There’s something magical about waking up to the sound of waves and the soft morning light when you’re sleeping in a home near the beach. This newly renovated beach house on Waiheke Island captures that magic. This week we’re taking a closer look at the master bedroom and ensuite—a space designed for escaping the everyday and giving mind, body and soul the recharge it deserves.

The bedroom

Stepping into the master bedroom, your feet can feel the imperfectly perfect surface of the wide plank oak flooring, bandsawn to achieve more texture. Above, the ceiling mirrors this texture with bandsawn timber planks, painted in Resene Merino—a soft, warm white that keeps the space airy while still adding depth. Although the ceilings are new, I love this nod to the charm of classic Kiwi baches. The timber planking continues on the headboard wall, to anchor the bed in the space. I really like how you can even see the nailheads, adding a rustic touch.

The louvred joinery controls the light depending on your mood, adds privacy, and provides a light breeze on those hot summer nights. Floor-to-ceiling linen curtains on the opposite windows soften the space, billowing gently with the sea breeze.

At the heart of the room is the Kelly Hoppen-designed bed, a showstopper with its grooved oak corners, upholstered sides, and a statement headboard. Either side sit matching bedsides from the same collection in greyed-off oak with bronze hardware, striking a balance between organic textures and refined finishes.

For that effortless holiday hotel feel, we layered the bed with textural linens and custom made cushions in natural patterns, while alabaster lamps on either side cast a soft, ambient glow. A custom slimline oak desk—crafted from the same timber as the kitchen cabinetry—tucks neatly into the space, creating a mini office nook for those moments of inspiration by the sea.

Master Ensuite

Through a doorway, the ensuite is a sanctuary sanctuary of Turkish limestone. Every surface—floor to ceiling—is clad in this calming stone, chosen for its soft, natural veining that mimics the movement of land and water.

Tiles and stonework by SCE Stone & Design.

For a touch of subtle texture, we ribbed the marble on the wall behind the vanity, allowing the stone to play with light and shadow. This is done by the stonemason using a CNC router that runs a gentle groove profile down the front of each stone tile. Custom-made bronze mirrors sit above, their reflective warmth complemented by a floating ledge beneath

The vanities themselves are a continuation of the home’s material palette—crafted from the same oak as the kitchen cabinetry. The integrated basins, carved from the same stone as the vanity tops, give the illusion of being sculpted from a single block, reinforcing the spa-like luxury.

In keeping with the natural aesthetic, we left the shower entrance open, without glass—allowing the space to breathe and creating a seamless flow. Moody bronze tapware was chosen for its depth, earthen tones and timeless appeal. Tiling into the window frame adds to that feeling of one continuous surface and being wrapped in nature, and we continued the rough sawn timber planks on the ceiling to keep the texture and depth going.

Powder room

The powder room is located down the hallway, between the master suite and living spaces. This has to be one of my favourite rooms in the house! We wanted it to feel calm and inviting for the homeowners and guests, a bathroom you want to take your time in and enjoy, rather than just a utility room. The architect had given us a generous sized space with a lovely window for natural light. So using the same limestone as the master ensuite was a beautiful choice, as the natural light falls across it accentuating the soft beachy colours and textures.

The fine grooved effect tile runs the full height and width of the vanity wall, with a tiled ledge. We custom designed a mirror with a bronze surround to sit on the ledge, and a wall light next to it, reflecting the light around. We had a pedestal basin made out of solid travertine, it’s round shape rising upwards like a giant potter’s wheel.

Hide & Seek

The bathroom door is located at the top of the stairwell, so we didn’t want it to be the first thing your eye rested on when coming up the stairs. So we created a hidden door in what looks like a wall of cabinetry. The cabinetry is the same as the kitchen, an oak veneer with an eighth-grey wash to take the yellow tones out. Each side of the hidden door is a cupboard for added storage. Then you can push the middle panel to enter the bathroom.

From the inside, the doorway is clad in the oak also, making it like a textural entrance tunnel into the powder room.

In the downstairs WC, we designed a small wall hung basin made of travertine, and a full width wall mirror. This helps to add interest and a luxe touch to a small room.

In these spaces texture, tone, and thoughtful design combine to create a retreat that feels both indulgent and effortless. Whether it’s waking up to the sound of waves or unwinding in a limestone-clad rainfall shower, each detail has been designed for calming the senses.