One of the first things that hits you when you walk into Republic Home is the variety. David Peez, the owner of this Auckland homeware institution, says he prefers his Ponsonby and Parnell stores to not be pigeonholed by just one interiors style. “We don’t have a single aesthetic that we stick to,” he says. “We like to play with various looks, in the same way our customers may want different styles for different houses, rooms or stages of life.”

Catering for those who dare to be different, pink chandeliers hang from the shop ceiling, patchwork rugs in sea blue and orange spread out across the floor, and artworks are painted in hues that scream of summer. Bright juju hats adorn the walls while occasional chairs in vintage suzanis (embroidered cloths from central Asia) embrace colour and pattern. For those with a more subtle approach to decorating, there are goatskin ottomans, consoles and cabinets in beautiful woods and various stains, while storage baskets in soft taupe and white stripes soften any setting.