It’s the Little Things

As designers and developers, we are passionate about the little things. The brushmarks on a beautiful painting. The feel and texture of the leather.

But also just how well something actually works. How easy will it be to get in the door with the groceries? Will there be enough room to do the laundry without it spilling out into the hallway? Is there a power point for the phone charger?

When we start out to design a new development, we start with the little things, because we know they make a big difference.

At One Saint Stephens, we knew we wanted to find those special touches that transcend attractive architecture, stunning views and quality finishes. Those often little things that just make life work.

Here are some of the “little big” things we thought about.

While there may have been other apartments built with a high level of specification, none have had similar aspirations for the amenities, which at One Saint Stephens include a wellness area, pool, owner’s dining room and lounge, and ‘speak easy’ bar.

Co-Developer Martin Cooper comments that, “We wanted every aspect to exceed expectations and so we’ve given inordinate thinking to the standard of amenities; from the stunning bar glassware by Atelier Nash, the provision of a suite of Gaggenau appliances in the kitchen servicing the owner’s lounge and private dining area, to the aesthetics of the basement garage.”

“We’ve also created on-going collaborations with key partners who exude the same high standards and ethos as we do, to refine this detail of execution. Design input for the full-Gaggenau kitchens was sought from executive chef Des Harris, and Giltrap has been involved in the design development of the two-level super car garage. It’s been a really valuable experience,” says Cooper.

As you’ll be well aware by looking around you, the number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) on the road continues to grow as car manufacturers continue to release new models across a range of prices. While plugging in may be more environmentally friendly than filling up, it’s not nearly as convenient if you can’t park your car near a charging point. So we have included the option for purchasers to add electric car-charging points in the carparks at One Saint Stephens so you can pull in and plug in any time you like.

As stunning as Parnell is, the suburb is not immune to the diversity of Auckland’s famous “four seasons in one day”.

While some will choose to drive themselves, for those who take advantage of the local amenities via taxi or Uber, standing outside on a winter’s evening can be an adventure in itself.

So we designed the rear entrance at One Saint Stephens to include an enclosed waiting area and an undercover pick-up and drop-off area to keep the elements at bay. No more rainy dashes to a waiting car.

The first few weeks of living in a new home can be both exciting and daunting. Whether it be a piece of art or the coffee machine, every item has a new place and sometimes it takes a few tries to find the perfect position that’s just right for each. But one thing that should always fit the first time is the appliances.

Everyone moving into the Gaggenau-exclusive One Saint Stephens will have the major appliances ready and waiting for them, in the location specifically designed for each. Martin Cooper says, “We know the Gaggenau washing machine and dryer – the first of their kind in New Zealand – will fit into the laundry area because we designed it that way. We know the integrated fridge will sit perfectly behind the cabinet door because we put it there. As one of our purchasers from a previous development commented – ‘It just works!’”

Balanced living can sometimes be considered a combination of form and function. Form in the way something looks and feels. Function in the way that something just seems to work. One without the other creates friction instead of harmony. This is why all One Saint Stephens apartments have walk-in laundries, and why there are more than enough bathroom facilities to serve the number of bedrooms in each apartment. And, because kitchens can be the heart of the home for many, we worked with interior designer Gretl Lukas – and well known chef Des Harris – to design kitchens as spaces for both food and friends.