Right space for a book to bloom
* FIRST PUBLISHED BY STUFF *
A boat-shed, a rambling villa, and a mansion with Doric columns. Artist and designer, Lotte Wotherspoon, has always lived in beautiful spaces, she wouldn't have it any other way. But her current home – a light-filled cottage villa in the seaside suburb of Devonport – is the first home she has owned and left her interior design stamp on.
Lotte wrote and illustrated two children’s books from her home
Lotte and husband Shane settled back in New Zealand from Melbourne, 7 years ago. When son Jacob, now age eight, was just one and a half and daughter Mia, now 11, was four years old. "We were back from Melbourne and staying in a Devonport holiday house," says Lotte, "and the opportunity came up to view this home before it was on the market. I knew it was our place as soon as we walked in. It was an instant feeling".
The reflective artwork hung down the hall encourages the eye to flow freely from front door to back.
Despite being built over 100 years ago, the flow was already spot-on. Previous owners had worked with an architect to craft the rear extension. Lotte and Shane replaced the 1970's architraves and fixtures with those in keeping with the era of the house. They straightened the walls in the front rooms, re-arranged the entrance to the bathroom, and painted throughout. "It just needed the final 30% of love and attention," says Lotte. "We added built-in cabinetry in the snug – which gave the room a purpose – tidied up the kitchen, and added fencing to make the outdoor living safe for our young children."
Finishing their renovation before moving in enabled almost a decade enjoying what this home provides – a warm, private oasis. Says Lotte. "My favourite spot is sitting on the couch, chatting to friends, french doors open, the sound of the kids in the backyard." Lotte is a light-chaser. "Jacobs room is especially lovely in the afternoon, and the morning light filters into the master bedroom, bringing with it the scent of Star Jasmine.
Top tp bottom : Jacob’s room catches the afternoon light / the master bedroom catches the morning light / Shane, Mia and Jacob in their favourite reading spot
It was during these mornings, sitting reading stories to Jacob and Mia that Lotte mulled the idea of producing her own children's books. A project that would pull together two of her passions – writing and illustration. And, it turns out, her home was the perfect place to get the job done. "I created 90% of my books from my home studio," says Lotte. Joking that it's the one room with a lockable door, which turned out to be useful for keeping kids sticky fingers away from precious pencil drawings. Although the books came along several years after Lotte moved here, the office was set up from the get-go. "You're always an artist," remarks Lotte. "Even when you're not practicing." Her studio has birthed many creative projects – before, between, and after her books. The latest is a set of prints made for Shane as a Christmas gift. This is a collaborative home. "Maybe with cushions and art, I might have the final say, " laughs Lotte, "but everything else has been a joint decision."
Lottes home studio is light and inspiration-filled.
Working from home can be a challenge. Especially with children. But Lotte found the peacefulness that comes with a private north-facing garden provided her the perfect headspace to create. And, because the house is well-designed, it functions smoothly – with little time needed for maintenance. "The house mostly looks after itself," says Lotte.
From top to bottom : A peak at the built-in cabinetry that adds value to the snug / Two lovingly restored vintage chairs / The Dean Buchanan painting gifted to Lotte as a child.
The calmness of this home is, in large part, due to the cohesive cool colours. A palette of blue, grey, black, and white inspired by her lifetime treasure, a painting by Dean Buchanan. The expressionist landscape was gifted to her as a child and has had pride-of-place in most houses she's lived. Here, it hangs directly below the skylight, bathed in natural rays, perpendicular to the kitchen island, making it a central feature of the open-plan living. "Without it, the energy of the room changes, it has a presence," says Lotte. Art hangs on every wall of this home. Mostly works made by friends. The collection is various, curious, and thoughtfully hung. "It will definitely need to have a wall for the Buchanan," says Lotte, as she ponders the next beautiful house she might live in. "And I wish I could take the garden with me." Previous owners were keen green-fingers and planted a Camellia that blooms at the same time each year. "We looked after this home, improved it, and in turn, it looked after our family. I'm excited to ponder what might be created by the people who inhabit her next".
Explore more of Lotte’s two books here.