For a glimpse of the American south-west, one need only venture as far as Lincoln, on the outskirts of Christchurch. Apart from the odd crack and broken ornaments, Maude and Eddie Fairbairn’s Native American, Mexican and Spanish-inspired home has stood up well to the earthquakes that have hit Christchurch in recent months.

The Ultimate Indulgence – March 2009
Hans and Carolyn Schuitman

Hans and Carolyn Schuitman’s rustic 1400sqm home, 25km north of Christchurch, was unharmed except for a few cracks in the walls and some broken china. The couple recently held a fundraising concert at their huge home and raised a whopping $45,000 for the Christchurch relief fund.  With a barn, workshops, a studio, cinema and interconnecting verandahs and courtyards, their grand home proved to be the perfect venue.

 First Impressions – April 2003
Susie Paynter

Interior designer Susie Paynter’s Fendalton home was untouched by the earthquake, however, her daughters weren’t so lucky. Their homes in St Albans and Mt Pleasant were badly damaged. Susie is now working with clients to repair and find new homes and says she can see huge opportunities for change and improvement. “You have to look at it that way or you wouldn’t get through.”

 

This eye-catching, 1920s inner-city home near Cranmer Square sustained substantial damage in February’s earthquake and will be demolished. Manfred and Ulrike Herzhoff had admired the house since their first visit to Christchurch in 1995 but are now unable to return to their home, even to collect their possessions. The couple and their two sons are currently living out of suitcases and searching for somewhere to rent.

 

Period Piece – August 2004
William Cottrell & Simonetta Ferrari
Gunyah, a gracious Edwardian homestead near Darfield, has been home and workplace to the Cottrells since 2002. Decorated throughout with antique furniture that William has restored over the years, their grand old home is rich with history. Since the first quake in September, Gunyah homestead has undergone huge repairs and some rooms were reopened for business in January. Fortunately, the grand home escaped February’s devastating earthquake with no further damage and repairs continue unabated. Simonetta Ferrari expects it will take another two months before they are fully operational.