Category: Inspiring interiors

Ultimate Homes Mount Maunganui Show Home

  • 23 March 2018

Working on show homes is a perfect opportunity to try something a little bit different.  The challenge to the Architect, JMAC  Architecture, the Designer – me  and the Builder Ultimate Homes is to stretch the imagination of the savvy show home punters by presenting something just outside the visitors comfort zone, something not see before but at the same time a home that is very livable.

Feedback to date on Ultimate Homes show home at The Coast Papamoa has ticked these boxes, it has become a memorable talking point in a sea of beige show homes.

The cathedral ceilings of the living area are enhanced by  Dulux Rangatiki River a deliciously deep stormy blue green, daylight floods the open plan living space and the pure White ceilings compensate for the dark paint choice.

Mount Maunganui Show Home Interior Design Mount Maunganui Show Home Interior Design

Arent & Pyke

  • 8 November 2017

I’m a long time fan of  the work of Sydney Design Studio Arent & Pyke, I love their clean aesthetic, eye for detail and their use of colour.

Barcom Terrace project is a sympathetic modernization of an 1800’s boarding house all of the images are gorgeous but the 3 that catch my eye are below…

The unexpected use of concrete to create bench seating that then cleverly flows into the fire hearth grounds the room, the squab and cushion combination on the bench seat is again thoughtful. Default decision (as discussed on my previous blog) would be to have the squab full length with a multitude of cushions … I love the thoughtful detail of the short squab and the combination of cushion shapes the over-sized wall mounted lamp adds an intimacy to the space.

The kitchen sits majestically at the other end of this open-plan space, the steel framed joinery housing the Scullery not only visually separates the space but entices you into a space that is traditionally hidden

The industrial mix of the concrete plinth and black fittings with elegant wispy white fabric and marble  ……

Superbly Photographed by Tom Ferguson

Feature walls

  • 27 February 2017

I often get asked if people still do feature walls interestingly enough almost every time the question is voiced out loud it’s accompanied with a shame full cringe is if an unwritten rule has been broken and lighting is about to strike.

My reply is always this …….. There aren’t any Interior Design rules, lets face it it’s not a life and death situation! If there were rules and this was one of them and YOU love the idea of a feature wall then lets do it!

At least half of my projects have feature walls or feature rooms, it is a perfect way to add depth, mood, texture and personality.

This recently completed project in Mount Maunganui, is a great example of all of those things.

A harmonious collaboration between myself,  JMAC Architecture and  Ultimate Homes.

Images via Redfish

traditional plain interiors transformed into modern contemporary spaces

  • 22 March 2016

I recently completed a Perfect Combination Project – A blank canvas spec home + existing clients on their second project = boundaries pushed with amazing results!

The newly constructed spec home was beautifully proportioned but super plain – so plain it made you sleepy!! Client brief was to add some personality, warmth and interest so we set to work……..

The Master bedroom was spacious  opening out onto a sunny courtyard but lacked any redeeming features so we added Harlequin wallpaper, Hemptech fabric and Bianca Lorenne Bed linen.

Feature wallpaper was repeated in the Lounge with dramatic effect, an existing David Shaw Chair was revitalized with new Harlequin fabric.

Another stunning Harlequin wallpaper in the entrance added drama

These simple additions change the house to a home.

A space well and truly stamped with the clients personality.

Elegant Country house renovated to its inspirational former glory

  • 20 July 2015

I know my work has been completed on a project when it’s time to put a call out to Amanda – my trusted photographer. It’s exciting and kind of sad in a way too as it can be a long process getting to this point. On a large complex project it’s not unusual for many months to pass working alongside clients getting to know the in’s and out’s of the  family’s life, visualizing each part of the home always with the ultimate vision in mind.

The images below are testament to this very process. I had the privilege to began work on this project 2 years ago – no that’s not a typo it really did take 2 years to ensure we left no stone  unturned.  When we began renovating, the  home was terribly neglected it was shocking to see a magnificent home so ruined by weather, fortunately the beautiful bones where in tact although in serious need of TLC!!

Bridge beams were originally white washed, Jarrah flooring water damaged, structural features were hidden, some rooms had never been completed and that was just the tip of the iceberg!

