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Houzz Tour: A Downsizers' Home That Embraces the Past and Future
Two retirees wanted their new house to feel like home when their adult daughters come to visit – here's how they did it
Downsizing from a large family home to this smaller, two-storey house on Wellington’s city fringes in Kaiwharawhara offered two retirees the opportunity to socialise, stay active and enjoy the best that urban life has to offer.
While they had big plans to modernise the interior, it was important to them that it still had the familiar feeling of home for their two adult daughters when they came to visit. “This will hopefully be our last home, so we wanted to make it exactly how we wanted it,” say the homeowners. They turned to interior designer Frances Fraser, director at Honour Creative, to help them realise their vision.
While they had big plans to modernise the interior, it was important to them that it still had the familiar feeling of home for their two adult daughters when they came to visit. “This will hopefully be our last home, so we wanted to make it exactly how we wanted it,” say the homeowners. They turned to interior designer Frances Fraser, director at Honour Creative, to help them realise their vision.
The living/dining area before works
The interior of the home was completely gutted to allow for a total refresh of colours and finishes, as well as some minor changes to the floor plan. “Even the ceilings ended up being replaced to accommodate new light fittings,” says Fraser.
“The kitchen and bathrooms were redesigned to make space for new fitted joinery, lighting and some small changes to the layout,” she says.
The interior of the home was completely gutted to allow for a total refresh of colours and finishes, as well as some minor changes to the floor plan. “Even the ceilings ended up being replaced to accommodate new light fittings,” says Fraser.
“The kitchen and bathrooms were redesigned to make space for new fitted joinery, lighting and some small changes to the layout,” she says.
The living area after works
“Rooms were filled with all-new furniture, some of it custom-designed. We introduced new design elements such as the glass features, and the clients reconfigured their wardrobes and other storage areas,” says Fraser.
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“Rooms were filled with all-new furniture, some of it custom-designed. We introduced new design elements such as the glass features, and the clients reconfigured their wardrobes and other storage areas,” says Fraser.
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The result is a simple and sophisticated space that is filled with natural light. While it feels thoroughly contemporary, the design cleverly manages to incorporate collectibles and mementos that speak to the owners’ family histories.
Glass was a unifying feature, and was used across light fittings, display furniture and feature walls. “It tied together one homeowner’s collections and the other’s appreciation of light in a space,” says Fraser.
Glass was a unifying feature, and was used across light fittings, display furniture and feature walls. “It tied together one homeowner’s collections and the other’s appreciation of light in a space,” says Fraser.
The dining area before works
The dining area after works
The open-plan kitchen/living/dining area was decorated in a warm, neutral palette with bold contrasts of light and dark. “This adds interest and drama without being overbearing or competing with the views,” says Fraser.
Natural materials such as timber and leather make the space feel comfortable and welcoming – just the note the owners want to hit when they’re entertaining or when family members come to visit.
The open-plan kitchen/living/dining area was decorated in a warm, neutral palette with bold contrasts of light and dark. “This adds interest and drama without being overbearing or competing with the views,” says Fraser.
Natural materials such as timber and leather make the space feel comfortable and welcoming – just the note the owners want to hit when they’re entertaining or when family members come to visit.
Cerdisa Landstone Dove floor tiles: Jacobsen Flooring
“We added colour to the more intimate spaces, such as the main bedroom and powder room,” says Fraser.
“We added colour to the more intimate spaces, such as the main bedroom and powder room,” says Fraser.
The good bones of the architecture helped bring the scheme together. “The house itself is gorgeous and the scope for changes to the interior was extensive, so my client was able to address anything that didn’t fit their design vision and the way they want to live,” says Fraser.
“Even the steel beams in the living area, which were previously clad in veneer, were able to be exposed and painted a dark colour. This provided a bold, contrasting feature in the space that contributed to the contemporary aesthetic,” she says.
“Even the steel beams in the living area, which were previously clad in veneer, were able to be exposed and painted a dark colour. This provided a bold, contrasting feature in the space that contributed to the contemporary aesthetic,” she says.
The kitchen before works
“The house had been designed for someone in a wheelchair so it had a lift and other features tailored to support that. It had been well looked after and was in good condition, but did not offer my client the complete fresh start they wanted,” says Fraser.
“They had previously built their own homes so knew what they could achieve and that they could make this home uniquely their own.”
“The house had been designed for someone in a wheelchair so it had a lift and other features tailored to support that. It had been well looked after and was in good condition, but did not offer my client the complete fresh start they wanted,” says Fraser.
“They had previously built their own homes so knew what they could achieve and that they could make this home uniquely their own.”
The kitchen after works
For the new design, the owners sought classic-meets-contemporary, clean-lined architecture balanced with a warm and comfortable feel, says Fraser.
They also wanted characterful, multi-purpose spaces that could be adapted to different uses.
Having a visual connection between the different spaces was also important to them, which required a strong base palette and design intent.
For the new design, the owners sought classic-meets-contemporary, clean-lined architecture balanced with a warm and comfortable feel, says Fraser.
