13 March 2025

Embracing Serenity

In this serene sanctuary, the longtime owners have found their pot of gold, beautifully harmonizing comfort with the splendor of nature. Yvette Jay shares how this home reminded her of her passion for her craft. 

Images by Sam Hartnett

When upgrading a cherished holiday retreat, the owner—who have enjoyed this lakeside gem for over a decade—sought a dwelling that seamlessly melded with the bush backdrop and maintained direct access to the water. They envisioned a relaxed retreat that captured the essence of its rural setting while offering a sanctuary for moments of solitude.

And that is precisely what the collaboration between DCA Architects and interior designer Yvette Jay delivered. “It wasn’t the smoothest of sailing; it came with some hurdles” shares Yvette. The project ended up being completed during the challenging times of a global pandemic. Having been called in at the concept design stage to work with the homeowner and architect in 2020, Yvette was fortunate to secure materials and products before the industry faced significant supply challenges.

IROKO timber with a WOCA Oil finish flows seamlessly through the open-plan space and onto the deck, creating a warm, natural foundation for the home. The custom sofa by Yvette Jay Interior Design, upholstered in Rubelli Fab 30 fabric with Atelier cushions, pairs beautifully with the SAVOY wool rug from Source Mondial. CUP OF TEA side tables by Henk Vos for ECC add a sculptural touch. The dining area features a striking TENSE dining table and HUSK non-swivel chairs from Matisse, illuminated by the THIN MULTIPLES TRIAD pendant from ECC. Completing the space, the FIDELIO bench from Studio Italia offers both a focal point and additional seating.

However, navigating lockdowns and remote collaborations with new subcontractors became the norm, forcing her to adapt. Determined to produce an outcome that the owners would be proud of, the retreat was completed as a true labour of love, and Yvette is now in planning for their new project.

The original 1970s house boasted a prime footprint near the lake’s edge which the owners regularly made good use of. Reminiscent of a period gone by, their old tractor parked in the shed still played its role in effortlessly transporting their fishing boat into the lake.

The original home was reclad, the roof structure modified, and a few internal walls removed to enable a new use of the space. The architects cleverly repurposed the back of the property by removing the old garaging, which the neighbor now uses for storage, and created a new boat shed integrated with a guest wing with two bedrooms that embrace a charming courtyard garden. Vertical Abodo Vulcan Nero cladding, designed to complement the verdant hills surrounding the property, and a new charcoal roof transformed the home, ready for Yvette’s master touch with the interior redesign.

When Yvette first stepped into the new elegant black shed, she was immediately reminded of why she loves her profession. She found the tranquility of the setting, combined with the beauty of the backdrop, breathtaking, and the opportunity to reinvent the space was exhilarating. “There was a fantastic open palette in front of me; I could truly transform the whole environment,” she recalls. “The setting called for materials, finishes, and colors that evoke a lodge-like, lake house feel,” she notes.

RICHARD SCHULTZ 1966 TABLE AND CHAIRS from Studio Italia. CARRIE LAMPS from Tim Webber Design. Opening louvre roof is a SUPER ROOF LITE in Matt Black by Louvretec.

Outside, the covered deck provides a space to unwind after a day of water sports. Across the water, the unspoiled tree canopy creates an idyllic retreat that feels miles away from the bustle of everyday life.

The internal layout was reimagined to foster a connection with its outdoor oasis, providing shelter from the lake’s breezy conditions. The magical view out to the lake, an everchanging canvas, where at day’s end water games give way to evening gatherings, and fairy lights on the jetty reflect upon the lake.

Inside, Iroko flooring finished with WOCA Oil flows through the open-plan living spaces, leading to a sunken lounge with its grand view of the water, where Yvette designed a nib wall to define the space, furnished with a custom-designed sofa nestled in the corner. This inviting corner, reminiscent of a plush hotel lounge, now serves as an ideal spot to relax and take in the activity beyond the jetty.

