With its muted palette, textural accents and desert-chic style, this Waikato home is what Pinterest dreams are made of. We discover the special DIY journey
How a Waikato cottage went from DIY disaster to the ultimate dream home
When the Keirs bought their house it was in a sorry state with peeling floral wallpaper, tatty green carpet and an outhouse with a shower and loo which hadn’t been used in what looked like decades. The main bathroom had once been a bedroom and the original bathroom had been repurposed as a storeroom off the kitchen.
Despite their new home’s modest size, it was all the couple needed at the time, plus they could see it had the potential to become a wonderful family home.
Wendy’s design tips
- Keep it minimal and make sure everything in your home has a design purpose.
- If you’re going for an all-white look, add some colour with your furnishings and decor.
- Mixing old with new makes a home feel both welcoming and stylish.
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Q&A
Where have you saved money?
Wendy: Alex taking on the build himself meant we saved a lot on the building cost. Because we took our time with the build, this meant Alex would be building all day and then on the computer all night finding the best deals.
I honestly think he searched every website in the world for the best quality products for the best price; I think we saved a lot by not going with the first option. Alex loves creating and we upcycled a bit. The coffee table is made from his grandfather’s scaffolding planks, which he used to build his home 30 years ago.
Any splurges?
The Citta lowboy in the master was a piece we fell in love with and we thought it would work well in any room. The raw leather couches were a biggie but we wanted something that would last and just get better and better with age.
What was your best buy?
The antique printer’s chest; this really is an incredible piece of history and they are so hard to find.
DIY disasters?
Not a DIY disaster as such but our missing Border Collie, Winston, really did bring everything to a grinding halt for a while. We’re still searching and hoping. Please visit: Bring Winston Home
Best memory in your home?
Bringing our girl, Indigo, home to the house that her dad built. Even though we do have to leave this house we will always have the memories of Indie’s first year here.
What would you never do again?
Alex would probably say: build a house on his own. In saying that, he learnt more in those two years than in all his time as an apprentice builder.
Best lesson learned?
Things take a lot longer than you think! If you give yourself a time frame, expect it to be broken. You can’t rush a build if you want a perfect result.
Wendy Keir, graphic designer, Alex Keir, builder, and Indigo, 1.
The white exterior was chosen to make a statement. “We had seen images of white homes in Sweden and we loved how fresh it looked,” says Wendy.
Having never been one for colourful paint or wallpaper, Wendy opted for an earthy, minimal palette and introduced colour in the form of indoor plants.
“I wanted our home to be filled with the things we love and for it to have a soul,” explains Wendy. “It was important to showcase the house and be reminded of what an incredible journey it has been for us to create this dream home together.”
Wendy and Alex have seamlessly blended the desert-chic trend with touches of industrial style.
Search light, $748. SeeCC Interiors for stockists.
Dahlia three-seater sofa inOxford tan, $2999, from Freedom.
Layers of white and blonded wood create a calm and restful work environment.
General Eclectic framed protea print, $89.99, from Shut The Front Door.
A selection of mismatched dining chairs – painted in white and pale pink – ensures a cohesive look in the dining space while still providing visual interest.
The clean, crisp lines of the kitchen are softened with glass-fronted cabinetry.
A rustic ladder has been repurposed to create a custom light installation above the kitchen island.
Although the palette is muted, timber tones, textural accents and indoor greenery create warmth in the living space.
Faux reindeer hide rug, $55, from Kmart.
Large windows in the living room flood the open space with light, as well as allowing stunning views over the Waikato countryside.
Moroccan wedding cushion, $395, from Indie Home Collective.
Beautiful handcrafted timber headboards in the guest and master bedrooms give each room a unique vibe.
Rolf bedside drawer, $129, from Freedom.
Wendy’s background as a graphic designer, plus a keen eye for detail, saw her drawn to warm, minimal, balanced spaces.
Wendy’s role was to style and decorate the home’s interior. “I found it hugely satisfying and I learned a great deal,” she says.
Ochre vintage crock, $89, from Leopold Hall.
In 2015, the couple took a road trip across America and came home with heads full of inspiration from the desert landscapes, as well as a suitcase of antiques.
Indigo’s bedroom is whimsical in white.
Collapsible baskets, from $72 each, from Father Rabbit.
Alex did almost all of the work himself. “He couldn’t bear the thought of someone helping him on site and not doing it perfectly,” says Wendy.Circular mirrors set against subway tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern create a wonderful visual contrast in both the guest bathroom and ensuite.
Circular mirrors set against subway tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern create a wonderful visual contrast in both the guest bathroom and ensuite.
Planter with stand, $17, from Kmart.
The herringbone tiles, timber vanity top and rug give the space some subtle texture.
Leather door and drawer pulls add texture to the clean space.
Their Te Poi house was intended to be Wendy and Alex’s forever home. However, when daughter Indigo arrived last year, it became clear how important it was to have their families nearby. “We will leave here knowing that we have built an incredibly beautiful home for one special family,” says Wendy.
Words by: Annick Larkin. Photography by: Helen Bankers and Vanessa Lewis.
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