My Houzz: A New Zealand Home Celebrates Colour and Easy Materials
Colour, craft, and collections give this simply built, eclectic home a playful personality
Kate Alexander
27 June 2019
This home stands spirited in a row of predictability. Denim-blue windows framed in bright red spark playfully with the surrounding panels in aqua. In contrast, the construction of this home is pragmatic – affordable ply cladding, maintenance-free double-glazed aluminium windows, and stilts that lift the house from the ground (to save costly earthworks to level the land). It is a simply built, colourful haven for two.
Images by Places & Graces
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sharon Skylark, and her standard poodle, Pearl
Location: Kuratau, on the western bays of Lake Taupo, New Zealand
Builder: Steve Fox
Painter: Gordon Fraser
This property borders a ridge above Kuratau and the adjacent Omori, both holiday suburbs on the edge of New Zealand’s Lake Taupo. Dedicated pathways connect the Kuratau river, lake and meandering streets. Sharon Skylark had been holidaying here from her Taumarunui home for close to 40 years after her extended family built their first bach (holiday home) in Kuratau in 1967. Eventually, Skylark and her husband built their own holiday house above the Omori boat ramp in 2000.
Walking is a pleasure here, and it was during these neighbourhood strolls that Skylark would walk along the ridge and past the new sections for sale. She mused that if she ever built again it would be on one of these plots above the river. As life would have it, Skylark eventually shifted permanently to the Omori holiday house but soon realised it was too roomy for her and Pearl. Naturally, she knew exactly where she would build her new home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sharon Skylark, and her standard poodle, Pearl
Location: Kuratau, on the western bays of Lake Taupo, New Zealand
Builder: Steve Fox
Painter: Gordon Fraser
This property borders a ridge above Kuratau and the adjacent Omori, both holiday suburbs on the edge of New Zealand’s Lake Taupo. Dedicated pathways connect the Kuratau river, lake and meandering streets. Sharon Skylark had been holidaying here from her Taumarunui home for close to 40 years after her extended family built their first bach (holiday home) in Kuratau in 1967. Eventually, Skylark and her husband built their own holiday house above the Omori boat ramp in 2000.
Walking is a pleasure here, and it was during these neighbourhood strolls that Skylark would walk along the ridge and past the new sections for sale. She mused that if she ever built again it would be on one of these plots above the river. As life would have it, Skylark eventually shifted permanently to the Omori holiday house but soon realised it was too roomy for her and Pearl. Naturally, she knew exactly where she would build her new home.
This new build was Skylark’s first opportunity to craft a place that was all her own. She combined the favourite aspects of her holiday house – its open-plan layout – with her creative desires, followed by a big dose of practicality.
Built in 2015, Skylark’s home comprises two open-plan rectangles – kitchen and living at one end, sleeping at the other – connected by an art-studio corridor where Sharon has several desks in a row, one for each creative pastime. All three spaces look through top-hung and sliding windows that open wide to the northern view. Running along the rear of the house is the bathroom and laundry.
Find a local architect on Houzz to design your dream home and see images and reviews of their work
Built in 2015, Skylark’s home comprises two open-plan rectangles – kitchen and living at one end, sleeping at the other – connected by an art-studio corridor where Sharon has several desks in a row, one for each creative pastime. All three spaces look through top-hung and sliding windows that open wide to the northern view. Running along the rear of the house is the bathroom and laundry.
Find a local architect on Houzz to design your dream home and see images and reviews of their work
Outside, a covered deck connects the two north-facing aspects of the house. This is where Skylark sits to do her daily sudoku with Pearl at her side. Everything here attests to Sharon’s do-it-yourself skills – the cushions are made from her collection of patchwork fabrics, and a pink stool is part-way through being given a makeover in Resene Scrumptious.
Construction of this 104-square-metre home took about six months and was relatively stress-free due to the collaborative relationship between Skylark and her builder, Steve Fox. “I chose Steve because he has a property further up my street – a modest well-constructed bach with a sign promoting his building business,” says Skylark. “And he was clear on the budgetary impact of any changes we made along the way.” There weren’t many of those, aside from a standout decision to raise the toilet on a platform so sitting on the throne puts a person at just the right height to see out the window to the bush beyond.
The barn doors, made by joiner Ross Curtis, were chosen to let the air in and keep the rodents out.
Skylark enjoys making mosaics. She created this one on her front doorstep from the chipped plates and cups in her china collection. This stepping stone welcomes visitors and angels alike.
The red lampshade suspended above the dining table is from Lighting Plus in Taupo. The hand-knotted wool runner is from a shop in Wellington. “I spotted it walking past, took the measurements and it fitted exactly, so they sent it to me,” says Skylark. “I love it. It’s a bit random, with lovely bright colours and rather uneven edges.”
Each north-facing window – all 90 percent of them – looks out towards the bush-clad hills of Rangitukua Scenic Reserve. Insect screens cover the narrow, top-hanging windows allowing Skylark to keep them open almost all year round.
Skylark has an abundance of fresh produce in her garden. Tomatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber and leeks mingle with a medley of fruit and flowers. During Houzz’s visit, she chats away while easily making a batch of zucchini fritters from scratch.
