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Art and comfort go hand-in-hand in this extended Three Kings bungalow

An eye for quality, comfort and timelessness played a big part in this bungalow’s modern and serene transformation.
Homeowner Tate has decorated the lounge with a buffet and Nordic sofas by Danske Mobler. The artwork above the buffet is by Clare Dubina, the Ethnicraft coffee table is from Cuchi and the rug is by Warwick.
Photography: Helen Bankers

Meet and greet: Tate Winter (upholstery manager at a furniture company) and a flatmate.

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The property: A three-bedroom, two-bathroom 1920s bungalow in Three Kings, Auckland, which was extended eight years ago and had a new kitchen and bathrooms put in.

dinning room with beige couch
The open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas flow naturally to the outdoors. The ceiling pendant is an Eglo Piastre open cage and the lamp on the side table is by McMullin. “It’s a cool brand with a huge following that was started by a New Zealand lady who lives in Aussie,” she says.
White subway tiles and cabinetry, gleaming stainless steel appliances and a skylight bring brightness to the kitchen. David Moreland Pendant 45 lighting, the Alessi Plisse kettle and the Quin bar stools by Danske Mobler provide design flair.

They say not to bring your work home with you, but in Tate Winter’s case, it’s really worked to her advantage. Using skills honed from her time as a home stager. She’s created a sense of warmth and calm throughout the central Auckland home she shares with flatmate James and her much-loved art collection.

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In her current position as an upholstery manager for Danske Mobler, Tate’s learnt to recognise quality and knows the value of thoughtful design. So it’s no surprise her home is infused with timeless, Scandinavian-influenced style. When Tate first walked into the 1920s bungalow in April 2022, she felt instantly that this was home.

“I loved how open and light-filled it was. It had a modern feel, but still felt warm and homely,” she says.

book shelf with plant
The shelf in the study nook is the perfect display case for some of Tate’s favourite design books and plants.

Built in the 1920s and extended about eight years ago, the kitchen and bathroom had already been given a modern makeover. Tate invested in refreshing and future-proofing the house: painting inside and out, recarpeting, replacing the roof, and sanding and restaining the floors.

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“Changing the floor colour was a game-changer,” she says.

“I took them from being a traditional rich red to a lighter, matte oak finish. It really helped lift the whole space and gave it a much more contemporary feel.”

Original features like the lounge and bedroom window seats – each topped with charming stained-glass windows – have been kept as a nod to the house’s history. For her decor, Tate chose to run with a neutral base of oak and chrome with black for contrast, then used cushions, accessories and art to inject orange and gold tones.

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corner of house with cushions

“I wanted everything to feel cohesive but not overly matchy,” she says.

“Mixing materials helps create contrast and depth. But then there are small details like the chrome frames of the dining chairs echoing the kitchen’s fittings, which I love. I picked up a lot about balancing different elements while still making a space feel harmonious when I worked in home staging.”

Tate had one wish for the open-plan living space: serenity.

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dinning table in sun
The dining table is by Scandi designer brand Ethnicraft from Cuchi, the chairs are from Danske Mobler and the black frame is by Kiwi artist Tom Mackie.

“Life is pretty chaotic, so I want to come home to something peaceful and pared back,” she says.

“The soft neutrals, textured cushions, and touches of black help create that calm atmosphere. I am not a huge fan of bright colours, they go in and out of style so fast. That’s why you don’t see much colour in my house or my art.”

Despite the beautifully composed spaces, nothing feels precious. There’s a warmth and lived-in comfort that comes from pieces being chosen for their meaning, quality and timelessness.

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“I’ve always grown up with beautiful furniture,” says Tate, whose family founded New Zealand-made furniture store, Danske Mobler.

