Local designer Heather Thorley of Colour Options is a finalist for the Australasian Dulux 2011 Colour Awards.
Heather is the lead designer at Colour Options. After many years in the business, she is still passionate about the world of colour and design and the challenge and variety of work she gets involved in. She enjoys meeting clients again and again as they buy, build and renovate homes and work spaces.
Heather has a friendly, open style, and the unusual combination of being creative yet practical. Heather believes it’s essential to keep up with global and local trends and product knowledge so travels to key design shows in New Zealand and Australia each year. She and her staff also attend local design seminars and product launches, and have a close relationship with suppliers. Heather is a preferred Colour Consultant for Resene, Dulux and Taubmans.
Design and colour are not just work for Heather they form the basis of her many interests including collecting contemporary New Zealand art. In 1997, with her husband, she designed their family home on a small, steep site in Raumati where they literally had to cut into a hillside to accommodate the house. This innovative design featured in magazines and is still looking great today.
In her previous working life, Heather was a tutor, social worker and marriage counsellor. She finds the skills gained in these roles very useful when working with clients making decisions and also as a public speaker.
Heather is married to Gavin who is also a director of Colour Options. They have three adult children.