Avalon, Lower Hutt

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1518 days ago

Buy Once, Buy Well

Robert Anderson from

Why we have an endless fascination with mid-century modern. There’s just something about mid-century design (MCD) that captures the imagination. The architecture is emblematic, exciting, and nostalgic. It’s close enough in our history to feel familiar, yet far enough away to be inspirational.
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Why we have an endless fascination with mid-century modern. There’s just something about mid-century design (MCD) that captures the imagination. The architecture is emblematic, exciting, and nostalgic. It’s close enough in our history to feel familiar, yet far enough away to be inspirational.
We live in such a completely different way, that interiors of the 50s, 60s and 70s are responding to social behaviours and cues that are no longer the norm, so there’s something contradictory yet enthralling. It touched our generation, our parents, and grandparents, near enough to be real in a way that period antiques of the early 20th century and older, seem more relic-like – exciting sure, but less tangible somehow, coming from a world we can’t really imagine.

MCM exists in the post war world, reflecting a vibrant period of social, technological and political change where design was ground-breaking, architecture brave and sculptural. To those who may have felt that mid-century, retro design has been a passing fad, sit back down! Mid-century style continues to inspire and excite showing its face in new architecture and interior design.

As such, the choice to invest in or keep an original piece of mid-century design is a sound one. Not only are you engaging with something the interior world considers usable in perpetuity, you are continuing a legacy of stewardship and conservation of an important part of our design heritage.

In a world where capitalism has spent our lives teaching us to consume and discard, we are now moving rapidly towards an ideal of longevity and sustainability. So, when you make the decision to ‘adopt’ a classic piece of design, you are giving it another chance to invigorate an interior, and careful consideration to its conservation opens up a world of upholstery opportunities.

There are several main fabric types that seem to perpetuate and have the “flavour” or sentiment of mid-century style whilst also being suitable for upholstery. Simple textures allow the shape of a piece to stand out, warm wools will hug the shapes of these designs, while boucle feels completely relevant to this period.

Fortunately, there are a lot of careful and respectful retailers and upholsterers devoted to the maintenance and celebration of these stunning pieces.

Over the next few weeks we will hear from local upholsterers and retailers of MCD furniture who are equally as passionate about the style and their process for restoring these popular pieces of furniture.
With locations in Sydney and Auckland the owners of Tangerine and Teal Sasha and Vanessa were raised in a home surrounded by art and likely learned their appreciation for a cultivated aesthetic. Some of the well-known brands you may find with Vanessa in Auckland include Otto Larsen, Don, Jon Jansen, and Parker and in Sydney with Sacha you are likely to find Fler, Snelling, Featherston, Parker and Wrightbuilt.

What do you love about mid-century furniture and design?
Simple clean lines and great design feature in the majority of MCM furniture pieces, they are timeless in design and look great mixed in with contemporary pieces to give character and nostalgia to your home.

What items are you always looking out for?
We don’t import furniture from overseas and instead focus our search locally for interesting pieces by local New Zealand and Australian designers who are often underrated on the world stage but have great designs. Recently Vanessa restored and sold a lovely sideboard by New Zealand designer Rudi Schwarz and here in Sydney I just sold a rare dining suite by George Korody.

How did you come to select the fabrics for these stunning pieces?
The Mokum Mondrian Noir was selected for the pair of Parker furniture armchairs, originally these 60s chairs were always produced with wool cushion covers so the construction was a good fit. The Mondarian style black and white pattern is synonymous with the era and compliments the simple lines of the chairs.

The Piet Blanc was selected by our clients to reupholster their 70s Tessa armchairs. The luxurious soft texture in the white colour suited the stuffed cushions and brought luxury and style to the chairs in their setting overlooking the ocean in the northern beaches.
Quality and good design will stand for as long as we continue to look after and celebrate it. Classic pieces will transcend movements of the moment and will continue to add quirk and personality to your interior.

