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LeeAnn Yare: stylist, author, store owner

06 Apr 2016

LeeAnn Yare is a powerhouse. Not only is she an interior designer, international pilot and author but also a store-owner and mother.

What do you love most about your multi-faceted life?

The variety. I'm very lucky to be able to combine my love of travel and my love of design, and to share both with my family. I'm continuously inspired by what I see and experience in my travels, and this translates into how I decorate and style my home, and design or source products for my store Collected. Inspiration is all around us which, for example, from a recent family holiday to San Francisco was anything from a painted pattern in a street art mural, all four of us designing customised Converse high tops, to vintage hexagon tiles found on the floor of a washroom at Alcatraz.

Tell us a bit about your current ventures

As well as styling and writing features for some of my favourite interiors magazines, I'm also working on a series of in-store style guides for Resene, and continuing to curate and design new homewares to add to our own Collected brand of products for my store. I have done two books with photographer Larnie Nicolson – New Zealand Interior Style, and Rooms to Love.

How would you describe your personal style?

Mixed not matched, collected and curated, not too serious, and continuously evolving.

What is your favourite decorating colour and why?

I don't have one, I have many! It depends on the situation and what I am trying to create. The colour palettes I am drawn to are always changing. I do get asked a lot for my go-to shade of white, which is Resene Quarter Black White.

What do you love most about your own home?

I'll be honest, it's not my dream home. It's about creating the best personality filled home that you and the people you share it with enjoy. Our home changes constantly, as I try out new ideas with colour or pattern or layout, or as our two boys grow and their needs and loves change. I chose paintable anaglypta wallpaper for our lounge wall, so it's easy to change on a whim. It started out white, then turned black, and currently it's soft pink (Resene Cavern Pink).

Is there a colour you would never use in your own home?

Never is a strong word, as there's always a place for everything. I'm not a huge fan of beige. I think it's been so over-used simply because homeowners think its safe and don't spend time looking at the alternatives. When I get asked about using neutrals I always suggest considering shades of white or grey over beige. They don't date as easily, and will work with everything.


www.collected.co.nz

Published: 06 Apr 2016