b'feature houseReseneCafe RoyaleAmber, who says she has a more is always more philosophy, says she wanted to create a restful home that was classic but not boring. Johns building company specialises in restoring and renovating heritage and characterResenehomes.HefellinlovewiththecraftsmanshipofheritageDoublebuildings when he did his training in the United States, workingCanterbury Clayon California bungalows and Hamptons-style homes with their shutters,shinglesandcharacterelements.Amber,aformer graphic artist with a background in fashion, works on character and contemporary homes. She loves the flourishes and detail in period homes.I love villas. I enjoy a bit of glamour and the grandness of higher ceilings and detailed features like wainscotting, says Amber.Alotofpeoplechoosetodowhite-on-white-on-whitein heritage homes. I do love that look, but it doesnt quite bring out some of the craftsmanship details in these old homes. We went for darker ceilings in many rooms as we wanted to accentuate the beautifulcornices,ceilingrosesandplasterwork.Itsaneasy mistake to think a dark ceiling will close a room in, but in an older home like this with high ceilings, it does the opposite; it draws the eye up, she adds.When John built an extension on the house in 2006, creating a new kitchen and living room and extra bedrooms for their three sons, he took great care to ensure the new build was still era appropriate. Dry rot and borer on the southern side of the house were repaired or banished, and building piles and bearers were reinforced and strengthened. Thankfully, these repairs meant that when the Christchurch earthquakes rattled the Garden City, the villa was damaged but not irreparable. taking villa style to the maxAs an interior designer, Amber has worked on many homesheritage and contemporary. She enjoys working on a myriad of new home projects with her clients as well as character villas and cottages.She says the key to creating a beautiful home is with layers of texture, remembering that good things take time. It takes quite a while to bring a home together with styling elements, personal pieces and careful planningit doesnt happen overnight. Take the time to get to know your housewhere the sun rises and observe how you use itto create an inviting space.Ambers tips Dont be afraid to go when decorating a dark on the ceilings: sideboard, mix up and It makes cornices andgraduate heights, putting details pop, particularly tall items such as lamps in period homes.towards the back and useBe brave with patterns:smaller elements such as You can make up yourphoto frames in the own rules when it comesforeground. It creates a 3D to patterns. I like to layered look.mix checks and stripes Add texture to create and florals. depth to a room: Lamps,Ambers decorating rule ofrugs, cushions and thumb: Accessorise yourwallpapers in different home with differenttextures all add layers as styling pieces. For instance,do your paint colours.ReseneResene Quarter Thorndon Cream Double Parchment55'