Speargrass House by Arent&Pyke

Set against the majestic backdrop of Queenstown, Speargrass House by Arent&Pyke is a sanctuary of elegance and thoughtful practicality. Designed as a forever home, it offers a seamless connection to its stunning surroundings while providing a refined retreat for a family of six, including four young boys.

The architectural foundation, created by Sumich Chaplin Architects, employs a mix of steel, schist stone and timber weatherboards to anchor the home in its environment. Inside, Arent&Pyke curated warm, layered interiors inspired by the natural surroundings. “Tonally, we used soft blues, saffron and silvery greys responding to the expanse of sky, autumnal foliage, rocky outcrops and clouds viewed from inside,” says Arent&Pyke principal Sarah-Jane Pyke. “European oak floors and custom maple joinery elements add a golden warmth, referencing the tufts of speargrass sprouting across the plains, as do the primary suite’s ginger-hued walls.”

Inside, Arent&Pyke curated warm, layered interiors inspired by the natural surroundings.

At the heart of the home lies the Great Room, where expansive windows frame the stunning landscape, from Coronet Peak to The Remarkables. To complement the scale of this space, furnishings were designed to feel robust yet inviting. “We had to compete with two forces of nature: the views and four active young boys who we knew would climb the walls,” says Pyke. Oversized furnishings paired with a custom oak-and-steel dining table balance grandeur with practicality. Above the fireplace, a custom light fixture crafted from hand-slumped glass, bronze and a river pebble sourced from the property adds a sculptural focal point.

The U-shaped layout separates the home into zones for parents and children, linked by a 30-metre corridor softly lit with low pin lights. Custom timber bunks in the boys’ rooms nod to rural shearing quarters, while playful Cassina stools double as seating and storage. Elevated details, like a sheep’s wool upholstered Giorgetti armchair in the guest room and a rustic timber coffee table in the parents’ den, add sophistication and character.

“Tonally, we used soft blues, saffron and silvery greys responding to the expanse of sky, autumnal foliage, rocky outcrops and clouds viewed from inside,” says Arent&Pyke principal Sarah-Jane Pyke.

Stone and marble feature prominently throughout the home. Ceppo di Gre marble, with its speckled texture, lends tactile luxury to floors and surfaces. The bathrooms showcase Calacatta Vagli and Super White Classic marble, creating serene, layered spaces. “Mingling with intricate tile arrangements, we wanted to elevate the sanctuaries via layers of detailed materiality yet maintain a streamlined practicality for country living,” says Pyke.

Lighting also plays a pivotal role, with offset sconces positioned at head height. Akari paper lamps and spherical pendants appear to float, and sculptural pieces by Ingo Maurer introduce an organic softness that balances the home’s strong architectural lines.

“Mingling with intricate tile arrangements, we wanted to elevate the sanctuaries via layers of detailed materiality yet maintain a streamlined practicality for country living,” says Pyke.

The home’s connection to its surroundings is seamlessly extended through gardens designed by Suzanne Turley Landscapes. “The homeowners wanted the garden to feel as though it had been there forever,” Pyke shares. Native plantings, transplanted mature lichen-covered boulders and branches almost sprouting into the doorways achieve this sense of timelessness. “They love the connection to the lounge courtyard, BBQ area and pool directly from The Great Room. With doors swinging open in warmer months, you can literally hear nature: bees buzzing, birds chirping and leaves rustling,” reflects Pyke.

Speargrass House is about connection – connection to the landscape, to each other and to the slower pace of rural living. Eschewing rural clichés, the home, with its layered interiors, enduring materials and seamless connection to nature, celebrates family life and the remarkable New Zealand landscape.

Interior design by Arent&Pyke. Architecture by Sumich Chaplin Architects. Landscape design by Suzanne Turley Landscapes.