A New Home Brings Generations Together in New Zealand
New Zealand couple Wayne and Irene Veale finished a dream home for themselves this year on their daughter and son-in-law’s property, surrounded by stunning views of the countryside. The couple now look forward to having their family over to open presents, feast on a scrumptious lunch and enjoy their beautifully festive new home this Christmas.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Wayne and Irene Veale
Location: Waitoki, Auckland, New Zealand
Size: About 2,615 square feet (243 square meters); three bedrooms, one bathroom
Who lives here: Wayne and Irene Veale
Location: Waitoki, Auckland, New Zealand
Size: About 2,615 square feet (243 square meters); three bedrooms, one bathroom
Wayne, who is a former builder, took on the challenge of building their dream home in this perfect spot. They started by looking at barn kits, but decided that to get what they wanted, they would have to design it themselves.
Irene and Wayne wanted a simple rustic style, with raw edges and an aged look. Irene’s background is in interior design, which helped in the design process. Every detail was thought out, and many were made by hand, which the couple says makes the home unique.
Budget restrictions meant that for a year and a half, Wayne did a lot of the work himself, spending every evening and weekend during that period finishing the interior of the home. The whole project was completed in 2016.
Budget restrictions meant that for a year and a half, Wayne did a lot of the work himself, spending every evening and weekend during that period finishing the interior of the home. The whole project was completed in 2016.
Irene is a hospitality queen who has always enjoyed having large groups of family and friends around for meals or to stay. The barn serves as the perfect spot for this, and the dinner table, couches and deck are often filled with visitors.
For the kitchen, the couple splurged on beautiful marble countertops, and saved on the cabinetry by fitting them with plywood fronts.
Wayne created the impressive Monterey cypress (Cupressus marcocarpa) beams and trusses in the living area during his Christmas vacation. They had to be built standing upright and then lifted by a crane into the vaulted, whitewashed ceiling space, because of their size and weight.
This Christmas, the couple have been able to properly deck their newly finished halls, and have gone all-out with their tall tree clad in glittering gold and white decorations.
Pendant lights: French Country
This Christmas, the couple have been able to properly deck their newly finished halls, and have gone all-out with their tall tree clad in glittering gold and white decorations.
Pendant lights: French Country
With the grandchildren living in the paddock below, the two families are always in and out of each other’s houses. “We have an open-home approach with our daughter and son-in-law, and we visit, support each other and enjoy each other’s company regularly,” Wayne says. “The grandkids want Poppa to build a flying fox from his house down to their home.”
Considering this closeness, it was of course a family affair when it came to decorating this year’s Christmas tree.
Considering this closeness, it was of course a family affair when it came to decorating this year’s Christmas tree.
The master bedroom is located downstairs and opens up to the generously sized deck. It’s a serene space, more contemporary than rustic in its design.
One unfinished project is this stunning mirror in the master bedroom, though Irene says visitors often comment that it looks great in its current state.
The bathroom is cozy, with Monterey cypress adorning the walls. Wayne once again completed the work here himself. The large bathtub is a hot spot during the colder months of the year, which can be very cold indeed in the hills of Auckland.
With timber-clad walls, wooden flooring and this bathroom countertop, the rustic style of the house continues with great strength in this space. A shower recess was also installed, and finished with white subway tiles to give it a contemporary edge.
The upstairs floor boasts two guest bedrooms, where guests stay. As such popular hosts, sometimes the Veales need even more space than these two bedrooms can provide. Irene says they often have people sleeping on the couches or the floor as a result.
The big braced pine doors are another one of Wayne’s creations, and they suit the barn style of the home perfectly. He also sanded the plywood floors — which run throughout the upstairs space — and the stairs by hand.
The big braced pine doors are another one of Wayne’s creations, and they suit the barn style of the home perfectly. He also sanded the plywood floors — which run throughout the upstairs space — and the stairs by hand.
The second guest bedroom is slightly smaller than the first, but still provides guests with ample space and a lovely view of the grassy land outside.
The huge deck, which wraps around more than half of the house, extends the size of the home and maximizes the amazing views of the valleys and pastures.
The roof is clad in black Colorbond steel, and the garage door is made of the same material. The rest of the exterior features a black stained board-and-batten finish.
The roof is clad in black Colorbond steel, and the garage door is made of the same material. The rest of the exterior features a black stained board-and-batten finish.
Wayne, seen here, can often be found outside. He loves his chickens, which are tame and walk around at leisure. They can usually be seen trailing Wayne or the grandchildren as they walk the property.
With the big Christmas tree lit up and the pile of presents below it growing every day, this close-knit family is more than ready for Santa to pay a visit.