Interior Design Project: A Villa with a New Lease of Life

With the help of our Dunedin team, this beautiful old villa was given a new lease of life by owner Jackie. It is filled with luxurious textures, delicate details and modern glam influences, lending itself to a subtle Art Deco theme that grew organically as the team channelled Jackie’s vision.

The carpet in the hallway is a defining feature of the home and one that was well worth the search. Jackie loved the look of an old fashion tiled floor but was concerned about the tendency for tiles to be cold underfoot so her attention turned to a patterned carpet. Knowing there were limited options available in New Zealand she enlisted the help of the Dunedin team to find one for her. Through their sources they were able to locate a dramatic black and white plaid from America, ordering in a cutting to view before committing. The sample was several metres long meaning Jackie had no trouble deciding. As soon as she laid eyes on it she knew it was the one! Although it was from America, it was made with New Zealand wool which sealed the deal for Jackie.

A patterned carpet, especially one with stripes requires specialist installers and extra care when measuring but the team has this in hand. The results speak for themselves and in a lovely way, the stripes draw your eye down the hallway, emphasising the length and leading you to the other rooms. It certainly creates a statement upon entry (on which the rest of the house follows!).

Through to the main living room and the colour palette turns to soft greys and blush pinks. Jackie likes to call this space her champagne lounge, and for good reason. It is the perfect backdrop for entertaining friends in the evening.

The Kovacs Sophie sofa was selected as the main centre piece. Its sophisticated shape is enhanced with a soft cut velvet from Harlequin. Across from the Sophie sit two Kovacs Lacrosse stool covered in complementary James Dunlop velvet. The curtains are another special feature of the room. Made from Mokum Couture, the curtains have a unique hammered metal effect due to a hint of stainless steel in the fabric.

The Kovacs Baxter Chairs were a favourite for both Jackie and the team, creating a separate area within the same space for Jackie to enjoy afternoon tea in the sun with a friend. As armchairs they can be pulled over to the main seating area allowing flexibility for extra guests. They also pair beautifully with her Kartell T-Table.

With soft hues dominating the interior, the space was calling out for some bold colour. A tailored cut velvet called Chareau from Designers Guild was chosen to cover the chairs in, its lovely deep magenta colour providing contrast and interest.

Tying the whole room together is a wool rug from Designer Rugs. Its ornate design is coloured in neutral grey adding pattern to the room without overwhelming it. Given the beauty of the rug, a glass Connubia Real Coffee Table was selected so the rug could always be seen in full effect.

Jackie’s home also has another lounge which flows on from the kitchen. As the space where Jackie does her day to day living, this area sees a shift in style and function.

Calling in the creature comforts of home, texture and layered tones are used to perfection. A mid-century style Carezza sofa in soft leather is a welcoming spot for the family to come together while the Warwick curtains offer a classic natural finish. In the thoroughfare to here, Jackie opted for practical style with Luxaflex rollershades; a discreet and minimal solution!

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.