Design stories - Alice & Caleb: Regular Renovators

Self-proclaimed “regular renovators” and winners of “The Block NZ” 2013, Alice and Caleb Pearson strive for creating inspirational spaces with each project they tackle. Amongst their triumphs was the upgrade of a former Auckland state house, solid and dependable but in much need of some TLC.

The heart of the home

For their 11th home renovation in Panmure, the couple paid close attention to the strategic flow and function of the kitchen layout.

To Caleb the kitchen is “the heart of the home” and this sentiment was brought to life with a soft colour scheme, natural textures and generous bench space for their loved ones to gather around.

They catered to their family favourites with an induction cooktop for instant heat response, perfect for whipping up a quick meal on “Taco Tuesdays” while the large self-cleaning oven makes preparing a delicious roast for their guests a pleasure! A freestanding dishwasher is practical and easy.

When you're designing and renovating your home, how it looks and how it functions is important to us, because it impacts the way that you live. Luckily, it's incredibly important to Haier as well.

Alice Pearson

Where family life meets functional design

To allow for flexibility and good utilisation of space, the main kitchen extends into a cleverly designed scullery. Working as a prep kitchen, pantry and fully functional laundry, this room was purpose-built to suit their lives as a family of four - and the mess that went with it! The scullery is the “engine room” of the house, which allows the main kitchen to be an inviting part of the open plan living area, ideal for spending quality family time and hosting get-togethers.

With the kitchen being a busy room at the centre of family activity, Alice and Caleb wanted home appliances that not only looked good but also blended well. That's why they chose Haier's front loader washing machine and heat pump dryer which fit perfectly under the large scullery bench. To keep things feeling cohesive, the quad door refrigerator freezer was placed on the other side of the galley, ensuring that various foods and fresh produce were kept chilled at just the right temperatures. And the best part? The complementary colours of these kitchen and laundry appliances matched the brushed nickel tapware, cabinetry handles, and stainless steel sinks, tying together the overall design.

Shots of the kitchen leading into the laundry room

A decade on after their reality TV win, the couple are still living the renovators dream, one property at a time, demonstrating the smart use of space with user-centred design and innovative appliances for inspired living.

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