This unassuming property in Bryndwr, Christchurch, reveals the power of excellent interior design and building, thanks to Anna Margaret Interior Design and McBride Construction.

WORDS Kathy Young PHOTOGRAPHY Anna McLeod

Award-winning exterior plastering company Frame Contracting supplied and installed the Resene Construction Rmaxx exterior cladding render system on the home.

What began as a simple laundry renovation project in this Christchurch home has evolved into something far more ambitious, transformative and beautiful.

Bridgit Sepie and husband Harald Heimensen had purchased their 1000sqm back-section property in the suburb of Bryndwr in 2017, finding what they saw as the ideal spot for their return to Ōtautahi.

“We met in the Netherlands and initially started our married life in Wellington,” explains Bridgit, originally from the West Coast. “But the South Island was calling us, and we loved this location in Christchurch. The fact that the house was laid out in a conventional, European way [living areas downstairs, bedrooms upstairs] was a big plus for us,” says Bridgit. “The property had undergone some earthquake repairs, and the laundry was the only room that had not been touched.”

When Bridgit first contacted interior designer Anna Dick of Anna Margaret Interiors in November 2020 to help with the laundry renovation, neither could have imagined they would still be collaborating four years later. “Once we started to dig a little deeper, it became apparent a more extensive renovation was needed,” says Bridgit.

The 1960s house had been extended to a second storey in the 1970s and further work was completed in the 1990s. But this time it was decided to rebuild the home from the bones up.

Karl McBride and his team from McBride Construction worked closely with the Bridgit and Harald to complete this thorough modernisation.

Says Karl: “Essentially we had to initially reinforce the house from the underneath. This involved supporting the two-storey structure while we installed deeper piles, reinforcements and stronger foundations. All the while maintaining the structure of the home.”

The home showcases McKenzie & Willis furniture both indoor and out, featuring living room furniture from Belle Interiors Collection, exclusive to McKenzie & Willis. Artwork by Anoushka Szybowski, in pencil and charcoal.

Bridgit’s father John Sepie is an artist and his works can be seen throughout the home: paintings, pottery and woodwork.

Alongside project manager Dave Caseley, geotechnical engineers and other specialists, the team at McBride Construction faced numerous challenges.

“It’s always tricky when you’re dealing with an existing structure,” says Dave, “as you have budget in mind, but you don’t always know what you’re going to unearth.” In this case, knowledge of a creek that originally ran under the house led to a large amount of strengthening work. The house was then brought up to building code standards, and a large amount of automated systems and technology was introduced into the home.

The brief to Anna for the interiors was clear from the start, even as the scope expanded: Bridgit wanted to feel like the couple were on holiday in their own home, creating an “urban oasis” as Anna describes, while not ignoring the home’s mid-century origins.

“There needed to be lots of indoor-outdoor flow, with room to entertain and the ability to have easy access to the pool and spa,” says Anna. “We’ve created a resort- style atmosphere with carefully considered indoor and outdoor spaces.”

Although the floorplan remains largely unchanged, particular attention has been given to the upstairs bathroom suite to allow for shower, bath and walk-in- wardrobe. Anna, Bridgit and Karl worked closely to reimagine the spatial flow of the home itself.

What makes this project particularly special is the collaborative spirit between builder, interior designer and homeowner. Anna describes Bridgit as “the ultimate client; open to ideas and open to things that are just a little bit different”. This openness allowed Anna to push boundaries in ways that many designers only dream of.

The most striking example? Using different paints throughout, Anna created a journey through colour that gives each space its own distinct personality. “Bridgit wanted something very unique and she was definitely open to non-standard,” Anna says of Bridgit’s aesthetic preferences.

The material palette reflects this sophisticated playfulness. Oak flooring runs throughout the home, providing a warm, consistent base, while walnut timber joinery adds depth and contrast with its darker tones.

The laundry chute proved particularly tricky. Bridget wanted one from the upstairs wardrobe straight down to the laundry below. “That took a while to design and navigate with the builder, the joiner, myself and Bridgit,” says Anna.

One of the most charming details of the renovation process was the couple’s living arrangement during construction. They rented a property directly behind their home, and rather than walking around the block for site visits, they popped out a few of the slats in the fence. “I’d take all the samples over to the rental house, duck through the fence and we’d go and have a look,” says Anna.

After almost five years of collaboration, what Anna is most delighted with is the home’s unassuming nature. “You wouldn’t know that it was there. You go up a beautiful long driveway, and even when you come to the front of the house, you see a nice new house. But it’s not until you go in, through the living spaces, and out, and then upstairs into the bedroom suite, it just feels very calm and relaxing, but 100 per cent them.”

The McBride Construction team is equally pleased by the finished project and is proud to have been able to help the homeowners to modernise their house. “We listened to the clients and created something that really works for them. It’s been great working collaboratively with Anna and the homeowners,” he says.

Bridgit says every room is “its own treat” and delights in some of the details that Anna and Karl have incorporated into the design to make everyday life easier. “I like all the smart features of the home and the fact that we’ve kept the original staircase, for example, as a nod to the original mid-century home,” says Bridgit. “Anna and Karl took all the stress away from going through this renovation. It’s been a delight.”

This sense of place – of a home that perfectly reflects its owners while maintaining a serene, resort-like quality – is something everyone can be happy with.