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look book 
The boat shed influence is undeniable here, with the general shape of the building, the bleached wooden floors and the repeated use of slats and louvres.
The kitchen features a very long stainless steel bench, complete with bar stools at one end, and cupboards that slide outwards for maximum storage space.
Resene Double Mondo was chosen for the home's exterior, which is complemented by Resene Sea Fog window frames and slats, and accessorized with giant potted succulents.
A very glamorous boat house
When the owners of this waterfront home told architect Jack McKinney that they wanted a house like a boat shed, it was a good thing that he had worked with them before and knew that they were thinking less along the lines of a rustic shack and more in the direction of a modern masterpiece.
True, the boat shed influence is undeniably there, with the general shape of the building, the bleached wooden floors and the repeated use of slats and louvres, but this is undeniably a very glamorous take on the theme.
Self-confessed "white paint freaks", the owners went for an all-white Resene Sea Fog interior, but to keep with the boat shed theme, they used brown Resene Double Mondo for the exterior. The furniture, fittings and fabrics are almost entirely white, black and stainless steel. A breathtakingly high ceiling, which is floor-to-ceiling glass on the ocean side, is the main focus. The upper half of this glass features large louvres that are electronically controlled from the mezzanine-floor master bedroom. "We can close the louvres at night, but we tend to keep them open because the view of the sky and ocean at night is so beautiful," says one of the owners.
The vast height of the main living area is complemented by giant succulents in oversized pots and huge light fittings. Although there is an abundance of Philippe Starck and white marble, nonetheless there is a distinct beach-house feel to this city home. Several decks, and plenty of outdoor furniture, add to the beachy vibe. One bathroom leads directly onto a deck via bi-fold doors, "so that the kids can run straight in from the beach." Ultimately, this is a family home, and treated as such.
What did you want to achieve with the re-build?
We started off hoping that we could renovate the bungalow that was here when we bought the property, but after talking about it with our architect, Jack McKinney, we realised that it just wasn't going to work. So the whole building came down and we were left with just the floorplate. We built this house on that old existing floorplate, but everything else is new. We wanted something practical, easy-care and low maintenance, and it is!
What was the greatest success?
We love the louvres. And we love living somewhere that gets the sun all day. The open-plan living area is fantastic. It is the best house we've ever lived in.
How would you describe your design style? Beach house. Contemporary. Black and white. We had a lot of guidance from our interior designer, Anna Donaldson, who is now based in Sydney. But we had our own ideas about things too, for example not wanting any tiles in the showers. They all have resin walls and stainless steel bottoms instead.
Why did you choose the colour scheme?
We love all-white interiors, but it was Jack and Anna who helped us choose the specific paint colours. We never forget the name of the white paint, Resene Sea Fog, because it is so appropriate for a seaside home! The French oak floors have been bleached, and the carpet in the bedrooms is undyed natural wool - they both work perfectly with the colour scheme.
Read more: Ian and Sharon's sand and sea-toned escape
Published: 17 Mar 2011
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Easy living at the water's edge
The boat shed influence is undeniable here, with the general shape of the building, the bleached wooden floors and the repeated use of slats and louvres.
pictures
Architect: McKinney+Windeatt Architects http://www.mwarchitects.co.nz/
View from the top
The view from the mezzanine floor master bedroom, of the boat ramp, beach and Rangitoto Island.
Kitchen confidential
The kitchen features a very long stainless steel bench, complete with bar stools at one end, and cupboards that slide outwards for maximum storage space.
Open-air bathing
One of the downstairs bathrooms opens directly onto a side deck, so that bathers can go directly from beach to bath.
All lined up
The slats alongside the stairs make them child-friendly, visually interesting, and an effective way to hide a storage cupboard.
A modern boathouse
Resene Double Mondo was chosen for the home's exterior, which is complemented by Resene Sea Fog window frames and slats, and accessorized with giant potted succulents.
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
