“Modi Design’s philosophy is to exceed its customers’ expectations and improve their lifestyle through thoughtful processes and smart design”, says the New Zealand studio. And this is exactly what they did in this project in Westmere (Auckland, New Zealand), where the studio renovated a typical suburban house with a swimming pool, owned by a young couple.

“The most interesting architectural and decorative element of the project is the floor-to-ceiling slabs used in the shower, which are particularly luxurious and eye-catching. They were used for the shower in the ground floor bathroom, where we wanted to enhance the height of the room and focus attention on the materiality rather than the grout lines,” say the designers.

From the outset, Dekton Rem was the “only possible choice” for cladding this space, and not just because of its large-format slabs, which minimise the number of joints. “It had the perfect veining to sit against the shower window, with the lush greenery just behind it. Together, brass and Dekton Rem created a very luxurious design,” the studio further says. Rem was also the colour of choice for the bathroom countertop and the kitchen and laundry room wall.

Another element highlighted by the studio is the kitchen island, which is mitred and finished with a brass trim. On the one hand, it is a perfect table for working or eating, and on the other, it looks like a piece of furniture. “The gloss of Dekton Arga really suited the shape and geometry we wanted to incorporate into the design,” the studio says.

“We were very clear about the role we wanted Dekton to play. We wanted the stone to be refined and subtle enough, but also to stand up to the warmth of the wood. The veining, the pattern of both Arga and Rem, seems so timeless and beautiful to us. It also catches the light and plays on the feeling we wanted to evoke, a feeling of sand, beach and holiday,” says Langridge. Dekton was also used for the home’s second bathroom countertop.

In fact, thanks to its location and large windows that let in sunlight, the house is so full of light that the designers needed a product that could withstand the damaging effects of New Zealand’s UV rays. And that is Dekton. “In addition, the customers are very clean and tidy, so it was important that we used a material that would remain intact, resistant to heat and stains, and also durable to ensure that the product would look as good as new.”

Thanks to all these aspects, Modi Design achieved exactly what it set out to do: give the house the vibes of a sophisticated beach hotel, without compromising on the clean, tidy and elegant lifestyle of its customers. And to avoid the lack of personality that can be felt in a hotel, bespoke pieces were created and carefully placed throughout the house like little treasures.