Inspiration Profile - Justin and Louise Wright

Hooray - it is Friday once again. Are you all surviving the mad rush towards Christmas? One more week of work to go for us lot down under.
Now for this week's Inspiration Profile - they are on the cover of the latest HOME New Zealand magazine and were studying Architecture at the same time as I was at Design school. How far they have come since then! Enjoy the profile of architects Justin and Louise Wright from Assembly Architects Ltd. Happy Friday all.



Louise and Justin Wright - Assembly Architects Ltd.

Louise on the cover of the latest HOME New Zealand magazine.

Name: Louise and Justin Wright

What do you do: We are architects, together we run the boutique architecture practice Assembly Architects Ltd. We are also parents to 3 young children. We have been in the architecture profession for 12 years, Assembly just turned 7, and our kids are 5 and 3 and 3 (nearly 4 and 4).

Where do you live: We live in Arrowtown in the Queenstown Lakes District of the South Island of New Zealand. Close to mountains, rivers and lakes.

What are you working on: A massive range of projects right now. New houses in Queenstown, Wanaka, Wairarapa and Mangaweka, and prefabricated marae building projects for Tuwharetoa. Our work at the moment encompasses a range of construction types from primitive rammed earth to cutting edge prefabrication techniques. We love the environmental performance and the aesthetic of the earth, it brings a lovely weight, sense of permanence and timeless quality to a space. And prefabrication allows us to deliver buildings such as the marae and classroom in an ultra-fast time frame.

Kamalas Pavilion, Wellington Zoo.

The Arrow Private Hotel, Arrowtown

 

Who/what inspires me: We have a passion for architecture and good design. Inspiration on the other hand, comes at unlikely moments. From seeing a hay bale in a landscape or a texture in stone, the patina of aged timber and metals, an effect of light on water, or a particular tree or garden - when it is right and appropriate we apply those moments of inspiration to opportunities in projects. In some projects we can look back and identify the one catalyst or trigger of inspiration that drove the ideas.

Storing ideas happens with sketching and drawing, photography, instagram, pinterest and sometimes memory - long may that last.

Feeding the passion comes with talking, sharing ideas, reading books, magazines and blogs, travelling and of course working. Doing what we do and then seeing the end result realised.

We work bestwhen in the flow - that full immersion state when our energy is concentrated on the project - it’s all clicking in to place and we are enjoying it. Often there aren’t enough hours in the day and our work carries on into the night shift. Morning coffees are essential, and we always have a good lunch. Though we work side by side we work fairly independently in the mornings, and save up our discussions for the lunch break, or for after work drinks. When the kids are home we are either with them together or taking turns to be at work.

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: If the energy and passion for a project is waning we talk, go for a walk, get down to the water, or stop and have a coffee. We love the river for fishing and playing with our kids. They can sit and make rock piles or dams for hours. It’s a good space to think and process ideas. The kids will be getting gold pans this Christmas.

House in Butel Park, Queenstown

New House, Wellington - exterior courtyard.

The best advice I have been given is: Work with people who are excited by and committed to a great design outcome for their project.

My latest discovery is: Always posted to Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

Books that I get inspiration from: Most of the ones on our shelves and plenty more on the wish list. We love books as objects and for their content. Lou reads and re-reads novels, collects them, gives them away, sometimes buys them back again. We love architecture books, idea books, and big fat photographic cook books. Justin designed the Stackweave bookshelf, we have a few of those yet to fill.

Thorndon Villa, Wellington with Stackweave bookshelves in the dining area.

 

Britomart Showcase, Auckland, with Cheshire Architects Ltd.

 

Magazines that inspire me: Detail. Dwell.

Blogs that we enjoy: Architecture blogs Architizer,Archdaily, Dezeen etc. Online extensions to magazines such as Home and Urbis, Denizen, miss minty herself, and basically the leap-frog journey of random link ability that blogs provide.

Our favourite room at home is: The one with the sun in it. Morning sun to wake up to, evening sun in the living room to unwind.

Our office is: In a bright white attic above the house. It gets too much sun for the computer screens, but it’s a total luxury to be able to work from home.

What am I looking forward to:Building our own house (soon), going fly fishing (soon) and having a holiday with family and friends (not soon enough).

See more of Assembly Architects Ltd's work here, read their blog, follow them on Facebook, check out their pinterest boards or tweet with them on Twitter. Phew!

Villa Renovation, Wellington.

All photographs are used with permission by Assembly Architects Ltd.

Inspiration Profile - Alana Broadhead

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile and we have Alana Broadhead from Fancy - 'an online magazine devoted to the best design from New Zealand. And from around the world. But mainly from New Zealand.'
Fancy is fresh and colourful and so are all the other projects Alana has under her belt - read further to learn about Design Yeah and Foundry. Happy Friday all.

