Where the Heart Is

Words: Amelia Norman

Images: Supplied

This is a love story. It’s a story about a man called Chris who set eyes on a woman named Julie many, many moons ago. At the time, he swore that he’d met the girl of his dreams. But the timing wasn’t right. Thirty years passed before the two met again by chance and, then and there amongst the chip packets and ice cream cones of a corner dairy, Chris declared his intention to marry Julie and whisk her away to Paris for their honeymoon. And that’s exactly what he did.

But the love story doesn’t end there. Twelve years ago, the couple fell in love again – this time with a house. “It was love at first sight,” says Julie. “Five acres, native bush, a large four-bedroom house with huge windows, huge gardens… what wasn’t to love?”

The pair set to work, painting the interior, overhauling both bathrooms and modernising the ‘90s style of their red brick love nest. The result is an inviting blend of muted earthy tones, warm timber highlights and surprising pops of steel and stone. Outdoors they forged pathways in and around their native gardens, built raised vegetable beds and created a special viewing platform amongst the trees where they can watch the sunset and remember dear family members who have passed on. They turned their double garage into a spectacular dining space to share with family and friends. “We thought it would be a great place to host dinner parties with a beautiful table Chris had made with wharf timber,” explains Julie. “Over time, more and more of Chris’ pieces were added and – with a lot of encouragement – The Wetdog Gallery was created.”

You see, Chris – as well as being an old romantic – is a dab hand at building, crafting and creating. As well as the couple’s dining table, Julie’s glasshouse and their viewing platform, Chris creates incredible one-off art pieces and sculptures. Inspired by the beauty of nature, Chris applies his background in engineering and sheet metal work to craft large-scale items from wood, stone and steel in a style he has dubbed ‘contemporary obsoletism’.

“Contemporary obsoletism is about enhancing the beauty of a forgotten object,” explains Chris. “It’s about transforming new, old and lost elements – imperfections and all – into beautiful hand-made pieces of art.”

Such pieces adorn Chris and Julie’s home and garden, as well as their on-site gallery. “Our home is a gallery of Chris’ work,” says Julie, proudly. “We have placed many bespoke pieces of furniture, lighting and indoor sculptures throughout the home alongside pieces from other New Zealand artists like Allison Hale and a treasure piece by the late Gareth James.”

Outside, Chris’ art can be discovered in amongst the couple’s magical garden where visitors can wander serene pathways and emerge beneath natural archways to discover secret lawns, sculptures and pepperings of Chris’ beautiful handiwork.

“Our gallery and gardens are a low-key place where you can come to wander around, pick up, sit on and touch everything,” explains Julie. “We invite guests to stroll around the garden, have a chat and see if anything takes their eye.”

When they purchased their home 12 years ago, a lot of their friends wondered why Julie and Chris needed so much space for just the two of them, a dog called Blue and two black cats. But, since the time they moved in, their home has been filled with friends, family and guests from all over the world. In amongst work, Chris’ art, managing The Wetdog Gallery, keeping up with the organic vegetable garden, travelling, and hosting friends and family, there’s little time for much else – apart from each other, of course.

“Julie is my inspiration,” says Chris.

“Chris is the most romantic, clever and funny person I have ever met,” responds Julie.

See… a love story.