Photography: Babiche Martens
Anna Lee and Nic Mayhew will spend Christmas morning, just the two of them, sharing a quiet moment with a coffee on the sprawling deck of their gorgeous Pūhoi property, before the day “rapidly unravels” in the most wonderful way.
“The quiet coffee is our little tradition,” says Anna. “Just the two of us, a moment of calm before the storm.”
The couple spend the day dashing between families – starting with Anna’s small, close-knit clan for lunch, then joining Nic’s much larger tribe for an afternoon of food, festivities and six squealing nieces and nephews. This year’s Christmas will feel a little different. It’s the first without Nic’s dad, John – the former All Blacks doctor known to everyone as “Doc” – who passed away suddenly in April.
“He was the quiet strength in the chaos,” Anna says. “He made sure everyone’s glass was full. There’s definitely going to be an empty space where he should be.”
Home profile
Meet and greet: Anna Lee (lifestyle and beauty editor) and Nic Mayhew (real estate agent) and Charlie the cocker spaniel.
The property: Renovated 1950s four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two lounge, one office property in Pūhoi, Auckland.
Anna will set the table with her grandma’s silver cutlery and other little touches that serve as a nod to loved ones who’ve passed. They’ll also raise a toast to those who are no longer here to celebrate. And for dessert, Anna takes on her grandma’s title as the “meringue queen”, serving a pavlova piled high with cream and berries, while Nic revels in his love of “meats within meats within meats” – duck-fat potatoes, turducken and pigs in blankets.
The couple don’t take it for granted that festive celebrations will start in their own home this year, as for over a decade, Nic’s rugby career took them all over the world – from Auckland to Canberra, Leeds to New York – with Charlie the dog often in tow.
“We’ve lived in, set up and packed down more homes than we can count,” says Anna.
“We’ve shipped furniture and homewares across continents and back again. Through all that, we learned exactly what we love and what we don’t in a home.”
When Nic retired from rugby – having also completed a degree in property – they were ready to put down roots. They’d already tackled a few renovations, but were hunting for a bigger project when they saw the property in Pūhoi, just north of Auckland.
“As soon as we wandered down the long driveway and glimpsed the house through the oak trees, we knew. We’d been inside for barely 30 seconds before we both knew it was the one. We fell in love with the idea of a slower pace, which is a stark contrast to our busy day-to-day life. I wanted to create a world where I can lean into life at full-throttle, but also have a bolt-hole of total calm to retreat to.”
The four-bedroom home had been a beloved family residence, brimming with personality.
“The previous owner was an artist. The exterior was yellow with a green roof. The main bedroom was hot pink, the hallway was Barney the Dinosaur purple, the lounge was green and the kitchen was burnt red. I definitely needed a palate cleanser,” Anna says.
They moved in just before Christmas 2019 and launched into renovations almost immediately. Then life intervened – Nic headed to Japan, and soon after, they relocated to New York for work. Despite the interruptions, over the next few years, they transformed the house from top to bottom.
“We stripped out every ceiling, replaced the floors, painted every wall and windowsill, ripped out the kitchen and bathrooms, put in underfloor heating, landscaped the grounds and replaced the roof,” says Anna.
“We’ve learnt from past experience to use experts for things like wiring and plumbing, but we did a lot of the work ourselves – endless nights of sanding, painting, hauling debris and choosing the perfect white paint. It was exhausting but so satisfying.”
Winter was particularly brutal. “There were weeks with no floor or ceiling, and we’d eat takeaways night after night because we didn’t have a kitchen. Every time we renovate, I say, ‘never again,’ but honestly, I’d do it all over.”
The result is a home that balances classic charm with modern comfort. “We wanted it to feel timeless and relaxed – classic and country but still fresh.” The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is the heart of the home.
“The kitchen used to be tiny,” says Anna. “Now it’s big and open, with a farmhouse sink I’d always dreamed of and a beautiful Perrin & Rowe brass tap that I fell in love with, in spite of the price tag. I don’t regret it for a minute.”
To Nic’s dismay, Anna convinced him they also needed Perrin & Rowe fittings in the bathroom. The renovation has created the kind of space the pair had envisioned – a home that can handle the noise and laughter of visiting family but also provide peace when it’s just the two of them.
Anna’s renovation hacks
Always get three quotes: It’s amazing how prices can vary – and sometimes the cheapest isn’t the best. Multiple quotes give perspective and negotiating power.
Tradies are everything: Don’t skimp on experience. A skilled, passionate, reliable tradie can save you a lot of time, stress and money in the long run.
Do it once, do it right: Cutting corners leads to heartbreak down the track. Think long-term: better to spend more time and money upfront than redo later.
Test pots are your best friends: Yes, there are really that many shades of white, and they do look slightly different. Always try before you commit.
Splurge on key elements: If your budget allows, invest in the things that either bring you joy, you use frequently, or make the most impact.
Tiny details make a big difference: Even small choices, like replacing standard trims with brass ones at the hardwood-to-carpet transitions, can elevate the entire space.
“It’s functional and practical, yet calm. Everything has a purpose. There’s room for projects, for guests, for life.”
Anna’s favourite spot is the living-dining zone that spills out to the deck, where the couple enjoy long breakfasts, evening wine, and the soundtrack of tūī, kingfisher and kererū in the surrounding trees.
“It’s the best of both worlds. The buzz of the city when we need it, and total stillness when we don’t.”
As for the future, Anna and Nic aren’t sure. “We bought this thinking it would be our forever home,” says Anna, “but lately, we’ve been getting the itch to start another renovation. That, or put in a pool here. We’ll see. For now, it’s perfect.”
Home Truths
High-end or bargain buys? I don’t like things that are poorly made or disposable. There’s so much beauty in quality craftsmanship, and choosing well also reduces environmental impact and supports ethical production. We invest in pieces that will stand the test of time.
Any renovation disasters? I didn’t like the colour of the roof – it was green but faded to white in patches. We couldn’t justify replacing it, as it was in great condition, so we had it recoated. Within about three years, it was flaking off, so we replaced it. We should have just bitten the bullet in the first place. I was on the hunt for the perfect clawfoot bath and spent months scouring Trade Me for the perfect one. After a late-night bidding battle and paying more than I had planned to, we finally got the (heavy) cast-iron tub all the way home – only to find it was 1cm too big to fit. Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. The lesson? Measure twice, buy once.
Any saves or Splurges? We splurged on Perrin & Rowe tapware, hardwood flooring, ultra-plush carpet and underfloor ducted heating. We saved on: demolition and labour, including painting.
Most memorable experience? Snuggling up with a red wine under a perfectly clear, starry sky, roasting marshmallows on a bonfire. The stars out here are something else.
Anna Lee’s home before the renovation
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