Home Tours

A 1930s Piha bach gets a colourful update

Article by Your Home and Garden

Our Living Well columnist Eleanor Cripps gives her Piha bach gets a fresh lick of paint, and in return, creates a new way of life

meet & greet

Eleanor Cripps (cookery writer, photographer and stylist), children Bella, 14, Obi, 10, Archie, six, and poodle Ziggy.

the property

A 1930s 1.5-bedroom bach at Piha, West Auckland.

When Eleanor Cripps first saw the kitchen of this small 1930s bach in Piha, she took it as a sign. Then painted baby pink with mottled cream linoleum, it seemed like a gut punch of nostalgia. “It reminded me, very much so, of the original petite kitchen in which I first started writing my recipe blog,” she says.

There were more good signs. The tiny house was a short walk from the beach – perfect for her three children, who adore surfing – and it was filled with the vintage charm that Eleanor craves. Now, after a colourful makeover that she did all herself, aside from the linoleum kitchen flooring, the cosy home is filled with the sounds of laughter and love.

How would you describe your interior style?

Feminine, vintage and colourful. Colour just makes me happy. I consider myself to be a minimalist, however, it’s still important to me that my home feels lived in with a sense of un-doneness. I’m always trying to find a pleasing balance between the two.

Why did you move into the bach? Has it been a big lifestyle switch?

I’ve lived in Piha for three years, and before that, in Titirangi. I simply feel at ease when I’m surrounded by trees, greenery and the ocean. Now that I’ve experienced the beach lifestyle, I’m not sure I could ever go back to living in the suburbs. The local community has been incredibly welcoming, and many new friendships have been cemented since we’ve lived here. I would describe my kids as being outdoor lovers. If the house is quiet, I know they’ll either be skating, playing basketball, or catching waves in the ocean. I couldn’t imagine a better lifestyle for them.

Talk us through your home makeover – how long did it take?

I moved in just before winter in 2022, and have been slowly painting, restoring, and instilling love into every corner of the home. I didn’t have much budget to work with, and so it’s mostly been cosmetic touches on the inside where possible. I haven’t started on the outside yet.

What was your colour palette inspiration for the makeover?

After going through a recent separation, I wanted the space to feel romantic and feminine, like a love letter to myself. The dark green has a moodiness that I love, and when paired with the soft-cream walls, it creates a nature-inspired palette that welcomes the vintage furniture and artwork.

How did you work to honour those gorgeous character details while updating your bach to something that feels more modern and personal?

I considered removing the wall panelling that lines the bottom half of the living room but thought it could be a neat detail to highlight a contrasting colour effect. I’m so pleased with the result. The same goes with the kitchen. It seemed like such a shame to pull out perfectly good cabinetry that could easily be updated with some fresh paint.

Going with bold sunshine yellow in the kitchen is a brilliant choice. Can you tell us about your decision process?

When I first moved in, I was drawn to the original pink and pale blue kitchen cabinets. This feature was what I loved most about the house. My intention was to update the cabinets by repainting them a very similar colour, but at the last minute, I spontaneously chose bright yellow. I think it’s interesting how at certain times in our lives, we can be intensely drawn to certain colours, and at the time of painting I felt a sudden yearning to bring new life and freshness into the space.

You’re such a wonderful cook and recipe writer. What was on your wishlist for the kitchen?

When it comes to my kitchen, I prefer a simple, small space with just the essentials I need. I knew that I wanted a retro feel, as well as plenty of plants and a lovely, mismatched collection of kitchenware to dot around the window sills and such. I think there’s a lot of character that can be gained from layering different things, old and new. There’s so much beauty in imperfection.

How did you go about creating tranquillity in your bedroom spaces?

I think the easiest way to create a sense of tranquillity in a bedroom is by keeping the space minimal. All I have in my room is a bed, a small open wardrobe, and a few pieces of artwork. A bedside table would be nice to put pretty things on, but the space isn’t big enough for such a luxury. I rarely spend time in my bedroom unless it’s for sleeping or reading, and I love that there’s a clear sense of separation for the restful rituals.

I think we’re all a little jealous of your glorious daybed situation. What pushed you towards that?

Because the house has only 1.5 bedrooms and 57sqm in floor space, I had to get creative with sleeping spaces for my three children. The day bed in the lounge doubles up as my boys’ bedroom at nighttime. There’s a trundler bed underneath that pulls out for my youngest. It’s close quarters for sure, but for now it works, and I enjoy the cosiness it creates between the four of us.

You’re all about bringing ease and presence into a day, especially regarding unplugging digitally and being in the moment. How did that attitude impact your home and your approach to its decor?

It’s important to me that each item in my home is either practical and used often or brings a sense of joy to look at. This applies to the kids’ belongings too. They are happy with a large container of Lego, an arts and crafts basket, and a shelf filled with books to read. We try to keep screens to a minimum, which is relatively easy thanks to the beach being only a five-minute walk away. I do have a small TV with a built in DVD player, and a large selection of DVDs to watch. It’s bit old-fashioned in the day and age of Netflix, etc, but I rather enjoy our movie nights, and the intentionality it brings to movie-watching.

What are your family’s favourite things to do in the home? And what are yours?

My kids love art, and most evenings you’ll find them drawing, painting, or making something crafty, usually at the kitchen table. I’m not into art myself, but you’ll usually find me pottering in the kitchen while they do their thing.

Any tips for contemplating a makeover on a budget?

Live in the space for a bit first, and get a feel for what’s necessary and what could make the biggest impact on a smaller budget. For me, this was painting the walls and putting the new black and white checkered lino in the kitchen. Also, become a pro at scouring for secondhand and vintage finds. Almost everything in my home is pre-loved, sourced from Facebook Marketplace, Trade Me or op-shops.

Is there anything left to do in the home?

I think, to me, the space will never feel finished. It will always be evolving and changing, as I personally grow and evolve in my own life. Practically speaking, I do still need to paint the bathroom – a darker dusty-style pink. I also haven’t started on the outside yet. There’s a bit of panelling that needs fixing up, then I’d love to paint it a quirky retro-inspired colour. I imagine those passing by to say “Look, there’s the yellow house”.