Me and McKenzie House
Hi there!
I'm Pip Karl and I started McKenzie House in 2012 to offer excellent quality, NZ made furnishings online. DIY is a big part of our way of life in Aotearoa New Zealand and I know from my experience that many of you like to choose your furnishings yourselves - at any time of the day or night!
I love sewing. My mum taught me the basics when I was 7 years old and I've never stopped! I've been designing and manufacturing interior furnishings professionally for over 20 years and I still enjoy helping people like you create interiors that reflect your personality and lifestyle.
I personally make all of my customers' roman blinds and many other smaller items. For the sewing work that I'm not equipped to do, I've carefully selected a team of makers whose experience and expertise I trust completely to ensure that all of your furnishings are beautifully made.
Prior to starting McKenzie House I had spent twelve years as a design consultant for two large furnishings retailers and two years as national sales manager for one of NZ's leading soft furnishings manufacturers. My work was varied and interesting and it took me all across the country from customers' homes to hotels, offices to schools and hospitals to aged-care facilities.
Having worked with literally thousands of customers over the past 20 years I have learnt that most people usually know what they like and enjoy choosing their own fabrics and style but they just need some help with the technical side of things - which I love to do.
It's really important to me that your furnishings not only look great but they have to work well too. I love making sure that the technical details are just right and the final fabric choice and fittings used are the most suitable for your project.
If I feel you haven't made a good choice of a product or style when you contact me for a quote I will certainly let you know (in the nicest possible way of course!) and I'll make a recommendation for an alternative option.
Having worked as both a designer and a maker, I have a thorough understanding of the design and manufacturing processes. The interiors industry is constantly evolving which means I'm regularly attending supplier workshops, doing further training and meeting with industry representatives so that I can offer you the most up-to-date products and knowledge available.
I've packaged up my experience and knowledge into this website to help you select the best style and fittings for your project and guide you through the measuring process. However, I realise that each project is unique (and some are downright tricky!) so if you can’t find the answer you're looking for on this website I'm only a click away if you need extra help.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Pip
