Bridging past and present

DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Vanessa Webb, Dress My Nest Interior Design Studio

Photography by: Olivia Atkinson

Designed by Vanessa Webb,Dress My Nest & Tilt Architecture

From the designer:

Originally designed by Thomas Turnbull in 1896, this villa was relocated from Willis Street during the NZTA Inner City Bypass works in 2005–2006.

Once a series of doctor’s consulting rooms, the residence was reimagined in 2024 into a large family home, requiring a balance between heritage charm and contemporary functionality

Owner requirements

The brief called for a kitchen that felt light and contemporary while still respecting the home’s rich history.

The rest of the home embraces a dark and moody palette, so the kitchen needed to provide contrast – a timeless, neutral space that feels fresh and inviting without being bland.

The green tile splashback reﬂects the deep green hues used in the adjacent spaces; the benchtops are slender and contemporary. — The green tile splashback reﬂects the deep green hues used in the adjacent spaces.

A key challenge was ensuring the kitchen remained visually connected to the surrounding spaces while maintaining a sense of airiness and openness.

Additionally, working within the existing structure required careful integration of modern materials without overshadowing the home’s character.

Design solutions

Dress My Nest collaborated with Tilt Architecture to craft a space that was both dramatic and welcoming, embracing unexpected moments that honoured the villa’s heritage.

Colour drenching played a crucial role, with a green-based grey (Dulux Lyttelton) used in varying depths across the walls, ceiling, and cabinetry to unify the space.

Darker ceilings in adjacent areas created intimacy, enhancing the transition from the moody entryway and grand staircase to the airy family kitchen.

A key material selection was the green tile splashback, chosen because its colour directly reﬂects the deep green hues used in the adjacent hallway, stairwell, and entryway.

This ensured that while the kitchen’s palette leaned more neutral with soft greys, it still felt inherently connected to the rest of the home.

To further tie the kitchen to the historic timber elements, Vida Space Shinokki Preﬁnished Veneer was selected for the island and upper cabinetry, adding warmth and depth.

The island, designed as a ﬂoating volume, features a Dekton benchtop with waterfall ends.

Its natural variation introduces an organic element that softens the contemporary form while maintaining a timeless quality.

A green-based grey was used in varying depths across the walls, ceiling, and cabinetry to unify the space – the rich wood floors are existing — A green-based grey was used in varying depths across the walls, ceiling, and cabinetry to unify the space.

Outcome

The carefully curated material palette and bold use of colour celebrate the villa’s heritage while ensuring the kitchen feels seamlessly integrated into the overall design.

The result is a space that bridges the past and present, offering a reﬁned yet inviting atmosphere for modern family living.

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Credit List

Designer (material selection) Vanessa Webb, Dress My Nest Interior Design Studio	Co-designer/architect (drew the plans and project managed) Greg Shadbolt , Tilt Architecture
Cabinetry Painted finishes – Satin Finish – Dulux Double Lyttelton and Vidaspace Shinnoki Shadow Eucalyptus Prefinished Veneer	Cabinetry hardware Blum Push-to-Open
Benchtops Dekon VK03 Grigio	Splashback Magma Malachite tiles, matt finish, from Tile Space
Taps Uno Gooseneck, from Robertson	Oven Neff, from Kitchen Things
Cooktop Smeg, from Kitchen Things	Refrigeration Mitsubishi
Dishwasher Asko	Flooring Original historically protected timber floor
Lighting Lighting Direct & Vintage	Awards Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended