Matahina Forest, Whakatane

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Want to get to know your neighbours?

Check out our Know Thy Neighbour page here.

1168 days ago

All About Curtain & Upholstery Fabrics

Robert Anderson from

There are five different styles/category of fabric that form the foundation for the vast array of curtain and upholstery fabrics you see on the market today. Each fabric style outlined below has its own unique characteristics and are produced using different techniques. Some of these fabric types … View moreThere are five different styles/category of fabric that form the foundation for the vast array of curtain and upholstery fabrics you see on the market today. Each fabric style outlined below has its own unique characteristics and are produced using different techniques. Some of these fabric types will be well known to you like plain and printed fabrics, while others less so.

You may be wondering why cotton and linen for example are not included here – this is because they are a type of composition that falls within one of these categories below.

Here we give you a high-level overview of the styles of fabrics available to you for your home interior or commercial interior project.

PLAIN
Plain fabrics are characterised by simple weaves and textures not showing any complex design.
Simple weaves are for instance – hopsacks, twills, herringbones and satins. Common fabric compositions used for plain fabrics include natural fibres (cotton, linen) as well as synthetic fibres (polyester, acrylic, etc.)

Plain interior fabrics take on a simple and paired back aesthetic. Ideal for a minimalist décor, you can complement plain fabrics with more textured and tactile textiles for added interest to your home décor.

PRINTED
Printing is the process of applying coloured designs and patterns to a woven textile. One or more colours are applied to the fabric in specific parts only, using thickened dyes to prevent the colour from spreading beyond the limits of the pattern or design. In quality printed fabrics, the colour is bonded with the fibre so as to resist loss of dye from washing and friction (crocking). Printing is an ancient textile manufacturing technique of which there are five print production methods you can use:

Burn Out Printing:
A process which uses chemicals, rather than colour, to burn out or dissolve away one fibre in a fabric. The purpose is to achieve a sheer design on a solid or opaque fabric. The chemicals used during production can make this fabric sensitive to ultraviolet degradation when hung in direct sunlight.

Digital Printing:
Rapidly becoming a popular and commercially viable printing method due to its flexibility, precision and consistency. With this new printing technique it is now possible to print any design, even with photographic detail, onto fabric. There are no restrictions in the amount of colour that can be used.

Engraved Roller Printing:
The printing method used for the majority of fabrics worldwide. The colours are printed directly onto the fabric. There must be one roller for each colour used in the print. The more colours used, the better the print definition and depth of colour. The number of colours used is printed on the left hand selvedge of a fabric along with the brand.

Hand Block Printing:

The oldest form of printing. Print designs are created by transferring dyestuffs onto fabric with the help of wooden, linoleum, or copper blocks. Artisans hand craft individual blocks to carry each different colour in a design and perfectly match block placement to create the all-over design.

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

1170 days ago

Get your financial life in order with MoneyIQ

Angela Quigan Reporter from Stuff

Hey neighbours, is it time to get your finances in order? If lockdown has focused your mind on the state of your bank account, we’re here to help.

Stuff has launched MoneyIQ, an eight-week email course that will give you all the basics you need to get your money sorted and start working towards … View more
Hey neighbours, is it time to get your finances in order? If lockdown has focused your mind on the state of your bank account, we’re here to help.

Stuff has launched MoneyIQ, an eight-week email course that will give you all the basics you need to get your money sorted and start working towards a brighter, richer future. You can sign up for free here.

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1171 days ago

Remya's Special Ryman Journey

Bob Owens Retirement Village

Remya, the Special Care Unit Coordinator at Bob Owens Village tells us about her journey with Ryman.

Read about her story below.

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1172 days ago

Biggest Ever Online Bed Sale

Beds 4 U

If you’re tired of waking up sore from your old bed’s lack of support, it might be time to upgrade your mattress. When you shop locally, you support an entire community, not just a business! Hence we urge you to shop and support local businesses like us so we can grow together as a community.
View more
If you’re tired of waking up sore from your old bed’s lack of support, it might be time to upgrade your mattress. When you shop locally, you support an entire community, not just a business! Hence we urge you to shop and support local businesses like us so we can grow together as a community.

While we're asking you to support us, we would like to give back to the community with an exclusive offer of UP TO 60% Off With Free Delivery on our incredible range of NZ Made beds and mattresses!

Check out our limited-time specials online or contact your local Beds4U Store Now!

Bring back your dream sleep, With Beds4U's Biggest Online Bed Sale
Shop now

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1173 days ago

It's the simple things...

Neighbourly.co.nz

Hey neighbours,

Wrapped up in our bubbles - it's certainly been a tough few weeks. With our daily routines challenged, we were able to slow down and enjoy the better things in life. That's why we want you be a part of the Neighbourly joy movement and share the simple things that make … View more
Hey neighbours,

Wrapped up in our bubbles - it's certainly been a tough few weeks. With our daily routines challenged, we were able to slow down and enjoy the better things in life. That's why we want you be a part of the Neighbourly joy movement and share the simple things that make you happy.

