Sage x Clare and Evie Kemp’s home is a match made in heaven. Now, although we’ve never met Evie in person, we chat to her almost every day on our Insta’ DMs and have kinda’ become online besties. Evie released a beautiful book called “Much” last year and we feel honoured to featured on many of these pages.

Evie’s home is one of the most daring we’ve come across… it’s a maximalist wonderland and we L-O-V-E everything about it. Unexpected colour clashes, bold patterns everywhere and the definition of unique. 

Not only is Evie passionate about colour, pattern and maximalism but also DIY projects too. We’ve become obsessed with watching her upcycling content (you can check it out via her Insta page @eviekemp).

Nailing maximalism is no easy feat and for those that aren’t confident with styling lots of colour in your home or perhaps you want to start dabbling in more colour? You won’t want to miss this interview. Enjoy!

Who are you and what do you do? 

I’m Evie, and I’m a designer, artist and I guess, author now! My work spans across interiors, textiles and illustration - basically anything patterned and colourful I can put my hand to. I do a lot of content creation and work with brands in those kind of spaces too - DIY projects etc.

Shop cushions here.

A huge congratulations on your book! What it’s like to create a book from scratch? Did you enjoy the process?

Aw thank you so much! The process of making it ended up being more emotional than I thought, putting it all together really made me reflect on my own journey and feel quite proud. I really loved working with Tonia my publisher at Koa Press as it was a super collaborative process, and as someone who is often a bit of a lone wolf at work it was cool to get the input from someone else and see my work in a different way. I’m super happy with how “Much” ended up and how much it offers the reader. I really wanted it to be a path to finding your own style rather than all about me and my style. I’m kind of just the example of the method. 
 
Has your taste in interiors always been maximalism? Where did that deep love of colour and pattern come from?

I’ve definitely always leaned towards maximalism. Probably because that’s what I knew, my Mum is very much a colour lover and maximalist herself so our home was always filled with pattern, colour and diy projects. I’ve found my own way with my style over time, always trying things out to find what I love. 

 

Shop kitchen decor here.

If a lifelong minimalist wants to start dabbling in more colour but their home is completely neutral… where do they even begin? (without completely starting again)

Cushions! Always, so easy to inject a bit of colour without changing the big stuff or over committing. Start with designs that might be more neutral but with some pops and then connect the dots. The difference just some nice cushions can make to making a home feel more cozy and alive is major. 

 

Shop cushions here.

Pattern clashing (interiors and fashion) can be scary for many and out of their comfort zone. What are the secrets to pattern clashing... without it looking dishevelled? 

• There’s a few easy little tricks to follow that make this a bit less of a mystery. Firstly, colour link by having each pattern connect with a colour in another but the key is that they’re not all linking the same colour. EG: cushion B might have the pink from cushion A, while cushion C has a blue that features on cushion B and so on.
• Then mix different types and scales of pattern, so maybe a large organic pattern, a small print, and a stripe or geometric. These combos always work well together, especially if you’ve got a bit of a colour link as they’ll look super eclectic and yet go together harmoniously. 
• Last tip from me would be to always include texture as a major component of any styling, it’s what really adds dimension and a suggestion of collection.      

You are the DIY Queen! Tell us, what’s your fave upcycling project so far? Give us some DIY inspiration for 2025 please!

I confess I’m still in love with my upcycled drawers in my wardrobe, I added a pattern of cut wooden shapes to the fronts of the drawers and painted them a sky blue and honestly I shocked myself with how much I like them! 

As for DIY inspo for this year - obviously I say just start! Some of my favourite smaller projects are covering picture frames and mats in fabrics, or painting on to lampshades for an update. 

 

Shop bathe here.

Our Sage x Clare community are HUGE lovers of art. What artists are you loving right now?

I’ve recently bought a small piece from local artist Amanda Billing who is painting these moody and ethereal swirling portraits and images of the female form that often veer to totally abstract which I adore.

Absolute top of my art wish-list is Loren Marks, another kiwi who has recently moved to Australia. Her super gestural, colour filled almost dream scapes are phenomenal.

Quite different to those two, I’m really drawn to the folk art silhouettes of UK artist Tabby Booth. 

Not only is your home full of colour but your wardrobe too, what’s your best piece of fashion advice? 

Dress for yourself and no one else, and have fun with it - just like home, try things out and maybe it’s not for you but you don’t know until you try it. I love shopping second hand for this reason too. 
 
Working in the social media space can be tiring… how do you switch off and when do you feel your most relaxed? 

I’ve started 2025 with new boundaries around social media because it was the first thing I’d do when I woke up and I realised that was terrible for me. I try and have a craft project on the go that I can do instead of on my phone - crochet or embroidery, I’m less focused on the outcome and more on the process and can do it while I watch tv but it keeps my hands busy and away from my phone. I’m definitely most relaxed when I’m creating and in the “zone” and I really hope I can increase those times this year! 

If you had one day left on earth… how would you spend it? Describe your dream day to us.

Oh wow, pressure! I’d get up and have pancakes with lemon and sugar with Sam, my husband - then we’d go for a dog walk somewhere beautiful in the bush. A trip to the Auckland Art Gallery to just gaze at some favourite art and then a long lunch with friends somewhere delicious and with pasta (In Auckland this restaurant would be Bianca or Ada!), then out to a beach in late afternoon for a read under a tree and then an early evening swim. Home for cheese for dinner and to watch something really great. Somehow in this day the sheets were washed and the fresh bed and pjs for another good read before sleep. Simple but good and time is a flexible construct haha.  
 
Lastly, what are the top 3 items on your Sage x Clare wish-list right now? 

Nooo, don’t make me choose only three haha. I’m pretty bed focussed at the moment as we’re changing to a king so I have a legitimate reason to shop for bedding. I absolutely adore the Myra Euro pillowcases or anything in that pattern. The Halleck Canisters in every colour (don’t make me choose!) And not technically a wish-list as I’m lucky to have it on my sofa right now, but I’m obsessed with the Saanvi Tufted Cushion. 

Follow Evie Kemp on Instagram here.

Buy her new book here. 

With a whole lotta love xx