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The quaint cob cottage by the fire station in Wairau Valley is one of the oldest in the region, built over 150 years ago by local shepherds. Over the past few years Tina and Susan have made the cottage their home, as well as accommodation for bed and breakfast guests.

Tessa Jaine

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

My home is in the beautiful Wairau Valley. I bought the property in 2014 and have lived here since 2016. Susan joined me here a couple of years ago.

What four words would you use to describe your home?

Historic, different, organic and loving.

What inspired this look?

The dwelling itself is in its organic state, being made mostly of cob, we feel that anything we put in must be organic in its own bearing. We don’t like artificial wood, it has to be of the earth, of nature.

What do you love most about living in this home?

Its uniqueness, history, and space. The home was built circa 1860 and has a rich history that is seen in all the rooms, in the materials used and the additions added. Being built of cob means the walls are a foot thick and act as a natural insulator and heat regulator. There is plenty of space on the property for our vegetable garden, creative projects, sheds, tools and for guests.

What’s your decorating style?

Victoriana with modern accompaniments. Whatever fits and whatever works for us without being too fluffy. I also like making things, so therefore I enjoy putting things in that I have made. Susan has added some pieces collected from overseas.

Where do you shop for homewares?

Mainly Mr Bunnings and Harvey Norman. It just depends on what is available and what appeals to us at the time.

What piece would you never part with?

Susan! And Jess! That’s actually not a hard question to answer, because everything that I have I’m only a custodian for it for a short period of time. I don’t have ownership of it, therefore I’m not tied to it.

When it comes to homeware, do you save or splurge?

Splurge. We have just bought two new couches for our guest accommodation from a local manufacturer, The Lounge Suite Company.

What’s next on your interiors list?

The flooring in the lounge needs replacing and we’ve just put posts in for solar sails to protect our vehicles from the sun and winter conditions. There are always projects.

Have you done any renovations?

Just a bit of tarting up. The cottage itself has been added to a number of times over the years. It was believed to have originally been built 150 years ago as a single room cob cottage by local shepherds. Since then, it has been added to with more bedrooms and a larger living space. We have added a more modern bathroom, toilet, pantry, and laundry, and upgraded the guest accommodation. Most recently, we dug out the original stone-lined well at the front of the home and added lights so you can see down it.

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

Follow Susan around all day and put things away! Just kidding, it’s the other way around. But really everything has its place and space, it just needs to be found.

What should every home have?

Love, care, a place that feels comfortable.

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

Nothing, it’s what I want. It’s unique, it’s different, it’s organic, like a living being of its own.

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

I have no need for anything other than what we have.

What is special about your neighbourhood? It’s friendly, supportive, understanding, and caring.

Best budget tip?

Most things we get from the local resource plant, you can pick up many pieces for renovating from there for very little cost.

Did any of your purchases cause a debate?

No, because we have such similar thoughts and we’re in line with each other.

What’s your favourite spot in the house? Depends on the weather, but sitting out on the back deck in the evening and enjoying the ambience as the sun goes down. Or, sitting in the TV room, the ‘snuggleorium’, as we call it.

Best memory in your home?

I think the best memory in my home is when Susan came to live with me here almost two years ago.