When Donna Hydes and our Taupō showroom manager Tracey Smith put their creative minds together, you know the results are going to be next-level. This showhome was one of those pinch-me projects — a chance for Team Taupō – Tile Shed to showcase their expertise in full force, and let’s just say… they delivered.
Working alongside the incredibly talented Matt & Jess Corleison of Design Builders Taupō, this project was destined to impress from the start. With over 20 local Master Builder Awards and a reputation for turning dream homes into reality, Matt and his team know a thing or two about building beauty that lasts.
Inside the main living area - Design Builders Show Home Taupo
Design Vision
The brief called for bathrooms that would feel private, indulgent, and timeless — a spa-like sanctuary that still connected seamlessly to the home’s bold, moody aesthetic. Think dark, dramatic tones softened by light-filled detailing and finishes that scream sophistication.
Enter Donna Hydes Design, whose impeccable eye for detail shaped spaces that feel both serene and striking. Large-format travertine-look tiles climb from floor to ceiling, enhancing the grandeur of the vaulted ceilings while eliminating painted surfaces (no scuffs here, thank you very much). The result? A durable, low-maintenance space that will look effortlessly luxurious for decades to come.
To top it off, the Vogue White Arrow Mosaic adds a chevron-patterned feature wall in both bathrooms — creating that subtle but stunning visual rhythm that ties the rooms together.
Bathroom Tiles
Main Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm & Vogue White Arrow Mosaic
Main Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm & Vogue White Arrow Mosaic
Main Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm & Vogue White Arrow Mosaic
Main Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm & Vogue White Arrow Mosaic
Main Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm & Vogue White Arrow Mosaic
Main Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm
Ensuite Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm
Ensuite Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm
Ensuite Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm & Vogue White Arrow Mosaic
Ensuite Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm
Ensuite Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm
Ensuite Bathroom - Tiles by Tile Shed - Navona Bone Cross Matt 1200 × 1200 mm & Vogue White Arrow Mosaic
Outdoor Entertaining, Elevated
Because good design doesn’t stop at the back door — the built-in BBQ area got its moment too. Finished in the Aqua Grey Gecko 110 × 110 mm tiles, this zone is as stylish as it is functional. Perfect for Taupō’s outdoor lifestyle, the tiles’ watery hues mirror the ever-changing blues of Lake Taupō — a picture-perfect backdrop for weekend gatherings and summer evenings.
BBQ Area - Tiles by Tile Shed - Aqua Grey Gecko 110 × 110 mm
BBQ Area - Tiles by Tile Shed - Aqua Grey Gecko 110 × 110 mm
BBQ Area - Tiles by Tile Shed - Aqua Grey Gecko 110 × 110 mm
Meet the Dream Team
Every flawless finish in this home reflects collaboration at its finest:
Builder: Design Builders – Taupō - https://www.designbuilders.co.nz/locations/taupo
Designer: Donna Hydes Design - https://dhdesign.co.nz
Tile Supplier: Tile Shed - https://www.tileshed.co.nz
Tile Consultant: Tracey Smith - https://tileshed.co.nz/who-we-are#tracey-smith
Blog Photography: June Benefield Photography - https://www.jbphoto.co.nz
Why We Love It
This home is the ultimate example of what happens when vision, craft, and expertise align. Every tile tells part of the story — grounding the luxurious architecture in natural texture, tone, and timeless style. It’s a true Taupō showstopper that balances drama with tranquility, boldness with warmth, and luxury with longevity.
📍 Location: 39 Raupo Crescent, Wharewaka, Taupō
📸 Open for viewing: visit the Design Builders Taupō Showhome in Nga Roto Estate and experience the craftsmanship up close.
Bring Your Vision to Life
If this project has you dreaming of your own serene sanctuary, our design experts can help make it a reality. Book an in-store design consultation with our Hastings or Taupō teams, and let us show you what your space could look like with our exclusive 3D rendering service. Explore more at tileshed.co.nz/design-space.
