FYI - Issue 22

Dream on

Regular NZ Life & Leisure contributor Tessa Chrisp has used her camera to revisit childhood memories of the beloved Kiwi bach. The resulting photographs celebrate the endless sunshine of summer days and the undisturbed beauty of the New Zealand landscape and pay tribute to the cheerfully makeshift furnishings that are an intrinsic part of bach-holiday living. Tessa’s exhibition Kiwi Dreaming runs from 4 to 11 December at the Clayton Lane Art Gallery. 

10B Clayton Lane, Newmarket, Auckland, phone (09) 520 4740

GETTING PERSONAL

Remember the look of astonishment on a child’s face at their first encounter with a personalized Christmas book? “How does Father Christmas know my brother’s name?” they ask, their eyes wide as saucers. Simply Colors has launched a range of 100 percent shrink-proof cotton essentials for babies and children up to age 10 which can be printed with a child’s name. A T-shirt costs from $14.50. Glitter options with “name Santa’s little helper” will be hot Chrismas-stocking fillers.

www.simplycolors.co.nz

A TEA OR TWO

The Britomart bar called smith combines cool, casual and kitsch into a style its slightly less-hip neighbours on the waterfront will envy. With cane thrones surrounded by palms in the courtyard and gilt mirrors, mounted deer heads and brocaded chaise longues in the interior, this place is fun. Part cocktail bar, part tea salon, smith has a menu that doesn’t take itself too seriously.  The High Tea, or Champagne High Tea, features “dainty sandwiches” and lamingtons. Toasties are also available. Edith Piaf would be glad
she’s played in here.

smith, cnr Commerce and Galway Streets, Auckland, phone (09) 309 5529

GOLDEN FLEECES

In our September/October 2005 issue, NZ Life & Leisure featured the Camerons of Ben Ohau Station in the Mackenzie Basin whose trophy-winning merino fleeces were sought after by Italian fashion house Loro Piana. Now the sixth-generation Loro Piana group has produced a range of luxurious upholstery fabrics that use the finest New Zealand wool as well as cashmere, vicuña, linen and cotton. They’re available exclusively (through designers and decorators) from Decortex e famiglia in Auckland’s Parnell. 

Phone (09) 303 3545, www.decortexefamiglia.co.nz

SAVE THE CUSHIONS

If whales could talk they’d say “love us, don’t hunt us”. At least that’s the premise behind a new collection of bedlinen and cushions by Gorgi, a company with a conscience. Designer Kirstin Bailey and stylist Anna Church have joined forces to produce a range of homewares with a decidedly Kiwi flavour, handprinted on cotton or linen in neutral colours. Working with Project Jonah, Gorgi donates $2 from the sale of each cushion to the organization. A ‘Love us don’t hunt us’ cushion costs $69, a super-king duvet cover $280.

Buy online at www.gorgi.co.nz