One of the decorating stylists at Auckland's upcoming Home Show, LeeAnn Yare enjoys using the trompe l'oeil effect.
A freelance stylist and writer for leading magazines such as Your Home & Garden both in New Zealand and internationally, and resident designer on TV2's Trading Houses, LeeAnn Yare is passionate about design and is well known for her cleverly mixed interiors.
Showcasing everything from recognised designer pieces to vintage and second-hand finds, Yare has established her position in the world of design with her original interpretation of trends, her individual sense of style, and a wholly practical approach to interiors.
Yare is one of four designers, along with Janice Kumar-Ward, Amanda Neil and Philippa Hunt, selected to inspire and amaze by creating a designer room at this year's Auckland Homeshow. Following a brief of "the five senses" Yare shows us a sneak preview of what to expect in her room.
Dresses Wallpaper
Inspired by "trompe l'oeil", meaning a trick of the eye, Yare has used the "five senses" brief to create a room unique to her own design flair. As a starting point to surprise the senses, Yare opted for hand-printed wallpapers by British designer Deborah Bowness from Paper Room. These detail create an illusion of real objects on the walls. With a vintage feel, the wallpaper drops are juxtaposed against a transparent chair from Kartell and one of the newest Ebb Bounce lighting designs from David Trubridge.
Books on fireplace
"Genuine fake" books make an instant floor-to-ceiling library, and a second-hand fire surround gets a new lease of life in one of Yare's favourite interior colours right now, glossy black from Resene. Dusky pink glass vases at $12 a pop from The Warehouse instantly become covetable when filled with fragrant blooms.
Teacup and glasses
Who doesn't love a good book and a cup of tea or a latte? There is nothing better than the surreal escape of a good book, evoking all of the senses and transporting the reader to another time and place, says Yare, who also collects vintage books to use as a decorative tool. One of a set that are all different colours, the teacup and saucer are from her favourite store, Flotsam & Jetsam.
Sofa and sidetable
Yare says she enjoys using colour and her favourite sofa design, the Chester by GT Designs, has taken centre-stage in a vibrant hue she calls Bittossi Blue (as it reminds her of 1960s Italian pottery by Bittossi). She chose a Textilia wool fabric - "such a beautiful texture you just have to touch it". Vintage printers' blocks and a sculpture Yare made from folding pages inwards in an old paperback continue with the library theme. A lamp from Kartell adds a modern edge, and touches of Florence Broadhurst patterns are evident in cushions and a single curtain, tied back with a piece of shipping rope.
* The Auckland Home Show runs from Wednesday, September 8 until Sunday, September 12 at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane.
For more info, go to aucklandhomeshow.co.nz.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
