27.12.25
Summer is a season of dualities: entertaining, events and much socialising on one side; slowing down, simmering in the heat and sitting poolside on the other. There is no competition between the two in this ideal state of living; they harmoniously intertwine: reset and recuperate, then chatter all night long.
Stylist Gemma Keil calls the Upper North Shore home — a short drive from an ocean dip, but distant enough to escape the overwhelming buzz. The mid-century dwelling she shares with her husband and seven-year-old twins is a place of respite nestled amongst a lush green garden. The indoors and outdoors are in constant dialogue, expansive walls of glass “allowing nature to be part of daily living,” she says.
Connecting over a raw, unfiltered approach to design, TheEND visited Gemma in her space to discuss aesthetic synergies and separations, curating a meaningful dwelling, and slowing down for summer.
A Shared Fashion & Interior Philosophy
As Gemma points out, curating a livable art gallery with soul is much like fashion styling — although this same dual lens applies. Both are tools for self-expression and personal curation, “but they operate on different scales and timelines”: the speed of change, the level of practicality required, the feeling of permanence.
While a wardrobe may rotate seasonally, as a matter of necessity and mindful addition, the home is more constant, slowly adapting to life stage and taste over the years.
In her view, quality and craftsmanship are priorities, no matter the medium — core values shared by TheEND. Here, “choosing pieces that endure the test of time” outweighs fleeting trends and high-street purchases, whether it be a coffee table or a handbag.
Her wardrobe features treasures collected from designer consignment stores; they’re investments carrying “a sense of history and individuality.” In her home, auction-sourced pieces share stories of “longevity, personality, and the beauty of lives well lived”. Like the striped modular couch — a bespoke Italian design sourced via a furniture consignment store — that has “become the heart of our living space, though it now bears the joyful wear and tear of my [children].”
The Maui Dining Chair, Gemma’s favourite TheEND piece, poses by one of many floor-to-ceiling windows. As if hand-carved from the towering trees outside, it illuminates the natural world from indoors and creates a relaxed, richly layered ease within the space. “What I love most are the small details — like the little feet at the base — which make me smile every time I see them,” she says.
Meanings are etched through fashion and interiors; whole identities are carved through chosen aesthetics. And Gemma’s approach feels flowing, familial and not too precious: “A home that feels both expressive and livable” with pieces that add (and unfold) their own narratives. These wearable and livable wares that stand the test of time.
A Summer of Respite
Another duality — one less comfortable to consider — is the modern age.
“It feels like we’re living at a unique moment in history,” Gemma says. “Everywhere, there’s talk of the inevitable wave of robots and AI — a technological tide reshaping the way we live and work.” There’s the urgency of that change to contend with — navigating the inevitable — while recognising the importance of stepping back. “With two small children growing up so quickly, I’m constantly reminded to be present and do my best for them.”
Within the walls of this family’s home, there are high-energy moments and calmer periods of reflection. There are statement furnishings and bold artworks that add personality, and thoughtful restraint in colour palettes and complementary furniture. There is cohesion and flow where the negative space is embraced — clutter-free and comfortable.
Spending the season here, in a space that celebrates stepping back in time and “breathes”, as Gemma might say, is slow. It’s a mid-century sentimentality that feels appropriate for the now.
A holiday at home. A space to summer. A place with soul. Where would you rather be?
Filling in the Blanks with Gemma Keil
A beautiful life is: “Carving out stillness within the chaos of modern living. It’s the ability to pause, to notice, and to truly witness the everyday beauty that surrounds us — the small, fleeting moments that often go unseen. In that quietness, life feels fuller, more intentional, and deeply connected to what matters.”
A rebel against: “Beige interiors.”
