interview
The Designer | David Trubridge
Before moving to New Zealand, if someone were to ask me to name an industrial designer from here, David Trubridge would have be the first one to pop to mind. His lighting, most notably the Coral light, is recognized around the world as a design classic and its geometric design creates a playful pattern on the walls and ceiling when lit. The Coral, and much of David’s lighting and furniture is on show in some of the finest interior and commercial fit-outs worldwide.
The Tea Sisters | Storm & India
Since their launch a couple of years ago, Storm and India Tea Sisters have brought the glamour back to the tea scene. They caught everyone’s attention with the Tea Van, serving specialty brews from a cool polished chrome sixties van at events and markets around Auckland. More recently they have collaborated with Little Bird Organics to educate the detox and health benefits of their handcrafted organic tea. While there has been a cheeky twist, they have always taken tea very seriously and they’ve pleased everyone from the ordinary drinkers, to the connoisseurs. I’m a huge tea lover; it is a ritual for me, and reading India’s answers to my questions for NZ Month, has brought me to a new level of appreciation.
The Foodie & Stylist | Fiona Hugues
With an eye for all things authentic, foodie and stylist, Fiona Hugues has forged her career by embracing the imperfections and drama of raw beauty and objects. Her boundless creativity and experimentation has her craft magical scenes for her clients in the food and interior world. Her work, in partnership with photographer, Jani Shepherd, under Gatherum Collectif is highly respected and in demand here in New Zealand. You know a stylist “has it” when you flick through magazines and you easily recognize their trademark. Fiona answered some questions about her work and how she got started in the industry.
Winner Interview, Interior Blog Awards
I hope that you all had a fab weekend! Since the official work year began for me, I’ve been working on a couple of exciting projects. I’ll reveal it all in due time, but it’s meant that I’ve had to work a little extra and on the weekend. I did manage to squeeze in some fun though (while my house falls apart around me and no washing done!), catching up with friends, having a lovely valentines brunch and a visit to one of the participating gardens in the Heroic Garden Festival. I’ve long admired this beautiful historic home in Grey Lynn but had no idea what an incredible garden it had behind the gates. It includes every flower, fruit and vegetable you could image, a huge chook enclosure and a natural pool where the owners swim amongst fish and water lilies. All of this, in the heart of inner city Grey Lynn! Remind me to put this fantastic event in my calendar for next year.
Sustainable Home Q & A with Lisa Day
Some of you may recall an article I did for the April/May Homestyle magazine on the sustainable build of Auckland architects, Lisa and Scott of Donnell & Day Architecure . It created a lot of interest here and on social media and it seems that quite a few of you are wanting to know more about what you could do to your home, to live more sustainably. When I spoke to Lisa about her home in preparation for the article, I was fascinated by her unwavering passion on the subject of sustainable builds and renovations. One thing that she kept on stressing to me, was that a beautiful architecturally designed home, that is also sustainable, needn’t cost the earth. Lisa also has this natural gift to explain it in everyday language. Obviously this is a huge subject and it can be looked at from many angles, so today I thought I’d focus on the structure of the home and what changes and/or additions you could do to live more sustainably. Lisa of Donnell & Day Architecture kindly answered some questions.
5 Food Questions with Nicola Galloway
Nicola Galloway is a trained chef, nutritionist, author of three cookbooks, and founder of the lovely food blog, Homegrown Kitchen. Her blog is jam packed with wholesome and seasonal recipes, with the ingredients quite often grown in her garden. The way Nicola embraces the best of the simple life, which was influenced by her upbringing, really makes me question the urbanite in me and suddenly I’m dreaming of my very own veggie patch, hens and fruit trees. She has also just released a 2015 seasonal recipe calendar, which I can’t wait to get my hands on! If you’re not yet a reader of Homegrown Kitchen, make sure you pop over to discover it for yourself and click on the motion video on her about page to get the perfect picture of what it’s all about. Today it is with great pleasure that I have Nicola as my guest, answering my 5 food questions.
5 Decorating Questions with Karine Köng
It’s with great pleasure today that I have Karine Köng, of the Bodie and Fou fame as my 5 Decorations Guest. Talented stylist, one half of the award winning online concept store, and lifestyle blogger, Karine certainly knows a thing or two about creating that perfect space in the home, her impeccably curated and award winning concept store is lusted over by design bloggers and interior magazines worldwide. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of visiting the Bodie and Fou online boutique, it really should be on your list if you’re after some effortless chic. Oh and did I mention that she is French? Mais oui, of course!
Designer Insights & Sydney again
Velvet Chesterfield | Handwoven Arrow Tapestry | Grashoppa Floor Lamp | Bud Vase | Cross Brass Coffee Table
I was recently interviewed by Terry Blinds in the UK for their Designer Insights series about my inspiration, who I admire and my creative process. Along with this interview, I was also asked to provide my top 5 picks for the season. They are going into the cooler months on that side of the world, so I stuck to warmer hues along with some texture. I hope that you pop over to have a read of the interview.
