4 Above and below: Architect Gerald Parsonson’s clients Richard Stewart and Kerry Sexton wanted their holiday home in Te Horo, north of Wellington, to feel like a bach, not a house that happens to be at the beach. He designed a small 87m2 retreat that was economical to build in fibro-cement and batten cladding with a simple pitched roof angled to catch the nor-wester breeze and shelter from southerlies. This bach won Resene Total Colour Awards for its interior and exterior – see page 34 for the colours used. Covenants on the subdivision restricted exterior colour options to greys and creams. However, owner Richard says: “The bach theme gave us the option to have a bit of fun and play with multiple colours.” To create a relationship between the bach and the blades of grass growing out of the sand dunes, they painted vertical stripes, using a tonal colour scheme. As you turn around the house, the colours get brighter. Then they brought the colours inside to connect the two. The bedroom below features Resene Classius walls and Resene Boulevard. Resene Boulevard is from an older colour collection; try Resene Sorrento as an alternative. words Vicki Holder images Paul McCredie, Glyn Hubbard, Aimee Kelly designers Liz Kerby, Lizzie K & Co, www.lizziekandco.co.nz; Anna Major, Haus Design, www.facebook.com/ HausInteriorDesigner; Gerald Parsonson, www.p-a.nz; Maurice Reeger, www.mnmdesign.co.nz avoids a lot of fingermarks on the walls.” Anna recommends hardwearing materials for easy-care. When it comes to furnishings, Anna says: “There’s so much available in op shops for crockery and beachy elements. Also look for country-style furniture that’s been re-upholstered. Focus on quality over quantity.” “People often like to bring the nostalgic aspect inside,” says Liz Kerby. “Honest natural materials and soft sea tones are relaxing and neutral. It’s an escape from the city so use rustic textures to blend with the scenery.” Liz’s own bach gave her an opportunity to create a different environment to her modern city home. “We had a more textural look with second-hand finds that immediately created a sense of nostalgia that was comforting. It can be quite different depending on where the bach is located. You might have lots of stone and a schist fireplace in an alpine region or lots of whitewashed timber floors, walls and ceilings or mats on walls in a coastal region.” And because baches are all about people gathering to socialise, she says, kitchens are smaller. “After all, most cooking happens outside in summer – on barbecues, braziers or fire pits.” Vanessa Nouwens of Nes Design owns a streamlined minimalist city home and wanted completely the opposite for her Waihi bach. “You can be a bit braver with colour in a bach because you’re not living with it on a daily basis.” Some of the family surf, so the bach has a relaxed surfie vibe with cane and rattan furniture and denim cushions featuring surfing brands. Edgy art prints represent the sea and surf while bags and caps on display add colourful interest. “When you don’t have a lot of storage, use the vertical wall space to hang things on pegs and shelves,” she suggests. Resene Classius Resene Boulevard Resene Sorrento 41 tips and tricks