When Greg and Margaret had their three-bedroom rural Rotorua home overlooking Lake Tarawera built two years ago, they knew they wanted a bright, welcoming interior that complemented the country outlook, but they weren’t sure how to go about achieving it.“I’d say we have a low level of ‘style intelligence’, if there is such a thing!” laughs Margaret. For help, they brought in interior designer Donna Morrison of Material Girl [www.mgirl.co.nz]. Donna drew on the colours of a country autumn to bring vibrancy to the home – deep reds, greens and olives. The most dramatic choices were made in the main bedroom, where a feature wall in Resene Hot August reflects the often-fiery sunset views, and is offset by the burnt orange and maroon curtains in a Warwick silk.

Why did you make the colour scheme choices you did? I really love bright colours and Greg is into natural tones. Donna struck an excellent compromise by choosing strong, natural colours with a lot of depth.

What was the biggest challenge?
Getting Greg to accept paying $14,000 for curtains. I reckon it was worth every penny (I love beautiful fabrics) – he still can’t get his head around it!

What was the greatest success in the build?
The whole project was a huge success. We achieved a beautiful home within budget and with minimum stress. The key to this success was engaging talented professionals at every stage of the process.

Where is the space that you get your greatest satisfaction?
We both like the master bedroom the best. It is our own glorious space with a fantastic outlook and a cosy, intimate interior feel.

What is your advice for someone trying to achieve a similar look?
A good interior designer is worth their weight in gold. So are nice curtains.

Interior design: Donna Morrison / Material Girl
Architectural specifier: Gerald Stock Architect
Painting Contractor: through Ronal Tissink Builders
Photography: Craig Robertson Photography

Red and orange tones dominate in the master bedroom. The duvet cover (in a “gorgeous fabric”, says Margaret) comes from Wallace Cotton. The opulent curtain fabric is Warwick Koeda Persimmon. The picture on the wall is a painting Margaret has had for many years; a limited edition print of Mount Egmont by Taranaki artist Peter Lambert.

Interior design: Donna Morrison / Material Girl Architectural specifier: Gerald Stock Architect
Painting Contractor: through Ronal Tissink Builders
Photography: Craig Robertson Photography

The warm tones continue through to the kitchen, which features a solid wood benchtop in Australian eco-harvest Blackwood and the spice-toned Resene Chelsea Gem on the walls. The oven/gas cooktop is a Delongi Designer Freestanding gas hob and electric oven sourced from Noel Leeming.

Interior design: Donna Morrison / Material Girl
Architectural specifier: Gerald Stock Architect
Painting Contractor: through Ronal Tissink Builders
Photography: Craig Robertson Photography

The living room is a relaxed space, with walls painted in Resene Akaroa. The recycled rimu coffee table and TV cabinet came from Dewhurst Furniture. As in the bedroom, the curtains in Warwick Mizu Riverside add luxury. The Lusso modular sofa suite came from David Shaw Furniture.

Interior design: Donna Morrison / Material Girl
?Architectural specifier: Gerald Stock Architect
Painting Contractor: through Ronal Tissink Builders
Photography: Craig Robertson Photography

In the guest bedroom, the bedside lamp came from Lighting Direct, but Margaret had to go a little further for the elephant statue – she haggled hard for it at a roadside stall in Kathmandu, Nepal. The gentle green used for the walls (Resene Ventura) echoes the colour of lush autumn pasture.

Interior design: Donna Morrison / Material Girl
Architectural specifier: Gerald Stock Architect
Painting Contractor: through Ronal Tissink Builders
Photography: Craig Robertson Photography

The bathroom is a cool haven, using Resene Grey Olive on the walls. The tiles are Lime stone mosaic tiles from the Tile Warehouse with Island Stone detail over the vanity and in the shower.

Interior design: Donna Morrison / Material Girl
Architectural specifier: Gerald Stock Architect
Painting Contractor: through Ronal Tissink Builders
Photography: Craig Robertson Photography