18 minute read
FALCONERS’ NEST
DINING The dining chairs are from Cult Auckland and are super practical when you have young grandchildren. The recycled matai dining table was made by a former neighbour in Cambridge and holds many cherished memories for Gaelene and Howard Falconer. The replica Moooi Heracleum round series suspension light looks stunning above the table.
An elevated section in the Bay of Plenty ’s Te Puna hills, with its distant views to the sea, was the perfect spot for a spacious new build
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FALCONERS’ NEST
Text Holly Jean Brooker Photography Alice Veysey
Meet & greet Gaelene (facilitator for Look Good Feel Better), and Howard Falconer (commercial property developer).
For ex-farmers, Gaelene and Howard Falconer, a move to Tauranga in 2014 was a lifestyle change the hard-working couple was ready for. After many years farming, then more recently owning a large lifestyle block and property in Cambridge, they were ready to downsize and refocus their energies on building something new.
Their priorities for a section were clear. “We weren’t used to having neighbours close to our home, so having space and elevation with a good view was important. We were used to seeing cows, not houses, ” says Gaelene.
The hunt begins
While the hunt was on for the perfect piece of land, the adventurous couple took a few months off to go sightseeing and skiing in Europe, which offered plenty of time to gain perspective about this next phase of life. It took six months to find the magic spot – an elevated section in the Te Puna hills looking out over Tauranga with views to Whakaari/White Island and Slipper Island, while being close enough to their four children and eight grandchildren. The steep section had enough land for gardens, without being too much space to maintain.
But first, a tiny home
While they built this new home, Howard turned his hand to transforming a couple of 12 metre shipping containers into a two-bedroom semi-permanent home to live in. “We’d been renting while land hunting and decided to save rental costs during the build by living in a tiny house on the site. We planned to live there for a year, but it turned into three, ” Gaelene explains.
While the best-laid plans don’t always pan out, there’s always a silver lining. Howard reflects: “The area is prone to slips, and the geotech (ground engineering) was a lengthy process. It took a good year to get started on the build due to the consent process, then a further two years to build. ”
“The mud and dirt and mess was pretty crazy, ” chips in Gaelene. “But we both loved this season in our life, it was genuinely a learning experience. We’d always lived in lovely, comfortable homes, and during this build we were
ENTERTAINER’S DREAM The walk-in pantry features open shelving to display Gaelene’s crockery collection and cookbooks. LIGHT AND EASY (opposite) The dowel pendant lights above the kitchen island are by Tim Webber. The benchtop is Silestone Calacatta Gold engineered stone.
MADE BY HAND Large concrete blocks feature throughout the house and look particularly striking in the main entrance with the antique storage box, which was bought 30 years ago. “Howard made one block each day, then we rusticated them to get them a little rougher to suit our style, ” says Gaelene. TV ROOM (opposite) This cosy area off the main family room was built with the grandchildren in mind, but it has become a space the couple also enjoy using in the evenings to unwind.
jumping around living in different rental properties, and then a tiny little space. It was hard at times, especially when we were looking after grandkids in a small space. But we all got to love it. Our kids always say, ‘Home is where Mum and Dad are’ . ”
The design
The vision for the design was for a Black Barn-like, family-friendly contemporary home, focused around four gabled pod sections. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom house is connected with flat sections, with cedar cladding and shingles used on the exterior. Facing north towards the distant ocean views, an elevated driveway would create a dramatic entrance and outlook.
With architectural plans by designer Tane Cox from Red Architecture and motivation in spades, the Falconers got stuck in using Howard’s practical skills to build the house himself. Having trained as an aircraft electrical engineer before moving into farming when the couple got married, his practical, get-it-done mentality meant he was ideally suited to the project.
“I remember him at 22, building the dairy shed on his dad’s farm, ” recalls Gaelene. “He has always renovated our houses, and lately, he’s developed commercial properties. Howard has to make everything. In fact, it’s a running joke in our family that whenever the kids want something, they say, ‘Dad will make it’ . ”
But it certainly wasn’t a solo effort. Gaelene was just as much on the tools as Howard. “Yes, I was his lackey. I would be on the roof with him lifting the iron into place and helping carry Gib board. Admittedly, I would get very sore shoulders from the hard labour, ” she says.
