Bee boxes and whisky cases are built into the kitchen bench in this Arrowtown holiday home. Photos supplied. : Holiday home has Kiwi touch

The second living area in the basement can be reached either from outside or by a steep internal stairway. : Holiday home has Kiwi touch

Much of the furniture consists of old family pieces that have been revamped. The once-dark dining table languished in a garage for 10 years before being stripped back and sealed. : Holiday home has Kiwi touch

The open-plan living area has a raked ceiling, a woodburner with a waxed steel chimney and doors leading outside. : Holiday home has Kiwi touch

Rustic rimu sarking and bee box shelves feature in one of the bedrooms. Using peg rails rather than wardrobes saved space and meant the main house could have three bedrooms instead of two. : Holiday home has Kiwi touch

The main house is located at the top of the steep site, with sleepouts below. The living area opens on to a pebbled courtyard. : Holiday home has Kiwi touch