Avalon, Lower Hutt

Does your organisation need new flooring?

Does your organisation need new flooring?

Apply for up to $2,000 and also be in to win a $20,000 makeover.

1605 days ago

Want to help New Zealand recover?

Student Job Search

Keen to support your community and whānau?

Enjoy diverse and challenging work?

Are you a recent graduate or about to graduate?

It’s a time of unprecedented change with Covid-19 so we are looking for graduates from all degree backgrounds who truly want to make a difference to New … View more
Keen to support your community and whānau?

Enjoy diverse and challenging work?

Are you a recent graduate or about to graduate?

It’s a time of unprecedented change with Covid-19 so we are looking for graduates from all degree backgrounds who truly want to make a difference to New Zealand and New Zealanders.

The GovTechTalent graduate programme in Wellington gives you the opportunity to change things for the better, while also shaping your own career path so don’t get left behind - apply for GovTechTalent today!
Learn more

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1606 days ago

Fabulous fabrics & all the latest trends

Robert Anderson from

From global influences to home-made comfort, see the hot trends in home textiles.

Going Global
We may not be able to hop on an airplane any time soon to explore the world but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring home a taste of the exotic – and hang it on the windows or wrap it around our … View more
From global influences to home-made comfort, see the hot trends in home textiles.

Going Global
We may not be able to hop on an airplane any time soon to explore the world but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring home a taste of the exotic – and hang it on the windows or wrap it around our sofas.
Global influences in home textiles are varied with two or three strong looks emerging. One is the traditional block print where basic geometric prints in robust colours are placed onto highly textured base cloth to create an antiqued effect.

There is a tribal nature to these designs echoing patterning from Africa and South America. Turkish influences are also appearing with ottoman-style motifs in faded and antiqued looking colourways.
Says Annie Moir from Mokum: “We see design influences from Asia, the Middle East and Africa working together for cultural fluidity and a celebration of the world’s global heritage. This includes a fresh take on Japan’s rich and sophisticated decorative history.”

Hannah Irvine from Warwick Fabrics says that global influences have always been to the fore, but now more than ever when travel is not possible.

“Our collections in the second half of 2020 draw from traditional Moroccan and Middle Eastern patterns. These textiles are easily layered, encompass rich opulent textures and use warmer tones with solid contrasts. These combinations make for an extremely rich, layered interior.”

Jacqui McKenzie from Harvey Furnishings notes the crossover between the global and handcrafted trends, with handcrafted fabric textures like weaves, embroideries and cut-velvets in colour palettes inspired by traditional Indian dyes and spices: “These bring a global appreciation of traditional craftsmanship, while celebrating diversity.”

Quirky retro
It’s taken over our fashion, and the 1970s retro look continues in our interiors with a resurgence of curvaceous furniture, arches in architecture and bold retro textiles in statement prints.

Alongside this comes a 1950s Hollywood glamour vibe. Says Hannah Irvine of Warwick Fabrics: “We’re calling the trend ‘rewind’. This theme has evolved from last year’s mid-century modern trends. We are seeing lots of 1920s influence in the patterns and palette of yesteryears designs.

“The colours driving rewind include earthy warm browns, tan, ochre and mustard with teal-tinged blues and navy hues to offer a touch of contrast. Materials and texture playing their part in taking us to this theme include leather, suede, velvet, soft-touch chenille, warp knits, corduroy and boucle.”

Says Bolt of Cloth’s Suzannah Tonascia: “Just like fashion, interior trends are cyclic and inspired by other eras – we have been wearing a lot of 70s-inspired clothes and seeing those influences coming into our homes was always likely to follow. People like patterns and fabrics to make them feel good in their homes and the 70s was a really great carefree time – who wouldn’t want a bit of that rubbing off on your life today?”

Suzannah encourages us to have fun with the look: “My favourite use is as a roman blind. You don’t see much of the print when they are open during the day, but drop it down in the evening and it is like a piece of art – amazing.”

Handcrafted & homely
As we seek to return to simpler times, there’s a revival of traditional craft not only in personally making the craft but the influence on home interiors and textile constructions where natural material and traditional techniques are lovingly reinterpreted.

Replications of needlework, cross stitch, crochet and knitting are appearing. Fabrics are also folded and crushed to look handcrafted and irregular. Imperfection is encouraged.

According to Rhea Culliford of James Dunlop Textiles, this trend interconnects with two others, global and textural, with homespun-style fabrics, traditional textile techniques and colour palettes inspired from natural dyes.

Jessica Fitzgibbon of The Textile Company points to the reasoning behind the Invicta collection: “There’s a search for raw expression and valuable heritage. It’s a reflection of art and human science, preserved and enriched by resilient artists, people of other ages and different backgrounds, reuniting the knowledge and crafts of the past with skills of the future.”

