Alex and Matt went from an all-white house to a home with all-black walls. Here they share their top tips for those considering a similar darker look
Meet + Greet
Alex Hutchings, 28, Matt Calder, 30 (owners of design agency Alex + Matt Creative), India, 4, and Sienna, 2, plus Sam the Burmese cat and Ollie the Hungarian Vizsla dog.
Best lesson learned?
Matt: Take the time to ensure everything is exactly how you envisaged – or those little niggly points you let slide will come back to haunt you.
What would you never do again?
I’d never create a home without garaging. It’s a nightmare not having space for wood storage and children’s gear.
Most memorable experience in your home?
The best memories have been watching the kids hoon from inside to out on their bikes – the flat transition from the house to the deck has been awesome. The kids love the house and seeing them enjoy the space as much as we do has been incredibly rewarding.
[gallery_link num_photos=”10″ media=”http://homestolove.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GreytownBlackNewBuild_YHGApril19_1.jpg” link=”/real-homes/home-tours/greytown-new-build-embraces-beautiful-dark-moody-interior” title=”See more of this home here”]
Spend
$440,000 including landscaping, driveway, paths, fencing etc.
Matt’s Tips for Darker Colour Palettes
A darker colour palette is not for the faint-hearted.
It does deplete natural light reflection internally.
Be mindful of the marks made by small people and bikes, scooters, food, drink, hands – pretty much anything that the walls have contact with!
Invest in painters – they’re there to ensure the right paint is used in the right areas.
Do it. We don’t regret it for a moment. The rooms take on their own emotions – they’re sensual, evocative, moody and really showcase our art collection.
Scroll down to see more of the Greytown new-build
Pendant lights from the couple’s previous home were given a new lease of life with lightshades bought in Bali, which highlight the brass splashback.
Alex and Matt admit they spent “too much money on art and not enough on furniture”, but a few key purchases – including the sustainable Nectar lampshade made from recycled plastic, from Designtree, and a sofa from The Design Library – ensure the living room looks the part.
Alex and Matt enjoy having friends over and were worried their love of music would keep the kids awake. Thankfully, above-spec insulation, along with solid-core doors and double carpet underlay in the bedrooms, ensure the kids slumber through the night.
The main bathroom has been a little underused, says Matt. The kids much prefer his and Alex’s ensuite (7). “Our idea of having a retreat hasn’t really worked!”
Eighty-five-year-old plum trees lend a lived-in feel to the section. The pair wanted their house to have a “hunkered-down” look, so they built the section up around it and put in an extensive drainage system under the deck which feeds into two soak pits.
Floor plan & colour palette.
Shop their style 1 Oslo stoneware planter, $30, from Paper Plane. 2 Boskke Skyplanter, $89 medium, from The Clever Design Store. 3 Piha lounger, $429, from Ico Traders. 4 Mina mobile, $165, from Everyday Needs. 5 Porter dining chair, $79, from Nood. 6 Large round mirror, $30, from Kmart. 7 Ay Illuminate pendant, $815, from Indie Home Collective. 8 Knit basket, $39, from Indie Home Collective. 9 Archie Shine Gloucester sideboard, $4750, from Mr Bigglesworthy. 10 Deco vase, $89, from Flux Boutique.
Contacts
Draughtsman Seanoa Isaac, Sandpit Design, sandpit.kiwi.
Builder Shane Lehmstedt, Quality Builders, qb05ltd.co.nz.
Kitchen designer Alex Glicas, Mano Joinery, mano.co.nz.
A very heartfelt personal thank you to James Mackie of Mackit Architecture who gave us his time, passion and advice to ensure the overall design had integrity and grace. We can’t thank him enough. mackit.co.nz
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