Five Max Gimblett Remembrance brass quatrefoils adorn a kitchen wall, and the large artwork in the lounge by Ash Holmes was bought to remind her of her late grandmother. “This is the best and most favourite piece I own,” says Tate.
speaker and vinyl

“I was taught from a young age to take care of things and that investing in quality pays off. I’d rather buy one good chair that lasts a lifetime than six cheap ones that won’t. I don’t see the point in buying something cheap, you know won’t last very long. I love Scandinavian design and items of furniture that are timeless, so I pick pieces that I don’t think will date. But they also have to be functional and comfy.”

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Some of the furniture was collected while Tate was still home staging, and everything else has been chosen with care over time. Tate freely admits she has a passion for furniture – designer chairs in particular. “If I had more room I’d probably have five more, especially vintage or Scandi-designed ones.” But her appreciation for high-end quality doesn’t always mean splurging.

“I’ve scored some amazing designer chairs on Facebook Marketplace – people don’t always see the value in what they have but I understand quality when I see it. I’m lucky I can fix or restore pieces if they need a little love.”

bathroom sink with mirror

Tate’s passion for furniture is matched only by her love of art.

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“It’s my biggest hobby. I’ve probably got more art than wall space,” she says.

Her collection includes New Zealand and Australian artists, with particular pride reserved for a large Ash Holmes’ piece hung next to the TV, which Tate bought to remind her of her late grandma.

A simple Tom Mackie frame works in the dining room, and there’s a collection of Remembrance quatrefoils by New York-based Kiwi Max Gimblett on a wall in the kitchen.

“I have five of them now and I’m totally obsessed with them,” she says.

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bedroom with mirror and picture frame of flowers
Tate has a passion for furniture, designer chairs in particular, owning these Florence and Chandigarh pieces. The mirror is from Freedom and the floor lamp is from Kmart.
main room with mirror and chair
In the main bedroom, Tate’s chair collection also includes a Roly Poly chair and an Ethnicraft side table from Cuchi.

“Art is how people express their personality – I think it’s what makes a house truly feel like yours.”

One of Tate’s favourite spots in her home is the window seat in the lounge, which gets bathed in golden light in the afternoon.

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flower picture framed and brown storage unit
The hydrangea artwork is by Poppie Pack.
office desk with computer and lamp
The third room in the house was turned into a home office for WFH days. The desk is by Ethnicraft from Cuchi, the chair is from Freedom and the lamp features a McMullin shade on a Kmart stand.

“The way the light pours through the blinds in the afternoon is just beautiful. It makes the house feel so alive.”

Outdoors, Tate has transformed the garden, too, replacing hedging and planting vegetables in the raised beds.

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white bungalow house

“Having people over on a sunny day with the doors open to the deck is the best,” she says.

“It’s such an easy home to entertain in.”

While she and her twin sister Jena once ran a shared Instagram account documenting their homes and design tips (aptly called @our_twin_homes), they now mostly swap inspiration privately.

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“We have really similar taste – we’ve even accidentally bought the same items before,” Tate says. “She’s got into collecting art now, too, and we often end up buying from the same artists.”

corner with cactus plants and outdoor chair
outside house, deck with white furniture
In summer, Tate loves having people over and having the doors to the deck and garden open on a hot day. “It’s such an easy home to entertain in,” she says.

Looking ahead, Tate sees herself staying put.

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“I love this place. It feels like me. I don’t think I’ll change anything major – it already works so well and I’m proud of what I’ve created. It’s not just a house – it’s a home that reflects everything I love.”

Home Truths

What do most visitors comment on? They love the furniture, the colours I’ve picked and the openness of the space and the art.

Do you collect anything? Art and designer chairs.

Best memories in your home? I love having people over and having the doors to the deck and garden flung open on a hot sunny day. It’s such an easy home to entertain people in. I also love the gas fireplace in the winter – it keeps me cosy and warm.

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What about this house works best for you? How open the whole house is, how massive my bedroom is as well, and how functional the laundry is. The laundry’s a sunroom with all-day sun, so it heats up during the day and my clothes dry super fast.

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