Awatoto - Meeanee, Napier

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1008 days ago

An interior designer shares the top 5 golden rules for bedroom design

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (Hawkes Bay Chem-Dry)

Bedrooms equal sleep. It follows that they should be a place of tranquility, somewhere to calm yourself after a day of sensory overload. Except it’s not always so cut and dried, particularly because many of us also use our bedroom as a refuge and place to be alone, a personal space in which to … View moreBedrooms equal sleep. It follows that they should be a place of tranquility, somewhere to calm yourself after a day of sensory overload. Except it’s not always so cut and dried, particularly because many of us also use our bedroom as a refuge and place to be alone, a personal space in which to watch Netflix or even a study for an upcoming exam. So, follow your heart and create a bedroom that brings your dreams alive in the daytime as well as at night.
We would just say, pay attention to the mattress and the bed. Make sure they’re comfortable and, because they will undoubtedly be the focus of the room, choose your headboard and bedding with care. You will also need a degree of functionality about the room, so ensure that the wardrobe space is sufficient for your needs, that the curtains or blinds provide as much darkness as you need to sleep and that your lighting is suitably ambient but still good enough to allow you to read a book without eye strain.

1. Bedheads are essential
Whether you’re designing a child’s room or main bedroom, a feature bedhead is non-negotiable. It not only helps anchor the bed, but also makes the room feel complete. Think round, oblong, wall-to-wall, velvet, rattan, linen, custom-made timber – the options are endless. With lots of companies now making custom bedheads in New Zealand there are options to suit every room and taste. In a child’s room you can even use paint to create a bedhead – paint a shape on the wall behind the bed or paint the lower half of the room a different colour from the upper half.

2. Focus on lighting
Lighting is one of the most important accessories in any home and an easy way to create the wow factor – think of it like jewellery for a room. In bedrooms, pendant lights are ideal if the ceilings are high enough. In the main bedroom a pendant should be positioned above the foot of the bed, in the centre, so it’s out of the way of the room’s open space. Bedside lights can be used to create ambience at night. If you’re renovating or building, consider hanging a pendant or positioning a wall light above each bedside table. The light switch should line up vertically with the lights and sit 700mm from the floor so it’s higher than all bedside tables. Power points should also align with the lights, sitting just above the skirting board.

3. Always consider proportion
For a bedroom to work you need to think about proportion. Balance is created when all aspects of a room are in proportion with one another, so if your bed looks too big or your bedside tables look too small, they probably are. When you’re laying out your room, check the size of the bed – draw it on the wall or floor if you can. If your child’s bedroom is big, don’t push the single bed right into the corner. Leaving even a small amount of space (200mm) between the bed and an adjacent wall will allow you to make the bed more easily, as well as helping the room look in proportion, as your eye can drop behind the bed rather than hitting the wall and running up.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

1009 days ago

Seniors Newsletter

Office for Seniors

Our February Seniors newsletter is out now. In this issue we announce our Age friendly fund successful recipients, shine a light on the those nominated for the New Years Honours for Services to Seniors and much more. Check it out here: mailchi.mp...

1009 days ago

Poll: You be the (photographic) judge!

Ashleigh from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.

The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured … View more
Kia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.

The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured photographs to battle it out. There's a camera up for grabs for our talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!

Cast your vote in the poll below before 12pm, 11 February.

You be the (photographic) judge!
  • 53.5% Finalist 1: Full Moon
    53.5% Complete
  • 14.8% Finalist 2: Girl's Camp
    14.8% Complete
  • 11.4% Finalist 3: First Ride in a Steam Train
    11.4% Complete
  • 16.2% Finalist 4: Grandparents at Sunset
    16.2% Complete
  • 1.9% Finalist 5: Brass Band
    1.9% Complete
  • 2.1% Finalist 6: Street Walk
    2.1% Complete
1268 votes
M
1011 days ago

Men's shirts. R M Williams, Artex and other top brands. Art Deco wear half price!

Mary Anne from Taradale

At Red Cross Shop 35 Cadbury Rd, Onekawa. Some cool shirts in this week. Open again tomorrow, Tuesday, from 10am to 4pm everyday.

Negotiable

1011 days ago

Hot dry summer raised wildfire risk awareness

Climate Insights

Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.

The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk… View more
Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.

The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk in this zone and could significantly impact your property! With one of New Zealand’s hottest and driest summers, discover your property’s fire risk and what you can do to reduce it.

We can produce personalised reports for any house on the planet!

Click here to get your property report: https://property-climate-risk-report.co.nz/
Know more

Image
1012 days ago

Treat yourself or someone you care about this Valentines Day

Stuff

Purchase a six month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for $102 and get a free $100 Interflora e-voucher. Terms and conditions apply. Subscribe Now

Image
1014 days ago

Style trends you need to know about for 2022

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (Hawkes Bay Chem-Dry)

The 22 interior trends we’ll be seeing everywhere this year

1. Taste of Morocco
Warm saturated colour palettes, oodles of texture and intricate detailing are inspirations drawn from the North African nation. Rebecca Jones, design manager for Adairs, says to look out for Moroccan textiles and … View more
The 22 interior trends we’ll be seeing everywhere this year

1. Taste of Morocco
Warm saturated colour palettes, oodles of texture and intricate detailing are inspirations drawn from the North African nation. Rebecca Jones, design manager for Adairs, says to look out for Moroccan textiles and textural embroidery. Team them with decorative tiling, intricate lantern pendants and bright clashing colours to immerse yourself in this beautifully opulent style.

