By Helen Grange, Project Consultant Wendy Robinson, Photographer Nic Baleta
This home owner set out to transform his house into a haven of flowing water, which you can hear or see from every room. Water features were created inside and around the house, including waterfall walls, a swimming pool and spa bath, infusing it with a soothing, “Zen” feel.
“My study overlooks the pool-spa area, so I even work to the sight and sound of water,” he says.
Essential to the organic look of the water features was the textured cladding, created with stone and paint. An arresting feature is the pathway to the entrance of the house, which is flanked by a zig-zagging koi pond with lit fountains and hardy green foliage.
The pool and spa are surrounded by decking, inset with a spacious daybed and adjoined by a pod of seating around a firepit. There is also an outdoor shower. A pizza oven, imported from Italy, is the focus of its own entertainment hub on the covered patio.
“It has a Mediterranean beach feel, and there are four different entertainment areas on the open-plan patio,” says the owner. At night, this space lights up with warm white tape light in strategic places on the decking.
With regard to the house itself, the owner opted to retain the existing structure, adding only a steam shower room that adjoins the bathroom. “You can walk out of the steam room onto a private patio and just relax,” he says.
A good chunk of his budget, therefore, was spent on renovation – the kitchen and pantry were remodelled, the driveway repaved, and the main en-suite dressing room redesigned, with customised cupboards, dim-switch lights, and a refreshment area for a kettle and bar fridge.
Beautiful granite tops were installed in the main en-suite bathroom and kitchen, and the bathrooms were modernised throughout.
The use of cladding is extensive, including on the garage walls, and the owner had two fish tanks fitted. An eyecatching wine rack was installed against a granite-cladded wall in the kitchen, and two sparkling chandeliers were hung above the 12-seater dining table.
Elegant furniture imported from Italy softens the interiors, along with five Paco rugs.
The air conditioning was upgraded, and the entire house is automated from a central server room in the owner’s downstairs gym.
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