Keep reading: www.stuff.co.nz...

1607 days ago

New World glasses

Albert from Stokes Valley

Has anybody ever heard anything from New World about these wine and beer glasses that were promised about half a year ago?

1606 days ago

Kaitiaki Wai is out now!

The Team from Wellington Water

The Winter edition of Te Kaitiaki Wai, Wellington Water's magazine, is now available! 📖
This edition features articles on a virtual diving gateway into Wellington’s marine reserve, intermediate students from Cannon’s Creek saving a local waterway, water sniffer dogs, and other good work… View more
The Winter edition of Te Kaitiaki Wai, Wellington Water's magazine, is now available! 📖
This edition features articles on a virtual diving gateway into Wellington’s marine reserve, intermediate students from Cannon’s Creek saving a local waterway, water sniffer dogs, and other good work people are doing around the water industry and in the community.


Happy reading!

1606 days ago

🍫 FREE hot choc when you make a cash or non-perishable food donation for the Lower Hutt Foodbank! 🍫

The Team from Hutt City Council

Head down to Andrews Avenue every Thursday through to Sunday, 2-19 July - the event runs between QUARTERPAST Five and QUARTERPAST Six each day.

In exchange for your small donation, you can design your own unique hot chocolate using QUARTERPAST flavourings with all the trimmings. 😋😋😋

Find… View more
Head down to Andrews Avenue every Thursday through to Sunday, 2-19 July - the event runs between QUARTERPAST Five and QUARTERPAST Six each day.

In exchange for your small donation, you can design your own unique hot chocolate using QUARTERPAST flavourings with all the trimmings. 😋😋😋

Find out more below 👇👇👇

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1607 days ago

Help your club look smart and fresh all year round.

Resene

If your sports, music, hobby or community club facilities look a little worse for wear, Resene have fresh colour and paint to bring them back to their very best!

Resene have 3 prizes of $1500 of Resene quality paints, primers/sealers, wood stains and accessories to give away.

In addition, … View more
If your sports, music, hobby or community club facilities look a little worse for wear, Resene have fresh colour and paint to bring them back to their very best!

Resene have 3 prizes of $1500 of Resene quality paints, primers/sealers, wood stains and accessories to give away.

In addition, each winning club will receive a $500 Prezzy card, that you can use to keep your volunteer painters nourished and happy while they are doing the painting! PLUS we have some extra spot prize vouchers too! Simply nominate your club and tell us why they deserve to win! Entries close 31 August 2020!

You are welcome to nominate more than one club.
Enter online

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1608 days ago

Do you need Regular Gardening Maintenance or Landscaping?

Joshua from

Is your garden messy, overgrown or just in need of general maintenance? Price Smart works with YOU to ensure your garden is left at a standard we’re both happy with.

For a reasonable estimate,
Give us a call at 027 548 9818
Or
Visit www.pricesmart.co.nz...

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1608 days ago

Subscribe to Sunday Star Times

Stuff Ltd

What better way to take a load off than to put your feet up and get inspired with a fresh copy of the Sunday Star-Times each week. For a limited time, when you subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for just 6 months*, we are giving away a free Gourmet Spice Pack valued at $65 so you can get crafty in … View moreWhat better way to take a load off than to put your feet up and get inspired with a fresh copy of the Sunday Star-Times each week. For a limited time, when you subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for just 6 months*, we are giving away a free Gourmet Spice Pack valued at $65 so you can get crafty in the kitchen with Raptor Naturals finest flavours.

Call us on 0800 339 000 or click on the button below and use the promo code “SSTRAPTOR” to redeem this special offer now.

Hurry as this offer ends 31st July, 2020!

*T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.mags4gifts.co.nz
Subscribe Now

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1609 days ago

Next issue of Get Growing ezine - coming next week!

Reporter NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hi neighbours, the next issue of Get Growing will now be released early next week, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime you can read all previous editions here, so dig in and enjoy!

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1609 days ago

Is it safe to swim?

The Team from Wellington Water

What wonderful weather we are having today ☀️

As a reminder, it's standard public health advice around New Zealand not to swim for 48 following the kind of heavy rainfall we had this week. www.wellingtonwater.co.nz...

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G
1609 days ago

Garage Sale Sat July 4th 10am-1pm

Guy from Belmont

After 14 years in business we’re closing the doors tomorrow with a final garage sale. Everything must go! Heaps of bargains - gifts,homewares, office furniture, stationery, books, craft, fabric. New and used. Come on down to 46a Victoria St Alicetown (next to Beaurepaires) cash and eftpos.

