SHOWcase Wellington, 2015

Just over a month ago, esdesign were invited to participate in an exciting new positioning event on the 2nd of May. The event was called SHOWcase, and was used to introduce a new brand concept to the movers and shakers of Wellington, and create a palpable buzz in the city about the design and creative sector.

A group of Wellington creatives got together and developed a template, a potential incentive to get Wellingtonians excited again about the local and New Zealand design scene. They wanted to include creative input from a range of designers; fashion, furniture, interiors, illustrators, hair stylists, producers, photographers, models, landscapers and more. Their vision came together to create Wellington’s premier design show  —

SHOW believes: Design is something you feel and fashion is the way we live.
SHOW presents: a series of conceptual exhibits with a focus on designer collaboration and creative community.
SHOW celebrates: the professionals who are bringing the standard for art, design and fashion in the capital.
SHOW combines: all the elements that make up a Wellington lifestyle to create an immersive and unique event.
SHOW offers: a window into how this world is created revealing the layers of thought behind the product.
SHOW is all about: what moves designers to create, make and influence.

To help bring our portion of the show to life, we were teamed up with renowned fashion designer Trelise Cooper, and set about creating a sumptuous, luxe, layered, rich stage for her eight chosen models to be presented in. We filled a two-toned palette of teal and copper with further copper accents, lush velvets, striking light fittings and layers of wallpaper. Go bold or go home we say!

We must send a huge thank you to the wonderful suppliers who generously offered us the use of their product to help bring our space to life. These included; Wire pendant lights and Lumen bulb pendants from Mr. Ralph, paint and anaglypta wallpaper by Resene, copper accessories and side table from Maytime, and a host of wallpapers and fabrics from Unique Fabrics, Textilia, Seneca, Diva International, Charles Parsons, Warwick Fabrics and Westbury Textiles, and all products used are available for purchase through esdesign.

The response we received from the 150 guests that came through our space on the night was tremendous - there's nothing like a tight deadline to keep the adrenaline pumping for a few weeks but it was so worth the challenge when we stood back to see just what we'd managed to achieve.
Don't get us wrong, we love all our dear 'everyday' clients! But this opportunity gave us the chance to really strut our stuff in the Wellington design scene, pushing the limits a little and having a whole lot of fun along the way!

In the years to come, SHOW aims to continue revitalizing and reinvigorating Wellington's design scene with a series of conceptual events that steer away from fashion’s traditional catwalk presentation and move towards design collaboration and lifestyles. Fashion design, interior design, landscaping, architecture, visual art, hair style, make up, furniture, lighting, paint, colour, fabric, space and setting will all come together once again to inspire and delight.

We are looking forward to being  a part of SHOW in the future, and in the meantime, enjoy some of the piccies that were taken of our space on the night!

All images by Michael Farr, Peanut Butter Vibes & Bex McGill
Original source www.facebook.com/show.capital

Our Latest Design Work - Burger Liquor, Wellington

Our portfolio has had a wee update this morning with the addition of some yummy images of our latest commercial venture; the design of the interior for new Wellington eatery 'Burger Liquor'. Head on over to read up more on this fun design project that rounded out a great year for us just prior to Christmas!

The Wellington Curtain Bank

You know that we love to spend our time finding great options for your new window treatments, but spare a thought for the drapes that are being replaced - often fine condition wise, just in need of an update - did you know you can donate them to a very worthy Wellington cause?

The Wellington Curtain Bank is run by the not-for-profit organisation, Sustainability Trust. Their hard working team professionally tailors pre-loved curtains and donates them to low-income Wellington households, for free!

Every family deserves to be in a snug, warm, draught free home - particularly over winter, and this is a great way to help that cause.

Jump to the website here for more information, or drop in to see them at 2 Forresters Lane off Tory Street.

A Royal Connection

Well the whirlwind royal tour is over - buy into it or not - it certainly creates a bit of a buzz in the city which is nice! 

We had a little buzz of our own; over the last few years we have been working closely with the fantastic team out at the beautiful Wharekauhau Lodge, on the Wairarapa coast, which most recently has included work on some new soft furnishings. We were delighted to know that our work was appreciated by the royal couple during their first‘secret’ weekend in Wellington during their stay at the Lodge. 

The weather was atrocious, but I’m sure they would have still enjoyed their time on the wild southern Wairarapa coast – it’s beautiful out there, rain or shine!  

Well done Team – another great job.

Dylan Law Cabinetry

We're blown away by the awesome work of local Wellington cabinet maker, Dylan Law. His specialty is laminating pieces of fabric under resin and setting them into his work to create truly one of a kind pieces of furniture. Follow him over here and be totally inspired!

All images via

Music Monday: Mumford and Sons - 'I Will Wait'

Here's a little Mumford & Sons for your Monday - these guys are in Wellington at the moment - their concert last night at the Town Hall was epic! Enjoy :)

Bake Club 2012

The team at esdesign are a bunch with many hidden creative talents - check out the amazing gingerbread house made by our accounts manager, Alex! It took out 3rd place at last night's 'Bake Club 2012' at New World, as part of Wellington On A Plate. Go Alex!

Retro Hair & Make-up with The Vanity Case

The esdesign girls have been having great fun over the last few weeks attending retro hair and make-up classes at the new and improved Made Marion Craft, run by the lovely Claire from The Vanity Case.
We've had such a great time replicating the hair-do's and make-up looks of the 1940's, 50's and 60's... there are more classes starting up soon so go check it out!

One From the Archives: Southern Cross Garden Bar

Here's an oldie but a goodie - five years ago we carried out some work for the then new Southern Cross Garden Bar in Wellington.

Working with the overall design aesthetic implemented by John Mills Architects, we commissioned these neat 'Jenga' style stools out of macrocarpa, and had the Southern Cross logo laser cut into the top surface. They double as handy side tables too!

After rescuing around 50 1960's wire frame chairs from an old church in the Hutt Valley, we powder-coated and restored them all, then set about sewing up new covers for them using fabric from the Unique 'Outside In' fabric collection. They have become a great example of robust and functional but very quirky and easily movable seating, perfect for a sociable venue like The Cross!

Little Wellington Glimpses

Nikki wandered to Eleanor's yesterday morning to take some photos of the reno progress, and caught some  early morning glimpses of the city...

Brit O'Hara 'Meandering Summer' - Final Release

We had so much success last year with Brit O'Hara's textile print 'Meandering Summer' - that we have managed to weasel a tiny bit more fabric out of her for one last run of cushions. Hooray!

There are four, yes only FOUR cushions remaining, and we can assure you there definitely won't be any more of this print anytime soon! 

For those of you who missed our post last year, 'Meandering Summer' features stylised scenes from Wellington's iconic Oriental Parade. You can just feel summer oozing out of this print, we love it!

It's first in, first served, so come and grab some cushies today!

Snow In Wellington

We've been a little M.I.A the last few days, because of the snow! Here's a few piccies from Monday when the snow began to fall outside our windows at esdesign. It was so bizarre! I think (fingers crossed) the worst of it is over (although it has been a lot of fun too!) so two of the three of us are back on board, but poor Sean is still stuck in the Wairarapa! We hope to see him soon, and of course there are worse places he could be!

Award season at esdesign ........

Well Done Brit - Thank you to the Dominion for running a bit of a story about the new esdesign award. From Brit's fabric we made 10 limited edition cushions so pop on down and check them out before they all go - they make great Christmas pressies.