In the heart of Nelson city, Chrissy Irvine, her husband, their two daughters, and Luna the Golden Retriever have swapped sleek new-build life for the quirks and charms of a century-old workers cottage – proving that a little history, an eye for design, and a love of collecting can make a house a home.
Photos: Tessa Claus
The story
We had not long moved into our new build in Lincoln, Christchurch, when we realised it was time to move home – back to Nelson, where we met (at high school!) and where all four of our daughters’ grandparents are. I told Marcus that I wanted a 100-year-old home, and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. A few months later we were the proud owners of this beautiful, historic workers cottage. We’ve been here now for 18 months.
The neighbourhood
100 years ago, property boundaries and restrictions were different – houses were built closer together. This does two great things – it makes the most of the land, meaning you can have a much bigger garden and backyard as your house can spread out closer to your fence line and it brings you closer to your neighbours – literally and figuratively. One of the best parts of living here is the proximity to our neighbours. We’ve lived here for just over a year and already know most of our street's residents by name. Our kids adore the next-door neighbours, calling over the fence and asking to visit. Everyone on our street has a low garden front fence, which for some, means less privacy, but for us it means greater connection. There’s nothing a sheer curtain or a well-placed tree can’t hide, if need be!
Renovations
The previous owners had undertaken major renovations, and we also did a lot in the first six months, namely the kitchen. We found the cabinetry on Marketplace, sold what bits we didn’t need, and hired a joiner to piece the puzzle together. We chose cabinet colours from Aalto and, in keeping with the tradition of the old house, had them handpainted instead of lacquered. The benefit of hand-painting is that it’s easy to repaint and touch up any knocks or scrapes. We couldn’t decide on what knobs to use, so we bought wooden ones and had them painted the same colour. The kitchen is largely inspired by deVOL Kitchens from the UK. The floorboards were pulled up to do extensive borer treatment and underfloor insulation. The studio needed new piles – it was floating! We double-glazed, added new curtains, installed new tongue-and-groove overlay rimu flooring in the kitchen and dining area, moved the laundry from the kitchen into the bathroom, painted the girls’ rooms, and relandscaped the front garden. Phew!
My inspiration
I used to own a lot of mid-century pieces but had to sell them – they were too big for this wee workers cottage, and I had too many of them (we downsized by 100sqm when we shifted!). This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It made me realise how much I love selling vintage furniture, as it melds my background in art history and photography.
The idea of furniture and homewares being an art of form and function really appeals to me. Not long after selling those pieces off and moving to Nelson, my business, The Workers Cottage, was born. I started sourcing vintage and antique pieces for our cottage, and at the same time I was sourcing for my business where I sell vintage and decorative antiques. I was reading about colonial furniture in New Zealand, and asking myself: What pieces might the original owners have had in here? How could I be sympathetic to the age and style of the home? I have approached the furniture selection with this in mind – there are no frills or outlandish details in the house, nor in the furniture. This place has good bones, and there is a calm beauty in its simplicity and austerity.
It was one of the first examples of state housing in New Zealand, so it was built on a specific budget set by the government at the time. Having spent too much on the kitchen renovation, I also, ahem, had a budget (set by the bank), and second hand was the way for me to achieve my workers cottage aesthetic goals.
Decorating style
I love gentle, deep colour and relaxed, cottage-style interiors. Like a lot of Kiwis living in old homes, there’s a tension between decorating with old and new. To mix things up, I like to place contemporary art next to vintage and antique art. If I buy a piece of new furniture, I’ll put old cabinet knobs on it.
I studied Japanese Art History for three years, and there is a strong influence of their craftsmanship with some of the pieces I collect – whether those pieces are Japanese or, for example, New Zealand potters inspired by Japan. A few summers ago I had a solo show at Hot Clay Gallery, where I showed a selection of my photography from my time in Japan. When the gallery closed recently, I received one of the photographs back, which now sits happily in our living room.
Where I shop
The Workers Cottage – how fun it was to rummage through my own stock to decorate for this photoshoot! And anywhere that sells old stuff.
I’d never part with...
My dining chairs, I’m rather fond of them. They are a lovely size (not too big, not too small) with just the right amount of subtle detail. I am currently agonising over whether to paint or restore them.
Save or splurge
For the renovation we splurged on tradespeople – we were moving cities with a very young baby and a toddler and felt we didn’t have the capacity to DIY at that stage. We splurged on window furnishings, too, as they have such a huge impact.
We saved by buying a second-handkitchen, selling the kitchen that was already here, and by chance we got the benchtop of our dreams by having just the right sized space for a gorgeous piece of dolomite from Granite Designs.
Favourite spot
I love our French 1930s kitchen work prep table, which looks out over the deck so I can keep an eye on the kids while cooking.
Next on the list
Restoring the internal doors back to wood, painting the master, hallway
and lounge (more colour, please!), and painting our internal windows. We are thinking green.
Something I’d change
A fireplace would be brilliant.
Every home should have...
In the words of Kiri & Lou (the best kids’ TV show-claymation made in
Christchurch and voiced by Jemaine Clement): fresh air, fresh fruit and cuddles.
Fondest memory
We moved out for a few months while renovating the kitchen/laundry
and when we returned, one of the first dinners we hosted was for our daughter to celebrate her first birthday. We invited grandparents over and had a pizza party in the kitchen. Happiness, good food and good company.
