The newest house we've ever featured, this modern haven was just built this year - it was only finished three months ago! Simon and Philly are already loving their new home, especially "being barefoot in the winter and watching a southerly storm arrive, knowing we are toastie warm with hot water pumped under the polished concrete floor."

The contemporary design house was built on an unused steep slope of Wellington's Mt Victoria. As you'd expect, the site had fantastic views, and it was these that inspired Simon and Philly to build there. The three-bedroom house is designed to maximise views while maintaining privacy. Architect Delisa Lovie had the added challenge of designing the home around two existing native cabbage trees; these now appear to grow up through the deck, while another one has been planted in the courtyard.

What was the biggest challenge with creating your home interior? Having a kitchen/storage/office area on one wall and making it not only work but look good!

What was the greatest success? The indoor/outdoor flow of the internal courtyard.

Which space in the house do you get your greatest satisfaction from? The open plan kitchen/living area with the mobile eating bar.

What is your advice for someone trying to achieve a similar look? Pick a special colour that ties in with favourite things you want to work with, and go for it! Keep everything else quite simple.

Why did you make these colour choices?Resene Havoc worked perfectly with fabric we found at E-Design. They covered a lamp shade and made cushions out of the fabric for us, and we painted the kitchen cabinets, mobile bar and a lamp base with Resene Havoc. Ruby the Magis puppy from ECC was also a perfect match!

What is your favourite thing in the house? Our Kartell office chairs and 50s bar stools.

What are you planning to change/update in your home interior next? We are having black aluminium vertical fin screens made to cover the front of the house for total privacy. They are flexible, so it is also possible to only cover the courtyard area if we want to.

The fabrics used for the winged armchair and 50s bar stools were chosen to complement the mobile bar and kitchen cupboards, which were painted using Resene Havoc.

The living area opens on to a courtyard where a lone cabbage tree pops its head through the deck.

The master bedroom, painted Resene Black White, opens on to a courtyard-style deck. Lying in bed, you can look down over the city far below.

The home was built around two native cabbage trees, which now grow through the deck along the side of the house.

The house's cabbage tree theme is continued by a stainless steel artwork.