MIXING OLD AND NEW

Mixing old & new

Text Debbie Harrison Photography Anna Briggs

A Wellington two-bedroom cottage has expanded over the years to become a restful, warm and beautiful home to a family of seven

Meet & greet Sarah (interior stylist and practice manager) and Mark Vivian (fund manager), Max, 21, Tom, 19, Bella, 16, Jack, 15, and Lexi, 13, flat-coat retriever Louie and Maine Coon cats Walter and Maisy.

Style tip Combine and group pieces, like this trio of different sized candleholders, to allow the charm of each to be appreciated.

LIVING (opposite) The distressed wooden cabinet was discovered in Small Acorns. The artwork was painted by Mark’s son Max in 2012 and the candleholders are a gift from Sarah’s parents. SITTING ROOM (above) The blue sofa from Poynters converts into a bed. The wood stool from India was bought from Small Acorns and the vintage window shutter from Pakistan was purchased from Country Trader in Greytown. Everywhere you look in Sarah and Mark Vivian’s Wellington house there’s old rubbing up against new. Green velvet Trade Me chairs book-end a contemporary black Kartell table, upon which a vintage French crystal vase perches. A mother-in-law’s tongue in an heirloom ceramic pot (it once belonged to Sarah’s grandparents) sits at the end of a contemporary quartzite kitchen island. Modern artworks hang alongside oil paintings. This blend of old and new is a bit of a metaphor for the Vivians, actually –

Mark has lived here with his children since 2001, and when he and Sarah met in 2010 he encouraged

Sarah to renovate and style it so it felt like home for them all.

The house itself is also a mix of old and new, having been built in 1921 as a two-bedroom cottage on an old milk delivery road. Over the years it’s been renovated numerous times – in the 1990s and most recently in 2017 by Mark and Sarah – and today it’s a welcoming four-bedroom family home with two living areas and plenty of space for the family of seven.

A home for family

“The size of the house works well for us,” says Sarah. “With five kids we needed a space that would work for us and grow with us – spaces where we can all be together, spaces where the teenagers can have their friends over, and space for Mark and I.”

Their most recent renovation saw them overhauling the kitchen, sitting/dining area, walk-in wardrobe and study. The former bathroom was massive and to make better use of the space they split it in two, creating a powder room on one side and an ensuite on the other. During the renovation they also future-proofed by building a one-bedroom self-contained apartment above a new garage – a space that can be used by extended family members.

As part of making the house work for their family, Sarah and Mark moved the kitchen, dining and sitting room around so it opened up onto the deck. Sarah says it’s changed how they live because it gave them a central hub to gather and chill out.

“The sitting room off the kitchen is now my favourite spot in the house – and I’d say that’s true for all of our family. It’s the perfect spot to sit, relax and chat with the kids or friends,” she shares.

“I wanted to make it a place where family and friends could retreat to.”

SARAH VIVIAN

A LOVE OF VIGNETTES Sarah is a born treasure hunter and loves looking for vintage pieces with a story to tell. “I am constantly shifting and moving things around to create new vignettes. To me, vignettes are the best way to elevate a space and highlight little corners that could otherwise be forgotten.”

The central showpiece

In the adjoining kitchen your eye is immediately drawn to the striking quartzite splashback and island – a stone Sarah searched long and hard for. “I went to many different stone retailers, yet nothing felt right. I had this gut feeling there was going to be the perfect piece of stone out there – even though I didn’t know what it would look like. I was running out of options when a retailer said she had one last piece to show me in their outdoor yard – the moment I saw it I knew it was the one I had been looking for,” she laughs.

The resulting four-metre kitchen island is a key feature of the space, practical as well as pretty: “We love to have family ‘happy hours’ (Lexi is great at preparing the nibbles for these) and the kitchen island makes a great servery,” says Sarah.

A peaceful retreat

“Restful, warm, beautiful” is how Sarah – a stylist and home stager – describes their home interior. “I wanted to make it a place where family and friends can retreat to; somewhere that’s interesting but doesn’t overwhelm – a place that provides a sense of peace,” she explains.

To achieve this, she repainted the home in muddy greys, greens and whites. “I am definitely drawn to softer, more gentle colours as I find them restful, which is what I want the feeling of my home to be. And then I create interest and a more edgy feel by layering texture and adding colour using cushions, art, greenery and my other precious finds.”

Those precious finds, of course, are what leads to that mix of old and new. “I love the friction caused by placing a modern piece of furniture next to a vintage item. Throughout the house I’ve created pockets of friction, and therefore interest.”

Treasure hunter

Talking to Sarah about the items in her home, it’s clear that her purchases are emotionally driven, as opposed to trends- or needs-focused. She says things “speak to her”, urging her to purchase them and take them home.

“I am always on the hunt for ‘treasures’, anything that ‘talks to me’ and I feel has a story to tell. It could be a piece of vintage art, a vase, an old shutter. I go with my instinct when finding things, and I am usually drawn to the shape and form of something or its patina.”

