Building a home is far from unusual, but building a life from scratch is a far more daunting endeavour. Yet that is exactly what Gabriella and Claude Lewenz did nearly three decades ago, with their small daughter in tow, packing up their life in New York and starting anew in Aotearoa. Driven equally by logic and a sense of providence, they took the leap and had faith that everything would fall into place. Which it did.
Hooked on a feeling
Determined to look beyond US shores for their perfect home, the couple were always on the lookout, as they travelled the globe, for a place that ticked all their boxes. But while Gabriella and Claude approached their search with almost clinical pragmatism (with a young daughter to consider, too, they had to be practical), in the end, it was something far more ephemeral that drove their decision, an undeniable gut feeling. They had been on holiday in Hawaii and were lured by cheap flights into making a little side trip to Aotearoa.
"The moment both Claude and I landed in Christchurch, something just clicked and we felt something quite magical," says Gabriella. "We couldn't explain it, there was no reason or logic."
A campervan whistle-stop tour of the South Island sealed the deal, seducing them with the country's beauty and less easily defined - a sense of possibility.
"There was a certain vibrancy and potential we felt here." Back in New York, they formed an image of the life they hoped to lead and Claude set off on a solo reconnaissance trip, warning Gabriella that her dream property would likely take years to find. In fact, it took just one ferry ride, from Auckland to Waiheke Island, where Claude found a two-hectare block overlooking Church Bay.
Bu hikaye Your Home and Garden dergisinin June 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Your Home and Garden dergisinin June 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
GET MERRY
Everyone will go crackers about these festive dinner favourites and the delicious trimmings
A brief history of...The Lips sofa
How to straighten up and free yourself from negative behaviour patterns
BREAKING BAD HABITS
How to straighten up and free yourself from negative behaviour patterns
MOMENTS of JOY
Sue Pat's whimsical stationery cleverly captures the wonders of Christmas
GIFTS of the EARTH
An excerpt from garden and interior designer Michael Mansvelt's longawaited book Everyday Opulence
All WHITE NOW
A fresh, coastal take on the classic white Christmas starts with a backdrop of relaxed vintage style. On top, layer shades of white from rich cream to crisp snow, offset by foraged shells and coastal flora also spray painted in white, then worked into wreaths and other essential festive decor elements.
COASTAL CHRISTMAS
A writer is all about enjoying a cruisy, coastal celebration with family and friends
Happy place
A shed on the garden's edge became healing renovation project
ALL IS BRIGHT
Colour is key in Kip&Co co-founder Alex McCabe's vibrant home over the holidays
BOLD & ECLECTIC
In an excerpt from The Makers, writer Pandora Sykes' home is a cosy and chic statement in fearlessness with colour and patterns