My Home

Artist Clare Wilcox and pilot Jules Forde are new to Nelson, having moved here from Rangiora last year. They fell in love with the views from Tresillian Avenue in Marybank and are now in the process of renovating their 1980s style home with a different wallpaper in each room, into a simple and modern apartment. Clare shares her home styling and renovating tips.

Where is your home and how long have you lived here?

We moved from North Canterbury to this home in Marybank last September. When we viewed it, we both immediately saw the potential of turning it into an apartment-style beach house with the amazing view it has across the bay. Being empty nesters, we didn’t need a large house and we still have room for our daughters when they come home to visit us.

What four words would you use to describe your home?

A work in progress.

What’s your decorating style?

Jules and I are keeping this house very simple. It is only small, so we want to keep it feeling as open as possible. I’m controlling my colour impulses to channel the apartment beach house – with a light pine and white colour scheme, complemented with pops of colour in plants, homewares, and art.

Where do you shop for homewares?

We have been very careful not to purchase any furniture until we have rooms completed, but we love local shops and will definitely purchase local.

What piece would you never part with?

Artwork painted by our daughters, Nohah and Sidney. Nohah painted a wonderful piece when she was five of her sister and our dog, and Sidney painted us a lovely piece of our cat Loulou when she passed away.

Have you done any renovations?

The whole house is a renovation at the moment!

What’s next on your interiors list?

Our kitchen has been ordered so we are looking forward to seeing it transform our open plan kitchen/ living area. Jules and I need to put our flooring down in the area first, but with every reno time is important with not wanting to pull out the existing kitchen until the last minute. Luckily, Ben our wonderful plumber, and Blair, our electrician, have been very accommodating.

What’s your favourite room?

I love spending time in my art studio downstairs. It is still to be renovated but it’s a great space for creating art.

Best seat in the house?

Any seat that looks at our view.

If money was no object, what would you get for your home?

I think what we need that we haven’t budgeted on is a spa out the back.

What should every home have?

An outside shower, and a brother-in-law that’s a builder and always happy to share knowledge and help.

Best budget tip?

Sometimes the most expensive isn’t always the best.

Best money spent?

In our garden, Jules worked for weeks moving dirt and building rock walls. All the plants have just taken off in this great growing climate.

Do you have any tips on how to keep your living area orderly?

Living in a reno brings its own challenges with chaos and order. We do try to keep the mess just to one room at a time and clean up as we go.

What do you love about the neighbourhood where you live?

We have great neighbours and it’s a lovely quiet street with stunning views of the bay.

Best memory in your home?

The best time in our new home is when our daughters come to stay, and we can cook a lovely meal together and share time with each other.