The Illustrated Cottage: A Decorative Fairy Tale Inspired by Provence
The Illustrated Cottage: A Decorative Fairy Tale Inspired by Provence
Nina Williams
Hearst Books, 2000. Hardback, 134 pages, colour.
Excellent condition.
Country Living editor Ni a Williams had never visited Provence, yet visions of that fabled French region permeated her dreams.
And so, with a little help from some talented artists, she transformed her own simple Denver home (inside and out) into a small bit of Proven al heaven.
Everywhere trompe l'oeil murals turn the walls into a storybook peopled with imaginary characters and landscapes from a tiny imaginary Proven al village. And each detail, from the ceramic dishes to the small soaps in the bathroom to the wrought iron furniture on the patio, has the perfect Proven al touch. Williams herself explains her inspiration, and the reasons behind all her choices. A pure delight and true original,
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Craigs Workplace Giving for Christmas in Waikato focused on front line
It has been a delight for us to again coordinate the annual Christmas-time Workplace Giving by Craigs Investment Partners' Hamilton branch.
We've now passed on $13,100 in grants of various sizes from Craigs and its staff to the five Waikato community organisations they have chosen this year, namely Cambridge Lifeskills, Cambridge Tree Trust, Hamilton Land Search & Rescue, Paws 4 Life (who provided the photo below) and Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau.
Quinton de Bruin, Investment Adviser at Craigs says: “We’re really proud of our Workplace Giving program here at Craigs.”
“Employees opt in to donate from their monthly pay cheque, building up funds over the year which we then donate to charities in need at Christmas time.
“Craigs also matches employee donations dollar for dollar, up to $500 per person per annum, so it’s a great way to be able to make a meaningful impact in our local community,” says Quinton.
We say well played Craigs Investment Partners!
Poll: Would you ever buy a total doer upper?
Housing stock is starting to move on the Coromandel Peninsula, including a dilapidated place one block back from Whitianga's Buffalo Beach that sold to a Hamilton bargain hunter for $500,000.
Real estate companies are starting to see more deals go, however, prices have stabilised with high supply levels still outstripping demand.
Would you ever buy a total doer upper? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
-
0% Yes
-
40% Maybe
-
60% No