Fast Forward
WORDS Sharon Stephenson | PHOTOGRAPHS Paul McCredie | NZ House & Garden, 2025
A property savvy Wellington Couple have no regrets after an impulse house purchase.
Stepping stones connect the renovated bungalow at Anji Foster and Jason Lowe’s Mt Victoria property with a garden studio designed by Studio Pacific Atchitecture, which sits beneath a large eucalyptus tree; a Magis XL puppy figurine in Dalmation stands guard next to bean bags from Coast; inside the studio the lumbar cushion on the bed is Painted Trees from Thread Design; a short wool sheepskin from Wilson & Dorset cosies up to the window seat and a saddle bag found in Turkey adorns the bench.
The adage of looking before you leap is all very well, but Anji Foster and her husband Jason Lowe are glad they didn’t think too hard before plunging their life savings into this two-storey home on the flanks of Wellington’s Mt Victoria. “A friend was selling it, and we needed to move fast,” says real estate agent Anji.
Another factor not in their favour is that they bought in the middle of the pandemic when there was no assurance, they could sell their previous home or even have jobs, thanks to a stalled housing market.
LEFT One of the first things Anji and Jason did when they moved in was plant a climbing fig (Ficus pumila) behind the sn dial as they knew from their previous home that it is a slow starter – in time it will create a full green wall. RIGHT The two-storey heom’s exterior was painted by the previuous owners just before the family bought it – it had been a cream colour and now is Resene Shark.
But Anji and Jason, who work for the same real estate company, are used to throwing the property dice. “By the time our daughter Bella was 14, she had lived in 14 houses,” says Anji of their habit of renovating then moving on the next project.
They had not long completed a full renovation of their previous home, a late 1800s villa around the corner. But as Bella, now 23, and their son James, 19, got older, the house proved a bit of a squeeze.
Fortunately, when the family moved into the 90 year old bungalow in mid 2020, the replumbing and rewiring had already been done so there were fewer structural and planning permission hoops to jump through. That left Anji free to focus on her favourite room of the house – the kitchen.
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LEFT Anji chose Resene Sakura for the living area walls and installed bifold doors to open to the back garden and studio; The Lambert & Fils pendant light fitting is from Backhouse and replica Eames lounge chair and ottoman sit next to an Attila stool by Philippe Starck for Kartell from Backhouse. MIDDLE Anji was one of the original founders of Loew&Co Realty and is now joined by son James, left, in sales, while husband Jason is Lowe&Co’s director of growth; they often work from home to Jock the miniature schnauzer’s delight; the couple wanted to work with original kitchen layout which didn’t allow for an island – instead the end of the bench has become a fourite spot to perch on the Princeton bar stool from BoConcept. RIGHT Anji prefers dark cabinetry so replaced part of the date, glossy white kitchen with a wall of high cupboards and open shelving for ceramics and plants.
“Previous owners had installed a glossy white kitchen 15 years ago so it was looking a little dated. I like dark cabinetry, so I designed the layout, replacing a wall of high cupboards with opening shelving.”
Having long admired travertine finger tiles, Anji ordered them for the walls while the dark granite benchtop looks similar to a marble versions she’d seen in Auckland restaurant Amano. “This is more cost effective because it was available locally but has a similar aesthetic to the Amano marble top.”
The dark kitchen contrasts nicely with the adjacent pink living room, where family and friends often perch while Anji or Jason are cooking. Proving tat inspiration can be found anywhere, the pink walls were colour-matched to a water bottle Anji bought from a hip hotel in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The green wall colour in the dining room was inspired by a bag bought on the same trip.
Anji calls the look “very Palm Springs”, which is a place they try to visit often because Jason’s brother, former BBC presenter and now Apple Music host Zane Lowe, lives in Los Angeles.
A black-and-white photograph in the dining room has another family connection – it’s one of the MV Tiri, the ship used for pirate radio station Radio Hauraki in the 1960s which Jason’s father, Derek Lowe, helped establish. Other photographs dotted throughout the house are by Anji’s father, renowned photographer Bruce Foster.
ABOVE LEFT Anji’s first instinct was to paint the hallway’s dark panelled timber walls, but she’s pleased the family forbade her from pulling out a paintbrush because she now loves the “moody feeling” of the space. ABOVE RIGHT The large photo above the fireplace was taken by Anji’s father, Bruce Foster, in Central Otago’s St Bathans area; the Amsterdam sofa is from BoConcept. BOTTOM The built-in shelving has a mirrored back which reflects the row of hornbeam trees outside the dining room; the Lambert & Fils Dot Collection light fitting is from Backhouse, the Ethincraft Slice coffee table is from Cuchi and the shaggy bean bag is from Wilson & Dorset.
One of the first things Anji wanted to do when the family moved in was to paint the original wooden panelling in the entrance white. “But Jason and Bella stopped me and I’m glad we left it as is, because it honours the house’s history. I hate to admit it, but they were right.”
