Remix's editor-in-chief Amber talks home design with Erena Te Paa

Erena Te Paa’s home in Hamilton has drawn the attention of thousands on social media and it’s not hard to see why. Remix chatted to the freelance stylist and Airbnb host about the labour of love home, its ‘Japandi’ style and how she keeps it looking photo-ready with two young boys...When did you start working on your unique home and will you ever stop?
It was around the time my son Costa turned one and was starting to walk in 2017. The end goal has always been a total renovation with architectural plans, builders on site etc but these things take time and money so in the meantime I do what I can with what I have and get to experiment with my style as well.

It’s like living art. What provoked you to start working on it in such a way?
The house was in a state of disrepair when we bought it back in 2016 and I guess I was a bit broken at the time too having lost my first baby a year earlier. Following on from that experience I'd felt detached from my work and disconnected from my style. The house was the first thing to wake me up creatively, but also knowing that the changes I've been making are semi-permanent has driven me to be more artistic and less afraid of the way I express myself in it.We haven’t seen your exact style anywhere, how would you describe the aesthetic?
I've tried to give it a name but nothing quite sticks, so I think I'll take my cue from the style it often gets referred to by others which is ‘Japandi’ or having elements of both Scandinavian and also Japanese design. Ultimately, I am drawn to clean lines and simplicity but also the imperfectness of raw materials too. 

Does your partner DIY too? How do you physically achieve your vision?
I am a DIYer by nature and will turn my hand to most things - paint, plaster, sand, drill and craft. But for everything else I am lucky enough to have a handy father-in-law. My husband is also pretty good on the tools too but DIY isn't really his thing. We'll always get in tradesmen for electrical and plumbing work.  Do you find NZ restricting interior-wise with sourcing furniture? 
Yes and no. I think we aren't as spoiled for choice as in other countries, especially when it comes to just stumbling upon a retro design classic in our garages but at the same time, there is an opportunity in being restricted by choice in that you then have a chance to think outside the box.

Upcycling seems to be a big part of your process, where do you source most of your pieces?
Most of our furniture is secondhand or upcycled. Years ago, it was a way to find quality furniture at an affordable price but now it's second-nature to me. I source mainly on Trade Me, sometimes Facebook marketplace and if time allows, I'll visit second hand stores. It takes patience, an open mind and perseverance. I have documented the process of how I look for things in an IGTV video and I still go about it the same way.Which space in your home is your favourite?
Probably our master bedroom due to the fact that it is quite oversized - it used to be part of the living room - and it always seems to catch the best sunlight making it the warmest and brightest part of the house too.

Where do you pull inspiration from?
Everywhere! Books, fashion, fabrics, footpaths. I am always stopping to look at buildings and what they are made of. And in addition, much like everyone else, I find Pinterest and Instagram to hold a lot of inspirational eye candy too. You’re a mum of two boys... what’s the key to keeping your home looking photo-ready?
For me, it's four things: 1. Good storage (a place for everything) and choosing easy clean-fabrics 2. Clean zones - if I let the kids run wild through every room, I make the job of cleaning very overwhelming at the end of the day so I'll usually try and keep mess to a couple of rooms (the boys bedrooms and the lounge) which leaves my bedroom and the office clean and clear. 3. I like to clean but if you don't, it pays to have a plan of how you will get it done as efficiently as you can (pick up toys/spot clean/vacuum etc) - I'll sometimes get the boys to help by putting some music on and seeing how fast we can tidy up before the song ends - sometimes it works but mostly its just me doing it! 4. Choose your photo ops: Take pics when they aren't in those rooms (or are at school). This step is by far the easiest ha!With over 26k followers, you’re officially insta-famous! How does that feel?
Mind-boggling. On the one hand I feel a sense of pride that so many are following along and its definitely a great confidence boost to keep doing what I do but on the flipside, it can be overwhelming if I were to try to understand or please everyone. I know myself and what I like so I post for me first, knowing that if I lost all of my following tomorrow it won't change the work I've done, the way I style or the work I still need to do.

What fuels your passion?
My boys [Costa & Sol] fuel my fire. They are always encouraging of the things I do, sitting on my weird choices of chairs and treating them like an ever-evolving playground.  Being told 'I can't' also fuels my passion and has helped me to back myself when or if no-one else will. And sometimes it’s just the spark of an idea and the thrill of bringing that idea to life knowing that where there is a will, there's a way.

See more of Erena’s unique home at @erenatepaa