Explore the Stunning Auckland Home of Fatima and Julian Savea
Discover the Stunning Auckland Home of Fatima and Julian Savea
Few of us would have the energy to search for a new home across Auckland for weeks, especially after relocating from France during a pandemic. But Fatima Savea is no ordinary woman. As a social media influencer, entrepreneur, and wife to former All Black Julian Savea, she’s accustomed to juggling multiple responsibilities.
The Journey Home
Thanks to Julian’s contract with a French rugby club, the Savea family had been living in Toulon for two years. However, when the pandemic hit and Julian’s contract ended, they decided to move back to Auckland. “Fortunately, my parents owned a house in Hauraki, so we rented that while we looked for a house to buy,” Fatima explains.
The Perfect Find
The couple’s search took them across the isthmus, but they eventually found their dream home just across the road from the North Shore house they had been renting. “Even before I walked in, I knew it was the one,” Fatima recalls. “It felt like a family home.”
The 302sqm house was a former show home, meaning it was in pristine condition and required no renovations. The couple shipped some of their old furniture from storage in Wellington, and Fatima spent three months driving around Auckland to find the perfect pieces to complete their new home.
A Personal Touch
Next to the entrance, on the top level, is a spare room that Fatima has transformed into her nail salon. The hallway is adorned with black and white family photos, including pictures of Julian’s nine-year-old daughter Cora, who lives in Melbourne but spends school holidays with them.
Across the hallway is Jude’s room, where a bright floral decal from a local business adds a pop of pink. The couple’s bedroom is a study in coziness, with navy walls and contrasting white plantation-style shutters. Fatima loves clothes, so she’s taken over the main suite’s walk-in wardrobe, delegating Julian’s clothes to the spare bedroom closet.
The Heart of the Home
Go down the slat-spindled wooden staircase, and you’ll come to the open-plan living room. “We entertain a lot, so it’s great to be able to have everyone in one space,” Fatima says. She found the dining table at an Auckland store and matched it with dining chairs she found online. The striking rattan lampshade is from a local collective.
The large kitchen island with ample storage was another selling point. The scullery is impeccably organized, thanks to some glass containers from local organizers. “I’m a bit of a neat freak, so it works for me,” Fatima admits.
Memories and Comfort
Fatima had fun decorating the living room, finding a trio of iconic prints on Etsy and a bright throw rug and cushions online. A wooden sideboard bought in Wellington six years ago for the couple’s first home is a piece Fatima says she’ll never let go of.
Other items remind the family of their time spent overseas. A framed print from Toulon was a leaving gift from friends, and a similar print of St Tropez brings back happy memories of their time in France.
The adjacent family room is where they spend much of their time, watching movies and relaxing with friends. Julian’s rugby memorabilia, including his prized All Blacks jerseys, are also displayed here.
Future Plans
Although the couple is happy in their current home, they dream of building their own house one day. “You never know where you’ll be with rugby, so we might end up in Japan at some stage,” Fatima says. “But we’re currently looking for some rural land near Coatesville so we can build our dream home.”
For more information on the Savea family and their journey, you can visit All Blacks official website.
