Alex and Chris Chisnall have created a warm, vibrant home in Atawhai, blending eclectic style with mid-century charm and a love for colour. With Alex’s work as a travel broker and Chris’s artistic touch, their space reflects both their creativity and unique style.
Photos: Tessa Claus
Our home
Our home is in Atawhai, next to farmlands and overlooking the bay. With our sons, Quinn and Baxter, grown up and moved out, our boxer Billy and cat Soozle are our constant companions – wherever we are, they are too.
We had been looking for a new home for a couple of years. We viewed this one but missed out on the sale, so went on an overseas trip instead. While cruising down the Danube, we unexpectedly had the opportunity to buy it again. It was all on, trying to set up the sale in the middle of the night, it was meant to be.
Decorating style
We like eclectic and retro with loads of colour to keep our souls dancing. Mid-century furniture is a favourite, and we enjoy mixing modern pieces and art with older classics to create a space that feels both timeless and fresh. I would describe our home as uplifting, cheerful, eclectic and welcoming.
Where we shop
Our go to’s are Eclectic, Mr Bigglesworthy and Tradme. We love sourcing old classics and bringing them to life in new surroundings. We’ve splurged when we’ve seen the perfect item – the couch and the Candy Clark painting were items we had to have.
Any debates?
No, the opposite really. We mostly agree and can easily convince ourselves that we need that new item.
Best budget tip
Buy the things you love.
We would never part with…
Chris’s painting of Quinn and Baxter up the Matai before we moved to Nelson, and our George Nelson lampshade that I carted all the way back from San Francisco – an absolute must-have piece.
Renovations
We haven’t been here a full year yet, so we’re still learning the seasons in the house. The garden was a complete mess when we moved in, so we started on that, and it is beginning to take shape. It’s a tad warmer in Atawhai with no frosts, so we opted for exotic plants and are looking forward to seeing it progress. It’s still a work in progress, but we love sitting in the spa and watching it grow!
Next on the list
We’ve been hunting high and low for two more occasional chairs but haven’t found the perfect fit yet. Chris is a graphic designer and has been busy for the last year working on a series of paintings for his exhibition at Lambretta’s. It would be great to have an art studio that he can create in.
Favourite nooks
The lounge, the kitchen, our bedroom, and the deck. They all have stunning views of the bay, which is so uplifting all day, every day.
Our neighbourhood
It’s so quiet and peaceful – close to the city, yet we wake up to birdsong and cows and sheep grazing in the paddocks behind us.
Every home should have…
Special pieces that bring you joy.
