Evans House 0417_V2
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
HOMES<br />
THIS PAGE Sim iustisi tin<br />
vulputpate feugait vero odolorp<br />
eraesequis dignim incinit accum<br />
iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure<br />
faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum<br />
verit ipismod min vulla core te tie<br />
m alsli dio.<br />
OPPOSITE Agnit adionse<br />
ndreet, sectem iriure commodi<br />
amcons nulluptat. Elenim<br />
iriure corem dip eraestismod<br />
tat. Ip ea feugiamcommy<br />
nulla con hendreer sequissed<br />
modiamcommy num alisl dio<br />
odignia mconsequat nullut eu<br />
feuisl eleobortin hen niss equat.<br />
A WORLD AWAY<br />
An exotic Moorish influence adds bold texture to the<br />
tiny courtyard of a carefully restored villa<br />
WORDS CAROL BUCKNELL / PHOTOGRAPHS JANE USSHER<br />
2 NZ H&G NZ H&G 3
HOMES<br />
THIS PAGE Tionsequam, sim iustisi tin vulputpate feugait vero odolorp<br />
eraesequis dignim incinit accum iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure<br />
faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum verit ipismod min vulla core te tie.<br />
OPPOSITE (clockwise from top left) Tiondreet, sectem iriure commodi<br />
amcons nulluptat. Elenim iriure corem dip eraestismod tat. Ip ea<br />
feugiamcommy nulla con hendre dolortionum volobortin henit iusciduis<br />
exercing er sequissed modiamcommy num alisl dio odignia mconsequat<br />
nullut eu feuisl eleniss<br />
Among the many magnificent features of the 14th<br />
century Moorish palaces of Alhambra in Granada<br />
are the garden courtyards. Encapsulating the<br />
exquisite geometry and intricate detail of Islamic<br />
landscape design, these courtyards have become a mecca for<br />
garden lovers throughout the world.<br />
Aucklanders Stephen <strong>Evans</strong> and Charmaine Benshaw were<br />
so impressed by the beauty of the gardens at Alhambra that they<br />
asked landscape designer Trudy Crerar to reference them in their<br />
tiny outdoor space in Freemans Bay.<br />
Although Trudy had not been to Alhambra, she says she had<br />
dreamed about it a lot, so clients and designer were in complete<br />
accord when she came up with the concept of a Moorish-style<br />
courtyard. It’s the stories behind gardens that interest the<br />
designer as much as their layout and planting. “Both Stephen and<br />
Charmaine are from eastern Mediterranean stock – down-toearth,<br />
hard-working people who loved their gardens.” ><br />
4 NZ H&G NZ H&G 5
HOMES<br />
THIS PAGE Tionsequam, sim iustisi<br />
tin vulputpate feugait vero odolorp<br />
eraesequis dignim incinit accum<br />
iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure<br />
faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum<br />
verit ipismod min vulla core te tie.<br />
OPPOSITE (from top) Tiondreet,<br />
sectem iriure commodi amcons<br />
nulluptat. Elenim iriure corem<br />
dip eraestismod tat. Ip ea<br />
feugiamcommy nulla con hendre<br />
dolortionum volobortin henit<br />
iusciduis exercing er sequissed<br />
modiamcommy num alisl dio<br />
odignia mconsequat nullut eu feuisl.<br />
The house also has a rich history. “Upstairs, with its view<br />
of the harbour, it feels like the house of a sea captain who has<br />
been travelling the world and come to roost here,” says Trudy. “I<br />
wanted to reflect those cultural layers.”<br />
The couple had almost finished a long and often difficult<br />
renovation of their small 130sqm, double-storey kauri villa when<br />
they commissioned Trudy to tackle a garden that was in need of<br />
a major overhaul.<br />
“It was a basic, home-made landscaping job with few plants<br />
in a 90s minimal style,” recalls Stephen. “There was a wooden<br />
deck and a falling-down fence as well as some small trees.” The<br />
backyard was a tip; it had been used as rubbish dump by previous<br />
tenants. Soil had built up by 60cm around the house so the yard<br />
had to be excavated before any work could start.<br />
Among the positives was the sheltered nature of the site. A<br />
tall, plastered concrete building (originally the Odd Fellows<br />
Hall) along its western boundary provides protection from<br />
prevailing winds. “It’s also sunny with the house facing north<br />
and the garden north-east,” adds Charmaine.<br />
A historic street comprised of small sites with late 19th century<br />
villas tucked close to each other may be picturesque but is not ideal<br />
for outdoor seclusion. Creating privacy was a high priority. ><br />
6 NZ H&G NZ H&G 7
HOMES<br />
GARDENS<br />
THIS PAGE Tionsequam, sim iustisi<br />
tin vulputpate feugait vero odolorp<br />
eraesequis dignim incinit accum<br />
iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure<br />
faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum<br />
verit ipismod min vulla core te tie.<br />
OPPOSITE (Clockwise from<br />
top left) Tiondreet, sectem iriure<br />
commodi amcons nulluptat. Elenim<br />
iriure corem dip eraestismod tat. Ip<br />
ea feugiamcommy nulla con hendre<br />
dolortionum volobortin henit<br />
