WELCOME to
THE COSY NOTES
I’m Dominey, based on the Matakana Coast in New Zealand, sharing spaces with soul, boutique stays, coastal living, and behind-the-scenes notes from my creative home and design projects. This space is about slowing down, noticing the details, and creating a life that feels joyful.
Garage to beachy studio conversion
When I hatched the idea of converting our 54 sqm aluminium double garage into an office/creative studio, I had in mind a space to work, create, chill, and think. Working from home meant my work life had encroached on our personal living space. I needed a divide, and it made sense to use our garage (which was being used as storage space for junk).
A vintage-inspired minimalist laundry makeover
When it comes to laundry rooms - the words fun and whimsy don’t spring to mind. For our laundry room makeover, we wanted to create a space with personality, a sense of drama and practicality. I loved the idea of a ‘bare bones’ laundry - exposed timber shelves, raw textures combined with brass, focussing on ‘luxe’ elements with a minimalist approach.
Cosy Guest Bedroom Makeover
Our guest bedroom is one of my ‘quick win rooms’ and my favourite transformation. There wasn’t much to change in the room - except the flooring, new curtains and paint. What it needed was some styling TLC. I’d binge-watched an unhealthy amount of the BBC’s Interior Design Masters before starting the bedroom makeover.