In this series we will be giving you a glimpse into the places our designers and team call home. Take a tour and gain a personal insight into some of the treasured interiors of our team. We hope it fills you with inspiration!
This week we bring you the home of Leisa Gordon, Branch Manager for McKenzie & Willis Wanaka. With tasteful metallic details, loads of texture, and a considered approach, Leisa proves that a black and white scheme is anything but boring.
How would you describe the Interior Design style of your home?
My house has a definite contemporary classic style with a strong black and white monochromatic colour palette. To me black and white is striking anyway but I have used textured and patterned wallpapers, lattice metal detailing, prints, cushions and key design pieces to create interest.
What drew you to this style?
I have always loved the Colonial and Cape Cod styles homes with their timber detailing. I chose to feature timber panelling in my hallway, and introduced classic black and white prints featuring Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elvis Presley and James Bond. I have also used wide timber architraves, coved ceilings and groove ply feature walls to complete the look.
We love your use of lighting. Tell us a bit more about that?
Lights are so much more than a feature or accessory. I love using lights to create ambience and to set a mood, so I have used lamps, dimmers and feature lighting to create this.
One of my favourite pieces is my Halo Petal Crystal light in my toilet. At night is gives off great reflective light against my black textured wallpaper.
Do you have a favourite space in your home and why?
I love my kitchen. This is the hub of our home. We love to socialise and our island bench it a great place for gathering around chatting over a few drinks.
I was nervous about having a black kitchen as people warn you they are hard to keep clean but I have been pleasantly surprised that I have not found it too bad. We have used a textured timber grained Melteca for the cabinetry with White Corian Bench Tops. The cupboards have lattice black metal inserts for pattern and texture. The island it where we entertain and I try to prep all my food in the work station around the corner. It works incredibly well.
Tell us about some of your most loved pieces in your home?
I am a big fan of the Italian Designer Fornasetti, so I would have to say my Entrance wallpaper and my plate collection. They are always admired.
Tell us a bit more about your entrance?
There is a story to tell regarding my entrance. I was very excited when I ordered my wallpaper. I loved it and it was quite the expense, so I wanted it to look great. Anyway when the wallpaper hangers told me he didn’t have enough paper, I swallowed hard and decided that I would have to bite the bullet and order more, only to find out that they had since deleted this design and there was no more to be had. I had to come up with an idea quick to rectify, so we decided to put in a coat cupboard. Looks like now like it was mean to be.
Interior Design is always evolving. What are your future plans for your interior?
I still have furniture that we purchased when our children were little and I have made these pieces fit into our new home. I would eventually like to upgrade some of these pieces but I don’t think it will necessarily change the style much, rather it will just give it a more updated contemporary edge.
One last piece of advice?
The look of my home has just evolved from all things that I love. I think that’s important to making your home a piece of you and not something from a magazine.