Hauparu Bay House | Luxury Lake House Interior Design on Lake Rotoiti

A refined lakeside retreat with interiors by Yvette Jay Interior Design, thoughtfully designed for modern family living on Lake Rotoiti, New Zealand.

Hauparu Bay House is an award-recognised luxury interior design project on the shores of Lake Rotoiti in New Zealand. The home transforms an architecturally restrained lakeside residence into a warm, highly functional retreat that celebrates natural materials, exceptional craftsmanship and the surrounding landscape.

The brief

This was the second lake house Yvette Jay had designed for the clients, who returned with a clear ambition: capture the calm, effortless feeling of their first retreat while creating a home that felt even more refined and deeply connected to its setting.

The house needed to serve two very different ways of living. For most of the year it would be a peaceful sanctuary for a couple, yet during holidays it had to comfortably accommodate multiple generations without feeling busy or compromised. The design required understated luxury, intelligent storage and enduring materials that would stand the test of time.

The challenge

Designing a remote Lake Rotoiti holiday home demanded careful planning beyond aesthetics. Every room needed to perform beautifully while remaining visually quiet.

The kitchen became the greatest exercise in restraint. Large appliances, wine refrigeration, waste systems, preparation areas and extensive storage all had to be concealed within minimalist cabinetry, ensuring the architecture remained the hero rather than everyday clutter.

The home also needed robust finishes capable of withstanding constant entertaining while retaining the elegance expected of a contemporary luxury interior.

The design response

The interiors were conceived as a direct extension of the landscape. Expansive glazing frames uninterrupted views across Lake Rotoiti, allowing changing weather, water and light to become the home's defining visual experience.

Rather than relying on decoration, the design is built through proportion, texture and material authenticity.

Kitchen design

The kitchen is both sculptural and exceptionally practical. A dramatic natural stone island anchors the open-plan living space, its layered green tones and delicate white veining recalling the mineral colours of the lake and the volitile elements surrounding Rotorua.

A boldly veined stone splashback introduces contrast, drawing inspiration from storm clouds gathering over the water. Behind the elegant façade, a meticulously planned butler's pantry conceals appliances, preparation zones, cleaning storage and wine refrigeration, allowing the main kitchen to remain effortlessly ordered during family gatherings.

Bathroom design

The master ensuite embraces quiet luxury through material restraint. Full-height textured porcelain tiles create a soft mineral envelope that changes subtly with the daylight, while stained oak vanity joinery and a sculptural stone basin introduce warmth and permanence.

Every element was selected to create a calming, spa-like experience without unnecessary ornamentation.

The material palette

Natural materials define the character of Hauparu Bay House. Stained oak veneer, richly veined stone, textured porcelain, wool, linen and softly aged metal finishes create layered warmth while remaining timeless.

Rather than following trends, each finish was chosen for its ability to age beautifully and strengthen the connection between the interior and the volcanic landscape of Lake Rotoiti.

The result

Hauparu Bay House demonstrates how thoughtful interior design can transform everyday living. The home moves seamlessly between intimate daily rituals and lively family weekends because storage, circulation and functionality were resolved with equal importance to aesthetics.

The result is a luxury New Zealand lakeside home where beauty comes not from excess, but from clarity, craftsmanship and the effortless way the spaces support the lives of the people who live there.

Project: Hauparu Bay House

Location: Lake Rotoiti, New Zealand

Interior Design: Yvette Jay Interior Design

Project Type: Luxury lakeside holiday home / contemporary residential interior design

AWARDS

NZIA 2026 Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards Winner for Housing, Hauparu Bay House by DCA Architects of Transformation and Yvette Jay Interior Design in Association.

2026 TIDA Designer Bathroom Awards Runner-up.

2026 TIDA Designer Kitchen Awards Highly Commended.

Architects: DCA Architects

Photography: Simon Devitt

Remuera House | A quietly luxurious modernist home completed through considered furnishing and material restraint.

The brief

Designed by architect Julian Guthrie, Remuera House was conceived as a refined modernist residence, where warm timber, white rendered forms and travertine stone create a calm, enduring architectural language.

Once the build was complete, the clients worked with Yvette Jay Interior Design to furnish the home. The brief was not to decorate, but to complete the architecture—curating furniture, soft furnishings and window treatments that would bring warmth, comfort and sophistication to spaces already defined by exceptional design.

