Home profile: Warwick House, a Nelson castle

“It’d always been my mum’s dream to do up an old house,” says Dani, who runs her own leadership coaching business as well as being an adventure tour guide. “When Dad decided to raise a hand, nobody outbid him.

“I remember how exciting it was putting up the ‘Sold’ signs with my brother. We couldn’t go in initially because people were living there on medium-term rentals, but it was ours! 

Warwick House, an early Victorian wooden Gothic Revival-style building, was sorely in need of attention. “The grounds were overgrown and the interior had been divided into several dated flats. My parents saw there was a lot of work to be done but were really committed to the project.”

When Dani and her family moved into the smallest wing of the building – called ‘Sunnyside’ their restoration work began in earnest. “We were living in the original part of the house that had been built in 1854. The rooms were very small as they had originally been used as the housemaid’s quarters. The kitchen was tiny and I remember it was all so cold in winter.”

Dani and her siblings helped their parents and the full-time builder wherever they could.

“My mum has such a good eye for detail. She’d studied interior design in London and is really talented. Dad loved learning, so used to watch videos online of how to do things and then start working away.”

Renovations were undertaken methodically, one bedroom at a time, so the family could begin welcoming B&B guests.

One of the biggest surprises for the family was when a fake wall and ceiling were removed to reveal an original ballroom, with beautiful matai dance floor that had been concealed beneath vinyl.

“I remember how much dust was created completing that work,” says Dani. “Dad would be completely covered in it.”

The stained-glass windows which once again take pride of place in the ballroom had been removed and stored in an archive in Wellington but were tracked down and gifted back on news of the family’s restoration work. Another stained-glass window has since been added with the family’s own coat of arms.

The project took several years – including work on the earliest parts of the house that involved expanding and brightening the kitchen. The B&B proved a huge success but when Covid hit, once again the building adapted – becoming a residence for mid-term renters. Dani became one of those, having returned from overseas during the pandemic. “I’d lived in a community in the Netherlands, so knew it could work really well here.” 

These days there are six bedrooms in the ‘Sunnyside’ wing, with shared bathrooms and kitchen. The younger part of the property, with its larger rooms, has a number of B&B-style ensuites with kitchenettes. Some residents stay just three months (the minimum) while others remain longer, including the tenant who’s flat incorporates the magnificent turret.

Socialising in the shared kitchen and community lounge is a highlight for many, as well as sharing the ballroom for bigger events. There are also regular classes and gatherings held in this space, including jazz jam night run by Dani, dancing, and yoga, as well as one-offs like weaving workshops.

“It's a beautiful space to grow and learn together so why wouldn't we open that up to people?”

Dani moved out last year to live with her partner nearby but still runs her leadership coaching business from the property, including holding group training events for business owners in the ballroom. “A space like this which is not a sterile environment, really helps inspire people,” she says.

“Growing up in the building I used to hear people at school commenting: “That’s the girl from the castle!” and I’d be really proud. There’s such an amazing energy here and I used to say to everyone to come up and have a look around because I always felt like it was something to share. It was never just our house because we’d have B&B guests, WWOOFers, or exchange students. That’s the amazing thing about this place – it’s got so much capacity to host and we love that.”