Today, we shine a light on Jo from Allium Interiors, Katrina Millar from McKenzie & Willis and Margot from Linen Boutique, sharing insights into their remarkable careers in the homewares industry.

Katrina - McKenzie & Willis

You have had a long career with McKenzie & Willis, working your way up the ranks to become the head homewares buyer for all stores around the country. How long have you been working with McKenzie & Willis? Tell us a bit about your journey.

I began my journey with McKenzie & Willis almost 12 years ago, starting with just one day a week. It was my first significant job after having my three children, and I wanted to return to the workforce gradually while still being present in their lives. From the beginning, I fell in love with the store, there were so many beautiful things, and I loved bringing them together to create inspiring spaces for others. It immediately felt like the right place for me.

I absorbed everything I could from my wonderful manager at the time, Jill, along with the many experienced consultants who had been here for years. My one day quickly grew to three, then four. When Jill announced she was leaving, she encouraged me to apply for her role. I hesitated at first, the responsibility felt overwhelming, but deep down I knew it was the next step I wanted.
I was ready for the challenge and eager to put my skills and growing knowledge to the test.

I’ve now been the Category Manager and Buyer for three years. I’m still learning every day, but I truly love where I am. I continue to spend time on the shop floor, and nothing beats seeing someone’s face light up when a design scheme comes together in a way they love. That’s the best part of my job, sharing genuine product knowledge and creating beautiful bedrooms that people can’t wait to go home to.

There are so many factors to consider with regards to making buying decisions, given the variation in climate, interior preferences, and customer base in each region. How do you decide what products to stock in each McKenzie & Willis branch?

It has certainly been challenging at times, but we’ve worked hard to curate the range in each of our branches based on our best selling products, while still offering a complete selection within every core category, whether that’s pillows, duvet inners, sheets, or our full design bed linen and accessories. I genuinely believe there is something for everyone.

Each branch also contributes to the selection of their design collection, particularly duvets and bedspreads- which makes perfect sense, as they know their regions and customers better than anyone. In addition, every store has access to the full range available in our Christchurch branch, and we are always more than happy to share stock when needed.

I’m continually on the lookout for fresh, inspiring bed linen, but I also value the consistency and craftsmanship of our top suppliers. Bianca Lorenne is a perfect example, you continue to impress every season with beautifully considered designs, timeless fabrics, and exquisite textures.

We have always been in awe of how you can split and manage your time between your busy job, alongside being a mother and a grandmother. From your experience, how can women find an effective balance between all the roles they juggle in life?

I’d love to sugar coat it, but the truth is, it hasn't always been easy. Still, when you love what you do, you find a way to keep going. When I stepped into this role, I was also navigating a separation, which took a huge amount of emotional energy. I didn’t always feel like I was in the right headspace, but deep down I knew this was the path I was meant to take.

What helped most was learning to manage my time well, preparing meals in advance when I could, accepting that takeaways are perfectly fine on busy days, and reminding myself not to make life harder than it needs to be. I have an angel of a mother who has helped me so much and I’ve learned to ask for help If I need it. You also need to make time for yourself- whether that is a walk, a bath, or a sleep in- you must be kind to yourself because if you aren’t ok the rest of the house falls apart! My kids and now my grandchild are my world and hearing them say how proud they are of me is my greatest achievement. Being a role model for them means everything.

I want them to see that life can be tough, but you get up each day, do your very best, acknowledge your efforts, and treat yourself and others with kindness.

What interior trends or colours are inspiring you currently?

I’m really drawn to the “liveable luxury” look at the moment- effortlessly elegant, yet completely personal. It’s all about creating spaces that feel refined without ever feeling unapproachable. I love working with natural, organic, and tactile fabrics that bring depth and authenticity to a room. Warm, comforting colours help anchor the space and make it feel inviting year round.

At the end of the day, I truly believe that we’re all unique, and our homes should reflect that. Trends are a wonderful guide, but they shouldn’t dictate every choice. The most beautiful interiors are the ones that feel lived in, loved, and genuinely connected to the people who inhabit them.

What is your favourite Bianca Lorenne piece of all time?

