Finding your design style
Your interior design style lies within; it just needs encouragement to emerge. Finding it is less about following trends and more about realising what feels authentic to you. It’s your home after all.
By exploring your favourite colours, textures, and materials, considering your lifestyle needs, and curating pieces that speak to your personality, even if they don’t entirely match, you can create a space that is cohesive and uniquely yours.
Kath Preston of Two Birds Design is a dedicated interior designer based in Christchurch, known for innovative, modern spaces. She believes your home should reflect your personality by putting together a space that feels like you, but without feeling chaotic.
“Texture and materials are the most useful tools for creating an interior that feels interesting and cohesive. Even if your furniture styles differ, repeating materials helps to tie everything together.”
Uniting different furniture styles to form your own blend doesn’t have to be complicated. “Mix styles but try to keep the materials like the wood tone and metal finishes consistent,” Kath says. “Visually, this makes everything in the space feel like it belongs.”
Contrast versus cohesion
When mixing textures, repeat them at least twice to make through-line continuity. Contrast adds interest without feeling too cluttered. These strategies can be incredibly effective when expertly executed. “With heavy textures like boucle, this can be balanced by layering it with smoother textures like leather or stone.”
Colour and tone are equally powerful tools for cohesion. Even if shapes and styles vary, similar colour undertones can pull a room together. Kath suggests forming an inviting palette by pairing warm oak with brass accents and warm-coloured textiles, such as tiles or fabrics.
“For a contrasting interior, mixing natural wood, black metal and stone with textured fabrics works well,” she says. “A beautiful artwork or a rug in a similar tone can help pull the scheme together.”
Storage and shelving are another way to manage variety without chaos. Stylish baskets or boxes hide everyday clutter, while open shelving can showcase meaningful items such as photos, art, vases, plants, or ornaments. Kath recommends dividing shelves into thirds, left, centre, right, and layering objects from back to front.
“Leaning art or framed photos at the back and placing smaller pieces at the front, and adding a plant can create extra depth and interest. Don’t be afraid to play around; your eye will tell you what works best.”
Interiors informed by identity
When honing your style sense, balancing personality with cohesion is key. You have to get real with what you like. Your home should reflect who you are, not just what looks good on Instagram. With a little experimentation and attention to balance, your style will naturally reveal itself.
“Firstly, identify who you are,” Kath says, then posing many questions. Are you calm or energetic? Are you minimal or bold? Are you relaxed and natural? Or more playful and eclectic? Do you value comfort, sophistication and nostalgia? How do you like your home to feel: interesting, creative or cosy?
Displaying a selection of interesting items, such as artwork, cushions and rugs, throughout your home can achieve your desired style without overdoing it.
“Remember, less is more, select signature items that say something about you and try to create visual balance without adding too much clutter.”
Not every item will match, and that is okay. The intentional clash can absolutely work, Kath says. “And it can look incredibly sophisticated when done on purpose. The key is controlled contrast, not chaos. Kiwis are very good at this because New Zealand style naturally blends boldness, nature, and laid-back eclecticism.”
Social media versus reality
The process might feel overwhelming, but the reality is that the images we see in print and online are homes at their cleanest and most curated.
“Feeling shame about unorganised spaces is more common than you think. Styled homes on Instagram and Pinterest, in magazines, or even in real estate photos are photo shoots that have been cleaned, staged, photographed, and edited by professionals and don’t represent real life. The clutter is hiding in the garage or the cupboard. You’re not failing.”
Kath even takes it a step further. “A mismatched home is more personal, lived in, creative, unique, and human. Your home is a living space that evolves with you over time. Matching everything can look flat and lack soul and personality. Just enjoy it.”
Indeed, at Two Birds Design, the goal is for clients to enjoy their homes. Kath Preston ensures each space is practical, beautiful, and reflective of her clients’ personalities, forming environments that enhance daily life and tell a unique story. Visit www.twobirdsdesign.co.nz for more.
