BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS

An Auckland townhouse is a curated treasure trove of thrifted 1990s nostalgia, graphic skate decks, books galore and iconic design pieces

- Fiona Barber

From the road, Rachel Soo Thow and Samuel Crabtree’s Mt Albert, Auckland, home looks just like its row of townhouse neighbours. Step inside, however, and you know this property is one of a kind. At 59sqm, it’s compact, but what it lacks in floor space it more than makes up for in fun. Its exuberant personality is a result of curated arrays of playful pieces and flashes of vivid colour.

“With this being a townhouse, we couldn’t change the exterior colours, unfortunately, so we decided that it was vital we make the indoor decor our own — a reflection of who we are as creatives and a culmination of our passion and interests,” Rachel says. “Anyone walking through our doors will get a sense of who we are and what we love, and there are so many elements to look at — anything makes a great conversation starter.”

Talk of the townhouse

Where to start with such a vast collection of pop art, collectables and other treasures? “Ah, so many we love,” says Rachel, whose favourites include the green velvet and gold deco bar stools from a secondhand shop, a Lipstick mirror by Roger Lecal, bought on Facebook Marketplace for $20, and a checkerboard-tiled coffee table in the lounge, which was made by a friend as a housewarming gift. “It’s such a treasured piece in our home,” she says of the latter.

The Homer Simpson vintage cookie jar with a talking head was found at an op-shop by Sam when he was on a skateboarding trip. “The lid is broken but it still talks and we'll get around to supergluing it back together one day.”