It also reminds us that new pieces bought now can be considered an investment, a collectible of the future, something to be treasured and enjoyed. As such, it’s important to consider with new furniture, buying pieces that evoke something in you – don’t think about fashion or trend, this is something you will be using and looking at daily for years to come, so compromise should not be an option! It should be a decision you are EXCITED about making.

Buying from reputable manufacturers, designer/makers and brands who stand by their quality and craftsmanship will ensure longevity – a legacy piece that generations of the future will be able to re-love, refurbish, and be inspired by.

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1518 days ago

Get Saving!

NumberWorks'nWords Lower Hutt

We thought this was amazing. What a great way to teach your children the value of saving and getting them to add up the money is a fun way to do some maths. You could try using different bottles and different coins here in NZ.

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1518 days ago

Mass recall of popular reusable coffee cups

Neighbourly.co.nz

Reusable coffee cup manufacturer Biopak has issued a recall for some products, due to the possibility of part of the cup detaching when liquid is present.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) issued the recall on September 30, advising people to stop using it immediately … View more
Reusable coffee cup manufacturer Biopak has issued a recall for some products, due to the possibility of part of the cup detaching when liquid is present.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) issued the recall on September 30, advising people to stop using it immediately as a user could be burnt or scalded.

What you need to know:

- Contact Biopak or ring 0800 246 725 to get a refund on faulty items.

- The products were sold from January 2013 to September 2020

- All resuable coffee cups (8oz, 12oz, 16oz) in plain green or white should be
returned to Biopak.

- Those with custom names “SexieCoffie”, “Columbit”, “Echo”, “Hedland”, “Crop to Cup” or “Home Grain”. Should be returned immediately.

To find out more about this recall, see the government recall website.

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1518 days ago

Well done Dave Appleyard

Reporter Community News

I would like to give a shout out to Dave Appleyard, who has retired after 25 years at Rata St School. He has been the principal since 2002 and in the years since has built a strong reputation both for himself and for the school.

I got to know Dave well during my time with the Hutt News. He was … View more
I would like to give a shout out to Dave Appleyard, who has retired after 25 years at Rata St School. He has been the principal since 2002 and in the years since has built a strong reputation both for himself and for the school.

I got to know Dave well during my time with the Hutt News. He was always approachable and extremely helpful. More importantly, there was never any doubt that he always had the best interests of his students at heart. Last year Appleyard won the education category in the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards for his focus on students with special needs.
I wish him all the best. Nicholas Boyack

1520 days ago

Shelduck romance

Louise from Woburn

Romance abounds. A mate turned up for the lone male paradise shelduck at the Days Bay duck pond, Lower Hutt. He is now exhausting himself chasing and scolding any ducks or shags that dare to stray within a two metre radius of his beloved. Here is a photo of the paradise shelduck's lady love … View moreRomance abounds. A mate turned up for the lone male paradise shelduck at the Days Bay duck pond, Lower Hutt. He is now exhausting himself chasing and scolding any ducks or shags that dare to stray within a two metre radius of his beloved. Here is a photo of the paradise shelduck's lady love (Tadorna variegata).

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1520 days ago

SAYGO classes opening in Khandallah and Lower Hutt

Corinne Morris from

We are happy to announce new SAYGO classes will be opening in Khandallah and Lower Hutt:
When: Tuesdays at 11am (starting from 20th October)
Where: St Barnabas Church, 35 Box Hill, Khandallah

When: Wednesdays at 11am (starting from 21st October)
Where: Knox Church, 574 High Street, Boulcott, … View more
We are happy to announce new SAYGO classes will be opening in Khandallah and Lower Hutt:
When: Tuesdays at 11am (starting from 20th October)
Where: St Barnabas Church, 35 Box Hill, Khandallah

When: Wednesdays at 11am (starting from 21st October)
Where: Knox Church, 574 High Street, Boulcott, Lower Hutt 

Our Hataitai classes are still open:
When: Wednesdays at 12pm
Where: All Saints Church, Hataitai
Email: acwellington.org.nz or Call: Ann on 04 499 6646 to find out more.

