This is a house that genuinely speaks to and nurtures those living in it.

level changes, forms that follow function, integration with nature…

The first thing you encounter at the top the stairs to the second storey (where the bulk of the living takes place) is a mid-century-style shelving unit, a piece Annique designed to help distinguish the different zones within the new home’s open plan. It allows a view through to the windows on either side, yet makes the sunken lounge behind it feel private, while also providing a place to display potted greenery, books, objects and heirlooms. A hallmark of Annique’s aesthetic is the use of pieces that tell personal tales, treasures like the pinecone on the top shelf collected from the family’s holiday property; the brass gong on the wall in the stairwell, found by one of the owners’ fathers on his travels to India; and the lamp on the built-in desk in the main bedroom, a throwback to the owners’ OE.

This is a house made cosy and welcoming through its use of textural, timeless materials. Even the pale kitchen benchtops and stone surrounding the fireplace have a warm vein running through them. Complementing these paler shades is a palette of browns — comforting colours.

“I was keen to achieve spaces that make you feel like you don’t want to leave them,” says Annique. “The sofas’ foam squabs are featherwrapped; the wool carpet is super soft; and the couple’s bedroom has a window seat they can lie on to read a book in the morning sun, a dedicated dressing area, and a sauna in their ensuite — it’s a real place where they can be.”

LEFT The family eats most of their meals in the kitchen (opposite), meaning this adjacent dining area is used for more formal occasions and as an office space if required. On a rug made from some of the Kindu carpet from Artisan left over from the kids’ bedrooms, a dining table crafted from solid Tasmanian blackwood by Hamilton company Kor is teamed with Maki chairs by MCM House. The pendant and wall light are from Nightworks’ Petrine series, and above the heirloom sideboard is Myriorama: OAAEAO:5 by Julia Morison, one of several artworks in the home curated by ARC Fine Art Services. OPPOSITE Skylights in the kitchen drench it in natural light from above. Apart from the integrated fridge by Fisher & Paykel with Beam handles by Powersurge, the appliances here are by Miele. The mouthblown Parison pendant lights are by Cheshire Architects for Resident and the Kashmir chairs are by Simon James for Resident.