homestyle April/May 2021

“Where to from here? Onwards and upwards to satisfying your own sense of style.” Will this be the year we see the end of trend-driven interiors? It’s a subject we’ve been discussing in the office recently. The thing about trends is that although they can be fun, or chic, or fabulous, following them slavishly often results in spaces that don’t last the distance; an ‘of the moment’ lust- list can quickly turn into a ‘seen everywhere’ aesthetic. Are you getting tired of that kind of paint-by-numbers styling? A poll I posted on Instagram recently revealed that plenty of people share my sentiment. A trick I like to use when saving images to my inspo folders is to ask myself, ‘Is this my taste or am I being influenced by a trend?’ In…

LOVERS & DREAMERS This one goes out to the believers who understand just how much joy beautiful bedding can bring. The soft, stonewashed linen fabric of this classic Silverton set by Wallace Cotton is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Plus, the duvet has a hidden button close, so it can be used on either side without the buttons being seen. wallacecotton.com OVER THE MOON We’re pleased to note that although the graceful Luna chair by King Living is designed for outdoor use, it comes in an indoor version too, so you could consider styling with both to create a cohesive overall décor scheme. In other happy news, its fabric-covered seat pad attaches to the powdercoated mesh frame via a magnet, allowing easy cleaning or replacement for an ever-fresh look. kingliving.co.nz GREAT OUTDOORS Anyone…

‘Contemporary’ isn’t a word commonly associated with rattan — but just look at these pieces. By Hawke’s Bay industrial designer Scott Fitzsimons for Città, our new favourite seating, Liana, shows how this simultaneously nostalgic and now material can be reinterpreted for modern spaces. Teaming traditional craft with present-day design, handwoven rattan wraps a powdercoated steel frame configured in two-seater, three-seater and armchair form, upholstered in your choice of fabric. This design was a finalist in 2020’s Best Awards; however, despite the acclaim, it has a charmingly humble appeal. Perhaps the ultimate aspect, though, is how the rattan cape provides visual texture while ensuring the seats look good from all angles— making them a rare, highly functional find ideal for open-plan spaces. Scott designs with an underlying philosophy of simplicity, timelessness and permanence,…

Artist and designer Stamos Michael’s interior scheme for Athens accommodation Esperinos (above) references urban myths and local stories in a palette of autumnal colours — dusky mauve and tonal greens punctuated by mustard, burgundy, ebony and ivory. You could imitate his approach at home by including items that mirror memorable moments in your own life. Set a similar backdrop (considering paints with a matte finish, such as Resene Room Velvet), then tell tales with furnishings in block colours, and perhaps one of this year’s most popular patterns, plaid, for a hint of heritage in your contemporary composition.…

A Room of Her Own by Robyn Lea (Thames & Hudson, $70) Twenty extraordinary women and their remarkable homes animate the pages of this feast- for-the-eyes tome, and if at first it succeeds in making you feel like you could never reach such interior-design heights at your decidedly more humble abode, look again. Living their best lives in eight different countries, these formidable, trailblazing gals are obviously loaded, but you don’t have to be — amid the intriguing stories and opulence profiled here are lots of doable décor ideas to discover. Use their creativity as a springboard for more affordable home-based bravery that inspires you to decorate with a carefree abandon that reflects your values and desires. Why not paint a wall a winsome pink if you want to, stand a…

Floret Farm’s Discovering Dahlias by Erin Benzakein (Chronicle, $50) Got a thing for dahlias? You’ve come to the right place. Erin owns famed Washington flower farm Floret, and has downed gardening tools to pen a guide to her favourite blooms that’s as heavenly to thumb through as the resulting flowers will be if you take her comprehensive tips on growing and arranging these prolific plants. One by Anna Jones (HarperCollins, $55) One day in the early 2000s, Anna quit her job after reading an article about following your passions. Next minute, she was in Jamie Oliver’s apprentice programme, and now she’s a cook, food writer and stylist qualified to write this plant-based recipe book that has one goal: to help you eat, live and garden better while genuinely saving time, money and energy…