A New Chapter in Design: Courtney & Sam’s First Home

Tell us a bit about yourself and what led you and your partner to renovate your first home together?

I’m Courtney — the founder and designer of Pompeii Home. I’m an all-round creative with a strong love for interior design, furniture, and art. I’ve also been working with Flooring Xtra on all things creative and content for a few years now, which I’ve really enjoyed. 

I live with my fiancé, Sam, who is the director of a landscape design and build company, Tui Design. We share a love for architecture and have always dreamed of renovating and building homes. Naturally, we purchased our first property together in Auckland and are now embarking on our renovation journey — hopefully the first of many.

Styling notes: Sandringham rug in Aquamarine, coffee table, art, and marble objects by Pompeii Home, ceramics by Flow Studio and Miłka Zaleska.

Did your creative background influence the way you approached designing or renovating your space? If so, how?

Definitely. I’m very particular about materials, textures, and finishes. Designing homewares and furniture through my business has really deepened my understanding of craftsmanship and the process behind how pieces come together.

Plus, working alongside Flooring Xtra has grown my appreciation for flooring. I always aim to use high-quality, natural materials where possible. I’m especially drawn to materials like wood, marble, stone, and concrete — and of course, wool carpet. There’s something incredibly luxurious and inviting about layering these textures together.

Styling notes: bedding by Home Lab Store, side table by Pompeii Home, and vase by Flow Studio.

What were some of your biggest priorities when planning the look and feel of your home?

Natural materials were a key priority for me. Beyond that, I wanted to create a cohesive, calming space that still reflects my design style and personality. As we plan to sell the home in the future, I chose a palette of neutral yet warm tones to create a versatile, almost blank canvas. This allows personality to come through more easily in the furniture, art, and décor. That’s really how I like to express my own style — I love colour, and I often swap out rugs or décor depending on the palette I’m drawn to at the time.

Get the look with Quick-Step Perspective Nature laminate in the colour Brushed Oak Warm Natural. Styling notes: pink side table by Pompeii Home, and vase by Flow Studio.

Can you talk us through your flooring choices—what drew you to the Bremworth Haru Collection in particular?

I was instantly drawn to the look and feel of the Haru Collection. I selected Minori in the colour Yuzu — I love how the loops are intentionally irregular, and the speckled tones of brown, beige, and grey add so much visual interest.

The inspiration behind the collection also aligns closely with my design style. It draws on Japanese aesthetics and Wabi-Sabi — something I’ve always admired. The idea of embracing imperfection and natural materials really resonates with me. Wool’s organic texture reflects elements like timber grain, and marble veining, which feels very fitting. If you know Pompeii Home, you’ll know I have a real affinity for marble.

We’re also expecting our baby boy later this year, so materiality was especially important. Wool is naturally hypoallergenic and hard-wearing, which makes it perfect for family life.

How has the wool carpet performed in your home so far, both practically and aesthetically?

The carpet has completely transformed the space. We previously had a dark charcoal carpet that was starting to feel worn, so installing Minori in Yuzu instantly brightened every room. It’s noticeably plusher and more comfortable underfoot, and the texture really elevates the overall look. In my eyes, it ties beautifully into the furniture and finishes we’ve introduced throughout the renovation. It truly feels like the missing piece that’s brought everything together — I couldn’t be happier.

Styling notes: desk by Pompeii Home, art by Michelle Wilkin, lamp by Soren Liv, vase and candle by Flow Studio.

Are there any current interior trends you’re loving right now?

I’m loving seeing people experiment more with colour and a mix of materials. Colour drenching a room is something I think is really exciting — and something I’d love to try in our baby boy’s room, which I’ll be working on soon.

Right now, I’m drawn to light blues, rich browns, maroon, and peachy pinks. I’m also loving materials like stainless steel, chrome, walnut, and burl wood, paired with soft, velvety textures. I really believe your home should reflect your personality — whether that’s through colour, texture, finishes, or sculptural furniture and art.

What have been the most rewarding—and most challenging—parts of renovating your first home together?

Sticking to a budget has definitely been one of the biggest challenges, especially when balancing the quality and cost of materials and finishes. We’ve had to be strategic with our choices — for example, keeping much of the existing layout intact, including plumbing, to avoid unnecessary costs. As this is our first home, we’ve been mindful of designing and spending appropriately for this stage of life. That said, it’s incredibly rewarding seeing the space come together piece by piece. I truly love the home we’re creating, and every change feels exciting and impactful.

What’s next—are there any finishing touches or future plans still in the pipeline for your home?

Sam has completely reworked our outdoor area and designed a new space that’s currently underway — I’m so excited about it. It will include an outdoor fireplace and dining area, which has been at the top of my wishlist for a while. I love cooking, entertaining, and spending warm evenings outside, so it’s something I know we’ll really enjoy.