When trawling op-shops and vintage stores, Sarah finds herself especially drawn to vases, urns and ceramic vessels, as well as hardcover (mostly design) books. These finds end up on display in vignettes in different corners of her home.

“I am constantly shifting and moving things around to

create new vignettes. To me, vignettes are the best way to elevate a space and highlight little corners that could otherwise be forgotten. I have an aversion to clutter, and they’re are a great way to bring in small detail while giving an item space,” she says.

It was her fondness for creating vignettes that saw her starting Sarah Vivian Home, an interior styling business she runs with her business partner Lorraine O’Connor.

“The business was founded on our shared love of vignettes – they bring us so much joy. I find when you group items together they more become more powerful and have a bigger story to tell. I love how a vignette can evoke memories for a client and I feel so lucky I get to style these for other people, using their everyday items and helping them source the missing pieces. I love spotting something I know will look amazing in a client’s home.”

Sentimental touches

Many of the pieces in Sarah and Mark’s home have a story to tell, says Sarah. Like the dining table and vintage chairs, which were the very first pieces the couple bought together. “It seems fitting that these are the pieces that still brings our family together each night for a meal – and I am sure it will continue to do so for many more years to come.”

Another sentimental piece is the set of antique drawers Sarah was given 25 years ago, which is in the sitting room: “I drove past them every morning on my way to work for six months, wishing I could afford them – until I was gifted them as a Christmas present.”

The vintage green planter in the dining area off the kitchen came from Sarah’s grandmother’s conservatory, a place she loved to sit in as a child. “It reminds me of a slower pace of life, greenery, of warm air and sunlight. My grandmother gave the pot to my mum and I was so delighted when my mum gifted it to me – a piece passed down through the generations,” Sarah says.

The same goes for the couple’s collection of art. Favourites include a large bright piece in the dining area painted by Sarah’s son Max and a landscape Mark’s grandmother painted with oils – Sarah had the frame repainted in Resene Quarter Gravel for a refresh.

“Like everything in our home, our art is also eclectic, yet tonal. There’s some of my own artwork on the walls, as well as a couple of pastel landscapes our son Tom and his girlfriend painted for me as a surprise. Another favourite is a large green floral piece that Mark and I found in a market in Australia. We had it shipped back and framed – it hangs in our kitchen and it’s gorgeous. We mix them up with pieces from artists such as an original watercolour by Roald Dahl, Sue Schaare, Jane Blackmore, Flox, Esther Bosshard and Mark Stafford.”

The outdoor spaces

The couple have done a lot of work on the outdoors, including building a DOC-style boardwalk that winds through native bush. There are lawns on each side of the house: one has a 180-degree view of the harbour

JACK AND TOM’S ROOM The bedding is from Foxtrot Home and the chest of drawers is a Trade Me purchase painted in Resene ‘New Denim’. BATHROOM (right) The concrete-style wall and floor tiles are Italian and paired with subway tiles.

Style tip Soften an industrial looking bathroom with natural elements. Sarah has done this with a wooden mirror and greenery.

and city, and the other is a sheltered lawn out the back where the kids can shoot hoops.

Despite her initial reluctance, Sarah is now a firm fan of the Astroturf they’ve laid on the back lawn. It’s made an area that was previously unusable in winter into a place to hang out and use year-round to play games, sit on bean bags and play basketball.

Future plans

The Vivian family love their little slice of heaven on a ridge in Wellington and have no plans to move. In fact, they see themselves remaining there well after the kids have left home, envisaging the day when grandchildren will run through the large family home.

For now, Sarah is eyeing up her next projects. “Our home is always evolving, but we’ve tackled all the major parts. What’s left are more finishing touches: wallpapering the hallway, painting the sunroom and finishing off the TV lounge – I’d love to paint in a deep moody grey-green colour and add built-in bookshelves. I would also love to build a window seat in the hall alcove – it is such a sunny spot.”

The house may be 100 years old but there’s plenty of new life ahead for it yet.

BELLA AND LEXI’S

ROOM The cushions are from Small Acorns. The beach scene artwork is from Julia Lochhead Photography and the small round piece is by Inge Sachiyo Flinte.

Vintage treasures mix with modern pieces and pops of pattern for an interior that’s packed with personality

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1 Blue hydrangea square cushion, $59.90, from Wallace Cotton. 2 Palm candlesticks in brass, $160 (small), from Annabelle’s. 3 Floral pendant, $342.70, from David Trubridge. 4 Point floor lamp, $790, from Citta. 5 Madison armchair in leaf, $1095, from Stacks. 6 Teak bench, $189 (small), from Father Rabbit. 7 Vintage Indian pot, $1800, from Annabelle’s. 8 Black & white striped cushion, $189, from The Foxes Den. 9 Resene Half Delta paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 10 Resene Quarter Tuna paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 11 Igloo bar stool in transparent, $439, from Cintesi. 12 KitchenAid artisan stand mixer in pistachio, $979, from Harvey Norman. 13 Cigna olive cushion, $168, from Bianca Lorenne.

