Grace Brown is Citta Takapuna's stylist and visual merchandiser. Born and bred on the North Shore, she currently lives in Waiake with her partner Kevin and daughter Harlow. With a diploma in interior design and a background in home staging and real estate, Grace is natural when it comes to interiors; it is her absolute passion.
She relishes the opportunity to help clients transform their house to a home. “I love the challenge and creativity that goes into transforming a space, the possibilities are endless and exciting; especially when working with beautiful product.” We asked her a few questions about how to make the most of your home this summer.
Channel Magazine: Please tell us about the latest interior decorating /outdoor living design trends.
Grace Brown: This spring we've found inspiration in nature, playfulness and wonder in a visual journey that revels in the unpredictable. Think: eclectic pops of pattern, colours and a laid-back look for the longer days ahead of indoor and outdoor relaxation and entertaining. For outdoor entertaining you can't go wrong with some of Citta's bean bags, or investing in our ever so popular Orbit outdoor modular furniture which is stylish yet functional with a relaxed look and feel.
CM: Are there particular colour or style themes that come through?
GB: A lot of warm earthy tones of rusty raspberry reds, burnt oranges, dirty citrus hues, mossy greens, soft petally pinks and warm neutrals. Citta's latest collection 'Arcadia' is inspired by the playfulness of nature where beauty is found in contrast of the delicate with bold.
CM: How can someone style a room/deck (or whole house) using this year’s trends, but ensuring that it doesn’t date too quickly?
GB: Start by creating a neutral base, and work from there upwards. The space you live in should reflect your personality and style, so to ensure what you choose doesn't date too quickly, it truly pays to buy quality over quantity and invest in the classics that will stand the test of time. Simply avoid Impulse buys on trendy items that you'll tire of quickly. Choose well-made quality pieces that are made to last.
CM: What are some tips and tricks to make small spaces seem larger, or dark spaces seem lighter, for example?
GB: My number one tip is create an illusion with colour, object and light. For instance, a lighter colour on the walls, ceilings and floor will instantly make a room look and feel bigger or my other favourite is a strategically placed mirror. Placing a mirror across from a window or outdoor area is the best way to reflect light and will make the room look and feel larger.
CM: What about de-cluttering? Please tell us how that can help and how to go about it.
GB: It's the perfect time to do a "spring clean" for the new year ahead and let go of the old to make way for the 'new'. My home is somewhat minimalist; however this can often be challenging with a toddler with many toys! Ask yourself what can be eliminated, what can be stored out of sight, and what items aren't essential; then organise according to priority. I tend to sort into boxes of keep, send to charity, relocate, or bin. This makes the whole culling process a lot less overwhelming. Being consistent with this method and giving everything a home is key.
CM: What are some quick and easy ways to update a tired interior or outdoor living space (living space/bedroom….)?
GB: One of the easiest and most effective ways to give your living area a quick update is to simply change your cushions. You will be amazed what a difference this can make to your living space. Select cushions based on colours that are already at play in your living room; this will ensure other features such as furniture and artwork complement these shades and help tie the room together. Don't be afraid to play with patterns, shapes and texture; this will add more interest and character to the room.
CM: If we ask for an in-store or in-home styling consultation, what’s the process? What are the key benefits in asking a stylist to help?
GB: A home styling consultation is the ideal solution when you have a large home renovation, multiple rooms to style, or when there are pieces of furniture to consider within the space. There is a small $100 charge for this service which is refunded on orders over $1000. I will scope out the space, define your unique needs, tastes and lifestyle before providing a presentation with recommendations. I also offer an in-store styling consultation which is free of charge, where I will work one on one with the client and explore different looks to suit their interior tastes and needs, as well as handy tips and tricks to pull the whole look together. These sessions usually take from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the client’s requirements. Any photos of the home or Pinterest boards you can share with me before or during this session will help to discover your style profile and provide the best recommendations. It is a very simple process to book in a styling consult: simply complete the online form or contact me over the phone.
