Emma Devcich of Green With Envy knows a thing or two about design. She shares her philosophies and the origins of the Cambridge shop, a sister store to her sister’s Matakana outlet.
Tell us a bit about your background and how you became an interior designer.
The interior design seed was sown at an early age. My sister Nic and I spent our childhood renovating houses with our parents. We were given carte blanche to design our bedrooms. Mine had blue floral wallpaper with blue-trim furniture, walls papered with pictures of Greece and a large Leif Garrett poster! I still remember the pride I had for that room. Nic opened her first homeware store, Green with Envy, in Matakana nine years ago. I live in Cambridge, so it seemed like a natural fit for her to open her second store here. I segued from working on my own projects to designing for the store and partnered with Sue Williamson, an established Wellington designer, who had moved to Cambridge.
The artfully arranged Green With Envy store in Cambridge.
What’s a common misconception that clients have about interior design?
That interior designers are expensive and not necessary. A good designer offers solutions for all budgets and saves you making expensive mistakes. This perception is definitely changing.
What does living well at home mean to you?
A sanctuary of calm and an appreciation for simplicity. This has never felt so important as it has in the last couple of years. Your home should be a reflection of who you are. It’s about creating a special place to spend quality time with family and friends. Comfort, texture and lighting are important to me, and not sacrificing function over form. I’m sentimental, so I like to live with books, photos, art and pieces from my travels, and incorporate them into the design. It’s the little things – my favourite mug, beautiful candles, quality bed linen, freshly cut flowers and a feeling of order at home – that bring me joy.
How do you apply sustainability to your work?
Wherever possible we support New Zealand artisans. Over the past two years we have incorporated many more locally made products into our collections. Furniture is custom made for us and we’ve designed a Green With Envy accessories range, which is all made locally. We also have long-standing relationships with New Zealand suppliers who are moving to more sustainable packaging and practices. When we buy internationally, we are discerning. We want our customers to buy once, buy quality and enjoy it for years to come.
The artfully arranged Green With Envy store in Cambridge.
What materials and furniture will endure and are worth investing in?
Items you will spend the most time using – a great sofa, dining table and chairs, and a comfy bed. Solid wood and honest materials – linen, leather, wool, sheepskin. These are beautiful to live with, adding texture and comfort and getting better with age.
The contemporary New Zealand design aesthetic has tended to be quite pared back – how is it evolving?
We think the pared-back look has evolved into a more meaningful living space, where people are welcoming texture, tactile elements, artwork and juxtaposed furniture, such as placing an inherited antique table next to a modern sideboard.
The artfully arranged Green With Envy store in Cambridge.
What inspires you about living and working in your region?
The people – we have the nicest customers. The Waikato has some very talented people, including award-winning architects, ceramicists, artists, furniture and kitchen designers, to name a few. It’s exciting to see how Cambridge has evolved over the past decade. It is a popular destination with its elite sport centres, cycleways, independent stores and great coffee and eateries.
greenwithenvy.co.nz
