Nesting Folk

Suited to Sustain: the best interior moods for sustainable living

One of my biggest frustrations as an interior designer is how we as humans compromise our values in order to get what we want, when we want it. The fast fashion industry has been under scrutiny for years now, however, the world of interiors and construction is lagging behind. Our trinkets and furniture are made overseas with little accountability for employee wellbeing and often with ambiguity on…

When my husband and I bought our first home a few years ago, we both worked full-time jobs and prioritised location over size. We liked the idea of strolling into the city after work in summers or on weekends, but getting a garage within our budget meant we had to buy just at the cusp of Christchurch’s CBD at the time.

Townhouse – image by Shannon Hammond

At the time, it was perfect: a short…

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword these days: it affects public policy, supermarket norms, marketing campaigns and innovation. It’s probably harder to think of industries where this agenda hasn’t impacted the culture in a big way.

One gap I have seen in the New Zealand interior design industry recently is related to the ethos of sustainability. There definitely are designers, products…

Choosing the best window treatments for your home

Window treatments are one of the pillars of interior design. They optimise the combination of function, privacy, light filtration and style. Each window presents a beautiful outlook, but potential problems in the experience of the home. Ensuring that each window has the best covering not only brings the best experience, but also has huge potential to boost the feel and overall look of the room.

B…

May your Pencraft be Merry & Bright

At a loss for what to ask for Christmas? Whether it’s letter-writing to loved ones, scratching down your thoughts in a journal, or simply starting to write down your jobs on a to-do list, physically putting pen to paper is shown to increase creativity & wellness. Check out these delicious brands below and cross your fingers you’re on the Nice List.

Notebooks by Rifle Paper Co

Rifle Paper Co| With…

9 Tips for a Zero Waste Christmas

The Holidays are a fun time of year: delicious food, workplace socials, gift giving, decorating our homes. The aftermath of the festivities can be overwhelming, including increased piles of rubbish and recycling on Boxing day. Whether you hire cleaners to get rid of the excess waste, buy extra pre-paid bags or take an expensive trip to the dump, this pile of waste costs you in time or money, if…

Tips from the Best of the Best in New Zealand Design

The DINZ Best Boutique Design Awards are held annually to showcase NZ and Australasia’s best design in various categories: Graphic, Interactive, Motion Image, Ngā Aho Cultural, Product, Public Good, Spatial, User Experience & Value of Design.

Speakers were 2017 Best winners Steve from McCarthy graphic design consultancy (Public Good award), Evzen from Studio Pacific Architecture (Ngā Aho award),…

Feeling in need of some wintry cheer for your interiors? Check out these gorgeous frosty-weather inspired products to inject a little excitement into your home.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the C.C. Interiorsproduct viewing. I’ve specified their product before for residential & commercial clients, and saw first hand their accessories & lamps that were great quality. I felt a little…

9 Steps to Reduce Your Rubbish

In my most recent post, 7 Reasons to Slash your Household Waste, I explained why I’ve started the journey of reducing my waste footprint in the world. If you’re convinced to do the same, these 9 steps will help slowly guide you to reducing your waste for a better, healthier lifestyle & planet. These steps come from Hannah Blumhardt and Liam Prince during their Rubbish Trip presentation in…

7 Reasons You Should Slash Your Household Waste

Growing up in rural, Alabama, the notions of reducing waste, composting and even recycling were considered extremely “Green” or “Hippie”. These initiatives seemed to go hand-in-hand with other “left-wing” and democratic policies that didn’t seem relevant to my life. However, over time, I am slowly realising that “left-wing” policies that seemed so entangled together while growing up are actually…

Planning a Southern Hemisphere Work Holiday Party

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, the warm weather and longer days bring a huge relief and energy to the festivities. The summer…

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 into the Pacific Ocean. My husband and I spent the afternoon in New…

The Artistry of Wellness: Rose Gold Illustration

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 reconnect it’s very meaningful. My friend Rose is one of those people with whom I love…