Alana Broadhead

Fancy

Name: Alana Broadhead

What do you do:  By day, I’m a copywriter and brand strategist, which I’ve been at for 13 years. And also by day, and by every-other-moment-I-get, I run a NZ Design Blog called Fancy. It’s filled with graphic design, homewares and textiles, furniture and amazing interiors from NZ and around the world. I’m also beginning to work on other design projects, which is a dream come true for me.

Where do you live: I live in Mount Maunganui, where it’s summer longer than anywhere else in New Zealand. Come visit! I used to live in Auckland, and I do miss it sometimes, so as of next year, I’ll be spending a couple of days a month there.

What are you working on: I’m working on doing more and more of what I love – design and blogging –  and less and less of the ‘real job’.

Right now, I am waiting for Design Yeah 2013 to come back from the printer. What’s Design Yeah? It’s a calendar that features the work of 12 of NZ’s best graphic designers and illustrators, but…and this is the best bit… it also converts into 12 limited-edition, A3 art prints!  I’m also working on the re-design of Fancy (a fresh new look), and a design event which I am putting together for next year.

I’m also working on inventing a new name for blogging, because it always makes me cringe! Bloggy bloggy blogger. See? Awful word.

Prints from Foundry - all for sale.

Who/what inspires me: I’m inspired by all of the designers I post about on Fancy, and anyone who does what they love and follows their passion.

I’m also inspired by the idea of doing ‘Good Work with Good People’. To me, this means awesome design and interiors projects, with passionate and ridiculously talented, yet totally generous and down-to-earth people.

I work best: I’m at my creative best in the morning, but I’m so much more productive in the afternoon.  Still trying to work on that balance thing… we all are, right?

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: When I’m stuck, I just need to clear. my. head. I know there are ideas in there, waiting in the wings to be called up, I just need to clear some space on the stage. Some of my favourite ways to clear my head are to re-style my own spaces at home, or to get in the car and head for the open road – windows down and music up far too loud. Anything off-computer and off-iPhone, really.

Steal this Idea Interiors from Fancy

Inspiring Interiors from Fancy.

 

The best advice I have been given is: "Do Your Thing" and "Have ridiculous self-belief, but be a nice person."

Blogs that I enjoy: This list is VERY very (very) long, but here are a few:
DesignLoveFest,  DesignforMankind,  Decor8,  SwissMiss, Say Yes to Hoboken, Oh Happy Day

My favourite room at home is: My little studio. Because it is 100% my space, I can have anything I like in it, and I change it up often. Everything around me in this room inspires me. Only this morning, I picked up a huge wall banner from the printer - that I’ve designed - to put on one wall. 

Alana's workspace.

 

What am I looking forward to: I’m alwayslooking forward to the next new awesome bit of NZ design I see, so I can share it – be it a new piece of furniture or a brand identity.

I’m also looking forward to growing Fancy beyond being just a blog. I have so many ideas for homewares and other design products, and would eventually like to realise them. I’m looking forward to the future of NZ design, and to my part in it.

Want to keep up with Fancy and all their news? Go to their website, follow them on Twitter or Facebook and check out their boards on Pinterest.

 

Design Pick n Mix post from Fancy.

Design Pick n Mix

All visuals are used with permission by Alana Broadhead.

Hobbit Fever in Wellington

The cast and crew arrive in Wellington in the Air NZ Hobbit plane yesterday.

 

Inside the main terminal in Wellington airport - Gollum peeks in.

 

The NZ Post building has a Hobbit theme.

 

Gandalf guarding the Embassy theatre - where the world premiere is being held.

Wellington is buzzing with Hobbit fever today as it is the world premiere of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit this afternoon at our Embassy theatre. The whole town has jumped on board to celebrate the film that has been created right here in Wellington, mainly in a suburb called Miramar.
I walked by Courtenay Place this morning (where the red carpet is) and there are many hobbit, elves and Gandalfs walking around - I fear they will roast in those woolley costumes today. So to get in the spirit, why don't you find out your hobbit name here? I did and it's Daisy Bulge of Hobbiton. Classy!
Photographs via Wellington NZ

The Oyster Inn {Waiheke}

 

The Oyster Inn {Waiheke}

Vintage cane furniture in the bar area.

Dining on the verandah.

Eating at the bar counter.

The Pearl, private dining room.

One of the three luxury boutique hotel  rooms. Yes please.

 

Welcome to Waiheke Island's The Oyster Inn. Recently opened to the public in the beachy village of Oneroa, Waiheke - doesn't it look amazing?

Take a 40 mins ferry ride from downtown Auckland and you can be dining on the ocean view vernadah, or having a cocktail in the bar or just hanging out. The kitchen is open all day long (the menu looks delicious) and the yummy boutique hotel rooms are available to book from the end of this week. Find out more here.

Photographs via The Oyster Inn FB page.

