A home shaped by its setting
Sanctuary Tangaroa is Matt and Dan’s home near Tauranga. Views across the harbour towards Mount Maunganui guided a palette of natural materials, warm finishes and quieter details.
Materials, chosen together
The project brought together Laminex New Zealand, Forté Flooring, ECC, Meek, Resene and other suppliers. Each choice had to feel right in the space and work for everyday living.
An open welcome
Light oak engineered flooring leads through the entrance. Beyond the hallway, wetlands, grasses and mangroves stay in view, with stacking sliders connecting the living spaces to the outdoors.
Kitchen and dining
A four-sided Caesarstone island in Cloudburst Concrete anchors the kitchen. Woodgrain Umber cabinetry and Melteca Mist in the scullery balance the lighter flooring. The custom MOT dining table pairs brushed steel bollard legs with a black Laminex Alucci Apex top.
The lounge
A 600kg piece of solid bluestone grounds the room. Surround by Laminex in Scallop 45 adds texture to the wall, while linen sheers filter the light.
The master suite
Natural stone and Italian porcelain shape the bathroom. A custom walnut bed sits on concrete ball feet, with a linen headboard. Concealed blackout blinds and a Planked Urban Oak wardrobe keep the practical details considered.
Room for guests
FOLD Bedside Tables sit beside a custom headboard with integrated lighting. A darker ensuite palette and a utility cabinet in Planked Urban Oak and Cloudburst Concrete give the guest suite its own character.
Outside, together
The outdoor kitchen includes a barbecue and pizza oven, with space for dining and a low couch by the fire brazier. Native planting connects the timber-clad and bagged-brick exterior to its surroundings.
Light and texture
Lighting was chosen to bring out the materials without overwhelming them, from Tom Dixon Melt wall lights to recessed Brightgreen fixtures. The palette draws on the harbour and dune grasses beyond the windows.
Made for living
This home gave us room to test ideas on a very personal scale. The aim was simple: a place that felt calm, worked well and held the things we love.
