Style tip If you have the room, take a leaf from Laura’s book and set up a place separate from the house to complete work projects.

The windows and door frames are made in Germany and sourced from Dunedin-based UPVC Windows & Doors. Robbie is interested in energy-efficient design and these were a must-have for him, as the UPVC material prevents heat loss and moisture retention. In the childrens’ rooms, the windows tilt and turn to double as doors, allowing easy access to the outdoors.

The living, kitchen and dining area are open-plan, with a cove truss ceiling overhead, chosen as a more cost-effective way of providing the impressiveness of a high stud. A sense of division between the lounge and dining is created through the placement of a low-level display shelf, which houses some of the couple’s collection of books, plants and pottery. The square kitchen island allows for informal dinner parties and gatherings in this central space.

Windows were carefully placed to provide framed views from either end of the open-plan area. From the sofa in the lounge, there are spectacular views to

Coronet Peak, while a kitchen window looks down the bedroom wing towards Gibbston Valley. For Robbie, there is a lovely sense of symmetry in the square windows on the east and west facades of the house.

Being an artist, Laura has a distinctive style that is evident throughout the house. With a great eye for design, a good deal of the furniture is from secondhand shops. In fact, the green sofa was one of the few items Laura and Robbie bought new for this house.

William Morris ‘Seaweed’ wallpaper creates a bright feature in the entrance way, behind a bench with shoe storage hidden below the seat. Lush velvet cushions made by Robbie’s mum Angie complete the look.

Bubble pendants hang from the ceiling in the living area. “I’ve always loved these lights,” says Laura. “We had them in our house growing up and I associate them with interesting houses that have lots of books and art.”

The hallway that runs along the southern side of the house, connecting the bedrooms and bathrooms with

VIEW TO THE FUTURE Laura and Robbie splurged on the windows and door frames, sourced from a local company but made in Germany. Made from UPVC material, the windows and doors prevent heat loss and moisture retention.

WORK SPACE Laura works from a nook lined with plywood in the garage. For inspiration, the window looks over the veggie garden and to the mountains beyond.