Waimangu, Rotorua

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1181 days ago

Common Types of Fabric Construction for Curtains and Upholstery - Part 1

Robert Anderson from

When it comes to home interiors and soft furnishings there really is a vast range of curtain and upholstery fabrics to choose from, all with varying attributes for certain applications. To ensure you start your project off with the right foundations, you need to be selecting a fabric that is most … View moreWhen it comes to home interiors and soft furnishings there really is a vast range of curtain and upholstery fabrics to choose from, all with varying attributes for certain applications. To ensure you start your project off with the right foundations, you need to be selecting a fabric that is most suited to its purpose.

There are various textile constructions/qualities that fall within five fabric “types” we describe in an earlier article. In this two-part article we will discuss the most commonly manufactured constructions that you see in the market today.

DAMASK: Damasks are traditional jacquard fabrics, which were originally woven in a single colour, where the design and ground are in contrasting weaves, (generally using warp-faced and weft-faced satin weaves).

CHINTZ: Chintz is a closely woven plain fabric, traditionally cotton, with a shiny and lustrous appearance. The fabric is processed with a glazed or calendared finish to give it a polished look.

FELT: Felt is matted fabric with a predominantly woollen composition. There are two types of felt, woven and un-woven. Felting of woven wool fabric is achieved by interlocking the natural scales on the surface of wool fibres through heat, moisture, steam, pressure and friction.

FIL COUPÉ: A small jacquard pattern on a lightweight fabric, in which the fil/weft threads connecting each pattern/motif are cut and removed from the reverse of the fabric leaving the remaining pattern/motif with frayed edges.

FAUX-LEATHER (VINYL): Polyvinyl chloride (commonly abbreviated as PVC or referred to as vinyl) is the third-most widely produced polymer after polyethylene and polypropylene. It should not be washed with cleaning solvents, but more specifically only a mixture of gentle soap and warm water.

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

1182 days ago

How about your own pre-planted portable organic vegetable bed?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

“Our portable bed provides a convenient and cost-effective way to access your own fresh produce within your own home,” says Charla Stretch, the CEO of Vitanic, the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) company set up by five students from Tokoroa High School.

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1182 days ago

Job matching service success

Competenz

Another success story!

Our free job matching service helped place Caitlyn in her dream job and gave her employer the apprentice he had been searching for. A win-win!

Competenz provided the details of the job, and I’m happy Big Ideas took me on, I always wanted to be a signwriter when I … View more
Another success story!

Our free job matching service helped place Caitlyn in her dream job and gave her employer the apprentice he had been searching for. A win-win!

Competenz provided the details of the job, and I’m happy Big Ideas took me on, I always wanted to be a signwriter when I left high school but never had the chance. But now I do" says Caitlyn

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1183 days ago

Digital Boost Live - App Launch

Digital Boost

Hi neighbours!

With daylight savings kicking in, we’ll have more hours in the day to make the most of our time outdoors.

So why not keep learning on the go! When you’re on your daily stroll or jog around the neighbourhood, it’s the perfect time to boost your digital knowledge with our … View more
Hi neighbours!

With daylight savings kicking in, we’ll have more hours in the day to make the most of our time outdoors.

So why not keep learning on the go! When you’re on your daily stroll or jog around the neighbourhood, it’s the perfect time to boost your digital knowledge with our brand new app - Digital Boost Live.

Our app has everything you need in the palm of your hand so you can keep learning from anywhere.

You'll remain logged in all the time and have access to exclusive podcasts with business and industry experts only available via our app. Notifications will keep you up to date with new content and competitions as soon as they land.

All our learning videos, downloadable summaries, cases studies, and Q&A sessions will still be there - perfect for small business owners looking for a practical way to keep learning while on the move.

Don't delay, download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play and start learning today!

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1183 days ago

Beef, ordered from here

McDonald's

For delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo. An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world.

Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.
Find out more

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1184 days ago

It's that time of year again whānau...

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Make sure to update any manual clocks (don't forget about our older neighbours who might need a helping hand) and have a wonderful spring weekend!

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1185 days ago

Your local is calling you...

Neighbourly.co.nz

Last year, we were absolutely overwhelmed with the Neighbourly community's response to our Local Likes campaign - so we want you to go in for round two!

This time we've got 50 chances for you to win a $100 voucher to go towards the business you've nominated. Head through and let … View more
Last year, we were absolutely overwhelmed with the Neighbourly community's response to our Local Likes campaign - so we want you to go in for round two!

This time we've got 50 chances for you to win a $100 voucher to go towards the business you've nominated. Head through and let everyone know why your favourite small business is worth supporting.
Nominate Now!

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1185 days ago

Just for laughs!

Robert Anderson from

"Sometimes you might feel like no one's there for you, but you know who's always there for you?
Laundry.
Laundry will always be there for you."

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1187 days ago

Learn basic everyday digital skills

Kanorau Digital

Have you got a mobile phone or tablet? Not sure how to work the thing? Let us help you with that.

Our short course will give you the skills to stay digitally connected to your friends and whānau.

• A variety of day and class times to choose from
• Learn with an experienced tutor
• … View more
Have you got a mobile phone or tablet? Not sure how to work the thing? Let us help you with that.

Our short course will give you the skills to stay digitally connected to your friends and whānau.

