Mangōnui Harbour in the Far North is a deep, wide estuary with a historic town at its mouth. At the top of the harbour sits Paewhenua Island, a boutique development connected to the mainland by the main highway. Right on the water, surrounded by regenerating natives, sits this contemporary home.
The owners lead busy lives at home in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with frequent international travel, often for long periods of time. They sought to create the feeling of an international resort, complete with yoga room, swimming pool and lush planting. They worked with BoConcept’s Signe Bojesen to refine the interior design and furniture selections of both the main house and guest house, and she immediately saw the potential. “The light, the nature, the serenity – it was the perfect canvas,” she says.
Part of BoConcept’s design service is to use a 3D-rendering programme to bring a design to life. This gives clients an understanding of the space, and how furniture will fit into it, allowing them to walk through their home virtually before ordering to ensure they select the perfect pieces. “From the very beginning, when the architectural plans were just being drawn up, the client involved me in the design process,” she says.
Bojesen’s approach was to make the space feel like a retreat. The clients escape to their Northland base for rest and respite, so she sought to cre ate “a place where comfort meets luxury”.
With that in mind, she suggested they use soft, neutral, textured fabrics, luxurious velvet and rich leather. The Bergamo sofa, with its curved end, softens the room and makes for an inviting place to sit and enjoy the view. It’s paired with the Madrid coffee table and Eden ottoman, which adds another layer of softness. In a corner overlooking the garden, she added the brand’s timeless Imola chair in tan leather. In the dining area are the Augusta dining table and Adelaide dining chairs: classic, but warm.
The place feels cohesive, inviting – and very personal. “Because I have worked so closely with the clients over the years,” says Bojesen, “I had a good undersanding of their style, and how they want to live.”
BoConcept
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