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


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.
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.

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.
“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.

“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.

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


“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.”
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.”

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


“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.


“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.

“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.
“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.”


Looking ahead, Tate sees herself staying put.
“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.
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.