Styled with a deft hand and incredible eye for colour, it will come as no surprise that this home belongs to the founder of Jamie Kay, a New Zealand children’s clothing brand defined by soft hues and beautiful designs. Our Furniture Category Manager, Jayne Cross-Hunter was there from beginning, working with Jamie to transform her home with standout furniture pieces and a sophisticated colour palette.
When Jamie first contacted McKenzie & Willis, she had just purchased her home in Christchurch. It was at the beginning of the Level 3 phase of lockdown and Jayne took the phone call. “The brief was an incredible opportunity to showcase Jamie’s personality and while the home was beautiful in its own right it just wasn’t reflective of Jamie and her family” says Jayne. She explains that they instantly “clicked” and were very much on the same page when it came to styling. Due to the lockdown, Jayne worked virtually with Jamie through emails and video. Later when guidelines allowed, she would visit her home and help pull the whole scheme together.
As a busy and hardworking family with three young children, the home needed to act as a refuge where they could relax after a long day; nothing too fussy but rather an interior imbued with understated luxury that was easy to live with and could cope with the demands of everyday life. The house was beautifully modern with a lot of grey and black, exposed concrete walls and hard floors. “It was crying out for some softness to counteract the straight lines and architectural details” says Jayne. Curved furniture was the first point of call and one that both Jayne and Jamie agreed on. “It’s all about creating balance in an interior and curved furniture did just that.” Drawing inspiration from the colours of the clothing Jamie designs they created a gentle colour palette that also worked to offset the rigidity of the architecture. Dusky pinks, caramels and metallic touches featured heavily, bringing a simple, restrained elegance to the home.
You can see this clever styling as soon as you walk through the front door. Your eye is instantly drawn to the Kovacs Spyder Chair in soft pink velvet. It’s a unique piece with a curved silhouette and tall delicate metal legs. “Like Jamie herself, it expressed her creativity and is the perfect introduction to the interior” says Jayne. The Kovacs Spyder was paired with a circular rug which anchors it in place and creates the perfect little nook. Positioned beside a large window with a water feature, this calming space provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “You can just imagine curling up with a good book on a Sunday afternoon.”
Through to the lounge and the Forma Quilty Sofa commands your attention. “It is fun and doesn’t take itself seriously, the type of sofa for putting your feet up and relaxing on” says Jayne. Featuring soft rounded forms, it is complemented by the luxuriously textured velvet, Bespoke by Mokum. This fabric has slight metallic look to it for some subtle bling, “the light bounces off it in a really beautiful and unique way.” The Notre Monde Geometric coffee table along with gold cushions and accessories echo the metallic theme, while a soft rug pulls it all together.
The table in the dining room was created especially for Jamie, “it was a bespoke 3m table, large enough to fill the space and perfect for a busy family with young children” says Jayne. The table has a rusticated look in deep brown hues, reminiscent of a farmhouse table. Not only did this work incredibly well with the scheme but it also pays homage to the family’s rural farming background. The look was modernised with Calligaris Fifties Dining Chairs which again bring in gentle curves and metallic gold touches.
In the other lounge room, a Furninova Vesta Modular Sofa provides a space for the whole family and a second area for entertaining. Another Kovacs Spyder chair sits alongside it, this time in gold velvet which works perfectly with the grey tones of the sofa. Outside the Manutti River Outdoor Sofa carries on the interior theme with its organic shape and absolute comfort. “Taking cues from the indoors for outdoor spaces is a trend we have been seeing globally the last few years. In Jamie’s home it reflects her relaxed style and works perfectly to soften the concrete walls and tiled area” says Jayne.
Both indoors and out, the end result of combing curved furniture pieces with soft textures and beautiful accessories is just how Jayne envisioned, “this interior scheme was created with Jamie and her family in mind. It has an elegant and feminine character with a peaceful quality. It is calming and grounded, just like Jamie.”
If you would like help designing your own unique interior you can book an in home consultation online here. Drawing inspiration from the latest trends with access to the top New Zealand and international furniture and design houses we will work with you to combine your ideas and our expertise into a truly beautiful and inspiring space.
Photographer: Olivia Woodward