Lee-Ann Taylor is a director of Taylor Brothers Transport, run by her husband Andrew in Tauranga and Katikati. Their renovated period house in the avenues' golden triangle is an oasis away from the madding crowd, and the scene of many a social gathering.
When we bought the house in 2008 ithad original tired 50s decor. The plan was to knock it down and rebuild bigger. In the meantime, I wanted to give it a tidy-up. With the help of Tauranga interior designer Marilyn Cleland, we gave it a facelift. We liked the result so much we have ended up staying - teaching me that I could love smaller spaces as long as they have soul.
This room looks out on to the harbourfront. However, I love to pull the drapes and create a haven. I light candles, put on samba music, and invite the girls over for conversation and cocktails. I love to have people around - eating, drinking, talking and having fun. Most Fridays I have some sort of gathering. This one is our book club, with my good girls Sarah Watene of Cadlab Architecture and Lisza O'Dwyer, visual display artist at Wendy's Boutique. We talk books, amongst other things. Today, we are having Southern Comfort cocktails and home-made fudge to fuel our discussion about who is literature's most perfect man. We decide it's Jamie Fraser, the hero of Diana Gabaldon's Cross Stitch.
The colours throughout the house are my favourites - turquoise and orange with a charcoal base. The orange tables are from Bo Concept. Everyone is a bit nervous of the couch, being white. I tell them to curl up, put their feet up, and relax. The kids, Toby, 7, and Bella, 9, bounce all over it. It just wipes clean. It's modular so I create different looks in the room. The wallpaper shows off the original cornicing, which is a feature we love. The metallic angel was my 40th birthday present. It's from Hot Ginger, owned by my friend Chris Montgomerie. It watches over all the parties. We hang lights on it at Christmas.
The pressed tin dresser [right] we spotted on a trip to the Mission Estate Winery Concert. I saw it in the window and looked at Andrew, who said: "It will have to go on the back of the ute." I put my candles and my beloved photos on there.
I love my treasures but am not precious about the room. It's here to be shared. I tell people to leave their shoes on when they come in my house. What's the point of wearing a cocktail dress if you can't keep your high heels on?
