onsite detail

  • 24 March 2025

The process of building or renovating can be an overwhelming experience, completion of the plans feels like a milestone achievement worthy of a celebration because surely all decisions are behind you now …  girl you better get ready for round two!

Onsite decisions are a critical part of the build process, now is the time to really focus on how the spaces function and to add the finer layer of detail.

Be prepared to answer questions on installation heights of vanities and taps, placement of power points and lighting, think about what fixings will be needed for window treatments.   How does the height of the fire place interact with the TV,  do you prefer a mantel or a hearth – or both!  How will the junction between wall and ceiling look, where will the changes in flooring materials be, are the products you have selected fit for purpose, where can you add additional storage.

Decisions onsite will happen quickly, you will need to have clear communication with your builder and sub trades.  Having an interior designer as part of your team is an invaluable resource, a great sounding board for ideas, an interpreter of site jargon, and a source of independent advice that is not sales driven, advice that is totally focused on what is best for the client.

Think of me as your onsite support person, ensuring your home is both Beautiful and Functional.

 

 

Knowing what you don’t know

  • 19 August 2024

Are you looking to make a few changes around your home but don’t know where to start.

It can be hard to find inspiration when you don’t know what is possible or what products are available, inevitability you will end up defaulting to what feels familiar.

Don’t under estimate the power of a professional eye being cast over your project, my advice could be as simple as pointing you in the right direction to source products or suggesting something new to add to your search.

A one hour design session is all it could take to re inspire your journey

custom cabinetry

  • 18 March 2024

Open plan living is great BUT where does all the stuff go?

The clients brief was to make a redundant corner of the living space multi functional, it needed to house a TV, a sound system, storage for board games, a laptop area for kids homework and a charging station for devices.

Rather than using individual pieces of furniture I have carefully designed custom cabinetry which wraps the corner of the room, not only ticking all of the functional requests but providing an elegant solution as well.

master bedroom styling

  • 25 October 2023

One of the biggest problems I come across is over decorating, there is a dangerous tendency to keep adding MORE.   In fact adding more does the opposite, it confuses your mind and doesn’t give your eyes a place to land and rest.  Simplicity is critical when designing a bedroom, this space is your sanctuary away from the noise of the house.

A paired back well considered space instinctively feels comfortable, here are the key elements that make it happen …

Dark walls recede creating depth, custom made headboard, cushions and quilt enabled specific fabric combinations. Custom bedside cabinets and lighting enable functional proportions, double track curtains control light and privacy.

Layering details of proportion, colour and texture are what makes a space instinctively feel right.

Less is always more.

Moooi Menagerie of Extinct Animals

  • 31 May 2023

 

A little bit of Moooi goodness has been added to a plain home inhabited by a super stylish family.

Generic white walled open plan living with polished concrete floors, and a ditsy traditional fire surround needed an injection of drama to match the family’s personality.

Now they happily live amongst 10 mysterious animals digitally printed on a soft touch textile, the stunning Menagerie of Extinct Animals wallpaper has introduced drama to the dining kitchen wall, a complimentary deep black green on the fire surround and scullery splash back hook the living spaces together.

 

new build designed to capture sweeping views

  • 3 November 2022

Perched high in the hills above Tauranga the interior for this recently completed home was simply a back drop to the majestic view.

Raked ceilings draw you towards the horizon, crisp Dulux Okarito, Dusty Oak timber flooring, and San Selmo reclaimed Limewash brick … a soft restful colour palette that sooths the soul and encourages you to stop a while.

 

Kitchen renovation

  • 8 July 2022

A simple client wish list for this kitchen renovation … maximize storage whilst maintaining the current footprint.

The original kitchen had white cabinets and white stone tops, the vast open plan space and spectacular views gobbled up the white on white and did little to enhance the concrete floors. Flipping the pallet to Black on Black gave the space substance and suited the industrial vibe of the home.

Dysfunctional pantry doors that opened into workspaces were replaced with pocket sliding hardware allowing pantry and crockery doors to remain open without inhibiting workflow while the family cooked.

Hardwearing finishes ensured durability and finger print free maintenance.

Hardworking cabinet makers at The Kitchen Business ensured the finer details were executed precisely.

Translucent sheer curtains

  • 26 May 2022

Sheer curtains have come a long way since the days of doily nets …. remember the frilly scalloped hems and double layer café curtains?  Fast forward to today’s interpretation of old and we happily discover a myriad of gorgeous fabrics to transform our spaces with a valuable layer of texture and femininity.

With our homes designed to capture expansive views and maximum sunshine translucent fabrics are the perfect solution. Softening windows without obstructing views, filtering light, providing privacy, and protecting our furniture from UV rays – like sunscreen for our interiors.

Something for every scheme … Raw organic linen, dry open weaves, metallic threads, wool blends, the only difficulty will be deciding which to choose!

 

Image features Beech by James Dunlop

Mind The Gap Wallpaper

  • 11 March 2022

The Curator’s Cabinet is the latest offering from Mind The Gap, a wallpaper collection of exotic delights rich in detail and colour. Of course it’s impossible to select a favorite, but these are amongst mine …

Samurai and Geisha Wallpaper depicting traditional Japanese characters in a midnight forest, with heavily patterned kimonos flowing, wild animals and swaying trees the scene is alive

 

Gardens of Jaipur wallpaper has you lost in a sprawling garden filled with intricately detailed wildlife and buildings

 

The Former Emperor pays homage to Japanese woodblock prints of the 1800’s crests of the waves glimmer with metallic highlights as the wooden boats battle the elements.

Described as A journey in search of beauty, from the walls of Persia to the Palaces of India and the upper echelons of Japanese society, this collection is a visual expedition around the world.

ātaahua – beautiful

 

Designers Guild Madhya

  • 10 September 2021

Inspiring images from the new Designers Guild Madhya collection.  Madhya features digitally printed cotton velvets in graphic tartans, checks and a graceful botanic.

DG signature vibrant shades are often challenging to lovers of ‘white on white’ schemes, the additional muted chocolate and berry tones in this collection are well suited to our homes here in Aotearoa.

Love those chairs!