2026
Sense & Sensibility
Completed
Westmere | Bungalow Renovation
A large-scale two-storey bungalow renovation in Westmere — a much-loved character home, given a fresh breath of air. A gentle balancing act between old-world charm and a newfound lightness.
Solving a south-facing backyard
Like many character bungalows in Westmere and the wider Auckland area, this home faced a classic challenge: a south-facing backyard that turned its back on the sun and disconnected the family from the garden. The solution was architectural rather than cosmetic. A new pavilion extension — a soaring gabled form with lofty cathedral ceilings — opens its arms to the garden and pool beyond, with high-level windows positioned to catch sunlight throughout the day. The new swimming pool was sited specifically to receive the afternoon sun, turning what was once the shadowed side of the property into the most-used part of the home.
A kitchen and living heart that hums with life
Inside, the heart of the home hums with life: a new kitchen complete with its own scullery, dining, and two living areas that spill effortlessly into one another. In the pavilion, sunlight pours through the tall windows, skipping across oak floors. White walls keep things crisp and bright, while nautical blues and warm tones in the joinery and fixed finishes anchor the room like treasured heirlooms. The palette is serene, the atmosphere ever-shifting with the light — calm in the morning, golden by evening.
Four bedrooms, and the original bungalow tenderly refreshed
The four bedrooms — one used as a home office — sit within the original bungalow, which has been tenderly refreshed throughout. Its bay window is now a perch for quiet moments; its bathroom details a playful nod to heritage with a modern twist. The result is a home that feels both timeless and alive — a place where character and contemporary grace meet in harmony, and every corner holds a quiet invitation to linger.
A soaring gabled pavilion with cathedral ceilings and high-level windows — designed to draw sunlight into a once south-facing backyard
A new swimming pool, positioned to catch the afternoon sun — a backyard transformed
White walls, nautical blues, and warm oak — a palette that is serene in the morning and golden by evening
A Westmere bungalow renovation that balances old-world charm with a newfound lightness
Renovating a south-facing bungalow in Westmere, Herne Bay, or the wider Auckland area?
