Aokautere - Fitzherbert, Palmerston North

1024 days ago

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

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

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...

1024 days ago

Free: 4 x Dark grey patterned curtains.

Kathryn from West End

Facing: Polyester/Cotton
Lining: Polyester Microfiber with Acrylic coating
Approx 115cm Wide x 205cm Drop
Fabric darker than looks in photos.
Curtain rods also available.
Needs washing but no tears or stains.

Free

1024 days ago

Free: 2 curtains - Pale silver/grey embossed foliage design

Kathryn from West End

“Living & Co” brand
Polyester with acrylic/vicose backing
Approx 115cm wide x 205 drop.
Curtain rods also available.
Needs washing but no fading, stains or tears.

Free

1024 days ago

Free: Thick Pale Grey Polyester Curtains

Kathryn from West End

‘Maison D’Or’ brand eyelet curtains.
Six in total.
Approx 234cm Wide x 160cm Drop.
Curtain rods also available if required.
Will need a wash but otherwise in good condition; no stains or tears.

Free

1025 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...

1025 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
1025 days ago

kōwhaiwhai panel Pūkaha

The Team from Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

Carl (left) and Tamai at our whare whakairo adding final touches to a kōwhaiwhai panel for Te Ore Ore marae in Masterton.

Come and visit our whare whakairo at Pūkaha and see some of their mahi!

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1028 days ago

Art Exhibition by Manawatu rural artist Graham Christensen

Natasha from Ashhurst - Pohangina

'Our Rural Environs' exhibition is now on at the Feilding and District Art Society and runs until the 18th of February AND will be open 10am - 1pm Waitangi Day!

About the Artist:
Graham Christensen lives on a farm near Palmerston North and paints from a large, light-filled studio – … View more
'Our Rural Environs' exhibition is now on at the Feilding and District Art Society and runs until the 18th of February AND will be open 10am - 1pm Waitangi Day!

About the Artist:
Graham Christensen lives on a farm near Palmerston North and paints from a large, light-filled studio – a converted room at the back of the barn.

He regularly exhibits throughout the Manawatu/Rangitikei region, including opening his studio annually for the Art Trail Manawatu.

Graham’s paintings depict his life-long love of farming and the unique landscape that New Zealand offers. His latest works are captured moments, many from his son’s beef farm in Pohangina Valley, that illustrate the peaceful beauty that surrounds us - if we take the time to look for it.

Graham was searching for a form of relaxation when he picked up a paint brush in his early 60’s - what he found was a life changing improvement in his mental health. Graham say’s “Painting is so peaceful, to me it’s like meditation. You are very mindful when you paint, you are concentrating on the paint and the movement of the brush. You’re not thinking about anything else and that makes my mind feel very still and spacious.”

Another benefit that he found, is that he now sees beauty in places he previously saw as ordinary. He’s always on the look out for inspiration or a new scene to paint and has learnt that by just taking a moment to stop and really look around, there is beauty everywhere. A mob of cows with their calves peacefully chewing their cud on a sunny afternoon, the contrast of light and the shadows along the fern-lined bank of a meandering stream, even a friendly conversation being held between farmers at the local sock yards invokes in the viewer a memory or a sense that you instinctively know that very scene - and are somehow part of the story.

A charity that is close to Graham’s heart is the Manawatu Rural Support Service, an organisation that specialises in supporting the stability and wellbeing of our local farmers and their families. The proceeds of the sale of ‘Ready for Shearing’ - included in this exhibition, will be donated to this wonderful and very essential, rural service.

Opening hours: Weekdays 10am - 4pm, Saturdays 10am - 1pm. *Waitangi Day - February 7th: 10am - 1pm

For more information see Graham's website: grahamchristensen.co.nz...
Facebook page: www.facebook.com...
Instagram: www.instagram.com...

1026 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

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1027 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

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1030 days ago

A Sound that's sweet to the ears

Yvonne from West End

After not hearing them for so long my sicades have returned to my back yard So neat to hear them again Have missed the sound of them seems ages

1029 days ago

Style trends you need to know about for 2022

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

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...

1029 days ago

Bat roosting box

The Team from Resene ColorShop Palmerston North

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.

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1030 days ago

Gardener wanted

Rae from Highbury - Westbrook

Can anyone recommend a good gardener please. My mums section needs a good clean up. Phone or txt 021 155 0838
Thankyou

1030 days ago

Food

Gloria from Highbury - Westbrook

Hi does anybody know where I can get some puha please 🙏 🙂

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