Tui House

This Auckland home has wide open spaces where the Tui’s sing and the boats sail by. It’s a space where we can retreat and relax in as well as a place to bring friends and family together around the outdoor fire pit that’s nestled down on the shoreline.

We purchased part way through the build and had the opportunity of re-designing the layout so the flow and functionality would work in with our busy, entertaining couple (no kids) lifestyle and to our luxe and relaxed vibes.

We love curves, movement, natural materials and texture is very important to us as we love depth and tactility with colours and finishes. As seen here when you run your fingertips over the leathered granite benchtops, Japanese finger tiles, brushed brass accents, steel, American Oak and linen curtains. Scalloped walls were built, wallpapered and a custom-made reeded velvet bedhead to the master. Even the olive bedding was chosen to connect with the mangroves + Nikau palms outside, there is this lovely seamless flow from inside to out and this is accentuated by the stacker doors and high-pitched ceilings. Lighting was key to creating softer pockets of light and ambience throughout the home.

This home was built and situated towards the city and sea views. Large stacker doors and pitched ceilings were designed to accommodate the views and to let more natural light in.

The original design proposed to us was a much smaller kitchen which didn’t have much storage and had the powder room opening up from the main living space. The idea of seeing a toilet while eating or relaxing didn’t appeal to us at all, and decided it needed to be changed.

Using the Hafele pivot door into the hidden scullery meant we could relocate the doorway for the powder room to the scullery - this gave us the privacy we wanted and needed. We were then able to use this new found space for the bar area.

The scullery is used as secondary work-space for our busy morning rush and entertaining preparation

Within the main kitchen, the generous island was designed facing the sea and city views so we can sit our friends and family around all 3 sides - where conversations can flow freely.

We desperately needed a studio office to work from so Bedroom 3 was taken and walls removed to create this space to allow Andrew + I to work together.

All appliance were integrated even the TV is hidden behind doors; with that view we didn’t want the TV to be the focal point of the living room.

The original design for the upper level was a small ensuite and wardrobe all in one. Which didn’t allow enough storage for all our clothing. So, we created a Master wing, we wanted a space we could walk freely between our rooms. The door to the master was removed to maximize the views and bedroom 2 was turned into a generous walk in Master wardrobe. This allowed us to create a twin jack and jill ensuite where we could both get ready at the same time without getting in each other’s way, twin sinks + Shower were able to achieve this function for us. This also gave us the added benefit of extra storage. A skylight was added above the shower for natural light and to enjoy the Nikau palms.

A Hafele trio docking station was added to the vanity for both practicality and from a design aesthetic inside the drawer for charging phones, toothbrushes, hairdryers. I think plugs should be hidden and not ruin the lovely finishes we have picked.

You will see the simplicity of the sublet curves in the wall paneling, cabinetry and benchtop, Kitchen splashback and furniture has a lovely flow on effect and cohesion throughout the home

We have designed and manufactured all our cabinetry being a kitchen designer this was important to me personally to be able to oversee all these details.

Furniture was lovingly hand made by andrew to suit the space along with custom tapware from Astra Walker. Cues were taken from the exterior cladding and I had to have the black steel doors for the shower spaces. We feel our home has a degree of luxe, layering and longevity.

I think the biggest surprise for me was the master bedroom feature wall, I knew it was going to be amazing but I just didn’t think I would want to sit in there so much. All plugs are discretely hidden within the bedhead and its lovely to rest against on those lazy Sundays reading or just simply taking in the views.

CHALLANGES

Creating a curved scalloped wall is one thing, however we had the added challenge of not only building the curves but creating it with the angled pitched ceilings in the master bedroom. The 4-meter-high studs really give the scalloped detail full effect and totally worth the effort Andrew put in.