Christmas at this gorgeous Dunedin villa is a cool, crisp, pine-scented affair like a Norwegian wood in winter
In a nutshell
Who lives here?
Sandy Cubitt (interior designer and owner of Moi on George), Allan Cubitt (consultant), Annabelle, 16, and Judge the Scottish terrier.
Sandy, what’s on your Christmas Day menu?
I always bake a ham with cloves and pineapple; Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it. We always have carrots and ginger sauce which is a family favourite. My eldest daughter is a baker so we have new treats every year but I always make sure there are chocolate eclairs and a pavlova dripping in cream and covered with chocolate flake and strawberries.
What creative gift-wrapping ideas do you use?
I like all of the presents to be wrapped in similar paper and ribbon. I find a paper I like and just go from there.
How does your family spend Christmas Day?
We are a very close blended family. We have all of our seven children and three grandchildren living back in Dunedin after coming and going over the years. But somehow there has only ever been two years in the past 28 when there has been someone missing. The children know how much I love Christmas and we basically spend the whole day and night together.
As the owner of Moi on George, can you tell us what’s on-trend this festive season?
Scandinavian Christmas is on-trend with a lot of concrete planters, wooden decorations and marble everything!
When you first saw the house, what did you fall in love with?
The sea views from the kitchen and deck and the magnificent garden.
Festive style secrets
- Create a rustic, minimalistic and cosy Christmas using natural elements paired with black and white.
- If you want to add some colour, try fabric tree ornaments, felt garlands or metallic paint-dipped pine cones. “I like white and natural. I like industrial design but I have softened these features with soft fabric and accessories,” says Sandy.
- Simplicity is key to pulling off this look, so ensure you keep the Christmas table decoration clean and uncomplicated.
Words by: Annick Larkin
Photography by: Emma MacDonald
A miniature tree, wooden decorations, pine cones, nuts and candles create a woodland setting on a silver platter.
David Trubridge pendant lights, a Murray Grey cowhide and a Noguchi coffee table feature in the living room.
‘Swallows’ wallpaper is a calm and classic choice for the master bedroom.
On the dining table a runner of greenery and styled place settings continue the back-to-nature theme
The concrete hearth is decorated with a simple vignette of branches and candles.
May Time house decorations sit amid simply wrapped gifts.
Sandy at the threshold of her Dunedin villa.
A tailor-made cabinet acts as a display case for glassware and ceramics.
A silver cake stand by CC Interiors (from Sandy’s shop Moi on George), with a bell vase on top, holds Christmas cookies.
Decoration is simple yet effective such as the Catherine David Design cross used creatively as a vase and the homemade festive scene on the hall dresser.
Decoration is simple yet effective such as the Catherine David Design cross used creatively as a vase and the homemade festive scene on the hall dresser.
Marble wall and floor tiles from Spazio Casa and copper accessories from Moi on George lend a luxurious look to the ensuite
The glass shower divide makes the room feel open and spacious, while silver fittings from Mico Wakefield add a modern look.
In the family bathroom the clawfoot bath and vintage mirrors echo the home’s history.
With an ornate oriental side table adding an exotic touch.
In Annabelle’s room a Le Forge bed, retro blankets, vintage artwork and a modern chair work well as an eclectic ensemble.
On the wall a little cabinet provides a glimpse back into childhood.
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