iusciduis exercing er sequissed<br />
modiamcommy num alisl dio<br />
odignia mconsequat nullut eu feuisl.<br />
“WE WANTED TO RENOVATE<br />
THE HOUSE WITH THE<br />
FOCUS PRIMARILY<br />
ON RESTOR ATION”<br />
“We developed the idea of an arbour that would give privacy<br />
and shade,” says Trudy. She referenced the Moorish iconography<br />
of crosses and stars as cut-outs in the structure of the aluminium<br />
arbour. The shapes throw glorious shadows on the paving. These<br />
motifs are repeated in a gold pattern that is stencilled on the<br />
neighbouring concrete wall.<br />
“I wanted to create depth and illusion using the veils and<br />
grilles you see in Spanish courtyards,” explains Trudy, who<br />
designed a perforated Corten screen that sits in front of the wall<br />
with plants in between. In front of this is a fountain flowing<br />
into a granite bowl, gilded on the inside and then sealed, a<br />
tricky process. Another Corten screen at right angles is used to<br />
hide the clothesline.<br />
As often seen in Moorish gardens, the courtyard is planted<br />
with productive plants such as pomegranates, oranges, limes,<br />
and lemons along with lavender, camellias and the scented<br />
roses Stephen adores, many recommended by his mother.<br />
The couple bought their 124-year-old villa with its charming<br />
gable roof and street-front verandah four years ago. They were<br />
captivated by “the symmetry of its architecture, its views of<br />
the CBD and harbour, as well as its proximity to the city,” says<br />
Charmaine. “We loved the place but thought it was tired, and<br />
needed some love.”<br />
That proved to be something of an understatement. ><br />
THIS PAGE tionsequam, sim iustisi<br />
tin vulputpate feugait vero odolorp<br />
eraesequis dignim incinit accum<br />
iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure<br />
faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum<br />
verit ipismod min vulla core te tie<br />
magnit adionse<br />
OPPOSITE tiondreet, sectem iriure<br />
commodi amcons nulluptat. Elenim<br />
iriure corem dip eraestismod tat.<br />
Ip ea feugiamcommy nulla con<br />
hendre dolortionum volobortin<br />
henit iusciduis exercing er<br />
sequissed modiamcommy num<br />
alisl dio odignia mconsequat nullut<br />
eu feuisl eleniss equat.<br />
8 NZ H&G NZ H&G 9
HOMES<br />
GARDENS<br />
THIS PAGE (from top) Tionsequam, sim iustisi tin vulputpate feugait vero<br />
odolorp eraesequis dignim incinit accum iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput<br />
iure faccumsandit at. Suscinci er sum verit ipismod min vulla core te tie mag<br />
sequissed modiamcommy num alisl dio odignia mconsequat nullut feuisl<br />
ele. Tionsequam, sim iustisi tin vulputpate feugait vero odolorp eraesequis<br />
dignim incinit accum iriustio dolorer am zzrilit ulput iure faccumsandit at.<br />
The house had to be repiled and rewired, and walls, flooring,<br />
ceilings and the kitchen were replaced. Many of the doors and<br />
windows were also restored. “We wanted to renovate the house<br />
with the focus primarily on restoration.”<br />
The interiors were inspired by the work of Anouska Hempel,<br />
the New Zealand-born designer and hotelier who is now<br />
based in London. “Her first project was Blakes Hotel in South<br />
Kensington, which we both love,” says Stephen.<br />
They asked interior designer Gretl Lukas to work her magic.<br />
She used a clean, uncluttered look and neutral palette. “Because<br />
the spaces are small, it was about keeping everything simple,<br />
cleverly using what space there is, and trying to give each room<br />
some individuality,” says Gretl.<br />
Two years after they bought the villa, the couple was finally<br />
able to move in. The house and garden suit their lifestyle and<br />
offer the best of two worlds. “We spend as much time as possible<br />
in the garden. It makes us feel close to nature even though we live<br />
in the city,” enthuses Stephen. Summer is their favourite season.<br />
“We love nothing more than to sit under the arbour at the<br />
outdoor table, having a drink, meal and a laugh with friends.” n<br />
Q&A<br />
SELECTING A GOOD LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: Visit other gardens<br />
the designer has created. Be prepared to be adventurous but don’t<br />
be afraid to ask for changes (we asked for scented roses rather than<br />
climbing ones). (Stephen)<br />
BEST DECOR ATING TIP: Sell all your existing furniture and buy<br />
items that fit and blend in with the requirements of the new home.<br />
(Stephen)<br />
BR AVEST THING WE DID AROUND THE HOUSE: A granite sett<br />
driveway that was laid out in a complex pattern with cobbles radiating<br />
in intersecting arcs. (Charmaine)<br />
ONE THING WE COULD DO DIFFERENTLY: More feature/mood<br />
lighting. (Charmaine)<br />
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD WALK: Through Herne Bay/St Marys<br />
Bay to Westhaven promenade. (Stephen)<br />
Stephen <strong>Evans</strong> and Charmaine Benshaw<br />
10 NZ H&G NZ H&G 11