Nestled between open sea and native bush, this Ōhope Beach new build is the perfect antidote to a busy life that our homeowner dreamed of. Beach houses both new and old dot the picturesque white sand coastline that is often blessed with great surf. Choosing to build further back on the property affords the occupants privacy from the road and beach, without compromising on the expansive views out to sea. Rooms to the rear of the house aren’t short changed when it comes to a scenic outlook, with a dense established reserve on the back doorstep.

Akin Design’s Sherrie Thompson’s brief from her client was simple and unambiguous: create a home where multi-generational entertaining is integral but also a sanctuary for the homeowner. The client wanted the home to have a nod to nature, reflected in the material choices and colour palette and to work with some of the special pieces she’d accumulated through the years.

Serving as a meeting hub where family travel to from far and wide, the home accommodates all. Stretching across three levels, the ground floor is a home away from home for children and grandchildren. The midfloor offers living and entertainment, and the top floor, the homeowners retreat, houses the master bedroom, a small living space, office and endless views out to White and Whale Island.

We speak to Interior Designer, Sherrie Thompson, to learn more about how the project came together.

Tell us a little about Akin Design and what lead you to interiors?

I had been an Art and Design teacher for many years and over that time had been moving towards interiors, working on friends and families homes. I was given the push to take the next step by people who were keen for me to work on their homes officially, so Akin Design was born. My design training and process enabled me to readily step sideways into the interiors space. The name Akin is how I see my relationship with clients, in order to best serve them and deliver the home of their dreams I need to be akin to their wants, needs and ideas.

What was the creative vision that you had for this home?

The home needed to stand up to the harsh environment of the beach in terms of material selection, and the colour palette a nod to the surroundings the home stands in. Light-handed use of greens and soft sand tones are used, I even carried this through when choosing the right colour of glass for the handblown glass lights. The kitchen saw the use of timber that had been milled from the client’s farm, adding softness and sentimental touches.

How did you come to select the flooring?

The flooring had to be soft in tone, robust enough to handle sandy feet and tie together other timber features that would be going through the home. I always like to select flooring as one of my first materials as it sets the tone for the whole home. A warm oak complements many other timbers and as I am a fan of incorporating different timber finishes in a home, Quick-Step Faro in Pure Oak Matt provided a good foundation to work from.

What was important for your flooring choice?

We chose Bremworth Levante in Simoon for the carpet, and being a New Zealand wool, it was an easy choice. The loop pile brings a softness to the bedrooms and provides warmth and texture. Sand is easily vacuumed out from the pile of this carpet, making it nice and easy to care for. The environmental aspect of wool carpet coming from a completely renewable resource, was also a key consideration. For the timber, it had to be fuss free and wouldn’t need cleaning every few minutes - the grain in the flooring helps to hide sand and salt that inevitably comes inside from the beach.

Top tips for those that are embarking on a build or renovation?

Consider how the timber of your interior flooring works with your exterior. As I am based in the Bay of Plenty, indoor outdoor flow is crucial as we like to have doors thrown wide open as much of the year as possible, so connecting the indoor and outdoor through materials is key in this.

What area would you recommend you save or splurge on when building or renovating?

In our coastal environment I always encourage splurging on tapware, handles, cladding and fabrics that will stand up to the sun and salt. Feature lighting is also important, especially in homes that don’t have much wall space - the light becomes an artwork in its own right.

Do you have a forecast for flooring trends?

I think as people become more aware of the environmental and social impact products have on our world, they are going to want to know more about the origin of their flooring, where it is coming from, how sustainable that source is.


Who do you admire in the New Zealand design and creative space?

My art and design background means I am constantly searching and following creatives. Artists who have found their calling in their craft such as Luke Jacomb with his hand-blown custom lights, Ray Haydon with his fluid sculptures and Woodwrights with their beautiful furniture creations inspire me daily.

Where are you shopping and sourcing from?

I love Simon James for furniture, the designs are beautiful, combining function and form with many customisable aspects. We are lucky here in the Eastern Bay of Plenty to be the home of George Street Linen, I always look to incorporate them into the homes I work on.

Do you have any other exciting projects on the go?

One that stands out because it is very much out of the box for me, is a rustic eco lodge to be built south of Queenstown. This one really challenges me and is far removed from the coastal residential homes I tend to work on.

Credits

Designed By: Sherrie Thompson of Akin Design
Where: Ohope Beach, Bay of Plenty
Instagram: @designby_akin
Photographer: Olivia Pitcher