Crafted For Connection - The Gathering
The Gathering Kitchen - Cosentino Dekton in Sirius
Set amongst the breathtaking landscape of Golden Bay, this home is the result of thoughtful collaboration between the clients, Arthouse Architects, Byrne Builders, The Custom Space and a team of exceptional local trades.
Designed for gathering, entertaining and everyday living, every detail has been carefully considered to create a home that feels warm, grounded and deeply connected to its surroundings. Together, the team has brought a shared vision to life. From the architecture and construction through to the joinery, the result is a home that sits effortlessly within the landscape, while celebrating craftsmanship in every space.
We spoke with the homeowners about their building journey, the inspiration behind their home, and the spaces they now love most.
Before the build
What inspired you to build your home in Golden Bay?
We decided to move to Golden Bay and rather than be on the coast alongside holiday homes we opted for a lifestyle block closer to town. It has amazing karst stone outcrops so we wanted to build something that suited this landscape - it informed the materials we chose.
“Every home tells a story. Every project starts with a conversation and ends with something more meaningful. A home that reflects the people who live in it.”
The design journey
What was your favourite part of designing your joinery?
The joinery needed to complement the architecture and it’s great that Custom Space has a strong working relationship with Arthouse Architects. Courtney and Johnny did an early site visit and we really enjoyed their quick understanding of what we wanted to achieve.
Did any ideas come from our designers that you hadn't considered?
Plenty! Custom Space really understands that excellent design is a blend of great looks and utility. One great example of this is with the Dekton benchtops - they look fantastic as well as being so durable and practical.
Craftsmanship & installation
What stood out to you about the quality of the joinery?
It’s clear the team at Custom Space take pride in what they do. They love to problem solve and come up with the best solutions. The thought that goes into each area is what drives the quality and we’re very happy with the outcome.
Was there a particular moment during installation where everything started to feel real?
Earlier than you might expect, it was actually pre-installation. At the Custom Space workshop on Vanguard St we could see the various units take shape and there was one day when we were going through various choices of materials and their sheen options. It really helped us visualise what key spaces might look like. The installation stage was also very exciting of course.
Living in the home
What's your favourite room in the house, and why?
For both of us, it has to be our lounge as you can open it up both sides to the outdoors in summer and we have a big open fire which feels so nice on a winter’s night.
Is there a piece of joinery you use every single day that you couldn't imagine living without?
In the lounge Custom Space designed a special unit to house our stereo system and my vinyl record collection. I had a lot of fun going through a number of design iterations with Johnny to get that just right. It’s fantastic. I don’t use it every day but I use it a lot!
Design details
What's your favourite material or finish you chose?
Throughout the build we learned a lot about pairing and contrasting various combinations of materials to create an overall design. We had some ideas to begin with but there are so many decisions to make along the way. Sustainable jarrah is hard to source so we were really happy as Custom Space went the extra mile to find enough for our project. Jarrah’s rich reds really complement the other materials throughout the build and add depth and cohesion - it helps make our place feel homely and peaceful.
If a friend was about to build their dream home and asked whether they should work with The Custom Space, what would you tell them?
Firstly we’d stress the importance of the interior finishes, joinery, lighting etc. - decisions made here are so crucial to how you will enjoy your home. Custom Space played a key part in a great team of suppliers. They have been wonderful to work with every step of the way and we couldn’t be happier with the results.
Article Published in Nelson Magazine August Addition
Builder: Byrne Builders
Architects: Art House Architects
Tiler- Royce Russell - Golden Bay Tiling
Fred Cucksey - Collective Painting
Elaine Crombie Electrical
Images : The Space Edit
