Evans House 0417_V2

HOMES
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A WORLD AWAY
An exotic Moorish influence adds bold texture to the
tiny courtyard of a carefully restored villa
WORDS CAROL BUCKNELL / PHOTOGRAPHS JANE USSHER
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HOMES
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OPPOSITE (clockwise from top left) Tiondreet, sectem iriure commodi
amcons nulluptat. Elenim iriure corem dip eraestismod tat. Ip ea
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Among the many magnificent features of the 14th
century Moorish palaces of Alhambra in Granada
are the garden courtyards. Encapsulating the
exquisite geometry and intricate detail of Islamic
landscape design, these courtyards have become a mecca for
garden lovers throughout the world.
Aucklanders Stephen Evans and Charmaine Benshaw were
so impressed by the beauty of the gardens at Alhambra that they
asked landscape designer Trudy Crerar to reference them in their
tiny outdoor space in Freemans Bay.
Although Trudy had not been to Alhambra, she says she had
dreamed about it a lot, so clients and designer were in complete
accord when she came up with the concept of a Moorish-style
courtyard. It’s the stories behind gardens that interest the
designer as much as their layout and planting. “Both Stephen and
Charmaine are from eastern Mediterranean stock – down-toearth,
hard-working people who loved their gardens.” >
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HOMES
THIS PAGE Tionsequam, sim iustisi
tin vulputpate feugait vero odolorp
eraesequis dignim incinit accum
iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure
faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum
verit ipismod min vulla core te tie.
OPPOSITE (from top) Tiondreet,
sectem iriure commodi amcons
nulluptat. Elenim iriure corem
dip eraestismod tat. Ip ea
feugiamcommy nulla con hendre
dolortionum volobortin henit
iusciduis exercing er sequissed
modiamcommy num alisl dio
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The house also has a rich history. “Upstairs, with its view
of the harbour, it feels like the house of a sea captain who has
been travelling the world and come to roost here,” says Trudy. “I
wanted to reflect those cultural layers.”
The couple had almost finished a long and often difficult
renovation of their small 130sqm, double-storey kauri villa when
they commissioned Trudy to tackle a garden that was in need of
a major overhaul.
“It was a basic, home-made landscaping job with few plants
in a 90s minimal style,” recalls Stephen. “There was a wooden
deck and a falling-down fence as well as some small trees.” The
backyard was a tip; it had been used as rubbish dump by previous
tenants. Soil had built up by 60cm around the house so the yard
had to be excavated before any work could start.
Among the positives was the sheltered nature of the site. A
tall, plastered concrete building (originally the Odd Fellows
Hall) along its western boundary provides protection from
prevailing winds. “It’s also sunny with the house facing north
and the garden north-east,” adds Charmaine.
A historic street comprised of small sites with late 19th century
villas tucked close to each other may be picturesque but is not ideal
for outdoor seclusion. Creating privacy was a high priority. >
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HOMES
GARDENS
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eraesequis dignim incinit accum
iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure
faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum
verit ipismod min vulla core te tie.
OPPOSITE (Clockwise from
top left) Tiondreet, sectem iriure
commodi amcons nulluptat. Elenim
iriure corem dip eraestismod tat. Ip
ea feugiamcommy nulla con hendre
dolortionum volobortin henit
iusciduis exercing er sequissed
modiamcommy num alisl dio
odignia mconsequat nullut eu feuisl.
“WE WANTED TO RENOVATE
THE HOUSE WITH THE
FOCUS PRIMARILY
ON RESTOR ATION”
“We developed the idea of an arbour that would give privacy
and shade,” says Trudy. She referenced the Moorish iconography
of crosses and stars as cut-outs in the structure of the aluminium
arbour. The shapes throw glorious shadows on the paving. These
motifs are repeated in a gold pattern that is stencilled on the
neighbouring concrete wall.
“I wanted to create depth and illusion using the veils and
grilles you see in Spanish courtyards,” explains Trudy, who
designed a perforated Corten screen that sits in front of the wall
with plants in between. In front of this is a fountain flowing
into a granite bowl, gilded on the inside and then sealed, a
tricky process. Another Corten screen at right angles is used to
hide the clothesline.
As often seen in Moorish gardens, the courtyard is planted
with productive plants such as pomegranates, oranges, limes,
and lemons along with lavender, camellias and the scented
roses Stephen adores, many recommended by his mother.
The couple bought their 124-year-old villa with its charming
gable roof and street-front verandah four years ago. They were
captivated by “the symmetry of its architecture, its views of
the CBD and harbour, as well as its proximity to the city,” says
Charmaine. “We loved the place but thought it was tired, and
needed some love.”
That proved to be something of an understatement. >
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verit ipismod min vulla core te tie
magnit adionse
OPPOSITE tiondreet, sectem iriure
commodi amcons nulluptat. Elenim
iriure corem dip eraestismod tat.
Ip ea feugiamcommy nulla con
hendre dolortionum volobortin
henit iusciduis exercing er
sequissed modiamcommy num
alisl dio odignia mconsequat nullut
eu feuisl eleniss equat.
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HOMES
GARDENS
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odolorp eraesequis dignim incinit accum iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput
iure faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum verit ipismod min vulla core te tie mag
sequissed modiamcommy num alisl dio odignia mconsequat nullut feuisl
ele. Tionsequam, sim iustisi tin vulputpate feugait vero odolorp eraesequis
dignim incinit accum iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure faccumsandit at.
The house had to be repiled and rewired, and walls, flooring,
ceilings and the kitchen were replaced. Many of the doors and
windows were also restored. “We wanted to renovate the house
with the focus primarily on restoration.”
The interiors were inspired by the work of Anouska Hempel,
the New Zealand-born designer and hotelier who is now
based in London. “Her first project was Blakes Hotel in South
Kensington, which we both love,” says Stephen.
They asked interior designer Gretl Lukas to work her magic.
She used a clean, uncluttered look and neutral palette. “Because
the spaces are small, it was about keeping everything simple,
cleverly using what space there is, and trying to give each room
some individuality,” says Gretl.
Two years after they bought the villa, the couple was finally
able to move in. The house and garden suit their lifestyle and
offer the best of two worlds. “We spend as much time as possible
in the garden. It makes us feel close to nature even though we live
in the city,” enthuses Stephen. Summer is their favourite season.
“We love nothing more than to sit under the arbour at the
outdoor table, having a drink, meal and a laugh with friends.” n
Q&A
SELECTING A GOOD LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: Visit other gardens
the designer has created. Be prepared to be adventurous but don’t
be afraid to ask for changes (we asked for scented roses rather than
climbing ones). (Stephen)
BEST DECOR ATING TIP: Sell all your existing furniture and buy
items that fit and blend in with the requirements of the new home.
(Stephen)
BR AVEST THING WE DID AROUND THE HOUSE: A granite sett
driveway that was laid out in a complex pattern with cobbles radiating
in intersecting arcs. (Charmaine)
ONE THING WE COULD DO DIFFERENTLY: More feature/mood
lighting. (Charmaine)
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD WALK: Through Herne Bay/St Marys
Bay to Westhaven promenade. (Stephen)
Stephen Evans and Charmaine Benshaw
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