Christchurch-based interior design practice Lume Design share their latest residential project; a family holiday home with sweeping vistas of Banks Peninsula, New Zealand.
Banks Peninsula is located 90 minutes from the Christchurch city centre, known for its rolling hills, small bays and walking trails. It was here Lume Design were asked to design a holiday home for a client who they’d worked with previously, attuned to their aesthetic and how they lived. “They have a passion for design and entertaining,” Lume Design director Jeff Merrin says. “They wanted nothing overly coastal or Scandinavian, but with aspects of each genre.” By focusing on natural materials that reflect the environment, Lume Design have instilled a sense of calm in a home to be enjoyed by the family for years to come.
Black aluminium bar stools contrast the white stone bench and cabinetry in the kitchen.
Designed for three generations, it was vital the home could cater to the bustle of family holidays. Jeff Merrin says that the client wanted their friends and family to feel relaxed when visiting, and not ‘precious’ about the interiors. “It was essential that we designed a home that was robust enough to withstand children, dogs and sand from the beach,” Jeff affirms. Built on the foot of a hill, the exterior of the A-framed home sets the tone of the interiors to follow; clean, contemporary and unpretentious.
Whitewashed plywood is the hero of the home, framing the open-concept living, dining and kitchen, as well as the bedrooms. Custom V-groove cabinetry in the kitchen is adorned with small black knobs and a tiled splashback, complemented by a contrasting timber veneer in the overhead cabinetry and built-in shelves. Brushed stainless steel tapware and appliances have been selected for their sense of timelessness and forgiveness with heavy use, paired with a simple stone bench.
A slot window occupies a portion of the splashback, overlooking the water.
Custom V-groove cabinetry in the kitchen paired with the washed timber flooring.
The living room is warmed by the Sherpa Rug – Pumice by Armadillo and a traditional wood stove fireplace.
The pitched ceilings have been given a contemporary refresh with two-tone timber panels.
The upholstered bench-seat doubles as additional storage space in the custom panelled drawers.
Black steel-framed doors in the living room frame the tranquil landscape, while a built-in bench seat offers a place to pause and take in the view. A traditional wood stove captures the cosy nature of the home – perfect for the New Zealand winter.
Jeff Merrin reveals that with limited space to work with, the bathrooms proved a difficult challenge in the home. “We chose vertical heated towel rails alongside a custom-designed vanity with an engineered solid surface top,” he says.
Lume Design have created a timeless and durable holiday home that connects to the volcanic hillside and the sea, allowing the family to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Banks Peninsula.
The children’s bedrooms utilise the same washed plywood throughout the home, complete with a built-in storage nook.
The master bedroom features the AJ Table Light and textural bedlinen.
Catering to the space restrictions, Lume Design have opted for vertical towel rails and a streamlined, integrated vanity.
The outdoor shower comes in handy for little sandy feet.
