Hilltop luxury

Minimalist finishes and a combination of cedar, concrete and many naturalgreys let the views take centre stage in this tranquil coastal home. The site, once home to a modest cottage, was always defined by its extraordinary outlook across harbour, offshore islands, and distant ranges, but unlocking its potential took a strong expert vision and engineering ingenuity.

The land itself dictated much of the project’s character. It’s as uncompromising as it is spectacular. Site access was so restricted that parts of the hillside had to be carefully opened up with chainsaws to allow transport trucks through, with temporary routes carved directly into the terrain. Exposure to the elements proved another challenge. Rather than resisting these constraints, the build absorbed them, allowing the home to emerge in direct response to its hilltop setting rather than being imposed upon it.

For owner-builders Dave Beatty and Roselle Gould, who now live on the property with their dog Harley, the intention was never to dominate the site, but to settle into it. “We wanted a home that would sit well into its surrounds while making the most of the views and its northerly aspect,” they explain.

The property stretches across rolling farmland above the coast, where Red Devon cattle and Wiltshire sheep graze the paddocks below. Looking out from the house, the eye moves from green pasture to blue water and distant islands sitting low on the horizon. Every room in the home takes advantage of that outlook.

Guests flow inside as easily as the continuous material palette. The main living area sits at the centre of the floorplan, bringing together kitchen, dining and lounge spaces beneath soaring ceilings.

Large sliding doors open to decks on both sides, allowing the house to breathe with the seasons and creating multiple places to gather throughout the day. Three covered outdoor living areas give the homeowners options regardless of the weather. Morning coffee can be enjoyed in one corner sheltered from the wind, while another space catches the afternoon sun. On stormy days, they become front-row seats to the changing moods of the coastline.

While the architecture takes full advantage of the views, the interiors take a more subtle approach. Interior designer Kate Clay, from The Room Interiors, was brought into the project through CB Homes, having previously collaborated with the team on earlier builds. Rather than arriving with a rigid brief, she was given the freedom to explore ideas alongside the homeowners as the project evolved. This openness to interpretation and willingness to explore meant the home’s character emerged naturally. One goal was something beyond the expected light and beachy coastal aesthetic often associated with seaside living.

A minimalist white and oak palette was initially considered, but as the design progressed, those ideas began to feel disconnected from the site. Outside were moody islands, weathered cliffs, natural blues and greys. The team realised the interiors needed to acknowledge that landscape, rocks and boulders, sand and earth, trees and bark, rather than compete with it. What emerged was a material and colour story that frames the views rather than fights against them.

“I wanted to mimic the strength and moodiness seen through the windows of the three neighbouring islands, Whenuakura, Hauturu and Maukaha, along with the colours and shades the ocean and sky create on a wild stormy day in the Coromandel,” Kate says. Western Red Cedar plays a major role,
but even that was treated differently.

A slate-grey wash was applied to reduce the timber’s natural redness, bringing it closer to the colours found in the surroundings. Walls and ceilings were finished in shades of grey, while polished concrete floors and wool carpets provide texture and warmth. Off- whites were used selectively in utility spaces.

Earthy fabrics and furnishings add depth without overwhelming the spaces. Nothing shouts for attention. “The intent was to have no standout elements, but to create a continuous colour scheme throughout the home,” Kate says. That philosophy extends throughout the home. The kitchen remains understated, allowing family life and entertaining to take centre stage rather than any one finish or material.

Positioned to take in views on two sides, the master bedroom almost feels suspended above the land. Still, the room itself remains uncomplicated and calming. Bedrooms become slightly darker and more cocooning, creating a sense of retreat at the end of the day. Bathrooms shift in the opposite
direction, feeling lighter and simpler.

Like every successful project, the finished result is the product of countless decisions that most visitors will never notice. A testament to CB Homes’ mindset and network, when a material, furnishing, or design element proved impractical or difficult to source, the broader scheme was recalibrated. Each stage of the design process was shaped through four guiding principles: what could realistically be achieved, how constructable it was, its cost- effectiveness and its accessibility within the supply chain.

The kitchen joinery was completed by PCK Kitchens, while Laser Electrical delivered the lighting and electrical systems throughout the home.

Mason Roofing was responsible for protecting the home from the harsh coastal conditions, and LMA Timber supplied one of the project’s defining materials. The exterior cladding is reclaimed Class 1 Australian hardwood ironbark installed vertically in a shiplap profile. Finished with a smoky-grey stain, the timber introduces texture and character while providing the durability required for such an exposed location.

The sleek outdoor space is undeniably relaxing. A swimming pool was also considered essential. Having moved from a property much closer to the beach, Dave and Roselle still wanted somewhere to swim and relax at home. The solution came in the form of a concrete pool imported from Australia, arriving fully fitted and ready to install.

Designed as a long-term family retreat for a semi-retired couple with grown
children and young grandchildren, the home looks beyond immediate needs to future generations. Like the environment around it, it has been designed to age gracefully. Timber, concrete and natural finishes were selected not to remain exactly as they appeared on completion day, but to weather, soften and evolve alongside their coastal surroundings. The result is a home that feels settled rather than staged, equally suited to slow mornings overlooking the harbour or lively family gatherings, standing confidently above the coastline while remaining firmly connected to the land beneath it.

Contact Details:
CB Homes
027 348 1993
admin@cbhomes.co.nz