Return to splendor

From its grand entry hall to the former servants quarters, this homestead proves history and modern living can go hand-in-hand

The view of a study furniture, interior design, living room, red, black — The view of a study

The view of a study - The view furniture, interior design, living room, red, black

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The view of a piano in a historical flooring, furniture, interior design, keyboard, piano, player piano, tourist attraction, red, orange

The entranceway of an historical lodge - The building, cloud, cottage, estate, facade, home, house, manor house, mansion, property, real estate, residential area, sky, suburb, window, gray

The view of a drawing room - The ceiling, furniture, home, interior design, living room, room, brown

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The view of the Rhodes suite of a bedroom, ceiling, estate, floor, flooring, home, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, white

The view of an entrance hall of a ceiling, estate, flooring, furniture, interior design, lobby, real estate, table, wood, red, orange

The view of a bathroom - The view bathroom, bathtub, ceiling, estate, floor, flooring, home, interior design, plumbing fixture, property, real estate, room, tile, wood flooring, brown

Restoring a grand homestead to its former glory is not just a labor of love it's also a challenge, requiring an innovative approach to problem-solving.

As well as sourcing replacement materials for obsolete items, there is also a need to incorporate modern amenities, without detracting from the heritage elements of the home.

For Greg and Julie Leniston, theowners of Otahuna Lodge in New Zealand, there was no question of compromise. When planning the conversion of their historic 1895 homestead into a working lodge, maintaining its heritage was an absolute priority.

"The house was built for Sir Heaton Rhodes, one of the pioneers of the Canterbury region, and is an excellent example of the arts-and-crafts style," says Greg Leniston. "Fortunately, the house has survived the years reasonably intact, thanks to earlier restorations."

Leniston says, apart from some painting and replacing slate tiles on the roof, most of the latest restoration work involved the interior.

Underfloor heating and sprinkler systems were already in place, but the house also needed internal fire walls to enable the owners to operate as a commercial lodge. Sandwiching insulating materials between existing walls was a way to provide this protection.

More decorative restoration work was undertaken on the extensive kauri and rimu wood panelling and mouldings in the grand entrance hall. Leniston says matching some of the interior woodwork was a major challenge.

"We relied on the work of several craftsmen, skilled in working with kauri and rimu," says Leniston. "We also worked very closely with the Historic Places Trust to ensure the restoration wouldn't compromise the heritage elements."

The large scale of the grand hall enabled the owners to incorporate a casual seating area beside a fireplace, as well as a 1905 Steinway grand piano.

The hall also introduces the arts-and-crafts theme that is repeated throughout the house. High beamed ceilings, panelled walls, decorative, carved wooden arches, turned pillars and an elaborate staircase, all enhance the sense of grandeur.

The drawing room continues the traditional look, and features a dramatic mantelpiece and an inglenook a common arts-and-crafts feature. A hexagonal corner of the room provides an alcove that is used for private dining and afternoon teas.

"The asymmetrical design of the homestead is also typical of this style," says Leniston.

The formal dining room features a pressed tin ceiling and the original wallpaper, which was professionally restored.

Another intimate room is the red-walled study. Here, carved wooden shelving accommodates an extensive book collection.

The entranceway of an historical lodge building, cloud, cottage, estate, facade, home, house, manor house, mansion, property, real estate, residential area, sky, suburb, window, gray — The entranceway of an historical lodge

Leniston says much of the furniture in the house is antique, and includes original pieces that have "found their way back to the property".

To cater to the needs of large parties, the lodge features two kitchens. The main kitchen replaces a former pantry and servants' dining room. Painted a buttery yellow, it is designed in a traditional style, yet still accommodates modern convenience.

Upstairs, considerable restoration was undertaken to create a series of guest suites. Rather than reduce the size of the existing bedrooms to accommodate bathrooms, the owners transformed former bedrooms into bathrooms.

"This means the bathrooms are large one is even larger than the bedroom in the suite but they enhance the sense of a luxurious retreat," says Leniston.

The original architect's attention to detail is evident in many of these areas as is the relative importance of the people using the rooms.

Doors in the former master bedroom feature ivory handles, while doors in the main living areas have finely carved handles. In the servants areas, the handles are painted steel.

As in many historic homes, every detail paints a picture of a different way of life but one that can still be appreciated today, thanks to a sympathetic restoration.