Matapōuri marvel

The vision of Sticks and Stones Design came to life as a relaxed, resort-inspired retreat designed entirely around the lifestyle of its owners. And at the heart of the refined coastal home is a beautifully resolved kitchen where warm oak textures, sculptural and assertive Taj Mahal stone and cleverly concealed functionality combine.

The renovation was far more than a simple kitchen upgrade. With BH Construction, Sticks and Stones founder and interior designer Katie Scott led the project, a full-scale refresh of the home. Alongside a new kitchen, the bathrooms, ensuite, walk-in wardrobe, outdoor spa area, exterior improvements and multiple architectural upgrades were all completed while the homeowners travelled overseas.

“They basically handed over a huge wish list before leaving,” Katie explains. “They said, ‘We’re going away for six months, can you make it all happen while we’re gone so we can come home to a finished house?’”

That trust shaped the entire process. With the clients often out of reception as they travelled through Patagonia, the team managed much of the build independently, coordinating trades, design decisions and installation timelines from afar. Despite this logistical challenge, the result is calm, cohesive and deeply personal. It’s a home designed entirely around how the free-spirited clients live.

From the outset, the brief centred around creating a relaxed beach-house atmosphere while elevating the home into something more refined and contemporary. The owners wanted interiors that reflected the surrounding environment: soft, earthy and connected to the sea visible from the property. “There needed to be that connection to the beach,” Katie says. “They wanted it to feel chill and relaxed, like a beach bach, but still elevated enough to feel like home.”

The material palette became central to achieving that balance. Existing bamboo laminate flooring posed one of the project’s biggest design challenges. The flooring carried strong red undertones and could not realistically be replaced without major structural work and extensive floor patching. Instead of fighting against it, Katie chose to work with it.

Warm oak-toned cabinetry was carefully selected to soften the flooring’s red hues while maintaining the light, coastal aesthetic the clients wanted. Earthy textures and layered neutrals helped create harmony throughout the space, while rugs and soft furnishings further grounded the palette.

Key to the kitchen’s look sits the project’s hero material: dramatic Taj Mahal stone supplied through CDK Stone. Used as a sculptural focal point, the stone brings movement, softness and luxury into the heart of the home while reinforcing the sandy, organic tones found throughout the interior. The visual element anchors the open-plan living area with striking intention.

While the kitchen is undeniably beautiful, the project’s success lies equally in its functionality. Every design decision was driven by how the clients live and entertain. The original wish list included a full scullery, but existing plumbing constraints, structural limitations and the home’s layout made a traditional walk-in scullery impossible. Rather than compromising the openness of the kitchen, Katie devised an alternative solution.

Hidden behind sleek pocket doors sits a concealed preparation and appliance zone complete with additional storage, a secondary sink and integrated dish drawers. The space offers the practicality and concealment of a scullery without consuming valuable floor area. “It gives them the experience of a scullery without technically needing a separate room.”

Pocket doors became a recurring feature throughout the design, allowing spaces to disappear seamlessly when not in use. On the opposite side of the kitchen, another concealed zone houses the homeowners’ extensive tequila collection and entertaining bar. The owners love hosting guests, and the bar needed to be sizeable enough to store their favourite drops, while still maintaining the clean, minimalist feel of the kitchen. Hidden cabinetry and carefully integrated storage ensured the entertaining spaces remained functional without visual clutter.

Hardware throughout the kitchen was supplied by Blum, enabling smooth concealed storage solutions and reinforcing the project’s focus on clean functionality. Timber battens from Genia added texture and warmth, while Totally Amped Electrical delivered integrated lighting solutions that enhance the home’s layered atmosphere both day and night.

Beyond the kitchen, the ensuite renovation introduced a dramatically different mood. Inspired by luxury resorts and boutique hotels the clients had experienced during their travels, the space embraces darker tones, layered textures and a sense of retreat. The redesign completely reconfigured the original footprint, rotating walls to create both a larger walk-in wardrobe and a more spacious bathroom within the same area.

A walk-in shower, moody tiling from Quantum Tiles and carefully considered lighting create a luxurious sanctuary tailored to beachside living. One particularly thoughtful detail was the inclusion of a heated towel rail positioned inside the shower itself, specifically designed for drying swimwear after days spent at the beach.

Outside, the renovation extended into a new spa area complete with an outdoor shower, continuing the relaxed resort aesthetic across the property. Combined with roof repairs and broader upgrades throughout the house, the project ultimately became what Katie describes as “a good spring-clean upgrade” that transforms a recently purchased home into something entirely personal to its owners.

For Katie, the project perfectly reflects the philosophy behind Sticks and Stones Design. “I design for people, not trends,” she says. “Every client is different; every home is different, and every project should feel specific to the people living there.”

Contact Details
Sticks+Stones Design
022 090 5253
katie@ssdesign.co.nz