Get inspired by global style
Create an international vibe at your place with decor advice from well travelled experts, writes Katie Newton.
Denmark
Bill Carrig has been importing Danish designed furniture and homewares for 18 years and has travelled to the Scandinavian country at least 26 times.
He says one of the defining features of Danish design is its functionality.
‘‘Everything always has a purpose,’’ he says. ‘‘The Danes are very disciplined, and they get a lot of enjoyment out of functional things.’’
Carrig uses the example of trays. ‘‘They are a tray society,’’ he says. ‘‘Everything is put on a tray and delivered to the table, so you only have to go once. Here we might go in and out from the kitchen to the barbecue multiple times with the tomato sauce and the plates and everything else.’’
Another defining principle of Danish style is ‘‘the somewhat overused concept of hygge’’. ‘‘It isn’t just about lighting a candle,’’ he says. ‘‘It could be any source of warmth and comfort, whether it’s coffee or a piece of chocolate or even friendship.’’
Carrig says that because of the inhospitable climate the Danes look inward to their homes as a source of community and comfort.
‘‘That’s why I think their lighting is very beautiful and cosy and they make extremely comfortable chairs,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s not uncommon for them to sit at a table for five hours and just chat.’’
Mexico
‘‘Bright and colourful, warm, relaxed and individually crafted,’’ is how Briar Walsh, co-owner of pop-up store Made In Mexico, describes the decor style of the country. ‘‘Mexican style encompasses layers of history and culture with a strong emphasis on family and fiesta.’’
Walsh has been travelling to Mexico since the 1990s. The many artisans she met along the way lead her to import her first container of Mexican homewares to New Zealand six years ago.
Her pop-up store now stocks ceramics, wall art, chairs and soft furnishings, often adorned with vibrant motifs and made in a unique, hand-crafted style.
‘‘Mexico is a vast country with many different regions,’’ she says. ‘‘The warmth of the sunshine and the people is just so inviting. The depth of history, vibrant culture, stunning food and lively music all create an atmosphere that oozes family, happiness and party all at a very relaxed pace.’’
Her must-visit places include the state of Guanajuato for ceramics, Oaxaca for barro negro pottery and wool textiles, and Mexico City for discovering new young designers.
Some of Walsh’s favourite Mexican treasures include the 1950s Acapulco palma chair in natural fibre, hand-embroidered floral martha cushions and a portrait of Frida Kahlo.
France
Christchurch antiques dealer Lisa West from Haunt says French style spans centuries and accommodates a vast array of styles, from classical antiques to the ‘‘quirky glamour’’ of late 20thcentury designers Garouste and Bonetti.
It’s the ability to mix these styles that impresses her most about the country she visits regularly.
‘‘The essential element of French style is a considered and confident eclecticism that combines furniture, fabric and objects from many different eras into a comprehensive, visually arresting and modern whole,’’ she says.
To West this means mixing formal glamour with rustic pieces. ‘‘I cherish the aged and worn patina of old furniture - I do not like furniture that is over restored and has lost it’s soul.’’
She says decor inspiration can be found throughout the country. ‘‘I absolutely love being immersed in beauty whenever I am in France. Whether you are wandering the streets of Paris or driving through the fields of Provence beauty abounds and I try to soak it all up and store it for
Bali
From its outdoor rooms to the extensive use of timber, stone and greenery, Balinese decor style has a deep connection to the natural world.
Neel Giri and Claudia Kozub of Indie Home Collective import homewares and furniture from Bali for their store and use words like ‘‘calm, light, open and airy’’ to describe the interior style of the Indonesian island.
Giri says: ‘‘Bali is a fantastic island to visit and has many different aspects to it. You will never be bored as there is just so much to do or not do! Wherever you look, whether it be a resort fit out, old building or a beach shack, you will be inspired.’’
Plants are used extensively in every dwelling adding to the relaxed vibe. One of Kozub’s favourite pieces to style with are Indonesian hardwood stumps.
‘‘They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used in so many different settings. These are used as side tables, casual seating around a dining table and look amazing as a bathroom stool and a perfect bedside table. For a change from a normal coffee table, just cluster two or three stumps together.
She adds: ‘‘Woven baskets also make ideal planters and add a textural element to your room. The main theme is to keep it light and airy and layer up texture wherever possible.’’