Nelson - 2013

A clever tribute to simplicity, style and function

To step inside this deceptively simple home is to step into the very heart of it… nothing is hidden – function and style laid bare.

The approach takes you past the ample subterranean garaging, and up to the courtyard where spreading herbs soften the outdoor entertaining area. On a usual sunny Nelson day, the house will be open to the air; the glass front and side of the building pushed back to truly feel part of the busy harbour view.

Inside, the open plan living area illustrates the fastidious workmanship that has gone into this home – with exposed concrete and steel beams on show there is no room for anything but perfection. The laminated wood built-in furniture and stairs only highlight the functional and stylish modernity of this house. Deceptively simple though this home may seem, there are wonderful points of interest to catch the eye such as the copper water pipes running through the warm [rimu] tongue and groove ceiling. The upcycled radiators with their oversized red on/off wheels and the industrial light switch add quirky vintage touches and become pieces of art in their own right.

The bespoke café-style kitchen is every keen cook’s dream, everything hidden but within reach, and an expansive island work area with a million-dollar view. The utility area behind the kitchen houses the laundry, a light, bright shower & toilet area and plenty of domestic storage. Just past the stairs is the office/media retreat, still part of the main area, but cosy and quiet on a day when the weather sets in.

Up the stairs and the views just get better, windows of various dimensions frame views of harbour and greenery. A visitor could only feel welcome and impressed with the guest bedroom and ensuite; clean and simple with understated luxury. But it is the master suite that shines... spacious and elegant with a hidden secret… the bathroom and bedroom are separated by shutters which when pulled back allow you to luxuriate in the large double ended bath while watching the boats in the harbour and the sunlight play on the sea… floor to ceiling windows throughout and glass balconies the length of the building on both floors mean you never miss the view, so why miss out in the bath!

This home is the perfect example of a modern city bach: simple, low maintenance, functional, secure… warm, welcoming, stylish, clever, quirky and very, very impressive – a tribute to architect, builder and proud homeowner.