Kitchen brings out Julie’s creative side
Renowned foodie, stylist and author Julie Le Clerc answers some questions about how she lives in Auckland’s Grey Lynn.
Describe your house in a few words...
I live by myself in a three-level home in Grey Lynn, Auckland. It fills one corner of a small block of terraced townhouses. It has a private courtyard garden and faces north-west, so I get to enjoy lots of sunshine and the most stunning sunsets.
Describe your style in three words...
Eclectic meets practical.
Your favourite room/area in the house, and why?
My favourite room is my kitchen, as this is where I’m most creative. I can lose myself for hours developing recipes, and playing with ingredients and new ideas. My kitchen is one-third of an open-plan living area, so even though it’s not a large kitchen, it has a great feeling of space and a nice outlook.
Finish this sentence with an anecdote. ‘‘Once, someone came to my door and…’’
Well, actually, just about everyone who comes to my door for the first time says ‘‘I never knew these homes existed!’’ People always remark on the great location and also the privacy these hidden homes enjoy.
Your proudest DIY moment?
I recently repainted the interior of my home, all by myself. It was a huge undertaking but the sense of satisfaction once it was all done and looking bright and fresh was immense.
Which decor trend would you like to see come back?
I love collecting anything old and interesting, so perhaps some charming, old-world trend with a touch of French chic would be nice to see again.
Title of a book, film or television show that best describes the mood in your home...
Julie and Julia. As I work from home, cooking is the main theme here and most things I own tend to be food-related.
I love the focus and determination that Julie had to cook new recipes. And I love the life in old-world France that Julia Child experienced.
Best money you have ever spent on the house?
I upgraded the kitchen about four years ago and added a lot more bench-space, which I find invaluable.
I also installed an induction hob. I’m now a total convert to induction cooking. It’s instantaneous, precise to control and makes for easy clean-up.
Worst thing that’s ever gone wrong while entertaining?
A long time ago, I learnt from my mother the art of camouflage. If, for example, a pavlova was severely cracked and misshapen, she would just pile it high with lashings of whipped cream and artfully arranged fruit, and it would look a million dollars.
So now, if I have any cooking failures, I simply dress them up beautifully.
One item I wish I had kept or not got rid of is...
I had a lovely, large, antique leather chair once but it was too big for my room, so I sent it to auction. I do miss it.
Favourite piece of furniture?
A small vintage Singer sewing stool is my favourite piece. It’s not a practical stool for use but it has sentimental meaning.
My maternal great-grandfather came here from Syria in the early 1900s. He was a natural trader and became the first person to import Singer sewing machines into New Zealand.
I’ve been to Syria and the oldfashioned Singer sewing machines are still going strong there.
What’s one domestic/ housework/gardening trick you’ve learnt over the years?
I have several bay trees growing in the garden, that I use in cooking, of course, but I also have them because bay is a natural insect repellent. I’ve learnt to simply slip a few bay leaves into jars or canisters of grains and flours in the pantry and let the natural toxins in the leaves repel insects.