Above: The wide veranda that

runs around the Kauri Cliffs

clubhouse provides a place for

guests to enjoy the lodge’s clifftop

ocean views. Designer Lorraine

Allen from LA Imports sourced

these Santorini tables and chairs

from Mexico. The limestone

tabletops were made locally to

her specifications. As well as being

durable, their look is more

appropriate to the colonial

architecture of the clubhouse.

A key feature of the clubhouse is the wide,covered veranda that runs almost the whole wayaround the building. It adds to the colonial style,of the lodge and also provides a place for gueststo relax and dine while enjoying views of the golfcourse and ocean below.

Finding outdoor tables and chairs that couldwithstand the coastal environment withoutrusting or ageing was an important considera-tion. Fisher approached Lorraine Allen from LAImports to source some suitable, hard-wearingoutdoor furniture for the veranda.

Square, stone tabletops were a practical choice

that was more authentic to the period than round,glass-topped tables, Allen says. After sourcing theSantorini sandcast aluminium chairs and tablebases in Mexico, she commissioned Absola Stoneto create honed Vilhonneur limestone tabletops.

“The limestone has a strong, natural look,while the bases, made of recycled aluminiumcans are low maintenance and will wear welloutdoors and close to the water,” she says.

With her training in architectural design, Allenspecialises in sourcing products with a Mediter-ranean style. She can also arrange for items to becustom-designed and made in Mexico.

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Above: Careful attention to detail

helps give Kauri Cliffs its intimate,

homely feel. To complement the

subdued, natural tones of the

décor, interior designer Virginia

Fisher commissioned Lorraine

Allen from LA Imports to supply

a selection of mirrors for the

clubhouse and cottages. Custom

designed in Mexico, their acid-

etched metal frames have

antique gold and zinc finishes.

The décor at Kauri Cliff is characterised bycomfort, softness and attention to detail. So as notto compete with the spectacular scenery, Fisherchose quiet, subtle shades that reflect the bush,sea and sky, and tone in with the timber floors.

“The Robertsons wanted open, airy spaces witha casual look that was elegant in detail,” she says.

Despite being a golfing lodge, there is nogolfing memorabilia. Instead, carefully chosendecorative items and soft furnishings create theambience of a relaxed home.

Mirrors decorate virtually every room, fromthe large entrance foyer to the dining room and

lounge. Commissioned to source and supply thesemirrors, Lorraine Allen from LA Imports says shewas looking for items that reflected the colonialfeel and coastal location of the lodge.

“There are more than 80 mirrors in a range ofsizes and finishes throughout the clubhouse andguest cottages,” Allen says. “Each was custommade to the interior designer’s specifications inMexico and has an acid-etched frame in antiquedgold or zinc.”

After tackling the challenge of having 80 mir-rors made to specification, Allen then arrangedtheir safe transportation back to New Zealand.

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Location: The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs,Matauri Bay Road, NorthlandArchitects: Wade Setliff,Architectural Design Group(Lakeland, FL) and Kerry Avery,Avery Team Architecture (Auckland)Interior designer: Virginia FisherMain contractor: Haydn & RollettConstruction, PO Box 100-141,North Shore Mail Centre,Auckland, phone (09) 444 7379,fax (09) 444 2713, email:haydnrollett@hrl.co.nzClubhouse carpentry

subcontractors:

Kerikeri Construction,PO Box 350, Kerikeri,phone (09) 407 7327,fax (09) 407 7328, email:kericonstruction@clear.net.nzMasonry, paving and tiling:

Stonecraft Construction, RD1,Okahu Rd, Kaitaia, Northland,phone/fax (09) 408 0751,email: stonecraft@xtra.co.nzCottage roofing: Steel & TubeRoofing Products, PO Box 58-216,Greenmount, Auckland, phone(09) 274 4056, fax (09) 274 8972Coir mats and rug binding:

Advance Flooring Co,PO Box 13-184, Onehunga,Auckland, freephone 0508 ADVANCE

Chandeliers and ironwork:

Ken Lawler, 67 Union Rd, Howick,Bucklands Beach, Auckland,phone/fax (09) 537 2244 or phone(09) 534 8515, mob 021 158 8104Outdoor furniture and mirrors:

LA Imports, PO Box 37-759,Parnell, Auckland, phone(09) 359 9166, fax (09) 359 9305Yothaka armchairs and

ottomans: Perfect Pieces,PO Box 11-378, Ellerslie,Auckland, phone (09) 523 3463,fax (09) 523 3292, website:www.perfectpieces.co.nz

Photography by Peter Beattie

This page: Lit up at night, the

Lodge at Kauri Cliffs glows with

the warm, welcoming feel of a

large colonial homestead. Wide

steps lead up to the veranda and

the lodge’s solid, timber front

doors. The stairs running down

the side of the building lead to

the lower ground level, which

houses a golfing pro shop, cart

storage area, changing rooms

and the lodge’s services.

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