BEACH PATROL

Building their dream home ensured this couple got everything they wanted, from Passive House certification to an enviable view across Dunedin

Photography Swell Productions

MEET & GREET Ilona (hairdresser) and Mark Weekley (plumber), Tristan (student) and Shea Juilland-Vickers (student).

1 THE DESIGN

As intrepid DIYers with plenty of renovations under their belt, Ilona and Mark Weekley wanted to start with a blank slate that wasn’t constrained by existing structures when they built their Dunedin home. So, with the help of Architype architect Tim Ross and by using Axon Panel by James Hardie, they constructed a 235sqm two-storey home with four bedrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows on the steep site. One of the highlights is the “expansive sea views of the rugged Otago coastline from St Clair to Sandfly Bay, along with the city and the harbour,” says Ilona. “We also wanted a warm, healthy home for our family that was energy efficient and had a low carbon footprint.”

2 THE MATERIALS

The family wanted a home that would blend into its surroundings, be low maintenance and give them a sleek, modern aesthetic, which is why they opted to use Axon Panel by James Hardie, painted in Resene Double Foundry. As the vertical Axon Panel is engineered to stand up to the harsh conditions of the house’s coastal environment, they were the obvious choice.

3 THE INTERIOR

The intention was to not detract from the incredible views. As such, the Weekleys used both light and dark paint, with coffee bamboo flooring and panels for the doors and window ledges to add warmth. The rooms were finished with splashes of colour to enhance the views.

4 THE OUTDOORS

With three areas to choose from, the family get to enjoy outdoor living year-round, despite Dunedin’s notoriously fickle weather. The outdoor fire and seating area is positioned at the front of the house – the sunniest spot. There’s also a downstairs courtyard, which is a sheltered area under the cantilevered part of the house that’s ideal for rainy days. But the 40sqm balcony with glass balustrade is the crowning glory and an extension of the open plan interior living space. “It’s the perfect place to sit with a coffee or a wine, watch the magnificent sunrises and sunsets, listen to the waves crashing or relax in the summer sun,” says Ilona.

“The house is so easy to live in. In winter we don’t worry about the house being cold when we get home from work or about the heating bills.”

ILONA WEEKLEY

TAKE IT OUTDOORS

Perched on a hill overlooking St Clair beach in Dunedin, the extreme conditions are easily tolerated by the Axon Panel exterior of this home, while looking effortlessly modern.

NEW-BUILD WORKSHEET

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1 Entry 2 Lounge 3 Dining 4 Kitchen 5 Deck 6 Main bedroom 7 Ensuite 8 Bedroom 9 Bathroom 10 Media room 11 Utility 12 Garage

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Upper level

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Lower level

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HONESTY BOX

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? Building is stressful as things don’t always go according to plan. Being organised and having clear contingency plans for things you will or won’t compromise on makes life so much easier. What are a couple of tips you’d give to anyone planning to build? Plan. The more prepared you are the easier the process. Break everything down and itemise it. Get as many quotes and costs as you can early on in the process. Also, select product options as early as possible and ask yourself what you would want if budget allows and what you would be happy with if it doesn’t. We did this for everything and it really helped keep the budget on track. It also meant we got some of our ‘ideal’ items on sale through the build so we had to compromise less. What’s the one thing you’d change about your home if you could? Nothing.

BUDGET

What was the total cost of the build? $766,000. How did you keep track of costs during the build? Excel spreadsheets. I tracked estimates and quotes against actuals.

RESENE DOUBLE FOUNDRY

How did your budget forecast compare to your actual spend? Prior to concept we were looking at a build cost of $650,000 (plus 20 percent contingency). We engaged a quantity surveyor to price up the plans and costs were estimated at $840,000 (plus 20 percent contingency). With us doing the work we were able to do that, and by shopping around for the best deals/options we came in within our initial contingency budget.

CONTACTS

Architype architype.co.nz Carpet Court Dunedin carpetcourt.nz

AXON™ PANEL Easy to install, robust and versatile Axon Panel is a clever alternative to traditional vertical shiplap weatherboards. Designed to complement both classic and modern designs, the panel can be painted in dark colours, such as Resene Double Foundry.

CHP Ltd (garage door) chp.net.nz Gabion 1 gabion1.co.nz James Hardie jameshardie.co.nz Kitchen Studio Dunedin kitchenstudio.co.nz Mitre 10 Mega Dunedin mitre10.co.nz Oakleys Plumbing oakleysplumbing.co.nz PDL pdl.co.nz Plantation Bamboo plantationbamboo.co.nz Pro Power Electrical propower.nz Resene resene.co.nz Simon Knott Tiler, 021 0641551 Tile Depot tiledepot.co.nz WD Homes wdhomes.co.nz

Spa struck

Bathrooms are our personal sanctuary. Opulent touches such as marble in this space enhance the luxurious experience, but there are smaller updates you can easily make. Turn to page 78 for more.

RENOVATION

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True romance There’s no place like home.

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Bathe in beauty Updates to suit all budgets.