Out of the Office

We're out of the office tomorrow (Friday) - heading over to the magical Wairarapa for some exciting new work - if you need to get in touch just wing us an email and we'll respond as soon as we can!

My Dream Room - Kids' Edition

As some of you have already heard, we were recently asked to be a part of the awesome new TV series 'My Dream Room - Kids' Edition'!

For this show, Kiwi kids were asked to submit their ideas, plans and dreams for their ultimate bedroom. Eight children were selected, paired with a top interior designer from their region and resident celebrity builder Cocksy, and the design work and transformations began!

The esdesign team had such a great time turning the dreams of one uber enthusiastic eight year old boy into a reality - all while ensuring it was budget friendly and with DIY options galore.

The 'My Dream Room' series airs tomorrow at 7.30pm on Choice TV, and our episode is in week three, so tune in to see Eleanor making her TV debut!

A Little Light Reading - 'Beyond the State'

I was lucky enough to receive this book in my Christmas stocking at the end of last year - 'Beyond the State' by Bill McKay and Andrea Stevens. For those of you with a soft spot for the iconic NZ state house, this book is well worth getting your paws on; a great mix of history, inspiration and case studies showcasing the different ways kiwis have chosen to adapt to, alter, and embrace their state homes.

'...New Zealand's distinctive state houses from the 1930s and '40s are an enduring symbol of this country's egalitarian values. Modest houses, they were built from quality materials and with an emphasis on family and community. More than seventy-five years since the first state houses appeared, they are enjoying a renaissance as new generations of homeowners find ways to adapt their sturdy form for a more contemporary way of living. Beyond the State pays tribute to the New Zealand state house – and explores what it still offers us today....'

Honey Skins from Wanaka Living

Our favourite supplier of all things fluffy - Wanaka Living - has just introduced a new colour to their great range of sheepskins; a yummy warm honey tone. They come in four sizes and two different wool lengths, and start at $140 each. For more info on these or their other great product such as the 'shaggy bags', cushions and rugs - speak to us today!

Thread Design - Bed Linen

Today we're sharing some great images from one of our favourite kiwi bed linen design companies, Thread Design.

I interviewed these ladies early on in their bed linen venture about ten years ago for a business paper I was completing at design school. They were so unbelievably kind and generous and patient with me and all of my many questions! We've had contact with them again recently through esdesign and they are still as down to earth as ever.

Their bed linens are of a great quality and level of craftsmanship - with a range of colourful, contemporary designs through to more soft, muted palletes for a more classic look. Mix and match to your heart's desire!

Head over here to peruse their latest collections and find out more about how you can get some of this great kiwi designed product onto your bed!

All images via

Hello Again, Native Agent

From the early days of esdesign we've always had a wee love affair with kiwi designers Native Agent.

When we first set up in Marion Street about 8 years ago, we stocked their gorgeous (and hugely popular) cushions, specified their bed runners as part of our work at Ohtel in Wellington, and commissioned an amazing massive scale wall hanging for a Wellington apartment (how I wish we had a photo of that one!).

Studio Home recently posted about their latest art prints and it felt like coming full circle and falling in love with their wares all over again! Head to their website to see more and be inspired by others who are inspired by our beautiful country and kiwi culture.

Geo Baby by Homebase Collections

The ever inspiring Hawkes Bay based Homebase Collections have recently formed a sub company - Culy & Co - designing and creating all sorts of fabulous wares, including this newly released side table called Geo Baby. So crisp, so clean, so cool! If you're ever up in eastern parts make an appointment to peruse their gorgeous wares, or jump to their website here!

Vintage Blanket Cushions

The latest goodies out of our sewing room are these gorgeous cushions re-purposed from a collection of vintage woolen blankets - so so cosy, and we're loving the mish mash of bright colours! They're off to their new home in the next few days...exciting!

Tim Webber - 'Press' Mirror

I'm loving the simplicity of the new 'Press' mirrors by NZ designer, Tim Webber. Rectangular mirrors have been 'the thing' for so long it's great to see that fabulous porthole look coming back, and especially when it's framed in slimline aluminium in a colour called 'Schweppes Yellow'!

Mano - Furniture Design

Check out these super cool pieces by Wairarapa based furniture designers Mano. They do some seriously cool 'out of the box' things by mixing traditional and contemporary design features, lacquered finishes and beautiful wood grain. On top of furniture design - both stock and custom - they've even dabbled in interior fit out work too!

Jane Denton - Textile Art & Design

If any of you managed to get to the Art Show in Wellington over the weekend, you would have seen the lovely wool artworks by Jane Denton - jewellery maker turned art and textile designer.

Her pieces are colourful, simplistic and graphic - and the compact size of many of them means they would fit perfectly on those little bits of wall that we all have which can be so tricky to fill.

To top it off, they are affordable! Head to Jane's website to see more of her sweet woolen creations!

Genevieve Packer - Dead Set

Have you seen the latest designs from kiwi textile artist Genevieve Packer?
The prints are created from photographs of a range of categorised ornithological subject matter... a little cool, a little creepy! Check out some of the various applications of her design below including cushions, pouches and lampshades, or head on over here to see more...

New Zealand Textile Design - Ali Davies

If you're in the Auckland area on Saturday March 16th, check out the open day for the fabric boutique of NZ textile artist Ali Davies, at 1 Garnet Road, Westmere. Ali produces fabric by the metre, cushions, tableware and artwork - all featuring her great graphic prints. Go check it out!

A Retro Beach House, NZ

Many of us like to incorporate the odd retro/vintage piece of furniture or homeware among newer pieces in our homes, but then there are some people who embrace all things authentically retro a whopping 110%, like this amazing bach said to be situated 'just north of Auckland'. It's like travelling back in time in the most glorious way... and that carpet, wowee!

 

 

Photos via, found via

A Simple Shoal Bay Bach

The warmer weather is creeping ever closer and there's a feeling of the festive holiday season in the air already. I hope you all have some time off planned over the next couple of months - nothing better then kicking back and getting back to basics.

This bach in Shoal Bay, NZ is a great example of just that. Parsonson Architects have created a warm and inviting, yet unpretentious rural getaway for their client - a great balance of comfort and functionality - there is no fear of tracking sand through this house. We like that idea!

                              Images and article via