Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 13 New Zealand | Page 87

expansive family room, which has a soaring,
double-height, stained-wood ceiling and stone
fireplace – both typical Craftsman inclusions.”
As with the house exterior, the interiors
are repainted in stronger colours – a move that
required a leap of faith by the owners, says Rill.
In keeping with the shift in design style,
the rooms have simpler mouldings and more
panels, as well as entablatures and side casings,
detailing that furthers the handcrafted appeal.
The redesign also overcomes an oppressive
disconnect between the interiors and exteriors.
The front porch and the alfresco area accessed

via French doors off the family room both offer
valuable new connections to the environment,
blurring the line between inside and out.
“Prior to the renovation the rooms were
closed off from each other,” says Rill. “They
were dark, and poorly arranged. Opening visual
as well as physical links to the outdoors is what
really gives the home a fresh lease of life.”
“Now, with extended sightlines and wider
openings, you are never far from glimpses of
green trees or lawn. Connections to nature in
materials, views and spaces are all part of the
Craftsman design aesthetic.”

Top: A new butler’s pantry provides
a convenient buffer between the
dining room and the kitchen. The
owners wanted to be able to close
the kitchen off when entertaining.
Above: While a mix of materials is
appropriate to the Craftsman style,
the kitchen has a more contemporary
appeal. With one owner an avid chef,
the light-toned space features every
modern cooking convenience.

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