Innholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2024 i homestyle

Is your home your happy place? Have you thought about creating space for moments to make your heart sing? This issue, we share how design choices guided by emotion, rather than by looks alone, can boost your mood. It was a joy to reconnect with long-time homestyle collaborator and interior designer Anya Mayo, whose living area graces our cover. Although the architectural intent of her new abode — all white and barn-like — is a shift from her previous colourfully painted character home, the aesthetic remains authentically hers. In the story on page 48, find out how Anya’s approach evolved from a pared-back vision to a vibrant expression of her personality -demonstrating the power of living with what you love. Colour is a common thread at Karla Devine and Tommy…

Gone are the days when powder rooms and bathrooms were mere design afterthoughts. These intimate spaces now serve as the perfect canvas for personal expression, showcasing your unique decorating flair or even a cinematic transformation. In this butter-yellow space, the bathroom walls in Resene Athena create a backdrop that exudes timeless elegance, directing all eyes to the painted floor. This meticulously crafted pattern mimics tiles in a design that uses Resene See The Light, Resene Ted, Resene Solitaire and Resene Epic (see instructions overleaf). Layering charm and whimsy, we’ve incorporated details like the stained-glass Fun Guy lamp by Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland design studio Frangere, and Indigo Grove fabric from Martha’s Furnishing Fabrics fashioned into a chic sink skirt. Juxtaposing these nostalgic elements, we’ve introduced contemporary touches with ABI Interiors’ stainless…

SQUARESPACE —— Design profile Remember when being an editor meant red pens and late-night deadlines? Well, not anymore. In the modern media landscape, my role at homestyle now requires a vast suite of creative hats. Conceptualising and crafting content to share with our audience in print and online is a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Storytelling is at the heart of what we do, and our business has evolved to offer this as a service for others too. Functioning like a boutique creative agency, we collaborate with clients to build and share their brand stories. Some days, I’m deep in conversations with architects, artists and designers. On others, I’ll be on location or in the studio styling photoshoots. And in amongst this I engage in interior…

THE PROJECT With Tom Meek Building and Press Build, Karla Devine — founder of House Party Interiors — and husband Tommy Heptinstall, renovated this three-bedroom home in Seatoun for themselves, their children Peggy (7) and Paloma (5), and dog Bruno. Enduring a decade of London’s dark winters, Karla Devine and Tommy Heptinstall fortuitously discovered this sunbathed weatherboard home in Seatoun, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington. Upon returning to Aotearoa, the couple found many houses on the market too neutral for their taste. “I’m drawn to things that are a little more playful,” says Karla, founder of House Party Interiors -specialists in interior design and bespoke décor. Karla’s career as a model and her transoceanic travels introduced her to unexpected colour synergies, honing her keen eye for design. “The Brits are so much braver…

As medium-density housing fills in the gaps in our urban centres here in Aotearoa, there’s far too much drab going on for our liking! That’s not what you’ll find at Sue McGregor’s place, though. She’s punched up the personality of her apartment with some seriously saturated hues. Located within the four avenues of Ōtautahi/Christchurch, the apartment was designed by architect Tobin Smith, director at Common, with an open-plan living area downstairs and two bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. “It had good bones,” says Sue. “But it had been fitted out by a developer for the rental market, so the interior was fairly basic and painted in a very cold white with grey carpet throughout. I felt chilly when I entered!” No stranger to small-space living, Sue saw potential in the size,…

1 … DINING with artist and Artspace Aotearoa Kaitohu Director Ruth Buchanan. It was a pleasure to have a seat at the table with Ruth and a cohort of creative industry champions recently. You can find my interview with Ruth on page 40. 2 … PONDERING a bathroom revamp. Interior designer Karla Devine has inspired me to reignite my plans to update the tiles in our bathroom. For more on how she landed on this winning combination, check out the story on page 64. 3 … WAITING patiently for the return of spring flowers in my garden. Last year, I left tulips in pots to winter over, and each one that makes a reappearance feels like a small win for a novice gardener like myself. 4 … OBSESSING over the…

With the same wit and honesty that have made Evie Kemp a beloved figure in the New Zealand design world, she takes us on a colourful journey through her life and home. Much: A maximalist’s guide to a creative home isn’t just a coffee-table book — it’s a call to action. Evie challenges you to embrace your unique tastes, showcase the ‘weird and wonderful’ aspects of yourself, shake up your spaces — and helpfully provides practical guidance on how to achieve it. It’s brimming with hands-on advice, covering everything from pattern mixing and painting techniques to strategic furniture arrangement, and she doesn’t miss a beat in any area of her home. Her advice on lighting — “The most important things to consider are the lightbulbs!”— and her gems for buying…

