The Brewer's Night Inn: A masterpiece of heritage and luxury

08 Jul 2024

Located in the stunning landscapes of New Zealand's South Island, The Brewer’s Night Inn in Reefton offers an exquisite retreat that transcends the ordinary. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by Tim Groenendaal and Xavier Black, this luxury accommodation invites guests to indulge in a nostalgic journey, blending the charm of a bygone era with contemporary luxury.

Inspired by its historical significance as the former home of brewer Stewart Monteith, The Brewer's Night Inn fuses nearly 150 years of history with modern comforts. The vision was to create more than just a place to stay, it was to craft an experience. Drawing on the town's rich mining heritage, the design incorporates raw materials such as cast iron, brass, copper and concrete, with a deliberate avoidance of white, chrome or plastic. This approach ensures that the Inn feels more like a cosy mountain cabin than a typical residential dwelling.

The bedroom, which opens up to nature’s fresh air and surroundings, is finished in rich rimu wood creating a cosy, cocooning feeling. The ceiling is painted in a delicious subtle yellow, Resene Butter, and the wood is finished in Resene wood oil stain finish.

The living space welcomes guests to get comfy by the fire. The natural elements and earthy tones make this space both unique and familiar. The wood is finished in Resene wood oil stain finish.

A key element of the Inn's charm lies in its thoughtful colour palette. The interior ceilings, including the bedroom, lounge, kitchen and music room, feature a pale yellow, Resene Butter from the Resene Heritage colour palette. This choice of colour provides a warm, inviting atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the rich and dark rimu wood walls and adds a touch of brightness to each space. This complementary heritage hue enhances the sense of historical continuity and respect for the original architecture, leaving the beauty of the wood, finished in Resene wood oil stain finish, to become the main character.

The exterior is painted in a custom Resene colour, similar to Resene Quarter Napa or Resene Half Ash, to celebrate the heritage and beauty of the building and blend with the natural surroundings. Window trims in Resene Quarter Villa White. Resene can create custom colours to your requirements for your projects, working with you to develop a tailor made colour which can be custom named and entered into the Resene e-tint formula library so you can get the same colour retinted in the future.

Guests can relax and unwind before heading indoors to the cosy fire for a night in.

The exterior of the Inn features a unique colour, custom made by Resene, and named after the property itself, The Brewer’s Night Inn. The earthy neutral, similar to Resene Quarter Napa and Resene Half Ash, ensures a seamless blend with its natural and historical surroundings and other heritage buildings.

Every aspect of The Brewer's Night Inn showcases bespoke craftsmanship. From the custom-designed bed and kitchen cabinets to the secret wardrobe and hand-built sinks, every element was designed and created specifically for the Inn.

This dreamy kitchen takes you back in time – but with all the amenities you need for a comfy stay. The ceiling is painted in Resene Butter, and wooden features finished in Resene wood oil stain finish.

The Brewer’s Night Inn is set up for all your wintry needs – blankets, fireplace and log-cabin vibes – you won’t want to leave. The abundance of wood throughout the house brings a cosiness like no other. Ceiling painted in Resene Butter.

One of the standout features is the bathroom, inspired by a Japanese bathhouse. The walls and ceiling are clad in charred timber, a traditional Japanese technique, and the concrete tub is oversized to accommodate two people comfortably.

Undertaking a project of this magnitude during a pandemic posed significant challenges. Every piece of the Inn had to be bespoke, requiring a high level of belief and understanding from everyone involved. Despite these hurdles, the project successfully married old-world charm with modern luxury, creating a space that is both historically respectful and innovatively forward-thinking.

The Japanese bathhouse style bathroom adds a unique touch to the stay, beckoning guests to relax in the giant tub or steamy shower. The wood is finished in Resene wood oil stain finish.

Left: The mix of subtle yellow from the Resene Butter ceiling, with the earthy green drapes and rich rimu create an inviting space for guests. Right: The kitchen has a country cottage meets cabin feel with open shelving, dried flowers and rustic accessories.

Looking back, Tim and Xavier have few regrets. The experience reinforced their appreciation for classic heritage colours and timeless design. If they could change anything, it would be to extend the summer weather and reduce the costs associated with such an ambitious project. However, the satisfaction of seeing their vision come to life made the journey worthwhile.

For those seeking a sanctuary of warmth, intimacy, and romance, The Brewer's Night Inn offers an unparalleled experience. Guests can explore original 1878 hand-cut rimu wall timber, vintage newsprint and layers of wallpaper that have been preserved for over a century. These features transport guests to a bygone era while they enjoy the modern comforts meticulously integrated into the space.

The Brewer's Night Inn is not just a place to stay, it’s a journey back in time, enveloped in luxury and crafted with passion. Visit The Brewer's Night Inn to learn more and book your stay.

design  Tim Groenendaal and Xavier Black, Scoutabout Escapes

build  Andy Parker, Simon Gardner and Phil Bordley

images  Lisa Sun, Liz Carlson and Samantha Nelson

Published: 08 Jul 2024