Jodie Robertson is a home stylist and interior designer for her company Smoke N Mirrors based in Hastings, New Zealand. Jodie has a great sense of style, a meticulous attention for detail and a natural flair which can transform any room. Most recently she has worked on the fitout of the historic Mangapapa Hotel near Havelock North and we are thrilled to be featuring in the result. We talked to Jodie about the project.
Journal
Mangapapa restoration
Jodie Robertson
Can you tell us about the process you go through when starting a larger commercial project such as this hotel?
The only difference in a project such as Mangapapa versus residential designing is that my vision needs to appeal to more than just the client, I needed to acknowledge the many customers of Mangapapa that come for the luxury that the hotel offers them. I had to pitch my ideas to the clients and take on board their aspirations for the remodel. The story board comes later in a more general sense with fabric and paint samples scattering my table.
What was the inspiration for the interior scheme you created for the Mangapapa Hotel?
The look and feel was to be contemporary classic, referencing luxe but with an approachable feel and relaxing atmosphere. Mangapapa is a luxury hotel, being an old estate it had the grandeur and beauty, I just needed to bring the same elegance through with my design.
I needed the interior fitout to be sensitive to the integrity of the building. As such, many of the fabrics selected take their design cues from history, but offer a touch of modern refinement through colour, weave or pattern.
Each room I wanted a slightly different feel and palette with personality, I wanted to create a space that had a wow factor that guests wouldn’t necessarily have in their own home but could enjoy in the hotel.
What was the most enjoyable aspect of the project?
I think as always when you see a vision materialise before you, thats wonderful!
What do you find most challenging about the project?
In such a big project there are many elements that bring it all together, one is yes the designer but there are others such as the architect, the builders, the clients etc. In this case the client was Japanese so we had cultural differences.
What are your favourite James Dunlop Textiles product(s) that feature in the hotel?
I love Mokum! Imperial Pheasant features a lot in Mangapapa it is bold and elegant, and in a suite such as Macon the vintage white colourings are soft and subtle but also pack a punch.
I am also very happy with the blend of fabrics and wallpaper in the Seefeld suite. The Limelight Wallpaper transcends into a Limelight Velvet on the couch cohesively bringing the room together.
What's next? Any exciting projects you can tell us about?
I am transforming a house into a B&B in Christchurch. Charleston Pearls by Mokum is already on the list!
What trends for 2016 have got you inspired?
Wallpaper! Wallpaper and wallpaper! An easy way to refresh your space.
To see more of Jodie's projects visit her website www.smokenmirrors.co.nz
Mokum Design Director, Stephanie Moffitt interviews Mokum studio’s Product Coordinator Annie Moir, about their recent trip to Turkey. They discuss their product development meetings with textile mills and a little down time in the enchanted land of Cappadocia.
