Designed by: Di Henshall Interior Design
Photography by: Jamie Cobel
Designed by Di Henshall, Di Henshall Interior Design
From the interior designer:
A 25-year-old mansion right on the water overlooking Auckland city skyline was designed to be reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa, with classic features and ochre exterior walls with aqua trim.
Our owner, who has been a repeat client for many years with various projects, asked Di Henshall to redesign the house, in a contemporary sense using a black and white palette.
Di Henshall determined that it should evoke the feeling of a sophisticated, New York-style art gallery, using a black and white basic palette.
The designer also added midnight blue, taupe and splashes of colour in artwork and lighting to soften the look.
The floors were re-polished in a rich, dark tone.
Every room was gutted, as were the gardens and extensive grounds, with the roof and exterior walls and windows being painted in a more neutral tone.
The kitchen was shortened in depth to allow a new scullery to be introduced, tucked behind full-height cabinetry in blackened timber veneer.
The cooktop is totally invisible to the eye, enhancing the sleek, modernist appeal of the kitchen and beyond.
Boiler plate was used for both the new fireplaces flanking each end of the ground floor – one in the formal lounge, another in the family room, where reading nooks were built on either side of the fireplace.
The lighting designed for the house was deliberately selected to be art sculptures rather than just task lighting, to stunning effect at night time.
New planting throughout the grounds has reinvigorated the property, along with the creation of a pétanque court on a narrow strip of unused garden overlooking the water.
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Credit List
Interior designerDi Henshall Interior Design | Kitchen designerDi Henshall Interior Design |
CabinetryOak veneer – 2 pac Resene Black Matt finish | Benchtop/splashbackInfinity Extra Statuario Satin |
Kitchen sinkFranke Bolero | Kitchen tapZip HydroTap G5 Celsius All-in-One Boiling and Chilled Filtered Water plus Hot and Cold – in Gun Metal |
CooktopInvisacook 5 Burner | Rangehood cylindersQasair Seneca Java Black |
Oven, warming drawerWolfe | Steam oven/coffee machineMiele |
RefrigerationSub-Zero | Wallpaper (kitchen and pantry bulkheads, back of pantry door and pantry wall)Timber wallpaper – Evenex Paperwall in Black Caviar, by Elton Group |
Door handlesNido Modella lever on long plate – Graphite Nickel | Light switchesClipsal Saturn Zen – Black |
Paint, main wallsResene Alabaster | FloorsExisting |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Winner |
Designed by Di Henshall, Di Henshall Interior Design
From the interior designer:
A 25-year-old mansion right on the water overlooking Auckland city skyline was designed to be reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa, with classic features and ochre exterior walls with aqua trim.
Our owner, who has been a repeat client for many years with various projects, asked Di Henshall to redesign the house, in a contemporary sense using a black and white palette.
Di Henshall determined that it should evoke the feeling of a sophisticated, New York-style art gallery, using a black and white basic palette.
The designer also added midnight blue, taupe and splashes of colour in artwork and lighting to soften the look.
The floors were re-polished in a rich, dark tone.
Every room was gutted, as were the gardens and extensive grounds, with the roof and exterior walls and windows being painted in a more neutral tone.
The kitchen was shortened in depth to allow a new scullery to be introduced, tucked behind full-height cabinetry in blackened timber veneer.
The cooktop is totally invisible to the eye, enhancing the sleek, modernist appeal of the kitchen and beyond.
Boiler plate was used for both the new fireplaces flanking each end of the ground floor – one in the formal lounge, another in the family room, where reading nooks were built on either side of the fireplace.
The lighting designed for the house was deliberately selected to be art sculptures rather than just task lighting, to stunning effect at night time.
New planting throughout the grounds has reinvigorated the property, along with the creation of a pétanque court on a narrow strip of unused garden overlooking the water.
Search similar articles
Credit List
Interior designerDi Henshall Interior Design | Kitchen designerDi Henshall Interior Design |
CabinetryOak veneer – 2 pac Resene Black Matt finish | Benchtop/splashbackInfinity Extra Statuario Satin |
Kitchen sinkFranke Bolero | Kitchen tapZip HydroTap G5 Celsius All-in-One Boiling and Chilled Filtered Water plus Hot and Cold – in Gun Metal |
CooktopInvisacook 5 Burner | Rangehood cylindersQasair Seneca Java Black |
Oven, warming drawerWolfe | Steam oven/coffee machineMiele |
RefrigerationSub-Zero | Wallpaper (kitchen and pantry bulkheads, back of pantry door and pantry wall)Timber wallpaper – Evenex Paperwall in Black Caviar, by Elton Group |
Door handlesNido Modella lever on long plate – Graphite Nickel | Light switchesClipsal Saturn Zen – Black |
Paint, main wallsResene Alabaster | FloorsExisting |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Winner |
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Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
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Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Unavailable
Sorry, this page is not available at this time.