Hello,
This month I’d like to dedicate this newsletter to someone very special – my Dad.
Last week we celebrated his 93rd birthday, with all six of us kids together. Given his recent health challenges, it was a celebration that felt even more meaningful.
Dad has always been a bit of an inventor. Throughout his life he’s had an incredible knack for looking at a problem, thinking differently and finding a solution. He’s also one of the grittiest, most determined people I know. Even at 93, he continues to amaze us with his resilience, his practical mind and his refusal to give up.
Needless to say, there was a very well-deserved G&T in hand! What a bloody legend.
As I reflected on his birthday, it made me realise just how much of that problem-solving mindset has shaped my own career.
Whether it’s designing a bespoke headboard to fit beneath a sloping ceiling, finding the perfect fabric for an awkward space, transforming a tired chair into a treasured piece, or helping someone see the potential in a room they no longer love, I genuinely enjoy solving design challenges.
Perhaps I inherited a little of Dad’s determination after all.
This month’s newsletter is all about those small, thoughtful solutions that can make a big difference in your home.
I hope you enjoy it.
YOUR KIND WORDS MEAN MORE THAN YOU KNOW…
Last week I received two beautiful 5-star Google Reviews.
To the wonderful clients who took the time to write them…
Thank you.
Reading your reviews truly made my day.
One client described STYLE + SOUL as their “absolute go-to” after working together on multiple projects throughout their home.
Another shared how thrilled they were with the transformation of their business after we installed a custom drapery ceiling, even mentioning that I stayed until midnight to make sure everything was perfect!
Those words mean the world.
Not because they’re public…
But because they remind me why I love what I do.
I genuinely love building long-term relationships with my clients. Some projects begin with curtains… then become cushions… then upholstery… then styling another room a year later.
Being invited back into someone’s home time and time again is the greatest compliment I could receive.
Of course, none of this happens on my own.
I’m incredibly fortunate to work alongside an amazing team of talented upholsterers, sewers, manufacturers and installers who share my passion for quality craftsmanship.
Every beautiful curtain, bespoke headboard, cushion and reupholstered chair is the result of many skilled hands.
If you’ve ever left a review, referred a friend, purchased a cushion online or trusted STYLE + SOUL with your home…
Thank you.
Your support allows a small, local New Zealand business to continue doing what we love every single day.
THE POWER OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT CUSHIONS
Sometimes…
The smallest changes make the biggest difference.
Recently I visited a lovely client to style her music room.
The room already had a beautiful blue chenille sofa.
The only problem?
It sat on the south-west side of the house and rarely saw the sun.
Although blue and white is a classic combination, in this room it simply felt cold.
Instead of replacing furniture…
We changed the mood.
We added a matching ottoman and styled it simply with:
🌿 A plant
🕯 A candle
✨ A decorative object
Then came the cushions.
Out went the cool whites.
In came rich ochres, warm velvets, beautiful textures and a Moroccan-inspired lumbar cushion that tied everything together.
The transformation was immediate.
The room suddenly felt warmer.
Cosier.
More inviting.
The best part?
Nothing structural changed.
Sometimes all your room needs is the right colour, texture and layering.
Featured Cushion of the Month
The gorgeous ochre textured cushion with bohemian tassels featured in this transformation is available now online.
Our curated cushion collections are designed to mix and match.
UNDERSTANDING THE 6 BASIC STYLING ELEMENTS FOR CURATED SHELVES
Styling Your Decor Items Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
One of the biggest comments I hear is…
“I know what I like… AND I have stuff – I just don’t know how to display it
That’s exactly why I created my guide:
Understanding the Six Basic Styling Elements For Curated Shelves
These elements will help you confidently create vignettes, and perfectly style curated sideboards, buffets, coffee tables and consoles.
Once you understand:
✔ Colour
✔ Height
✔ Texture
✔ Scale
✔ Layering
✔ Balance
Styling your bookcases suddenly becomes simple.
Download your complimentary guide and discover just how easy styling can be.
NEED A FRESH PAIR OF EYES?
Sometimes you don’t need a renovation…
You simply need someone to unlock the potential in your home.
That’s exactly what my Room Refresh Consultation is designed to do.
For a fixed fee of $249, I’ll spend 90 minutes in your home helping you make confident decisions about:
✔ Furniture placement
✔ Existing furniture worth keeping
✔ Colour palettes
✔ Soft furnishings
✔ Window treatments
✔ Artwork
✔ Lighting
✔ Decluttering
✔ Storage ideas
Many clients are amazed at what can be achieved simply by rearranging, editing and layering what they already own.
It’s practical, affordable and often becomes the first step towards creating a home they truly love.
Available throughout East Auckland (within 20km of Howick).
EVERY HOME HAS A STORY… SO DOES EVERY BUSINESS
As always, thank you for reading and for supporting local.
Whether you’ve trusted STYLE + SOUL with custom drapes, upholstery, home styling, a bespoke headboard, a single cushion or even one of our curtain holdbacks… I’m truly grateful to be part of your home’s story.
Stay warm, stay cosy and don’t forget to add a little colour and texture to your world.
And to my Dad… thank you for teaching me that every problem has a solution, and that perseverance is one of life’s greatest gifts.
Warm wishes,
Maree
STYLE + SOUL
Colour • Comfort • Texture • Beautiful Homes