• A variety of day and class times to choose from
• Learn with an experienced tutor
• No fees

Call us on 0800 KANORAU (526 672) or visit our website.
Find out more

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1188 days ago

What Are the Basic Styles of Fabric for Curtains & Upholstery?

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 … 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.



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

1188 days ago

Free recruitment service finds perfect match

Competenz

After years of searching for a new recruit for their business, Auckland engineering firm Stainless Machinings turned to Competenz’s free job matching service to find them an ideal candidate. In the space of a few short months, school leaver Stuart Martin joined the company.

“We’d been … View more
After years of searching for a new recruit for their business, Auckland engineering firm Stainless Machinings turned to Competenz’s free job matching service to find them an ideal candidate. In the space of a few short months, school leaver Stuart Martin joined the company.

“We’d been trying to recruit a young person for a couple of years, says Stainless Machinings owner Brian Lawry. “Competenz provided us with an excellent service and took all the hard work out of finding someone."

Read the full story here
List a job

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1190 days ago

Warm welcome to Climate Insights

Neighbourly

We're very excited to announce Climate Insights as our new Neighbourly partner.

Climate insights is looking forward to supporting the Neighbourly community, helping kiwis protect their homes against climate change and live better within their communities. Climate Insights use science-based… View more
We're very excited to announce Climate Insights as our new Neighbourly partner.

Climate insights is looking forward to supporting the Neighbourly community, helping kiwis protect their homes against climate change and live better within their communities. Climate Insights use science-based information to provide tools and guidance as we strive to become more sustainable and resilient. 

Please join us in welcoming Climate Insights and stay tuned for localised climate information, tools and much more!
Learn more

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1191 days ago

Looking for some cooking inspiration?

Stuff

Look no further! Join Sam Mannering on Thursday the 23rd of September and cook your dinner along with him.

What’s on the menu? Sam is going to teach you how to make curry from scratch, and for dessert, a tarte tatin.

Get in quick because seats are limited!
Register now

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1192 days ago

Do you have questions about your spring garden?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

As part of Stuff’s Life & Style Live Chat series, NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll and Jack Hobbs, manager of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, are back with their expert spring gardening tips, advice and plant problem-solving. If you have a question for the gardening experts, … View more
Dear neighbours,

As part of Stuff’s Life & Style Live Chat series, NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll and Jack Hobbs, manager of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, are back with their expert spring gardening tips, advice and plant problem-solving. If you have a question for the gardening experts, you can submit it (now, or during the chat) at the link below. Then tune in today, Sept 17, at 3pm.

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1192 days ago

Things to Consider When Exploring Blind & Curtain Ideas

Robert Anderson from

Hoping to buy blinds or curtains but feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the choices? You might walk into a store with great curtain ideas but it’s easy to lose focus when you see all the options on the shelves.
Did you know that blinds and curtains can be energy efficient? Did you know there are… View more
Hoping to buy blinds or curtains but feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the choices? You might walk into a store with great curtain ideas but it’s easy to lose focus when you see all the options on the shelves.
Did you know that blinds and curtains can be energy efficient? Did you know there are more types of blinds that the typical shutters? There’s so much to consider!

To help you narrow down your options, here are some tips to pick the right blinds and curtains that work best for you:

1. Colour
Your choice of colour will be among the main priorities when choosing the ideal blinds or window curtains. Getting the wrong colour can ruin the aesthetic value of the whole room.
The wrong colours on the wrong windows can also lead to quick degradation. If you use strong colours like blood red on windows where the sun shines often, the colours could fade quickly. Go around this by choosing blinds or curtains with nude or neutral light colours, ensuring they’ll still look good even after fading a bit.

2. Measurements
Your second step is to make sure you get the right measurements. The general rule of thumb is that your blinds or curtain panels should be longer and wider than your windows. Drapes should go down to the floor.

If you want to make your windows and walls look bigger than they are, include a few inches above the window. Hanging your curtains 4-5 inches above the window frame creates an illusion of length.


3. Material
Blinds come in all shapes and sizes. Generic blinds like shutters or slats use aluminium or wood. Sheers use glass and these are great if you want to filter out light and striking glares in the room.

Curtains, on the other hand, come in too many options. Most use cotton, wool, silk, and linen. Thicker curtain fabric is great if you want to control temperature and prevent bright light from seeping into the room. Lighter fabric is better when you want to keep the airflow circulating.

Material choice will also affect your budget. It goes without saying that the stronger and more functional materials will cost more.

4. Style
Getting the right fabric, right measurements, and the right colour won’t do you much good if the style of the blinds or curtains doesn’t click with your personal preferences.

There are a lot of stylistic blinds and curtain ideas to choose from. Do you want to stick with plain colours and a sleek design for a modern look? Will you go for deep colours, embroidery, and frills for a Victorian or Edwardian aesthetic?

Blinds can be boring, white with no style at all, or as unique as vertical sheers using rotating glass materials.

5. Ease of Use
Generic blinds are easy to use; you have one line to pull to open or shut the blinds and another line to rotate the individual panels. Cheap curtains require you to pull them open by hand and then tie them manually but you may find a few affordable choices with their own rope.

In short, make sure you check if the curtains and blinds are easy to use. You don’t want to spend more time than you have to only to open your window and look outside.

6. Safety for Kids and Pets
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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