A flash of inspiration while travelling in Canterbury led to a move south and a collaboration with Craig Brown Construction to create this impressive new home taking in panoramic mountain views from their beloved Mt Hutt to the Port Hills.

WORDS Anna Scaife PHOTOGRAPHY Mick Stevenson

Before their move to Canterbury, Auckland residents Mike and Karen were regular visitors to the South Island. Leaving their motorhome in Christchurch, the skiing and golf enthusiasts regularly embarked on family holidays to enjoy the best the region offers. With the youngest of their three children about to leave school, a visit to Oxford sparked a conversation that led to a new outlook for the couple.

Karen says, “One day, we were driving around in the motorhome and came across Oxford. We thought, wouldn’t it be great to move away from Auckland and just get away from the city. At that point, the kids were close to finishing school, and so we thought – there’s an idea!”

nestled happily between the ski fields and the golf course

A local farmer had recently subdivided his farm, and getting in early, Mike and Karen had the pick of the sections, choosing an elevated site with stunning views.

“We’re big skiers, and from here we can look out to Mt Hutt which is only 45kms away as the crow flies,” says Karen.

Mike is an engineer, and Karen has her own wholesale business with a flair for design. Both were keen to be heavily involved with the build project, so they sold up in Auckland and purchased a small property in the Oxford township to stay close at hand.

“We worked with Darren O’Neil, the architect, and he came up with concept plans. Then we met with local builders to view their previous work. Craig and Lia from Craig Brown Construction took us to see an incredible renovation project they had completed at Racecourse Hill, an historic home in Darfield. Mike’s father was a builder and he’s very particular, but he couldn’t fault it; their attention to detail was second to none.”

WHITE AND WOOD The beautiful kitchen cabinetry designed by Lyall Park Joinery was made with a warm walnut veneer and contrasting paint lacquer.

Convinced by the exceptional craftsmanship of the Craig Brown team, the project began, with Mike and Karen overseeing every aspect. Craig and Lia say it was a pleasure to work with clients with such a clear vision for their new home.

“Our clients wanted to encompass elements of places that were special to them, such as Queenstown, where Karen had grown up. They incorporated Alexandra schist into the design with a feature wall spanning through the entrance along with their large open fire which they love to curl up in front of on a cold winter night. They also wanted to create interest for those visiting and hidden throughout the schist, both inside and out, you can find some treasures, intricately placed in the stonework, a lock, a key, and a teapot, to name a few.”

The completed house is 410 square metres with a cross-shaped layout with four wings. To prepare for the possibility of extended family needing to live with them, they included a self-contained guest area in addition to the three bedrooms on the ground floor. The ‘control tower’ upstairs, with its wraparound windows, is a dedicated office space for Mike and Karen, who both work from home.

Karen is passionate about cooking, and the design of the generous living spaces includes a large entertainer’s kitchen stacked with plenty of cabinet space finished in black walnut veneer. More recently, they completed the cool storage and a wine cellar, putting the finishing touches on a home they love to share with others, whether it’s casually around the large island or more formally at the dinner table. Lia says, “The kitchen is state of the art, complete with Neff appliances which are all integrated, including the gorgeous ‘slide and hide’ ovens. There’s not a knob or handle in sight. Craig and I have been fortunate enough to enjoy Karen’s delicious home-cooked meals in that kitchen."

SUSTAINABLE STAIRS Solid American Walnut treads made to measure by The Woodsmiths were used for the staircase with rebating for brass inserts in luxurious, sustainable walnut.

Karen and Mike are delighted with the finished product, and there’s a long list of favourite features, including the solid walnut floating stairs and the delightful powder room, an enthusiasm shared by Lia.

She says, “The powder room is beautifully finished with luxurious wallpaper and floor-to-ceiling tiles with a wall-mounted tap and mixer and a very sleek freestanding cylindrical basin; it feels like a 5-star hotel!”

Karen and Mike say the process of working closely with Craig Brown Construction on this substantial project went smoothly, and they have made friends along the way.

“Lia is there to support clients through the process and provide as much help as they need. We wanted to be very hands-on and so she also knew exactly when to step back. And Craig is on the end of the phone whenever you need him. If there was ever a hiccup, he rectified it immediately. They have gone on to build my parent’s house and they’re currently building a home for friends of ours in Duvauchelle. We will send work their way whenever we can. They are excellent builders.”

It’s clear that Mike and Karen’s level of engagement with the design and build process has paid off.

EXTERIOR DETAILS The fascia and flashings from GA Harris complement the exterior of the home.

Lia says, “This is one of the most thoughtfully planned and executed builds we’ve had the pleasure of working on.”

Finished just in time for the first lockdown, Karen and Mike are well and truly settled in the landscape, nestled happily between the ski fields and the golf course. The couple spend their workdays up in the office surveying the scenery and even enjoying the magic of the occasional snowfall in winter.

“It’s everything we wanted. We can’t think of anything we would want to change,” says Karen.