51 At Home

Hillside masterpiece

Words: Adrienne Matthews

LUKE MARSHALL IMAGES

When builder Steve Marshall spied a site in Vista Heights, Bishopdale with stunning views of Tasman Bay, he knew he wanted to create a masterpiece of a home on it.

He and his firm’s project manager Lilly Minnich, with outstanding input and design from Bespoke Architecture, developed a concept that was high spec contemporary, celebrating the views while offering a warm and inviting living space. The house sold off the plans before a sod was turned. Antonieta and Ron van Moorsel had been flying back and forth from Wellington searching for a home in Nelson for months. “It really was our last go,” says Ron, “and a very lucky find by Antonieta indeed.”

Difficult sites do not faze Steve Marshall and with many years of experience in building behind him, the complexities involved in the engineering required here were a challenge he approached with his usual calm and measured demeanour. “It was a very technical build,” he says, “but well worth it to achieve the final result.” The house is built on a Cupolex foundation, an Italian designed system of a series of domes made from environmentally friendly recycled materials that provide strong reinforcement in the foundation. Saving time and money it is almost zero waste and provides excellent insulation. “Insulation is so important to the comfort of a home,” says Steve. “We insulated all the internal walls too. Homeowners love it because of the extra soundproofing and thermal mass it provides.”

The floor is a real feature throughout the house. The owners were able to have substantial input into the interior and Ron was determined to have a timber floor. The result is high quality engineered oak that sets the tone for the warm feel of the home. It was laid by Lilly’s husband Gottfried Minnich, who in addition to being the quantity surveyor and business developer for Marshall Builders, is a skilled support to the building team when needed.

A secret door to the scullery, a substantial and very user-friendly space, is a fun feature and the owners love the sensor lights that automatically switch on whenever they enter.

The kitchen is a highly integrated European design. Kapiti Coast interior designer Rachel Steinmetz from Appletree Designs assisted in the design of this and other interior features. A particular favourite of Antioneta’s throughout the house is the hard-tofind gun-metal tapware. “I was determined to have it everywhere because I really love the look,” she says. She also adores the bench tops and splashback in striking Italian marble style porcelain. “It is a wonderful contrast to the black finish of the central island,” she says.

It is a home that is lovely to come home to,” says Antonieta. “It is not only beautifully built, but it has a warm, homely feel which we really enjoy.

Another striking feature is the Italian tiles in the living room, powder room, ensuite and upstairs bathroom. “There were not many made of these,” explains Antonieta. “They are the same pattern but in slightly different shades in the different places to suit the ambience of each. It is lovely to have features like this that won’t be seen in many other places.” “We have so appreciated Steve and Lilly’s attention to detail everywhere,” says Ron. “There is no cutting of corners which makes for such a wonderful finish in both the aspects you can see and all the ones you can’t.” All the doors are sealed with rubber, for example, an extra step to improve soundproofing. “We are known for being very fussy,” laughs Steve. “Everything has to function the very best it can and even though the owners mostly only see the finish, we make sure that every step of each build or renovation we undertake is to the highest standard it can be. Our motto is ‘do it once, do it right’”.

Lilly is an important part of the building team and brings a passion for interior design to the role. “I am here to help clients work through the huge range of interior options there are today and to answer questions about every step of the build,” she says. “I really enjoy working alongside people to listen to their ideas and help them bring their home dreams to reality without the usual stress.” The builders went above and beyond to get the house finished in record time. “They are the best builders we have ever worked with,” says Ron. “They worked exceptionally hard to get everything completed to a very high standard. They always gave us their full attention, even on weekends which were the only times we could come to Nelson to keep up with progress. Their communication was top notch and they always did exactly what they said they would.” High praise indeed from a couple who have built houses before and know full well the problems that can arise.

“It is a home that is lovely to come home to,” says Antonieta. “It is not only beautifully built, but it has a warm, homely feel which we really enjoy.”

Keep your family safe

Baby on the move stock all sorts of essentials in addition to their wonderful baby and maternity products. Pop in for adults and kids facemasks, hand sanitiser, and non contact thermometers.

Baby On The Move Nelson 4 Akersten St, Port Nelson babyonthemove.co.nz

Enter the world of home theatre with the V4A

This AV receiver will completely transform how you listen and watch at home. Plus, plenty of features means plenty of choices on how to enjoy your entertainment.

Beggs Music Works 264 Hardy St, Nelson beggsmusic.co.nz Create luxurious knitwear

Discover the therapeutic benefits of knitting and crochet, while you indulge in beautiful colours and natural yarn fibres.

Cruellas 155 Hardy St, Nelson cruellas.co.nz

Peaceful nights = happy days

Nelson Beds take the uncertainty out of choosing the right bed. They can even create a mattress that’s soft on one side and firm on the other. And they make them. In Nelson.

