Artist and teacher Emma Panting is enjoying making memories with her family in their new build by the estuary in Māpua. A love of eclectic homewares and artwork gives their simplistic and modern home plenty of character.
Who lives here?
When we are all at home, myself, my husband Giles, our two sons, Reuben and Lucien, and our three dogs, Marriott, Cuba and Zephyr, a rabbit and four bantam hens, live in our place by the sea in Māpua. We have lived here for just over three years.
What four words would you use to describe your home?
Art, love, creativity, growth.What inspired this look?
We’ve always been guided by what feels right to us. William Morris believed you should have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. We love a mix of old and new and simplicity.
What do you love about the neighbourhood where you live?
It has such a feel-good seaside holiday atmosphere – always friendly, always buzzing no matter what time of year. There are also so many good places to go for long walks and sometimes not see anyone!
What’s your favourite spot in the house?
In bed actually, having Sunday morning breakfast, cuddled up with dogs, with our bi-fold doors open wide, for a view of the treetops and our little garden.
Where do you shop for homewares?
Anywhere really, but mostly from treasure hunting to antique shops, opshops, and Marketplace. I do also love the classic contemporary design aesthetic from Edito. Nood is great for simple key pieces and often Kmart can’t be beaten for everyday basic extras.
What’s your decorating style?
Eclectic.
What’s next on your interiors list?
Nothing interior – but our small garden is in constant development thanks to Giles.
When it comes to homeware, do you save or splurge?
Mostly save because of our collection of handmade ceramics that have been made by us or friends. I do love pre-loved items too and vintage does tend to be less costly if you know where to look!
Have you done any renovations?
Not on this property – our focus has been in the past with houses that were either 18th Century or Edwardian and have required a lot of restorative work from us both. This is our first new-build and we’re smitten by its simplicity, functionality, and energy-efficiency. It has completely changed our lifestyles along the way.
What’s your favourite room?
My studio – the antithesis of other rooms in our home! It’s home to most of our quirky, antique/op-shop furniture. It’s where I can make a creative mess and leave it to brew! The light is perfect for painting; I have a large expanse of ‘working wall’ as my visual diary, and it doesn’t matter if I drip paint or staple gun it! The other walls are lined with shelves and bookcases full of my favourite, inspiring “objet d’art”, and found or gifted ‘treasures’ from loved ones. I’m never there without a studio muse - usually my companions, ‘Cuba’ my dog, and ‘Lepus’ my rabbit.
What should every home have?
Pets – I’ve always been surrounded with animals of some sort and believe they particularly make a family complete. More specifically, a whippet or two is perfection! They are always there with unconditional love and a constant source of inspiration – just their sheer beauty and gentle nature is something I genuinely couldn’t live without.
What are you favourite pieces?
They are ones that have memories and age to them. I have a favourite, super-soft old wingback armchair that my husband and I bought – in a junk shop - for our first home in the UK. It has been reupholstered several times and featured in many portraits I’ve painted of my boys over the years. I also have an antique writing desk that belonged to my great-grandmother, and I remember my grandfather using it too. My husband’s ceramics are also precious to me – made over the years for us and used every day.
What is one thing you would change about your home if you could?
I love it very much but perhaps I would add a cheeky little ‘porthole’ shuttered window in my neighbour’s fence – if they would allow - just at the right height to look out occasionally, to sea, from my front deck early every morning.
Best memory in your house?
It’s a new home – we’re still making our memories with friends and family. I think holiday times already have the best memories - when my boys and loved ones fill our home with laughter and music. I love seeing the deck with beach regalia drying after their impromptu wharf jumps or kayaking trips.