STYLE —— Out & about Chances are, you’ve admired the unique work of Rotterdam-based Sabine Marcelis, even if only from afar. The designer’s dedication to creating magical moments through material exploration has earned her numerous accolades and high-profile collaborations. Among these, her glossy resin ‘Candy Cube,’ was inducted into Germany’s Vitra Design Museum’s renowned modern furniture collection, and she also created a range of sculptural design objects for Ikea. Now, you can experience her work up close. Sabine, who spent part of her childhood in Aotearoa, recently returned to install Merging Blocks, a captivating large-scale sculpture on Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington’s waterfront, right outside Te Papa Tongarewa. The installation features four large mirrored glass volumes of varying proportions, that infuse warmth and colour into the surrounding environment. Thanks to the Wellington Sculpture…

Having spent 19 years away — almost half her life — artist Ruth Buchanan is back living in Aotearoa. Ruth describes the reasons for returning as many and complex, but key to the impulse was following the trajectory established in her artistic practice. We caught up with Ruth at home in Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland to find out how she’s settling in. Kia ora Ruth, so what prompted your move home? After a decade of working with art institutions to make large-scale exhibitions, it felt like a natural next step to consider leading one myself. I was hired as Kaitohu Director by Artspace Aotearoa which, since its founding, has been artist-forward, so it was the right position at the right time to make the move. Like many of us who have…

As tall and elegant as the towering palms that fringe it, this home in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland looks as contemporary as they come. Not so. Built 25 years ago, it’s amazing what a new coat and hat can do. By recladding and changing the shape of the gable roofline, owners Anna and Hamish Gordon have turned a solid player into a statement piece — the best of both worlds, really. The couple, who had been living in a tiny ex-state house with their three young children, moved into the Ōrākei property in 2014. It was a gigantic leap of faith and finance to occupy the three-level, 360-square-metre dwelling. “Our dining table looked like a desk in the space,” remembers Anna. “And we suddenly had one small couch to furnish three living…

ABI INTERIORS —— Product profile There’s an undeniable allure to open-air living — a perfect blend of practicality and indulgence. ABI Interiors’ Sola Outdoor Collection captures this experience, offering elegant solutions to enhance your outdoor space. Whether it’s the refreshing cascade of an outdoor shower or the convenience of an alfresco kitchen, Sola brings the best of indoor aesthetics to exterior living. With warmer weather on its way, now is the time to transform your exterior area. The collection’s minimalist designs, made from lead-free 316-grade stainless steel, ensure durability against the elements, with ABI Interiors’ offering up to 25 years’ warranty. The 200mm rain shower head delivers a luxurious downpour, while the three-function hand shower adds versatility — ideal for rinsing kids or pets. Extending to the kitchen, sinks, mixers…

What at-home rituals do you enjoy? Small, weather-influenced rituals like weeding the garden, drying sheets in the sun, and opening doors to the outside. Also, Sunday baking for lunchboxes, along with sorting, tidying… What’s a self-care product you use daily? Aēsop ‘In Two Minds’ facial cleanser. Tell us about a book you haven’t been able to put down. Lola in the Mirror, by Trent Dalton. I loved reading that book. What can guests expect at your table? An array of plates featuring diverse textures, colours and flavours — likely inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks, and chilli margaritas. Also, my homemade crackers — I haven’t bought crackers for over two years! A garment you would never be without? Our Relaxed T in white, the perfect piece. What’s something on your interior wish-list?…

RUN, DONT WALK Aside from the elegance of Baya Living’s new-season Sandringham runner collection, we’re also enamoured with the names of the three gorgeous hues — pecan, moss and fenugreek — designed to imbue your hallway with comfort and personality. Made from 100% wool with a cotton backing, the loom-knotted runners have a lush 15mm pile for next-level softness underfoot. Notably, Baya has partnered with GoodWeave to ensure a transparent, child-labour-free supply chain. bayaliving.com A FANCY FLARE Overly fancy and sophisticated -perhaps — but all in a beautiful way. It’s easy to see why this pendant light by Nightworks is aptly named Lah-de-dah. This glamorous yet playful statement piece will surely be a talking point in any room. Its curvy design breaks up the straight lines of modern architecture, adding…

Why settle for ordinary when you can wear a masterpiece? Kowtow’s new-season Delphinium print is more than just a pattern — it’s art in motion. Created by scanning real flowers, this non-traditional floral captures every petal and leaf, celebrating their raw beauty. Printed on Fairtrade organic cotton voile, the Bloom dress has a chic, relaxed fit designed for everyday ease, with a fine art finesse. Spurred on by the idea of clothing as a canvas for creativity, we’ve curated a selection of quality pieces to continue the effortless appeal of this mood indoors.…

THE PROJECT With Mark Leong of Studio Myla, Gemma Rasmussen (head of research and advocacy at Consumer New Zealand) and her product-technologist husband Caleb Gordon transformed their Wellington family home for themselves and their two — soon-to-be three -children, Julian (7) and Ari (5). It’s a leap of faith that would make most homebuyers baulk, but Gemma Rasmussen and Caleb Gordon didn’t set foot in this home before they bought it. Living in Sydney at the time, they’d always planned on eventually returning home to Aotearoa. Their move was fast-tracked by Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington’s skyrocketing property market. With the Tasman Sea hindering open home visits, their search relied heavily on property listings and photos, bidding and losing on multiple homes before this two-storey house in Island Bay came up. “I slept…