For owners Catherine & Simon the decision to stay put and renovate was an easy one. Their much-loved Dunedin home sits in an enviable location, close to schools and the local café scene. The proximity suited them perfectly but with a growing family there was no denying that they needed more space. And lots of it! Over the course of 9 years they extensively renovated their classic 1930’s brick home in Dunedin, knocking through the back and adding an extension. Alli Cunningham (Interior Design Consultant, McKenzie & Willis Dunedin) was there from the outset helping them find the perfect furnishings to suit their aesthetic.
Catherine & Simon first meet Alli in 2010 when the couple sought help with a curtain in the entrance of their villa. As time went on, the trio worked in a collaborative fashion to select furniture, wallpaper, fabric, curtains, blinds and finishing touches. The style of the home evolved naturally but one thing remained constant – Catherine’s love for pattern. Pattern can be seen peppered throughout the house, truly informing the interior design scheme and adding personality.
The kitchen, dining & family room at the back of the house were the first to undergo a renovation. Villa Nova Langley was chosen for the curtains in the kitchen and Villa Nova Makela in Clementine for the wallpaper in the family room. These both feature hints of duck egg and orange, tying both rooms together. The rest of this space was deliberately kept neutral with soft greys and charcoal being used for squabs and furniture pieces. Luxaflex Architella Duette blinds let in soft light while also helping to add warmth to their home in the winter and keeping it cool during the summer.
Through to the bedrooms and the personalities of the house’s occupants become evident. Curtains in Sanderson embroidered Protea Flower and Bianca Lorenne bed linen in dusky pink add a soft touch to the master bedroom. The children’s bedrooms feature mustard to liven them up and the printed pineapple wallpaper from Sanderson creates a fun look. The ornate decorative ceilings were beautifully restored and the bay windows were modernised with squabs. Pattern was also used thoughtfully, ensuring the old charm of the home was kept intact. Just like the other rooms, soft duck egg is used throughout; acting as a modern neutral and making the home feel cohesive.
The most recent part of the renovation- the front lounge, sees a total refresh with new curtains blinds, wallpaper, squabs and furniture. Catherine & Simon chose the New Zealand made Heath sofa & armchair from Kovacs as well as two Montreaux Lucca arm chairs in Clarke and Clarke Madison Spice fabric. The palette remains fresh and modern with a few brighter tones thrown in for good measure.
The window in this area was changed from a single large picture window to a more tradition multi panel window to make it more authentic to the era. The curtains are made from Textilia Zen Garden fabric, a light-weight linen woven with a touch of polyester for practicality. As for the blinds Luxaflex Architella Duette blinds were again chosen for their beautiful subdued light. Harlequin Cayo wallpaper completes the look, offering a fun feel to the space.
If you are looking for help bringing your interior design dreams to life we can help. At McKenzie & Willis we offer in home consultations with our highly experienced interior design team. We aim to make the process fun, rewarding and most importantly easy. We’ll come to your home, do a free measure & quote and work with you to develop the perfect furnishing scheme. If you’re in the early stages of building we can even work off plans.
For everything interiors visit our consultants in store or book an in-home consultation online here.
