Atop a foundation of practicality, a dash of daring and a soupçon of surprise never goes amiss, says Katie Peck of Kurio Design.
Interior designer Katie Peck trained in the UK
In the 1920s home that interior designer Katie Peck shares with her husband and young family, the kitchen is chalky green, the custom-designed bunk beds for the children are robin-egg blue and the loo is painted top to toe (ceilings and all) in a dark, dusky pink. “Everyone is tired of grey, sombre interiors,” says Katie who relishes the chance to put personality in the spotlight whenever she can.
Not her personality, mind you – that of her clients. Katie, who was born in Yorkshire and gained her degree in interior architecture at Middlesex University, London, believes her profession is part designer/part psychologist. Alongside the functional, she loves to tease out the aesthetic leanings of homeowners. She might peek into their closet to see the type of clothes they favour or ask questions about their art. “After all, they will have chosen their wardrobe and art for a reason.”
A client’s love of bright colours inspired Katie’s decision to use teal-green in their kitchen.
Having worked at United Designers in the UK, where she was responsible for the interior styling at five-star properties such as the Mandarin Oriental, Hilton and W Hotels, and later outfitting supermarkets in Amsterdam, she has broad experience. Coming to Aotearoa New Zealand, where product availability is more limited and the budgets are a little tighter, was something of a culture shock. But she has adapted. “For Kiwis the need for connection to the outdoors is greater,” she explains. “In Wellington, which has so much harbour and sky, we tend to use a lot of warmer tones, and green, to balance this out.”
In a recent project, kitchen cabinetry in a punchy teal-green reflected the clients’ taste (they like bright colours) but Katie was sure to tone it down using elements of honeyed oak. “Timber has such a grounding effect,” she says. Not one to follow trends, especially when it comes to high-investment rooms, she likes to fit the look to the client and the space. She believes that black kitchens need fairly high ceilings and lots of light to succeed within an open-plan environment, otherwise they can dominate. But if you go for white, make sure you include lots of texture and natural timber accents, so the look doesn’t feel boring.
Swirling green marble brings colour and depth to a bathroom
Rich colours and lots of layering is her message and not just with scatter cushions on the sofa; Katie sees missed design opportunities everywhere. A built-in upholstered headboard can be a nice way to add texture and softness in bedrooms. Team this with soft lighting, perhaps a pendant with a silk
shade. And don’t forget the wardrobes, either. “They often take up a whole wall in the room,” she points out. “Don’t just paint them the same colour as the rest of the space.” Instead, perk them up by making profiled-door recesses a different shade or painting them with shapes or even wallpapering them.
A built-in upholstered headboard is a clever way to add texture to a bedroom.
“When building new, put your best efforts into making sure the layout and flow of the home works for you and your family – then relax a little,” says Katie. “If you feel unsure, ask a designer for help or, if you go it alone and choose a colourful duvet that you decide you hate the very next day, it isn’t the end of the world. Live distinctively. You’ll never regret it.”
ON MY RADAR...
Super Creative is a podcast hosted by Catie Dawson which features creative New Zealand women. I always find it interesting to listen to other creatives talk about their professions and why they do what they do.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. I saw it at the library and it had rave reviews. Bodkin is the last TV series I watched. It’s an engaging and often comedic mystery that features a stunning Irish backdrop. Better to have tried and failed than to live life wondering what would have happened if you had tried. This is my mantra.
William Gray Young is the architect that designed the Wellington Railway Station which opened in 1937, and he also designed my home. Wellington’s art galleries – I enjoy popping in to Jhana Millers Gallery, Page Galleries and City Gallery for some ‘me’ time.