Love of Paris inspired interior designer Antonia Cooney
Name: Antonia Cooney Occupation: Interior designer, artist Area: Mount Maunganui
Interior designer Antonia Cooney has a new ambition ... she plans to travel to Amsterdam next year to design her son's recently purchased original canal house.
She can't wait to be immersed in anotherEuropean culture.
The well-travelled artist has "got a little gypsy in her soul". She is all about new experiences, new cultures, goals and embracing new chapters of life.
Antonia fell in love with Paris and for the last eight years has immersed herself in its bohemian and artistic culture.
"I've been living in the 18th Arrondissement Montwartre area which is rich in its bohemian culture. This lovely space inspired my passion for design and love of the French culture."
On her return to New Zealand, Antonia was bursting with ideas when she went in search of her own abode. She purchased her beautiful apartment close to the beach and Downtown the Mount.
Antonia was instantly sold on the French loft feel about the apartment and set about the task of renovation. She's been an interior designer for 25 years.
Everything has its place, each item has its own back-story and has been meticulously hand-picked to compliment its surroundings. "Shabby chic is the theme throughout the now renovated apartment. As a designer I knew I had to start from an existing object with the feel of the dwelling."
That existing object was the kitchen's black bench. This dictated the black and white tiles in the bathrooms which were also inspired by a beautiful room she saw in Paris.
The dated grey carpet was replaced with soft white washed boards and narrow blinds in the living area were replaced with white shutters designed to open up above her French vintage sofa (with a Grace Kelly cushion made with fabric from London).
Antonia in her newly renovated apartment. Photo/Andrew Warner.
A piano she imported from Mexico adorns her studio which draws people to that space, Antonia says. Andrew Martin's Ric Rac carnival range wallpaper is on the walls of the studio.
She encourages people to be creative in their own space.
"Don't be afraid to apply varying textures and styles and mix your favourite colours together. There are, however, some design principles. Selecting colours to compliment rooms is an extension of artistic foresight.
"Having items you love and cherish create warmth and familiarity that develops your personal zone to call home," she says.
Interior designer Antonia's time in Paris inspired her passion for bohemian and artistic culture. Photo/Andrew Warner
