Meadowood House

I have a special, rather large and exciting post today about a Bibby + Brady project that Dael & I have been working on for quite some time. Meadowood House is a labour of love undertaken by Mark and Shelly Witchalls. Shelly discovered, and fell in love with a once-loved Art Deco country home in Fernhill, Hawke's Bay, surrounded by beautiful native bush and an abundance of birds. She then convinced Mark to relocate with her from the South Island to begin this new chapter in their lives.

The house is only a short distance from Napier, which is the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. After the 1931 Napier earthquake, much of the city was rebuilt in the Art Deco style and we now get visitors from all over the country, and the world, who come to enjoy the architecture, and celebrate the history. 

Shelly and Mark wanted to restore the house, return it to it's former Art Deco glory, and open it up to the public as a tourist lodge. They hired Dael and I to help them fulfil that dream. We created an initial mood board and then worked with Shelly and Mark over the months while it was transformed. The couple worked tirelessly alongside the builders and tradesmen, and sourced most of the furniture and accessories themselves. It was our job to source and advise on wallpaper, fabric, paint colours, as well as provide lots and lots of design ideas, inspiration and solutions where necessary.

Simple features like the curved bench top and cupboard give the kitchen a deco feel, and we love the fresh mint and white colour scheme.

The main living area, which you see when you enter the house, is stunning with it's gold wallpaper, peacock blue velvet sofa, and a window seat specially made to fit the curve of the wall.

A bordered carpet and a series of Art Deco lights leads you down the hallway to the bedrooms.

Each room has a beautiful Art Deco inspired wallpaper. The Aeroplane Room with it's own ensuite is one of my favourites.

The Flappers Room is light and bright with a gorgeous teal and gold colour scheme.

The Peacock Room, and master bedroom is bold and sophisticated, and also has a wheelchair access bathroom.

The Champagne Room is sunny and inviting, and beautifully feminine.

The lovely and talented Florence Charvin took all of the 'after' photographs for Mark and Shelly who are getting ready to welcome their first guests. The website is under way, so I will let you know once it's up and running, and hopefully also have some photos of the outside to show you. In the meantime, you can email Mark and Shelly if you're interested in booking or more info on Meadowood House.