South Sound serenity

Cape Dutch architecture in the heart of South Sound.

Dramatic dining and living area. Images: STEPHEN CLARKE PHOTOGRAPHY AND LAURA MUNYARD DURSTON

Peeking out above the treeline of a quiet South Sound community, an intricate roofline draws the eye to Emily and Tim Evans’s stunning home.

Circular stepping stones lead visitors past soft-toned bougainvillea, delicate white dwarf poui trees swaying in the breeze, and Texas sage and white and purple flowering ruellia nestled in large troughs under the home’s tall front windows.

This isn’t your average cookie-cutter home. Instead, it is one with unique architectural details and bold design choices.

A porcelein Azalai backsplash creates a dramatic kitchen.

FINDING HOME

While looking for the perfect place to build their dream home for them and three-year-old daughter Marlowe, the couple explored numerous South Sound neighbourhoods.

“My wife and I would go on random drives through neighbourhoods in South Sound hoping to find vacant lots for sale, and also to scout for home inspiration, however we were always drawn back to [this area],” says Tim.

“Obviously, there were other options available, but for me, the established neighbourhood and its family-dominant and friendly community was very appealing.”

DESIGN DECISIONS

Cape Dutch gables.

The architecture of the four-bedroom home is striking, and was inspired by a family vacation to South Africa, specifically the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch areas.

“We loved the curved gables of the distinctive Cape Dutch style, and couldn’t really see past that when we were discussing possible designs with the architect,” explains Emily.

As well as intricate architectural features, both the exterior and interior of the home utilise dramatic contrasts between light and dark aspects.

“When I started giving some thought to the interior, I wanted a very calm, cool and relaxed feeling as soon as you entered the door. Natural light spills into the spaces, so I felt the house could handle some darker tones without feeling like a cave,” says Emily, who chose a classic palette of black, white and gold with many wood tones and hints of mid-century vintage.

Natural accents in the nursery.

Gathering design inspiration from books, other houses and travel destinations, Emily says the vast majority of the design came to her in her dreams. “I would draw out ideas, furniture layout and colours as soon as I woke up.”

“My main objective for the home was to make a space in which you felt immediately relaxed, a feeling that would make you want to instantly sink into the sofa and take a midday nap,” she says. “I wanted the dark, earthiness of the kitchen and living room wood panelling to give the space a cozy feel, and I think that was achieved.”

No one room is like the next, with Emily saying they all embody their own personality and characteristics.

A serene bathroom.

“I enjoy bold, playful patterns and believe it is very important in design (and life) to not to take anything too seriously,” she says. “We are a young family, and I wanted the home to reflect that. I enjoy playing around with wallpaper, adding bright colours, dimension and texture.

“Instead of focusing on decorating with art pieces around the home, I wanted to use interesting textures with wood panelling, large stone slabs and soft accent lighting as the art.”

Halfway through the building process, the Evans were introduced to Andy Wu, the interior and furniture designer of 3 AT Design company in Hong Kong.

“After many, many hours of phone calls and drawings, we came up with the interior plan which you can now see throughout our home,” explains Emily. “All the furnishings from 3 AT Design are bespoke to our space, so every piece feels quite unique and personal to me.”

Textured accents.

FUNCTIONAL AND FUN

Wooden built-ins showcase décor.

One of the most unique rooms in the home is Marlowe’s playroom. Tucked away behind glass walls allowing both containment and clear sight lines, lies a whimsical room even adults will appreciate.

“I knew I wanted to have a super fun playroom in the home, without question. I wanted a space that was completely dedicated to my daughter, that she could retreat to and feel it was all hers,” says Emily, who took advantage of high ceilings by making the room two storeys, and incorporated hidden storage to increase the room’s functionality.

Other aspects of the rest of the home also lend themselves well to a young family.

“We tried to design the house with a lot of round edges on the furniture, and high-touch/easy-to-clean fabrics,” explains Emily. “I made all of the living/dining windows fixed-panels so there is only one entry/exit to the backyard, through the veranda. This way we don’t have a ton of water/mud being tracked through the house.”

The veranda is also situated on the opposite side of the house to Marlowe’s room, so evening entertainment will not disturb her, and is presently Emily’s favourite space in the home.

“It has been perfect for entertaining guests, and their children – it really feels like a true extension of our home,” she says. “The outdoor TV came in handy for the World Cup, and I am slowly getting to grips with the BBQ. The motorised mosquito netting and the high-powered fans mean that it is a space we can enjoy any time of day or night, throughout the year.”

With practical and beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces, the Evans have succeeded in their aim to create a relaxed dream home in their dream neighbourhood.

Combining dramatic aesthetic choices, with functional design, their South Sound retreat is complete.

CONTRACTOR: JOE BUREY – JB DEVELOPMENT
LANDSCAPING: GROW WITH THE FLOW
METAL WORK: 504 METAL WORK
KITCHEN: POOLEY CABINETS POOL: EXOTIC POOL & SPA
WOODWORK: MODERN CABINET
ELECTRICAL/LED WORK: TESLA ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
MOTORISED SCREENS: WIZARD SCREENS
ARCHITECT: JOHN YEO – PARADISE DRAFTING
INTERIOR/FURNITURE DESIGN: ANDY WU – 3 AT DESIGN

This article appears in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of InsideOut magazine, now available at magazine stands and delivered to select homes.