Inside style
No place like home
Named for the white-faced herons that nest here, Matuku Moana is a special project for Jeremy Brick of Studio Brick Architects in Pāpāmoa.
WHAT IS MATUKU MOANA?
It’s our own home, which gave us the privilege of a really open and flexible brief. We are
a young family and are a creative couple who wanted a house that vibes with us and our lifestyle. My residential designs always have crisp, clean detailing and showcase my love for timber. In our own home, my wife Anna and I also had a whole lot of fun incorporating our quirky style in a refined way. When I’m not working I like fishing and hunting, and we love op-shopping and second-hand and found objects. These were all influences in our design.
HOW HAVE YOU USED COLOUR?
We enjoyed the contrast of the bold and beautiful yet meticulously detailed exterior with a more surprising, warm and playful interior. The downstairs level is light and bright and inviting, while upstairs it is dark, warm and moody (and private). Some of our favourite materials include the rainbow onyx splashback in the kitchen and the burgundy carpet in the bedrooms, which is so cosy and calming. There are no white finishes in the house – the plasterboard walls downstairs are a beige called Resene Half Bone. We wanted a colour that worked well with the pink and chocolate undertones in our spotted-gum timber flooring, and this was the perfect warmth without being too brown. We also have accents and highlights of Resene Romantic, including the full-height kitchen cabinets, the cabinet fronts in the powder room, the stair balustrade capping, and the ceiling in our shower room. It’s a subtle and cheerful pop of colour, and makes us feel great. And it has such a fantastic name!
WHAT DOES COLOUR MEAN TO YOU?
It can totally change the mood of a house and is definitely something worth considering. The subtle and playful use of colour in our home was hugely successful and really elevated our house to meet our aesthetics. My use of colour has changed over the last few years. While I still love Resene Black White, I’m now not afraid to also suggest a minty green house or a pale pink kitchen. It brings joy, and that’s something everyone needs. Resene Forest Green is often a go-to for me, and Resene Rose Bud is a new favourite. I’m currently working on a concept for some good friends of mine, and I’ve been gently pushing for timber weatherboard soffits painted in this fun flamingo pink.