FAMILY ROOM The social couple like to entertain and the open-plan space flows easily to the outdoor living area. The Escea gas fireplace keeps everyone warm in this large area on cooler nights.
The layout
The main bedroom and bathroom, kitchen and dining is to the right of the home and the hallway in the central section connects the two gabled sections. The left side of the home contains the guest wing, with the TV room at the back.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and family room is located at the back of the property and overlooks Te Puna, with extensive views of the coastal region of Tauranga harbour and Mount Maunganui. In this entertaining space, the flooring features French oak, contrasted above with cathedral-like height in the white tongue-andgroove ceilings. “The large triangle-shaped window wasn’t in the plans, the architect had designed a flat ceiling. But Howard wanted expanse and I wanted big beams, so we compromised and got a coved ceiling, ” says Gaelene.
The kitchen features black oak timber panelling for the cabinetry, which is a stunning contrast to the white-panelled ceilings above and the timber floor below. In this space, Gaelene worked closely with The Kitchen Business to design a functional space in a simple, classic style that was built to last.
The adjoining family living area features an Escea gas fireplace, nestled into rough concrete block work. Every block was made by Howard prior to the floor going down. “Howard made one block each day, then we rusticated them to get them little rougher to suit our style. ” The block work also features in the entrance at the front.
For the social couple, the inviting dining space flows out to outdoor living, which suits their lifestyle. A separate media room offers a quieter
Tip When mixing metals in the bathroom stick to two types – and use each metal more than once.
BEDROOMS Much of the artwork in the house, such as these skateboards made by graphic designer daughter Sally for a final exam, was created by the Falconer children. The bunk beds were built in the office, near the main bedroom, and each of the guest rooms has its own ensuite.
GAELENE FALCONER
EXTERIOR Concrete blocks to match the interior were also used outside. The front door is made of mill steel panels, an old timber door covered in steel in three places.
FINAL FLOURISHES
Beautiful interiors are a passion for homemaker Gaelene and her attention to detail can be seen in every room, such as this fruit bowl arrangement. The couple splurged on cedar cladding and shingles, with Gaelene oiling every piece used on the couple’s pretty garden shed (below).
space to sneak away to when there are lots of people. “We built this TV room off the main family room with the children in mind. But it’s a room we use ourselves in the evenings to unwind. If we have a big family dinner here someone will end up lying on the couch in the TV room because it’s so relaxing, ” says Gaelene.
“We built bunks for the younger children in the office next to our main bedroom for when they stay, so they ’re close to us, ” she says.
Green fingers
Living on site during the build meant keen gardener Gaelene had time to establish the landscaping. “I love formal gardens, structure and repeat planting. Now they are established, it’s not too much work. ”
With the house positioned on a hill to optimise the views, the couple also invested in a lot of native planting. At the front of the house, Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’ hedging helps to screen the new neighbouring house below them.
The styling
For Gaelene, homemaking and beautiful interiors is a passion that flows into her volunteer work at the Look Good, Feel Better charity. She’s been involved for nearly 30 years facilitating the workshops, which offers a free makeover for cancer patients dealing with the visual side effects of treatment.
Many of Gaelene’s pieces hold special meaning and history, her sentimental nature flowing through her home, along with a minimalist approach. “We wanted our home to feel homely, and although the house is new, we wanted our past to be honoured. We sold a lot of our antique furniture as it didn’t suit our new home, but kept a few special pieces. ”
Sofas and chairs were recovered, apart from the couches in the family room because Gaelene likes the lived-in look. “I love the memories many of our older pieces hold, like our dining table, which our neighbour in Cambridge built. The kids did their school assignments on that table and I remember [son] Sean reloading his rifle bullets on it. It’s made from recycled matai, which was popular 35 years ago. Sean’s a clever craftsman and is about to build us a replica-sized table. ”
Dream team
With 40-plus years of marriage under the belt, the couple know how to keep fun at the centre of everything they do. “It was a fabulous journey and a fun project to do together. Living on site was great, we both got stuck in, We’d be exhausted after a hard day ’s labour, but it was great for our relationship. It’s been a wonderful whirlwind time. ”
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SHOP THEIR STYLE
Misty greys and soft rusts prove a winning combination for this luxe build
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1 Dreamtime rectangle cushion in mist, $69.90, from Wallace Cotton. 2 Mellor weave throw in terracotta, $49, from Nood. 3 Tait canvas, $899, from Freedom. 4 Full bloom dried flower wreath, $160, from Jane Smith. 5 Pylon candle, $18 each, from Deliberately Plain. 6 Raphael pear trivet, $23, from Leopold Hall. 7 Sketch tam bar stool, $545, from Bauhaus. 8 Bowen table lamp, $338, from Inspiry. 9 Acacia rectangle chopping board, $44.90, from Citta. 10 Resene Ashanti paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 11 Resene Monkey paint, $4.90 (testpot) from ColorShops.