Share a photo or story with your neighbours and you could be in to win Good Joe Coffee and Best Ugly Bagels (or bagels for your whole street!).
Share now!

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1173 days ago

Level 2 - Open

Robert Anderson from

We are open for Level 2! Please follow Covid safety guidelines!

1173 days ago

Ryman Pioneers Certainty

We’ve been pioneering village living, and aged care, for more than 35 years. Our track record is built on genuine compassion and respect and gives you the confidence to be able to live the way you want. It’s another reason New Zealanders have voted us one of the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted … View moreWe’ve been pioneering village living, and aged care, for more than 35 years. Our track record is built on genuine compassion and respect and gives you the confidence to be able to live the way you want. It’s another reason New Zealanders have voted us one of the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brands for a 7th year. Learn more

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1173 days ago

Keep reaching out, Aotearoa! 😊

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

A simple phone call or message it all it takes sometimes.

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1174 days ago

All regions outside Auckland to move to Alert Level 2

Neighbourly.co.nz

All regions outside Auckland will move to Covid-19 Alert Level 2, with Auckland remaining at Alert Level 4 for at least another week.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced the changes at a post-cabinet press conference on Monday … View more
All regions outside Auckland will move to Covid-19 Alert Level 2, with Auckland remaining at Alert Level 4 for at least another week.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced the changes at a post-cabinet press conference on Monday afternoon.

Regions outside Auckland will make the change to Alert Level 2, at 11.59pm tomorrow.

Here's what you need to know
- A refresh on Level 2 restrictions and what it means for you.
- Indoor gatherings are now capped at 50 people, with outdoor gatherings restricted to a maximum of 100 people.
- There have been 20 confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported by the Ministry of Health since 9.00am yesterday, all in Auckland.
- If you have any flu-like symptoms, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or ring your GP.
- Find your closest Covid-19 testing location on the Healthpoint website

For more information, visit covid19.govt.nz.

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1175 days ago

We are open!

Robert Anderson from

We are back open under Level 3 guidelines!

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1175 days ago

Father and son graduate together

Competenz

Another great story!
Southland father and son, Robert and Bobby Baird have recently received their forestry qualifications, proving you are never too old to learn.

While Robert has practical experience gained during four decades in the bush, he says vocational training like the qualification he… View more
Another great story!
Southland father and son, Robert and Bobby Baird have recently received their forestry qualifications, proving you are never too old to learn.

While Robert has practical experience gained during four decades in the bush, he says vocational training like the qualification he has just done is helping keep people safe.

Competenz assessor Neville Muir worked with Bairds throughout their training programme.

“Bobby is very driven to succeed and very organised. He’s also very keen to continue upskilling his crew and there are a lot of different certificates still to do,” he says.

While Bobby is his boss at work, Robert turns back into ‘dad’ at the end of the day. “I give him a hand during the day when he’s got a lot of work on. We have a great relationship and it’s a magic thing to be able to do to work with your son.”

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1175 days ago

Learn from Experts in Digitally-Driven Business!

The Team from Digital Boost

We're here to help you take your business to the top.
That's why every day from 10-11am we sit down for interviews with experts in topics like digital marketing and websites, and live stream it straight to you. Power your business forward with a daily pro-tip or two!

Find out … View more
We're here to help you take your business to the top.
That's why every day from 10-11am we sit down for interviews with experts in topics like digital marketing and websites, and live stream it straight to you. Power your business forward with a daily pro-tip or two!

Find out who's sharing their knowledge this week and RSVP here
Learn more

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1175 days ago

Father and son graduate together

Competenz

Another great story!
Southland father and son, Robert and Bobby Baird have recently received their forestry qualifications, proving you are never too old to learn.

While Robert has practical experience gained during four decades in the bush, he says vocational training like the qualification he… View more
Another great story!
Southland father and son, Robert and Bobby Baird have recently received their forestry qualifications, proving you are never too old to learn.

While Robert has practical experience gained during four decades in the bush, he says vocational training like the qualification he has just done is helping keep people safe.

Competenz assessor Neville Muir worked with Bairds throughout their training programme.

“Bobby is very driven to succeed and very organised. He’s also very keen to continue upskilling his crew and there are a lot of different certificates still to do,” he says.

While Bobby is his boss at work, Robert turns back into ‘dad’ at the end of the day. “I give him a hand during the day when he’s got a lot of work on. We have a great relationship and it’s a magic thing to be able to do to work with your son.”

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1177 days ago

Is a small business near you delivering?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Our friends at Stuff are collating an incredible directory of small businesses delivering during lockdown in every region across New Zealand. Check out the best in baked goods, meal companies, drinks of every sort, groceries and sweet treats delivering right to your neighbourhood.

Supporting … View more
Our friends at Stuff are collating an incredible directory of small businesses delivering during lockdown in every region across New Zealand. Check out the best in baked goods, meal companies, drinks of every sort, groceries and sweet treats delivering right to your neighbourhood.

Supporting local is easy with Support Local, Aotearoa. Have a browse or show your support by submitting a shoutout to a business near you now. They'll thank you for it.

Thanks for supporting local.
Browse the directory

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