Where Mid-Century Meets Modern Living
We are a family of unashamed mid-century design lovers. We have holidayed in Palm Springs visiting iconic examples of mid century architecture, have numerous mid mod coffee table books, brought more than our fair share of retro furniture online, wear a decent amount of vintage clothing and Bella is making a career as a photographer and painter of mid-century images – so, there was some excitement amongst us when we were called in to view 14 Alexandra Road in Roseneath.
Our clients had purchased a red brick home built in the 1950s twenty years ago because they recognised its unique, prominent position on one of Alexandra Road’s swooping bends. Sitting on an exclusive “peninsular” the views were always going to be the biggest wow, but our clients also recognised that there was huge potential to work with the clean lines and mid century aesthetic – and make it even better! And I think that they have done exactly that.
But what I think they have done especially well is bring in decidedly relevant, contemporary elements that sit so comfortably against the original features and lines. Here are five areas that I think have been particularly well achieved…
01 - Glazed Hallway
This feature of the property is original, with the three bedrooms upstairs all entering from the hallway. These rooms are essentially the original floor plan, with an extension for the main room providing an ensuite and walk in robe.
Our clients wanted the glazing panels to closely reflect the original white timber framing, but the contemporary twist came through the black aluminum double glazed panels. This colour change has immediately brought a modern aesthetic to an area that still very closely resembles its original form.
The clever use of an iconic retro image of the banana palm wallpaper down one wall, feels right at home here.
02 - Sunken Lounge
What says mid-century cool better than a sunken lounge? They are hard to beat if you want to experience the relaxing vibes of chilling out and taking in the outlook. Our clients have given their modern take on this area by ensuring that the glazing makes the most of the outstanding views from the corner of the sunken lounge.
The original house had a corner wall in this very spot!! So, a contemporary approach to this space was 100% the right thing to do.
The sunken lounge is my favourite spot in the house, and I imagine you could spend hours in front of the open fire, watching the weather and planes while having great conversation and a pleasant tipple.
03 - Black Kitchen
Putting a new kitchen in a genuine mid-century home can be a challenge. Do you lean in to trying to create something that closely reflects what might have been there to be sympathetic, or do you take an entirely different approach and come at it from the current day?
Our clients successfully brought sleek black contemporary lines into the kitchen and also configured the layout to supply an easy eat in dining option – very 1950s . It’s all contemporary class, but the black recedes politely so as not to fight with everything else going on. It is a social and flexible space and is spot on for how modern families live.
04 - Timber Screen
As you rise from the ground floor to the main level of the home, the large timber screen leads the way. Providing glimpses through the battens of the experience awaiting at the top.
Room dividers and screens were used commonly in mid-century homes, and this screen has very firm nods to the era through its design. It has created a very fitting way of separating the entry sequence and then provides the big reveal. Once upstairs it provides a warm anchor to the living spaces.
05 - Greenery
Landscaping was a key feature included in the mid-century homes we visited in Palm Springs (in 45 degree heat!) The desert location made the lush green, manicured gardens seem all the more heavenly. The use of internal courtyards, planter boxes and tropical planting brings plant life front and centre in designs from the mid-century.
The contemporary take on this lush greenery experience has been given a decidedly Aotearoa flavour at 14 Alexandra Road, with abundant native planting surrounding the property in all directions. Griselinia, rengarenga, flaxes, grasses and puka create a richly verdant landscape that perfectly anchors the home in its Antipodean setting.
