A Tauranga couple opt for chic French style.
When Cherie Jeffery and Paul Jenness built a barn-style home just outside Tauranga, there was no debate about how it would look.
"I love French style for the relaxed ambience it exudes as well as the colours and the way homes and furniture are painted, giving a 'worn' effect," says Jeffery. "I'm drawn to its typical rustic look and adore old things with character. I'm not one for minimalist design."
As you approach the couple's home, called La Grange (French for "the barn"), the French influence is readily apparent in a traditional potager garden, loose chip pathways and rustic furniture.
When they bought the elevated 4ha block, which has a 360-degree outlook with views to the sea and the Kaimai ranges, it was bare apart from a 100-year-old tawa tree. That tree still dominates the property, particularly when lit up at night.
"Initially, the plan was to build something that would suit the country with the option to build a further dwelling," says Jeffery. "However, I got a little carried away and the budget was blown. We love the barn - it works well for us."
The couple and Jeffery's father, Les, started building in 2004 with help from a part-time builder. "I have a clever husband and father who were very capable of both undertaking the build and working alongside me - I'm not sure which of those was more difficult," says Jeffery. "I knew what I wanted to achieve and that meant doing things a little differently from the norm.
"We've built three homes; the first had a country cottage style, the second was gothic and now a barn," she says.
"In all of our houses I used exposed beams and high cathedral ceilings. They are not so great for housework but they are worth it as they look fabulous."
La Grange has two storeys, with the downstairs area including garaging, two stables, a bedroom, workshop, toilet, a laundry and an office. Upstairs is an open plan kitchen, dining and living area with doors to a balcony. The main bedroom is on the mezzanine floor.
For the living area's flooring, Jeffery chose Lawson Cypress timber, making it look more rustic by using it knotty side up. The kitchen bench is a macro-carpa slab that she painted and she also distressed the cupboards and table.
For paint colours she has used earthy tones with deep purple/mulberry stained beams. The windowsills and skirtings have a distressed paint effect. "I find the colours restful and country-like."
Style tips
Full immersion: Cherie Jeffery has created a soft, welcoming ambience in her bathroom with luxurious white towels, wrought iron accessories, a claw-foot bath and antique candle holders and lanterns that provide a romantic glow at night.
French connection: The couple's home has a definite French air to it due to Jeffery's antique shop sorties.
Ageing gracefully: Distressing items to make them look older than they are is the key to achieving the French country look, says Jeffery.
Leanne Moore is the editor of Your Home & Garden. See the latest issue, on sale now, for more achievable home ideas.
