Photography: Helen Bankers
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Meet and greet: Josh (design and innovation leader) and Nathania Milne (founder of The People Place/co-owner and managing director of Beminded NZ) and their children Chiara, seven, and Raphael, four.
The property: Renovated four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom, split-level unit in Kohimarama, Auckland.
The neglected 1960s unit had been compared to “camping in Kohi”. When Auckland househunters Josh and Nathania Milne first saw the property they asked only one question: “What can we do here?”
The couple had spent nearly six years living in a 55sqm apartment where they practised the “art of simple” — not requiring more than one of a kind, or possessing things they would not use within the next two years. The thought of living in a condensed home wasn’t a deterrent, they knew a small space worked well for them.
“Walking into the unit for the first time, we saw an opportunity to live in our dream location at a price we could afford,” says Nathania. They’d been looking for a house that would support a full, yet uncluttered, lifestyle within walking distance from the beach. After a series of setbacks during the pandemic, they now have a child-friendly home that supports simple living.
Beach life
The 160sqm unit is the last in a line of four down a long driveway one street back from the beach. Being south facing, what they were worried about was light and warmth and relied heavily on spatial designers, at.space and architects Mitchell Stout Dodd.
Upgrading the house’s thermal performance and ventilation was a priority.
The unit backed onto common land resembling a small brick courtyard. While they hoped the common land surrounding the units could be turned into private use, there was always the possibility that the neighbours wouldn’t allow it. If this was the case, the couple had to decide before the auction whether they would be happy to share the space directly outside their back door. “It was a risk we were willing to take.”
The family lived in the unit for 18 months before they renovated. “Living in a home before you renovate gives you an understanding of how you want to use space,” says Nathania.
It wasn’t an easy experience at the time, all around them people were going out of business, and all they could do was wait.
“Happiness does not come from what we have” has always been the couple’s philosophy.
Managing time frames
When they did start the renovation, they figured it would take five months. It turned into seven but it “could easily have been double that if Josh didn’t work in the industry”. It was a time when basic framing timber was in short supply and specialist and bespoke products had to be ordered months in advance.
Josh committed 10 hours each week to managing the renovation and they moved in with his parents as the walls were being ripped from the unit. At the time, Gib went off the market (or was available for five times its original price), so they ended up switching to another plasterboard.
All about space
Spatial and interior design specialists, at.space, were asked to create a place of summery calm and light-filled ease, with a particular focus on hospitality and beachside living. “There’s space to enjoy being with our children, a calm space upstairs to entertain adults and a very relaxing outdoor space for us to spend time.”
The final design included three decent-sized bedrooms, a large office, two and a half bathrooms, a separate laundry, two lounges and two outdoor spaces. Downstairs is home to the office, a child’s bedroom, a second lounge and the service areas: a family bathroom and laundry that doubles as a scullery to facilitate outdoor entertaining. The main bedroom and ensuite, their youngest child’s room, a powder room and kitchen/living area are upstairs.
The couple splurged on a sculptural white steel staircase connecting the two floors outside, increasing the ease with which the family can host dinners and birthday parties.
How we want to live
“It’s designed for exactly how we want to live,” says Nathania. Something they learned while living in the space before renovating. The TV was never intended to be a focus for the family and is hidden by a sliding panel in the upstairs lounge. Instead, they’ve focused on rest and community.
Creating calm
To maximise downstairs for hosting, the service rooms have been concealed with whitewashed panelling, avoiding an additional hallway off the lounge that would take up unnecessary space.
Once the lease of the common land moved into their names for private use, they tiled half the courtyard and sealed the remaining half with urban turf. This created a place for the children to play freely without the risk of mud being traipsed through the home.
“People are supposed to feel welcome and relaxed about moving between the indoor and outdoor spaces as they please,” says Nathania. Throughout the unit, flooring is either tiling, wood, or outdoor carpet, allowing sand and beach debris to be easily removed.
The soft colours and rambling layout creates a wonderful sense of calm. “The wallpaper was chosen to tie in all the softer palette colours throughout the house and adds to the aesthetic of a summery, light-filled interior,” says Nathania.
The courtyard fireplace and barbecue were built beside a large sink, leaving enough space for their pizza oven. “The patio is the most magical area in the house. We have had our happiest family times around that fire,” says Nathania, who also hosts friends’ parties and family over the holidays. “We love being at home.”
With a sound vision and a community of industry specialists, the Milnes have created a light and welcoming family home committed to making happy memories for many more years to come.
Shop Josh and Nathania’s Kohimarama home-style
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