Relaxing retreat inspired by nature

This Wānaka house, designed by Home Factor, was inspired by nature, with tawny-coloured cedar on...
This Wānaka house, designed by Home Factor, was inspired by nature, with tawny-coloured cedar on the exterior and green, grey and black hues used inside. PHOTOS: SAMPFORD CATHIE
The natural stone on the island bench and splashback is Avocatus, in a leathered finish. Its deep...
The natural stone on the island bench and splashback is Avocatus, in a leathered finish. Its deep greens and greys are complemented by black appliances and soft-touch cabinetry in a matt cinder colour that’s resistant to fingerprints.
The wallpaper mural in the powder room has delicately-layered waves of deep clay and dusty...
The wallpaper mural in the powder room has delicately-layered waves of deep clay and dusty cerulean. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
The Sonoran pull, made by from PullCast and supplied by Desejo, adds an artistic touch to the...
The Sonoran pull, made by from PullCast and supplied by Desejo, adds an artistic touch to the front door. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
Venting the double-sided fireplace through the floor means there is no flue to detract from the...
Venting the double-sided fireplace through the floor means there is no flue to detract from the open feeling of the living room, which has a 2.7m-high ceiling and French oak flooring. PHOTO: STUDIO JUBB
Emerald green tiles feature in the master en suite. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
Emerald green tiles feature in the master en suite. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
Desejo’s "Space" light made from carbon anodised steel hovers over the dining table. PHOTO:...
Desejo’s "Space" light made from carbon anodised steel hovers over the dining table. PHOTO: STUDIO JUBB
The deep greeny-grey of Resene Half Mako makes a statement on the walls and ceiling of the media...
The deep greeny-grey of Resene Half Mako makes a statement on the walls and ceiling of the media room. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
Two of the bedrooms open to the outdoor entertainment area. The black "seed pod" pendants by the...
Two of the bedrooms open to the outdoor entertainment area. The black "seed pod" pendants by the bed were made by Van Brandenburg in Dunedin. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
The outdoor living area feels like a natural extension of the interior. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
The outdoor living area feels like a natural extension of the interior. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
A dark bench top and a bold green tiled splashback feature in the scullery. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE
A dark bench top and a bold green tiled splashback feature in the scullery. PHOTO: SAMPFORD CATHIE

A holiday home built for a family of property enthusiasts is full of bold, eye-catching elements. Kim Dungey reports.

Private and understated on the outside, this Wānaka home is full of surprises.

Two wings extending from the entryway create a canvas for bold, contemporary interiors. There’s dramatic stone on the kitchen island, vibrant green tiles in the scullery, a statement pendant light over the dining table and a dreamy mural in the powder room.

Owners Frank and Karen Cazemier have holidayed in Wānaka for the past 20 years and now spend half their time there. The rest of the year they live in Dunedin, where they own the award-winning Ebb Hotel.

The couple decided to build after years of renting holiday homes and trying to find a suitable house to buy. Tired of the stairs in their Dunedin home, they wanted a single-level property that was easy to live in and had direct access to the outdoors. It also needed to feel like a relaxed, well-designed retreat for their extended family.

To bring their vision to life, they enlisted designers and builders Home Factor, who happened to own a site in the Meadowstone area with privacy, mountain views and a creek as a backdrop.

Director Priyanka Sareen describes the 240sq m house as a modern sanctuary, with open entertaining spaces and plenty of room for guests to stay in style.

The exterior is clad in cedar, its tawny shades reflecting the tussock and rock of Central Otago; an oversized front door pull made from aged brass creates an immediate sense of intrigue.

Two of the bedrooms open to the outdoor entertainment area and all three have en suites, Mr Cazemier says. The house is all about friends and family having a laid-back, luxurious experience and that flows through to the living area: "It’s ... super-styley, but you can still relax, wander around in your bare feet and spill crumbs."

The living-dining space is separated by a double-sided fireplace, which is vented through the floor to maintain a sense of openness and connection through the home.

A cosy media room off to one side sometimes doubles as a bedroom for their grandchildren.

Bifold doors lead to a louvre-covered outdoor living area complete with a wood fire and cedar-clad, stainless steel hot tub. Landscaper Mike Burrows brought in large-grade plants, including a 15-year-old Japanese maple, to instantly give the section an established feel.

"We spend all our time out there ..." Mr Cazemier says. "It’s a fantastic area."

One lesson they took from their hotel build was the importance of good lighting, which is often overlooked in residential settings, he adds. Each light fitting in the house serves a purpose, such as anchoring an open, airy space or highlighting an artwork or piece of furniture.

Features borrowed from the hotel cafe include the green tiles laid in a herringbone pattern in their scullery and en suite, and the green- and grey-toned Brazilian granite used on the kitchen island.

The project earned Home Factor a gold award in the Master Builders’ House of the Year southern regional competition, Mr Cazemier says.

"They and their team of tradesmen were key to the successful outcome and an absolute joy to work with, particularly as the house was built during Covid restrictions and lockdowns."

Many of the ideas in the house came from Mrs Sareen, who is also the company’s architectural and interior designer.

The Cazemiers’ son, Dylan, who managed the design and development of Ebb Hotel via his company Other Places, also had input.

Dylan and sister Jiselle are equal partners with their parents in the 28-room hotel, which the four of them built after selling their high end-student rental properties.

"They were only 17 and 18 when we built our first block of student flats together," Mr Cazemier explains.

"We encouraged them to use our family home to leverage off to get their first loan so they could become 50% of an investment. That’s how they started in property, and it just grew from that to other blocks of flats together and then ultimately to the ... hotel."

"As a family, we’re really into architecture and design and art."

Having a Central Otago base for their friends and family is great, he adds.

"There’s stuff to do and there’s always a relaxed atmosphere, which is not necessarily the case in your permanent home."

"We like the fact that everybody enjoys being there."