Our Story
Ali your host admired Willow Lodge as a little girl, and when it popped up on the market in late 2022 she jumped at the opportunity to restore it back to the former glory it deserved.
“We had been passively looking for a new project in the area for close to two years and had recently sold our home in Auckland. Everything came together very quickly. After viewing the house once, we offered on it straight away. The house & gardens have such a magical feeling about it.” Ali describes it like the book “The Secret Garden.”
“The main home has so much potential and we have grand plans, but these will be carried out over several years” - Ali laughs!
The accommodation has been very well thought out and has lots on offer, including the use of a hot tub & private outdoor area, seating throughout the grounds, and a fairy woodland area for the kiddies.
Ali, her husband Kent, 8-year-old daughter, and fluffy chow-chow reside in the main home.
Major renovations have taken place in the lodge and home for guests to enjoy this beautiful Warkworth accommodation. Kent and Ali set out to create a garden that was in harmony with the grand surroundings but added a quieter beauty. Local landscapers Jarrod & Shane from J&S Gardens spent hours tackling the overgrown property with the owners creating a low hedge along the edge of the entry to continue the traditional theme. Gardenia veitchii, radicans, buxus green gem, and white hydrangeas feature throughout the gardens. Ali felt the cottage’s original stone was a real feature of the home and wanted this shown.
Many of the old roses have been transplanted out the front of the main home. The old Oak tree, Orchard, Pines, and Gingkos are still on site today.
Alis’s love for interiors is evident throughout the rooms. The main home has classic furniture with traditional lines, simple shapes, and a timeless charm. The lodge has a modern spin using calming, natural, and comforting textures for guests to enjoy.
