It is our absolute pleasure to introduce Judy Eden from House of Eden today. Our relationship began with a wallpaper sample order I received from Judy. After a few meetings with Judy and a few conversations, I decided to present a proposal to Judy.
Here, I am very happy to announce that I and Judy will collaborate for our next project and hopefully many more in the future. With Judy's speciality in architectural and interior design, I am sure it would help to bring my designs to another new level.
I interviewed Judy recently with the questions that you might be interested. I hope you welcome Judy as our architecture and interior design consultant.
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Hi Judy, it is very nice of having you here with me today. Can you tell everyone a bit about yourself? What do you do? How long have you been doing what you are doing?
I’m a sole practitioner architect. I’ve been working for myself for the last 28 years. I can alway remember how long I’ve had my business, House of Eden for because I had my first son in 1995 and someone asked when he was 5 weeks old, if I could do their bach in Langs Beach. I said "I've got baby brain”, to which they replied “Bring the baby”. So I did and since then I have work from my studio over the garage and utterly enjoyed myself. I have worked when my 2 boys have slept, then went to kindy, school and now left home. I can honestly say my clients have received better service from me and my practice than anyone ever did in the big architectural practices I worked in before having children.
You have abundance years of experience in the architecture and interior design industry. Is there one project that you think is the most memorable for you and why?
I love both architecture an interior design and can offer both services. 90% of my work is in renovations, which I love to do with the challenges of making something existing work so much better no matter the size or budget. But on elf my most rewarding projects was a new house in Pauanui beck.
It wasn’t a bach, it was to be my friends new retirement house. They have a huge family so the challenge was to accommodate them for 90% of the time as a couple and expand the home to accommodate the family and grandchildren. They had a site which housed their old and disfunctioning bach and they wanted to build their dream home .
The husband Geoff is a builder and though he wasn’t building it he was wonderful to work with discussing fine details but taking my advice (mostly). The reason it was so rewarding was they respected my skills and I respected their dream and budget. They would include me in every detail from architraves, curtain, ventilation and tiles, and I can’t be prouder of the result. It is such a nice space to be in. In fact my husband and I are off for a weeks holiday, visiting them in it. So I will shower in very shower, sleep in the room I designed, cook in the kitchen I designed and sit on the roof deck enjoying the views I tried to maximise. Let's see if it's as good as I hope!
What type of projects have you been involved?
My work is 85-90% renovations, but I have designed wineries, hospital interiors, new homes and offices. I was once very famous for a carport I designed in Valley road in the front of a Villa, as it fitted in so well the clients had people stopping and asking who did it. I don’t mind what scale of project I do as long as they want to use space better through good, thoughtful design.
My goal is always to make life better for my clients. Beauty can be in a functioning laundry or a well laid out floor plan or bathroom that works perfectly for that person needs.
What’s your opinion in the role of wallpaper in interior design?
Wallpaper is an amazing tool for any architect or interior designer. It can be a beautiful backdrop adding texture when needed or it can make a statement and draw the eye to where you need to to go. It can tell a better story when used with other elements in an interior. It can play a supporting role or the lead roll in any dram you want to add to your space. It's also very practical. Harder wearing than paint at times and longer lasting. The new trend I see is in bespoke wall paper, which you do so well Maggie. That's how I found you, I needed a bespoke piece for a special project and it will be stunning.
Thank you so much for your compliment. I really appreciate it. Any tips for home owners if they are looking for buy a wallpaper for their room?
Best tip for buying wall paper is to get a sample of it and hang it in the space. Move it around the room and look at it at different times of the day or night, behind furniture or in the corner. That will help you imagine and see what it will look like in the room. Take a colour or element from that wall paper and add it into something else in the room, like a certain colour in and find a vase that colour or a bed coverings or rug. It could even be a shape from the wall paper that is repeated somewhere else in the room and it will make it all come to life. Wall paper can add a textural element that lifts a room. Often texture is missed in an interior and often that is the difference been being fine or wow this feels special.
That is it for the interview with Judy. I hope you enjoy it and get to know Judy a bit more. These photos are some of the projects from Judy:
New build in Pauanui, New Zealand
