In this expansive central Auckland home, designed by Masonry Design Solutions with interiors by Franc Atelier, spaces of scale and volume were imbued with character and detail.
Unfolding over three levels, it is a home designed to face the sea. Perched on a cliff in Herne Bay, the watery vista is ever-changing, much like the spaces within. Here, textured walls shimmer with tonal depth and movement, becoming a central part of the design ethos. Early on, interior designer Becks Silke of Franc Atelier suggested using a natural lime plaster finish, a consideration that became transformative as the interiors developed.
“We decided on ROCKCOTE Velvetina. It’s a beautiful product, and because of the scale of the spaces and the expanse of the walls, we wanted to soften them and introduce a sense of character.”
Inspired by the legacy of traditional European lime plasters, Velvetina is a strong, fine-grained decorative plaster finish with a distinctly velvety appearance. It offers both beauty and breathability — a finish that’s hard-wearing and enduring, but gentle to the eye and touch. The professional artisan plaster application means no two walls are ever the same, allowing for unique combinations of lightly polished areas and coarser textures, each surface becoming a canvas for natural light to animate.
Used in this home for the entirety of wall surfaces on the main living and entertaining level, including lounges, dining area, hallways, and the entrance, it creates an unexpected intimacy within the voluminous environment. “The way the light falls into these rooms and spaces — especially the hallway — it catches the movement in the plaster and creates a beautiful shadow play. It really elevates them.”
Velvetina’s visual softness belies its strength. Designed for longevity, it can be applied to a variety of surfaces from modern plasterboard to traditional masonry, and suits both residential and commercial environments, anchoring spaces with warmth and a handcrafted finish that breathes life into the architecture.