2. Cuddle in
“Plump styled interiors are squishy, cuddly and comforting,” says Laura Heynike, director of Pocketspace Interiors. Think round, curvy and wavy shapes with soft and organic materials in hues of mellow caramel, raspberry and chocolate. Davina Harper, Dulux colour specialist agrees, “Interiors are rich and sensual with essential depth. A decadent look reflects our mood since the pandemic with hyper-feminine aspects in curves and sumptuous materials.”

3. Finger tiles
You might know them by their other name; Kit Kat tiles. This style of tile, slim and petite, adds colour and texture to a space without overpowering it. Prepare to see many more of these on kitchen splashbacks or in the bathroom.

4. Home office
“Work from home is here to stay, in some way, shape or form,” says Dulux’s Davina Harper. So, expect to see the WFH office go from a small desk squished awkwardly in the corner of the living room, to a dedicated workspace with colour, and style to ensure the right mood and ambience for a proper nine-to-five slog.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

1014 days ago

Bat roosting box

The Team from Resene ColorShop Napier

This easy DIY project finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Pickled Bluewood provides a roosting and resting site for a rare and threatened native bat.

Find out how to create your own.

Image
1014 days ago

Heart Failure Research Study

P3 Research Ltd

We are looking for volunteers to take part in a research study exploring a potential new treatment for heart failure.

Adults with heart failure, who are prescribed medication to take every day, and have needed treatment in hospital for heart failure within the last 3 months may be eligible to … View more
We are looking for volunteers to take part in a research study exploring a potential new treatment for heart failure.

Adults with heart failure, who are prescribed medication to take every day, and have needed treatment in hospital for heart failure within the last 3 months may be eligible to take part in this study. Investigational treatment, ages 40+.

Find out if enrolling in our study is right for you.
Find out more

Image
J
1015 days ago

Clean Rags

Janice from Greenmeadows

Red Cross is selling:
Clean Cotton rags for 10.00 a black rubbish bag.
They are great for mechanics, painters, plumbers, Kindy's, day care centres etc
They are available now and if you message me with your order, I will get it delivered to you.
Janice

M
1015 days ago

FABRIC - for a donation! At Red Cross Shop 35 Cadbury Rd, Onekawa. Open 10 to 4 from Tuesday 8th.

Mary Anne from Taradale

Heaps of fabric in store - pieces big enough for kids clothes, patchwork and quilting pieces, craft ideas. You name it, it's there!
Just make a donation for your purchase.

Free

Image
M
1015 days ago

Art Deco style china cabinet for sale

Mary Anne from Taradale

Can be viewed at Red Cross, 35 Cadbury Rd, Onekawa. Ask the shop staff. 2 small glass panes are cracked otherwise in good condition.

Price: $300

1015 days ago

Tips for a Fresher Looking Natural Fibre Rug

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (Hawkes Bay Chem-Dry)

1) Clean your rug on a regular basis. This may seem like an obvious thing to state, but you should know that it is much easier for dirt particles to become entangled in natural fibre carpeting than it is with their synthetic counterparts. To this end, make sure to regularly vacuum your rug using … View more1) Clean your rug on a regular basis. This may seem like an obvious thing to state, but you should know that it is much easier for dirt particles to become entangled in natural fibre carpeting than it is with their synthetic counterparts. To this end, make sure to regularly vacuum your rug using the appropriate upholstery attachment. Other methods you can try is shaking the rug to remove debris, or hanging it up outside and dusting it with a tennis racket, big stick, etc.

2) Use a damp towel to remedy curled rug corners. If you have been using your natural carpeting as an area rug, especially in high traffic areas, you will sooner or later notice that its corners have started to curl. To fix this, simply dampen the curled area with an evenly spread damp towel, place some weights on top, and leave it overnight. Keep in mind that you may have to repeat this process a few more times, depending on how long your rug had its corners curled.

3) Cut sprouting fibres using shears. Since most natural fibre rugs are braided and sewn by hand, they are very prone to sprouting. This goes double for jute, which has shorter fibres. To remedy this, simply use shears to clip down the fibres that have already stuck out from the rug surface. The good news is that, with time, the fibres will “settle in” and you will no longer have to use your scissors as much.

4) Always contact a manufacturer for advice on cleaning specific stains. If you cannot identify the stain on your rug, or it needs a more thorough cleaning overall, we highly encourage you to seek out the original manufacturer for specific cleaning recommendations, since most companies treat the fibres of their natural products differently.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

Image
1016 days ago

Is Hokitika the friendliest town in NZ?

Lorna Thornber Reporter from Stuff Travel

Hi everyone,
Hokitika has been named the most welcoming town in NZ in Booking.com's 10th annual Traveller Review Awards.
Would be keen to hear from those who live there or who have visited whether they think the town really is exceptionally friendly. What makes it a welcoming place, or … View more
Hi everyone,
Hokitika has been named the most welcoming town in NZ in Booking.com's 10th annual Traveller Review Awards.
Would be keen to hear from those who live there or who have visited whether they think the town really is exceptionally friendly. What makes it a welcoming place, or otherwise? Were there any cafes, restaurants, shops or other places you received a particularly warm welcome?
Lake Tekapo and Oamaru came in second and third place respectively, followed by Cambridge, Picton, Invercargill, Martinborough, Kerikeri and Palmerston North. Would also love to hear from you if you have thoughts on these places. Please include 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you don't want it to appear in a travel article.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts?

Top