It’s almost impossible to pick just one favourite, but my Rabat bedspread in white would have to come close. It was one of the first pieces I ever purchased, so it holds a special place in my heart. Crafted in linen, it’s beautifully timeless, and it’s only becoming softer and more graceful with age.

Jo - Allium Interiors

We've always admired the way you make bold-yet-considered choices that pay off. Tell us a bit about the way you approach curation in-store and your thoughts behind what makes something 'pop' in an interior?

Allium has always been about quality, colour and pattern, that’s our lane and it never fails to spark joy when people walk in the door. Much of our curation is an act of consideration for our customers: we take the time, we remain curious and we’re not afraid to take risks… our customers do love to be surprised and take confidence from our choices. We find our best selections are often functional, crafted and beautiful - these are the elements that make something stand out in an interior. Mostly, it’s the client’s love of that choice that will make it create an impression in their home.

What challenges have you faced on your journey in business and how did you overcome them?

Global online shopping has impacted bricks and mortar stores. We work hard at creating an in-store experience that online just can’t compete with. Many of our customers come into the store not only for the products we sell, but also for the welcome they feel… we have banter, sometimes we’re a shoulder to cry on and often clients become friends. I have a team of genuinely positive, knowledgeable and talented people committed to delivering a positive retail experience.

The strength of our brand and in-store experience ironically translates to our online sales. People take confidence buying from an actual store with real people located in New Zealand. We do lose some business to online discounting and we just have to forgo that in favour of delivering personal service.

We’ve been building and maintaining trust with customers every day, for the past 26 years and continue to do so. If you have a strong relationship with people they’ll keep coming back to you in store and online.

How can we inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship in their careers?

As a female entrepreneur there are challenges and opportunities that come with owning a small business. It’s often tough but equally, rewarding. Having your eyes opened to the opportunity of entrepreneurship when you are young is invaluable. That’s a great time to test the waters. Education and exposure is key. That can be done through schooling but also through the workplace - hiring young women in your business gives them an insight into how you work and gives them opportunity.

What interior trends or colours are you enjoying at present? 

We’ve always enjoyed working with Clients: embracing pattern, colour and texture. What we’re seeing now is more of a confidence to mix pattern with pattern. We’re covering walls, headboards and lampshades, mixing with curtains and cushions. We’re loving helping people get it right and there’s a real joie de vivre for us in the interiors studio at the moment… long may it continue.

What is your favourite Bianca Lorenne piece of all time?

My favourite Bianca Lorenne item is currently beautifully placed on my bed. It’s the Appetto Mallard Coverlet. The mallard linen chambray and the duck egg reverse are two of my favourite colours… it was love at first sight. I have a full appreciation of the finishing of every Bianca Lorenne piece and this one has it in spades with the dual colours, hand quilting and lovely trim detail. Gorgeous!

Margot - Linen Boutique

Your journey to starting Linen Boutique is fascinating. How did you arrive here? 

A chance moment of searching the internet and saw this business for sale over a decade ago. Originally a website business, which appealed both because it was
an online business which I could run from home, but primarily because it had beautiful linens! But setting up the store became so important (right before COVID!) as my customers want to touch and feel the fabrics, and the colours can be so variable online.

The fact that you sell so much from such a small footprint in your gorgeous Remuera store never ceases to amaze us!  What aspects of your job are your main focus when it comes to selling luxury?  Do you think the size of a store matters?

I love my customers and I want to be able to help them find what it is they are looking for. Which means I need to be able to source beautiful products from the best suppliers, so exclusivity, quality, and timely delivery are really important. 

It's not the size of the store that matters, but the quality and presentation of these beautiful pieces (and exclusivity - which is hard in a small market the size of NZ but it's so important not to have market saturation). Also, Bianca Lorenne has beautiful styling and lifestyle images, and this is what customers need and want for inspiration to achieve their dream space.

If you could offer one piece of advice for a woman beginning her career in the homewares industry, what would it be?

Be passionate and knowledgeable about your industry. 

Where can you see the direction of Linen Boutique heading in the future?

For me, it will continue to be a blend of online and in-store, and the creation of experiences for the customer. 

What Bianca Lorenne products are your top picks? 

There are 3 products I always love from Bianca Lorenne - the sheets, the comforters and the cushions, and the way each collection has its own story, but can be 'mixed and matched' with other older and newer collections.