The brief was simple in its ambition and bold in its execution: design a showhome that challenges convention. Where most build for the expected, this Taupo home was designed as a point of difference — dark, moody, and unapologetically considered.
Warm beige neutrals meet dark textured walls & ceilings to create proportional balance that makes natural light the hero of every room. Oversized pendant lighting, generous ceiling heights, and large scaled tiles push the boundaries of residential scale — proving that restraint and drama can coexist beautifully.
The minimalist kitchen strips back to what matters. The ensuite layers tone on tone, filtered through black shutters that turn daylight into atmosphere. The media room, anchored by a custom velvet sofa, wraps texture and depth around you — immersive, intimate, and entirely deliberate.
This is a home that earns its attention — a showcase not just for the builders, but for what happens when design is given the courage to be different.

When the clients came to me with the open brief for this home, wanting to push the boundaries, explore new design concepts and encourage a point of difference I was excited to embrace the opportunity to showcase the design elements I was inspired by, the owners loved the dark and moody concept, however were nervous to provide balance to create a feeling of home, the proportion within this home is often spoken about the balance between dark, earthy tones and my favorite element -heavy texture.

The asymmetrical gable portrays a bold and modern street presence, the interior with raw material palette is characterized by dark and earthy tones, you are invited in with Forte wall claddings, and over scaled lighting, the dark hallway meeting an apex of natural light, dramatic with 8m ceiling, the dark elements have been balanced with warm beige surfaces, the only slight difference in textural elements being the custom designed Dekton wall to wall bench in the Ensuite, as you transition through the the house, the earthy materials, from timber, to concrete to linen create an inviting, unique and carefully considered home.

Innovation is with the architectural detailing, providing drama through ceiling height, opening into a cosy mezzanine area for home owners to enjoy stunning views however still providing privacy.
The use of Muros Concrete Wall panels, along with Forte Tactile claddings side by side certainly leads with a design step forward. Bathrooms have been thoughtfully designed with tonal, matt finishes complimented through line detailing, along side pushing boundaries with large scale tiling, skylights to control and filter natural light. A media room with depth to invite you to sit back and relax, clad in floor to ceiling tactile finishes, balanced by the warmth of custom designed rust toned sofa.

Donna Hydes Design

1, Living Room from Entry
2, Living Room from Mezzanine
3, Kitchen
4, Exterior
5, Entry
6 + 7, Ensuite
8, Media Room
9, Master Bedroom
10, Dining Table Booth Seating

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