a carefully curated for clients. selection of works. An oil painting in the living room, for example, is by artist Elizabeth Janse and was The couple also retained the original bathroom, bought at auction by Teal when he lived in Sydney adding a black claw-foot bath that Sophia bought in the 1990s. One of the most striking artworks is from Plumbline. “It’s so heavy it took six men to a large photo of the couple in the dining room, above carry it in,” she says. an extendable table from Nood. Daughter Lola’s room is in the front, and behind Another of many artistic talking points is a striped that is the main bedroom. The couple decided to black and white mural that adorns the entrance’s forgo built-in wardrobes in favour of contemporary curved wall. Dutch artist Jan van der Ploeg, who open rack and shelving systems, which they bought has since returned to Amsterdam, spent several from Nood. painstaking days on site completing it. → The bulk of the remaining furniture and fittings

LIVING ROOM The large photo on the wall (left) is of Sophia, aged one, with her mother, who passed away last year. The marine ply walls in the salon create the perfect blank canvas for a collection of classic mid-century prints by Vladimir Tretchikoff, which are enjoyed by both the family and clients. Patterned wallpaper from Resene provides a counterpoint to the ply walls, and a soft-as-butter vintage tan leather sofa came from Teal’s lawyer’s office. “I always said to my lawyer that if they were ever redecorating, I would love to have the sofa that was in their reception area,” Teal says. “As luck would have it, a few years later my lawyer called me and said they were getting rid of it and did I want it?” Although they’re happy with their renovated home and workspace, this enterprising couple say it might not be their forever home. “We’re always on the lookout for the next thing, so watch this space,” says Teal, laughing. 80 Haven

BATHROOM The couple love the clean lines and simplicity of the Resene Black White paint on the brickwork. The mirror and Pinocchio are vintage. Haven 81

ENTRANCE The striped, curved wall (left) draws clients and visitors in, while the rear door (above) leads out to a green courtyard. The vintage 1900 Japanese lantern lamp was given to the couple by photographer îťēǼŚţ͞ţîŖĚƖ¡ĽŃŚHƖĚŃĵ͋ &%()!#Ņ,-#),(+0p$#% -!(' • We’ve done this for almost two decades now and our key learning is to have a disciplined routine every day. • Having a well-balanced schedule is also important, so we have work time and family time. Once we close the salon doors at night, it’s family time. • We also love to surround ourselves with beautiful and nostalgic things. Clients are often inspired and reminded of their childhood while they’re in the salon. 82 Haven

1 Swipe the style RETRO CHIC Haven 83

Haven + Resene PHOTOGRAPHY PETA MAZEY MY COLOURFUL DOOR COMPETITION CALL FOR ENTRIES! Do you know how to make an entrance? If you have a Resene-painted door that pops, enter our competition and be in to win a fab Resene prize. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR • Colourful interior or exterior doors • Unique colour combinations • Doors that stand out HOW TO ENTER Email your photos and a short description of your door to [email protected] with “Resene My Colourful Door” in the subject line. Please include your name, home address, daytime phone number, the names of the Resene colours used, and details of when your door was painted. The winner will appear in a future issue of Haven, and will receive a $500 Resene ColorShop voucher to spend on their choice of Resene quality paints, wood stains, primers/sealers or decorating accessories at their local Resene ColorShop, plus the latest Resene colour fandecks and a Resene Colour Expert to help them choose the right colour scheme to suit their home and lifestyle. Terms and conditions Instructions on how to enter are part of the conditions of entry. The competition is open to New Zealand residents, except ĚţƓŚŰǑĚĚƞŰĴ¬ČĽŰŰŚ¤Űîē¡ƲċŚŃƞĽŃťĵ͆¤ĚƞĚťĚîťēƪĽĚŃƖŃţţĚēŃîƪĚĴîţŃŚŃĚƞîťēîĵĚťČŃĚƞ͋¹ĽĚNjŃťťĚƖNjŃŚŚċĚťŰƪŃǼĚēċǑƪĚŚĚƓĽŰťĚîťē͑ŰƖĚţîŃŚ͋

