Scandi style suits Kiwi family

At my place This renovated 60s home has crisp, light finishes for a restful feel with Nordic flair.

Sharde Smith lives in a Scandinavian-style family home in West Auckland with her husband Vaughan (from ZM’S breakfast radio show Fletch, Vaughan & Megan) and their two daughters, Indie, 5, and August, 3.

Smith runs Indie & August, an online directory which features kids’ clothing and homewares from designers and artisans across New Zealand and Australia, with an emphasis on ‘‘shopping small and supporting original’’.

In 2015, the Smiths overhauled their Te Atatu Peninsula property and transformed the 1960s dwelling from a single level, threebedroom house into a modern four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home.

‘‘We fell in love with Te Atatu Peninsula after we moved here in 2010,’’ Smith said.

‘‘The Peninsula is a great place to bring up children, with amazing local schools nearby and a strong sense of community.’’

Describe your house in two sentences?

The house was originally a singlelevel, three-bedroom, 1960s dwelling.

In 2015, we undertook extensive renovations to create a modernised four-bedroom, twobathroom, family home.

What is the best-kept secret about the area you live in?

Te Atatu Peninsula provides amazing harbour walkways with stunning views back to Auckland city.

During the summer months, there is a local night market with a range of delicacies from the best food trucks Auckland has to offer.

What is your favourite room/ area in the house and why?

At the moment, I would have to say my bedroom.

It’s like our own little sanctuary upstairs, away from the kids and chaos.

I find it a really relaxing and warm space.

I also love this cosy little corner in our lounge.

The armchair is draped with an Icelandic sheepskin and [situated in this spot], it gets so much sunshine – it is the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee and to catch up on emails.

What is your favourite piece?

I love the leather strap shelving feature in the lounge and the girls’ bedroom. It’s so simple, yet eye catching. It’s a great way to showcase trinkets and favourite possessions.

What is one thing you’d like to change?

In hindsight, I probably wouldn’t have gone for a light grey lounge suite. It’s a constant battle trying to keep it clean.

The original three-bedroom 1960s dwelling is now a light, spacious four-bedroom family home, perfect for a growing family.

The walls of Indie and August’s bedroom would be the envy of many a young girl. Sharde Smith with her husband Vaughan Smith and their two daughters, Indie, 5, and August, 3.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Smith says some of the best money they ever spent was ‘‘definitely our entire renovation... it cost less than purchasing a four-bedroom house at the time’’.