As the founder of colourful furniture and wallpaper design store Miss Lolo, it’s no wonder that Tamzyn Adding’s Riverhead home is brimming with vibrant style
Meet and greet
Tamzyn Adding, founder & creative director of Miss Lolo, Ben Adding, director of Object Construction, Poutu, 12, Caitlin and Nikita, 11, Cedar, 7, and Bowie, 5, plus Kenzie the Border collie.
Inside Miss Lolo founder Tamzyn Adding’s colourful family home
How do you view the investment you’ve made in your home?
We didn’t make any changes to the property for financial gain. We have such mad, busy lives that the only investment we wanted to make was into making our house feel like a home for the first time.
How did your actual decorating spend compare to your budget?
We’re very lucky in this respect – I’m married to a builder and own an interiors company so our spend was really small comparatively. We never had a budget as such on this property – we just make changes when we can afford to.
Do you tend to purchase high-end homeware or seek out a bargain?
A little bit of both. We splurged on the Sanderson wallpaper, kitchen splashback and art because I loved them! But we always pare it back with cheaper finds. Our dining chairs were a Trade Me purchase, the kitchen stools are from Mocka, the wine cabinet was an old medicine cabinet we brought up from Christchurch, and our drapes were very price-point conscious.
What are your top three style tips?
Don’t be afraid to mix colours and patterns. Be eclectic with your design choices – mix old with new. And always use Scotchgard!
Discover more about Tamzyn Adding and Miss Lolo by reading our q&a here.
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Christmas quiz
What is your favourite family Christmas tradition?
It’s not a Christmas tradition but every New Year the Dutch tradition is ‘oliebollen’ or deep-fried doughnuts. Ben’s baby sister, Sophie, spends the bulk of New Year’s Eve making these on the barbecue, all with different fillings, to feed the entire family who congregate at my in-laws’ bach in Whangamata for several weeks.
What is the most memorable Christmas experience you’ve had in your home?
It’s not exactly a memory but it is a milestone: as we have moved houses so often over the past 10 years this is officially the first time ever that we’ll be spending a second Christmas in the same house!
Who decorates the tree in your home?
Me! The children are relegated to handing me the decorations… I have to have it just perfect.
How will your family be spending Christmas Day this year?
Christmas morning is spent opening the vast array of presents under the tree and usually having breakfast with the neighbours. Around lunchtime we do the drive to Whangamata where we have Christmas dinner with Ben’s family.
Try it: Choose a bold pattern to upholster your sofas then select one of the primary colours from your pattern to accessorise your room.
It’s been a long journey for this large modern family, but finally they’ve found a place to land – at least for now. After a year of highs and lows, a joyous Kiwi Christmas is just what the doctor ordered.
The Addings love to entertain and every Christmas they host a large Christmas Eve party for all the family.
Tamzyn’s love of art and colour and her flair for design is everywhere in her home.
The Adding kitchen uses charcoal as an accent but hot pink is still present in accessories and on a narrow feature wall.
Make it: Create a living centrepiece for your table by draping plants over a climbing frame and decorating the frame and the plates with flowers.
Statement wallpaper doesn’t have to be bright – a whimsical motif in neutral colours can introduce a sense of fun without being OTT.
A cool and calm base palette is warmed up with cosy sheepskins, colourful cushions and rosy reading lights.
Everything is from Miss Lolo – her own wallpapers, furniture, drapes and accessories – so her home is very much an extension of her brand.
Because all their previous homes were renovated for resale, the Adding family are excited to finally be able to stamp their personal style.
Paint has also been used creatively throughout the home.
Floor plan
Words by: Annick Larkin. Photography by: Tom Hollows.
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