Ben & Tyla's Contemporary Beachside Haven
Seven years ago, Ben successfully persuaded his now wife, Tyla, to make the move to the picturesque town of Mount Maunganui. It didn't take them long to discover their dream first home nestled in this charming beachside community, and the rest, as they say, is history. Recently, with the vision of a growing family in mind, the couple has embarked on a transformative journey to redefine their living space.
Credits
Being a Creative Director in the furniture and homewares industry, Ben approached the renovation project with a clear vision and unwavering passion. While aesthetics were of paramount importance, the duo placed equal emphasis on crafting a space that was both beautiful and functional. Strategic decisions such as opting for durable materials like laminate flooring and wool carpet underscore their commitment to creating a home that can withstand the test of time. Together, they have curated a coastal sanctuary where modern elegance harmoniously blends with the serenity of beachfront living.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do on the day to day?
I'm Ben, I live in our Mount Maunganui home with my wife Tyla & our pooch Pippi. I run a creative agency called Untitled Studio & I also work as the Creative Director for furniture & homewares store Kayu Studio. Outside of a busy work schedule I spend my downtime surfing, snowboarding, running & generally being outdoors.
What was your journey to living in your current home?
I moved from New Plymouth to the Mount for my previous job back in 2019. When I got to the Mount I flatted in the same house for 7 years. I convinced my now wife Tyla to move back to the Mount & we bought this home (our first) just over 7 years ago.
What were you hoping to achieve with this renovation?
We wanted to modernise & freshen up the space, adding some of our personality & design tastes to it. We wanted the space to be practical for our future family & feel like a home. We knew this place would do us well for quite some time, so with all of our changes we've made we have had that in mind.
What was important to you when choosing your new flooring?
We wanted products which felt new but also felt considered in our home. A major consideration was that the flooring would hold up to an energetic dog racing across them. We love the anti scratch properties of Quick-Step laminate for this. In the bedrooms, using a wool carpet has helped retain the heat & overall the colours of both the carpet & Quick-Step have warmed the space up.
Where do you draw interior inspiration from?
I'm inspired by all things design, photography, interiors & architecture. I already had an interest in interiors & architecture but since being involved with Kayu Studio & some of my other clients in this space, this interest has really developed. Other sources would be magazines & books, travel & visiting new places.
Where are your favourite places to shop for your home?
Kayu Studio of course! We've been fortunate to be able to furnish our home with some nice pieces from there. I also like what the team at Baya are doing with their soft furnishings & rugs.
What’s your favourite space in your home and why?
I love our open plan lounge, kitchen, dining. It's a big space with a high stud, it feels super spacious & I like how connected all of the spaces are. We spend most of our time in here. It's a nice space to have when we have a bunch of our friends or family over.
Is there anything left to finish off to complete your home?
I think there's always something to be done on a renovation. But for the best part we're happy with where it's at, but there's some majors such as replacing the joinery which we'd like to do down the track. We know this is not our forever home but we'd like to think we'll be here for quite some time yet. So if it makes sense to tackle some of those majors we will.
