This spectacular spot on Kawau Island is proof that good things take time. Take a tour through the bach that’s been 60 years in the making
A 1960s boat shed is upgraded to the perfect family bach
Summer at the family bach on Kawau Island is a relaxed, low-key affair for Hilary West and the wider West clan. This is their happy place, somewhere to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of inner-city living.
The stunning waterfront property at Vivian Bay is almost 10,000 square metres and has been in Hilary’s family since her great-uncle purchased it in the 1950s. The original site was established in the 1950s with a boatshed – a simple structure of unlined long-run roofing and fibre cement cladding, with plywood patch pieces near the entry. “It was basic, glamping of sorts – but it wasn’t much better than a tent,” laughs Hilary.
The boatshed used to stand at the top of the path leading from the beach. A one-room homestead was added in 1968 and served as the family’s only accommodation for more than 45 years.
Q&A
Where have you saved money?
No couch. Instead, we created built-in daybeds which allowed us to build less area in the ‘beach shed’, saving on construction costs.
Splurges?
The large, front-stacking sliding doors. They take in all the view and allow a large indoor-outdoor flow zone.
Best buy?
Coast New Zealand’s Isla Collection beanbags. They’re so versatile for the bach and are easily moved around.
Best lesson learned?
Building on an island is expensive! The labour costs to move all the materials by hand were prohibitive.
Style tips
- Take your style cue from the context of your site. Nature featured heavily because of the bach’s location and outlook.
- For fixed items keep to a neutral palette to ensure they stay timeless. It’s then easy to accessorise with on-trend colours each year.
- Mix new with old to create a unique personality for your spaces. We saved retro 1950s and 1960s pieces from the old bach to display in our kitchen. The art wall is a collection of old maps of the property, beach-scene photography, construction photos, current family photos, artwork of the bay done by guests, and shells and feathers collected from the beach and bush.
Discover the full story behind this beloved family bach here.
Beanbags are a West family essential – ideal for relaxing in and soaking up those sea views.
The stunning waterfront property at Vivian Bay has been in Hilary’s family since the 1950s.
The original site was established in the 1950s with a boatshed – “It was basic, glamping of sorts – but it wasn’t much better than a tent,” laughs Hilary.
The vinyl plank flooring matches the silvered timber decking outside and has been used all through the interior.
It was important to Hilary that the living areas had a back-to-basics vibe.
Mix new with old to create a unique personality for your spaces.
Plywood has been used extensively, especially in the freestanding cabin for Hilary’s parents, where it creates a warm, cosy feel and connects to the surrounding bush.
Oak ply was reserved for Stan and Joanna’s cabin.
“We built in as much of the furniture and joinery as we could to keep the design uncluttered,” says Hilary.
Hilary’s aim is to create buildings that are simple, timeless and environmentally considerate. The bedrooms are beautiful illustrations of this approach.
The bedrooms were specifically planned to house queen-size beds with basic circulation space – there was no room for anything else.
Hilary chose timber and ply for the cabinetry and other elements as another way to bring the outside in.
With the new-build, it was important to the Wests to keep the back-to-basics feel of a bach, rather than create a city-style house on the island.
The bach comprises 130 square metres of internal space and around 100 square metres of decking.
The overall design aesthetic plays on the original boatshed and borrows colours from the trunks of the surrounding kanuka and manuka.
The interior aesthetic is sympathetic to the surroundings.
Having holidayed here for years, the family knew the best spots to capture the view or watch the sun set.
The boatshed used to stand at the top of the path leading from the beach.
This shed has two views: the ocean to the front and native bush at the back.
The family enjoy sheltered meals out here overlooking the bush.
This is the West’s happy place, somewhere to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of inner-city living.
Resene ‘Black White’ was chosen to keep the spaces light and airy, with warmth introduced through timber, wall art and a collection of family treasures.
The bach is only accessible by boat which meant everything in the kitchen needed to be installed at the same time. “It all had to come on the one barge,” explains Hilary, “there wasn’t the luxury of post-measure stone benches or glass splashbacks.”
The expansive deck and spa pool also feature views out to the sea.
Words by: Annick Larkin. Photography by: Emma MacDonald.
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