A 1910 Villa Renovation
Built in 1910, this well-loved home in Auckland’s Mount Eden is an exquisite example of a traditional villa – high ceilings, intricate detailing, wide hallways, and of course, those beautiful curves. The bones of the home had stood the test of time; however, the interiors were worn, cold, and dated.
Our clients were deciding whether to ‘tidy up’ and sell the Villa or undertake a significant renovation project to give the home a new life. They decided on the latter.
“The existing interiors of the villa were very cold and uninviting, and the kitchens and bathrooms were tired. We decided to address the full interior including the kitchen, bathrooms, living area, and fireplace, with new flooring, paint and soft furnishings throughout.“
Adapting to life in a global pandemic, the function of their home had changed – now they needed to accommodate a work-life balance with children studying, all under one roof.
“They wanted a home to be proud of, that was comfortable and unique. We wanted to balance these home comforts with elements of luxury and indulgence.”
We wanted to pay homage to the home’s long history by restoring the original heritage features – adding to the narrative of the home rather than erasing it.
Finding a balance between classic and contemporary was an important part of building the story – with chapters from the past, and the present. We took the kitchen in a more contemporary direction with oak veneer cabinetry and a marble island, we felt the squareness of these forms balanced the soft and ornate forms of the existing architecture.
It was important that the new design of the home be timeless and enduring, so a material palette of natural stones and timbers, as well as beautiful bronze fixtures, were used to give the home a new sense of permanence.
“There was original timber flooring in the hallway which transitioned to carpet, which then transitioned to another timber floor. We decided to run European Oak with a custom finish throughout all these key areas. This added so much warmth and flow throughout the home.”
In the living area, our client wanted a space that was much more functional – to be used for both entertaining and relaxing. Again, timber flooring replaced the old carpet, and the furnishings and layout were given a contemporary refresh.
“We installed a large custom, feather-filled corner sofa and added bespoke cabinetry to flank the feature fireplace.”
The new design features a luxurious Arabescato marble hearth with a custom-designed surround.
“We explored squarer, staggered shapes to play off against the softness of the original skirting boards, and kept the mantle narrow so that it didn’t protrude too heavily.”
Timeless in its aesthetic, the fireplace anchors the space, designating a gathering point for the family to come together.
“The new fireplace is an anchor, a focal point in the living space that creates tone and solace. The added dimension of the custom hearth and surround brings another layer of materiality and proportion to the room. Not to mention, atmosphere to the home."
You can read more about our fireplace in this journal and this Escea interview here.