Ideas around flow and connection of living spaces for better family living are behind the interior renovation of a stately heritage villa located at the base of Mount Victoria in Devonport.

While there were some beautiful original elements to the villa, such as the pressed steel ceilings, the previous owners had renovated in 2001 and the use of dark greens, burgundy walls and taffeta curtains had created interiors that felt quite dark and closed in.

Trinity Interior Design was called in to explore ways in which to lighten and connect the front living through to the kitchen, dining and conservatory – including removing a wall, changing the orientation of the kitchen and relocating the dining to the conservatory – along with freshening up the colour palette and furnishings to create a restful atmosphere.

The conservatory has been completely transformed by opening the connection from the kitchen and changing its function into a dining space. This previously unutilised room has become a firm favourite with the family and the addition of built-in window seating creates the sensation of being ‘in’ the large garden and pool area, especially great for when the clients entertain.

Nicole McKenzie, director of Trinity says, “As the clients were open to colour and not being ‘safe’, there are many standout moments throughout this new interior. We were lucky enough to be able to play with colour within cabinetry, including the kitchen, tiles, curtains and the new furniture and accessories sourced throughout.”

One of the features of the beautiful Trinity-designed kitchen is the use of Appiani Seta mosaic tiles from Artedomus in Mirto. Nicole says, “The colour works very well when looking out through the conservatory to the lush garden and creates a really bold feature along the back wall that elicits many comments from visitors to the house”.

Trinity designed a custom sofa and chaise, bench seats in the hallway and bedroom, a drinks cabinet and chest of drawers as well as commissioned artwork to work with the selected pastel colour palette. These softer shades are mixed with some richer colours, with brass accents to add depth and interest to the Resene Half Sea Fog walls, dark grey slate flooring and oak timber veneer in the kitchen.

In the light, large living space, the gorgeous textured wallpaper Big Smile by Jessica Zoob from Seneca instantly catches the eye and makes this room really pop. The striking lighting is a Y chandelier in brass with smoked glass by Douglas & Bec, which provides crucial width to create balance in the space.

Included in Trinity’s scope of work was the master bedroom, study and main bathroom, which were all also completely renovated. The master bedroom is a particularly calm, romantic space, with a dusky pink ceiling and deep blue bespoke cabinetry by DBJ.

DBJ worked its wonder again in the clean, simple lines of the bathroom, with the creation of custom brass trim mirrors that conceal recessed storage cabinets and the bespoke vanity with integrated stone basins, clad entirely in Creta Beton engineered stone through Granite Workshop.

As part of the process, Trinity also recommended a reputable builder, provided project management and procured all products required within the project. 

Nicole says, “The transformation from what the house previously looked and felt like has been considerable. The owners are thrilled and feel they have a different home in terms of how they live in it, connect to the spaces and in the overall feel of the interiors.”

Written by ArchiPro editorial desk.