“There’s a soothing, grounding quality to these colours, which is really nice to bring into a home to help to calm the stresses of everyday life.”

Luckily, key architectural details such as the ceiling and a three-quarter wall with built-in fireplace had survived, and Erena and Joe were excited about its potential. They already had one renovation behind them, a 1960s brick house they’d completed largely on their own over a period of four years.

“From that experience, we learned what we were capable of, and that living in a home for a while before you can afford to change it is actually a blessing in disguise,” says Erena. “We had to do the same with this house, and now some of the original features that I disliked when we moved in are some of my favourite things – I’d never want to change them.”

A larger renovation is on the cards as time and money allows, and plans have already been drawn up. In the meantime, phase one has focused on revitalising the kitchen and living area, getting rid of unwanted carpet and other fittings, and updating the original features, a process Erena describes as “more of a makeover”. With the assistance of Joe’s dad Charles, a “master handyman”, they’re tackling this stage themselves. (They’re also in the process of having a guesthouse built, to rent out.) •

The single-level, cedar-clad house was designed by Rodney as two separate wings, one for living and the other for sleeping, with the entry and a courtyard in between. At the end of a long driveway, with a tree-filled gully on two sides, it’s a tranquil oasis in a busy suburb a couple of blocks from the Waikato River.

Inside, the combination of subtle colours and textures is clearly the work of a skilled stylist. The walls in the living areas are painted in Resene Black White and the concrete floors in Resene Eighth Joss. The three-quarter wall dividing this space is exposed brick Erena softened with a dabbed-on paint and plaster effect. “My colour palette is very much earthy neutrals with the odd pop of colour,” she says. “There’s a soothing, grounding quality to these colours, which is really nice to bring into a home to help to calm the stresses of everyday life.”

Erena describes her style influences as “a blend of Japanese, Scandi and Italian. I think our house lends itself to these styles too, which is probably why I love it so much.”

She pairs mid-century modern pieces with second-hand finds that she often transforms with the help of local upholsterer •

ABOVE The décor in the master bedroom includes a light shade by Etsy makers Viwei, a wall hanging by The Dharma Door, artwork by Samantha Totty and a Bauhaus pillowcase by The Vallentine Project for a spot of colour. The stool, dresser and table lamp came from Trade Me.OPPOSITE In the office, a chair from Retro Addiction has been re-covered in an easy-clean microfibre velvet. Its tonal teammates include a Sinnerlig pendant light from Ikea, a lamp spotted on eBay and an artwork by Bobby Clark, which Erena says is her “pride and joy”. The f loor here is in the slightly lighter Resene Quarter Parchment.

ABOVE & OPPOSITE The curve of the ceiling is echoed in the repeated use of circles and semi-circles throughout the home, from tables and chairs to stools and mirrors. Decorating the wall in the master bedroom are ceramic hooks by Renée Boyd Ceramics from Paper Plane, a bag by Jade & Gems and a hat by Lack of Color. The hat pictured opposite is another Lack of Color style, the robe is from Blackbird Goods and the woven basket is a memento from a trip to Melbourne. The bed frame and cane dressing table were purchased from – you guessed it – Trade Me.