Christmas truly comes early at Abbey and John Lang’s Auckland villa. In September, Abbey and John Lang transform their home into a twinkling wonderland. It’s decked out with baubles, ribbons, and garlands to create a walk-through showcase for their business, Curated Botanics. Sparkling lights adorn the front veranda, and glittering orbs greet visitors in the front hallway. Festive garlands drape along pretty much any available surface area – the bannisters, bookshelves, mantelpieces and ceiling arches.
Wreaths hang on mirrors, doors, windows and walls. In the open-plan living area, a show-stopper hangs above the fireplace. It’s a lush arrangement of faux ranunculi, wild strawberries and Christmassy foliage – expertly wrangled by Abbey’s sister and Curated Botanics’ head floral creative, Heather.
“She was a florist for over 30 years and has a fine arts degree specialising in floral sculpture. She always creates beautiful displays,” Abbey says.
“We go all out with decorating for our showcase event – it takes a full team and weeks to do. We turn our home into an absolute Christmas wonderland.”
Home profile
Meet and greet: Abbey Lang (interior designer and owner of Abbey Lang Home & Curated Botanics), John Lang (owner/general manager of Curated Botanics), Indi, 13, Eli, 10, and Maudie the dog.
The property: Built in the early 1900s, this classic villa with period detail has four bedrooms, two lounges (a formal lounge and the open-plan living area), one main bathroom, plus an ensuite and powder room.
Once they finish their “open homes,” they pack everything away – “so the kids can have a normal lead-up to Christmas.”
The Langs’ family Christmas decorations are slightly more subdued, but no less beautiful. Their tradition is to have two trees. As well as the perfect artificial tree (Curated Botanics, of course) that Abbey decorates, there’s a fresh, real one. The kids decorate with a mix of old, sometimes handmade, ornaments and new pieces from Mum and Dad’s work.
“We’ll always have wreaths – one at the front door, one on the powder room mirror and another in the living space. There are usually garlands on the mantlepiece and dining table, too,” she says.
“As a general rule, I love foliage and greenery from a childhood growing up visiting my gardener grandparents. It’s always the cornerstone of my Christmas decorating.”
Despite months spent immersed in Christmas design for work, Abbey still loves decorating her own space.
“By the time December comes, we feel tired, but we’re not over it,” she says.
This year will be their 14th Christmas in this house. When Abbey and John first bought the early-1900s four-bedroom villa, it had a few quirks and awkward add-ons typical of homes of its age.
“There was this ugly lean-to bathroom tacked on at the back, which had to go,” Abbey recalls.
Eight years ago, they undertook a major renovation, extending the home by 100sqm and completely rethinking the way it worked. The footprint of the original house remained. They transformed the back section: they turned the dining room into the main bedroom and converted the old kitchen into a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. They also added a new laundry and an open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area at the garden level.
“We made the best decision by adding steps down from the hallway into the new living space,” says Abbey.
“It changed the way we live. The house now connects so beautifully to the garden. The kitchen and dining area now form the true heart of the home – relaxed, light-filled, and open. The kitchen island is our daily hub – it’s where we catch up, chat and eat most meals. When we’re entertaining, we use the dining table. This whole space is just so great for connection and entertaining.”
Abbey’s motivation when designing the home was to replicate as many period details as possible so the extension would feel seamless and timeless.
“Instead, I’m always on the lookout for beautiful pieces to change things up and keep it fresh, whether that’s furniture or styling items. My goal is always to make a space feel like home, so for me, that means a mix of old and new. I love antiques and the patina and craftsmanship they bring, but there is a fine line of having too many old pieces,” she says.
“Without fail, I will always have flowers, foliage or natural elements, like birds’ nests, which I have a slight obsession with.”
When renovating, she chose natural materials such as wool carpet and Volakas marble benchtops to add texture. “I’m also a believer in investing in quality wool rugs as they anchor and soften spaces”.
They stained the original mataī floorboards, once a yellow varnished tone, dark to bring a more refined warmth. “It felt more timeless,” says Abbey.
Downstairs, new mataī was stained to match, and she went with a bordered parquet floor for extra detail in the dining room – “a little formal touch”.
The home’s interior palette began with crisp Resene Alabaster walls, but in recent years, Abbey introduced richer colours to some rooms to add depth and personality.
“Our main bedroom has a dark wall in Resene Nocturnal. It anchors the room and gives it presence. The powder room is a custom Aalto mix I worked on.”
Abbey takes a relaxed approach to how she decorates and adds pieces to the home.
“I don’t have a checklist. If I love something, I’ll find a way to make it work – sometimes to John’s dismay.”
Abbey’s top Christmas tree decorating tips
Wood from the trees: Everyone is different, and trees are quite personal. But if you want a beautiful-looking tree, think about restricting your colour palette so that it feels cohesive.
Matter of scale: Change the scale of items – some smaller, some larger. Use different finishes, such as glass, velvet, linen, wood, ceramic or metals.
Final flourishes: The most important thing on any tree is the lights and I love a bow, soI would recommend adding those. We always finish our trees with a skirt, and a star on top is the icing on the cake.
She loves mixing high and low, vintage and new.
“I support New Zealand makers for big pieces like sofas – ours are by Kovacs with tailored covers we can re-upholster or swap out. But I’m equally thrilled by a Trade Me find. My latest was a set of antique European dining chairs with curved cane backs.”
While the house becomes a show home every September, the house isn’t treated like one. “We’re not precious about it,” says Abbey.
Not only did Abbey end up with a beautiful family home after the renovation. It also gave her a new career.
“I loved every single step, from planning the kitchen layout to designing cabinetry and choosing finishes – it all lit something up in me. When the project won the Interiors category for Auckland/Northland at the Architectural Awards, it solidified the idea of becoming an interior designer. “That recognition, combined with John’s encouragement, gave me the confidence to start Abbey Lang Home. That was seven years ago, and I still love every part of what I do.”
This Christmas, the family will enjoy a low-key celebration at the family bach in Coromandel.
“It wouldn’t be Christmas without Mum’s Russian fudge, and John loves the barbecue and ‘low and slow’ cooking, so a leg of lamb is often a go-to. After a big year, I’m just looking forward to relaxing outdoors and disconnecting – bliss.”
Home truths
Any renovation disasters? When the builders built the bathroom floor, it was the one day I didn’t go to site. They didn’t realise the tile was 20mm thick, so there is a small incline into the bathroom.
What areas of your renovation did you splurge on? Timber flooring, timber joinery and the marble bench – for me, these were non-negotiables for the integrity/quality of the house.
What’s still on the wishlist? More storage – villas are notoriously short on it. It’s always a juggling act to store everything neatly.
What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? Kids’ parties and our annual friends’ Christmas party – both are unforgettable, with lots of laughter and chaos. Plus, watching the kids grow up here.
Favourite items in your house? My antique dining chairs, which were a Trade Me find. My grandparents’ dining table, our bespoke sofas, the statement mirror in the bathroom, which we won at an antiques auction. And obviously, all our Curated Botanics arrangements – especially the large potted olive tree that everyone thinks is real.
Read this next:
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- Where to buy the best real Christmas trees in Auckland
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