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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 Interiors

From the interior designers

Our 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
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

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