KEY POINTS:
Ask an interior designer to name his favourite possession and you'd imagine he'd choose one of his many artworks or a piece of classic glass. And yes, those treasures are important to Jason Bonham, but it's his collection of photographs of his loved ones that is closest to his heart.
"It reminds me of my friends. I feel like they are still with me when I can see them every day, which is especially good when I'm living internationally," says the well-travelled designer, who has recently returned from living in New York, California and England, where he worked on high-end residential projects.
The elegantly framed photographs adorn the sleek, dark wood furniture in Bonham's St Mary's Bay, Auckland, home, mingled with mementoes from around the world.
They have to compete for attention, however, with his extensive art collection, which is so vast that he can't display it all.
"I'm obsessed with collecting art," he admits. "I currently have about 50-60 pieces of art all stacked and in storage. "It's nice to have a large collection because you can rotate things when you get bored with them. If I tire of something I just change it. I'm not a hoarder, but I do hold on to the things with sentimental value, and things that I really love."
He never buys a piece of art unless he loves it, and he is particularly partial to the work of contemporary artists.
"My major buzz is surrealist oils. I love artwork that really draws you into it and has a wonderful sense of three- dimensionality. You feel like you could put yourself in the space.
"I love Chosio, an Italian surrealist; Jason Lilley; James Lau and Banksy. The weirdest things in my home are some cubist paintings by Peter Jeubert. They're very odd to look at, and everyone sees something different."
He describes his interior design style as contemporary with clean lines and simple textures.
"I like to create warm, glamorous interiors so that when you enter the space it has a sense of homeliness and personality and is also really comfortable."
He's been putting his talents to work as one of two designers on TV2's upcoming series, Trading Houses, guiding couples through a home makeover. Bonham shies away from a one-size-fits-all approach to designing.
"There are no hard and fast rules. Interior design is individual. It's just a matter of taking those elements that may be risque and making sure they work with the rest of the house. I generally decorate with a neutral palette, adding colour with furniture, lighting, art and accessories. It's about balance."
Leanne Moore is the editor of Your Home & Garden. For more on Jason Bonham's home, see the issue on sale now, or visit www.yourhomeandgarden.co.nz.
