A little bit country
Casabella Interiors brings a designer’s eye to a refined yet rustic Ōtautahi home.
The tiles are from Italian Ceramic Tiles, a Christchurch-based direct importer of high-quality Italian tiles for interiors, exteriors, walls and floors.
Dave Richards
The interiors of this cosy Canterbury new build are the result of a collaboration between Karen Smith at Casabella Interiors and clients she knows well. Having worked with Karen on previous projects, the homeowners knew she would understand their needs and reflect their personalities in the design.
With a swathe of organic finishes such as timber, leather, wool and stone, this is a home with a warm heart.
“It’s high-country inspired with a bit of a hunting lodge feel. It’s a characterful space that truly feels like a home,” says Karen.
With tactile materials and moody hues, the interiors are sophisticated, cohesive and packed with personality. Karen is always thrilled to work with people who like something a little bit different. Working with clients right from the initial concept stage means she can fully bring all their ideas to fruition.
The charred larch finish above the fireplace in the living area brings through an edgier variation of the larch cladding from the exterior, and was the client’s suggestion. “A brilliant idea,” says Karen. “They even created the charred finish by hand themselves.”
Elsewhere on the walls, Karen has added several wallpapers to introduce different moods to spaces, and to deliberately draw the eye through the rooms.
Karen says that reviewing architectural plans early in the process and offering solutions to maximise the flow of each room is key to a balanced interior. This proved effective for these clients, as their home is arranged around a central courtyard with a compact footprint. While the darker colours and materials keep the house feeling warm and grounded, it still needed to be open, airy and functional.
The kitchen is central to the open plan style of living, frequently hosting generations of extended family. The scullery is an extension of the space, designed to cater to the overflow of busy family occasions with two dishwashers, two sinks and three ovens. The separate den features a leather Chesterfield-style sofa and flows off the living area, with pocket doors for optional privacy. A large loft room above the garage is an ideal place for the grandchildren to enjoy.
In the open plan space, bespoke furniture ensures a perfect balance of functionality and visual appeal. “Custom built furniture allows you to maximise comfort while working with the proportions of spaces.”
Karen says it’s important not to underestimate a good lighting plan. “I always like to have a lighting consultant work with me, so here we made sure the lighting gives a cosy ambiance while highlighting the features such as drapery and wallpapers.”
From beautiful wallpapers and furnishing fabrics to the wool carpets, tiles and the honed granite kitchen benchtops, Karen has many favourite aspects in this home. There are recycled materials too. The stone on the hearth and behind the wood burner has been brought through from the exterior and was reclaimed from an earthquake-damaged building.
“This is a forever home, and everything has been chosen from the heart. That’s how it all comes together,” says Karen.
