The perfect combination
A chance to express her own interior design skills, homeowner Haley from Cleine Design worked with Mike Greer Homes to create this beautiful new home for herself and her family on the outskirts of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOGRAPHY Visual Spaces Photography
Loving their view onto a serene reserve, it was important for the homeowners to use Fairview aluminium windows, with high-performance R-values and multi-chamber cavity framing to minimise heat loss.
As an interior designer, making choices comes relatively easily to homeowner Haley Cleine. She has worked with Mike Greer Homes for more than 10 years with close to 3000 clients in the interior design of the construction company’s new builds. It’s fair to say she’s seen a lot of houses and, with her clients, has made a lot of selections.
“After the Christchurch earthquakes, I completed a lot of interior design work for Mike Greer Homes – and still do,” says Haley. “Mike Greer encouraged me to work as much as I wanted, and I quickly found myself booked well in advance. His support and belief in my abilities as an interior designer have been instrumental in my growth and success.”
But was it the same easy decision-making process with her own family’s home? Haley often works with clients who are grateful and trusting of her style suggestions. Luckily, Haley’s family were no exception.
“While there was still a lot we loved about our first build in Prestons, we experienced the classic seven-year itch,” Haley explains. “With our two oldest boys having left home, we went from a family of six to a family of four. And, happily, my family wanted me to design the interiors for our new home.”
The Metro log burner and ducted heating grills in this home were all supplied by Simply Heat. The fire provides a cosy warmth in winter and the heating grills allow for heating and cooling solutions all year round throughout every space.
Husband Jade chose the kitchen’s pendant lights, which were expertly installed by Lineside Electrical. The company provided a complete electrical solution for the new home’s wiring needs, as well as the plumbing.
A key feature in this kitchen is the large bar nook with laminate floating shelves and drawers below, adding versatility and a social element to the space.
The desire was to find a new abode that would better reflect the family’s current life circumstances and evolving tastes. And when Haley was walking through the Mike Greer offices one day, she happened to glance at one of the architectural designer’s computer screens with drawings that seemed to fit the bill, of a new development, Styx Mill Park.
“There was something special about it,” says Haley. “I was instantly captivated. The 517sqm section we chose has a beautiful north-facing aspect and backs onto a reserve, giving us a stunning outlook.”
The 40-house development at Styx Mill Park offers an ideal combination of a peaceful escape (with nearby scenic loop tracks, lakes and bushland) and easy access to the central city. The reserve at the back of the property is also home to endangered gecko species, with purpose-built mounds of rocks there to provide a habitat. Says Haley, “The combination of natural beauty, convenience and community made it the perfect place for us to build our home.”
The build process with Mike Greer Homes was as straightforward as it was collaborative. “I really enjoyed working with Emma Sheridan, the architectural designer,” says Haley. “She’s really clever; she listened
to our ideas and tweaked the plan appropriately to maximise our site and include everything we wanted.”
For instance, the kitchen area was pushed out slightly to allow for the incorporation of a bar area and a bigger fridge. Emma also monitored the build, ensuring that everything was executed according to plan. Contractors were organised, communicative and professional. Haley says the process couldn’t be faulted.
“Our experience of working with Mike Greer Homes was great,” says Haley. “They are a reliable and well-established building company with more than 30 years of success, and I would have no hesitation about building another home with them.”
The interiors, naturally, fell squarely to Haley. She wanted to capture a sense of light, space and openness. “With the busyness of daily life, I wanted our home to be a place of peace and calm,” she says. “Creating a welcoming atmosphere where family and friends feel at home was equally important to us.”
And Haley has certainly achieved this. From the first step inside the home, the mood is set at the open entranceway with an instant view to the garden and reserve at the back of the property through a large floor-to-ceiling window. Family photos and artwork line the hallway. The living areas effortlessly accommodate large family gatherings and maximum light has been achieved through large windows, an atrium-style ceiling and skylights. The neutral colour palette also enhances the feeling of space.
Newtech Bathroomware provides innovative options for homeowners like Haley. With the team’s help, she chose her tapware, bath, vanities and basins with them, to stunning effect. They are Porscha Luxe Wall Hung Vanities, Toni Oval Vitreous China Vessel Basin and Willow Freestanding Bath.
The media room exudes a relaxed, calm vibe with dark-painted walls and plenty of space for an oversized sofa and large TV and speakers. The built-in shelving in the room also allows for Haley to add decorative pieces that add her own personal style. A study is designed for working from home and has plenty of space for a sizeable built-in desktop and storage beneath.
There’s a sense of timeless elegance about the home, with thoughtful, natural design details such as rattan light shades and a custom made velvet armchair. “By blending these aspects, I aimed to create a harmonious environment that feels bright, airy and welcoming, while offering the comfort and privacy needs for everyday living.”
Despite only moving in at the start of this year, the family are enjoying every area of the home. “I adore our huge pantry, which keeps everything organised and accessible,” says Haley. “I’m also really pleased with the design of the kids’ rooms and their bathroom.” She is also proud of her husband Jade’s choice of wallpaper in the separate powder room. “It’s the only wallpapered room in the house, and it always garners compliments. It was a great choice.”
In today’s fast-paced world, with social media showcasing seamlessly perfect homes, Haley and her family have sought to create a home that is thoughtful and intentional, and that reflects her family’s values and lifestyle, rather than keeping up with idealised standards. “By keeping it real and appreciating each step of the journey, we’ve been able to create a space that truly feels like home.”
Involved in this project
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Cleine Design
027 379 8590
cleinedesign.co.nz
BUILDER
Mike Greer Homes
03 354 0166
mikegreerhomes.co.nz
JOINERY
Misco Joinery
03 383 4384
misco.co.nz
ALUMINIUM JOINERY
Fairview Concepts
03 323 8887
fairviewwindows.co.nz
ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING
Lineside Electrical
022 084 3351
PLUMBING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES
Newtech Bathroomware
0800 728 662
newtech.co.nz
DUCTED HEATING & FIRE
Simply Heat
03 365 3685
simplyheat.co.nz