Negotiable

1609 days ago

Is your child struggling with strategies?

NumberWorks'nWords Lower Hutt

Our franchisee Michelle from NumberWorks'nWords Silverdale discussing the battle of maths and the rationale behind all the strategies our kids are exposed to in the classroom.

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1609 days ago

How to choose the right Curtain Lining

Robert Anderson from

Windows play a major role in controlling the temperature within a home. During winter it is easy to lose heat, and in summer it is easy to overheat a home if windows are not appropriately covered. Professionally fitted, lined drapery can reduce window heat loss by 40-60% when closed*. Working all … View moreWindows play a major role in controlling the temperature within a home. During winter it is easy to lose heat, and in summer it is easy to overheat a home if windows are not appropriately covered. Professionally fitted, lined drapery can reduce window heat loss by 40-60% when closed*. Working all year round, lined drapery is an important tool in creating a thermal insulation barrier.


Today we look at the advantages, types and options of drapery lining.

There are many advantages to drapery lining:
1. Creation of a thermal insulation layer.
2. Protects soft furnishings from sun damage.
3. Resistance to dust and mildew.
4. Creates a dark room environment (dim or black out).
5. Prolongs the appearance and life of your drapes as lining helps protect the fabric from harmful UV rays.
6. Improves drapability.
7. Stronger acoustic properties with more layers.


NOTE: In a hot climate, lining helps to reduce heat transfer into the room.

TYPES OF DRAPERY LINING

There are several different types of lining which can be chosen based on the requirements of each drapery installation.

THERMAL
One layer (1 Pass) of coated acrylic suede compound is known as thermal lining. It offers the advantages of insulation and energy savings, helping to keep rooms’ warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is important to understand that a certain amount of light will pass into the room with this construction. As with all quality linings, thermal lining not only protects soft furnishings from fading, they are also treated to resist mildew and enables good drapability.
The manufacturing process of a thermal lining involves a thermal coating being applied directly to the reverse side of the fabric to reduce the amount of harmful ultraviolet light passing through the fabric, whilst increasing the insulation.

BLACKOUT
Three layers (3 Pass) of coated acrylic suede compound is known as ‘blackout’ thermal lining. This process offers the same benefits of thermal lining but also totally eliminates light penetration. Blackout lining naturally minimizes the risk of natural flaws in the fabric from showing through. It also adds body to the fabric and provides a good stable base for roman blinds.
TIP: when drawing your curtains during the day, a blackout lining will ensure the colour of your main drape isn’t saturated/washed out by sunlight.

DIMOUT / TRIPLE WEAVE
Unlike coated linings, a dimout lining is a woven construction which allows a small amount of light to pass through – hence the name ‘dimout’ as opposed to ‘blackout’. It is a popular lining in both commercial and residential applications due to its affordability, washability and noise reduction properties. It has a soft, thick handle which adds fullness to a light weight fabric such as silk and taffeta.
TIP: Darker dimouts achieve a higher degree of light reduction than lighter colours.

INTERLINING
Interlining adds body and fullness to lightweight fabrics such as silk and taffeta. Its composition is typically either a blend of polyester/viscose/cotton or 100% napped cotton. Interlining also improves insulation and acoustic properties of a room through noise reduction and provides extra protection from harmful UV rays. It works as additional padding for headboards and pelmets when used between the face fabric and lining.

SILICONE
Advancements in technology have led to coated lining layers being made of a silicone compound, which creates a soft agile handle and has the added benefit of not eliciting or holding any loose dust as experienced with acrylic suede lining. Silicone backed lining is a coated lining product with three layers of silicone on one side, providing protection from elements such as sun and moisture. This product is also washable, making it easier to maintain, however it cannot be dry-cleaned.

NOTE FOR COATED LININGS:
For both thermal coated and blackout coated linings, the coated side of the fabric must face the glass to maximize UV and mildew resistant properties.
Thermal lining and blackout lining is NOT machine washable, it may be gently hand washed if necessary, drip dried with coated surfaces facing out. Professional cleaning by a specialist is the recommended option.

ATTRIBUTES

FIRE RETARDANT

Linings with fire retardant attributes have either had a treatment applied to the yarn/fabric retrospectively or the fibre/yarns used to produce the fabric have been engineered to possess inherent FR characteristics. FR linings meet all government requirements/standards and are suitable for residential and commercial use.

OEKO-TEX
ENVIRONMENTALLY BETTER - Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is an independent international certification. Linings that carry this certification mean that the fabric is free from harmful substances and safe for people and the environment. For more information visit oeko-tex.com/standard100.

Interested in adding a lining to your existing curtains? We can help with that! Call us on 0800 579 0501 to book in.

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