Our Team
The Author
Wende Reid
Under her company name, f o r m a n d c o l o u r, Wende Reid practices architectural, interior and furniture design and fine art consulting. She began her career in New York and has been awarded twice for excellence in her designs.
During her career, she has held licensing agreements in the US and Europe, under her own trademark and for clients.
She has developed numerous best selling collections in decorative textiles, wall paper, bed linen, rugs, lighting, dinnerware and flatware.
Her work has been featured in highly prestigious stores, residences, five star hotels, international sporting events and publications in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, the sovereign nation of Kiribati, and five star resorts on Lizard Island, Vanuatu and Fiji.
She has been commissioned to develop designs for dignitaries and royalty.
She founded in house product development for the home furnishings at Federated Department Stores and, in the US, developed the early framework on which coordinated home furnishings collections are based, such as Ralph Lauren and Martha Stewart.
Under her company name, f o r m a n d c o l o u r, Wende Reid practices architectural, interior and furniture design and fine art consulting. She began her career in New York and has been awarded twice for excellence in her designs.
During her career, she has held licensing agreements in the US and Europe, under her own trademark and for clients.
She has developed numerous best selling collections in decorative textiles, wall paper, bed linen, rugs, lighting, dinnerware and flatware.
Her work has been featured in highly prestigious stores, residences, five star hotels, international sporting events and publications in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, the sovereign nation of Kiribati, and five star resorts on Lizard Island, Vanuatu and Fiji.
She has been commissioned to develop designs for dignitaries and royalty.
She founded in house product development for the home furnishings at Federated Department Stores and, in the US, developed the early framework on which coordinated home furnishings collections are based, such as Ralph Lauren and Martha Stewart.
Our Tutors
Leta Keens
Leta Keens is an award-winning journalist who specializes in architecture, design and the arts. She started her career on the interior design and architecture pages of a Fleet Street newspaper and has since worked in Australia, Italy and the United States.
Leta has written for a number of publications, including Harper's Bazaar, House & Garden, Elle Decoration and for a number of years has been editor-at-large of Belle, the internationally acclaimed architecture and design magazine.
Her job takes her around the world, inside some of the most beautiful houses and also allows her to meet some of the top people in the design business.
Kim Lane
Kim Lane completed a degree in Clothing Design and Textile Science from the University of Otago. She worked initially as a Visual Merchandiser and Window Dresser for Country Road Clothing in New Zealand before transferring to Sydney, then eventually managed all the store teams throughout New South Wales.
While working in the UK, Kim was drawn to the Designers Guild and Terence Conran stores, among others, and discovered a passion for interiors, colour and fabric. This inspired her to study Colour Design after returning to NZ, then start her own business, Magenta Colour Consultancy, to work as an independent Colour Consultant.
To further broaden her design-related skills and knowledge base, Kim studied Interior Design online through the Interior Design Institute of NZ, while continuing to work and raise her family.
As a Colour Consultant, Kim is involved primarily with residential clients, specifying concepts, colours, and finishes for their projects. Kim also works part-time for a sustainable timber flooring company, due to her interest in sustainable design and decoration.
Leta Keens is an award-winning journalist who specializes in architecture, design and the arts. She started her career on the interior design and architecture pages of a Fleet Street newspaper and has since worked in Australia, Italy and the United States.
Leta has written for a number of publications, including Harper's Bazaar, House & Garden, Elle Decoration and for a number of years has been editor-at-large of Belle, the internationally acclaimed architecture and design magazine.
Her job takes her around the world, inside some of the most beautiful houses and also allows her to meet some of the top people in the design business.
Kim Lane
Kim Lane completed a degree in Clothing Design and Textile Science from the University of Otago. She worked initially as a Visual Merchandiser and Window Dresser for Country Road Clothing in New Zealand before transferring to Sydney, then eventually managed all the store teams throughout New South Wales.
While working in the UK, Kim was drawn to the Designers Guild and Terence Conran stores, among others, and discovered a passion for interiors, colour and fabric. This inspired her to study Colour Design after returning to NZ, then start her own business, Magenta Colour Consultancy, to work as an independent Colour Consultant.
To further broaden her design-related skills and knowledge base, Kim studied Interior Design online through the Interior Design Institute of NZ, while continuing to work and raise her family.
As a Colour Consultant, Kim is involved primarily with residential clients, specifying concepts, colours, and finishes for their projects. Kim also works part-time for a sustainable timber flooring company, due to her interest in sustainable design and decoration.
Sarah Davis
Sarah is a talented young interior designer who is full of energy and new ideas. After studying Art, Art History and Graphics at High School, she undertook a two year Diploma course from the Auckland School of Interior Design, graduating in 2006.
She has worked for one of New Zealand’s leading Interior Design companies as part of the home staging team and also as a consultant for clients selecting fabric, furniture and finishes for their projects.
Sarah also undertakes her own freelance design work. Sketching, drawing and rendering are her strengths and she uses this talent to create timeless spaces full of colour and texture that reflect and enhance her clients‟ lifestyles.
From a young age, Sarah has always loved Art and Design and her chosen career in Interior Design has enabled her to fulfil her passion.
Sarah is an Associate Member of DINZ (Designers Institute of New Zealand).
Rebecca Escott
Rebecca has always had a passion for design. In a career spanning over 20 years, she has been involved with visual merchandising, photography, kitchen and bathroom design, residential interior design and commercial interior design. She was also an interior designer for international projects when based in the UK.
