Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/7 | Page 15

The stone wall forms the spine of the house, defining the east-west axis. It extends the entire length of the main building and is flanked by the timber walkway that connects with a separate self-contained guest wing. “This stone is part of the contemporary building aesthetic of the Margaret River region,” says Rodrigues. “Here, it forms the dominant feature of the interior – all the interior spaces are aligned with this wall. And we have placed uplights on the floor to highlight the stone at night.” The architect says the wall was left as uncluttered as possible. For this reason there are no overhead cabinets in the galley-style kitchen, which is the social centre of the house. However, the owners did request a long window that doubles as a splashback. This provides a glimpse of the picturesque bushland on the south side of the house. A long island and matching perimeter cabinets reinforce the horizontal axis. The cabinetry along the wall appears to extend through the glass door to the timber deck where it forms an outdoor kitchen with a separate cooktop. Rodrigues says the lines between inside and out are deliberately blurred, with the covered deck functioning as a key part of the living area. “The deck, on the northeast side of the house, floats across the landscape overlooking the stream and bush, and a swimming pool at the side. Because most of the bad weather comes from the opposite direction, it is very sheltered, so it can be enjoyed all year round.” search | save | share at my.trendsideas.com 13