TRANSFOR!$M!r# TINY RENO PERFECT PINK page 86 When it came time for a new front door, Wellingtonian Brenda 10 TIPS FOR O’Hare looked to her garden for CUTE NOOKS inspiration. “We commissioned a stained-glass panel of our page 92 ĴîNJŰƲƖŃƪĚǽŰNjĚƖ͛ƪĽĚŃƖŃƞ͆ͧ GO NATURAL she says. “We bought a recycled-rimu door, then page 96 painted it using Resene Rouge in Resene Resene Super Gloss to match Rouge the pink glass in the iris. Two years on, NjĚƞƪŃŚŚŚŰNJĚŃƪ͈ͧ Haven 85

LITTLE TREASURE Renovating a tiny apartment to fit a family of four required an outsized helping of ingenuity and imagination. WRITTEN BY JOEL BEATH & ELIZABETH PRICE 86 Haven

Apartment makeover TOP TIP Floor-to-ceiling windows are great for letting in natural light but pose a risk for young children. Here, perforated mesh covers a third of the glass to create a barrier while allowing sunlight in. Small-footprint homes are commonly apartments of its era – had to go. Instead, the spaces for couples or singles, but how do Russos saw an opportunity to add a second bedroom you design a family home when space is – a significant update to the floor plan. But rather not a luxury? Husband-and-wife team than committing to the costly exercise of moving Nicholas and Lauren Russo rose to the the plumbing, they built a raised sleeping platform challenge when updating their one- so they could extend the original plumbing under the bedroom modernist apartment in the Melbourne bed to the new kitchen. This also allowed a substantial suburb of Toorak. With just 40sqm for the Russos addition of storage space – vital for a family with young and their two young children, their use of floor children and the playthings and bulky necessities that space was key. grow with them. Although retaining the original 1960s character of the home was important, features such as the The new kitchen, which sits in what is now the separate kitchen – common in one-bedroom open-plan living zone, is a compact space equipped with a full-size fridge and freezer, a dishwasher and → Haven 87

BATHROOM The concrete an oven. The appliances are integrated and masterfully render used in the bathroom hidden behind lime-washed plywood panelling sets it apart from the rest to allow family living to take place without the of the home. distraction of daily activity. BEDROOM A recessed bed created a spot for cupboards The ply, chosen for its workability, affordability to sit above it, utilising space and durability, features throughout the home, from that would otherwise be a built-in dining bench (which doubles as a second left empty. living room sofa) to the storage in both bedrooms, a shelf system in the living area and an integrated 88 Haven study nook in the entrance hall. The Russos wanted to retain the apartment’s original green floor-to-ceiling brick wall, which evokes the optimism and expression of the post-war era. This bold feature runs along the length of the entrance to the lounge space. Built into the wall is a brass bracket with ply shelves that can be added or removed as the family’s storage and display needs change. Rather than top-heavy bookshelves or bulky cupboards, this clever alternative is safe and aesthetically pleasing. With young children underfoot, safety was paramount when considering the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the apartment. A waist-high →

SPACE- SAVING TIP Clever custom storage has been built below the main bed. Haven 89

The kitchen is functional yet minimalist with flush cabinetry concealing the appliances and storage. 90 Haven

TOP TIP A chiffon curtain acts as a gentle divider between different spaces and can be used to separate or open up various zones. An edited extract from perforated steel mesh is laid over the lower panes Never Too SmallͰċǑͰcŰĚŚ of glass, which allows filtered sunlight to stream Beath and Elizabeth Price through while providing protection and privacy. (Smith Street Books, ēŃƞƪƖŃċƲƪĚēċǑ¹ĽîţĚƞ In the living and dining area, a subtle curtain rail running across the room, equipped with a drape, adds & Hudson Australia, $65.) a textural element designed to help acoustically and soften visually. The drape can screen off the kitchen or provide privacy for the study nook. This allows the living room and kitchen to be used, while dampening the noise and limiting visual distractions for anyone trying to focus in the study. It’s yet another detail that the Russos have incorporated to create a space that, though tiny, feels like a family home. Haven 91

Ideas Dream big Ten ways to make a small space feel bigger. TEXT RACHEL CLARE 92 Haven