My brief was to create an elegant but comfortable country home – take a look at the results

The clients had quality furniture that was also worth renovating, couches were re upholstered, family pieces were unearthed from storage and reinvented, notably the elegant arm chair in JD Madagascar Paradise. Bespoke pieces were locally sourced, the Ottoman in Harlequin Purple Snakeskin and Button Backed dining chairs in matching colored pairs.

We altered the layout of the kitchen to become open plan incorporating the bridge beam into the Stone Island bench top.

Bathrooms were elegantly restyled to fit seamlessly with the essence of the grand country home.

A combination of wonderful clients with open minds, a team of brilliant local tradesmen made the project an absolute pleasure ….. A good job well done I think!

Harlequin Amazilia

  • 17 March 2015

Amazilia is the stunning newly released collection from Harlequin very aptly named as it is indeed  Amazing!

Described as  “Featuring extravagant tropical motifs in exotic colourways, delicately depicting hummingbirds, botanically-drawn butterflies, feathers and glossy over sized leaves”  it is a typical Harlequin explosion of colour.

Only with the use of Digital print  technology  can fabrics show such intricate realistic details and vibrant colours. It’s nigh on impossible for me to pick a favorite –  I’m a bird girl so many of the designs delight me, BUT if I had to narrow it down…..

The Spray Dyed Velvet is incredible, the intensity and shade of colour changes across the width of the fabric subtly drifting from one colour to another, the warmer of the 8 available colourways are seemingly on fire.

I can’t resist anything to do with birds – I have an every growing collection of nests and feathers in my office so the Limosa wallpaper is a given for me.  Available  in 5 colour ways I love the water colour effect of the image and the multitude of colour you can pull out as coordinating shades. The proportion of space verses pattern is well balanced and restful.

Fine detailing

  • 4 December 2014

There is some seriously fine detailing in this home, Australian Interior Designer Sally Taylor has managed to make every corner of this family home in Sydney shimmer and glow.

The entrance is oozing intricate detailing and yet it still appears calm, warm and inviting. The texture of the block work is beautiful, the variation of block size had been repeated in the timber screen and again in the entrance door – clever!

Fabrics are beautifully vibrant, again attention has been paid to the tiniest of details – scatter cushions piped to match the couch upholstery,  feature fabric used on the back of the arm chairs – perfect for a bold print.  The change in direction of the flooring emphasizing the shape of the room and the oh so simple fire place. Gorgeous!

nifty cabinetry

  • 18 September 2014

I like little things … finely crafted bowls of glass, wood or colourful china are impossible to  pass by without touching, I also like little spaces I feel more comfortable in an intimate space than a large voluminous space.

Small things and spaces require much more thought and attention to detail to be successful I think that’s why they appeal to me.

Small thoughtful spaces require nifty cabinetry and I think this All-In-One-Bunk Bed by Studio Oink is amazing!! See how everything has multiple purposes, the black board is a door, raising the bed double storage space.

More importantly if your a kid it just plain cool

beach front apartment living

  • 5 November 2013

Apartment living can pose plenty of challenges from a design perspective, particularly when the space is to be a permanent residence.

With my inner need to make all things functional and beautiful I was definitely up for the challenge.

The client brief was simple, the only restriction to the Mount Maunganui beach front penthouse apartment were the exterior walls. The existing floor plan was a poor use of space, the interior dated and tired so the decision was made to gutt the apartment and start with a clean slate.

Many many many concepts later we found the solution; open plan living  pivoting around the central kitchen with direct  access to the deck creating the hub of the home, a hidden office space incorporated into the dining room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms all in a striking monochrome palette perfect for showcasing the undeniably stunning view of the beach.

The project is testament to the professional team that gathered together making  concept into reality, local award-winning builder Todd Grey  played an enormous role in transforming my ideas into reality, every detail was given our consideration from the ever-present top floor apartment constraints to custom-made cabinetry to tiling to wallpaper, fabric and custom furniture.

The result is timeless.

Sharp clean lines suit the monochrome palette of Black and White with a Gold accent

Harlequin Wallpaper and fabrics

Harlequin wallpaper with Bianca Lorenne bed linen……beautiful!