Organic flow

Where function meets quiet beauty.

Expert tips with Kathrine McDonald

Sculptural silhouettes and organic forms are redefining the language of interiors, infusing our spaces with softness, movement, and a sense of individuality. From curvaceous furniture and abstract lighting to hand-crafted ceramics, these pieces blur the line between function and art, introducing warmth and emotion to otherwise clean architectural spaces. In an increasingly fast-paced world, there’s a deepening urge to slow down and find beauty in imperfection. These fluid, tactile shapes invite touch, spark curiosity, and encourage a sense of calm and continuity.

1. Rakumba Big Glow pendant, in-store July, $3005 - $5660, ecc.co.nz

2. The Boulder chair, POA, davidshaw.co.nz

3. Relevo rug in Burnt Orange by Muuto, 170 x 240cm $2346 - 200 x 300cm $3790, top3.com.au

4. Sand Dune Pillow-ish vase, $229, authorceramics.com

5. Block mirror, $2100, slowstore.co.nz

6. Gesture XVI carbon fibre, resin, oak veneer 700 x 1000 x 200 mm, $13,900, sanderson.co.nz

7. Teressa table lamp, $1345, backhouse.co.nz

8. Artisan mosaic accent table - Travertine, $759, crafterandco.nz

9. Organic shaped cup 275ml, $29.90, greenwithenvy.co.nz

10. Walter Brown side table Woodstone, POA, davidshaw.co.nz

11. Nick Herd Oil on Canvas 320 x 215mm, $3600, foenandergalleries.co.nz

12. Lulu Candle in Ivory, small $39.95, large: $69.95, kayustudio.co.nz

13. Fried Egg Sheep chair, $9995, goodform.co.nz

Beautiful balance

In the second of Guthrie Bowron Tauranga’s Design Elements series, we look at the importance of balance when considering changes or updates to your home.

Balance in its essence is the arrangement of elements in a room to create a sense of harmony and equilibrium. It's a key principle of interior design that helps make a space feel comfortable and visually appealing.

Balance is a principle that ensures that no single element in a room overpowers another in terms of visual weight or dominance. There are different types of balance, each having their own unique visual kudos.

Symmetrical balance

The art deco inspired hallway (top) uses symmetrical balance brilliantly. The focal point is clear, and the mirroring of the paint colour archway either side reinforces the central axis. The two simple cane chairs and their upholstery perfectly reflect the Fleur de Joie Paprika/Aqua wallpaper from Harlequin Idyllic Retreat behind them, creating a uniformed and harmonious look and feel to the space.

Asymmetry balance

Symmetrical may be too ‘perfect’ an approach for some, as not all spaces suit the uniformed look of order that symmetry provides. Here is where asymmetrical comes into play, providing a more dynamic, informal look. In this example showing the Kent Khroma Anemone and Malva wallpaper collections (above), the key here is to balance visual weights, textures and colour. See how the heavy curved scotias and panels sit surprisingly successfully within the lighter more delicate olive and taupe palette.

Asymmetrical balance can be harder to achieve, but if it’s done well, it can make a space so much more interesting and alive. The reason for this is that it creates tension and surprise in a room with the visually unexpected by way of paint colour, wallpaper pattern and placement and scale of decorative elements.

You can, of course, implement both asymmetry and symmetry together, to create a more interesting and dynamic design scheme.

Radial balance

Radial balance utilises a central focal point where design elements radiate outward or inwards to the central point. In this example, Agathe Khroma by Masureel (above), the circular sofa, tables and placement of the outer lounge chairs create a radial pattern reinforced by the curve of the face in the wallpaper pattern, and the window frame and choice of side tables.

The use of radial balance is a popular choice for hospitality and commercial spaces as they often create stunning results.

Using the skill, expertise and experience of an interior designer, window treatment consultant or colour specialist to get you on the right ‘balanced’ track, can save you time, energy and open up the world of design possibilities to you.

For more inspiring ideas, visit Guthrie Bowron’s Cameron Road showroom.

GUTHRIEBOWRON.CO.NZ

Cool, calm and cosy

In the first of Guthrie Bowron Tauranga’s Design Elements series, Margaret Gill and Anoushka Haskell demonstrate how to create a relaxed indoor space with paint and wallpaper, to conjure up all your favourite feels.

There are plenty of ways to use wallpaper and paint to create spaces that evoke certain emotions.

Firstly, consider how you want your space to make you feel. What kind of atmosphere do you wish to create, whether it be relaxation, inspiration, festivity or playfulness? This is a chance to do design differently from your everyday safer palette.

This space can be created wherever you like – in a hallway entrance, a guest bedroom, sunroom or reading nook. Anywhere you want to let the sunshine in.

For instance, in the image below, the colour and pattern of the feature wallpaper, Cuba ‘Pina’ from Casadeco, creates the exotic feel of Cuba and establishes the sense that you’re experiencing island life in the summertime, in a conservatory setting.

The anchor colour is crucial to the look and feel of the décor – in this case a mellow pineapple yellow holds centre court.

Be bold with emphasising the key colour. In this case it is repeated within the retro sofa fabric, golden cane pendant, coloured glass panes and mid-century side table.

With paint and fabric accent colours it’s best to go for muddier hues such as Dulux Ruakaka and Crow Valley, which don’t compete with the hero wallpaper.

