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On the coast of Whangamatā sits a reimagined bach, the New Zealand term for a seaside holiday home. Led by Yellowfox designers Andrea Burney and Claire Bruford, the project brought a new sense of calm to the 1980s original, where laid-back beach living meets refined Japandi style.
Designed as a place to gather, the home centres around an open-plan kitchen and dining space. The heart of the home, this is where the household comes together and meals become occasions. Light-filled, relaxed and deeply connected to the coast, it creates an inviting hub for everyday living and entertaining.
Here’s how the dining space came together, and how to bring the same look home.
What is Japandi style?
Japandi design blends Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian warmth, favouring restraint in styling, natural materials and a calming, understated colour palette.
"Japandi design carries a deep connection to nature, a design philosophy that aligns naturally with coastal living."
In this North Island bach, that sensibility shows in soft, sculptural forms and a pared-back palette, chosen to settle into a seaside setting over time.
A dining space designed for gathering
In this open-plan home, the dining area sits where the coastal kitchen meets the living space, a natural pause at the centre of it all, where cooking, conversation and entertaining coexist.
Bringing that connection to life called for a table with presence. Round in form, the Issho Dining Table encourages conversation from every seat. Its name means 'together' in Japanese, a fitting sentiment in a Japandi-inspired space.
“A round table has no head and no hierarchy. It creates a more open and connected dining experience.”
Styled in a Natural Oak timber finish with an open base, Issho balances softness with structure. Its curved pillars can be arranged in different directions, creating a dynamic base that brings architectural depth beneath the round tabletop.
Natural materials at the heart of the palette
Material warmth carries through the dining space from the floor up. Oak flooring sets a calm foundation, while a pale stone island countertop, fluted glass cabinetry and cedar detailing bring subtle depth to the surrounding kitchen. Each surface adds a unique texture without interrupting the restraint of the room.
“Refinement comes from knowing what to leave out. Here, the palette is pared back, but the materiality is rich, tactile and deeply resolved.”
Around the dining table, the Amara Dining Chairs continue the natural palette in a light timber finish, cushioned with a leather back and seat in Artisan Dune.
The backrest is steam-bent from solid timber into a precise curve, offering support while keeping an open silhouette. It is this craft that keeps the setting visually light, allowing the dining area to sit softly within the open-plan room.
Bring the Japandi dining look home
This coastal home shows how much warmth a restrained palette can hold. Leading with natural materials, Yellowfox created a dining space that feels both elevated and at ease by the sea.
In the words of the homeowners,
"It still feels just as cosy as it always did, only now, the aesthetics and functionality are even better."
Five styling takeaways:
1. Start with a round table
A round dining table encourages conversation and draws everyone into the same space, softening open-plan architecture.
2. Let the zones flow
Position dining where the kitchen meets living, so cooking, eating and talking move as one. Perfect for hosting guests or for family dinners.
3. Mix your materials
Warm leather against light timber creates a tactile, grounded look that only softens with time.
4. Build a natural colour palette
Draw your tones from the landscape, muted greens and soft sand, for a room that feels calm and cohesive.
5. Style with restraint
A single sculptural pendant and an uncluttered table let each design stand out on its own.
Winner of a Good Design Award, the Issho Dining Table is customisable across signature timber and ceramic finishes. Discover more here.
Photography by Untitled Studio.
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY
DATE PUBLISHED
17 August 2026
