Cart 
Kristiina Reeve’s parents wanted to live near the designer and her young family in Mount Martha, but were struggling to find the right property.
Already toying with the idea of renovating her house, Kristiina saw an opportunity to demolish her existing family home and divide the generous block to build two new houses side by side.
‘We loved the concept of multigenerational living, and this offered that idea whilst being able to reside in our own homes,’ says Kristiina, who is the co-founder of interior design studio Mékr Studio. ‘The model works really well.’
Kristiina designed her own family’s home to sit softly on the land, recognising its place on a leafy coastal street. ‘We wanted to have a more minimal impact from the street and for the design to have strength whilst still feeling restrained,’ she explains.
Her design hits all the hallmarks of contemporary living (multiple zones for work and play, storage, natural light), without appearing as a white modern box.
‘The challenge was how to make the space feel homely and have a lived-in feel, whilst being a new build,’ says Kristiina. ‘Layered, natural materials were used to bridge this barrier.’
Granite crazy pavers, American oak wall panelling, Australian Kimberly marble, and brick pavers come together to create the appearance of an established house. Subtle injections of colour reference the soft grey and greens of the ocean, and the palette of surrounding gumtrees, in a nod to the home’s coastal context.
‘The finishes are robust and layered which helps to overcome the starkness that can often be felt with a new home build,’ says Kristiina.
The two-storey house is zoned for family living, positioning the main communal spaces on the ground floor, with bedrooms above for quiet enjoyment.
Its relaxed liveability is balanced with moments of pure luxury, such as the hotel-like en suite with twin showers under soaring skylights.
Kristiina and her family now happily reside next to her semi-retired parents in homes equally fit for purpose.
‘The build was a big undertaking for two sole traders with a young family. We are really proud of the end result and the completion of an ambitious project on time and within budget,’ says Kristiina.
