Reclaimed, Pre-Loved and Re-Used. These were Sandy's words to describe the eclectic mix of influences that she and Russell put into their home in Barrytown.
It was easy to get Sandy and Russell talking about the process of building their home. As I listened I realised they were talking about their own journey. I heard their hopes and dreams for a lifestyle that shares the values of the past and allows freedom to enjoy life at a slower pace. They want people to come and share this magic.
Sandy said they felt the building should belong to the West Coast.
They have gone to extraordinary lengths to incorporate local history and pay respect to wholesome working people of the area.
They elevated timbers from farm outbuildings to treasures remodelled for indoors.
A collection of beautiful wood salvaged from old sheds and cattle yards sits comfortably under the gaze of a stained glass window from the Greymouth Post Office.
When they reclaimed the timber floor from a joiner shop they made a marvellous discovery: Carved on the underside of the boards was the date 1901. The carpenters who laid the floor in the early port of Greymouth would certainly be surprised about the current presentation of their elaborate signatures. Their names now feature as a cryptic decoration in the living room.
A giant wave of bush clad hills rises up behind the house. She sits safely anchored to the land with sturdy beams from the old Cobden Railway Bridge.
Russell designed the high curved ceilings to echo the curves of the land. "He is good with plans, being a landscape gardener" said Sandy as she minimised her input by describing it as "a steep learning curve for a hairdresser."
It was Sandy's vision to rough plaster the vaulted ceilings. Lovely natural light entering from watery seascapes outside is captured by the plasterwork and scattered across the kitchen.
Local beauty outdoors and local culture inside crafted from the imaginations and different backgrounds of these two understated people. Russell from his New Zealand culture and Sandy from her Caribbean roots in British Colonial Bermuda.
The overall effect sings of people and places, here and beyond.
Andre is a South African with a passion for New Zealand. He regularly volunteers for DoC.
Andre is an outdoorsy sort of bloke, he has guided throughout the South Island for 27 years and climbed Mt Cook.
Andre married his Scottish maiden in an Edinburgh Castle 8 years ago and brought her home to New Zealand. Alison brought her Aga… Her passion for cooking has extended to a vast vegetable garden. Almost all the vegetables she cooks with have come from her own tunnel houses.
They both love that they share their home with native birds. Weka, Owls, Tui and Bellbirds are regular guests. Kiwi are sometimes heard.
Alison and Andre are mindful of their impact on the environment. They have a plan to manage their consumption. They have thought it through and put it into action. They collect rain water and are installing solar water heating.
Alison and Andre have green thumbs. They have made the most of the temperate climate and ample rainfall to foster an extensive fruit and vegetable garden. They use coffee grounds, high in nitrogen, from a local café to mulch their gardens.
Andre and Alison provide luxury accommodation in a unique, remote and beautiful location. Unwind in the outdoor bath while the sun sets and enjoy sumptuous food and engaging hospitality.
