Sophie & Jamie’s Alpine Family Haven

Having previously renovated homes in Christchurch, the couple brought both experience and a clear vision into the process, balancing thoughtful design with practical choices that would stand the test of time. The result is a warm, welcoming space that feels effortlessly connected indoors and out, and perfectly suited to life with three little ones.

We sat down with Sophie and Jamie to talk about their building journey, the inspiration behind their home, and the design decisions that helped bring it all together.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family?

We’re a family of five, with three divine girls, Maddie (4), Chloe (2), and Lily (1). They’re a real little girl gang and bring a wonderful kind of chaos to everyday life. Jamie and I met in Christchurch while we were both representing New Zealand, Jamie in skiing and me in hockey. After retiring from sport we started our own business, Truly Yours Events, which now operates out of both Christchurch and Wānaka and services events across the South Island. We genuinely love what we do and feel very lucky to be building something together. Life is definitely busy with three little ones, but that’s part of the fun. When we’re not working you’ll usually find us outdoors, biking, skiing, playground hopping or planning our next little adventure somewhere.

What led you to embark on this new-build journey?

Before this home we renovated two houses in Christchurch. The first was our very first home together and we tackled almost everything ourselves. Jamie is incredibly handy and we both really enjoyed the process, both the design side and getting stuck in with the building work. It was amazing what you could achieve with a clear vision and a bit of determination, even on a tight budget. That project really set us on our property journey.

Our second renovation was a much larger project and we worked alongside a wonderful architect and building team, which felt like a real luxury after our previous DIY. As our eldest Maddie approached school age we knew it was time to settle a little more and stop bouncing between Christchurch and Wānaka quite so much, especially with three little girls in the back seat, as it wasn’t quite as easy as it once was. We initially looked at buying in Wānaka, but with Jamie’s dad being a founder of Three Sixty Architecture, the idea of building was always quietly sitting there in the background. In the end we decided to take the leap and build, and we’re so glad we did.

What was your vision for the house, and where did you draw your inspiration from?

Our biggest rule was that the house couldn’t feel too fussy or precious. With three kids four and under, life is busy and we wanted a home where the girls could run, play and be creative without us worrying about every little thing. The indoor-outdoor flow from the dining area became one of our biggest design drivers. We actually discovered the concept on Pinterest, and it has turned out to be one of the features we use and appreciate the most. Because of the way the house sits, there’s almost always one side sheltered enough to open up.

We also wanted plenty of windows to capture the surrounding landscape. The iconic Amisfield window was definitely an inspiration for us when thinking about how to frame those views. From the beginning we were drawn to a warm, natural palette. Our goal was to create a home that felt calm and inviting.

What were the key things you considered for family life when choosing your flooring?

I must admit I was a little hesitant about wool loop pile carpet at first, but it has actually held up incredibly well, even with three small children and the occasional spill. 

For the hard flooring we knew from the beginning that we wanted laminate, and specifically the long, wide boards which give such a beautiful look. The product we chose has been fantastic for family life. It handles scooters zooming from one outdoor space to the next. It’s incredibly scratch-resistant, and with our large windows and sunny aspect it’s reassuring to know it won’t fade. It’s been the perfect balance between practicality and style.

Sophie and Jamie selected Bremworth Levante carpet and Pergo Odense laminate floors.

What’s your favourite space in the home, and why?

The kitchen and dining area are definitely the heart of the house for us. The island bench is beautifully deep and naturally becomes the gathering point for the whole family. Having doors on both sides creates such wonderful flow, both for everyday family life and when we’re entertaining.

We’re also beautifully connected to our den, which the girls use often, and the sunken lounge. Each space holds its own while still feeling part of the whole home, creating a lovely balance between open flow and cosy rooms. The sunken lounge is a space we especially love. There’s something about stepping down into it that instantly feels warm and relaxed. The fireplace helps define the space, while it still feels connected to the rest of the living area, which we really enjoy.

What are your top tips for anyone embarking on a build or renovation?

You can be surprisingly clever with your material choices. Not everything needs to be top of the line to achieve a beautiful result. Often the most successful spaces are actually the simplest ones. If you focus on good proportions, natural textures and a cohesive palette, everything tends to come together naturally.

Where would you recommend saving versus splurging?

For us, the kitchen island was always going to be a statement piece, so that’s where we chose to invest a little more. The porcelain slab is quite extensive and really anchors the whole space.

On the other hand, there were areas where we made more cost-conscious decisions. In our den we used Redline plywood and stained it ourselves. Getting the colour exactly right took a bit of trial and error, but the result has been fantastic. It’s something people comment on all the time and it shows how a more affordable material can still look beautiful with a bit of creativity.

What’s next for your home? Do you have any future projects planned?

Landscaping is definitely the next chapter for us. We’ve really only just scratched the surface so far. We’ve started with a few key pieces, including a playhouse for the girls, which they absolutely adore, as well as some hard landscaping completed during the build. Jamie also planted around 100 plants along the boundary when we first bought the property to start establishing a hedge. Over time we’re really looking forward to adding more greenery, texture and seasonal colour throughout the garden. It’s something we’re excited to develop slowly, letting the landscape grow and evolve alongside our family.