Mediterranean memories
In a secluded position overlooking Pegasus Bay, sits this cherished 20-year-old family home, expertly updated by DJ Hewitt Builders and Johnston Architects.
WORDS Shelley Sweeney PHOTOGRAPHY Mick Stephenson
EXTERIOR WARMTH The earthy plaster tone comes care of the team at Get Plastered who gave the home its warm exterior finish.
GARDEN PATH IPave Concrete provided a smooth, seamless flow between the home and garden.
A love of the sea drew Dennise Chapman and Tom Thomson to Taylor’s Mistake 20 years ago, where they built their dream home with views over Pegasus Bay and the South Pacific Ocean.
Twenty years later, they wanted a newer home but just couldn’t tear themselves away from two decades of memories in this stunning location. Instead, they decided to renovate the existing home with the help of DJ Hewitt Builders.
The couple also approached Johnston Architects for some guidance as to what they might change to modernise the house.
They were impressed by the level of finish and attention to detail in builder DJ Hewitt’s own home, so asked Daryl Hewitt and his wife Tara, an interior designer, to manage the build.
“We really love this area,” says Dennise. “We’re close to Sumner and Taylor’s Mistake, and we’re able to take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle provided by the tracks around the hills. Sumner Village is a great place to wander around with some top options for dining out and only 20 minutes to Christchurch’s city centre.”
DREAM ISLAND The waterfall island with matching splashback and hob were supplied and fitted by Artisan Stone. The kitchen cabinetry was fitted by Lyall Park Joinery.
The couple is firmly entrenched in their community, with great neighbours who all look out for each other. They have enjoyed many years of weddings, birthdays and parties together. When it comes to family, Tom has three adult children and six grandchildren who all live close by and visit often. The boss of the home is Buster – the couple’s Maltese Shitsu fur baby.
Dennise and Tom wanted to improve their usable outdoor space, making the most of the views while giving them and their neighbours some privacy. They wanted to make the kitchen the focal point of the living area, let more light in and reconfigure the house to suit them.
One of the main challenges was working in with the existing house. It was a farm-style finish originally, but it was time for a much-needed modernisation along with improvements to storage areas within the rooms. Another challenge was the weather and the COVID-19 lockdown which also managed to cause some delays.
The couple was in constant communication with the builder, Daryl, and his team, and they were always available to work through minor issues that were sorted quickly. Dennise says, “We came to rely on their years’ of experience to get the most out of the renovation, and we are sure that they took as much pleasure out of the outcome as we did.”
Regan Johnston from Johnston Architects, along with the team from DJ Hewitt, helped with the material specs and the interior finishes. The couple wanted natural materials that would blend with the Mediterranean style of the house using stone, wood and New Zealand wool carpet.
Stephen Mapleoft from Texture Plants worked on the landscape design, with a style that also complements the Mediterranean architecture.
Builder Daryl came through with a recommended team of subcontractors and suppliers, with excellent results. Dennise and Tom were determined to stay with local New Zealand made products where possible. The oak flooring and New Zealand wool carpet were selected through the team at Nextdore, who was very helpful throughout the process.
The couple enjoyed working with Oakleys Plumbing who provided the fittings and bathroom ware to suit their style. The Quartz benchtop came from Artisan Stone and is a real feature of the kitchen. Dennise adds that, “The kitchen island is a great place to sit, especially in the morning.”
FLOOR TO CEILING JE Tiling created luxurious bathrooms with stunning floor to ceiling tiles.
CHANGING ROOMS The fourth bedroom is now a spacious walk-in wardrobe for the master.
The security and smart house features have raised the couple’s technology and connectivity to a whole new level with help from their electricians, Moot Electrical. The outdoor louvres are from Louvretec, who have done a great job of making the outdoor space more usable.
Dennise and Tom especially love the outcome of converting the fourth bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe. “It suits us perfectly, but we have left the windows in place so that the room can be converted back to a bedroom if needed by a new owner at some stage in the future,” says Dennise.
Using DJ Hewitt meant they not only got the building and management expertise of Daryl and his team, but they also got the benefit of Tara’s skills in interior design. Dennise says, “They were a pleasure to deal with throughout the project and came up with many ideas that added value. Jason, our foreman, could not have been more helpful, and the rest of the DJ team and all the contractors did a superb job.”
Both Dennise and Tom are busy business owners and would like to have more time to play golf, go fishing, and relax with the family. But at least they know that when they’re ready, their beautifully renovated home will help them to do just that.
ENTERTAINER'S DELIGHT This inviting outdoor room from Louvetec blends well with the stonework and decking for a perfect entertaining space.
LUSH LANDSCAPE The stone, steel and timber structures are softened by the lush landscaping from Texture Group.
INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT
BUILDER
DJ Hewitt Builders Ltd
03 384 7470
djhewitt.co.nz
ARCHITECT
Johnston Architects
03 326 6688
johnstonarchitects.co.nz
FLOORING
Nextdore
03 366 9400
nextdore.co.nz
PLUMBING SUPPLIES
Oakleys Plumbing Supplies
03 379 4750
oakleysplumbing.co.nz
TILES
Brymac Tiles Ltd
03 366 8187
brymactiles.co.nz
LOUVRES
Louvretec NZ Ltd
03 374 3263
louvretec.co.nz
METAL CEILING BATTENS
Apex Interiors
0508 FITOUT
apexinteriors.co.nz
SHOWER GLASS AND MIRRORS
Glassforce
03 384 3077
glassforce.co.nz
DRIVEWAY
I Pave Concrete
0800 472 8348
ipave4u.co.nz
ELECTRICAL
David Moot Electrical
03 343 5061
davidmootelectrical.co.nz
ROOFING
Membrane Masters
021 799 965
membranemasters.co.nz
TILING
JE Tiling
027 228 0867
jetiling.nz
PAINTING
Greytone Painters
021 354 803
SCAFFOLDING
Daveron Scaffolding
03 366 6227
daveronscaffolding.co.nz
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Texture Group
03 349 7296
texturegroup.co.nz
INTERIOR PLASTERING
Broomfield Quality Stoppers
021 669 215
broomfieldqualitystoppers.co.nz
EXTERIOR PLASTERING
Get Plastered
027 243 6246
BENCHTOPS, VANITIES AND HEARTH
Artisan Stone
03 348 0680
artisanstone.co.nz
JOINERY
Lyall Park Joinery
03 313 9985
lyallpark.co.nz
