Interiors: Northern exposure

Bagust home, Takapuna. Photo / Supplied

What would make a couple up-sticks from their beloved home in Christchurch and move to a somewhat basic little cottage at the other end of the country? In a word: family. Being close to their children and grandchildren was the catalyst for Judi and Daniel Bagust making the move to Auckland seven years ago.

"We both had very good lives but all the children had moved to Auckland," says interior designer Judi. "We couldn't bear the thought of only seeing our children and future grandchildren several times a year and not being there for them."

Leaving behind their "very classical, contemporary home" in Christchurch, the couple began house-hunting and found a cottage in Takapuna that Judi thought would make a welcoming home and be a fun place for the grandchildren.

"I was attracted by the simplicity of it," she recalls. "Although it wasn't right on the beach, it had a really beachy feel and I could see it had the potential to become one of those gorgeous little houses you see in the Florida Keys — all white and fresh. In the lounge the light was just beautiful and the garden was filled with birds, so there was a lushness about it.

"I could feel the house had a good spirit. We found out later that the same family had lived there for about 40 years and one of the girls described it as a very happy house. I wanted to reflect that."

Judi could see its potential despite the decades-old peach-coloured carpet and vertical blinds. Removing the carpet revealed rimu floorboards that have since been sanded and stained a deep walnut.

"I don't do a lot of white-on-white-on-white in my interiors work because I adore colour, but this house really lent itself to being mostly neutral," says Judi.

Colour has been used elsewhere in the home, though. The master bedroom boasts rich fuchsia walls that provide a vivid background to a collection of Judi's grandfather's oil paintings. The spare bedroom is painted in a bright turquoise. An earthy terracotta is the backdrop for the study, where Judi works on clients' designs and writes poetry.

The neutral colour scheme in the living areas creates a gallery atmosphere perfect for displaying Judi's own artworks, as well as pieces by her celebrity daughter Petra and other New Zealand artists.

"Being a painter and collector, I am passionate about having artwork in the home," says Judi. "You can pick up original artworks from art students and local college exhibitions, so there is no excuse for not having the real thing, which adds such character to your home, and is the stuff of stories."

The artworks aren't the only point of interest — the Bagusts have many treasures on display, each with a story attached. For example, the bench they now use as a coffee table is a memento from Judi's childhood — she and her siblings used to sit on it at the kitchen table.

With the cottage's transformation complete, the interior designer in Judi became restless for a new challenge, so she and Daniel have found a more contemporary home to work their magic on.

"I am looking forward to giving our next home a lot of character," she says.

"As an added bonus it has much more room for our eight grandchildren to enjoy."

Style tips

Collective force: Grouping small keepsakes or ornaments is a much more effective way of displaying them than dotting them through your home.
Original inspiration: Buy an inexpensive piece of art from a student or an art market to inject instant charm and individuality into your home.
Mix and match: Create interest by mixing vintage pieces with more recent finds and using different textures for contrast. This works well when you have a neutral backdrop.