Chill-out zones in a city bach
My favourite room The owners set out to redesign the garden - and ended up building a whole new house with a relaxed urban vibe.
When Angie and Richard Gawith decided to redesign their large garden near Cuba St in central Wellington three years ago, little did they realise how extensive that revamp would be. Not only did the couple acquire a new garden – they ended up with a new house too.
It was when the landscaper was quoting on the job that they wondered why they didn’t just build a new home in the large section at the rear of their villa. ‘‘So after entertaining that idea for a period, we did,’’ says Richard.
David Melling of Melling Architects came up with the idea of a ‘‘city bach’’ that appealed to the Gawiths, so they commissioned a new three-level house on the rear of the property (their old villa is now being rented out) with a simple, minimalist look – white walls and ceilings, polished American oak floors and polished concrete floors, which Angie says ‘‘go with anything’’.
Their spacious kitchen and dining room features a mixture of art, antiques and cutting-edge industrial pieces that team beautifully with the neutral backdrop, that opens out onto a modern, low-maintenance garden, designed by landscape architect Mark Newdick.
What was your vision for this area?
We wanted the space to have excellent natural light – that was a priority for us, as in the past we had lived in a villa that did not have good natural light.
We also wanted a minimalistic feel, and I do not like clutter so it was important that we had good storage, hence there is a lot of cupboard space in the kitchen as well as cupboards under the windows in the lounge – extremely handy!
What are some of the key features of this space?
There are three areas, which each have enough space that we don’t feel cramped; for example, we have a large dining table that seats eight people, which works well.
Having outdoor flow was also important for outdoor living. The balcony is not large but with the doors open it works well.
How would you describe your decorating style?
It is lived-in and unfussy. I love concrete, leather and wood that all last a lifetime.
My style is very practical; we have grandchildren and so I love them just to be able to spread out, play games, do crafts and have fun. I do not like to be precious about material items.
What furnishings and finishes have you used in this space?
German Kitchens in Wellington designed the stainless steel benches and black cabinetry in the kitchen; the butterfly bar stools and light over the kitchen bench came from ECC.
The dining table came from Belle Interiors in Christchurch and the chairs were bought at Mckenzie & Willis and spraypainted black to match the kitchen cabinetry. The polished concrete are extremely easy-care.
What do you like best about this space?
Richard and I both love simple and comfortable spaces, and this area is very comfortable (and extremely warm).
Plus, with the natural light and concrete floors, gives it a really nice feeling. We are always happy to come home, when I walk upstairs and enter this space I just instantly relax – I really love it !