She did however, win her attempt to add texture to the walls in the downstairs television room. “It was all white and I wanted to give it warmth, so we wallpapered in textured grass cloth which works well with the black and white steel fireplace.”
While some furniture made it from the previous home, most of the larger pieces were bought specifically for the new house, including the comfortable grey sofa, and dining table and chairs from BoConcept, as well as side tables and lighting from Backhouse. “We lived with a single bulb above the dining table for a year until we found the right light.” Which is a stylish golden fitting by Montreal-based design studio Lambert & Fils.
TOP Bella’s room is a celebration of her love for mid century modern design, including the vintage German wallpaper she sourced herself; one of her paintings hangs above the bed and her wardrobe is filled with vintage clothing which she sells online. BOTTOM LEFT Previous owners left the main bathroom in its largely vintage state so Anji decided to personalise the space with Cole & Son Palm Jungle wallpaper; the Sage x Clare bathmat and towels are from Tea Pea Homestore. BOTTOM MIDDLE The heavy lifting has already been done in the en suite – Anji added colour to the walls with Resene Shark, which is also used on the home’s exterior. BELOW RIGHT The bespoke headboard runs the width of Anji & Jason’s bedroom and was made by Graham & Sons Upholstery in Martinborough using Designers Guild fabric from Wellington Small Acorns store; the nbed linen is from Thread Design.
Upstairs, the three bedrooms remain largely unchanged, apart from gaining generous wardrobes and the main bedroom now sporting a bespoke gold headboard now covered in a Designers Guild fabric. The main bathroom was also retiled.
Anji had long coverted Hay Palissade outdoor furniture and finally bought this set in Olive for the small deck off the kitchen.
Having a 485m3 section is rare in Mt Victoria, one of Wellington’s oldest suburbs where villas sit cheek-by-jowl. So when James suggested a separate living space, Anji commissioned Studio Pacific Architecture to design a 25m3 studio including a bathroom, for an elevated part of the garden, which is now used by James as a bedroom. Using charred timber cladding, known as shou sugi ban, means the studio visually blends into the garden.
The renovation project also included revamping the garden, in a design created by Rachael Matthews of HEDGE Garden Design & Nursery. “We’re 15 houses away from Courtnay Place, yet it feels like we are in nature,” says Anji of the garden, which is planted mostly in natives (sic, it isn’t).
Although the couple would love to add a second garage for now they are happy not having any renovation projects on the go. “I always say, this is my forever home for now! Because while it still works for us as a family, when the kids go off and do their own thing I’m sure we’ll find another housing adventure.”
Q+A
with Anji Foster
FAVOURITE PART OF THE HOUSE: Undoubtedly the garden. Our brief to Rachael at Hedge was that we wanted to feel like we were in nature. I’m also pretty jealous of James’ studio which has a contemporary feel compared to our house. We will 100% steal it as a spectacular home office when he moves out.
BEST BARGAIN: Paint and wallpaper. We’ve added a new paint colour or feature wallpaper to almost every room which gives each space its own unique personality.
BEST BUDGET TIP: Research and shop around because there are often more cost-effective ways to create the same look. Your budget might not allow top-of-the-line everything, so choose hero pieces like light fittings and save on items that can be bought more cheaply.
IF YOU HAD TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY: When we did the kitchen we sanded and stained the wooden floors but should have done the floors in the entire downstairs area as the finish isn’t exactly the same. We will do it at some stage but like most homeowners, that’s likely to be just before we sell!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN MT VICTORIA: Three of the four people in this house work at the same place, which is at the end of our street! Convenience is one of the things we love about Mt Vic which is an interesting combination of rentals, high-end glamorous homes with sensational views and modest cottages on tiny sections. It feels like a real melting pot and one of the capital’s most dynamic suburbs. I would struggle to live anywhere else.
Q & A with Sarah & Dean Burke
RENOVATION HIGH POINT: We love seeing people’s reactions when they walk through the front door for the first time. It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm and enjoyment of our hard work. (Dean)
ANY THING YOU’D DO DIFFERENTLY: I would have loved a bigger garage, but that’s central Wellington for you! (Dean ) If space permitted, a prep area/ scullery off the kitchen. (Sarah )
B E S T L E S S O N L E A R N E D : The art of a well-placed skylight can transform a space, making it more spacious and lighter. (Dean )
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN THORNDON: It’s convenient and central, but we still feel removed from the city. Katherine Mansfield Memorial Park is across the road, which feels like an extension to our house. I also love the street’s history as one of Wellington’s foundation streets. (Dean ) There are great walking tracks on our doorstep, Thorndon’s proximity to everything, and it has a lovely village feel. (Sarah )
BEST PL ACE FOR COFFEE NEAR HOME: Mojo for coffee on the go or La Cloche for a treat. (Dean ) Goods, which also has lovely pastries. (Sarah