Could this striking Central Plateau house beneath Mt Ruapehu’s foothills look any more at home? With its colour palette and three barn-shaped linked pavilions in vertical timber and metal cladding, the house appears totally at ease in its environs. While the exterior is a nod to rural Aotearoa New Zealand, the interior is all about light, colour, playful decor and every modern convenience. You’ll find widespread glazing, including clerestory windows, skylights and sliding doors; painted, wallpapered and tiled feature walls; and striking timber features such as screens, built-in cabinetry and balustrades.

With four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a large open-plan communal space spread throughout the 315sqm floorplan, and three pavilions, there’s much to explore. On the ground floor, the kitchen spills into dining and living spaces which, in turn, open to a media room, as well as a verandah and patio. On this floor, you’ll find another lounge, office, utility room, powder room and a bedroom with ensuite. Head upstairs and three more bedrooms and a bathroom stretch along the elongated upper floor. Naturally, the main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. In a property that’s an all-round achiever, the outdoor zone is a standout. Timber decking flows from the house, past a firepit and terminates just past a spa pool. Bliss under the mountain and starry night skies.