The beauty of Waiheke Island speaks for itself, so we created an inspiring, comfortable couples retreat that worked with the breathtaking natural landscape around it in every possible sense. From locally sourced materials to using the view itself as a design feature, every inch of this home tells its own story and reflects the community it sits within. A sense of calm now flows through what was once a dull and unappreciated space, and whether visitors are staying for a weekend or a fortnight they leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, having formed a real connection with the island. This transformation entailed a refurbishment of the entire property, including a full renovation of the kitchen and bathrooms, following which the rental price more than tripled, shooting from $150/night to $500.

Given the extent of this renovation, minimising environmental impact was at the forefront of the project’s agenda.

The heart of this home is the landscape in which it sits, so it was a natural choice that as much of the material as possible be locally sourced or upcycled. The wood used for several landscaping aspects was taken from fallen trees in the surrounding bush, the stone was primarily gathered from the local quarry and many outdoor design features were made entirely from repurposed existing materials. One example of this was an original cauldron from a chocolate factory, which was given new life as a large planter near the front of the property. Internally, materials from the demolished walls were given new life as doors, shelves, and wardrobes, and existing electrical fittings were replaced with more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternatives. And the beauty of this project was not skin deep..all finishes were natural and non-toxic and sourced sustainably.

great artwork and unique pieces are closer than you think.

From stone carved by local Maori artisans to the traditional flax woven into a bespoke light fitting and the artwork spread around the property, every piece comes together to tell a specific story about this home and the land it was built upon. Many feature pieces were created locally with upcycled material, and a new eco-friendly hot water pump replaced the old copper hot water cylinder, which was then