Visit Kumiko’s Guest House

Our interior designer Peta Tearle [who sadly passed away in 2023] was a friend and known as the queen of colour — she was recently made the posthumous winner of the Resene Total Colour Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Sue. “She oversaw the refurbishment of the house, including the paint, finishes, furniture and soft furnishings.” The standout finds here are an artwork by Kazu Nakagawa from Christchurch Art Gallery, an Offset stool by Resident from Simon James, a Midnight in Paris 1960 rug by Dilana Rugs, a Ball Bubble pendant light by George Nelson, plus a coffee table by Isamu Noguchi, a pair of vintage swivel chairs and a vintage lamp, all from Mr Mod.

The original Japanese horigotatsu — a traditional low table over a cavity in the floor that allows for relaxed sitting — has been retained in the dining area. Shoji screens and windows slide up and down to control the light level, which is also determined by a second Ball Bubble pendant light by George Nelson installed to match the existing one in the living space.

For individuals, couples or a group, Russell’s Cabins offer a more rustic but no less exquisite experience. In the bathroom, you’ll encounter a copper basin and tapware, and outside a copper rain head from Hydra Plumbing allows you to shower to a soundtrack of birdsong. In this sleep space, pressed-steel insets function like bedside tables; this one holds a Beacon light by Barebones. They were modelled on something Prue spied in a Department of Conservation hut, and crafted by Clive with reference to a cake tin he once made for his wife.