Our homes are shrinking. Data from Stats NZ 4 shows that footprints of new builds have fallen in the last decade, down from a record 191sqm in MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL 2012 to 144sqm at last count (though that’s still far bigger than the average house in 1975, which It’s merely an optical illusion but one of the measured 107sqm). These simple tips and tricks easiest ways to create the perception of space will help you embrace your small space. ŃƞċǑîēēŃťĵîŚîƖĵĚţŃƖƖŰƖ͋¹ĽĚƖĚǽĚČƪŃŰťťŰƪ only makes the room brighter but it also creates 1 DON’T BE A CLUTTER BUG a sense of depth. It’s usually best to opt for one Yeah, yeah, we all know that most of ŚîƖĵĚţŃƖƖŰƖċƲƪǑŰƲČîťîČĽŃĚNJĚîƲťŃǼĚēĚĴĴĚČƪ us have way too much stuff. British by displaying a collection of identically sized interior designer Terence Conran’s mirrors in a row or grid pattern along a wall. advice was to move everything out onto You can also bring attractive outside views your lawn and only bring back in what you need. into your home by hanging mirrors at right If you’re not ready for that level of ruthlessness, angles to windows. or you’re wavering over items you intend to use again, experts suggest putting them in a box for Haven 93 three months (if you have space!). If you don’t use it during that time, it’s ready for a new home elsewhere. 2 BIG IS BEAUTIFUL It might seem counter-intuitive, but petite dwellings don’t require miniature furnishings – your home is not a doll’s house. Lots of little groups of objects can make a room feel cluttered and confused, whereas by playing with scale and having fewer, larger objects you create a focal point in the room, amplifying space. Instead of grouping together loads of small pot plants, replace them with one large palm or fiddle-leaf fig, for more impact. Adopt this generous “less is more” mentality with your art and furniture as well. 3 KNOCK DOWN A WALL Poky rooms become larger and airier when you remove walls. Kitchen and living areas are commonly unified in this way, often creating a more family-friendly vibe. Many 20th century Kiwi houses have separate laundries off the kitchen – knock out the wall and you may be able to create a bigger living area. Washing machines and dryers can be disguised inside custom-built cupboards instead. Use the same flooring in open-plan areas to make them feel cohesive and thus larger, and then define separate areas such as the kitchen and dining room with furniture, shelving or rugs.

5 7 INTO THE PALE PHOTOGRAPHY BONNY BEATTIE, FLORENCE CHARVIN, HELEN BANKERS Lighter colours tend to recede when NIFTY STORAGE SOLUTIONS we look at them, so painting walls white is a well-known trick for creating Adopt a caravan state of mind and install dual- an airy space, and it also provides purpose furniture and cabinetry. Free-standing a blank canvas to allow furnishings to stand out. dining chairs can be replaced by bench seating But this doesn’t mean you can never use dark NjŃƪĽċƲŃŚƪ͞ŃťƞƪŰƖîĵĚ͆îťēîǽŰŰƖ͞ƪŰ͞ČĚŃŚŃťĵ shades on your walls. Because they reflect less shelving unit can double as a bedside table if light, moody tones can play with our perception of placed beside a bed. Beds with built-in storage depth, blurring edges and becoming more intense underneath can eliminate the need for free- as the light changes throughout the day. Turn a standing drawers. And don’t forget about all that dark wall into a backdrop by teaming it with pale room under your roof. A pull-down attic ladder furnishings or by adding bright accents with can provide space for infrequently used items. colourful cushions or rugs. 6 LIFT UP THINE EYES 8 MY DANCE SPACE, Rather than displaying everything at eye YOUR DANCE SPACE level, install shelving, art and other objects Rugs and mats define areas within at higher levels to lead the eye upwards, diminutive homes, and there are some creating an illusion of height. Aim for gradual elevation though, to ensure that there isn’t a big beautiful options that double as fine pieces of art, gap between items at lower points and those higher such as the Dilana Rugs’ Artists’ Collection of up. Cupboards that extend right up to the ceiling woollen rugs featuring works by Kiwi artists. (One also boost height, and – added bonus – you’ll never of the benefits of less space is that you can choose have to dust the tops! Floor-to-ceiling curtains and quality over quantity.) When it comes to rug size, mirrors will also elongate rooms. interior designers say that there should be space between the edges of your rug and the surrounding 94 Haven furniture, so aim to get your proportions right to avoid making your furniture look swamped. 9 SHOW SOME LEG OR DISAPPEAR ALTOGETHER To reduce mass, choose furniture with slim legs, keeping the view clear underneath. Mid-century enthusiasts, this one is for you, ċĚČîƲƞĚƪîƓĚƖĚēŚĚĵƞîƖĚîēĚǼťŃťĵĴĚîƪƲƖĚŰĴ 1950s and 60s designs. You can even go invisible with transparent furniture, such as Philippe Starck’s iconic Ghost chair, which has spawned many ƖĚƓŚŃČîƞ͋ťŰƪĽĚƖNjîǑƪŰČîƓŃƪîŚŃƞĚŰťǽŰŰƖîƖĚî is to maximise your use of vertical space. Bench seats, toilets and basins can all be hung off walls, îťēǽŰîƪŃťĵƞĽĚŚNJĚƞNjŃƪĽŰƲƪċƖîČŖĚƪƞîƖĚî wonderful minimalist option – just make sure you install shelves on wall studs so they’re secure.

