Case Study: Restoring the kitchen of this Historic Napier Hill Villa in hawkes bay, new zealand.
Restoring the Essence of a Historic Napier Hill Villa
Nestled in the historic district of Napier Hill, a distinguished villa stood as a testament to architectural elegance from a bygone era. However, its kitchen, remodeled in a stark modern black theme, felt disjointed from the rest of the home’s character-rich narrative.
Our challenge was to rekindle the space’s historical charm, seamlessly blending it with the villa's heritage, while infusing modern functionality to meet contemporary living standards.
The journey of this transformation was thoughtful and meticulous, aimed at resurrecting the soul of the home without sacrificing the conveniences of modernity, as well as injecting colour and personality back into this home for our lovely English clients.
The first design detail we added to this villa home in hawkes bay was Panelled Doors and Drawers
Transitioning from the modern, sleek lines of the existing black kitchen, we introduced traditionally styled panelled doors and drawers. This design decision was crucial in rekindling the villa’s historical spirit, infusing the kitchen with a sense of depth and character that had been missing.
The choice of panelled detailing was more than a stylistic preference; it was a bridge to the past, offering a nod to the villa's rich heritage while integrating a timeless elegance that resonates with the home's overall aesthetic.
The inclusion of panelled doors and drawers served a dual purpose. On one hand, they paid homage to the villa's era, reflecting the intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail typical of the time.
On the other, they provided a modern adaptation that aligns with contemporary expectations of style and function. While the full monty of exposed mullions and classic woodwork might epitomize the traditional villa kitchen, such extensive detailing can be financially prohibitive and sometimes impractical for modern usage.
By opting for panelled doors and drawers, we achieved a balanced design that respects the architectural integrity of the era while remaining within a realistic budget and meeting current lifestyle needs.
This approach allowed us to preserve the essence of the villa’s original design ethos, blending it seamlessly with the practicalities of contemporary kitchen use, thus achieving a harmonious and financially attainable update.
The Second design detail we added to this villa home in hawkes bay was A hand made, ceramic butlers sink
Installing a classic butler’s sink was a strategic move to augment the kitchen's period authenticity while infusing it with functional elegance. This iconic sink, with its large, rectangular shape and deep basin, stands as a testament to traditional kitchen design, embodying both practicality and timeless style.
Its presence in the kitchen serves as a captivating focal point, harmoniously marrying the home's vintage charm with the utility expected in today's culinary spaces.
The choice of a butler's sink was not merely aesthetic; it was a deliberate nod to the villa’s historical roots, ensuring the renovated space felt authentic to the time period and cohesive with the rest of the home.
These sinks, historically used in large estate homes for handling sizable cookware and extensive culinary tasks, bring a piece of history into the modern kitchen, offering both robust functionality and a visual anchor that draws the room together.
In this Napier Hill villa, the butler's sink transcends its functional role, becoming a symbolic link to the past. Its substantial form and purposeful design reflect the home’s original character, providing a practical yet elegant solution that aligns with the villa's architectural narrative.
This integration of the butler's sink reinforced the kitchen's historical integrity, ensuring the space remained true to its heritage while offering the modern amenities and comfort required for contemporary living.
We design functional, thoughtful,
and beautiful homes, fit for real life.
We design functional, thoughtful, and beautiful homes, fit for real life.
At FBD Interiors, our main focus is creating spaces that are both elevated and realistic for your lifestyle. And we walk through every step of the process right alongside you - whether it’s a room refresh, a new kitchen, or a full home makeover/build.
The third design detail we added to this villa home in hawkes bay was A 50mm thick matai benchtop hand crafted in christchurch, new zealand, with native new zealand matai timber.
The transformation culminated with the selection of a Matai wood benchtop, a choice that paid homage to New Zealand's rich forestry heritage. Matai, renowned for its durability and stunning grain pattern, brought an element of natural beauty and warmth to the kitchen, serving as a counterpoint to the previously stark modern black surfaces.
This native timber not only connected the space to its geographical roots but also added a layer of historical resonance, aligning with the villa's character.
Opting for Matai was a deliberate decision to blend the old with the new, ensuring the benchtop would withstand the rigours of modern use while maintaining its aesthetic appeal. The application of a resin seal was a crucial step in this process.
This protective layer shields the wood from daily wear and tear, such as spills, stains, and scratches, extending its life and preserving its appearance. Moreover, the resin amplifies the wood’s natural allure, enhancing the depth and richness of the Matai grain, making it a standout feature in the kitchen.
This strategic choice of materials and finishes meant the benchtop not only functioned effectively in a busy kitchen environment but also contributed significantly to the room's overall aesthetic.
The resin-sealed Matai benchtop became a bridge between the villa’s storied past and its present life, offering a workspace that was not only practical and hard-wearing but also enriched with the narrative of its locale, creating a space that was both historically resonant and beautifully modern.
This kitchen restoration in this Napier, Hawkes Bay New Zealand, villa represents a harmonious blend of heritage charm and modern functionality.
Located in the heart of Hawkes Bay, the project exemplifies how a thoughtful approach to kitchen design, and design in general, can breathe new life into a character home.
By incorporating paneled shaker doors, a Matai timber benchtop, and a classic butler's sink, we’ve managed to capture the essence of the villa's original style while providing a light, bright, and contemporary space.
This restoration not only pays tribute to the home's storied past but also sets a new standard for modern living in heritage properties, ensuring the villa remains a cherished part of Hawkes Bay’s architectural legacy.