2025
Woodland Dance
Grey Lynn | Villa Renovation
Winner of the 2023 HOME Magazine Bathroom of the Year — a Grey Lynn villa renovation that draws on modernist and Japanese influences to create something quietly enchanting. The brief for this project came with a strong ethos: an existing lean-to addition was in good condition, and the clients shared a commitment to reusing what was already there rather than demolishing and starting anew. That value aligned perfectly with the way we work. The lean-to's original structure was retained and adapted, becoming a gentle transition zone between the heritage villa at the front and a new contemporary addition at the rear — all connected by graceful curving walls that became the defining motif of the whole project.
From three bedrooms to four, with accessibility woven in
The renovation reorganised the villa from three bedrooms to four, with accessibility a key consideration throughout. One family member may use a wheelchair in the future, and rather than let that requirement dominate the design, it was thoughtfully integrated into a spatial language of curves, flush thresholds, and generous proportions — elements that are beautiful in their own right, well beyond their function. The flush shower entry, floating bathroom vanity, and curved wall and island in the kitchen all grew from this brief, and all of them became defining features of the project as a whole.
A bathroom that won a national award
It is, arguably, the bathroom that is the hero of this renovation. A shimmering curved wall of green INAX Biyusai ceramic mosaic tiles with a halo-like glaze separates the shower from the rest of the space, their mid-century appeal catching and holding the light. A curved free-standing bathtub sits against the green shower wall and a contrasting wall of white, flecked, vertical subway tiles. Walnut veneer cabinetry, a floating vanity, and slate tiles underfoot complete the palette — a material conversation that Kate describes as feeling like dappled light filtering through trees: “It feels like a woodland dance.”
A kitchen designed for calm, not performance
In the kitchen, the brief was not a large entertainers’ space — though easy, relaxed gatherings were not overlooked. The focus was on creating calming moments for the family to enjoy. Resene Ecru White on the walls and ceiling — a light beige with a subtle hint of green — reflects the tones of the bathroom. Walnut cabinetry meets an infinity stone benchtop and splashback with the quality of water moving through it. An existing skylight was matched with a new one to reinforce the sense of dappled light coming from above. Outside, the new black cladding meets the horizontal weatherboards of the original villa — what Kate describes as “the stroke of a calligraphy brush across paper.”
A new living addition, connected by a continuous floor
n the new rear addition, a dining and living space extends the villa outward — a lofty contemporary volume that sits in quiet contrast to the lower-studded lean-to. A continuous slate-tiled floor runs through all three volumes, creating cohesion and a sense of expansiveness across spaces of different ceiling heights. The result is a home that feels whole rather than added-to — and one that demonstrates, clearly and beautifully, that architectural design and accessibility can coexist without compromise.
Recognised for the quality of the result
Woodland Dance was named the 2023 HOME Magazine Bathroom of the Year at the HOME Interior of the Year Awards, and was featured in HOME Magazine.
Winner of the 2023 HOME Magazine Bathroom of the Year — a Grey Lynn villa renovation where beauty and accessibility coexist.
A continuous slate-tiled floor connects three volumes of different ceiling heights, creating cohesion across the whole home.
Green mosaic tiles, a curved freestanding tub, walnut cabinetry — it feels like a woodland dance
The stroke of a calligraphy brush across paper — black cladding meeting the horizontal weatherboards of the original villa
Renovating a villa or character home in Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, or the wider Auckland area?
If you have a heritage villa that needs to work harder for your family — more bedrooms, better flow, a considered new addition — we would love to talk about what is possible. Get in touch to start the conversation, or browse more villa renovation projects for inspiration.
Photography
Simon Wilson
