Stunning architectural cedar- clad house.

“Our first home swap experience has more than met our expectations. We arrived at Kate’s beautiful home in Wanaka to sunny skies, snow capped mountains, lake views, and magnificent landscaped gardens. The home itself truly depicted the NZ style of architecture which is exactly what we were looking for given our interest in building design. We enjoyed our two weeks staying with our friends and even experienced a light snowfall which was a highlight of our trip. As we remembered from a past visit, Wanaka is beautiful part of NZ and we were pleased to have had the time to visit Mt Cook and Dunedin and the many attractions en route. I would highly recommend a home swap experience at Kate’s home and hope to return one day. ”

“What can I say about our blissful week in Wanaka? We arrived to the most beautiful home with stunning views and enjoyed every day we spent in Kate and Doug's house. The kids had a great time - they loved playing in the garden and eating in the outside area. The kitchen was well supplied in terms of appliances - no problems doing lots of cooking and the house was very comfortable. We hope we can come back another time! Thanks. ”

“We had a wonderful time in Wanaka. A beautiful house in a great location. Lots to do in Wanaka. Hiking, biking, swimming and just relaxing. Very good communication before and during the house swap. The house is amazing, very complete and we loved the views of the the lake. ”

“A great time in Wanaka. Good communication before and during the house swap made us feel at home and comfortable. The house is amazing and we loved the views of the the lake. There was lots to do in the surrounding area and even though it was winter we felt happy tramping up some hills and enjoying a few days skiing. Great hosts and a fantastic home”

“5 stars is not a high enough scale to adequately represent how amazing Kate and Doug's home is and how wonderful they are as house swappers/owners. Arrangements were so easily made, and Kate and Doug were able to greet us when we arrived, show us through their wonderful architect designed gorgeous and in so many ways amazing home, and help us with some ideas for activities during our stay. Their home is so well designed and so comfortable with such amazing views that you can't help but settle in, relax, unwind and at times find yourself staring out the windows for who knows how long, at the most wonderful views over the Wanaka Lake to the snow capped mountains beyond. Kate made room for us in the wardrobe and in the kitchen, and after the home tour, left us to it. We could not have wanted for a more comfortable and enjoyable stay, in a more well designed, functional and comfortable home and would love the opportunity to visit this beautiful and fun-filled part of NZ again some time, and of course to return the favour for Kate and Doug in Brisbane at our place at some time in the future. ”

“We arrived at Kate and Doug’s Wanaka house in an autumn storm which dusted the peaks with snow and sent the temperatures plummeting but we soon thawed out in the warmth of their beautiful, architecturally-designed, modern home with magnificent views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. Designed by Kate and Doug’s son Tim Lovell and business partner Ana O’Connell, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom house was a finalist in the 2014 House of the Year Awards and won two architecture awards in 2015. We bonded instantly with the lovely home for its liveability and the careful thought in every aspect of the design. The visual impact of the exterior is dramatic, inspired by the region’s gold-mining history – with its bold, dark iron roof leaping from a concrete retaining wall, it’s a sophisticated adaptation of a miner’s lean-to dwelling, nestled into the landscape. With deep eaves and double-glazed windows perfectly positioned to capture the winter sun but shield against the heat of the summer sun, the concrete floor and back wall absorb solar heat during the day and release it at night. Combined with underfloor heating, the two-level house is cosy throughout. The interior décor is as warm to the eye as it is to the touch. I loved the smoothness of the polished concrete floors, the mellow glow of the plywood walls and cabinetry, the richness of the luxuriant carpet and rugs, the cubby holes cut into the inside-outside retaining wall where herbs grow in small tubs, and the splashes of colour on the doors, kitchen cupboards, guest bathroom, outside cushions and the glassware collection on a display shelf. Less aesthetic functions like the office, pantry and storage are cleverly concealed behind touch-to-open doors. The kitchen was a joy for my foodie husband who found every herb, spice and ingredient he needed. That’s the brilliant thing about home swapping. It’s OK to use a teaspoon of mustard or a leaf or two of basil . . . and the bicycles in the garage. The lovely artworks, photographs and family mementoes made us feel at home, so very different from an impersonal motel or hotel. Thanks Kate and Doug. ”