Although born in London, the architect James Chapman-Taylor grew up in New Zealand. On a trip to England in 1909 he was inspired by the English Arts and Crafts movement, which was a conscious attempt to revive traditional craft methods. When he returned to New Zealand, Chapman-Taylor designed and built this two-storey cottage, Plas Mawr, in New Plymouth. It features the hand-adzed wood and timber beams typical of the style.