10 LET THERE BE LIGHT In the same way mirrors increase our sense of space, well-placed lighting can also open up a room, delineating areas and creating cosy nooks. The trick is to have a range of different ŚŃĵĽƪƞ͆ťŰƪŰťĚƞŃťĵŚĚŚŃĵĽƪƞŰƲƖČĚ͋ÀƞĚǽŰŰƖ lamps in corners, table lamps on sideboards and wall lights in awkward spots. Pendant ŚŃĵĽƪŃťĵČîťēĚǼťĚƞƓîČĚƞƞƲČĽîƞēѝѝĵîƖĚîƞ͋ Haven 95

Advice +2U |%#%-(% HELLO SATURDAY INTERIOR DESIGN Designer’s guide to NATURAL MATERIALS There’s no doubt we all need to make conscious decisions when it comes to what we purchase, where it’s made and what it’s made from. With more and more interiors companies focusing on sustainability and natural products, there are plenty of environmentally friendly options to choose from. And, despite the ever-changing nature of interior design trends, when we make a purchase, we should think about how long we’ll use the product and whether it will stand the test of time. PAINT • Choose paint products labelled low- Furtex’s hand-braided odour and low-VOC (or no-VOC). These Mornington rug is woven Paint has come a long way since the days toxic chemicals (full name: volatile organic when it was full of toxic nasties like lead. compounds) are what might be giving you with 100 percent PET As well as overhauling its ingredients over a headache after you’ve been painting, and yarn – a soft, supple the last few decades, the paint industry ţǑƖŃîēƞČŃĚťƪŃǼČƞƪƲēŃĚƞĽîNJĚŚŃťŖĚēƪĽĚţ ǼċƖĚƓƖŰēƲČĚēĴƖŰţ is continuing to evolve, with formulations and practices that are healthier for us and ƪŰƞŃĵťŃǼČîťƪĽĚîŚƪĽƓƖŰċŚĚţƞ͋ recycled plastic bottles. the environment. Here are a few things This eco-conscious rug to look for when choosing paint. • Look for the Environmental Choice tick. ¹ĽŃƞŃƞîťŃťēĚƓĚťēĚťƪċŰēǑƪĽîƪNJĚƖŃǼĚƞ can be used indoors 96 Haven îťēŰƲƪ͆NjŃƪĽŃƪƞţŰƪƪŚĚē the environmental sustainability of various products, including paint. Several local tone creating an easy- ƓîŃťƪČŰţƓîťŃĚƞĽîNJĚƞŰƲĵĽƪNJĚƖŃǼČîƪŃŰť ĵŰŃťĵƞƲţţĚƖǑĴĚĚŚ͋ this way, and approved products are listed hellosaturday.co.nz on environmentalchoice.org.nz. • Think about what you’ll do with leftover paint, tins and solvents. Some paint companies offer take-back schemes, and local councils have drop-off points for hazardous waste.

