A central city Christchurch townhouse gets a refresh by its designing owners.

A designing couple settle into more than one major life change

Melissa and Jeff Merrin used to be the Merrins of Merrin St. But despite that satisfying coincidence, a need to downgrade their space and upgrade their home meant it was time to move from the Christchurch suburbs to the central city.

The decision was prompted largely because Jeff had spent time in Brisbane and enjoyed the liveliness of the city there. He knew that central-city living could work for the couple.

That sparked a six-month search for a home that had the right amount of light and was in the right location. They eventually discovered a townhouse in a development designed by William Noordanus of Noordanus Architects. From the outside, it was

fairly unassuming but the couple found that the interior was an example of how well planned a smaller new home can be.

“We were apprehensive at first at the thought of having less space but once we got in it felt like home,” says Melissa. “We like the volumes and the generosity of the rooms as well as little things like the wide driveway, a proper entrance and separate laundry. They may seem small but they are not always found in the inner city.”

An added bonus is the snug upstairs where the couple spend time with the dogs in the evenings.

The house was just four years old when the Merrins took possession a year ago so it needed few changes. But this is no ordinary couple when it comes to design. They own well-known Christchurch interior design studio Lume Design, so any home of theirs would always benefit from decorative changes.

Says Melissa: “We have added some of our own touches, wallpapered upstairs, brought some smaller pieces from Merrin St. We are still working on the landscaping and doing some cosmetic work.”

The couple tag-teamed the changes with each focusing on their areas of expertise and passion. The end result may be a combination of both their styles but it comes together in a harmonious way. “It has elements of being minimal and monochromatic with injections of warmth. I like collections of things, books and greenery,” says Melissa.

After working with beautiful materials, furniture and accessories for many years, you wouldn’t think something as prosaic as double glazing would excite the couple. They had lived in their previous 1960s home for 15 years, however, so new building technologies were welcome: “Double glazing – it’s amazing,” enthuses Melissa.

That year, 2018, was full of changes for the couple. Originally they ran separate businesses yet

‘WE LIKE THE VOLUMES AND THE GENEROSITY OF THE ROOMS’

collaborated on many projects: Melissa on interior design and Jeff on more architectural aspects such as kitchens, bathrooms, joinery and lighting.

With their clients regularly engaging both of them, merging the businesses was a logical step says Melissa. “I needed a larger space and we were working out of two spaces. Given that we were doing 80 percent of projects together, we decided it was time we merged.”

It wasn’t easy. “It was chaos and bedlam, selling the house and offices and moving.” They’re now very happy with the new arrangement, sharing resources and premises. “We are now an expanded

‘YOU WAKE UP AT 6AM AND SEE THE CITY JUST COMING TO LIFE’

environment with a team of nine and we get to share our work day.”

The new studio is only a few minutes’ walk away from the apartment. Jeff strolls there every workday morning with their dachshund Frank. Soon their dachshund puppy Audrey will join in the experience of being an office dog. “Arriving to work after walking makes you feel super fresh and ready for the day. It’s really nice,” says Jeff.

Melissa agrees: “You wake up at 6am and see the city just coming to life. People are out and about and walking around just enjoying the city.”

Their new home may have a smaller outdoor area but the Merrins consider Christchurch to be their backyard. “You never see it in the suburbs but now we get to jump on our bikes, ride into town and be fully immersed in all the goings-on of the city, and it is developing all the time. We had no idea how much was on in the city,” says Jeff.

And it seems you can’t keep a good designer down. When they’re not exploring the city, Melissa says her ideal Saturday night is at home with Jeff – rearranging the coffee table. “Being creative is cathartic,” she says.

THIS PAGE A simple Christmas tree made of tree branches hung with brown paper decorations from May Time matches the pared back yet warm look of Jeff and Melissa Merrin’s Christchurch townhouse; it sits on an antique Chinese chest beside a Ralph chair from Belle Interiors in Husk fabric in Onyx from Warwick.

THIS PAGE Melissa and Jeff Merrin; they say a bonus of the area is their considerate and friendly neighbours: “They keep an eye out for each other, leave keys with each other, send photos when they’re on holiday and put out each other’s bins,” says Melissa; the impressive Torched candlesticks are from May Time and the artworks are by local artist Lonnae Ferrand.

THIS PAGE (clockwise from top) Bella sits on a Brooklyn sofa from Kovacs covered in Augustus wool in Porcelain from Warwick; the cushions are covered in fabrics from Atelier Textiles. The Roger Bar Wagon drinks trolley is from May Time and the decanter and glasses are from Freedom. The table is set for Christmas with Wonki Ware plates and knotted Gracie Eco linen napkins from May Time.

THIS PAGE (from top) The sofa is a Matteo Modular from David Shaw in Patina ll fabric in Meteor from Unique Fabrics; the ottoman was custom-made by Lume Design; the rug is by Cronz; the Ernestine sheer drapes are by Fabricut from Atelier Textiles. Carcone wallpaper by Carlucci di Chivasso is used in the main bedroom; the dove is by Patricia Urquiola.

THIS PAGE (from top) The bath set under a skylight is mostly used by Melissa; the stool is from Uniqwa in Australia. Audrey the dachshund enjoys the view from the guest bedroom; the Vida Noite bedspread is from Seneca and the framed photographs were taken on holiday in Italy.