St Albans

Christchurch

The kitchen was a priority as they were keen to centralise this and create a seamless connection between all of the living spaces and to the outside courtyard that extends to the pool.

After the Canterbury earthquakes, this home was in need of extensive repairs. The clients also saw opportunity for a renovation. The kitchen was a priority as they were keen to centralise this and create a seamless connection between all of the living spaces and to the outside courtyard that extends to the pool.

It was important that the renovations were in keeping with the age and style of the house. The end result is grand without being over the top. The home is unique due to both its age and the way it nestles back into its section so it was important that the interior was transformed into a space that was not only relevant to today’s living but sympathetic to its history. There are so few original old houses left in Christchurch now that it was vital to retain the character.

The homeowners not only wanted to make better use of the spaces during the renovation but also make them more inviting. This was achieved with the use of Resene paint colours paired with soft furnishings throughout such as curtains and use of cushions on new and newly upholstered sofas in complementary fabrics. The formal lounge now has a warm but edgy feel by boldly using Resene Fusion on the walls in conjunction with the Carlucci Luscious Land fabric used for the curtains.

The study has a deliberately more masculine look with wallpaper that contrasts with the Resene Quarter Bianca on the cabinetry, cornice, ceiling and woodwork. This look creates a lovely and cosy work space that doubles as the perfect media room.

The renovation continued upstairs to the bedrooms where a small study was converted into an ensuite after closing one door off in the hall while creating a new opening in the master bedroom. The finishes in this room are fresh but classic using a mix of different finishes, both contemporary and traditional but keeping with the light and fresh Resene Quarter Bianca.

Resene Rhino applied in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen was a fun colour that provided depth on the walls in bedroom three, a gender neutral colour that doubles as a room for visiting grandchildren or guests.

The rest of the paint palette is neutral with remaining walls in Resene Triple White Pointer, kitchen wall cabinets in Resene Triple Ash, the kitchen island in Resene Fuscous Grey and ceilings and woodwork in Resene Quarter Bianca.

Building contractor: Casa Construction
Interior designer: Bridget Coles, Emma Gale and Sophie Orsbourn, Furnishscene Ltd
Painting contractor: Topcut Painting
Other key contributor – joinery: Advanced Joinery
Other key contributor – kitchen designer: Ingrid Geldof Design
Other key contributor – tile supplier and installer: Europica Tiles
Photographer: Jamie Armstrong  
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2015