The floors in Skylark’s home are satin-finished ply, punctuated with rugs of different sizes and designs. All were bought new aside from the rectangular carpet just inside the entrance – Skylark purchased this rug from an op-shop in Taihape, and had the edge stitched by a company in Taupo.
In the living room, an assortment of individual chairs and stools surround the single source of heat for this house: a New Zealand-made Wagener Cooktop fireplace. The fire connects to a wetback, situated in a linen cupboard, which heats the water and is just big enough to double as a dressing room. In winter, Skylark does nearly all of her cooking on this central source of heat.
The electricity for the house comes from photovoltaic panels on the roof, and Skylark sells her excess power back into the national grid. She also has a gas Califont heater as a backup, used mostly for instant hot water when visitors come to stay.
The electricity for the house comes from photovoltaic panels on the roof, and Skylark sells her excess power back into the national grid. She also has a gas Califont heater as a backup, used mostly for instant hot water when visitors come to stay.
Skylark’s bountiful garden provides year-round opportunities for freshly picked flowers, so there are many bunches displayed around her house. More than a hundred artworks and objects adorn the walls – each chosen for the emotional and/or visual connection they bestow. Plywood was Skylark’s only option for the interior cladding due to its practical nature, because “you can easily hammer a nail anywhere you wish to hang something”.
Painter Gordon Fraser was an integral part of Skylark’s building team. Together they refined the details such as the decision to paint all interior door frames turquoise in order to make the yellow doors pop. Asked about her embrace of vivid colour, Skylark answers, “Why would you not? Colour brings joy and excitement, it’s interesting, and the combinations and tones are endless. Being surrounded by colour makes me happy”.
Not only does Skylark enjoy living with colour, she surrounds herself with collections including skulls, scarves, chairs, hearts and angels. A group of hearts hangs on the wall in the corner of her bedroom. “I don’t actively go looking to buy an object or artwork,” she says. “I wait for the right one to come my way. Sometimes it’s a gift, or I might spot something in an op-shop or gallery.”
Skylark’s kitchen drawers are a delight, filled to the brim with hand-painted, vintage and one-off china plates and bowls.
Her glass-fronted, wall-mounted cabinet is a statement in itself, stuffed with assorted tea and coffee cups. It wasn’t a conscious decision to collect china, but more a love of, and desire for, uniqueness.
“It makes doing the dishes far more interesting,” says Skylark. “Why would you have a whole set the same when you can have variety?”
“It makes doing the dishes far more interesting,” says Skylark. “Why would you have a whole set the same when you can have variety?”
Skylark prefers to dress colourfully and rarely leaves home without a streak of lipstick. She sews many of her own clothes, each one a statement of happiness.
A collection of scarves and jewellery makes an artful display hanging inside the front door. Among these is Skylark’s glass-bead necklaces, which she made during classes in Whanganui using a process called lampwork, where a torch or lamp is used to melt the glass.
The solidity of natural timber is what grounds the celebration of colour in this home. Years ago, when Skylark was a young mother and homemaker, she couldn’t afford the furniture she desired. So she took herself to night school and learned woodwork from journeyman and joiner Merv Ogg.
“He asked if I would like to make a wooden spoon and I said no, I would like to make a set of three nesting tables, please,” says Skylark. “He kept a smart workshop. The machinery and tools were beautifully maintained and sharp. We learned ‘old school’ style and respect for the timber and what we created.”
“He asked if I would like to make a wooden spoon and I said no, I would like to make a set of three nesting tables, please,” says Skylark. “He kept a smart workshop. The machinery and tools were beautifully maintained and sharp. We learned ‘old school’ style and respect for the timber and what we created.”
Decades of wood turning later, Skylark designed this new home with her furniture in mind, ensuring each timber piece, crafted from reclaimed native wood, has a dedicated spot. “I used paper cut-outs of my furniture – overlaid on the floor plan – to make sure each piece would fit the allocated space,” she says. “And I added castors to the large items so they can be moved easily, especially when guests come to stay.”
Skylark planned the interior of her home to feature plenty more natural timber. “When I started woodwork as a hobby, I began collecting wood and storing it in the shed on our farm in Taumarunui. “From one fossick alone I gathered seven tonnes of rimu, it was enough wood to keep me going for life. Unfortunately, over the years, borer damaged the wood and rendered it unusable.” Skylark’s sadness over having to source new timber for the barn door is palpable.
As Houzz bids farewell to this lively house, tummy full, heart warm, Skylark offers her parting best wishes. “I share angel blessings with you on this beautiful autumnal day.” Skylark’s home is a gift, to her and the environment. A manifestation of what it looks like to craft an authentic personal interior style.
Your turn
What do you admire most about this house? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
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Curious to peek inside another unique home? Don’t miss last weeks’ Hamptons-inspired Houzz Tour
Your turn
What do you admire most about this house? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Curious to peek inside another unique home? Don’t miss last weeks’ Hamptons-inspired Houzz Tour
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This house is awesome, it is so totally not me but I love the personality that shines through, and the joy
I’m a homesick Kiwi living overseas. As a child we holidayed a lot on the shores of Lake Taupo. It warmed my heart to see such a beautiful and uniquely New Zealand home in this location. Love it!
I love seeing a home reflect the owner... she shares the same feelings about home and sense of place that I do. And I collect teaplates and cups too! I think we would definitely be kindred spirits.