Honesty box
What areas of your renovation did you save on? We saved so much by doing a lof of things ourselves. Obviously, Howard built the home but we worked together. I oiled every piece of cedar cladding before it went up and Howard did the roofing, internal fit-out and painting, which saved thousands. Splurge on? Engaging an architect to get a great design, as well as cedar shingles and cedar vertical cladding. We loved the texture and the concept of what had been specified. Best lessons learned? Make a plan and stay on track with decisions, overthought too many things. What’s the one thing you’d change about your home if you could? There are always things you’d do differently. I wanted a rustic concrete bench but opted for the stone. It’s beautiful but not really me. What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? Having all the family here for our first Christmas together –that’s what I missed in the container house.
Floor plan
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1 Deck 2 Living 3 Dining 4 Kitchen 5 Pantry 6 Hall 7 Cupboard 8 Wardrobe 9 Main bedroom 10 Ensuite 11 Bathroom 12 Bedroom 13 Laundry 14 Entry 15 Garage
PERFECTLY PLACED
A couple finds the joy in indoor-outdoor living with a new build framed amongst rolling farm hills
Photography Swell Productions
1 THE DESIGN
With the kids all grown up, it was time for a change of scene for Greta Martin and Andrew Morgan. The pair wanted a home for their cats and dogs to roam freely, as well as a base for their whānau to reconnect come holiday season. After seven years commuting between Cambridge and Auckland, the couple found a perfect middle ground in the idyllic village of Te Kauwhata. “Greta loved the site and the township straight away so the decision to buy was simple. It’s allowed us to have a native bush outlook on the living side of the house and the indoor-outdoor area facing out across the farmland and hills, ” says Andrew. A rural outlook was the number one priority for the two, a sight that is framed by sliding stacker doors throughout the living areas.
Having two new builds already under their belt, the couple chose a plan based on a Nixon Homes show home, allowing them to relish in the flexibility of adapting the design and features to their lifestyle. The result is a four-bedroom masterpiece centred around two living spaces that open to the outdoors.
2 THE MATERIALS
The country abode is clad in Linea Oblique Weatherboard by James Hardie, laid vertically and alternating between 200mm and 300mm panels for a stunning visual effect, finished in Resene All Black. “We had seen the weatherboard used in a variety of different houses around Cambridge and in magazines, ” the pair explain. “We loved the clean lines and contemporary look that allowed us to complement the cedar shiplap panels we had previously decided we wanted as part of the overall look of the house. ” Thanks to
MEET & GREET Greta Martin and Andrew Morgan (co-owners of Cafe Coffee & Bakery Systems) and their four cats and dogs.
an automated louvre system, the couple can admire their sleek weatherboard finishing year-round, regardless of weather.
3 THE INTERIOR
Modern contemporary decor inspired Greta and Andrew throughout the build. “We have always been influenced by the use of space rather than cluttered areas, ” they say. “We like the subtle but sophisticated finish of the natural wood finishes coupled with the clean lines of the Linea Oblique Weatherboards. ”
The kitchen and the butler’s pantry is awash with matte black and oak cabinetry, celebrating a feature battened oak wall that comes complete with integrated fridges, a wine rack and drinks bar. The finished look is rounded off by a Dekton benchtop, which according to Greta and Andrew, “balanced the whole kitchen equally so each element had its own statement” .
The bathroom and ensuite boast Italian wall and floor tiles, having first spotted them in a display window on an Arrowtown holiday and promptly fell in love.
