Mt Eden villa a hundred years young

Rachyl Abraham chose a dark stain for her polished floorboards as a contrast to the walls and ceiling. Pictures / Carolyn Robertson

Rachyl abraham's makeover of a rundown Auckland villa is an ideal showcase for her talents as an interior decorator.

Revamped for contemporary family living, designer touches include Abraham's own Tesori children's furniture range and a stunning French-style bath that's the centrepiece of the family bathroom.

"The previous owners were hoarders so the rooms were packed with things but we could see that it had great potential. The house was a lovely old lady but she just needed to be brought into this century," says Abraham, who shares her Mt Eden home with husband Tony and daughters Charlotte, 3, and Gabriella, 11 months.

She launched Tesori shortly after the birth of her first child.

"I wanted to produce a range of furniture that could grow with your child's needs and one that was painted in colours which would appeal to children, but also fit well into the decor of a modern home."

Abraham, who studied interior design while living in London for four years, says her business has grown considerably in the past three years.

"I arrived back in New Zealand at a time when interior design seemed to be taking off. There were a lot of television shows on interior decorating and many people who would not have considered using an interior designer suddenly realised the value of getting in an expert."

What do you like about the area you live in?

We love the tree-lined streets full of character older homes. We are within 10 minutes of the central city, yet Mt Eden has a nice relaxed village feel and everything is within walking distance.

What did the renovation of your home involve?

We have totally renovated a basically derelict early 1900s single-bay villa. We chose it as we like high studs, big windows, wide floor boards and internal detailing, but they do come with their own issues. Everything needed replacing and renovating, and at the same time we added an extension to create a casual open-plan living, dining and kitchen area. This gave us plenty of scope to add our own personal touch. The villa now has a sense of spaciousness and offers all the comforts of a modern home. The decor features wood, stone, water hyacinth (cane) furniture, concrete and muted colours inspired by nature.

Your dark-stained floorboards are a stunning feature of your home. What are your views on flooring?

Polished floorboards always look smart and fresh. We chose a dark stain because it's a nice contrast to the soft walls and ceiling but these days there are several options, from blonded boards to washes in matt, satin or high-gloss finishes. If bare floorboards seem a bit cold and unwelcoming in winter use an eye-catching rug to add warmth. If your walls and furniture are quite imposing choose a subtle rug, or a carpet in soft tones and have it edged in leather or suede. If your room tends to the neutrals add a rug with colour and texture to lift and define the space.

Do you have a favourite room?

I like our main bathroom because it's a room we can enjoy, as well as being functional. I wanted to create a room that had a "wow" factor but also worked as a practical family bathroom. The bath is the focal point, but the space has been designed so more than one person can use the room and still have privacy.

Do you have any pre-loved pieces in your home?

When I was in London I started collecting dinnerware. I was drawn to natural colours - the same colours that are everywhere in my house. The great thing about that is everything always goes together.

Do you have some tips on storage?

You can never have enough storage - no matter how minimal people aim to be, they still accumulate bits and pieces over time. Build in as much storage as possible, such as built-in wardrobes and window seats with storage below. Floating shelves (without brackets) provide a display area that doesn't look cluttered. If your bathroom is on the small side use mirrors to open up the space - this works best if you can install a mirror along an entire wall. Try a double bed instead of a queen size in smaller bedrooms, while bunks in children's rooms create extra floor space. Look for bunks that convert into beds to give you more options later.

Is your work mainly with villas and bungalows?

My passion is character heritage homes although I thoroughly enjoy the diversity of different styles of homes and the challenges they involve. Currently I'm working on a new home, an ex-state house and a couple of character homes.

What's your favourite interior indulgence?

I can't go past quality bed linen and accessories. There's nothing better than getting into pure cotton bedding with a high thread count - it's worth every dollar. I personally stick to off-whites and natural shades then add a light quilt and cushions in paler shades for summer and in winter I change my accessories to a merino throw and woollen cushions in rich chocolate. Chambers in Ponsonby Rd is a favourite of mine. It has linen from around the world and the selection is second to none.

What is your favourite piece in your range of children's furniture?

The sleigh cot is divine. It has strong contemporary lines, yet it looks great in both a traditional and modern setting, depending on the accessories. It is solid and will stand the test of time. When your little one grows it converts perfectly into a daybed or sofa.

What's the best advice you could give someone renovating their home?

The colour palette you choose can have a dramatic impact on your home. It's vital to try test-pots in the room, not just in the paint shop, as the hues will vary depending on the size and light. If you tend toward neutrals go for colours that have warmth and a bit of depth. If you prefer a stronger colour scheme don't be talked into choosing a safer option. Go with colours that instinctively appeal to you, but you may need expert advice to ensure the overall look is balanced. Finally enjoy the process of working with a decorator - after all, it is your personal canvas and space.