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Webb's is New Zealand's premier auction house with locations in both Auckland and Wellington. They host auctions covering a myriad of collections including Works of Art, Collector's Cars, Fine Wine & Whiskies and Fine Jewels and Watches. Their most frequent auction is titled 'The Estate' and is a bi-weekly collection of everything one would hope to fill their home with.
As partners of Webb's and avid followers of The Estate, we met with stylist and decorative arts administrator, Karen Dunsmore, to learn about the process and method to the madness of cataloguing and curating a collection of up to 900 pieces, every 2 weeks. Enjoy the excerpt below and click through to read the full interview as well as Karen's top picks for the current auction.
I have a pretty extensive creative path spanning over 20 years, including owning a florist shop, landscape design, visual merchandising, and freelance styling for premium homewares brands, which included designing the layout, look and feel for new and existing retail stores. My Role at Webb’s encompasses all the design disciplines learnt and taught along the way. I had worked as a freelance stylist designing the gallery For Webb’s auctions prior to my full time position in The Estate department.
The Estate department curation is my biggest career challenge so far, with up to 900 lots to arrange every two weeks for the four day viewing period in our Mount Eden gallery. With only a two day window to create visual calm from the cluttered piles of photographed and consigned treasure, it’s a challenge — but one I am happy to face.
The brief is to curate a visually pleasing, on trend, aspirational gallery where viewers are drawn in and led around with visual cues, showing the furniture, objects and art in a flattering perspective. Playing games with mixing genres, colours and materials. We love to see our regular gallery visitors.
If I was to choose my favourite pairing it would have to be old with new. Nothing beats the clean lines of a well-designed Italian piece next to a rough patinated antique one-off item. The juxtaposition is exciting, Both enhance each other’s beauty.
There are always many beautiful objects, art and furniture I would love to take home. In the latest auction ED54 my favourites are
Lot 14.
An Art Deco Two Tier Glass Panel Chandelier With Ziggurat Details c.1920.
Lot 22.
A Mermelada Estudio Espresso Brown Velvet Sofa.
Lot 46.
A Rudi Schwarz Dining Table.
Lot 50.
A Vintage Itialian Two Piece Black Marble Coffee Table.
Lot 2.
A Bronze Flying Horse Of Gansu Figurine.
Lot 604.
A Set Of Six Smokey Grey Wine Glasses.
We live in a time where people create their own look, whether it be fashion or interiors. Never before have we had the access to such a wide variety of homewares, art and furnishings, and by working with the architecture, materials, and views inside and out you can make your home a personal retreat. Our clients are informed and interested in creating evolving homes to live and entertain in, and if there was one trend that is truly timeless it has to be the reuse recycle trend. If you buy quality materials it means that your pieces will be around longer; they may get the opportunity to live several lives in different homes with other families.
I was very pleased to fight it out in a bidding war to win my Murano Mushroom lamp. Something I have coveted for many years.
I am always on the lookout for New Zealand vintage hobby artworks. I also have a small collection of wonky handmade pottery which is very rare as most makers throw them out. I have an unhealthy chair obsession, collecting chairs is limited due to space issues. So I’m more of a chair trader than collector.
I love a woody, lemony, or spicy scent. Something earthy and natural. We use Ashley & Co. home fragrances at Webb’s as they perfectly complement the visual magic we try to create.
I can’t start the day without my morning coffee, delivered to my bedside every workday by my partner Martin. I have to endure his alarm switching to snooze up to four times before he gets out of bed, I do not move until the coffee is delivered.
My favourite dish is Cumin Beef Biang Biang Pulled Noodles at Ghost Street, with Marty and our Kids.
I love to spend time in my courtyard garden. It's private, luscious and peaceful. I especially enjoy weeding, hedge trimming and scratching around in the soil.
My Absolute Favourite Ashley & Co. Fragrance is the limited edition Yulepine Christmas candle. Being a woods fan I can’t go past the pine and oud notes, as well as the earthy sage and bright coriander. I also love the teal-hued glass.
Make sure to explore the latest Estate auction and find a new addition for your home.
