Restful retreat

Designed by Jessica Valintine, Residence Group

From the building designer:

 Owner brief and design rationale

Our homeowners envisioned a home that exudes calm, restfulness, and a seamless blend of modern and classic design. 

They drew inspiration from a South Island home they had encountered on holiday, which served as a guiding influence for their new rural property.

Key design highlights

• Taking inspiration from the South Island home the owners admired, the architectural layout of the home is composed of four distinct pavilions – these include a pavilion for guest bedrooms, a large central pavilion for living areas, one for the primary suite, and a separate pavilion for garaging – all four are connected by flat-roofed 'link' areas, which house the entry, powder room & laundry, and a library – the design utilises varying ceiling heights across the home, with the main living pavilion and primary suite featuring gable ceilings that enhance the sense of space, while the garage incorporates attic storage.

• The living pavilion is designed to seamlessly integrate the indoor-outdoor living – it extends toward the pool and bush, creating a continuous flow.
• Our homeowners' foremost requirement was to create a retreat where they could find solace and relaxation – to achieve this, we curated every element to embody restfulness, from the soft, tonal colour palette that washes the interiors in soothing hues to the abundant use of natural light & materials such as timber, stone, and wool.
• We embraced the blending of contemporary design with classic elements – the dry stacked stone walls in the entry, fireplace, and wine rack provided a classic foundation upon which we built the contemporary elements – mitred frames around the kitchen areas and the primary suite bedhead serve as refined detailing between the two styles.

• The kitchen was designed to be both practical and luxurious – the scullery and bar area not only catered to practical needs but also elevated the kitchen's aesthetic – a key feature is the vertical wine display, adorned with stone walling and feature lighting, this adds a layer of understated luxury to the space.
• For the guest wing, we added glass doors that can be closed for privacy, but still maintain a connection with the main living areas – this design move keeps the home feeling open and unified, while still offering a more intimate space for guests.
• The bathroom design was specifically crafted for multi-users – this layout enables simultaneous use, allowing showering while ensuring access to other bathroom facilities.
• We reused the majority of the furniture from the owners' previous home (which we had worked on together), with adjustments made to room dimensions at the early planning stages to accommodate them.

• To infuse character into the home, we introduced texture generously – the natural materials used throughout the home, along with strategically placed packed walls and ledges in bathrooms, create visual interest especially in areas where tiles were changed and offered opportunities for personalised décor or art.

Conclusion 

The home embodies our homeowners' vision for a timeless, modern sanctuary. 

Each design decision was crafted to promote tranquillity and a restful atmosphere, resulting in a home that is both aesthetically refined and deeply personal.

See the bathroom from this home 

Story by: Trendsideas