My HOME

Where is your home and how long have you lived here?

Our home is situated on Central Road, Lower Moutere, on a two-hectare block next to our apple and pear orchard. We have lived here for thirteen years.

What four words would you use to describe your home?

Homely, quiet, historic (for the area) and classic.

What inspired this look?

Our villa was built in 1904, so although we have added two new wings, we wanted to keep the original look as much as possible. We’ve also added double-glazing and insulated all outside walls to get it to the standard of a modern home.

What’s your decorating style?

Fairly traditional. We have family antiques that have been incorporated into the look. Also, my art finds its way into the house reasonably frequently.

Where do you shop for homewares?

I found quite a few things on Trade Me that have been used in the renovations. We replaced things that were modernised by previous owners. Like the front door, it was a 1970’s slider when we got here. I found a villa door and side lights in Dunedin and stripped it back to timber. It fit perfectly into the original frame.

What piece would you never part with?

Our family antiques.

Which items or fixtures did you splurge on and where did you save?

We have just re-carpeted. We wanted it to feel warm and luxurious and this meant spending a decent amount on our carpet. I love to cook, so the kitchen was also a more expensive area of our home.

What’s next on your interiors list?

After thirteen years of intermittent renovations, we are finished - for now. The roof still needs painting though…

What’s your favourite seat in the house?

I love our covered veranda in the summer and on sunny winter days. Our two dogs love the big window seat in the living area.

What’s your favourite room?

Our addition of the master bedroom is my favourite room. It has a very calm feeling and looks two ways into our garden from the French doors and the bay window. Peter’s favourite spot is his recentlyrenovated study.

If money was no object, what would you get for your home?

A swimming pool is still on my wish list.

What is one thing you would change about your home if you could?

It’s sort of around the wrong way for the site. They didn’t think about that in 1904 so I’m okay to live with it.

Have you done any renovations?

Every room, and complete exterior renovation, plus two additions to the original home.

Best money spent?

Plants for the garden. The setting of the house is a big part of why we love it. Also, the two additions to the house really made it into something special. Lastly, I love the old sideboard we turned into a vanity in the main bathroom (another Trade Me purchase).

Do you have any tips on how to keep your living area orderly?

Having our three boys leave home helped considerably! Old homes are notoriously short on storage, so I made sure we added a linen cupboard, walk-in wardrobe and storage in our porch. We have also just completed a study which means all the office stuff can be kept in one room.

Did any of your purchases cause a debate?

Umm, no! Peter is fairly good at sighing and saying okay. He also knows I’m quite budget focused.

Best budget tip?

Second-hand shopping and Trade Me. Also knowing your tradies. Over the years we have built up a great team of people to work with. Our draftsman and brother-in-law (and at the time of the two additions also the builder) Arjan Van’t Slot, incorporated the new living and bedroom additions onto the old house beautifully.

The builder who completed the rest of the extensive renovations, Miro Mitchell of Mez Builders, is one of a kind. He enjoys the skills and thought processes required to renovate an old home and was always able to come up with great solutions to the challenges that arose. Painter/decorator Tony Hahn and his team have fantastic attention to detail and have done numerous projects for us over the years. Our electrician and plasterer are our neighbours. Working with all these guys has been so easy and we were able to put our trust in them which has given us great peace of mind. Knowing the jobs would be done to a high standard every time makes great budgeting sense.

What do you love about the neighbourhood where you live?

Motueka is hometown to both Peter and I. We live beside our orchard. My parents live on the next road and I can walk through the orchard to their house. We love living in this rural community, but close to Motueka.

Best memory in your home?

My mum’s 70th birthday party. We moved the furniture out of our living area and set up a dining room for forty people. With the big doors open to the covered outdoor area we had the perfect party place.

52 Lansdowne Road, Appleby, Richmond. Ph 03 544 6500 www.hoglundartglass.com

Unique glass art for everyday use at affordable prices. It’s what we have been making as a family, for the past four decades.