Curtain call, inside Canterbury’s Curtain Bank
The Christchurch-based Curtain Bank, one of the flagship offerings of Community Energy Action Charitable Trust (CEA) has been helping to keep Cantabrians (and more recently West Coasters) healthier for over 25 years. The first of its kind in New Zealand, it has provided over 6000 homes with good quality, recycled window coverings […]
All in the family: North Canterbury Energy Centre
It has built its reputation as being one of the most trusted names in cooling and heating solutions because it is a family owned and operated business dedicated to delivering a high standard of customer service. North Canterbury Energy Centre (NCEC) is headed by Tracey and Joanne Brown, with sons, […]
A local Christmas: Coco Gifts
You have been hearing it all year, shop small business and shop local. Well there’s no better time to act on this sage advice than at Christmas time, and no better place than at Coco Gifts. Owner Liz van Montfort says the St Albans store has your Christmas checklist covered. “We’ve got […]
Love of landscapes
For Struan Macdonald, art is like second nature to him. And it’s the New Zealand nature such as Mount Aspiring Nation Park, the Otago High Country, Abel Tasman and the West Coast that inspires this landscape painter. “It can be the afternoon light on a mountain side or some kind of […]
Holiday blues: French Blue
Just because our overseas escapades have been taken off the calendar for 2020, does not mean we have to deprive ourselves of all things European. In fact, Catherine Matthews of French Blue has a beautiful selection of homewares and furnishings from the continent. In Northern Hemisphere newness, aptly named A […]
Xmas wrapped up
Wrapping gifts can be one of the funnest parts of Christmas – from choosing stylish paper, ribbons and gift tags, to thinking outside the box. This year, why not pass on non-recycled paper altogether and opt for more sustainable gift adornments. A favourite idea is to use fabric – or even tea […]
A beautiful simplicity: Ingrid Geldof Design
Ingrid Geldof Design never ceases to enjoy its ability to change lives by transforming living spaces. “You could call it Feng Shui, to feel calmed down and at peace within the spaces we live. My clients most frequent comment is that the spaces are, ‘so easy to live in’,” says […]
Passive energy, exceptional design: Architecta X Aaron Stewart Builders
For the owners of this home built with passive house principles in mind, energy efficiency came before beautiful design. However, a fortuitous introduction to Susanne Schade of Architecta ensured they received not only a home that achieved a 1.27 rating on the Blower Door Test, but is stunningly beautiful, and cost effective […]
Hillside haven: AO Architecture X WD Build
This Richmond Hill home is a dream realised for its owners who had lived through post-earthquake flooding at their previous site. Designers of this dream are AO Architecture, and Michael John and his team are award-winners for this design that is totally at one with its surroundings. “It is a […]
Style personified
When it comes to style, BMW have been pulling my heart strings for years. It was my second car and there is just something special about every new design model that comes out. This year is seeing a plethora of change, a shift personified in the 2 Series Gran Coupé. It is […]