Nelson Beds 59 Quarantine Rd, Nelson nelsonbeds.co.nz

Health is our wealth

Goulters are Nelson’s very own vinegar specialists. Visit their website and discover fabulous vinegar products including apple cider vinegar capsules, and great all natural non-toxic vinegar products for your family and home.

Goulter’s – The vinegar people 122 Tahunanui Dr, Nelson Order online at vinegarpower.co.nz

Sustainable design in your home

Natural fabrics, lots of handmade, and always a good dash of vintage.

An Inside Story 027 240 8225 aninsidestory.co.nz Extra space made easy

Attractive rustic-styled studios, sleepouts, garden sheds and offices with flexible sizes and designs. Buildings under 30 sqm no longer need council approved building consent so getting extra space just got easier.

Allwood Sheds 15 Gladstone Rd, Richmond allwoodsheds.co.nz

Chocolate Dog Studio

See Jane’s work at chocolatedogillustration.co.nz

Buy the Otter book online at copypress.co.nz/shop/mr-otter-river/

The Artist Goldsmith

Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler Central Nelson. By appointment 021 817 209 TheArtistGoldsmith.com

Höglund Art Glass Studio & Gallery

52 Lansdowne Road, Appleby, Nelson Open 7 days 10am – 4pm 03 544 6500 hoglundartglass.com

Hawk’s Valley Sculpture Gallery

190 Williams Road, Tasman Open most days. A call is appreciated. 021 267 1127 laurenkitts.co.nz

Belinda Wilson

15 South Street, Nelson Open every Saturday 10am - 2pm and by appointment. 021 731 007 belindawilson.co.nz

Purpose Gallery

5 Iwa St, Mapua Thurs - Sat, 11am - 4 pm, Sun 11 am - 3pm. Tues & Wed by private appointment. Closed Monday. purpose.gallery

The Suter Art Gallery

208 Bridge Street, Nelson Open 7 days 9.30am -4.30pm 03-548 4699

thesuter.org.nz

Lynette Graham Fabric Design + Artist

125 Mapua Drive, Mapua 021 731 737 or see online shop.

Lynettegraham.co.nz

Michael MacMillan Sculptor & Country Homeware

252 Neudorf Rd, Upper Moutere Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon 10am – 4pm and Tues – Thurs by appt. 021 069 1401 michaelmacmillan.co.nz

Nelson Classic Car Museum Museum Store

1 Cadillac Way, Annesbrook 03 547 4570

nelsonclassiccarmuseum.nz

ATELIER Studio | Gallery

329 Trafalgar Square 021 166 8327 Tues - Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 1pm

atelier.org.nz

Cathy Jones 4 Art

027 546 9499 1/47A Washington Rd. Open Wednesdays 12-5pm, and by appointment.

Lauren’s work seeks to explore the essence of nature and uncertainty.

Sculpture garden a must visit

With over forty years’ experience as a sculptor, Lauren Kitts’ work is well known in international and national circles. Originally from Colorado, she has worked mostly in New Zealand and many of her pieces can be found in public spaces and private collections from one end of the country to the other.

Five years ago, she and her husband Ray left the frustrations of living and working in Auckland and moved to a site in Nelson that is the perfect combination of home, gallery and gardens, where her sculptures can be displayed in a setting enhanced by the rolling hills of the Moutere with Tasman Bay in the background. Lauren’s illustrious career began at college when she tried sculpting for the first time. “I was completely mesmerised with what could be created from a block of stone,” she says. A degree in Fine Arts at the University of California cemented her love of the craft, setting her on a lifetime journey exploring the possibilities that the earth’s abundant raw materials provide. “I have worked with many other resources over the years but seem to have a real affinity with stone,” she says. Lauren has found Nelson a wonderful place to be a stone sculptor. “We are surrounded by all manner of material here,” she says. “There is marble from Takaka and Riwaka, river stones from the Motueka River and granite from the Abel Tasman.” “I love the process of carving away the stone to create something new,” she continues. “I don’t follow a particular style or theme but make things that are pertinent to my current state of mind, whatever I am learning or reading about, or topical events.” Her ‘Melting Iceburgs’, for example, is a statement about climate change, while ‘The Cloud’ celebrates the land and sky she is surrounded by. Creating the sculpture park has been a labour of love. Situated only a few minutes from Mapua at the end of Williams Road in Tasman, ‘Hawk’s Valley Sculpture Gallery’ is named after the magnificent birds that sweep overhead. “They represent guardianship in Māori culture,” says Lauren. “As soon as we saw them we knew it was the right name for this place.” The sculpture garden is open most days and people are welcome to wander around and experience the many different works. As well as pieces made from local stone there are also those in materials from abroad such as Egyptian and Indian marble and Chinese granite. Now is an excellent time to visit as Lauren is preparing for a joint exhibition at the Suter in May with painter Jill Seeney and the garden is full of a great diversity of stunning pieces.

Hawks Valley Sculpture Gallery 190 Williams Road, Upper Moutere, Tasman laurenkitts.co.nz 021 267 1127