Warm welcome

UNO’s new interiors expert, Lisa Perko from Wantem Design, offers tips and tricks to make your home more inviting, comfortable and a joy to live in.

photos Jahl Marshall + supplied

Everyone’s path into the world of interiors is different. In my case, it was more of an evolution. I was in my 30s when I remodelled my first home. I still remember the feeling of excitement having this blank canvas to work with; reconfiguring floorplans, paint colour, furniture and the thrill of watching the transformation take place. Once it was finished, I sold it and did the same thing to my second home and then third.  

Fast forward 10 years of buying-selling-moving in Vanuatu and then Auckland, I found myself relocating to Tauranga, looking forward to the next project. However, I upset the apple cart by falling in love with the property I was working on and wanted to stay. I decided this time to stay in the house, but, missing the rush of a new project, I knew I must be hooked.
So I went back to school and earned a Diploma in Interior Design, so I could continue transforming homes. And I could not be more grateful for where I ended up. 

For my first entrance as UNO’s interior design columnist, I thought it befitting to talk about the place where you first enter a home: the entryway. 

Entryways provide the first impression of your home. They also provide a functional purpose of taking off shoes, hanging bags and coats, depositing keys and letters. Typically, entryway furniture consists of a console table, decorative décor, mirror, artwork and seating.

Styling is all about putting together a combination of the above items to create a wow factor. No matter what the size of your entryway, follow my steps on where to start.

Step 1

Assess the size of your space. This dictates how the area can be decorated. The important factor here is not to block the natural walkway. If space allows, start with a console table. To personalise the look, add items like a bowl for keys, books, vase or plant. Fill the wall space above the console with artwork or a mirror. Leave as is or add seating and voila! For narrow spaces, focus on the wall space instead. Add items that take up little bulk. For instance, mirrors, artwork and decorative hooks for bags and coats.

Step 2

With your layout now configured, for continuity, make sure to choose furniture that complements the rest of your home. 

Step 3

Enjoy!