There’s nothing more inspiring that hearing stories of creative folk who take the leap to leave the safety of a big city and corporate job to chase the dream of building their lifestyle around creating more time with the family and getting back to nature. This is the story that Toby from RAW Concrete has created for himself and he has well and truly found his place in the raw world of concrete. We were lucky enough to find out more about how RAW came about. Winding back the clock, how did Haumoana become the home for your studio? Was there a special connection to the area beforehand? It’s not ..read more

Diane Keaton - actor, director, producer, and a recipient of an Academy Award, BAFTA, and two Golden Globes. Feeling slightly inadequate yet? Sorry to prick your bubble further, but she’s also a photographer, real estate developer and singer too – and now she’s giving our Book Club something to write about.     Are you guilty of falling into the Pinterest rabbit hole for hours on end, like us? What we love about this book is that it’s just that - a book. There’s something lovely about replacing clicks and swipes for real page turning. Yet it’s also very cool to think Pinterest was t ..read more

I’m totally mad about this rare bird.     Close your eyes and picture oversized glasses, red lipstick and intoxicating outfits. Did Iris appear? Most of us know her face, dwarfed by those punchy glasses, “all the bigger to see you with my dear”. Her red lipstick has a ‘sit up and listen’ powerful, glamourous quality, and she’s perhaps the world’s oldest living teenager (self-proclaimed). “If you want to stay young, you have to think young.” Now that’s cool. In her book, Iris writes about the unexpected moments - her lifelong journey in fashion, textile and interior design. One of th ..read more

A series of stories from people who see work more than a simple job. Some with a single vision, some in a working partnership and some creating communities. Followed by a lengthy chapter of TIPS (worldly advice from workers in the know). What I love, and why I regularly bury my head in this book is because of the stark contrasts in the entrepreneurial every day, and how they challenge us, or the daily grind of the sole charge self-employed who is sometimes seen / heard having a small chat with oneself (guilty). None the less, this book is more than worthy of a read front to back, and I’d even ..read more

This book had me at; “A home is one of our most important creations. Within its frame, we create lifelong memories and manage our lives…” and, “Homes must not start with the end in mind. They need to begin with our story. To unearth a home, we have to dig deep, to understand ourselves as well as others who live there… home design should shift from the surface to the sensory.” If there is one thing I stay true to in my work, it is these very sentiments.     I may had done a little happy jig and skipped all responsibilities to read on. Real and raw interiors, completely authentic to t ..read more

Exploring ways to use wood in the home is an ongoing education for me. As a natural material, I love the way it creates harmony, balance and mood. This book was an exciting find and sits well with my ethos of ‘plain, simple and useful’. Along with the wisdom, ‘Made of Wood’ offers a generous glimpse into 12 homes where timber has been lavishly applied. All things recycled, modern, handmade and globally inspired have been showcased, making every page a joy. Authors, Mark & Sally Bailey are founders of concept store Baileys Home in Herefordshire countryside. From this unique address of old f ..read more

Clifton Glamping is mother nature in her finest outfit. Perched on the hills of the Maraetotara River, hosts Tom & Lucia have generously shared it’s rustic glory with just enough glamp to make you never want to leave. Sometimes you’ve got to swap the desk and its sensibilities for the great outdoors. I’m a firm believer that nature provides the most exciting inspiration and creative direction in my work, so that’s a pretty valid excuse too. Clifton Glamping was on the to-do list for 2020 as a surprise end of year celebration for my beloved. Positioned on one of NZ’s oldest working family f ..read more

In our line of work we meet some pretty darn clever makers, and we're big fans of the ones who take care of their work, conscious of environmental impact whilst designing thoughtful, functional and timeless products. Miranda Osborne, is founder, designer, van driver & wire furniture lover of Ico Traders who recently shared more of her story with us (on a side note, I’m their no:1 fan of the Orere Sofa).     1. The Christchurch earthquake was a pivotal point in your life. Can you tell us how this major event caused you to rethink your career path, and was Ico ..read more

We recently chatted with Annie Loveridge, about her store The Ivy House, and how it represents her meaning of “home” (whist admitting she too is a homebody at heart) Annie and her delightful team firmly believe that natural materials, sourced kindly, produce healthy homes, and live by their number one belief “choose what you love".     1) We love how The Ivy House is named after a home you once lived in. That must have been a special residence, do you think it has influenced the ethos of your business in any way? I think it has as I feel it's my name over the door so ther ..read more

If someone had told me 20 years ago there was no right or wrong with colour, it just came down to personal choice - I would have stopped the search. This book makes you want to unleash colour in your home, wardrobe, and even your lips (why do I reserve red for confident days?). Abigail Ahern is a British heroine. A storeowner, stylist and bestselling author, she is also admired for her courageous product design, including those iconic ceramic dog lamps. The Times called her ‘the coolest decorator on the planet’ and she has been described as an ‘influential tastemaker’. And in this book she sho ..read more