SHOP THEIR STYLE
This Central Otago home practises hygge right down to the snuggly bean bags, sheepskin throws and wood burner
Honesty box What areas of your build did you save on? Splurge on?
I saved by not buying much new furniture – we only needed a few new pieces. The bricks for the feature wall in the living room were pretty reasonable and my brother Finny did the brick wall free of charge. I spent a bit more on getting great underlay because it makes such a difference underfoot.
Best lesson learned? Always go with your gut feeling. What would you never do again? Any renovation or DIY disasters?
Not a disaster, as such, but as a single mum you become quite good at making flat-pack stuff. I became good at reading the instructions and realising that if you put the screw in wrong it’s not going to end well.
Most memorable experience you’ve had in your home (good or bad)?
Watching the grounds develop and mature, giving us more privacy. Being able to pick fruit from the trees we planted. Every day, coming home from the end of a busy work day is a good one – I love the privacy, space and feel of the house.
Anna’s style tips + Start with a comprehensive Pinterest board
of exterior and interiors that you love. For me, a theme certainly developed. I think I saved a lot of time going back and forth with concepts.
+ Don’t feel you have to buy new furniture for the new house.
I had a lot of older pieces that I worked around the house – I love the mix of old and new together. Many of my bits and pieces were collected from overseas or are family pieces.
+ Getting the advice of an interior designer to tie it all together
was key – I knew the colours I wanted but they worked out the different shades for ceilings and curtains. This was invaluable for the right look and balance.
+ Have a project management company build the house.
this a real weight off my shoulders and it worked out to be costeffective too. We agreed on a set price contract prior to building, and they helped with showing me examples of products available. I was also kept updated when choices had to be made – for example, lighting and flooring. + Plant trees early on. We would bike over before the build started and water and maintain the trees I planted, so that they had started to establish themselves by the time we moved in.