With careers that converge, Danny Pato and Ryland Wood are leaders in New Zealand's vibrant hair industry. Pato, co-owner and stylist of D&M Hair Design and husband Ryland Wood, co-founder and Managing Director of Be, the New Zealand distributor of Davines Sustainable Beauty work in the same industry and are a couple that exudes exquisite style. From their wardrobes to their living spaces. Editor Trudi Brewer visited their villa to find a colourful, inner-city haven, just off Auckland's Ponsonby road.

The Villa Pato and Wood share off Ponsonby road in Auckland.

What do you love most about your careers?

Pato
Everything, I always feel fortunate to do what I do. In some ways, it doesn’t feel like work. I can dress how I like, play the music I like, and be social with interesting people from different age groups and nationalities - and help people to look and feel beautiful.
Wood
I get to connect with incredibly talented, creative and intuitive people. And the fact that I’ve always been a product and ingredient junkie helps when working with beautiful brands that I'm obsessed with.

How have your careers influenced your style?

Pato
A lot! Hair is a big part of fashion, music, film and pop culture, so, of course, it’s influenced my style.
Wood
I don’t think my career has influenced my style, other than not pressuring me to conform.

What do you like most about living here?

Pato
I can get a long black coffee from the café next door.
Wood
Aside from the fact, I adore our home; there is a strong sense of community here on Franklin Rd in Ponsonby that I unashamedly embrace.

Every room in the couples home has been artfully curated.

How would your friends describe your home?

Pato
Creative, with a mix of old and new. It’s a villa with an organic, Scandinavian feel.
Wood
A classic wee villa, with a lush green-filled, mid-century surprise out the back.

Where do you look for inspiration when styling your home?

Pato
I'm obsessed with interior design. I love the detail, shape, clean lines and textures. The rest follows.
Wood
Danny is a constant source of inspiration, often my job is to whittle his ideas down to their essence, and then make them happen.

What do you think makes a great interior?

Pato
Follow the character of the house, and then add your personality.
Wood
One that was created purposefully and patiently. One that has warmth, functionality, personality and space.

Light and airy the couple’s villa with high ceilings and great spaces to entertain.

How did you come up with the colour scheme?

Pato
And as a hairstylist, I work with colour every day. It makes me happy. I love the splashes of pastels, pink and green all around me.
Wood
We’ve been drawn to that candied-almond coloured palette for the past few months, grounded with American oak and highlighted by brass and copper.

Your art taste is so eclectic, where did you find it?

Pato
Everywhere. I like a mix of different artists. Some were created by our friends, who are artists, and some from galleries and some; I’ve torn from art books and framed.
Wood
A lot are prints we’ve purchased directly from the artist off Etsy and had framed.

The couple share the same passion for art, photography and design.

What is your favourite room and why?

Pato
I love the living area of the house. Surrounded by our books, ornaments and plants and my cushions.
Wood
You stole my answer.

What are your most treasured possessions?

Pato
The framed photo in the kitchen from my dear, legendary fashion photographer friend, the late Craig Owen (framed model shot above). It was the first shot in a seasonal collection of work that we created together, so it's very special to me.
Wood
The National Geographic collection that my Opa amassed from 1927 to 1984.

What’s your best interior advice?

Pato
Surround yourself with timeless things, the pieces you love, the colours you enjoy and the things that give you comfort.
Wood
And, there you go...you stole my answer again. Dito…

Photography Keryn Sweeney