The Brightwater house

This is the house on which ours was modeled. Ernest Rutherford lived in the original, which was reduced to kindling in the 1920's, leaving behind this print from which Robyn drew up plans for our Riverton house, built it in miniature from cardboard and handed it to our builders for their reference. They made a lovely job of it. We added some local history to our version, by incorporating the Fraser newels, Fleck doors, glass lightshades from the old Catholic church and other bits and pieces (bakelite light-switches, pull cords, window latches, bath, benches, laundry tubs, slate from the Orepuki Courthouse etc. etc.) mooched from foundering houses from around the district.