In the home of Toni and Dane Gale, owners of both Bay Build and Tones & Co. Interior Design, along with their snack loving beagle, Effie.

Carried back to their hometown of Hawkes Bay, Toni and Dane Gale are transforming a 1970’s beach bach into a serene home. Since their move, the couple have established their own building business, interior design business and renovate their home every minute in between. The move wasn’t exactly a change of pace for the active relaxers, but with an uninterrupted outlook to the sea on one side of their home and rolling hills on the other, the views alone justify the move.

The tranquil home that they have created has relaxation in mind with its breezy neutrals and soft textures. Working with a light base palette doesn’t necessarily mean that the space isn’t without personality; a gallery wall featuring artwork collected over the years, including portrait of Effie the beagle and custom green velvet squabs sit in the window seat. Uniting all of Toni’s cleverly considered design decisions is impeccable execution and craftmanship delivered by perfectionist builder Dane. The two make for a powerhouse of a design and build team.

01 — What was your journey to finding your current home?

We had decided to leave Auckland and set our sights on the sunny Hawke’s Bay, our home town. We had just finished a full renovation and were ready to sink our teeth into a bigger project, and so the search began. We bought our home sight unseen after falling in love with the location and potential.

02 — How would you best describe your home?

A 60’s former beach bach.

03 — What was the vision for your new home?

We want our home to feel welcoming and warm, a sanctuary from our busy schedules and a place where we can retreat to, entertain and enjoy.

04 — How did you come to select your new flooring?

We knew that we wanted to use natural materials throughout our home as much as we could, so wool was an obvious choice. It also needed to be light-mid in colour, with plenty of texture. The Wools of New Zealand Mt Peel carpet that we chose is incredibly soft, it’s like a giant homespun jumper for the floor. I knew it would bring the warmth and texture that we wanted, and it has such a luxe feel underfoot.

05 — For those that are embarking on a build or renovation, what are your top tips?

Plan as far in advance as you can, and sit with your choices for a while before you actually have to commit, that way when the time comes to lock in your choices you’ll know you love them 100%.

06 — What area would you recommend you save or splurge on?

You’ll never regret buying quality. Splurge on the best quality you can afford. Plan in advance and take advantage of sales too.

07 — What were your non-negotiables?

Natural fibres in the fabrics and flooring that we have chosen. I want our home to have a natural and organic feel.

08 — What’s left on your renovation to-do list?

We will be renovating our kitchen and dining room next, followed by a couple of bathrooms and our bedrooms. Basically the rest of our home! Every room is changing, if even just a little, so it’s going to be fun.

09 — Favourite room of your home?

Definitely our recently completed living area which happens to be the only room we’ve actually completed so far. It’s where we retire at the end of the day to relax and pretend that the rest of our home is complete.

10 — Where do you draw design inspiration from?

Anywhere and everywhere. I love the tactile ritual of picking up magazines and books, but I also draw inspiration from blogs, browsing Pinterest and Instagram. Some of my favourite accounts to follow are @matildagoad @heidicaillierdesign @wanderinginteriors @eyeswoon @tamsinjohnson @arentpykestudio and @katielockhartstudio.

11 — Favourite sources of pieces for your home?

I love the joy of a second-hand find and filling my home with pieces of character. Most of what we own is either vintage or handmade by ourselves, mixed in with a few more special pieces we have splurged on. The bouclé chair I upholstered in Fabio fabric from Warwick, a couple of lamps around the lounge we made from vases, the vertical floor to ceiling wooden balustrade started out as humble 4x2

Credits

Who: Toni Gale
Where: Eskdale, Hawkes Bay
Instagram: @tonesandco_
Photographer: Olivia Pitcher