Houzz Tour: New Zealand Beach Home Borrows Boathouse Style
A new build on the Kapiti Coast provides a year-round home for a couple plus room for their family and friends
A house by the sea in New Zealand is a definite magnet for summertime visitors. But when Helen Novak and Peter Williams told architectural designer Peter Davis what they wanted for their new beach house, they were thinking beyond vacations. The couple sought a full-time home that suited just the two of them but that also could welcome visiting friends and grandchildren — and one that could be adapted for their grown kids to move back home if needed as well.
To accomplish this, Davis designed what is essentially an apartment for the couple on the top floor of a two-story North Island house that takes advantage of the stunning views and sunsets of the Kapiti Coast, and is an easy commute from Wellington. On the ground floor, in a simple and unadorned style, is everything that members of the extended family need when they come to stay.
To accomplish this, Davis designed what is essentially an apartment for the couple on the top floor of a two-story North Island house that takes advantage of the stunning views and sunsets of the Kapiti Coast, and is an easy commute from Wellington. On the ground floor, in a simple and unadorned style, is everything that members of the extended family need when they come to stay.
The central stairwell is a light-filled pivot for the house. Davis tucked a study nook on the generous landing to capture views over the side deck out to a reserve. Novak had a local wood mill make the desk out of a slab of macrocarpa wood. She chose colors that complement the green of the bush and the blue of the sea.
A light-colored American oak floor creates the relaxed beach atmosphere she was after, a background for the statement wallpapers and splashes of beachy blues in their decorating. The Kina lampshade from David Trubridge was Novak’s big indulgence, and it creates the effect the couple wanted in their entry.
Flooring: Timspec; wallpaper: Guthrie Bowron
A light-colored American oak floor creates the relaxed beach atmosphere she was after, a background for the statement wallpapers and splashes of beachy blues in their decorating. The Kina lampshade from David Trubridge was Novak’s big indulgence, and it creates the effect the couple wanted in their entry.
Flooring: Timspec; wallpaper: Guthrie Bowron
An open kitchen-dining area is at the front of the house on the top floor. The island is a great gathering spot for the cook and helpers. Davis covered the soaring ceilings with a grooved, white-painted lining, repeating it on the soffit of the gable on the alfresco dining deck.
The blue-green bar stools, a find from Early Settler Furniture, were the jumping-off point for Novak’s boathouse decorating scheme. She had the color matched for the glass backsplash and used variations of it through the house.
The blue-green bar stools, a find from Early Settler Furniture, were the jumping-off point for Novak’s boathouse decorating scheme. She had the color matched for the glass backsplash and used variations of it through the house.
The kitchen designers left gaps above the cabinetry around the fridge and the oven so that the eye travels along the pitch of the ceiling. The door behind leads to a shelf-lined pantry. Novak mixed new pieces with family treasures to get the relaxed “modern rustic” mood she was after.
Cabinetry: Kitchen Creators
Cabinetry: Kitchen Creators
Heat pumps were installed for winter, but the house is designed to be thermally efficient, with extra-thick wall and ceiling framing to allow for additional insulation. Novak and Williams also installed a wood fireplace (out of view) in the living area, with storage nooks for both rooms. There is nothing they love more than hunkering down on a stormy day in front of the fire, watching the clouds roll and the waves pound.
Wicker chairs: Early Settler Furniture; dining table: Freedom Furniture
Wicker chairs: Early Settler Furniture; dining table: Freedom Furniture
The living room, at the back of the house, gets sunshine from all angles. It has views to the sea on one side and the reserve on the other. Sliding doors open onto the deck, also accessible from the dining room. A fresh seaside color scheme reflects the distant ocean views. Novak and Williams love the durable wicker chairs that move between the indoors and out, depending on the crowd and the weather. Novak says she had fun finding bargains to mix with her more expensive pieces.
Wall paint: Half Benmore, Dulux; rug: EziBuy; floral sofa: Bradfords Interiors; coffee and lamp tables: Freedom Furniture; pendant light: Brien Electrical
Wall paint: Half Benmore, Dulux; rug: EziBuy; floral sofa: Bradfords Interiors; coffee and lamp tables: Freedom Furniture; pendant light: Brien Electrical
Williams and Novak, who have worked with Davis on other houses and commercial properties, wanted to create a luxurious retreat for themselves in their new home. Their master bathroom collects late-afternoon sun, perfect for a post-swim soak. Novak says that the minute she spotted the textured tiles, she had worked out her color scheme. The washed oak vanity repeats the oak flooring used in the living spaces.
Wooddust tile: Tile Warehouse; Ravani vanity, bathtub and fixtures: Mico
Wooddust tile: Tile Warehouse; Ravani vanity, bathtub and fixtures: Mico
The master bedroom at the front of the house gets morning sun as well as a view of the neighboring bush and the distant Akatarawa Ranges. The soft gray-blue paint changes color with the light. Novak found the vintage dresser in local antiques store Madame Treacle-Tart and was then thrilled to find bedside tables from the EziBuy catalog.
Pendant light: Brien Electrical; wall paint: Half Blue to You, Dulux
Pendant light: Brien Electrical; wall paint: Half Blue to You, Dulux
To reduce the bulk of the building, Williams and Novak were clear that they did not want any “modern statement” architecture, eschewing the popular mono-pitch or faux Mediterranean style of neighboring mansions. From the front, you can see where Davis created two smaller gabled wings, setting back the entrance and second garage to give the facade interest.
The long deck — including a covered porch seen in the first photo — opens up over the north side of the house to take in the views of the park, sea and sunsets.
Here you can see the H shape of the house, which creates a nicely sheltered back terrace. This is the Wellington region, and some wind is a given. The building is on an elevated site, so Davis optimized the changes in land levels to join the upper floor to a huge west-facing deck. Since the house overlooks a reserve, Novak and Williams can make the most of the views and the established native coastal plants.
Dark-stained cedar clapboards make a striking background for the coastal colors, and they hint at the rural barn finishes up and down this craggy coast. Copper downspouts and thermally broken aluminum-framed windows with argon-filled, low-emissivity double glass panes complete the salt-resistant materials palette. Underground storage tanks were also installed to collect rainwater for toilets and garden irrigation.
Dark-stained cedar clapboards make a striking background for the coastal colors, and they hint at the rural barn finishes up and down this craggy coast. Copper downspouts and thermally broken aluminum-framed windows with argon-filled, low-emissivity double glass panes complete the salt-resistant materials palette. Underground storage tanks were also installed to collect rainwater for toilets and garden irrigation.
The owners and their extended family are delighted with the house. Evening views from the dining area are their favorite.
Teak table and wicker chairs: Early Settler Furniture
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Teak table and wicker chairs: Early Settler Furniture
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Helen Novak and Peter Williams
Location: Kapiti Coast, North Island, New Zealand
Size: 3,121 square feet (290 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Peter Davis of AD Architecture, with architectural technicians Jonathan Jones and Mike Robertson
Since the view to the sea is off to the side and over neighboring rooftops, Davis flipped the traditional floor plan to put the huge and welcoming living room, dining area and kitchen — along with the couple’s master suite and study nook — on the top floor. Novak and Williams call this their “one-bedroom apartment,” a self-contained area when they’re alone in the house.
Downstairs (not shown here) are two more bedrooms and another bathroom, a snug sitting area with its own north-facing deck, and the utility room.