For these busy professionals, the goal was simple: a home that felt effortlessly resolved and ready to live in, with every decision thoughtfully made.

The challenge

In minimalist architecture, every object matters. Large, light-filled spaces can easily feel sparse or disconnected if scale, proportion and texture are not carefully considered.

The interiors needed to soften the precision of the architecture without diminishing it. Furniture had to feel substantial yet visually quiet, while window treatments required privacy and acoustic softness without interrupting the home's clean lines or connection to the landscape.

The design response

The furnishing palette was developed as an extension of the architecture rather than a separate layer. Sculptural contemporary furniture was selected for its timeless forms and carefully balanced proportions, creating moments of comfort within expansive spaces.

Natural linen, wool and tactile woven textiles introduced depth through materiality rather than colour, echoing the warmth of the timber and the quiet elegance of travertine. Throughout the home, the palette remains deliberately restrained, while the TV room provides a more intimate expression of colour. Here, layered blue-green tones were introduced to reflect the tranquil hues of the swimming pool and surrounding garden, creating a calming retreat that feels visually connected to the landscape beyond.

Bespoke window treatments were designed to filter light gently, adding softness while preserving the home's strong architectural rhythm. Every piece was chosen with longevity in mind—creating an interior that feels curated rather than collected.

The result

Remuera House demonstrates the value of completing a home with the same level of consideration invested in its architecture. The result is an interior that feels calm, luxurious and deeply liveable, where furniture and materials enhance the experience of the space without ever competing for attention.

For clients with demanding lives, it is a home that simply works—beautifully, intuitively and with enduring quality.

Architect: Julian Guthrie Architecture

Photography: Simon Wilson

The Laird’s Croft | Luxury Interior Design in Matakana, New Zealand

A contemporary interpretation of Scottish heritage, with a dash of Ralph Lauren, designed for modern family life by Yvette Jay Interior Design.

Located in Matakana Village, The Laird’s Croft is a luxury residential interior design project that reimagines Scottish heritage through a contemporary architectural lens. Designed by Yvette Jay Interior Design, the home combines tailored elegance, rich natural materials and exceptional functionality to create an enduring family home for everyday living and entertaining.

The brief

The clients wanted a home with a distinctive identity—masculine, sophisticated and deeply personal. Rather than recreating traditional Scottish interiors, the brief was to capture the spirit of their heritage through materiality, craftsmanship and atmosphere.

Drawing inspiration from the honest simplicity of rural woolsheds and the refinement of classic English interiors, the design balances architectural restraint with warmth, creating a home that feels timeless rather than thematic.

The challenge

While the architecture was bold and linear, the interiors needed to introduce richness without overwhelming the building’s clean forms.

The home’s long, narrow footprint created significant planning challenges within the kitchen, demanding careful organisation of appliances, storage and circulation to preserve uninterrupted architectural lines. Budget also required strategic investment, with priority given to premium natural materials and bespoke detailing that would deliver the greatest long-term value and visual impact.

The design response

The kitchen was designed as the heart of the home—a luxurious gathering space equally suited to family life and entertaining.

Kitchen design

Black cabinetry creates a confident architectural backdrop, softened by the handcrafted character of a white Belfast sink and an English brass tap. At its centre, a striking quartzite island introduces dramatic natural veining, bringing movement and individuality to the restrained palette.

Custom shelving was integrated specifically to display the family’s crystal collection, allowing meaningful objects to become part of the architecture rather than decorative additions. Stainless steel work surfaces within the pantry and cooking zones provide exceptional durability, while an adjoining bar connects seamlessly to the outdoor terrace and swimming pool for effortless entertaining.

Bathroom design

The award-recognised master ensuite continues the home’s refined material language. Black herringbone mosaic tiles wrap the feature walls with texture and rhythm, complemented by large-format charcoal porcelain floor tiles that create a calm, immersive atmosphere.

Brushed brass tapware adds warmth and contrast, while a sculptural freestanding bath forms the room’s quiet focal point, transforming the ensuite into a luxurious retreat.

The material palette

The Laird’s Croft is defined by an enduring palette of quartzite, marble, oak, brass and ceramic. Each material was chosen not only for its beauty, but for the way it develops character over time.

