Aalto Raki effortlessly anchors the living space, creating a rich backdrop for other design elements
This new-build by Signature Homes is situated on a picturesque 1.3 hectares of former vineyard in scenic Kumeū. The owners balanced the convenience of a group home build with the use of colour and interesting design elements, making the space feel unique to them.
Aalto Raki also features in the kitchen (above); Aalto Hunting Coat adds a rich drama to the powder room
A considered approach
Thoughtfully designed by the team at Inherent, the site for this home was first viewed in the spring—Michelle (founder, Inherent) tells of seeing the beautiful green landscape and tumbling hills, and wanting to invoke colour inspired by these surroundings. The colour palette was curated to reflect this, and a way of capturing the uplifting feeling and optimism surrounding their clients' journey, a move back to NZ from the UK.
With a subtle nod towards Māori culture and their respect for the land, the palette evolved to include the pale grey-blue of the sky, and an interplay of the soft clay peach and pinks that you would find in the surrounding soil, along with Mānuka that was grown on the site. These soft tones balanced the overall scheme, embracing the clients' love of nurturing hues. There was however a bit of a twist with the design; although the colour palette reflected the local countryside of New Zealand, the overall design needed to feel European in flavour, with gravel used for outdoor areas rather than traditional decking that you would find here in New Zealand.
Aalto Ocean View is used throughout the living spaces (left); the cheerful Aalto Mulberry Bush is a fun pop of colour in the laundry (centre); Aalto Zanella complements the deep Aalto Raki in the kitchen
“ We wanted to catch that uplifting feeling and the optimism surrounding this adventure, and journey that the clients were under taking with their new home. ”
Green is used frequently throughout, with Aalto Raki colour-drenched through the tv room (left); Aalto Amble in the bedroom; and green accents offsetting the calm Aalto Stoke White (right)
Design by Inherent Design Photography Helen Bankers
