New Zealand Month
The Flower Whisperer | Markantonia
Before arriving at the Kingsland studio of Markantonia – given the nature of their business – I was naturally expecting to see a lot of dried flowers; but I never envisioned the sheer volume that was actually there. Flowers and branches were hung from every conceivable beam or door; hydrangeas filled vases, buds and leaves that had been carefully clipped filled the glass jars on the shelves. A veritable wonderland for the floral enthusiast.
The Affordable Architect | Box
Not long after arriving in New Zealand, we toyed with the idea of purchasing a home. We looked at our options: To get something run down to renovate to our liking, or to build one that is architecturally designed. The latter was completely out of our reach until I stumbled upon Box. The concept, which you will read about made so much sense. Unfortunately we didn’t end up purchasing in Auckland, which is a huge regret of mine, but that’s another story. Box however was reintroduced to me through friends who commissioned them build their holiday home. We were their guests for the weekend not long before we left New Zealand and I saw for myself the finish of these builds that perfectly complement the landscape. Dan, the founder, is my guest today to talk about the Box concept.
The Scarf Designers | Bird & Knoll
Ever since I discovered Bird & Knoll they have been high up on my list of things to not-to-leave New Zealand without. These luxurious cashmere-blend scarves are printed with travel destinations, look fabulous and are worn by the fashion conscious worldwide.
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 Rug Maker | Nodi
While the story of Nodi rugs might begin in the flea markets of Milan, it’s really about Olivia, the founder of Nodi’s journey. It’s about how she created a business that is a reflection of her love of textures and craftsmanship along with her strong ethics. One thing is for certain, she’d listened to her instincts and took some chances for everything to unfold into the business it is today. It’s early days yet. Her workspace is her home. She works from the kitchen table, surrounded by glass walls and ceiling, albeit it’s not the type that’s holding her down.
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 Jeweller | Zoe and Morgan
I met Zoe about five years ago not long after I had arrived in Auckland. She was my neighbour, and two things immediately struck me about her: this gorgeous welcoming smile and that she always wore the most amazing jewellery! I had no idea at the time about this brand called Zoe and Morgan that was making its mark in the best-dressed London and New Zealand scene.
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.