Subtle repetition creates cohesion throughout the home. The richly veined quartzite kitchen island is echoed in the marble fireplace hearth opposite, establishing visual continuity between the living spaces and reinforcing the home’s carefully considered architectural narrative.

The result

The Laird’s Croft demonstrates how luxury interior design can express personal heritage without relying on literal references. Every space feels highly individual because it responds to the clients’ lifestyle rather than a predetermined aesthetic.

The completed home is elegant, functional and deeply connected to its owners—a contemporary Matakana residence where thoughtful planning, bespoke joinery and timeless materials create an environment that will continue to improve with age.

Project: The Laird’s Croft

Location: Matakana Village, Auckland, New Zealand

Interior Design: Yvette Jay Interior Design

Project Type: Luxury residential interior design / contemporary family home

AWARDS

2026 TIDA Designer Kitchen Awards Highly Commended.

2026 TIDA Designer Bathroom Awards Highly Commended.

Architect: Gerrad Hall Architects

Photography: Jackie Meiring

Wharetoroa House | Lake House Interior Design in New Zealand

An extensively renovated 1980s lakeside bach reimagined for contemporary family living on Lake Rotoiti

The brief

Wharetoroa House began as a modest renovation with a practical goal: extend the garage to accommodate a new lake boat. But as the design process unfolded, the opportunity became clear. Rather than simply adding space, the owners chose to completely renovate their 1980s bach into a timeless New Zealand lake house designed for the next chapter of family life.

The brief was to preserve the relaxed nostalgia of the original holiday home while creating a refined, highly functional retreat for two. It also needed to comfortably host children and grandchildren during weekends and holidays, balancing intimate everyday living with effortless multi-generational family living.

The challenge

Extensive additions and alterations meant the original bach and the new architecture needed to feel inseparable. Every room—from the kitchen and living areas to the bedrooms, bathrooms and laundry—had to contribute to one cohesive design language rather than reveal the home's piecemeal evolution.

Equally important was ensuring the house remained calm and uncluttered even when filled with family. Storage, circulation and flexibility became as critical to the design as aesthetics, allowing the surrounding Lake Rotoiti landscape to remain the home's defining feature.

The design response

The renovation is unified by a restrained architectural interior palette that flows seamlessly throughout the home. Open-plan living spaces are carefully oriented to capture uninterrupted lake views, while bespoke joinery conceals the practical requirements of everyday life, maintaining a sense of quiet order.

Rather than designing individual rooms as standalone moments, each space was conceived as part of a continuous narrative—creating the feeling of a contemporary lakeside lodge with warmth, longevity and ease. The home effortlessly transitions from peaceful mornings for two to vibrant gatherings across three generations.

The material story

Natural materials ground the interiors in their setting. European oak veneer cabinetry, hardwood flooring, natural stone, textured tiles, wool carpet and layered linen textiles create depth through texture rather than decoration.

A defining gesture is the continuation of hardwood flooring onto the exterior decking, visually dissolving the boundary between indoors and out. Bespoke furniture, considered lighting and tailored window treatments complete the home, adding richness and atmosphere while remaining intentionally understated.

The result

Wharetoroa House demonstrates how thoughtful lake house renovation can transform not only a building, but the way a family lives. What was once an ageing 1980s holiday bach is now a luxurious year-round retreat that feels equally suited to quiet everyday life and large family celebrations.

The success of the project lies in its careful integration of architecture, interiors and landscape—creating a deeply personal home that feels enduring, contemporary and unmistakably connected to Lake Rotoiti, New Zealand.

Project summary

Location: Lake Rotoiti, New Zealand

Project type: Extensive 1980s bach renovation & interior design

Style: Contemporary lakeside lodge

Services: Interior architecture, bespoke joinery, kitchen, bathrooms, furnishings & styling

AWARDS

2022 TIDA Kitchen Awards Highly Commended

Architects: DCA Architects

Cosmopolitan Townhouse | Luxury Townhouse Interior Design NZ

A colourful townhouse renovation in New Zealand, transformed into a highly tailored retreat for sophisticated downsized living.

The brief

After downsizing from a substantial family home, the owners wanted their new townhouse to feel every bit as luxurious as the life they had left behind. They affectionately called it their “well-appointed rabbit hutch”—a compact home with enormous potential.

