A decision to buy land in Martinborough, build a home and plant a vineyard finally comes to fruition. With a clever custom design, this home has been created to meet the needs of modern living while preserving a charming country spirit.
Mike and Helen Williams had a great plan for their retirement. After living in Petone for 34 years and keen for a sea change, they pounced on a 2.65ha section in Martinborough in 2018 and started to make plans.
Smitten with the views of the surrounding QEII National Trust-protected Morrisons Bush, they dreamed of planting a vineyard in the region famous for them and building a home that took in the bush and vineyard vistas. With the help of Paula Clarke from Go Architecture, they created a house plan that incorporated everything they wanted. Sadly, Mike passed away from cancer in 2022, leaving Helen with designs for a home that was too big for her to handle..
Home Profile
Meet & Greet: Helen Williams (part-time accounts and local vineyard worker), with three-year-old Staffy, Rosie.
The Property: A modern 330sqm new-build with four bedrooms and a wine cellar, sitting on 2.65ha in Martinborough.
A personal touch
“With the help of Paula, I redesigned the home to reduce it by 100sqm and to work to a new brief of a low-maintenance home,” says Helen.
She did have a few must-haves: “a wine cellar, a walk-in wardrobe, and a pool. The bath in the ensuite was also special as it was the only item my late husband and I chose before he died. Although it was expensive, it was a non-negotiable for me.”
Helen also had a tried-and-true format for the outdoor entertaining area. “The pool and courtyard are just like what we had at our former home in Petone. We built a walled entertaining area with an outdoor fireplace and covered dining area and just loved it, so we decided to recreate that here. But instead of using schist to surround the outdoor gas fireplace, we used river stones because we are close to the Ruamāhanga River here,” she says.
“We bought the custom-made solid macrocarpa outdoor table from our old house, but the builders had to cut it down to fit this new space.”
Dream kitchen
Her last kitchen was also replicated, with a few additions – a bigger scullery, a bar cabinet, and a step-down oak table on the island, which adds interest to the four-metre-long kitchen island and gives Helen a place to sit and eat her breakfast in the morning sun.
One enviable feature of the kitchen is the handy platter storage shelving in the scullery.
“It is fabulous and every kitchen should have one. It stops your large platters from getting chipped and makes them very accessible. More than a decade ago I stayed at an Airbnb that had one – I took a photo and my fab joiner and friend Brent Potter built me one,” she says.
The team behind it all
Helen is quick to credit a great team for helping her with the build – Paula from Go Architecture, Brent from Potter Joinery, Aidan McWilliams from Elmdale Building and interior designer Sam McArthur from Wild Bird, who helped her with her interior colour choices and tile and wallpaper selections.
“I think it’s helpful to engage an interior designer when building, as there are a lot of choices to make and they help you focus and improve the overall feel of the finished product. I really wanted to make sure the home had a cohesive feel.”
It’s all in the details
When it came to furnishing her new home, Helen brought some items from her old home and bought some new – such as the outdoor sofa on the front deck, which she says is a great spot for morning coffee, gin in the afternoon and stargazing at night – but each item was considered carefully before being moved in. Some of her favourite pieces are the mirrors in the powder room and the wine cellar – both inherited from family members.
“I think as I get older, I’m inspired by a simpler, less cluttered look in my home,” she says. “I would say my decor style for this home is modern/country, with a mix of old and new. I’m currently waiting for the arrival of a new couch, as my old one isn’t right for the space. It’s good to mix high-end and budget buys in a home to give it a more homely feel, as opposed to a show-home look.”
Life among the vines
Helen and Mike’s plans for a vineyard on the property finally came to fruition in November 2024, when family and friends helped Helen plant 1450 vines in one day across one acre. The variety is mainly pinot noir with some chardonnay and riesling.
“The grapes from the first vintage will be made into wine with the help of a local friend and winemaker – I’m very excited about making and drinking my own wine. In future years, the vines will produce too much for me to be able to process alone, so I’ll sell them to a local vineyard. We included a wine cellar in this home because we needed to store the wine we are growing somewhere. Currently it holds 500 bottles, but could easily hold more than 2000,” she says. “The architect and I always thought the cellar should have a glass wall to provide a wow factor when you come in the front door. I nabbed the wine barrel off Trade Me and it’s a lovely cool spot to sit and have an afternoon drink on a hot summer’s day, overlooking the vineyard.”
A similar working bee earlier saw the bank surrounding the property planted with 900 well-growing, low-maintenance natives. “It was a massive effort from friends and family. It is my intention to gift this land to the QE2 Trust so it can be added to the surrounding protected Morrisons Bush area. Completing the driveway area is the next planned project. But there is always something to do on a section this size.”
Life in Martinborough
Helen has enjoyed living full-time in Martinborough for the past two years. “I love the great community and quiet pace of life. We enjoy great access to vineyards and restaurants and excellent shopping in Greytown. I very much enjoyed the build process and would consider doing it again when the time comes to downsize.
I am proud of completing this project on my own and seeing our vision to completion.”
On the surface
On the interiors
Design tips with Helen’s interior designer, Sam McArthur, from Wild Bird Interior Design.
What are some ways to add interest to a new-build? Add warmth and layers from the beginning – timber shelving, custom joinery, feature panelling, feature lighting and bringing in texture through mixed metals and colour. Even small moments like a nook, window seat or statement island can make a new-build feel more custom and full of personality rather than feeling builder-basic.
What is always worth investing in? Anything you touch every day, such as kitchens, bathrooms, storage, walk-in wardrobes and quality tapware. Invest in the bones and functionality first, then layer in the pretty.
How do you suggest clients find the right colours for their home and their personality? Start with how you want your home to feel, not what’s trending. We look at personality, lighting, surroundings and how colours make you feel. Choose one main colour, then build from there.
Home Truths
How does this house work well for you? Although the house is large, I can shut off the spare bedrooms and bathrooms, only using what I require. This limits the cleaning. The extra rooms mean I have plenty of space for my family and friends to visit, which happens often.
Best memory in the home? I have already had lots of gatherings at the house and entertain regularly, but the first big party
was a housewarming last August with about 80 people. That was fun and a great way to thank all those involved.Favourite spot? Sitting in my bed, watching the sunrise with Rosie and my first coffee of the day. This is a daily ritual for me. The bed faces east and the room was designed this way to capture the stunning sunrises.
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