MASTER SUITE

The master bedroom is one of Justine’s favourite parts of the house. She wanted a moody vibe but didn’t want the room to feel

gloomy during the day. “With loads of windows for natural light, my floating sheer curtains and the dark navy walls, I think I’ve come up with

a winning combo,” she says. “I feel like I’m on holiday when I shut the door in here.” Dion created the recess above the bed which offers a handy

shelf as well as supplying illumination from hidden LED strip lighting.

THE MUDROOM

Living on a lifestyle block with three kids can be messy, so a mudroom was a necessity for the van Kekems. The family can traipse from the garage straight into the mudroom and laundry, casting off their gumboots and dropping dirty sports uniforms, jackets and muddy socks into the wash. “It’s great having a spot for the kids’ school bags and gear so they aren’t just dumped on my kitchen floor,” says Justine.

With their growing kids now more interested in a quick shower than a bath, the couple opted to place the bathtub in their ensuite instead. It looks fantastic mounted on a wooden platform, but this feature came about by mistake rather than by design.

“We hadn’t put the floor waste for the bath in the correct place prior to pouring the concrete. So we came up with the idea of raising it up with a timber platform. Turns out it was an amazing alternative that we love!” says Justine.

THE OUTDOORS

Every entertainer’s home needs an outdoor living room and this one takes the cake. A big barbecue, bar fridge, long sofa, hanging chair and a fire pit (made out of the end of an old pressure tank) make this space party-ready at the drop of a hat – no matter the weather.

“We love this space on those super-hot days,” says Justine. “It’s sheltered from the sun most of the day and then you get those late-afternoon rays pouring in. It also means we can still use the space when unpredictable weather sets in, which happens way too often here in Christchurch!”

FUTURE PLANS

For the van Kekems, this house is home for at least the next 10 years but they’re not resting on their laurels. Next up? A swimming pool.

> Find the things you love from this home on page 144.

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KIDS’ BEDROOMS Annabelle, Brooklyn and Scarlett’s rooms are all fun spaces. Brooklyn’s wooden wall is the same oak veneer ply used in the hall and dining area. The leopard-print effect in Scarlett’s room was created with decals made by Justine’s sister.

OUTDOORS The van Kekem house was designed to be both a family home and the ultimate entertainer’s pad, so naturally the large outdoor living space is ideal for small family barbecues and large gatherings alike.