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OneRoof.co.nz
THE PROPERTY RICH LIST: STYLE GUIDE Gift-wrapping spaces, a room to pamper the pooch and multiple lavish entertaining areas are essential, writes CATHERINE MASTERS
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WHAT THE
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he super wealthy look at their property requirements a little differently to the rest of us. While agents working in the luxury market say privacy, security and a splendid view always top the list of musthaves, the rich also like to have space for other essentials like a “gift wrapping room” and perhaps another room to pamper the pooch in. Then there’s the “wellbeing room” where some calming yoga might take place, though this room might also be set up for at-home spa treatments so there will be a big bath surrounded by soothing candles and also a massage table, says Julie Fitzpatrick, of Barfoot & Thompson Remuera. There will be a wine cellar which will have integrated racks for hundreds of bottles of wine. No need in these multimillion dollar homes to pop down to the supermarket because you’ve run out of red – and there’s often a tasting area/tasting bar. The home will usually feature a full entertainment bar as well, but that’s par for the course these days, Fitzpatrick says. Luxury homes will generally be smart homes with integrated audio, media and climate control. People also want a home
A trip to the movies from the comfort of your own home.
G YM
Detox in your own private wellbeing studio.
POOL
Infinity pools are a must for modern luxury homes.
cinema, lifts between floors, a cabana/loggia with an outdoor fire and heating, and a pool house. If the house is on the beach, there is likely to be a boatshed presented mainly as an entertainment hub and a “boys’ getaway area”, and a
guest house is always a plus. Then, of course, there is the “show garage” which is likely to have glass windows to show off the multiple cars, and these may include anything from Porsches and Bentleys to Range Rovers, though women often like a sporty Fiat to run
about in. In the old days the super wealthy all had ballrooms but you don’t see much of that now, Fitzpatrick says. You do see top-of-the-range double appliances, so double washing machines, dryers and double dishwashers. A
How to dress your mansion Pablo Picasso’s Femme assise pres d’ une fenetre. An expensive painting can be a focal point in a luxury home.
Diana Clement If you’re buying or building a mansion, money is probably no object – particularly when it comes to interiors. But just because you have money doesn’t mean you know how to style and make sense of what can seem like an endless amount of space. Where should you hang your original Picassos and store your collection of Fabergé eggs? That’s where interior designers make their mark, helping the wealthy – and the not-so-wealthy – create cohesive, stylish and functioning homes. Laura Heynike, director of interior design firm Pocketspace Interiors, says her clients often focus on craftsmanship and materials. Typically they want beautiful pieces that tell a story. “So when someone goes to visit the home or they have a party, one or two of those pieces in their home will catch the eye of someone and create a conversation,” she says. When it comes to furniture, some clients will already have their own beautifully
separate laundry is a must and here you will find an ironing facility, hanging racks, heated towel rails and heating cabinets for the skiwear or wet raincoat. A helipad would be nice, Fitzpatrick says, but restrictions for landing in
proportioned pieces or have fixed ideas on what they want in their home. “The client may already have a $20,000 couch that they quite like and don’t need a replacement, but might want a chair to update the space,” Heynike says. Heynike sources furniture from King Living and Matisse, as well as ECC furniture, which features designer labels like the very on-trend Tom Dixon. Another popular brand at the top end is Woodwrights of Motueka, which makes bespoke furniture. “They’re incredible and they do really beautiful handmade dining tables and [other furniture]. So you can really get what you want, [with] quality and consistency. It’s definitely something that a high-end client is looking for.” Recrafting of existing pieces is a growing trend, says Heynike. The client may have a classic chair, for example, but not like the way the headrest was fixed. “They might choose to recraft it so it can fold down. You can still walk into the room and say ‘oh that’s this chair’. But it’s a little bit more exclusive because it’s a limited edition and your guests haven’t seen that variation before.” A big part of her job, says Heynike, is curating artwork. Clients may have existing artwork but might want additional pieces for the walls
