Hello
Isn’t Evie Kemp’s home crazy beautiful? Whether you embrace colour or not, there’s no denying this artist has cleverly curated an eye-popping collection of treasured finds in a way that tells the most wonderful story about her. In this issue, we celebrate homeowners who have chucked the rule book in the bin. They know their home is exactly that – theirs – and that it doesn’t need to conform to anyone else’s ideas. As a result, their homes have become meaningful, personal sanctuaries which make them smile every time they walk through the door. How liberating!
As well as a kaleidoscope of bold ideas, this issue also features courageous homeowners who took on challenging renovations. Pip Hunter and Will Malone bought a hoarder’s home filled with junk and have turned it into a light, bright stage for their collection of cleverly upcycled objects. Jessica Godfrey and Sven Wiig took on an unliveable 1907 villa and have triumphed with a ‘Victorian industrial chic’ transformation, despite the bath falling through the floor and an earth bank collapsing against the house. Kiwis are so dedicated and hard-working when it comes to their homes, it’s an inspiration.
If you’re not ready for big changes or rich colours, you can still be brave using neutrals. The trick is layering textures in a room to create ‘depth’ and visual interest. There are so many beautiful pieces to play around with, whether you like chunky knits and woollen wall hangings for a classic style, open-weave textiles and tribal patterns for an artisan vibe, or pale velvet and metallics for a luxe mid-century feel. New-season looks such as rich velvets, jewel tones, earthy surfaces and lush greenery are perfect for adding wow factor – check out our trend report (page 30) and the fabric workshop (page 86) for more ideas. Enjoy the issue!