TOP TIP ¤ÀH¬ά ¤¡/¹ Not sure what to do • Wool is an obvious choice when with your empty paint it comes to sustainable carpet and containers? Once you have ƖƲĵƞ͋sĚNjèĚîŚîťēǽŰŰƖŃťĵČŰţƓîťǑ ǼťŃƞĽĚēēĚČŰƖîƪŃťĵNjŃƪĽ¤ĚƞĚťĚ Bremworth rebranded in 2020, products, you can return your making the bold decision to stop unwanted paint and paint manufacturing synthetic carpets ƓîČŖîĵŃťĵƪŰƪĽĚ¤ĚƞĚťĚ and focus solely on producing wool carpets and made-to-order rugs. ¡îŃťƪØŃƞĚƖĚČǑČŚŃťĵîťē ̈́sîƪƲƖîŚǼċƖĚǽŰŰƖŃťĵŚŰŰŖƞĵŰŰē product stewardship as well as being tough and durable. ƓƖŰĵƖîţţĚ͋ By avoiding excessive moisture, heat, and rough wear and tear, you ƖČîēŃŰǑî¡ŃťĚċǑOǑēƖŰČŰƖŖGŚŰŰƖŃťĵ can be sure it will last a long time. qŰƖťŃťĵƪŰťƖƲĵċǑGƲƖŚĚǐ Coir (a by-product of the coconut industry), seagrass and sisal are ƖĚťĚNjîċŚĚťîƪƲƖîŚǼċƖĚƞŖťŰNjť for their strength – in fact, they were once used for ship ropes, before ƞǑťƪĽĚƪŃČǼċƖĚƞČîţĚîŚŰťĵ͋cƲƪĚ is another natural option – a soft, coveted material that’s best suited to light footfall areas. • The Australian brand Armadillo Rugs aims to “leave as little impact on the earth as possible”, with rugs ţîēĚĴƖŰţťîƪƲƖîŚǼċƖĚƞƞƲČĽîƞ jute, wool and linen and crafted ƲƞŃťĵĚťĚƖĵǑ͞ĚĴǼČŃĚťƪƓƖŰČĚƞƞĚƞ͋ Their rugs come with a Declare label from the International Living Future Institute, showing how they’re made, what they’re made of and where they’ll go at the end of their ŚŃĴĚ͆ĵŃNJŃťĵǑŰƲČŰťǼēĚťČĚƪĽîƪ you’re buying a sustainable product. Armadillo Rugs are available at the Ivy House in Auckland. O¤'Gg~~¤TsH high temperatures, and is hypoallergenic. ŰƖŖǽŰŰƖŃťĵČŰţĚƞŃťîNJîƖŃĚƪǑŰĴĴŰƖţƞ͆ • Natural, reusable and recyclable, cork is one of the world’s most versatile materials. including traditional tiles and Hydrocork It’s made from the outer bark of the cork ǽŰŰƖŃťĵ͆NjĽŃČĽĽîƞîƖĚîŚŃƞƪŃČ͞ŚŰŰŖŃťĵ oak tree, the only tree with bark that regenerates. A cork tree can live for wood veneer. hundreds of years, and be stripped ̈́×Ńēî¬ƓîČĚǽŰŰƖîťēNjƓƖŰēƲČƪƞ every nine to 12 years, acquiring a smoother texture each time. Cork is great are made from sustainable wood with ĴŰƖǽŰŰƖŃťĵîťēNjƞîƞŃƪĽîƞťîƪƲƖîŚ a plethora of international environmental ČĚƖƪŃǼČîƪŃŰťƞ͆ţŰƞƪťŰƪîċŚǑG¬ îťē ƖîēŚĚ acoustic insulation and low conductivity of noise and vibration. It also has excellent to Cradle. ƪĽĚƖţîŚŃťƞƲŚîƪŃŰť͆ŃƞƖĚƞŃƞƪîťƪƪŰǼƖĚîťē • And the most sustainable and ethical ĽîƖēǽŰŰƖŃťĵǑŰƲČŰƲŚēČĽŰŰƞĚ͌¤ĚČǑČŚĚē or reclaimed wood. Haven 97

