Kapiti Views

Perched to capture the views, this build is a home that perfectly blends modern luxury with timeless restraint. Designed during the COVID lockdown by husband-and-wife duo Lisa and Tom Driffill of Narley Construction, and realised with architectural designer Mike of New Dimension Architecture, the home is both a personal milestone and a showcase of their combined expertise in building and interior design.

“We had a very clear vision for this home,” says interior designer Lisa Driffill. “It was a home that Tom and I designed during the COVID lockdown, and working together with our architectural designer, Mike, we came up with a very cohesive home that will be admired for years to come. The brief was modern, on trend (at the time) luxury but homely. We actually designed and built this home as a spec home, but then released it onto the open market for sale.”

Lisa spent a lot of time refining the finishes and fittings to ensure that every room connected visually yet felt distinct. “I am an overthinker naturally,” she says, “but I wanted each area of the home to make sense. I love lighting and wanted to create a talking point with every light.” Feature lighting became a defining element. Large living room pendants were imported from Australia, while pieces from Nightworks Studio, such as the Off Cut wall sconce in the entry, Code Kilo beside lights in the master, and the Duomo Piccolo Stem Wall Light at the window seat, were selected to act as “pops of art” by day and create a soft evening glow. “We love lighting and love the fact that these lights are proudly designed in NZ,” Lisa says.

The kitchen showcases Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo benchtops, chosen for their creamy base and elegant grey veining. “It really complemented the rest of the kitchen,” Lisa notes. A scullery-style nook introduces drama with a darker tone and custom steel shelving, while the adjacent bar area doubles as a place to display collectables or host casual drinks.

Bathrooms were designed to stay subtle enough for future owners to personalise but still feel considered. Layered Design sources all tiles selected by Lisa, including a quiet pop of green in the main bathroom and powder room. Installation was completed with precision by Turbo Tiling. White and brushed brass flow throughout, seen in the Astra Walker tapware from The Kitchen Hub, paired with chrome in the main bathroom to demonstrate mix-and-match possibilities. A soft texture is achieved through panelled feature walls, layered curtains, and custom joinery. “We keep things quite minimal and elegant,” Lisa says, “but then had some pops of darkness, like with door hardware.”

While Lisa finalised the interiors, Tom led construction with his Narley Construction team, navigating technical complexities to bring the vision to life. “The entrance area, how this was executed to create the right height, size, and proportions, and the rain screen using Abodo Vulcan Cladding were both standouts and challenges with this home,” he says.

The Abodo Vulcan Cladding in Nero, used as a dramatic rainscreen on the gable end, was new to the team but quickly became a defining feature. “We love working with the Abodo cladding; it performs well, and our team loved installing it,” says Tom. To balance the warmth of timber, KH Plastering delivered crisp, white plasterwork. “Keilan is an absolute master at his work,” Tom adds. “The simplicity of the plaster in white works so well with the texture of the Abodo cladding.”

Thermal performance and views were prioritised with Kalos Aluminium Joinery, which supplied an APL residential suite with Argon-filled SoluxE glass. “We had a few larger window components that went together really well, but required glazing on-site,” Tom notes. “All windows were carefully thought out to maximise the view and designed accordingly to suit the windy elements.” Flooring was supplied by Flooring Xtra Fielding, with the couple very happy with the result. “It was nice to see it installed and perform as it should,” Tom says.

The exterior spaces were equally considered, offering multiple zones for entertaining and relaxing. A Narellan Pools Palmerston North pool anchors the landscape, complemented by a custom double-curved plaster privacy wall. “It was easy to integrate as this property had a generous lawn,” Tom says. “We worked with Mike, our designer, to design this area, which integrated back to the already completed alfresco area.” Covered outdoor living spaces, one enhanced by a Louvretec system and featuring stone pillars, extend the home’s functionality year-round. At the same time, the main alfresco area connects directly to the pool for effortless summer entertaining.

Inside, a pivot front door opens to a light- filled living wing where kitchen, dining, and lounge all flow together, anchored by a window seat designed for sunsets and storage. A formal lounge with skylights, recessed LED lighting, and an Escea gas fire offers a refined retreat. The master suite is generous yet serene, featuring a walk-in wardrobe, a textured feature wall, and direct access to the pool. “Every project is memorable for us,” Lisa reflects, “but this was a little bit more unique. It was a combination of Tom’s and my personalities from the exterior through to the interior.

Contact details:

Narley Construction
0274 373 006
lisa@narleyconstruction.com
www.narleyconstruction.com