Prior to working overseas, Rebecca co-owned a successful Interior Design business in Northland. After returning to New Zealand, Rebecca and her husband, an Architectural Technician, established a design business called Orange Fish Design to combine their skills and offer a complete service to clients. In 2006-2007, Rebecca was invited to be a designer on TVNZ “Mitre 10 Dream Home”, which was an invaluable experience.
Recently she has further developed her skills and knowledge, completing the “National Diploma of Architectural Technology” qualification to broaden her scope of work as an Architectural Interior Designer.
Sarah is a talented young interior designer who is full of energy and new ideas. After studying Art, Art History and Graphics at High School, she undertook a two year Diploma course from the Auckland School of Interior Design, graduating in 2006.
She has worked for one of New Zealand’s leading Interior Design companies as part of the home staging team and also as a consultant for clients selecting fabric, furniture and finishes for their projects.
Sarah also undertakes her own freelance design work. Sketching, drawing and rendering are her strengths and she uses this talent to create timeless spaces full of colour and texture that reflect and enhance her clients‟ lifestyles.
From a young age, Sarah has always loved Art and Design and her chosen career in Interior Design has enabled her to fulfil her passion.
Sarah is an Associate Member of DINZ (Designers Institute of New Zealand).
Rebecca Escott
Rebecca has always had a passion for design. In a career spanning over 20 years, she has been involved with visual merchandising, photography, kitchen and bathroom design, residential interior design and commercial interior design. She was also an interior designer for international projects when based in the UK.
Prior to working overseas, Rebecca co-owned a successful Interior Design business in Northland. After returning to New Zealand, Rebecca and her husband, an Architectural Technician, established a design business called Orange Fish Design to combine their skills and offer a complete service to clients. In 2006-2007, Rebecca was invited to be a designer on TVNZ “Mitre 10 Dream Home”, which was an invaluable experience.
Recently she has further developed her skills and knowledge, completing the “National Diploma of Architectural Technology” qualification to broaden her scope of work as an Architectural Interior Designer.
Ali Daniell
Ali Daniell brings a wealth of experience in both practical design and teaching to The Interior Design Institute. She has taught students of all ages and at all levels of expertise.
Ali started her career teaching textiles and garment construction after gaining a Diploma of Home Science from the University of Otago and a Diploma of Teaching from Auckland Secondary Teachers College. Her passion for fabrics, colour and all aspects of design later inspired her to qualify for her current career with a Diploma of Interior Design. Initially she worked as a Colour Consultant for Resene Paints Ltd., where she gained invaluable experience in understanding the complexity of colour as a pivotal design tool in any environment. She then set up her own business, Alizarin, to work as an independent Interior Designer and Colour Consultant.
Motivated by a love of design, art & architecture, she developed and taught an independent Introductory Interior Design course in 2006 to share her knowledge and experience.
Ali works primarily with residential clients, providing concepts, plans, colour and finishes to suit individual homes, lifestyles and budgets. Her projects include new buildings, contemporary apartments and home enhancements, as well as extensive renovations involving a diverse range of architectual styles, from historic to more modern homes. She has also been involved in a variety of commercial projects.
Ali is an Associate Member of DINZ (Designers Institute of New Zealand).
Wendi Todd
Wendi Todd started a career in theatre specializing in Costume and Set Design for student and professional productions at the Alexander Theatre Monash University.
She stayed there for 10 years before working with theatre producers such as Michael Edgley, Kevin Jacobson and Cameron Macintosh.
Her 25 year career in theatre took her around the world where she educated herself in Architecture and Interior Design.
She left show business to work with property developers as an Interior Designer in commercial but mostly residential applications.
Today Wendi works as a tutor for The Interior Design Institute as well as running her own Interior design company and consulting on predominantly domestic projects, specializing in kitchen, bathrooms and colour schemes.
Ali Daniell brings a wealth of experience in both practical design and teaching to The Interior Design Institute. She has taught students of all ages and at all levels of expertise.
Ali started her career teaching textiles and garment construction after gaining a Diploma of Home Science from the University of Otago and a Diploma of Teaching from Auckland Secondary Teachers College. Her passion for fabrics, colour and all aspects of design later inspired her to qualify for her current career with a Diploma of Interior Design. Initially she worked as a Colour Consultant for Resene Paints Ltd., where she gained invaluable experience in understanding the complexity of colour as a pivotal design tool in any environment. She then set up her own business, Alizarin, to work as an independent Interior Designer and Colour Consultant.
Motivated by a love of design, art & architecture, she developed and taught an independent Introductory Interior Design course in 2006 to share her knowledge and experience.
Ali works primarily with residential clients, providing concepts, plans, colour and finishes to suit individual homes, lifestyles and budgets. Her projects include new buildings, contemporary apartments and home enhancements, as well as extensive renovations involving a diverse range of architectual styles, from historic to more modern homes. She has also been involved in a variety of commercial projects.
Ali is an Associate Member of DINZ (Designers Institute of New Zealand).
Wendi Todd
Wendi Todd started a career in theatre specializing in Costume and Set Design for student and professional productions at the Alexander Theatre Monash University.
She stayed there for 10 years before working with theatre producers such as Michael Edgley, Kevin Jacobson and Cameron Macintosh.
Her 25 year career in theatre took her around the world where she educated herself in Architecture and Interior Design.
She left show business to work with property developers as an Interior Designer in commercial but mostly residential applications.
Today Wendi works as a tutor for The Interior Design Institute as well as running her own Interior design company and consulting on predominantly domestic projects, specializing in kitchen, bathrooms and colour schemes.
