Piha Cottage & Gypsy Caravan

By Donna White Interior Design

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The cottage and gypsy caravan are set amongst native NZ bush in Piha.  The house is an exact copy of an 1860’s miner’s cottage from Otago.  The stone block walls were poured on site, and to a recipe used in 1860’s Otago.  The bath is an 1890 Royal Doulton, which was resurfaced and re-enamelled.  One of the kitchen stoves is a functional 1860 Shacklock Orion.

The original dark interior was transformed with the installation of a series of skylights between the rafters, the replacement of the inappropriate floor tiles with solid timber floorboards, painting the ceilings, doors, wooden walls, and stairs in a warm white, and the design and installation of a new kitchen.

The Gypsy caravan was originally painted in bright purple and vivid green.  It has been transformed by a choice of five pastel colours that are a contemporary interpretation of the interior of a Gypsy caravan.

The dwellings are used for weekend retreats, so the décor is casual and comfortable. The homeowner is an avid collector, and so all accessories have meaning and significance.  The eclectic collection ranges from a 1000-year old bronze Buddha statue, to a poster of a flamingo.

The homeowner handed the challenge of pulling everything together over to me.  He listened, and did exactly as I suggested.  We worked happily together until the interior design was to our complete satisfaction.

"Donna has performed minor miracles three times for us, from a villa to a French-inspired cottage with a Gypsy caravan, and a beach house.  She has an uncanny ability to take what we already have and re-arrange it to stunning effect.  Very little new has ever been required, and in that context, her time and expertise are fabulous value for money too.  She has always created aesthetic, warm and comfortable interiors.  She has a remarkable talent, and is thoroughly nice to boot."

Sam Stubbs

Donna White Interior Design
Auckland
The house is an exact copy of an 1860’s miner’s cottage from Otago.
He listened, and did exactly as I suggested. 
The homeowner is an avid collector, and so all accessories have meaning and significance.  The eclectic collection ranges from a 1000-year old bronze Buddha statue, to a poster of a flamingo.
We worked happily together until the interior design was to our complete satisfaction.
1000 Year Old Budha
The owner gave me the challenge of arranging his ecclectic collection of furniture and accessories .  We worked happily together until the interior design was to our complete satisfaction
The Gypsy caravan was originally painted in bright purple and vivid green.  It has been transformed by a choice of five pastel colours that are a contemporary interpretation of the interior of a Gypsy caravan.
The cottage and gypsy caravan are set amongst native NZ bush in Piha.  The house is an exact copy of an 1860’s miner’s cottage from Otago.

Professionals used in
Piha Cottage & Gypsy Caravan

Donna White Interior Design
Donna White Interior Design
Interior Designers
Dulux
Dulux
Manufacturers and Suppliers

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Donna White Interior Design

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About the
Professional

Donna is a Professional Member of the Designers Institute of New Zealand (PDINZ).

Donna studied full-time at Inchbald School of Design in London (affiliated with the University of Wales), and graduated in 2002 with a PGDIP in Architectural Interior Design.  She is one of a few New Zealanders to have received this qualification from this prestigious design school.

Working in Europe…

After graduation, Donna chose to stay in the UK to take advantage of exciting work opportunities.  These included a 50-room Spanish Hunting Lodge (formerly owned by the King of Spain, now owned by a member of British Aristocracy), conversion of a redundant 18th century church into a contemporary home, and the design of a child’s playroom for the children of a Saudi Prince.

Back in New Zealand

Donna returned to NZ in 2005, and quickly established herself as an Interior Designer with a difference – her design philosophy being ‘Classic Design with a Twist’. 

She works with a deep knowledge of the principles and elements of Interior Design, and believes it is her professional responsibility to keep abreast of new product and innovations.  Her skill in asking a client the right questions, and turning their dreams into reality is only possible by her ability to listen.   Strong follow through and documentation support her work practice.  Please see client testimonials under ‘Projects’ on her web page.

Donna provides her clients a full interior design service throughout New Zealand from her base in Auckland.  Please see her website for a full description of the Services she provides.

Acknowledgement of her work

For three consecutive years she has been a finalist in the Dulux colour awards in both commercial and residential categories.  This is a competition open to both architects and designers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

She has also been a finalist in the New Zealand House and Garden Best Interior awards in the categories of Best Living Room and Best Bathroom. 

When you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.'  Donna White