Production designer and art director Joseph Leary lives with his family on the banks of Te Wai O Pareira in West Auckland, in a 1970s post-and-beam home filled with books, instruments, artwork and objects gathered over time.

Joseph is also a close collaborator with Nodi, having recently creative directed our latest brand campaign. Through the process he’s become a natural friend of the brand, someone who shares a deep appreciation for craft and considered spaces.

In the living room, the heart of the home, a Bamboo Silk & Wool Rug in Dijon sits beneath the everyday rhythms of family life. We chat with Joseph to learn more about the space, and the rituals that make a house feel like a home.

How would you describe the mood of the space? Any feelings or intentions you wanted to come through when styling it?

Our home is a humble post and beam house built in the 1970s. We have filled the interior with what I would affectionately call a curated mess of warm vintage tones with furniture, objet and artwork from a few of our favourite midcentury and contemporary designers and artists.

There are large piles of art & design books and magazines everywhere, and several guitars and amplifiers for playing music. It’s a space that is for rest and play and has been designed to be robust and relaxed enough for my wife Morgan and I and our three boys who are 19, 4, & 1 and our family dog Echo. 

What drew you to this particular Nodi rug?

I love the warm golden tones of the ‘Dijon,’ - it has a moody depth with the silk wool blend and the dusky hues remind me of an abstract expressionist painting. It is beautiful to the touch and we spend quite a bit of time floor dwelling so it’s the perfect fit for us. 

What are some of your favourite rituals or slow moments at home?

Gardening with children, playing music and watching films on the library bed in the lounge.

If your home had a soundtrack, what song would be playing in this room?

Cindy Lee's Diamond Jubilee

Can you tell us about the bed in the photos — who made it and how did it come to life?

The library bed is a design by the American artist Donald Judd. I have loved his work for decades now and his influence is something that I am aware of from time to time. With another child in our family it felt the right time for a large piece of furniture that would accommodate us all.

My friend and maker Samuel Montgomery and I built the daybed, we stayed as close to Judd's design as possible. Sam kindly let me participate in the process of making it so I could have my hand in it.

My 4 year old son River helped us aménager une pièce. The timber is from a local mill in Kaukapakapa. The mattress a custom futon, and the pillows are made of vintage Japanese textiles from my friend Charlotte and some that I’ve collected over the years. 

What does home mean to you right now? 

Home to me is a spiritual idea - it’s a place I can restore myself in, that if something rips or is damaged can be repaired or mended. It’s a place to grow things. A reflection of self.

Credits:

Joseph Leary