The brief was to create a luxury townhouse interior that celebrated their love of colour, pattern and glamorous design while delivering exceptional functionality. Bespoke cabinetry, statement furniture and beautifully layered interiors were essential, alongside spaces designed for entertaining and everyday ease.

The challenge

The reduced footprint demanded thoughtful small home interior design rather than simply smaller furniture. Every room needed intelligent storage, clear visual order and carefully considered proportions to ensure the home felt spacious despite its compact scale.

The goal was to replace the anonymity of a developer-built townhouse with an interior rich in personality, craftsmanship and permanence.

The design response

Custom-designed joinery became the architectural backbone of the project, introducing beautifully integrated storage while creating bold moments of colour throughout the living areas and bedrooms. Rather than treating storage as something to conceal, it became a defining design feature.

Rich painted cabinetry, sculptural lighting, luxurious furnishings and curated artwork were layered with confidence, creating the atmosphere of a sophisticated cosmopolitan apartment. Colour and pattern bring energy to the interiors, yet careful restraint ensures the home feels elegant rather than overwhelming.

The material story

A vibrant palette is anchored by enduring materials chosen for both beauty and longevity. Painted timber cabinetry is paired with richly textured wallpapers, sumptuous velvets, woven textiles, polished metal accents and natural stone, creating interiors with depth and tactile warmth.

Pattern is used deliberately to establish rhythm and personality, while bespoke joinery provides the consistent thread that unifies the home.

The result

This townhouse renovation demonstrates that downsizing is not about compromise—it is an opportunity to live more intentionally. Every centimetre has been meticulously planned to maximise storage, comfort and visual calm, allowing the owners to enjoy a home that feels generous in experience rather than size.

What was once a generic developer interior is now a colourful, highly personalised retreat: a luxurious New Zealand townhouse designed around the way its owners live, entertain and enjoy their next chapter.

Project summary

Project type: Luxury townhouse renovation & interior design

Style: Colourful contemporary interiors with bespoke joinery

Design focus: Downsizing, integrated storage & entertaining

Services: Interior architecture, custom cabinetry, furnishings & styling

Photography: Jackie Meiring

The city home for a client who loves animal prints, gold, and joyful colour. Furniture, soft furnishings and window treatments were choses to celebrate or enhance these bold aesthetics. Custom golden treatments were applied to the Oak veneer cabinetry in the kitchen and lobby, and on the paneled fireplace surround. A new study was designed for the fireside alcove. Beautiful bedding was sourced or custom made to create lavish and rich bedrooms.

Originally designed by Peter Sargisson, this seaside house underwent an extensive renovation lead by Scarlet Architects.

Working collaboratively with their team, interior finishes, furniture, and soft furnishings were my domain.

Many pieces of the clients furniture were classic designs, and were reupholstered to work with the new interior aesthetic. Far too good to discard, these iconic and cherished design pieces now have many more years of stylish service ahead of them.

This project is a shining example of the enduring nature of quality design inside and out.

Renovation architects: Scarlet Architects Original architects: Cook Hitchcock Sargisson Architects

This house was no stranger to change. Divided into flats in the 1970’s, it reverted back to a single dwelling when previously renovated in the 1990s.

The current owners engaged Scarlet Architects to undertake an extensive renovation to meet the needs of their family.

Working collaboratively with Scarlet’s team, the exterior and interior color schemes, bathroom and kitchen finishes, furniture, window treatments, soft furnishings, and accessories were my domain.

Colour and textiles were used to enhance the experience of social and more private spaces throughout the house. Depth and sophistication in more contemplative rooms. Counter balanced with lighter colours in living areas that flow to the outdoors.

It’s all about expansion and contraction to enhance the sensory experience.

Renovation architects: Scarlet Architects

A mid century carpet factory was converted into loft apartments in the early 2000s. After twenty years of use, this apartment’s guest bathroom, laundry, and mezzanine ensuite were ready for a refresh. Finishes and fittings were chosen and designed to reflect the industrial nature of the building’s factory origins.

Photography: Jackie Meiring

This extensive renovation of a character villa was staged over several years to meet the needs of a busy family. The owners are planning to move on once their boys have finished high school so we became mindful of a “five year plan”. Renovations needed to reflect the value and location of the house, work to a budget that was in keeping with the owners future plans and look inviting to potential buyers down the line.

