Bridget Foley Design

Two schemes, two homes, two very different looks — one in Auckland and one in Wellington.

One thing I always consider when putting a scheme together is how to create interest, texture and colour without committing to something that may date over time.

I love keeping sofas in a beautiful, plain, timeless fabric and then layering in patterned cushions to bring personality, colour and character to a room. From bold florals and rich greens to delicate embroidery and beautiful textural details, cushions can completely transform a space.

They’re also a wonderful way to introduce more luxurious fabrics that might be too expensive to use across a larger piece of furniture. And the best part? They can be changed over the years as your tastes evolve or you simply fancy a fresh look.

A timeless sofa is a great long-term investment, while cushions give you the freedom to be a little more adventurous without the expense of replacing your furniture.

It’s all about getting that balance right.

The next step for my clients is putting quotes together with trusted suppliers and organising everything right down to delivery dates. 90% of my Furniture and cushions etc are custom designed and made, so clients have furniture that fits their space to the last millimetre and not seen in other homes.

A day spent putting schemes together for a whole home in Kelburn.

One of my favourite parts of the design process is bringing all the different elements together — fabrics, textures, colours and patterns — and making sure they work beautifully as a whole.

Mixing textures and patterns is so important. Without them, a room can feel flat or dull, whereas layering different weaves, subtle patterns and beautiful fabrics adds depth, warmth and interest.

I love how these softer, natural tones are coming together, with just enough pattern and colour to keep things feeling fresh and interesting.

Stay tuned to see more of this beautiful house as the project comes together…

It’s amazing the difference cushions can make.

I always have cushions custom made, choosing beautiful fabrics that bring together all the colours, patterns and textures in a room. They really are the finishing touch that ties everything together.

It’s important to leave room in the budget for cushions when designing a room. They’re also a wonderful opportunity to use those special fabrics that might be too expensive to use on a larger piece of furniture — a little goes a long way!

In this room, we also added beautiful, floaty linen curtains, which instantly updated the space and draw the eye out towards the garden, rather than the heavy swags that were there before.

Sometimes it’s the finishing details that make all the difference.

Last meeting of the week was spent styling a beautiful room I’ve been working on.

The transformation is now complete, but it was those final finishing touches that really brought everything together.

Leaves from my client’s beautiful garden, arranged in this stunning pot, added the perfect finishing touch. We styled the shelves with books and favourite pieces of china, moved treasured objects around and carefully layered the little details that make a room feel personal and lived in.

And the loveliest moment? When my client said she now wants to spend time in this beautiful room.

That’s exactly what good design should do.

The styling stage is such an important part of the design process and one that can make a huge difference to how a room feels — without necessarily buying anything new.

In fact, if you feel like your room is missing something but don’t want to renovate or replace everything, it can be worth employing an interior designer for a few hours just to style and rearrange what you already have. Your books, artwork, china, collected treasures and favourite pieces can look completely different when they’re thoughtfully edited, moved and layered.

It’s all part of what I do — and sometimes it’s the final little touches that can make such a big difference.

A site visit yesterday to a beautiful Auckland home. Making some final decisions on splashback tiles and furniture fabrics — and I have to say, the new paint colours are looking fabulous!

The painters are doing such a great job, and the transformation is really starting to come together.

We’re using my favourite white, Resene Bianca, throughout, with the TV room painted in the beautiful Karen Walker Green Meets Blue.

I’m loving seeing the spaces take shape and can’t wait to share more as we get closer to the finish line.

Stay tuned for updates…

I had to show you these beautiful Pierre Frey velvets I’m using in a project at the moment.

The colours, the depth, the subtle variations in tone and that gorgeous, slightly vintage sheen… honestly, velvet heaven.

I’m loving this mix of earthy greens, soft taupes, warm to***co, rich rusts and deep navy — such a beautiful palette to work with.

Sometimes the fabric is the starting point for the whole room. And these are definitely doing that for me.

Today- Up the coast for a site visit, getting all those little details right before the gib board goes on.

Working out where the fixings for the window dressings will go, so the builders can put in extra timber where we need it. Pacing out where the furniture will sit so we can confirm the floor power outlets for lamps on consoles and beside tables. And working out the perfect rug sizes — rugs that tuck underneath the furniture rather than becoming a 'rug island', while also covering those floor power outlets. This can be done on a floor plan of course, but it is always great check on site as well, as little tweaks can be made. A lot of my furniture, rugs etc are custom made so a millimetre here and there can make all the difference.

Then there’s the height of the light switches, the door handles and the position of the power outlets — all those little details that make such a difference.

Power outlets should always be low and horizontal, and light switches shouldn’t be too high - definitely not eye height - they’re not a decoration!

Time was spent with the electrician working out exactly where switches and outlets need to be for a full wall headboard. That would be costly to change later.

The great thing about a renovation or new build is that all of these things can be considered and sorted before it’s too late.

Then back to Wellington, listening to a great podcast — see my Story.

And finally, a visit to the wonderful ArtWorks Framers on Karori Road to choose the framing for a beautiful antique photograph purchased from Webb’s by a client. I love working with them — they’re incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful and just really wonderful at what they do. Highly recommended.

Back to my studio catching up on other client work as well as working through the list from today's meetings.

I have been a bit hopeless on here lately as work has been so busy since landing back from my trip!

So many gorgeous projects on the go...

A beautiful chinoiserie-inspired look for a home in Wellington, a new kitchen on the drawing board, continuing work on a gorgeous new build on the Kapiti Coast with a mid-century vibe, and more work for a lovely repeat client in Wellington.

And today I'm finalising all the paint colours and finishes for a beautiful makeover of a large Auckland family home.

Stay tuned!

Oaxaca

A city that completely captured us — from its incredible colour, beautiful architecture and extraordinary craftsmanship to the food, markets and the warmth of its people.

Everywhere you look there is inspiration: richly coloured façades, intricate doors, courtyards, old colonial buildings, contemporary design sitting alongside centuries-old traditions, and an amazing appreciation for handmade craft.

And then there is the food… so much flavour, creativity and tradition. From tiny local spots to beautiful restaurants, Oaxaca is a feast for the senses.

We loved wandering the streets, discovering wonderful shops and galleries, eating our way through the city and simply soaking up the atmosphere. Oaxaca feels authentic, creative and incredibly alive — a place where design and culture are woven into everyday life.

It was such a highlight of our Mexico journey and somewhere I would love to return to.

For more of our travels, architecture, interiors and design inspiration, follow Bridget's Design Travels ✈️

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