Interior Designer, Yvette Jay

“I chose the Iroko timber because it could be used as decking and for the interior flooring. It was all about simplifying and unifying the interior and exterior.”
– Yvette Jay, Interior Designer

Outside, the covered deck provides a space to unwind after a day of water sports, with Iroko decking extending from the interior, creating flow from the indoors to out, leading to a gently sloping lawn. Across the water, the unspoiled tree canopy creates an idyllic retreat that feels miles away from the bustle of everyday life.

The kitchen design captures Yvette’s ethos of ‘less with a dash of more.’ The pairing of stained oak-veneer cabinetry with a single slab of leathered black granite creates a striking focal point, while the herringbone tiled splashback introduces texture and pattern.

The HIGHLINE pendant from ECC serves as an elegant statement above the kitchen island, finished in LEATHERED BLACK GRANITE from Italian Stone. Yvette Jay collaborated with Lee Brothers to craft custom cabinetry in Crown Cut European Oak Veneer with a bespoke stain and a sophisticated BLUM internal system. 

BLACK SLATE CHEVRON mosaics from Artedomus add depth to the splashback, while the BUDDY SINK MIXER IN AGED IRON from Plumbline and recessed hardware from Halliday & Baillie—with PEAK pull handles from Katalog—enhance the kitchen’s refined aesthetic. OSSO stools from Simon James and BRASS SALT & PEPPER GRINDERS from Tim Webber complete the sophisticated look.

“The tiles reminded me of tukutuku panels, fish scales, or even the ripples of the lake,” Yvette reflects. A well-designed scullery ensures that the home remains tidy, accommodating both intimate gatherings and larger holiday festivities.

“I envisioned a kitchen where Al Brown would feel completely at home,” she smiles, drawing on her vision of comfort. She extends her heartfelt gratitude to Rotorua cabinetmakers, Lee Brothers, for masterfully translating her designs into a stunning reality through their traditional craftsmanship.

The adjacent dining area, with its plump leather Husk chairs and its expansive Tense dining table, both from Matisse, invites relaxed dining morning, noon, and night, filled with family fun and memory making.

In the master, Oak satined battens provide the perfect backdrop to the 28.1 PENDANTS by Bocci from ECC.

Heading into the owners quarters, the main bedroom, also facing the lake, features a custom-designed daybed with underneath storage, which is complemented by an extendable oak table, ideal for resting a warm brew. “The owners cherish quiet moments on the daybed, and it’s equipped with power for charging devices if they ever find themselves stuck here during a lockdown,” Yvette adds wryly.

The oak batten wall panelling doubles as a bedhead, adding a clever feature to the room by disguising the entries to the en suite and the walk-in robe. No detail was left unturned–even the oak panelling was stained sparingly with hints of green to pick up on the earthy tones of the bed linen.

The master bathroom showcases a custom-formed vanity in exquisite Grigio Mare quartzite from Italian Stone, adding a refined touch of natural elegance.

Inspired by a handmade mat, textured Natte wallpaper by Pierre Frey adorns the walls in the lakeside bedroom, adding depth and movement.

In the main bathroom, more intricacy abounds. The seemless vanity made of stunning Grigio Mare quartzite, is more of an art piece than what you’d call bathroomware. The crafting of the stone veneer to wrap around basins and drawers resulted in a robust yet elegant feature. In the guest wing, Yvette opted for a lighter, brighter palette suitable for younger family members.

Textured wallpaper with a blue undertone and rippled tiles in the powder room create a delightful connection to the lake—a constant reminder of nature’s influence. Yvette remarks “As I embark on the next project with the owners, I laugh that we had the luxury of building a lifesize model as a practice run. We are now taking the best of that house and embellishing it with elements and details to suit the next location.”

In the powder room, a MELT pendant by Tom Dixon for ECC makes a striking focal point, complemented by ONIX STRETCH FLEX tiles from Jacobsens on the walls, a vanity in LEATHERED BLACK GRANITE from Italian Stone, Buddy tapware from Plumbline, and a custom mirror by Powersurge.

By thoughtfully balancing rustic charm with modern elegance, DCA Architects and Yvette Jay have created a haven that feels both intimate and expansive, embracing its natural surroundings while offering an inviting sanctuary for family and friends.

Discover more of Yvette Jay‘s stunning projects online.