The Designer’s Eye

Saturday, 3 October 2026

A quick Auckland design fix

At the start of September, I took a quick 36-hour trip to Auckland for a Designers Day event. It was a great chance to reconnect with existing trade suppliers, plus discover few new ones and gain fresh inspiration for current projects.

The afternoon flew by, with designers from across Auckland and just a few of us who had traveled from beyond the Bombay Hills. It was an inspiring afternoon, with guest speakers from Belgotex, one of the world’s leading flooring companies; Kovacs, who make some of the best sofas and chairs here in New Zealand; a leading Auckland architect; and the lead designer from Fisher & Paykel. The narrative from inspiration to end outcome with all the detail involved tells me that NZ is ahead of its game in innovation and design.

There were plenty of treats too :) a cocktail bar, a wine bar, an abundance of fresh oysters and, my favourite, whitebait fritters.

NEW Lighting supplier

This new lighting supplier has been on my radar for a while, so it was great to finally visit the showroom in person and see the fittings at full scale.

I am not usually drawn to linear pendants above kitchen islands. For me, the long light source can sometimes feel a little too much like a fluorescent tube and appear quite harsh. This one, however, was a fabulous exception (left). The bronze metal frame gives it a contemporary edge, while the opaque glass softens and diffuses the light. It is the sort of pendant that would bring a timeless feel to a kitchen island.

I also loved the glass bell-shaped pendant. Again, the opaque glass lifts the design and creates a softer, more diffused light, while the brass fitting adds structure to the pendant style. Perfect in a contemporary space.

NEW Wallpaper supplier

Beautiful new wallpaper supplier whose designs begin as hand painted artworks and drawings, inspired by the patterns and textures of the New Zealand landscape. The collection is printed on a range of papers, with finishes ranging from shimmering metallics and pearl effects to tactile grass cloth and understated matte textures.

Rugs, pattern, texture and colour

Next stop was one of my rug suppliers, where seeing the rugs up close is still the best way to make a confident decision about colour, pattern, texture and scale.

Whether you love colour and pattern or prefer something quieter, there is always a beautiful rug to discover. And if a plain but beautifully textured rug is more your style, I now have some lovely new samples in the studio.

A Ponsonby Road moment

Arriving on Ponsonby Road a little early for my appointment, I took the chance to have a wander and came across several fruit, vegetable and flower shops with beautiful displays spilling out onto the street. I haven’t seen that in Wellington for a few years, and the prices were excellent too.

Project updates

The1960s Family Home

I haven’t been back on site recently, as these clients have been busy with work commitments, they have sent me photos of the almost complete dining area cabinetry (left) and the extensive storage in the downstairs office (right). We made the most of the 3.5 metre alcove, filling it with cupboards that provide plenty of space for both work and personal storage.

The Penthouse Apartment

The shoe-storage cabinet is now complete. There's styling to complete the picture. Perhaps a collection of organically shaped mirrors above to reflect the colourful rug on the opposite wall. This will bring balance and a considered finish to the hallway.

With several moving parts to coordinate in the three bedrooms, progress has been a little slower than we had hoped. The painting and wallpapering of three bedrooms are now complete, and the new carpet has been installed. As anyone who has renovated will know, it can feel like a marathon when everything must be moved for the installers. For a couple of days, things were more than a little chaotic: the beautiful living room was filled to the brim with furniture from the bedrooms and the second living room, while the baby grand piano even spent a day on the balcony. We are now on the home stretch, with curtains and artwork still to be hung.

A New Project – The Christchurch Chapter

A couple of weeks ago, I had unexpected and very welcome visitors to the studio: lovely clients whose home I had previously worked on before they moved to Christchurch. They were excited to share that they had just purchased a new home there.

Their friend had suggested they would need to find a Christchurch designer to help make their new house feel as lovely as their last. Their response was immediate: “Oh no, Karyn is the interior designer we trust, and she’ll be helping us make the tweaks this home needs.”

Of course, I was flattered, but it was the word trust that meant the most. Trust works both ways: you need to know that I will do my very best work for you, I stake my reputation on it. And I need to know that you are fully committed to the process.

So, a new project is underway. First up are the window treatments, as new homes today come without them. We are also looking at how the spaces will work best for my clients, introducing colour to the all-white walls and finding the right place for their fantastic furniture in its new surroundings.

Need interior design help on your project?
I'm happy to help.

You can email me here.

You can call me on 0275 8888 32

or visit me in the studio.

Affordable Art Finds

While parked on Brandon Street recently, I noticed two art galleries with striking artworks displayed in their windows. They are well worth a look if you are searching for something special to bring colour, personality and character into your home.

New Rinnai Electric fireplace

Last month I was invited to the launch of the Rinnai Velare Hybrid Electric fireplace. It’s a stunning new design that combines the ambience of an electric fire with the extra warmth of heat pump technology. Electric fireplaces are loved for their mesmerising glow and cosy feel, but they are limited to around 2kW of heat. Rinnai has changed that by integrating a heat pump behind the fire creating a simple and clever solution that delivers much more warmth. And it's made here in New Zealand. Brilliant in it’s simplicity and design.

My Book Review

This must be the place - Homes with atmosphere
by Chloe Redmond Warner

In my last book review is was all about neutrality in layers and textures. In Chloe’s debut book, she shows how beautifully layered interiors using muted colour brings sophistication and atmosphere into a home. Her considerations for tactile materiality, pattern play and exuberant colour selections portray a grown up but fun sense of home. Her interiors are not matchy matchy, infact quite bohemian, where there is personal expression from the client with a great mix of textures, colours and patterns for the ultimate cosy space.

What I love in this book is her narrative, it’s a great read about her design briefs. She tells the story behind her decisions, how the art, architecture, and decoration are carefully calibrated into the atmosphere. Quirkily she also lists her music playlists that get her started on each project.

Come in and tell me about your project

New builds - Renovations - Room Refresh

Meet me in the studio. Browse my interior design books for inspiration. Check out my extensive library of samples and materials from flooring to wall and window coverings and furniture.