Winning formula
JOHN HAWKESBY Light and shade feature strongly in an Auckland artist’s work and in his Auckland home, where white walls and dark floors are the perfect decor canvas
WHEN SEARCHING for an Auckland home, Jo Cripps and Ross Jones had some specific requirements.
“We wanted somewhere for entertaining and relaxing; somewhere Ross, who’s an artist, could work from home. And I wanted to come home from work to relax in an environment that felt like an exclusive resort,” says Cripps, who works as a human resources consultant. “The things that were non-negotiable in our search were an entertaining space and a private garden.” The couple first saw the house when they were searching for properties online, and liked what they saw straight away.
“Then it just got better the more I looked ... the well-planned design, the quality, the size of the bedrooms, the hotel-style ensuite and the great storage,” says Cripps.
In his studio, Jones is surrounded by collections of his favourite things: early National Geographic magazines, armies of tin soldiers, antique toy cars and robots.
“I look out west and see clouds rolling in and the sunsets in the evening. I hear tuis flitting through the puriri tree. It’s a beautiful place to paint — peaceful, yet just two minutes from Dominion Rd.”
Using a retro colour palette, Jones skillfully uses light and shade to produce simple, beautifully composed images, some of which are displayed around the home.
Some are positioned at eye level along the walls of the wide entry hall that has been amalgamated into the living space to make it seem much bigger.
“Apart from adding shutters in the bedrooms, we didn’t change a thing when we moved in,” says Cripps.
“The neutral backdrop allows us to change the mood as often as we like. White walls and dark floors are a winning formula — you don’t have to battle with any other colours.”
As well as Jones’ pieces, the collection of art in the home includes works by the likes of Dick and Otis Frizzell. The home’s entertaining areas are wellused at Christmas time, when friends and family come over. Cripps likes setting the scene for a celebration with a huge stash of party props to draw on. She particularly enjoys using candelabra, candlesticks and coloured candles for atmosphere at night.
“Everything looks better by candlelight. Not just inside, but out on the patio as well.” BRAIN TRAINER ANSWERS: 1. The White Lady 2. 2009 3. Kim Hill 4. Attributing human characteristics to an animal or object 5. Fiordland 6. Cricketer Bert Sutcliffe 7. Shirley Temple 8. The Special Air Service (SAS) 9. Conrad Black 10. Pesto.