Having lived in their Victorian villa in the centre of New Plymouth for 30 years, Ali and Lance Girling-Butcher have filled it with treasures and memories. Every room is packed with books, artworks, antique furniture and ornaments, with many pieces having an interesting history.
Ali created many of the paintings in the house, while Lance crafted much of the furniture. Ali has had a particular fondness for china and silver ever since she was given a Wedgwood dinner set and some other pieces as a young girl, and there are also family heirlooms, such as the Steinway piano that once belonged to Lance's mother and a collection of Waverley novels he inherited from his great-grandfather.
"A lot of the furniture is homemade, or scrounged from second-hand markets and refurbished," says Lance. "I think we only bought two items new. We don't have any favourites - we love all the things in the house for the total effect they create."
In the three decades the couple have lived in this home, they've raised three children, along with a variety of dogs, cats and birds. "All the children have left home," says Lance, "but we have three grandchildren living in New Plymouth who are regular visitors."