Arts and Crafts.

Preservation of an era

The opulence of this C 1900s Arts and Crafts home needed to be approached with delicacy as its nonchalant grandeur was met with modern functionality. We saw this project as more of a preservation rather than a renovation.

Disjointed, dark, and strange rooms, a common trait early 1900 homes, were transformed into one large, sprawling open plan living area. However in the interest of domestic practicality, the ability to still section off each room was introduced with the addition of dividing doors. To keep light flooding into the rooms even when they are closed, we had these doors made with replicas of the home’s exquisite leadlight windows found only on the upper exterior of the house originally.

Not only had this house stood the test of time, it also endured the earthquakes, a testament to its original craftsmanship. Although deemed too costly to repair we couldn’t allow this beautiful home with so much to offer be left to be demolished.

An attribute to the exceptional attention to detail that went into this renovation, the property attracted a lot of interest from the public and property professionals, several suggesting it was the most beautiful home in Christchurch, none of which had a single negative comment to make. Consequently, competitive bidding saw the value of the home substantially exceed expectations, and is now the home of one very happy family.