Ex-state houses are tricky to renovate and extend. They have a very recognisable vernacular with their hip roofs, stucco walls and simple but strong shape. When Duncan and Zoe McLaren needed to spread out a little to accommodate their family, they turned to local designer Russell Cannons of Russell Cannons Architecture.

Their brief to him was to provide a new garage, and main bedroom with ensuite and dressing area to the existing house. They also wanted an upgraded entry and street façade.

Because of the extent of the addition, Russell decided to separate and contrast the new work with the existing, while maintaining a scale that would allow the addition to be in sympathy with the simplicity and strength of the existing ex-state building. One element that helps separate yet unify old and new is the use of Resene Riverstone from the Woodsman exterior stain range on the addition, alongside Resene Half Napa on the existing stucco. 

Russell’s biggest challenge was working within the tighter boundary controls you find in inner-city suburbs. “The challenge is to resolve a design that doesn’t read as if it was dictated by these controls, but rather stands as an integral design in its own right. For this project, the ‘sliding’ of the upper floor block in relation to the base, allowed us to comply on the western boundary, and maintain vehicle turning at the lower level. The resulting cantilever and form provides a result that may not have necessarily been generated if we weren’t working within these challenges.”

Homeowner Zoe answers these questions:

What Resene colours have you used, and what inspired those choices?

We used Resene Quarter Silver Sand, Resene Whiteout and Resene Maxwell Smart. We browsed through the Resene colour range for that year, really liked Resene Maxwell Smart and matched the other two colours to suit it. The carpet and kitchen floor are both dark browns so needed something to match them. The garage door is Resene Bokara Grey.

How did you decide on the overall look of the interiors? What was your overall philosophy?

Living near the beach was a big cue. We wanted a relaxed, natural look to the home for the family.

What part of the house are you most happy with?

The upstairs space of the addition that includes the master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. We particularly love that Russell managed to incorporate a deck off the bedroom, with a sea view.

Do you have a favourite colour, and if so why?

Resene Maxwell Smart – it is bold, rich and makes our bedroom a little different.

What was the biggest decorating, renovating or building challenge for this project?

Just working around it. We managed to stay in the home, and moved from room to room as the building progressed. Our builder Brett Collecutt was just the nicest man, worked around our family beautifully and did a good job too! Russell was fabulous to work with and we are so pleased with his designs.

The Resene Maxwell Smart feature wall in the new master bedroom is the couple’s favourite colour. The other walls add further warmth with Resene Whiteout. 

The ensuite is a cleverly designed space and uses black tiles for a dramatic effect. 

The new stairs to the master bedroom addition is part of the link between the old house and the addition.  The walls are Resene Quarter Silver Sand. 

Resene Riverstone from the Woodsman exterior stain range on the new addition, sits harmoniously alongside Resene Half Napa on the existing stucco.  The garage door is Resene Bokara Grey. 

The kitchen sits in the existing house and was renovated a few years ago using a combination of laminates and a glass splash back. 

A David Trubridge light features in the existing living space alongside retro-style furniture.

This is the McLaren’s house before the addition designed by Russell Cannons – a typical ex-State house.