“The oversized wall and floor tiles add a level of luxury in addition to the patterned designer tiles of each room. ”
4 CONTEMPORARY BLISS
The road appeal is the couple’s favourite part of the house, who say, “ while there’s lots to love about the living areas inside, the house is exactly how we imagined it, with the mix of cedar and Linea Oblique Weatherboards and the shaped driveway from the gates. It’s a nice feeling to know we compromised on the total house size for the additional exterior finishes and features that we get to enjoy daily. ”
The couple now spend their evenings sitting on the deck with a bottle of wine, watching the sun hit the top of the trees around the surrounding hills. There are no plans to leave and plenty of landscaping to keep idle hands busy.
RURAL RETREAT Linea Oblique Weatherboard by James Hardie were placed vertically and painted in Resene All Black. Complemented by cedar shiplap panelling, the homeowners love “the clean lines and contemporary look” .
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FINISHES
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1 Entry 2 Living 3 Dining 4 Kitchen 5 Pantry 6 Storage 7 Toilet 8 Garage 9 Laundry 10 Bedroom 11 Bathroom 12 Study 13 Main bedroom 14 Ensuite 15 Walk-in wardrobe
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RESENE ALL BLACK
LINEA™ OBLIQUE™ WEATHERBOARD Easy to install and engineered to withstand harsh conditions, Linea Oblique Weatherboard by James Hardie can be painted any colour including dark shades and is cost-effective and long-lasting. Designed to complement classic and modern designs, the weatherboard can be used vertically and horizontally, even on internal walls.
HONESTY BOX
What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? A budget is a goal rather than a fixed target when you’re building a home around your new lifestyle. We had plenty of advice as the build went on about small but critical options and changes that improved the overall quality and presentation of certain areas. What are a couple of tips you’d give to anyone planning to build? Spend the time on the little things in the plans and don’t be afraid to add the extras at the start especially with the electrician and external lighting and power. Services are the hardest and most expensive to change after starting. What’s the one thing you’d change about your home if you could? We now wish we had gone with floor-to-ceiling cavity stacking doors to the outdoors, even though the opening is amazing. Having that additional finish to the ceiling would have balanced the view.
BUDGET
How much did the build cost? Just over $1,000,000 with the addition of landscaping but excluding land. How did you keep track of costs during the build? Nixon Homes uses the Buildertrend app, which we found excellent in managing the progress payments, variations, sign-offs and final costing. How did your budget forecast compare to your actual spend? We had a budget of $949,000 and we came in at $985,682 before outside landscaping, excluding land.
CONTACTS
Builder Nixon Homes, nixonhomes.co.nz Electrical Laser Electrical Te Rapa, laserelectrical.co.nz Garden Indetail Garden design James Hardie jameshardie.co.nz Plumbing Astro Plumbing, astroplumbing.co.nz Tiles Casa Italiana Tiles, casaitaliana.co.nz
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
• Fearless use of colour and/or pattern • Exciting use of wallpaper • Imaginative decoration and finishing. Get your entry in by June 16, 2022 and you could be one of our first finalists.
SMALL ROOM AWARDS
(BUT BIG IN IMPACT) 2022
Have you done something bold or interesting with paint or wallpaper in a small room in your house? It could be an office, nursery, laundry or powder room – the only criteria is it’s small in space but big in impact. We’d love to see your efforts. Send us some images of your chosen room and be in to win $1000 in our inaugural Small Room Awards.
HOW TO ENTER
Email photos and a 200-word description of your space to yhg@aremedia.co.nz with your last name and ‘Resene Small Room’ in the subject line. Please include your name, home address, email address, daytime phone number, the names of the Resene colours used, and details of when your space was painted and/or wallpapered. Please credit anyone who assisted you in choosing your colours.
The five finalists will each appear in Your Home and Garden. Every finalist will receive a $250 Resene ColorShop voucher and a feature in the magazine, with the winner taking out the Resene Small Room Awards and $1000 cash, plus a story on the winning home will feature in the January 2023 issue.
TERMS & CONDITIONS Instructions on how to enter are part of the conditions of entry. This competition is open to New Zealand residents, except employees of Are Media, Resene and their immediate families and agencies. The five finalists and overall winner will be notified by telephone and/ or email. All entries are eligible for consideration for the Resene website. Any non-finalists selected for the Resene website will receive a free gift from Resene.
HOT TOPIC There are so many options to heat your home. What’s right for you comes down to the size and age of your house and personal preference. Turn to page 82 for the lowdown.
R E N O V A T I O N
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Welcome back New meets old in this ’60s state house.
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The heat is on Warm thoughts to beat the big chill.
