Our Tree Tops project entailed curating the interiors of a newly acquired weekend retreat in the breathtaking Bay of Islands for Maree and her family. The design challenge lay in seamlessly balancing Maree’s vision of a serene coastal sanctuary with her husband's affinity for bold, vibrant aesthetics.

Through thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail, we artfully blended these contrasting styles to create a refined, harmonious holiday home. The result is a sophisticated yet inviting space—one that captures the essence of relaxation while reflecting the family's distinctive tastes.

We caught up with Maree to hear more about her experience and her now-beloved “boujee bach” in Paihia.

Tell us about how your Tree Tops project came about.

After purchasing a house in Paihia, we needed to furnish the house for our family to use on vacation, as well as a possible short-term rental. At the time, we were living and working in Whangarei and wanted someone to take on the job of furnishing the house.

We wanted to create a ‘boujee bach’ but didn't have the confidence or knowledge of how to achieve this. I started looking online for interior designers in the Bay of Islands, and after coming across Newton Kay, I felt they best suited our style. I warmed to the work they'd done and decided to get in touch to see if we would be a good fit for the project.

What made you decide to work with Newton Kay?

Initially it was their story and project imagery that got my attention. Then, after meeting Lara and Miranda, I found them both to be friendly, approachable, professional and good listeners.

This was our first experience working with interior designers and we weren’t too sure about how it would all work. Lara and Miranda were great at guiding us through the experience and I had great trust in their advice and recommendations. We didn't give them much of a brief, and me and my partner often had differing ideas for the spaces. They helped manage this beautifully and gave us a home we love.

How do you feel about Tree Tops?

Love, love, love. Newton Kay completely achieved the vibe we were wanting. I really appreciated how they took personal items that we had and managed to incorporate them into the spaces in tasteful ways. I believe they achieved a look far more elevated than I could have on my own, within the budget that was set.

What is your favourite part of the property?

I love how every space feels. The layout is thoughtful and considers how our family would use each space. I especially love the conservatory area, which has a beautiful view over Paihia. It feels cosy and cool, with a giant chest placed in the centre as a coffee table and storage. I would never have thought of it, and I love it.

Inspired by Tree Tops? Get in touch to bring your own holiday retreat to life.

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