Two thirds of the room is dominated by the grey denim blue and yellow, whilst the other third is in crisp white. The neutral summery cane and palm frond accents, found in plantation summer rooms and verandas, serve to balance out the wallpaper choice.

This two-thirds rule, also known as the golden ratio, is an interior design technique that involves dividing a space into two sections, with one section taking up two-thirds of the space. This technique can help create balance, scale, and proportion in a room. For instance we see that the sofa is approximately two thirds the size of the wallpapered feature wall, which maintains visual harmony.

In the next image – top – the petite beachside sleeping space makes you almost feel the salt spray in your hair and the hazy blue skies above you. With the emphasis on the horizon, it evokes all those possibilities that an endless summer can bring. This wallpaper collection, from BorasTapeter Marstrand 11 Coastal Living ‘Horizon’, celebrates the maritime spirit of the Swedish coastline.

The natural Nordic linens, blonded wooden ladder and simplistic choice of pared-back accessories complement and don’t overwhelm this dreamy tranquil bedroom.

Consider using white wood washes that can add interest on wooden ceilings as they’re not a heavy paint colour as such, rather much softer and organic. The height of the bedroom attic roofline allows the wallpaper panels to show off their full potential and almost take flight, in a very natural way.

Our last example is from the Harlequin Idyllic Retreat wallpaper collection in Atlantic coastal tones – above. This mood board shows various combinations of that cooling colour palette of blue and green. Within each combination, there is an anchor wallpaper featuring flora or fauna, complemented with textured woven and embroidered fabrics.

Putting together a mood board is an effective way to work with colour and balance when considering the addition of paint colours and flooring or cabinet veneers. And it can provide the basis for expert wallpaper, paint and window treatment advice.

GUTHRIEBOWRON.CO.NZ

Raise your game

Sarah Parry from Testament Interiors offers tips to elevate your short-term holiday rental.

photo GISELLE BROSNAHAN

In the beautiful Bay of Plenty we’re blessed with some of New Zealand’s finest beaches. Mount Maunganui has been included in the top 25 beaches in the world. So it’s no surprise that over the summer months, thousands of holiday makers converge on Tauranga to enjoy the Kiwi summer break and the golden sandy beaches.

You may have a home that lends itself to Airbnb or short-term rental, or have a current rental home. But with a huge amount of competition, what can you do to attract holiday makers to your place?

Firstly, there are certain rules around how much time you can let out an area of your residence without it impacting your personal house and contents cover. I recommend you check with your insurer to find out their policy wording. You will also need to check with your local council regarding their bylaws on how much of your home you can use before requiring a resource consent.

If starting from scratch, it’s important to decide what type of accommodation you wish to offer, how often you would like to do this and of course what other accommodation is in the vicinity, with the demographic you will be marketing to. This will help you decide what budget you will require to set up and style if it’s viable.

To begin the process, sort a design style. You need to know this before you start and, if you are working around existing fittings and furniture, then what do you have as a base to work off? You can mix luxury and cost-effective items – it all comes down to what looks good together and which items you can get longevity out of. For example, comfortable beds and sofas are important to spend more on, but you can save using cost-effective items in kitchenware like plates, etc. Invest in good soft furnishings, pillows and local artisans for art and décor items.

It’s very important to design a space around what guests will require while staying at your property. Do they have a private entrance?

If you have a pool or spa area, they will need beach towels and pool accessories. Think about offering treats or gift baskets. By personalising the space this will help you gain top reviews and make the stay comfortable and enjoyable for your guests. It also creates repeat customers.

And lastly, make sure you put together a compendium. Most people who stay at Airbnb’s do not know the local area and will want to know what the local amenities are.

Whatever you decide to do with your accommodation, keep in mind that people want to feel like they’re in a home away from home. The more you can offer, the more satisfied your guests will be.

TESTAMENTINTERIORS.CO.NZ

Room to grow

A playful design that nurtures, inspires and adapts over time.

Expert tips with Kathrine McDonald

There's real joy in designing a space for a child. The key is creating a cosseted, almost nest-like area that feels secure. Pick pieces – whether furniture or accessories – that are as natural, sustainable and safe as possible, but don’t forget to have fun! While age and stage will dictate the overall theme, it’s important to futureproof where you can. Consider wall lights and lamps that can easily be swapped out, and rugs that can be updated. Storage is the ultimate advantage in a child’s space, as is floor sprawl. Remember the scale of furniture and consider how much ground space this occupies.

Above image: Rainbow wall lamp, $217, Follow the Rainbow wall rug, $226, Cherry rug, $159, all by OYOY from littlewhimsy.co.nz

Clockwise from top left: Apple basket, $85 from amierhome.com. Vitra wooden doll No. 4, $229 from cittadesign.com. Lexon bubble lamp pink, $250 from alliuminteriors.co.nz. Pillar round side table by Gibson Karlo, $327 from designbythem.com. Archie bookcase, $380 from mocka.co.nz. Juni Moon Broccoli, $23, from littlegatherer.com. Tender Leaf Happy Folk Hotel, $115 from littlegatherer.com. Remember paper lamp Anna Stripes, $115 from alliuminteriors.co.nz. AUDO CPH Epoch wall shelf, $596 from designstuff.com.au. Mushroom basket by OYOY, $309 from littlegatherer.com.

KMINTERIORDESIGN.CO.NZ