The interior-gation

Bev Macris

With considerable experience in her role at McKenzie & Willis, Bev knows what makes her clients tick – and what is needed to tick the boxes to ensure the end result is one everyone can be proud of. We sat down to talk effective scoping, enduring style, and unrelenting sunshine with the busy consultant.

 

How did you come to be in furniture sales in Wellington, and what do you like about working there?

I’ve worked with furniture for about eight years, and I have been working as a furniture sales consultant with McKenzie & Willis for five years. Wellington has been home most of my life and I certainly appreciate that, much like the city, our clients here are never boring. They love colour and texture, and they’re not afraid to step out of the square.

Why do you like working at McKenzie & Willis?

Being a furniture consultant for McKenzie & Willis means we are not confined by any specific choices. We have freedom to work with our clients, individually tailoring what is needed to suit each individual client. It’s never a uniform approach – you base your service entirely around what they require.

What are some of the ways that you cater to them?

Usually we go into client’s homes, and that’s a great benefit to – it gives us the usable insight needed to make a confident recommendation. During this process I assess how the house is being used, how many people are living there, if there’s children or adults, pets, etc. So, I look at how the house is functioning and how the furniture is going to be used. In Wellington, or indeed throughout New Zealand, we always must consider the sun factor as well. Sun can make a big impact on your furniture, and that’s one of the first considerations I make.

Do you think there’s a typical customer for McKenzie & Willis?

No, not really. We have every range and every age here. Wellington is quite a small market for furniture and design stores, so we aim to appeal to every kind of client.

Why is interior design important?

It helps if you get advice from people who are used to working with furniture, so that the furnishings in your home look compatible with one another. We can all look at something and say, “oh wow, I love that!” But, when you want to look like it’s in perfect harmony, you have to work around the era and the style of your home. It’s not just about pieces that you randomly love but rather about the personality of the home as a whole.

Are there any current design trends that you’re really liking?

The fabric colours out at the moment are really lovely and quite unusual. When you think they would have been designed probably two years ago when we were coming out of lockdown, they’re very soothing colours and there’s some beautiful textures. And, as I say, Wellington people are very, very much into colour!

Are there any past or present design trends that you think are worth reevaluating?

Well, I do hope we move on from Boucle!

What are some common mistakes people make when buying furniture?

There are two that spring to mind: thinking that their home or their space is bigger than it really is, and not accounting for the sun on their fabrics.

Do you think it’s important to support Kiwi manufacturers?

The difference with buying NZ-made is that if there is something that I need customised or altered on a piece of furniture made here, I can pick up the phone and I can speak to every person who’s making that piece of furniture. With New Zealand suppliers, they are all quite open to answering the phone to any queries I’ve got or anything I need customised on their furniture.

Why do you like selling Kovacs furniture?

Kovacs don’t just make furniture – they actually craft their pieces. When you walk through their factory, you’ll see most of their staff are very, very long-term and obviously they take great pride in what they produce. Their values align with our McKenzie & Willis ethos of inspiring and amazing our clients. That makes it very easy to recommend a piece of Kovacs furniture.

Do you have a favourite Kovacs piece?

For its outstanding looks, it would be the Loft. It is quite a unique piece of furniture. One of my other favourites at the moment is the new Bronx. Also, here in Wellington people seem to love anything that swivels, so one of my biggest selling pieces is their Louis swivel chair.

What are three things you can’t live without?

Pilates, chocolate and a swimming pool!