Giving nature, design & curiosity the freedom to recreate our humanity
My favourite friendships in life are those that you can leave and pick up right where you left it months, or even years later. It’s the acknowledgement that being mindful in the present might mean a gap in the growth of distant friendships, however, because being in the present is such a priority, when you […]
Living in the southern hemisphere comes with some unique blends of seasons & celebrations. In my blog, 7 Tips for Interior Wintry Cheer, I address the need to celebrate the winter, as it seems very long without the holidays and celebrations of the New Year. However, when it comes to the end of the year, […]
Nestled a mere 9 kilometres from Christchurch’s CBD sits the coastal suburb of New Brighton. The city was originally called in O-ruapaeroa in Māori, which means an east wind on the shore. The strong easterlies are exactly what you’ll feel when rounding the corner towards the beach to walk along the New Brighton pier, reaching out […]
The 19th & 20th centuries brought incredible change for Britain & Ireland, through urbanisation, industrialisation & the steam age. Due to the massive change in trade and lifestyle, many fled to the newly settled country of New Zealand to begin life anew with a more rural and nostalgic feel, which many of them had lost […]
The Christchurch rebuild following the devastating earthquakes of 2011 and 2012 has been an incredible journey. Road works, orange cones and constant hammering have become part of the day-to-day lives of local Cantabrians. The huge increase in demand for engineering, architects, interior designers and contractors continues, and an immediate rift in the architectural landscape of […]
Sundays in Madrid are languid, slow & yet filled with the best pleasures in life. As Catholicism is still the main religion of the people, Sunday is still reserved as a type of holy day, something set aside from work for enjoyment and friendships. Waking up to the sounds of children playing the courtyard below, […]
The details of drapes can be overwhelming, not to mention all the other window treatment solutions for your home. If you’re no-fuss and want a clean-lined, architectural look, join many who have ditched the drapes for fully automated roller blinds. Or if your home is out the wilderness and in solitude, with incredible views of […]
How frantic becomes the music of our lives when we become desperate for a break. Yet all that seems to come our way are crescendos: a swarm of e-mails, interruptions, meeting reminders, the dash in-between to grab a cup of coffee to stimulate our minds for more hours of ceaseless activity. We long for repose: […]
There are very few designers who receive enough status and trust in the public eye as to receive commissions in which they determine the scope, budget and full detail of their works themselves. Even well respected designers, such as Karim Rashid & Philippe Starck work to a brief, limiting their creative freedom. A design brief is […]
If you live in Christchurch, you’ll know that the quantity of new cafes has totally gone out of control. It used to be the weekend activity to check-out the latest cafe, but these days there are too many new kids on the block to try them all. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, […]
Nesting Folk 