Captivating character: An Auckland home showcasing the essence of South Island living

Nestled in the picturesque town of Riverhead, a stunning home designed by Hoxha Bailey Architects, in collaboration with clients Denise and Brett, stands as a testament to the couple’s shared vision and passion for South Island aesthetics. With meticulous attention to detail, interior designer Abbey Lang from Abbey Lang Home worked her magic with charming Resene neutrals to enhance the home's unique character, capturing the essence of the client's cherished memories and experiences.

From the moment you step through the front door, this remarkable residence captivates with its seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, natural materials and breath-taking gardens. The timeless neutrals of the home, both light and dark, reflect the majestic and grand mountains, deep lakes and spectacular flora of the South Island.

With the plans finalised and at the council, the FlaxPod COLORSTEEL® roof and oak flooring had already been chosen, so the stage was set for colour to work its wonders. Seeking expert advice on colour choices, the homeowners enlisted the help of skilled designer Abbey Lang, who became an integral part of the project. From assisting with colour selection to designing key spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom and powder room, Abbey’s role expanded to encompass design details and soft furnishings, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious aesthetic throughout the home.

As the front door swings open, guests are greeted by the sight of internal schist walls and a central internal garden, immediately immersing them in the captivating atmosphere of the residence. The exterior of the house boasts a board and batten design, painted in the light colour of Resene Rice Cake which looks striking against the dark roof. The exterior was painted with Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss paint, optimised for superior toughness, durability, and adhesion, combined with superb flowing good looks, certainly bringing out the clean and timeless white of Resene Rice Cake.

This architectural choice blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors, a concept further emphasised by the continuation of the board and batten detailing into the hallway. Towering 4.8m gabled ceilings create a sense of grandeur, while steel-inspired windows, made from aluminium, offer unobstructed views of the surrounding garden, framing nature like exquisite works of art.  

The interior walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Zylone Sheen tinted to Resene Half Rice Cake, a warm, soft white with a touch of yellow that connects the exterior with internal spaces seamlessly. The home’s light neutral palette and design accentuate natural materials such as honed marble, travertine, limestone and Moroccan handmade tiles, while also complementing the warm hues of the timber flooring and schist walls. Hand-blown glass lights and linen curtains add an elegant touch to the overall ambiance.

The kitchen, a focal point of the residence, was envisioned with the client's desire for a black aesthetic in mind. To achieve this, the oak cabinetry was stained to create depth and drama, while also accentuating the smoky black veins and knots found in the timber flooring. The result is a kitchen that exudes warmth, elegance, and a touch of drama, as well creating a striking contrast against the Resene Half Rice Cake walls.

The bathroom and powder rooms were also designed with the warm tone of Resene Half Rice Cake, perfectly complementing the ocean travertine vanities, Moroccan tiles and limestone floors. When choosing neutrals for a home, there are no limits to the furnishings and décor you can use. 

A dedicated media room awaits within the home, painted in the evocative and dramatic hue of Resene Nocturnal. This carefully selected deep grey, the black of night, creates an intimate, cinematic and cosy atmosphere, inviting residents and guests to unwind and watch movies or lose themselves in the pages of a book. With its warm undertones and depth, Resene Nocturnal adds a layer of richness to this retreat-like space, striking the perfect balance between comfort and style.

I love the materiality of this home - the schist walls, oak flooring, timber cabinetry, battened walls, honed marble benchtops and splashback, travertine vanity tops and the handmade Moroccan clay tiles in the powder room - the selections are tactile and earthy and emote a relaxed understated luxury feel,” Abbey says.

“The home is a testament to the power of a shared vision and meticulous attention to detail, inspired from the natural beauty of New Zealand's South Island.” 

design Abbey Lang www.abbeylanghome.com

images Tessa Chrisp www.tessachrisp.co.nz

Top tip: When you’re decorating, you’ll discover a wealth of Resene ‘whites’, with varying touches of yellow, green, brown, or grey to turn them into a huge cast of interesting shades. The best place to start is with the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection, which is home to a host of whites as well as darker neutral colours – greys, beiges and blacks.

More than any other colour, whites and off-whites are influenced by other elements in the room. If you have off-white walls and a lot of green accessories, expect your walls to take on a green hue. Use a strong blue rug or furniture, and your walls will pick up on the blue. You can use this to your advantage - if you have a rich reddish timber floor that you find a bit overpowering, then using a cool white on the walls (one with a grey or green base) will help diffuse the effect of the floor. Read more tips and tricks in habitat plus – Whites and Neutrals online.

 

The deep grey, black of night, Resene Nocturnal was chosen for the media room, creating an intimate, cinematic and cosy atmosphere, inviting friends and family to unwind watch a movie or lose themselves in a good book.

The classic white walls, painted in Resene Half Rice Cake, complements the natural wood grain in the oak flooring and the dark kitchen. Use Resene Colorwood Pitch Black wood stain on wooden cabinetry for a dramatic finish.

The stunning marbling in the kitchen countertop brings together hues from the black cabinetry and white walls, painted in Resene Half Rice Cake. Along with the schist and wooden flooring, a natural inspiration is prevalent in this home while giving a modern and timeless feel.

 

The towering 4.8m gabled ceiling creates a sense of grandeur, while steel-inspired windows and large glass sliding doors offer unobstructed views of the surrounding garden, framing nature like exquisite works of art. The ceiling and walls are painted in Resene Half Rice Cake.

This elegant bedroom is painted in Resene Half Rice Cake, a neutral shade that creates a canvas for the charming furniture and décor. The touches of gold and lush fabrics give this room a sophisticated and timeless feel.

The charming exterior with South Island inspiration showcases timeless and clean neutrals that blend flawlessly with the landscape and greenery. Resene Sonyx 101 tinted to Resene Rice Cake was used on the exterior of this home.

Published: 07 Jun 2023

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Resene Half Rice Cake

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