Inspiration Profile - Julia Atkinson

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile - we have fellow blogger, Julia Atkinson from Studio Home. Welcome! It's great to have Julia's profile today as she has been running her blog for 4 and a half years and she posts exclusively about creative talent down under.


Julia Atkinson

Studio Home

Name: Julia Atkinson

What do you do: I have just finished up my full time ski area marketing job to go freelance in social media management and to allow time to further develop my design blog, Studio Home.

Where do you live: Big changes! Currently in transit in Canterbury after leaving my home of Wanaka for the bright lights Auckland!

What are you working on: Continuing to post inspirational fun content on a daily base as well as develop the millions of ideas currently aching to move from my notebook to real life! These include furthering my interview series Fly the Coop, taking Studio Home out of the interweb and in front of an audience and offering some meaningful and useful resources to those creatives online. But so much more!

Who/what inspires me: *Every single person, business, product that I post about! My blog has a very narrow focus as it is, but I never post anything that I don’t personally find inspiring or love!
*The ever evolving list of blogs that I read daily (from my phone in bed!)
*The “headmistresses” of the recent blog course I attended in New York. Gala Darling, Kat Williams and Shauna Haiger were glowing examples of the opportunities available online to those that get out there and grab them!
 

Gala Darling at The Blogcademy  Photo: Julia Atkinson.



Beneath the Sun (Australian homewares brand)

Jeremy Blincoe (Australian based NZ photographer)

 

I work best: After years of blogging only at night after work, I am yet to know the answer! I like to think it will be something lovely like 2-4 daily after I have done all the jobs I usually procrastinate on! Eg- emails, banking, invoicing….gross

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I definitely do have some favourite go-to websites, artists, brands and magazines that I go to when I feel like the blogging well is dry.  And it is the perfect excuse to buy some mags! But mostly I have an open word doc. and notebook that I am constantly noting potential blogworthy content on. I do this now without even thinking – my eyes and ears are constantly on automatic pilot scanning for material!

The best advice I have been given is: I have a few but a couple of quote mentioned at The Blogcademy really caught my attention - “Evolve or evaporate” and
“Life isn’t about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself” – George Bernard Shaw

My latest discovery is: Instagram….oh dear lord I love instagram!
 

Studio Home on Instagram

Instagram by Corinne Tan

Books that I get inspiration from: I have just downloaded the audio book for the “Fire Starter Sessions” by Danielle LaPorte.

Magazines that inspire me: Inside Out, Urbis, Idealog, Yen, Frankie, Mindfood, Anthology + Kinfolk (USA)

Blogs that I enjoy: Design Love Fest, Cup of Jo, A Merry Mishap, Miss Moss, Gala Darling, Nubby Twiglet, Love and Ginger......and so many more!!

My favourite room at home is: Sorry but definitely my whole apartment that I am about to move into in Auckland! I lived up there about 6 years ago and LOVED the apartment. I am very lucky that it is owned by my family so I can finally feel like I am paying rent to people that matter! (and not feel guilty about putting nails in the wall!!)

My office is: (will be) trestle table in living room and my lap on the sofa

What am I looking forward to: Testing the bounds of my own work ethic and ideas.

Want to find out more about Studio Home? Check out the website here, like the Facebook page here and follow the Instagram page here.

Kelly Thompson (Australian based NZ photographer and artist)

Studio Home Colour Lover

All photographs are used with permission from Julia Atkinson and Studio Home.

 

Health Basics Refreshed

 

 

 

 

Last week I received a package and it was filled with products from the newly revamped Health Basics personal care range. Nice!

Since then I have been enjoying my Akaroa Sun Shower body wash with NZ milk and manuka honey each morning and washing my hands with Opito Bay Summer hand wash.

The handwash has a useful removeable label revealing a simple white bottle with an understated embossed flower pattern. I like this idea! Good for modern bathrooms and not an eyesore.

The products are New Zealand made with New Zealand based ingredients - think kiwifruit, pohutukawa and harakeke (flax). They are also named after some of the best locations around our country, including Otago Summer Fruits, Wanaka Day Break, Ruby Bay Sunset and many more. I have the Aoraki Snow refill all lined up. Thanks to Health Basics for letting me try their products!

Photographs from Health Basics.

Inside Out at Waiheke Island

A 1950's four bedroom cottage on Waiheke Island.

The hallway - note the Vietnamese rooster catcher used as a lampshade over the dining table.

Artwork by Nikki Apse hangs above a customised dresser.

The window seat adds extra storage in the living room.



Details in the kitchen.

Artwork by Emma Wright, a Waiheke artist, hangs in the bedroom.

The outdoor chairs were found at Camden Markets in London.

A slice of New Zealand has made an appearance in the latest Inside Out magazine - this modern seaside shack is the Waiheke Island home of Anna Church, a stylist and artist, and her family. Read more about it here.
Photographs via Homelife.