At North Tree Cottage, winner of the Resene Colour Award 2026, it is not the views across Napier Port or the layered earthy palette that first captures attention, but the painted chequerboard floor that leads from the front door through the home. Graphic and timeless, it brings rhythm, playfulness and a strong sense of identity to the interiors.
Originally conceived by Little & Fox as boutique accommodation before becoming a permanent home, North Tree Cottage was designed to evoke the feeling of a year-round retreat. Each room carries its own character while remaining connected through a considered palette of muted, earthy tones.
The home’s defining feature is the hand-painted chequerboard floor, which winds through the entrance, kitchen and living spaces. Rather than restoring the original timber, Little & Fox embraced a bold decorative finish, collaborating with Hawke’s Bay specialists CC&Co Interiors to bring the vision to life.
Founded by Claire Condon and Lottie Baskett, CC&Co specialises in decorative painting, wallpaper installation and bespoke surface finishes. Before painting began, the original floorboards were carefully sanded and sealed, then the geometry of the pattern was meticulously mapped from the front entrance through adjoining spaces. A subtle reset at the laundry doorway allowed the pattern to continue seamlessly into the kitchen, while laser levels, custom templates and individually marked squares ensured precision across almost 60 square metres.
Each square was taped and painted by hand with two coats before the alternating colour was applied. The floor was finished in durable paving paint, colour-matched by Complete Paints in Napier to Porters Paint Tusk and Aalto Slurred, creating a surface designed to withstand everyday life while developing a gentle patina over time.
That level of craftsmanship reflects the experience behind CC&Co. Claire began her career as an apprentice decorator in the UK before establishing her own practice, working across high-end residential projects in Britain and the Middle East before relocating to Hawke’s Bay. Lottie came to decorative finishes through heritage restoration, developing expertise in traditional lime plastering, historic decorating and timber conservation before moving to New Zealand in 2020.
At North Tree Cottage, that philosophy is expressed in every carefully painted square, demonstrating how specialist finishes can transform a well-designed interior into one that is truly unforgettable.
