For the Stevens family, their spacious, sun-loving Wellington sanctuary is the perfect base to show off their personal style. We find out how they mix vintage pieces with modern living
This Wellington family has filled their sunny home with fun style
Amanda Stevens, Ben Stevens, both real-estate agents, Matilda, 7, Cecelia, 5, and Charlotte, 3, plus Tallulah Bear the black Labrador.
Amanda’s style tips
- Beautifully dressed beds can have a great effect on buyers, and Amanda loves to repeat the look at home. It’s easily done with euro cushions and lovely linen, providing a real sense of luxury for family and guests.
- Amanda favours good-quality fabric in natural materials and particularly loves white duvet covers which are easy to bleach and allow her to simply and inexpensively change a bedroom’s look.
- Old furniture can’t be beat in Amanda’s view. She hunts for pieces on Trade Me and in vintage shops.
- Incorporating items with a history, especially those from family, is also important to her. A crocheted rug from one grandmother, a handmade elephant toy from another, and small toys from the couple’s childhoods are now part of their daughters’ lives.
- Rather than follow trends, Amanda sticks to what she likes and isn’t afraid of liberal splashes of colour.
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Honesty box
The couple were lucky enough to buy this house when the renovation was almost finished. But while Amanda loves the design, she does miss carpets and curtains, especially on a cold winter’s evening. The house is warm all year round but there is something to be said for cosying up in front of a roaring fire and shutting out the world, she says. However, they have recently laid carpet in the kids’ area, choosing a lush loop-pile wool carpet that goes some way to creating the kind of inviting and comforting environment they love.
Costs
The biggest items in the living space were the sofa and rug, which came in at around $15,000 in total from BoConcept. They were an indulgence but Amanda loves them and they have changed the way the family use the space. The large textured rug is extremely comfortable and a good substitute for carpet. Most other items have been gifted to the couple, such as the school box and chest.
The floral feature wallpaper in the kids’ area cost $1500 and the blue velvet sofa was around $2000.
Scroll to take a tour through this special family home.
“It was in a bit of a state, split into two flats with a dingy 1970s addition,” recalls Ben.
Although the previous owners had completed the bulk of the renovation, there was still ample room for the couple to add their own touches.
Neutral tones and lush fabrics help to create a tranquil haven just off the busy kitchen and dining area.
The 3.7-metre-long bench was made by the previous owner’s father from off-cuts of various timbers, including matai and rimu.
Amanda’s style is to mix old and new, with an emphasis on textures and fabric.
The red grout used for the splashback tiles adds a pop of colour to the kitchen.
A sunny, flat section can be hard to find in Wellington.
The kids love the blue velvet sofa and the floral wallpaper which was made to measure.
The corner sofa is testament to Amanda’s belief that you can never have too many cushions.
Thi concealed desk/crafting area is ideal when it comes to hiding clutter. Photo by Nicola Edmonds.
Lottie loves reading in her special space, which was one of Amanda’s favourite places to decorate.
Matilda and Cecelia share a pretty, but not overly girlie, room decorated with accents of pink and green.
This striking striped retreat is a real talking point among family and friends. “I wanted a sophisticated place to unwind in a soapy bath at the end of a long day,” says Amanda.
Floor pl
Words by: Sharon Stephenson. Photography by: Nicola Edmonds.
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