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Every now and then, our editorial team engages in meetings with personalities who embody the essence of WANT through their unique perspectives, visions of a better living, and overall sense of style. And since we think details make the whole difference, here is a questionnaire about the little (and big) things in life.

For this month's feature, WANT had the pleasure of discussing with Erena Te Paa, a creative interior designer based New Zealand.

She has “a knack for taking something old or unexpected and reimagining it in a different way.” It’s one of the many qualities that make Erena Te Paa's work stand out, along with the sense of calm one feels when exploring her visual world. Her home appears as a luminous haven, where shapes and materials blend in perfect harmony. We invite you to discover the woman and the philosophy behind the process.


What is your background and what first drew you to design?

I was very crafty as a child. You would find me drawing, making or sewing something using whatever I had around me. That has ultimately formed the basis of who I am today and how I found myself here. I graduated from University thinking I would end up in management or journalism but ultimately, my creativity had other ideas.

What's the philosophy behind your motto: “finding gold in the ordinary”?

To me, it’s about looking beyond the obvious — beyond what everyone sees or aspires to have, whether it’s an object, a material possession, or a space — and focusing instead on what’s less visible or unseen, finding the potential or ‘gold’ within it. Creatively speaking, I have a knack for taking something old or unexpected and reimagining it in a different way - usually within the home.

You live in New Zealand. What role does your cultural identity play in shaping your visual world, if any?  

There’s a saying in New Zealand called the “number 8 wire mentality,” rooted in our strong farming culture and a “can-do” attitude — the idea that we like to use whatever we have on hand to create, repair, or fix things. As it happens, I grew up on a small farm, and my first job was milking cows. I’m also quite resourceful and tend to see the potential in broken or used objects, so I would say that my homeland is quite deeply woven into my visual world.

What themes are you most drawn to exploring today, and what kind of feeling do you hope your work leaves behind?

I'm most drawn to slow design, and in that sense, I aspire to a slower, more peaceful way of life. I think we've become quite disconnected from one another and from what is most important. The pace at which we move through life, with the rise of technology and an online culture that never sleeps, often keeps us from really paying attention to what is right in front of us. For me, that's where the beauty lies: in being present, often in nature, and sharing this present moment with loved ones. If nothing else, I hope that my work serves as a little reminder of what is possible when we pause and appreciate what is already here and what we already have.  

Any projects coming up?

There's always a project I am working on or dreaming up. That said, given I work in unexpected and experimental ways, I'd simply say that if you’re curious to see what I am up to, it’s best you follow along for the ride.

My main character trait: Sincerity, truthfulness

The flaw I can’t forgive: Cruelty

The thing that makes me angry: Bullies

The most interesting or unusual thing about me: My mind… It is an intriguing place.

My hidden talent: I am a human lie detector! No but in all seriousness, I think I am a pretty good judge of character.

Last time I laughed: When my sons and I were having a dance-off in my bedroom.

Last time I cried: In my car, by a lake, while on the phone with my best friend. At the time, it was sad and yet, looking back, kind of beautiful. It’s good to cry sometimes.

One thing that amazes me: How many good things there are in a day. Most people are living for the big things or focus on the negative, but there are so many unassuming ‘feel good’ moments that add up to a lot of contentment and inner peace, if you are paying attention.

In love, I am: Deeply devoted yet secure within myself.

In friendship, I am: A loyal confidante.

The quality I appreciate most in others: Authenticity and emotional intelligence.

The smell that moves me: Jasmine and rose oils, mum’s home baking, and the smell of popcorn at a movie theatre.

The dish I could eat every day: Dessert. If I don’t want anything sweet after dinner, there’s something wrong.

To unwind, I: listen to music, chill out, practice stillness, get some fresh air.

If I had a superpower, it would be: To heal people.

What I believe in the most: That life is about being able to navigate difficult moments and still choose love (to see it, feel it, give and receive it). Going through hard times, as we all do, and letting that hurt hold you to ransom can leave you feeling closed off, stuck, fearful, and burdened.

How I imagine myself when older: Curious, active, vibrant, still learning new things.

I will never forget: A cheesy full smile from my kids, friends, strangers... We all need to smile more.

The advice that stayed with me: “People will forget what you did but not how you made them feel.”

The place where I could see myself living: Beside the sea or a large body of water. I’ll know it when I see it. I’ve always found the water to be very restorative. And it’s a great off-switch to counter life's chaos.

My dream travel destination: Somewhere idyllic and warm, or I’d like to go back to Japan or Paris.

The song that soothes me: Angels or Islands, by The XX

My idol: Fifi Colston. She hosted a craft segment on a TV show that I watched every Sunday as a kid. Her style was very quirky and resourceful. I loved that about her. My Nana was a woman of many creative talents too. She had a love for second hand items, and she is an icon in my eyes. I wish I had told her.

My favorite book/movie: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. It’s more of a collection of quotes and anecdotes so it's easily digestible for a quick burst of creative introspection. My favorite movie would be Drive. It’s what they don’t say that speaks so loudly. The acting, the chemistry, the music — I’ll never tire of it.

My perfect day: Sleep in, no alarm, head out after lunch and go wherever the day takes me: for a drive, while singing loudly and poorly to music, or go somewhere pleasant and not overcrowded. Dinner in, movie night, sleep. I love my kids, but this would be a perfect child-free day for me!

My style: Jeans and a tee. Simple, practical, and a good base to elevate from.

My favorite WANT piece: The Micro O’hare in Dark Cherry smooth leather.

What I love most about what I do: It reconnects me with my inner child and my feminine energy, where my best creative ideas come from. I think it's also the greatest place for inspiration, as life can be fast and frantic. We forget that we can and should play, flex our creativity, and be gentler with ourselves.

The accomplishment I am most proud of: Besides having my sons, who make me proud in all kinds of ways, it would be my ability to overcome hard things, whether that is a project or a life struggle, and growing from it. When I was younger, my dad had the bad habit of saying ‘It can’t be done’. For whatever reason, I took it as a personal challenge to give everything a good go. And if, in fact, it couldn’t be done, I still found a way to learn and better myself from the experience.

Follow @erenatepaa on Instagram to know more about her inspirations, her travels, her projects, and more.