DID YOU FABRIC KNOW? • If you’re looking for natural products for Not only is hemp gentle your home, you can’t go past wool – it’s on the earth, but it also biodegradable, renewable and breathable. requires very little water, • Linen is another popular natural choice especially when compared for both fashion and interiors. We’re starting with cotton, which uses to see a move towards more textured and about 50 percent more handmade looks, with production techniques such as dip dye, stonewash and basket dye water per growing adding interest and a sense of imperfection. season. • Recycled fabrics are also increasingly popular, from wool to fabrics – and even Tanya Wolfkamp Karo Pastel Collection by Hemptech rugs made from old milk bottles! • Getting fabric screen-printed to order can reduce wastage, and using a company with a commitment to sustainability can ċƖŃťĵĴƲƖƪĽĚƖĚťNJŃƖŰťţĚťƪîŚċĚťĚǼƪƞ͋¹ƖǑ Oat Studio, Annie Coop or Maggie Lamb. • It’s no coincidence that hemp bears the nickname “weed”. A densely growing plant, hemp can choke out competing plants, which reduces the need for harsh chemical herbicides. Hemp is also naturally pest- resistant, so requires little or no pesticides. And it’s a high-yield plant that requires a relatively small amount of land for cultivation, meaning it can produce up to double the yield of cotton per hectare. Hemptech is a New Zealand-based textile company that has been leading the way in high-quality natural sustainable fabrics for nearly 25 years. Its fabrics are eco-friendly, sustainable, low-impact, recyclable, and biodegradable, typically decomposing in six to 12 months, and its fabric-cutting waste is recycled into paper gift items. FURNITURE economy, but the quality and comfort can’t Rattan is a fast- be beaten either. What’s more, you can growing tropical palm Nothing beats a beautiful piece of often tailor the furniture to get the exact ƪĽîƪƓƖŰēƲČĚƞƪĽĚǼċƖŰƲƞ locally made furniture. Not only are you size, shape, fabric and material you want. supporting New Zealand businesses, • Kovacs Furniture is a family-run material used for furniture but you’re reducing the air miles clocked business that opened Christchurch in manufacture seven times up from importing cheaper furniture from 1963 with a passion for European design faster than a regular overseas factories. And as the saying and a belief in the talents of local tree can produce wood. ĵŰĚƞͦͅ¹ĽĚċŃƪƪĚƖťĚƞƞŰĴƓŰŰƖƕƲîŚŃƪǑ craftspeople, and it’s still producing Above: Lillian rattan quality pieces that stand the test of time. lounge chair, $789 from remains long after the sweetness of a • Woodwrights was established in 1997 The Cane Collective. low price is forgotten.” In New Zealand, ċǑēƖŃîť¹ƖĚNjîNJîƞ͆îƞŖŃŚŚĚēČƖîĴƪƞţîť we’re lucky to have many skilled furniture makers, many of them family-run with an eye for quality and detail. Its businesses. If you compare prices, I think furniture is customisable and made-to- you’ll be pleasantly surprised just what order in Motueka from sustainable wood. you can have made locally! It’s not only a win for the environment and the local 98 Haven

1 2 4 3 5 8 10 6 7 9 PHOTOGRAPHY MARY-ELLEN HINTON, SUPPLIED 11 12 13 MARY-ELLEN’S PICKS Cocoon your home in earthy fabrics, flooring and wall coverings. 1 Outland limewashed spruce wood panelling, from Vida Space. 2 Cayman waxed cork wall covering, from Dekwall. 3 Totto by Mokum drapery fabric in salt, from James Dunlop Textiles. 4 Saba by Mokum fabric in linen, from James Dunlop Textiles. 5 Armadillo Pompeii woollen rug in ricotta, from Ivy House. 6 Mokum Prato woollen upholstery fabric in peach, from James Dunlop Textiles. 7 Tunnels Belgian linen in rust, from Oat Studio. 8 Galet woollen carpet in sienna, from Bremworth. 9 Icons handwoven rattan wallcovering, from Arte. 10ƖîǛǛŰƞŃƞîŚǽŰŰƖČŰNJĚƖŃťĵ͆ĴƖŰţƖƪŃƞîť͋11 Alvo Belgian linen in oyster, from Annie Coop. 12 Capital Checks stonewashed oatmeal linen in terracotta, from Oat Studio. 13 Outland Tempest reclaimed wood panelling, from Vida Space. Haven 99

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