Space and colour transform a bachelor pad into a stylish, functional family home.
Interior designer Melanie Sa’u has reimagined a Grey Lynn villa, transforming it into a contemporary family home. With a focus on both sophistication and practicality, the redesign maximises space while introducing warm, textural elements. The subtle tones and textures of Laminex’s Melteca® play a key role, featuring in custom-built cabinetry throughout the home.
“The house originally had many small, disconnected spaces and lacked the storage a growing family needs,” says Melanie, director of Melanie Sa’u Design Studio. “Our vision was to optimise the layout and use colour strategically to create a stylish, modern aesthetic.”
Melteca Seasoned Oak and Melteca Borders Oak in Organic finish
To bring the new design to life, Melanie selected two contrasting Melteca decors for key areas, including the kitchen, walk-in wardrobes and bathroom vanities. The refined woodgrain texture complements the homeowners’ love for a warm, natural feel while maintaining a sleek and modern look.
“The client relied on me to set the vision,” says Melanie. “Colour and finish choices drove our material selection. Melteca was the perfect fit for this project – it offered a timeless yet modern palette, refined patterns and a sophisticated aesthetic on a budget.”
Clever design details enhance both functionality and aesthetics. A hidden pantry behind a pocket door and a benchtop that extends from the pantry into the workspace ensure the most efficient use of space while maintaining a streamlined look.
An elegant contrast of light and dark
“For the kitchen, we played with contrast, pairing the deeper Borders Oak with the lighter Seasoned Oak in the Melteca Organic finish,” says Melanie. “Both are classic woodgrains—not too heavily knotted—offering a timeless, natural feel.”
This dynamic pairing extends beyond cabinetry. The custom dining table, which extends from the central island, was crafted from timber veneer and stained to match Borders Oak, creating a cohesive, built-in feel. A refined touch is the interior-exterior contrast of the cabinetry–where the light woodgrain finish is applied externally while the interior reveals the darker tone, and vice versa.
Bringing warmth and depth throughout the home
The warm, light tones of Seasoned Oak continue into the walk-in wardrobes, ensuring the space feels open and inviting rather than enclosed. Meanwhile, in the bathrooms, the deeper Borders Oak provides a striking contrast against the lighter porcelain and tiled surfaces, accented by dark bronze pull handles for a sleek, contemporary finish.
“The bathroom vanities are by St Michel, but we requested a custom finish in Borders Oak to maintain the design continuity,” says Melanie. “Having this cohesive palette flow through the home has been key in achieving a truly modern, family-friendly space.”
By balancing function with refined aesthetics, this transformation delivers a home that is warm, elegant, and effortlessly practical–showcasing the power of colour, texture and smart space planning.
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PROJECT CREDITS
Designer: Melanie Sa’u
Joiner: Greenmount Interiors
Photographer: John Williams Photography
Writer: Folio
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