Feature Home: Winner in Westmorland
Posted March 31, 2026
This feature home in Westmorland, Christchurch is perhaps one of the most impressive we’ve showcased to date. With stunning views, a spacious layout, and practical yet stylish finishes, it truly is an example of great design. For homeowners searching for inspiration for flooring in Canterbury, this project highlights how the right choices can elevate both form and function.
Thoughtfully designed by Barry Connor Design and carefully constructed by Summit Construction, this home is a clever combination of practicality and style. With the brief of an ‘entertainer’s dream’ and a focus on making the most of the beautiful outlook, we think they nailed it. Nestled on the slopes of sought-after Westmorland in Christchurch, it strikes the perfect balance between comfort, practicality, and style.
Sam, one of our talented flooring consultants, has worked closely with Mike Dear from Summit Construction on a number of their projects across Canterbury. To quote Mike: “We’ve always used The Flooring Centre for our projects; they provide excellent service from quoting through to installation and are great to work with.”
For this new build, Sam helped select flooring that would not only look great but also stand up to the demands of a busy home—especially one where guests are often welcome. For the kitchen and dining area, laminate flooring was the obvious choice.
The Paradise range from Signature Floors in the colour ‘Freycinet Tassie Oak’ was chosen for its true-to-life timber appearance. A great option for those searching for laminate flooring in NZ that delivers on both style and durability, Paradise fits the bill with its AC4 abrasion rating.
With the homeowners being big on entertaining and hosting, they needed durable flooring in the kitchen that could handle heavy foot traffic as well as spills and stains. Being scratch- and stain-resistant, and exceptionally hard-wearing, Paradise ticked all the boxes. The warm tone of the floors also ties in beautifully with the wood-look kitchen cabinetry, while providing contrast against the black cabinetry and white walls. For Christchurch homeowners, this is a great example of choosing low-maintenance flooring that still looks premium.
Paradise laminate by Signature Floors works beautifully in the kitchen dining area of this home. It's a great choice for those who love the look of timber but need something more durable and practical.
The laminate flooring continues through to the centrepiece and standout feature of the home—the curved staircase. Mike spoke to Sam and our Residential Project Manager, Hamish, about his vision for this right at the beginning of the project:
“It was actually a really good team effort. I spoke to Sam and Hamish, they formulated an initial plan, then I came in and talked it through with them. We made a few tweaks and found a way to make it happen.”
Hamish worked closely with the other trades on site to ensure the staircase was executed perfectly, with everyone playing a part in bringing it to life. We love the combination of the warm laminate flooring and the wall panels, which juxtapose the black trims, glass balustrade, and brushed nickel bannister.
Mike cast the vision for the stunning curved staircase at the onset of the project. Sam and Hamish devised a plan to make it happen and Hamish worked closely with all trades to ensure it was executed precisely.
The living area, lounge, and bedrooms showcase Te Arai Bay carpet in ‘Silver Needle’ by Feltex. A plush 65oz solution-dyed nylon cut pile carpet; this is a standout choice for homeowners looking for carpet that offers comfort, style and durability. Te Arai Bay boasts excellent fade resistance, making it ideal for homes with high sun exposure.
With a number of north-facing windows taking advantage of the stunning views, this home demanded a carpet that could handle plenty of sun. Solution-dyed nylon carpets are known for their fade resistance as the colour is infused throughout the entire fibre rather than applied only to the surface. This makes it a smart, long-lasting choice for NZ homes exposed to strong natural light.
Te Arai Bay is also stain-resistant, another important consideration for homes where frequent entertaining increases the likelihood of spills. For busy households, choosing easy-care carpet is key to maintaining a fresh, clean look.
Te Arai Bay carpet by Feltex offers excellent fade and stain resistance. This makes it ideal for this home with its many north facing windows and homeowners who love to entertain and host.
The flooring in this home doesn’t just look good—it performs to meet the needs of the homeowners and will continue to do so for years to come. Our team knows that while aesthetics are important, choosing quality flooring that is practical and long-lasting is equally essential. This build by Summit Construction is an excellent example of achieving both, and one we were thrilled to be involved in.
If you’re planning a new build or renovation and need advice on flooring installation in Canterbury, get in touch with our team. We’d love to help you find the right solution for your home.
Photography: @itch.nz
Interior Design: @ashe.nz