Marilyn Cleland is a residential and commercial interior designer with a passion for fabrics and furnishings that's reflected in her seaside home. She talks to Pip Crombie.
My living room feels like an old friend. Our property was purchased a little over 30 years ago when people did not want to live by the sea. How things have changed.
We have all grown up in this room, lived its seasons and loved its moods. It has been years in the making, hosted many family occasions, decade parties, large dinner parties, weddings, small fireside snacks, comforted our tears and inspired many creative moments.
PHOTO/JOHN BORREN
We debate sometimes whether it is a better winter or summer room. In winter, the fire is burning, curtains pulled and candles lit _ slow-cooked casserole, red wine glows. During warm summer months windows and doors are flung open to let the sun and breezes into the room.
The deck becomes an important extension, platters being a hugely popular pastime. At one stage we completely outgrew the room, didn't seem enough space. Now the balance is about right and the room is settling into a new age.
I love company and will cook given any excuse. My catering and flower company operated from the room for 10 years when the girls were younger. The largest event organised from here was the launching of the frigate Te Mana: 800 people for afternoon tea.
We prepped in the room and, thankfully, the Navy was on standby at the port to assist when we arrived.
PHOTO/JOHN BORREN
My linen couch was given to me by a couple who rented the house for two weeks one summer. It is an unusual shape but sits in its glory and I really can't bear to change it. It was nicknamed the Boardroom as it seemed to draw us to it for serious discussions.
I often wonder what my reaction would be if I walked into a client's house and was confronted by the couch. Carpet has never been an option in the room. We sanded the floors several years ago and spent hours staining them, grey, of course.
One of my great loves is collecting antique silver cutlery and table linen. I have 10 very large, French-linen monogrammed napkins designed to be worn tucked into collars at mealtimes - the French are so sensible and aware of ruining good clothing, but my favourite pieces are 40 pickle forks collected over the years (they have become a family inheritance joke) and 12 beautiful, German, silver monogrammed knives with no forks, but ah, another collection, I think.
All rooms seem more personal if they do have little or large collections of pieces that are loved. I also believe in hanging on to an old chair that was a family piece just for the sake of it. I never feel unhappy in my room - the colour tones suit me - although the girls do call me Mrs Grey.
The colours I use as highlights always blend. It is very forgiving and fades down really subtly, a great bonus for seaside living. I love raw textured linens. My room is filled with pieces that have meaning to me, often collected on overseas trips.
PHOTO/JOHN BORREN
This year I will visit as many markets in France during our limited time there to source old linen bedspreads to bring home to sell in my studio and make into curtains for the downstairs bedroom. The sketches are street art from Montparnasse and the plate is from Anouska Hempel's boutique in London.
Often, when I am involved with a client's project using very modern design and colours, I flirt with the idea of living in a clear, uncluttered, minimalist environment. Very tempting but, generally, I return home to my favourite spot on the couch among the clutter, looking at the water and feel a sense of peace and calm.
A house should not take your energy. It should restore and nurture you. I enjoy experimenting with new fabrics in my home that are released by fabulous European fabric houses several times a year. Generally, the tones are muted. I particularly love Spanish designs and prints.
We have had wonderful times in this room. Kimberley's friends refer to the house as Harbourside Apartments. Beds are always made up and rooms ready. It feels like home.
Last year, we installed a memorial seat in front of our house as part of the waterfront walkway development and we are thrilled to see how many people stop, rest and enjoy the view as we have over the years.
