Inspiration

Meet the judges of The Block NZ 2016: Fiona McLeod and Paul Izzard

Article by Homes to Love

Architect Paul Izzard and interior designer Fiona McLeod join The Block NZ: Girls Vs Boys family as Room Reveal judges. Founder of leading New Zealand design firm IZZARD, Paul has over 20 years’ local and international experience in the design industry. Fiona has been involved in the interior design industry since 2002 and runs her own PR and events company

TBNZ5 Room Reveal Judges Paul Izzard and Fiona McLeod

Fiona McLeod,  interior designer and PR consultant

Fiona McLeod has been involved in the interior design industry since 2002, currently working full-time as a freelance interior designer. Her design experience includes multi-level apartment complexes, restaurants and bars, events and home staging. These days Fiona specialises in residential interior design. In 2008, Fiona took her passion for selecting and styling furniture to the next level when she  opened her own furniture studio, FMD, selling restored and recreated retro and vintage furniture. While she still creates one-off pieces for clients, Fiona no longer runs the studio, her focus temporarily turned to work within her PR and events company, Flaunt PR. Her passion and expertise for furniture and styling, design experience, not to mention the couple of years she slipped in as a real estate  agent, means Fiona has the inside scoop on what’s going to sell this year on The Block NZ.

“Speaking from experience, I’m a big believer in home staging a house in order to sell it for top dollar – it really is a win win win, for the buyer, seller and agent, as it helps show the vendors home in the most ideal light, leading to the maximum sale price as well as helping the buyer have a clear vision of an ideal special layout and lifestyle that could work for them.”

Paul Izzard,  designer

Designer Paul Izzard has more than 20 years of international experience in the design industry. Born in England, Paul worked for the prestigious ABA design company and has designed many hotels and restaurants in the UK. After relocating down under more than 15 years ago Paul started his own company IZZARD, which has grown to become one of the best in the business creating award-winning interiors. His work can be seen at multiple restaurants, cafes and retail spaces across Auckland, but most notably Paul and his team are responsible for designing multiple restaurants, cafes and retail spaces across Auckland including The Blue Breeze Inn and Baduzzi. His regular role as a judge on “The Best Design Awards” for the Design Institute of New Zealand sets him in good stead for when it comes to  judging the work of The Block NZ teams this year.

“I am looking forward to seeing some clever space planning, imaginative conceptual ideas backed up by tasteful and to the point finishes.”

The Block NZ: Girls v Boys screens Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday, 7.30pm on TV3.

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