The scope included a new kitchen, bathroom and ensuite, interior colour scheme, carpet, window treatments, lighting, furniture, rugs, soft furnishings and accessories.

Photographer: Sam Hartnett

“Yvette came highly recommended to us through our builder, as we were renovating a large main bathroom and ensuite. We wanted to make sure that the bathrooms were in keeping with our villa house and needed ideas to tie the bathroom colours in with the rest of the house. The time frame before we started was a short one but Yvette listened to us and brought ideas and design plans back to us very fast. We have ended up with stunning bathrooms. Yvette was fun and very helpful to work with.”

Kerry and Leanne Brew

Working in collaboration with Scarlet Architects on their extensive renovation of this character villa was an absolute pleasure. Their sensitive yet strong design provided both quiet and intimate rooms and family orientated, free-flowing, open living areas. The challenge with the interiors was to make these areas expressive of their own purpose, yet still fully connected as the one home for a busy family of five and their fearless pooch. Now the villa’s interiors are honest to the architecture while weaving the owners personal style and stories into the elegant and refined finishing layers.

My involvement included exterior and interior colours, bathroom details, feature lighting, bedding and custom-made bedheads, new and refurbished furniture and soft furnishings, window treatments, rugs and decorative accessories.

Architects: Scarlet Architects
Photographer: Sam Hartnett

“Yvette helped to take our property to another level.  What I loved about working with her is that she would provide exactly the level of service that we needed in any situation - from sourcing and coming up with colours and fabrics to helping me choose from a couple of options I had found myself.  She had no problem in just being a sensible ear to bounce ideas off but at the same time when we asked for more direction, she could step in and give us her vision.  She was a lot of fun to work with and had a great relationship with our architects and our builder.  “

Rachel Steel and Ben Upton

An interior renovation to all areas of a three bedroom penthouse apartment. My scope of work included refinishing or replacing all flooring, painting, kitchen improvements, entertaining and lobby cabinetry, all furniture including custom designed pieces, soft furnishings, feature lighting, wall coverings, window treatments and accessories.

Photographer: Sam Hartnett

A sensitive renovation to this much loved family bungalow by Gerrad Hall Architects. My scope of work included interior and exterior colour schemes, feature lighting, marble, cabinetry colours, bathroom colours, window treatments, soft furnishings and photo styling.
 
Architect: Gerrad Hall Architects
Photographer: Tash Hopkins

A remarkably compact, yet luxurious bathroom refurbishment for a city fringe apartment with an owner of discerning tastes. Striking marble tiles and beautiful fittings have made this most personal of spaces even more memorable.

Photographer: Sam Hartnett

Testimonial: “As a design professional myself, detail and perfection are close to my DNA. Working with Yvette and Paul (the builder) on this project was an absolute  joy! Small spaces require attention to detail and the team was onboard with this from day one to achieve the results that I had dreamed of.”  Nigel Rye

A beautifully renovated villa by Gerrad Hall Architects. My scope of work included interior and exterior colour schemes, cabinetry finishes, marble, bathroom tiles, carpet, advice on window treatments, and more recently new furniture and soft furnishings.
 
Winner of an NZIA National Architecture Award 2017 for Housing – alterations and additions.

Architect: Gerrad Hall Architects
 
Photographer: Tash Hopkins

A hard exterior of metal cladding suited to the coastal environment reveals an interior of textures, warmth and vibrancy. Natural materials finished with a gentle hand are abundant. Oiled timbers, honed marble, soft wools, draping linens and grass papers enliven this family home.

Architect: Michael O'Sullivan

Client testimonial:

“…Yvette was wonderful to work with. She proposed a process that was sensible and efficient. We benefitted hugely from the fact that Yvette listened to and understood what we and our architect were trying to achieve. She listened to our preferences and where they were unformed she made invaluable contributions. Nothing she suggested clashed with our vision for the home and there is nothing that we look at now that jars. We love everything about the interior starting from the magnificent and bold green marble kitchen island through to the organic textural grass paper on the walls. 

“Yvette’s relationship with our builder and architect was excellent and she clearly enjoyed excellent relationships with her suppliers. She was on site the day we moved in and we appreciated all the extra touches she gave to our project. We cannot be more positive about our experience working with Yvette…”  

Sandra Thomas & Matt Whineray