A fire wasn’t going to stop this go-getting Matakana pair.

It’s amazing what can be achieved when forced to decorate from scratch

What happens when you find yourself having to start a house interior virtually from scratch? No existing furniture, bedding, accessories, kitchenware – nothing? That was the case with Willem and Helen Buitendijk six years ago when they sold a house in Karaka, south of Auckland, to an overseas buyer who made an offer not only for the house but for everything in it.

Of course, the couple did keep pieces of sentimental value including items brought over from their homeland of Holland, such as a dinner set and cutlery. Along with some pieces bought for the new home they were searching for, these were stored in a garage and container. Then the garage burned down.

The few possessions salvaged from the container now have pride of place in their new home near Matakana, north of Auckland. There’s a prized bronze statue of two horses, which reflects Helen’s love of riding, a wooden swan head and wings made by Willem, an antique bedhead that serves as a wall ornament, and treasured photo albums.

The couple are optimists; they’re also resourceful, creative and hands-on. This setback wasn’t going to get them down.

Today, it’s hard to believe that the interior of their home isn’t a result of a lifetime’s collecting. They have avoided the trap of buying everything new from just a handful of stores resulting in a house that would look more like a catalogue than a home. They paced themselves, building up their possessions piece by piece, importing some from overseas, buying vintage items as well as new pieces. They carefully created layers of interest but, most

THIS PAGE The existing kitchen in Willem and Helen Buitendijk’s home north of Auckland is the fairly plain original, dressed up with a mix of antique and new objects and a chandelier bought at auction; they also removed the breakfast bar to open up the space. OPPOSITE Helen leads her beloved horses Jayjay and Peter Pan up from the orchard where they often graze; the couple’s daughter got married beneath the huge magnolia tree to the left; they love the view of the neighbouring paddocks, which are still brown from drought.

THIS PAGE Helen rings the seasonal changes by swapping these dining chairs with upholstered versions in winter; the wine cabinet was bought in Tuscany, Italy a couple of years ago, the swan wall art was made by Willem and the dining table is from French Country Collections. OPPOSITE The previously extended living area faces north for sun; the sofa is from Ikea and the floors are Senso Pro Lock Vintage Wood from Carpet Court.

THIS PAGE A bedroom in the guest wing where the bedlinen is from Bed Bath & Beyond and the pendant light is from Ikea. OPPOSITE (clockwise from top left) Willem and Helen Buitendijk, who have lived in New Zealand for 16 years, with Bella the golden retriever. Willem made the lamp base out of a glass jar and he reconfigured second-hand shutters to fit the windows of the house. A Dutch naval uniform from 1933 is displayed beside a cabinet repainted by Helen. Riding boots and horse ornaments reflect Helen’s love of riding; they sit with a French cherrywood table and alabaster grapes from Volterra in Tuscany.

THESE PAGES The garden was already established when Helen and Willem bought the 2ha lifestyle block near Matakana and includes an orchard and vegetable garden; the building to the right is the old garage that the couple turned into a barn and planted ficus to grow up the side wall; they plan to soon change the long rectangular window for a round one.