They also wanted characterful, multi-purpose spaces that could be adapted to different uses.
Having a visual connection between the different spaces was also important to them, which required a strong base palette and design intent.
The kitchen floor plan
“They wanted it to feel special and exciting, without being showy or gimmicky,” says Fraser. “Achieving a good balance between style and comfort was key, as was the desire for spaces to feel fun and personal.
“Pretty much everything is new in the house, except the client’s collections and art pieces, which have added that all-important personal touch to the home and a sense of fun,” says Fraser.
“They wanted it to feel special and exciting, without being showy or gimmicky,” says Fraser. “Achieving a good balance between style and comfort was key, as was the desire for spaces to feel fun and personal.
“Pretty much everything is new in the house, except the client’s collections and art pieces, which have added that all-important personal touch to the home and a sense of fun,” says Fraser.
“The timber bar was custom-made using recycled timber from the seating at Wellington’s former Athletic Park. A seat number is still visible underneath!” says Fraser.
It’s another moment within the new design that reflects the owners’ past. “Our client’s family has a strong history with Wellington rugby and spent many an afternoon watching games at the park,” she says.
It’s another moment within the new design that reflects the owners’ past. “Our client’s family has a strong history with Wellington rugby and spent many an afternoon watching games at the park,” she says.
Benchtop in Alpine Mist: Caesarstone
A deep leather armchair and matching footstool from BoConcept provide an idyllic spot to sit by the fire.
The surround of the flame-effect gas fireplace in the living area was simplified to fit in with the new scheme. “We balanced the glazing on the left with a feature of bronze mirror-backed antique glass to the right,” says Fraser.
A custom-designed glass display cabinet creates space for the owners to showcase their collections of ceramics and glassware.
On the other side of the house, a covered terrace offers an ideal place for year-round relaxation and entertaining.
It is surrounded by greenery at varying heights, making you feel like you’re enveloped in nature. “My client used to have a substantial garden so has done well to create a space that has scope for her green thumb, without requiring too much maintenance,” says Fraser.
It is surrounded by greenery at varying heights, making you feel like you’re enveloped in nature. “My client used to have a substantial garden so has done well to create a space that has scope for her green thumb, without requiring too much maintenance,” says Fraser.
The ensuite before works
The ensuite after works
Cerdisa Landstone White floor and wall tiles: Jacobsen Flooring
Cerdisa Landstone White floor and wall tiles: Jacobsen Flooring
The ensuite floor plan
Trailing Orchid wallpaper: Osborne & Little; Falper vanity: Plumbline
“This refined and elegant home was always intended to have colour and fun, especially in areas separate to the calm and cohesive open-plan living area. The powder room was one perfect place to go bold,” says Fraser.
“It took a few ‘that’s cool but won’t work’ moments to settle on the right scale and type of illustration for this small space. This one works because it is bold but the cascade of pattern from ceiling to floor makes it less overwhelming than a more conventional uniform pattern would have been.”
“This refined and elegant home was always intended to have colour and fun, especially in areas separate to the calm and cohesive open-plan living area. The powder room was one perfect place to go bold,” says Fraser.
“It took a few ‘that’s cool but won’t work’ moments to settle on the right scale and type of illustration for this small space. This one works because it is bold but the cascade of pattern from ceiling to floor makes it less overwhelming than a more conventional uniform pattern would have been.”
Colour was also added to the bedrooms through botanical-printed cushions and bedding inspired by the colours in the landscape outside.
A guest bedroom features full-height windows overlooking the ocean.
“My client extended their existing art collection to include this stunning blue piece by Max Patté. All I did was agree with their preferred colour choice – it is a great addition to the wide, light-filled and fun entry,” says Fraser.
Custom glass sidelights next to the front door provide a connection to the hallway art piece and the home’s water views. “We had a very happy trip to see Olaf Wehr-Candler at Pukerua Glass Studio to select the colours, then he created a pattern to complement the home’s setting,” she says.
Your turn
Are you as impressed by this sophisticated makeover as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another beautiful makeover home? Check out this My Houzz: From Office Space to Intimate & Inviting Family Home
Are you as impressed by this sophisticated makeover as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another beautiful makeover home? Check out this My Houzz: From Office Space to Intimate & Inviting Family Home
Images by Bonny Beattie
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple and their poodle, Poppy. The couple’s two adult daughters have left home.
Location: Kaiwharawhara, New Zealand
Number of bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two living areas
Size: Approximately 270 square metres over two levels
Interior designer: Frances Fraser, director at Honour Creative
Builder: Wayne Johnston
Architectural draughting: Topcat Architecture
“The couple was moving from their family home to a more contemporary home that offered a different outlook – the sea – and an active retirement lifestyle,” says Fraser.
“I worked alongside them for a complete overall of the interior, from establishing the vision to the final touches.” This meant all-new furniture, materials and colours, while at the same time creating space to incorporate meaningful collections and details from the family’s past. “They wanted the girls to feel like it was a home away from home and that not all connection to their childhoods had been left out.”
Here’s how Fraser balanced old and new in the rejigged design.