Roseberry Villa

The design objective was to be sympathetic to the design and detail of the original villa, while connecting the new living space with the outdoors.

The home was designed to highlight the texture and detail of the heritage features including the battens on the ceilings, scotia, skirting boards alongside the old and new double hung windows amongst other original features.

Original Matai flooring was matched for the extension of the home and a bordered Parquet feature flooring was designed in the dining room, to anchor the table and provide an interesting detail. The existing flooring was sanded and both the new and old flooring was stained darker in order to provide a deep rich base for the home to be designed upon.

The kitchen was designed by Abbey in a minimal shaker style, with a profile which echoed the detail of the ceiling battens. The concept of the kitchen was to make the cabinetry feel like an architectural detail within the whole space. The full 3.3m stud height was utilised and cabinetry was built around symmetry and texture. It was decided that the lounge cabinetry that flows onto the kitchen would be finished in Resene Alabaster to achieve a more relaxed aesthetic. The front lounge is finished in Resene White Pointer.

The materials elected for the home were textured and natural such as honed marble, timber, slate, hand-made concrete tiles and some accents of raw brass. Lighting was also a key consideration in the open plan living areas in order to keep the home feeling in keeping with its era.

The colour scheme, though very neutral, was specifically chosen so that it would complement the architectural features and details of the home, highlighting the details of the fireplace carvings, internal mouldings and battens etc. Resene Alabaster on general walls and ceilings provided the perfect warm white, which worked beautifully with the deep rich brown floors for freshness and contrast.

The master bedroom includes a feature of Resene Nocturnal, which covers the wall, skirting boards, cavity door and architraves on the one wall. This allows the eye to see the one wall as a deep moody backdrop, without the interruption of a contrasting colour. This wall colour was also chosen to enhance the scale and height of the bedroom wall, giving a grandeur to the space. Resene Nocturnal provides the perfect backdrop to a bedroom which can be styled for winter or summer.

The walls are finished throughout in Resene SpaceCote for its desirable finish contrasted with Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss on architraves, skirting and doors to define the surfaces and for added protection as it is a family home with young kids.

The exterior is finished in Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Triple White Pointer on weatherboards with architraves and fretwork in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in Resene Alabaster. The front door accented with Resene Windswept welcomes in guests.

This project won the Resene Total Colour Neutrals Award. The judges said "quiet and unassuming this home is a haven on the senses harnessing the power of an achromatic palette. Dark neutrals are used carefully, with lighter hues for added loveliness. This colour palette combination will undoubtedly inspire other homeowners to eschew the all-white look and uplift their own home with stronger hues."

Architectural specifier: LTD Architectural Design Studio
Building contractor: Dero Building Limited
Client: John and Abbey Lang
Colour selection: Abbey Lang
Kitchen: Bella Kitchens
Painting contractor: Norman Kingston
Photographer: Kate Burton-Brown, Joel McDowell
Winner: Resene Total Colour Neutrals Award
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2020