The interior restyle of this Wellington villa reflects the style and stories of its owners
Written by
12 August 2024
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4 min read
With artwork and furniture collected abroad and their design tastes influenced by global travel, the owners of this Kelburn villa wanted to create a space that reflected their family.
The bathrooms and kitchen had already been renovated by the previous owner, so there was a solid foundation to inject their personal style with the help of interior designer Sandra Aiken, principal designer and founder of D for Design.
“The brief was to pull the existing elements of the home and their own unique mix of styles together,” says Aiken.
“Through careful curation, we crafted a welcoming residence that truly reflects the family's cultural diversity and individual tastes. From their passion for New York loft living to the serene ambience of Scandinavian homes and the elegance of Rococo style, our design celebrates the unique preferences of each family member. The result is a collection of stunning, captivating, and timeless living spaces that harmoniously combine elements from around the world, leaving our clients thrilled with the final outcome.”
Personality is immediately evident upon entering the home. Artwork lines the hallway and to the left is the open-plan kitchen and dining. Here, a ceremonial gong has been considerately included in a recess with lighting above.
Treasures collected from global adventures are also showcased in the unique-shaped living area while allowing the space to be warm, welcoming and functional.
“I took inspiration from the home’s classic features and my client’s colourful art collection,” says Aiken. “The thick woolly bouclé fabric of the contemporary furniture adds texture and a feeling of warmth – an on-trend selection but in this design scheme is absolutely timeless. Velvet was used to create a sense of luxury and marble and travertine furniture to provide the memory of ancient times.”
Fabrics have also been used to complement the room’s artwork.
“The floral velvet fabric was a fabulous find. It reminds me of Parisian brocante embroidery and brings out all the colours of the treasured Buddha print above the sofa, and so do the colours of the other velvet cushions. The gold velvet of the ottoman also enhances the brass and gold elements around the living space and ties in with the gold in the Buddha print.”
Meanwhile, the black and cream-coloured furniture is a nod to the black, white and marble tiles in the kitchen and bathroom – an existing, bold design element that was quite overpowering, but has now been integrated to be part of the overall interior scheme.
“It was challenging to work in all the existing elements that were already prominent in the house that my clients did not want to change, such as the silver-grey curtains, the carpet, black and white tiles, and the dining table that was left by the previous owners. Their special belongings such as the Persian rug in the living room, the gong in the dining room, and their colourful art and statues from Bali all had to be integrated.”
Other personal touches include custom floor-to-ceiling bookcases designed to fit the cavities on either side of the fireplace, as well as a window seat that overlooks Wellington Harbour – all intended to evoke the sense and style of a Parisian apartment. Antique Louis IV furniture also achieves this desired style.
When engaging the expertise of Aiken, it’s important to feel comfortable in sharing your stories, lifestyle, and what you’re passionate about. “I like to get to know my clients to understand what they would like to achieve to help them create a home with a personalised design that is unique to them,” she says. “Trust me and the process. It takes time to understand who you are, what you like, and what you want to achieve to translate it into a tangible design.”
Being realistic about cost is also crucial.
“Do your research,” says Aiken. “As a designer, my role is to craft beautiful and meaningful living spaces that improve people’s lifestyles. While being mindful of budgets, it is important for clients to understand that this is an investment in their wellbeing and the value of their property.”
For the owners of this Kelburn home, the result is one that the whole family can enjoy: “They helped us realise a vision for our home that incorporated the whole family and our unique needs and styles, dealing with some quirky architecture and odd angles to create a flowing, easy-to-use living space. The outcome is a comfortable, beautiful environment where we can entertain and enjoy – we are pinching ourselves that we live in such a beautiful home.”
If you’d like to elevate your home with a considered design that reflects your family’s lifestyle, get in touch with D for Design to learn more.