Facebook Tweet Help Stories New Home New Zealand TIDA Homes French accent by the sea Share Tweet Help The owners were quite specific, wanting a timeless, French coastal look interior – one suited to the landscape close to Akaroa, with its French colonial history Interiors by Angelique Armstrong, Armstrong InteriorsFrom the interior designersOur owners wanted to remove their lovely tired old bach and build a new comfortable warm abode that would suit them for their retirement and family for years to come. They were very specific with the theme – timeless French coastal. This would sit perfectly in the landscape of Takamatua, close to Akaroa. Finding a balance between French historical and new build was challenging but achievable, as the setting by the sea allowed this look to work in harmony with the existing surrounding homes. A strong characteristic was to use natural products – natural bluestone, cedar, timbers and copper. The flooring was an exciting challenge as the detail and planning for this was down to the millimetre. The layout started at the entrance and ran through to the end of the kitchen. The challenge was making sure the kitchen design and island sat balanced and symmetrical on the floor, and also in balance and symmetry with the ceiling beams above. – these constraints were integral to the kitchen's design. The large free standing bespoke steel and dark stained solid oak entertainment unit is a grounding feature in the predominantly fresher colour pallet of the kitchen cabinetry. The island matches the hues from the ocean outside while the feature lighting pendants reflect the glass floatations of the old Japanese shipping buoys. The joinery package and design runs throughout the storage and laundry/mudroom designs, WIR and bathroom vanities. Another design feature was the structural element of the main house which frames the kitchen and entrance. This is comprised of 150 year old French oak timber beams (reclaimed from an old barn in France) spanning to over 15m on each side of the room.The beams are wire brushed with a natural raw finish. We purchased the beams some years ago and were just waiting to use them on a project like this – bringing balance of a slight rustic French look into the classic coastal living. It was a satisfying challenge to find modern fittings that worked well in the interiors in terms of colour and texture. The bathrooms also feature a relaxing yet highly detailed cohesive finish. Overall the design and detailed finish of the home is crafted and finished in the highest quality with no expense spared. Credit list Group home builder Brendan Falloon Builders Builder Brendan Falloon Builders Kitchen manufacturer Woodshack Joinery Pool design Compose Pools Roof Colorsteel Maxx, corrugated Flooring Stained timber Veneer, from Forêt Flooring Rugs Cronz NZ Wallcoverings/wallpaper Linen, Tweed wallpapers by James Dunlop General heating Gas fire, underfloor heating, heat/cooler pump Lighting Aylluminate Z1 from Mr Cambridge; Renoir 520 Art wall light; Frankie swing arm wall light Dining table/chairs Bespoke table, made from Parsons Green table; chairs, from Johnson Imports Interior design Angelique Armstrong, Armstrong Interiors Kitchen designer Angelique Armstrong Landscaping Inside-Out Design Cladding Cedar and Rockcote Window/door joinery Flaxpod, aluminium Bedroom flooring Timber veneer Bathroom tiles Brymac tiles, bespoke Paint Resene and Dulux Fireplace Warmington open wood fire Living area furniture Parson Green, bespoke made furniture; custom, Johnson imports; Weave; ECC Awards Trends International DesignAwards (TIDA) Homes – Highly Commended Designed by: Armstrong Interiors Story by: Trendsideas Photography by: Nic Curragh 14 Jan, 2024 New Home New Zealand TIDA Homes Trendsideas Home kitchen bathroom commercial design Latest Post Soaring above the City of Angels 06 Oct, 2024 Blue, brass and bespoke 06 Oct, 2024 Island lights 06 Oct, 2024 We know the Specialists Related Book More Books > Trends 40-01 A selection of this month's top homes, kitchens, bathrooms and more Read More Similar Stories