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A new-build with a relaxed beachy vibe

Joe and Lisa upcycled the dining table purchased on Trade Me, which harmonises with other timber elements for a cohesive look throughout the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space.

A residential development north of Auckland provided this family with the ideal blank canvas on which to build new

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Who lives here?
Joe Byrne (property developer at Byrne Homes), Lisa Byrne (graphic designer at Bright Creative), Sophie, Jack and Molly the dog.

Lisa, what advice do you have when it comes to being colour confident?
I like the idea of starting with an artwork that you love, and drawing two or three colours from it to use as accents in your soft furnishings. This means it all comes together and looks cohesive. Group objects of similar colours together. Play with shapes and textures but stick to a colour palette, and you can’t really go wrong. And use plants; they add life to a space.

What was the most important thing you wanted to achieve in decorating your home?
Warmth. The timber floors give a lovely sense of warmth and we are so pleased that we went to the extra expense of installing them.

Is there anything you would do differently?
Joe would build a three-car garage to house his ‘project’ VW Beetle and have space for all his other stuff. We’d also love to have a music room to keep all the guitars in – there are quite a few.

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What is the most special thing about your home?
It has a great feel, almost like a bach. Some new houses are a bit impersonal and sterile, but this house feels like a home. When we moved in, we all sat around the table for dinner and our daughter said to us, “This feels like we’re on holiday!”

Text by: Annick Larkin
Photography by: Emma MacDonald

Sophie’s bright bedlinen came from The Warehouse.

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The mix-don’t-match approach has been applied to Jack’s bedroom to dial up the fun factor.

The look is simple but the workmanship that has gone into the master bedroom is anything but. Joe handmade the ply headboard, bedside cabinets and timber iPhone docks that double as alarm clocks.

In Lisa’s office, the corner desk and pegboard cupboards underneath are also courtesy of Joe.

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The cabinet is another Trade Me purchase given a facelift by Lisa, who painted a chevron pattern on the doors.

Joe and Lisa upcycled the dining table purchased on Trade Me, which harmonises with other timber elements for a cohesive look throughout the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space.

Lisa chose to paint the whole interior in Resene ‘Wan White’, providing a neutral backdrop to highlight the turquoise accents used throughout. “I like to have a neutral base that I can add colour to or swap out easily as my tastes change.”

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A wooden crate makes a cute side table with storage inside; the succulent is from Plant Barn.

Sophie made the ‘Keep Calm’ artwork.

The formal lounge is carpeted for cosiness.

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The ply shelving in the entryway is Joe’s interpretation of a design Lisa spotted in an Ikea catalogue.

The crisp white kitchen pays homage to its contemporary surrounds, while the white-painted stools and industrial pendant light lend a more casual vibe.

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