From the interior designer:

An extensive renovation of this 22ha rural farm outside Ōtautahi, a 1980s red brick house, transforms it into an understated, relaxed family homestead.

The existing farm had been overgrown and overrun with trees and rats, with just a small red brick farmhouse for a dwelling.

I collaborated with Figure and Ground architectural designer Simon Johnson and Gregg Architectural Builders to create this modern reinvention.

What remains of the original home is the brickwork (now bagged and whitewashed), some internal framing and the basic roofing structure.

The rest is created around this hub – with the old house running through the middle.

The project included adding volume to the living room, as well as introducing an oversized double garage, mud room, pool and pool & gym house, equipped with sauna.

Armstrong Interiors oversaw all aspects of the interiors.

The approach to the design was to create a sanctuary – an expression of the owner’s personality and passions.

Essentially, we wanted to follow a design philosophy that whispers rather than screams luxury.

For example, the rustic beams in the lounge were sourced from France and were also used around farm entranceways.

They tie effortlessly into the setting.

The new extension of the casual fire lounge – a room with gabled ceilings and expansive windows, has timber ceilings and a Mooi design centre light.

Accompanying Ralf Laureen cushions and woollen throw to enhance the feeling of homestead.

The mantle above the fireplace is in a combination of marble tiles and sandstone natural large format tiles.

The kitchen, complete with large 3m island boasting a Calacatta Macchia Vecchia honed marble top, is the feature of the home.

This includes seating and a separate bar area.

Built on the north side of the large renovated barn of 400m2 is an art studio and sports bar, with windows that bi fold back to enjoy the sun and farmland views with the paddocks of Herefords close by.

The landscaping outside the living and pool areas, along with the gardens of the home, were formed by Armstrong Interiors.

Initially, large macrocarpa shelter belts blocked the light and the views of the Southern Alps.

These have all been taken out so the owners can enjoy all the seasons of light across the property.

The land has a large oak tree and a large lime tree that we estimate to be 150 years old – that’s really special.

So it was really important that we honoured those trees and made a feature of them around the new extensions.