Personality meets smart design

For Armstrong Interiors, Fendalton House was an opportunity to turn a beautifully designed architectural build into a true reflection of its owners. “Our clients wanted to turn the architecturally designed house into a home that was completely their own,” says interior designer Lucy Chappell. With a strong foundation of black and white tones throughout the home, the goal was to infuse the interiors with colour, warmth, and personality, without disrupting the existing structure.

The entryway set the tone. For Lucy, the standout feature was the large mural commissioned from New Zealand artist Lara Marshall. “I’d have to say, the entrance way mural by Lara Marshall was the hero piece in this home for me. An organic piece of artwork that connects the upper and lower levels and creates a statement as you enter.” The clients had admired Marshall’s work years before in a café, and Lucy knew it would be the perfect match. Spanning both floors, the mural provides a fluid, welcoming transition and anchors the entire home in creativity and intention. Paired with bespoke joinery, feature lighting, and curated art, the entry makes it instantly clear this house is stylish and deeply personal.

Central to the home’s warmth and functionality is its generous open-plan living area, where custom pieces and carefully chosen furnishings come together in harmony. “We injected personality into each space with custom joinery in all living areas, bespoke furniture, feature lighting, custom rugs, wallpaper, décor and artwork.” The smoked oak timber veneer panelling used here became a motif throughout the house, softening the architectural black-and-white palette and lending natural depth.

The formal living room continues the theme of texture and tone. Silk and woollen rugs add warmth underfoot, while Elitis Black Edition grasscloth wallpaper creates a tactile contrast against the smoked oak features. Pops of colour create an inviting energy without overwhelming the eye.
Anchoring the space is Kovacs’ Elton modular sofa, which elevates the visual language of the room while inviting people to settle in, relax, and connect.

In the casual living area, the Detroit sofa and Marley occasional chair bring relaxed sophistication to the communal hub of the home. Their form and comfort are perfectly in sync with Lucy’s philosophy of balancing aesthetics with function. This area exemplifies the thoughtful layering and detail-oriented design that flows through the entire home. It’s a space that feels curated yet lived-in, polished yet personal. As with every room in the house, there’s an intentional fluidity between the elements, guided by Lucy’s eye for detail and a deep understanding of how her clients wanted to live in their home.

The dining area is a perfect example of old-world charm meeting modern context. “The couple brought back a large brass pendant light from Boston, where they had relocated from, which we had to have restored, completely rewired to suit NZ standards and polished to look like new again. It was a bit of a mission, but it looks amazing over the dining table, and I’m so pleased we persevered with it.”

This space is a lesson in how emotional connections to objects can be woven into a contemporary interior without compromising on cohesion. Surrounded by bespoke furniture, mood lighting and rich materials, the pendant glows above a setting that’s both elegant and full of heart. Like the mural in the entryway, it brings a sense of story to the home, proof that great design is always rooted in meaning.

Upstairs, the sense of luxury and individuality continues. One of the project’s final additions became one of its most memorable: a walk-in wardrobe created from what was originally a second master bedroom ensuite. “A striking, feminine space which showcases custom carpet, built-in joinery with LED lighting to display special pieces,” says Lucy.

Throughout the home, Armstrong Interiors have achieved a balance of form, function, and soul. “My favourite part of the project would have to be the clients,” Lucy reflects. “They were so fun to work with and no idea was too big for them… they gave us a lot of creative freedom to come up with designs for the home that reflected their unique style.” The result is a home with heart—elegant, expressive, and unmistakably theirs.

Contact details:

Armstrong Interiors
03 356 2636
office@armstronginteriors.co.nz
www.armstronginteriors.co.nz