1523 days ago

Paintings

Pip from Naenae

Does anyone know anything about these oil paintings?

1521 days ago

Time to pop in to Upper Hutt and check out Warhol exhibition

Reporter Community News

If you are looking for something to do in the bad weather then check out Andy Warhol's Pop Garden at Expressions Upper Hutt.
It features a dazzling array of flowers in a hall of mirrors, accompanied by rock music.
The exhibition runs until December.

1520 days ago

ASB Bank Senior Priority Direct Phone Line

Corinne Morris from

One of our wonderful newsletter readers have emailed in to let us know that ASB bank has set up a Senior Priority Direct Phone Line.

Call on 0800 272 119 for your banking questions and needs.

1519 days ago

League community mourning the loss of John "Pineapple" Whittaker

Reporter Community News

Randwick and Wellington rugby league has lost a giant with the death of
John Whittaker.

Kiwi number 485, he played for Wellington 73 times and at the Wellington Rugby League's Centenary celebrations, he was named as their player of the century. He won five premierships with Randwick and … View more
Randwick and Wellington rugby league has lost a giant with the death of
John Whittaker.

Kiwi number 485, he played for Wellington 73 times and at the Wellington Rugby League's Centenary celebrations, he was named as their player of the century. He won five premierships with Randwick and made his Kiwi debut in 1970. He also played for Warrington and the Cook Islands.

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1520 days ago

NEW Spanish for Beginners class in Petone

Maribel from Hutt Central

Keen on doing something new every Wednesday morning?
Did you always want to learn Spanish but haven't gotten around to it?
Come and join the new Spanish community class at the Petone Community House, 6 Britannia Street, Petone, every Wednesday from 9.30-10.30am for $10 each class!

This … View more
Keen on doing something new every Wednesday morning?
Did you always want to learn Spanish but haven't gotten around to it?
Come and join the new Spanish community class at the Petone Community House, 6 Britannia Street, Petone, every Wednesday from 9.30-10.30am for $10 each class!

This special group class is aimed at people with very little or no Spanish experience. In this class I start teaching Spanish from scratch, and from there start building up students’ vocabulary, pronunciation, and the basics of grammar.

Spanish community classes start on Wednesday 14th October at 9.30am

The Spanish group classes at the Russell Keown House (Queens Drive, Hutt Central) will continue every Monday evening, too.

If you need more information, just contact me. Hasta pronto :) Maribel

www.incakiwi.co.nz...
0220172797
incakiwi@gmail.com

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1524 days ago

Harakeke/Flax/Phormium Tenax

Kat from Waterloo

Kia Ora, I live in Waiwhetu and am looking for Harakeke for weaving. If anyone in the area has a plant that needs pruning then please let me know 😊

1520 days ago

The 2020 Senior Regional Games return this November!

The team from Hutt City Council

Participate in a variety of physical and social activities from sport to board games that are inclusive and accessible for senior needs.

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1520 days ago

LH woman heading to US for sugery

Reporter Community News

Jayne L’Amour is forking out thousands of dollars to have life-changing surgery in the United States.

The Lower Hutt former dancer and fitness instructor has a rare condition, known as slipping rib syndrome. It occurs occurs when the cartilage on a person’s lower ribs slips and moves, leading … View more
Jayne L’Amour is forking out thousands of dollars to have life-changing surgery in the United States.

The Lower Hutt former dancer and fitness instructor has a rare condition, known as slipping rib syndrome. It occurs occurs when the cartilage on a person’s lower ribs slips and moves, leading to pain in their chest or upper abdomen.
The options in New Zealand include removing ribs, but a pioneer surgeon in the US has worked out a way to stabilise them.

She is heading heading to the United Hospital Centre in Bridgeport, West Virginia, for surgery, and will spend a month in America.

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