At Home: A family affair

A charming newspaper description is what initially attracted Zoe Williams and her family to their Grey Lynn villa.

Bought by her mother, Anna Sibbald, 15 years ago, their "rambling farm house in the centre of the city" is the hub of family life for Williams, who launched jewellery label Zoe & Morgan with her two siblings in 2005.

Previously based in London, Williams and partner Teia (a builder by trade and musician by night as part of band Tokyo Street Gang) moved back to New Zealand and into the family home late last year to raise their children 2-half-year-old Ace and Mia, 6 months.

It is a lovely and welcoming home, full of heirloom pieces and treasures sourced from Williams' overseas travels - pretty gems against a white background, something that Williams likes to have as much as possible of in her spaces.

Family is as central to the home as it is to Williams' business: Mia was born here in December last year, Sibbald lives with the Williams' in a private space in the large, Balinese-inspired garden setting out the back, and family references are scattered throughout, whether it be photographs, family-made artwork, or inherited furniture.

Their family home in London was just as charming; the top few floors of a period home situated next door to old English pub The Lansdowne in Primrose Hill.

"The space was very homely and very white, explains Williams.

"An eccentric mix of things we love: classics from the 1930s and 1950s and random finds through our worldly travels."

Many of these random finds have found their way down to New Zealand, including a treasured Eames rocker that was a gift from friends in London, "so I could feed my son in style".

A white oversized Anglepoise lamp is another London find. A quirky and giant twist on the classic and iconic shape, Williams sourced this from the original lamp manufacturers in Britain, who produced the three-times-as-big-as-the-original lamp to celebrate its 70th birthday.

"It suits being in a big space, so it actually looked better in our London office - but I'm sure it'll look good in our future dream home too!" says Williams, who confesses to a major soft spot for miniature and giant proportions on normal, everyday objects.

She also has a penchant for light interiors, whether it be white ceramics from the mid-century or painted white walls and wooden floors.

The effect of all of this white is far from the minimalism traditionally associated with the colour - it's more fresh, light and airy, thanks in large part to the windows that feature throughout the home.

A quirky, vintage-look wallpaper printed with hummingbirds and foliage offsets the clean white walls as well. Williams bought it in London from Osborne & Little, attracted to its tonal qualities.

"I'm really into colour and I dress myself in block colour dresses and coats to set off accessories. But I love interiors to be light shades to set off furniture and lighting features. I adorn my home with small colourful flower arrangements to keep the colours fresh and inspiring."

This sense of spaciousness is also enhanced by Williams' standout collection of mirrors, almost an art feature in themselves.

"I have always admired bevel-edged mirrors, and in London we lived close to a weekend market that used to be horse stables but was converted into antique dealers' stalls. I started buying the mirrors as I thought they made great presents for friends - so whenever I saw a good one, I'd keep it as stock. Our walls started to fill up with them en route."

Also lovingly displayed on her walls are originals from past Zoe & Morgan collaborations with artists and illustrators, a piece from New Zealand artist Sarah Maxey, a mounted dinosaur head and behind that Williams had made in Bali ("I love the silliness of them!") and an antique wooden deer head also found in Bali.

"I often travel with an assortment of bits and bobs in my suitcase," she says.

Bali holds a special place in Williams' heart: brother Morgan lives there and her son Ace was born there at his home. It was Morgan who handcarved the beautiful rosewood swallows that embellish a wall space above one of the doors, "just for fun".

Williams also collects crockery, sourced mainly from the London Anitique Markets, the odd car boot sale and since returning to New Zealand, Trade Me. Mainly white crockery is scattered throughout the house, from Crown Lynn vases to fine bone china tea cups to a white teapot with legs for a handle.

"This is by a friend at Undergrowth Design. I love the legs but the dynamic to poor tea is not perfect, so I use it as a vase these days. Teapots make great vases and flowers make me happy. Nina and Co do my bouquets - they are a favourite of mine. I need to have a sense of beauty in my surrounding to be creative and free," says Williams. And just like her home, Williams' collection of china is closely related to family.

"Tea tastes better out of fine bone china, and I'm a big tea drinker. Ace, my mum and I all share a pot of tea before we start the day. It's a little ritual that is more satisfying when using beautiful objects - it starts the day on the right note!"