SHOP THEIR STYLE

Potted plants, woven baskets and earthy materials like wood, stone and brass add personality to a modern space

HONESTY BOX

+ Best lesson learned?

Katy: Do it once, do it right.

+ What would you never do again? Try to sow a lawn in May.

+ One thing you would change about your home if you could?

If you had asked a couple of years ago, there would have been a few things. But we have considered and worked on our home to get it just right for us. We’re happy to sit back now and enjoy it.

+ Most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? It was exciting sleeping in our house on that first night, all ready for the boys to start their new schools in a place we now call home.

BUDGET

+ How much have you spent on improving your home? We have spent around $80,000 on flooring, kitchen, paint, louvres, planting and the outdoor bath.

SHOPPING TIPS

+ Mix luxury items with inexpensive pieces.

+ Buy from a variety of places so your home isn’t confined to one particular look or style.

+ Think about what you’re buying and how much you’re prepared to spend. Is it a long-term piece that you are willing to spend more on, or an ontrend item you might want to change in the future?

+ When buying furniture consider whether it can be used in several spaces within your home because you might want to move it to a different spot later on. Ask yourself if the piece will blend in with the rest of your home.

+ Make sure you first measure where new furniture is going. Use a sheet or towel and place it on the ground so you can see what it’s going to look like in that space.

CONTACTS & SHOPS

Styling Katy Rolleston Design, katyrollestondesign.com.

Kitchen Kitchen Express, Christchurch, 03 343 4005.

Soft furnishings Furtex textiles made into curtains etc by The Makers Atelier, Christchurch, 021 242 0103.

Furniture Citta, Corcovado, Nood, Soren Liv, Vitrine.

1 ‘Tropical Bloom’ wallpaper, $395 a roll, from Artisan Collective. 2 ‘All is Pretty’ print, $369, from The Market. 3. Matte black glass vase, $4, from Kmart. 4 Black Harley lamp, $169.99, from A&C Homestore. 5 Living & Co linen-rich Sunset cushion, $15, from The Warehouse. 6 Hammered drum side table, $399, from Freedom. 7 Oscar swing chair, $1049.99, from A&C Homestore. 8 Rogue fiddle leaf tree, $99, from Freedom. 9 Compound sideboard, $3490, from Citta. 10 Rattan striped basket, $69, from Tea Pea.