Journal
Inspired spaces with Alice Lines: Get creative with kitchen styling
For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of our home, a space in which we spend time and pass through from dawn to dusk. As part of our home-styling series, homestyle editor Alice Lines shares her advice for adding personality to an otherwise fairly functional room. Why not take the opportunity to inject some character into what’s typically a work zone but is also where we spend a significant amount of downtime? I like kitchens that include something a little unexpected—objects of interest that you might not typically find, art and decorative curiosities buddying up with everyday necessities. The hero here is a pair of paintings by Selina Foote from Two Rooms gallery (from left: Woman with a pearl necklace and Enfants II) that form a thought-provoking talking point. A supporting cast of smaller finds completes the arrangement; when combining these in larger areas, find balance by grouping them together. Loosely developing a zigzag of ‘moments’ across a couple of shelves is one way to figure out where to add and subtract pieces, leaving space for the eye to travel between them. It always takes a bit of experimentation to get it right, so enjoy taking the time to review until you’ve arranged an edit of objects that’s both useful and beautiful. Natural elements such as flowers, foliage and food help soften a kitchen’s hard lines and bring life to the space. Keep it simple by using scale to create impact. Stand a large vessel on the end of the island to fill with an oversized floral arrangement, then change it out for foliage for a fresh shot of green on green. Sculptural produce is a stylist’s go-to for something extra on the bench. Celebrate what’s in abundance each season, placing it in matte-glazed ceramics, such as this Halo serveware, which is a refined, elegant option for use from kitchen to table. As life happens in and around the kitchen, surfaces can naturally become cluttered. Styling goes hand in hand with tidying, so when things start to feel a bit cramped, moving pieces into and out of rotation can help you regain a sense of order and renew the mood. That wraps up our five-part journal series with Alice Lines. It’s been a pleasure working with Alice and seeing her creative flair expressed throughout the home. To explore the series, click here. Art credit: Woman with a pearl necklace (left) and Enfants II by Selina Foote from Two Rooms. Discover more from Selina on Instagram, and view Two Rooms online and on Instagram.
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Inspired spaces with Alice Lines: The art of the aperitivo
Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing styling advice from homestyle editor Alice Lines. Her tips help you elevate key areas of the home—bedroom, dining room, and living room. To celebrate the festive season, Alice uncovers the art of the aperitivo. Take her tips for at-home entertaining, along with a recipe for a summer-friendly spritz. The Italians and Spaniards call it aperitivo, the French apéritif, and this European tradition—to relax into evening entertaining with a pre-dinner cocktail and salty, savoury snacks—is one I like to embrace at home in the summer months. Not every occasion requires a full-blown menu, and this style of soirée is super easy to add to your repertoire. My main hack for keeping things simple is to have chic serveware ready to roll, plus a well-stocked pantry and bar. A selection of small vessels like Halo dip bowls instantly elevate the type of deli items I like to have on hand. Sicilian green olives, fancy crisps and spiced almonds are my go-to's; trawl your local store for specialty goods that need no more preparation than popping in a bowl. Level up with interesting bites—Spanish-style gildas (made with olives, anchovies and pickled peppers on a skewer) are a spicy little addition, and perfect with a spritz or negroni. Complete your table setting with an Ochre linen tablecloth and a scattering of Pinto coasters. In sun-warmed, earthy hues, they bring a laidback-luxe mood, which a couple of tealight holders will carry on into the evening. Master the Aperol Spritz Ingredients - 3 parts prosecco- 2 parts Aperol- 1 part soda- Slice of orange Method 1. Fill a glass with ice cubes. We used the Pure White Wine Glasses.2. In the following order, pour in your prosecco, Aperol, and soda.3. Garnish with a slice of orange. In the final journal post in this series, we explore kitchen styling. Stay tuned for Alice’s advice for adding personality to this space in the New Year. Until then, happy holidays!
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Inspired spaces with Alice Lines: How to find your living room flow
We’ve been sharing styling advice from homestyle editor Alice Lines. This week, we’ve turned to the living room. Alice puts comfort and functionality at the forefront, while also considering colour, art, and the all-important things you love. Learn how this look came together, and the ways you can embrace these ideas in your living room. Comfort is key to making your living room feel good. Use the architecture, proportions and orientation of the space to guide the positioning of your key furniture items, then have fun layering in art, objects and accent pieces. Start by asking yourself how you want this zone of your home to function. Do you do a lot of entertaining, or is this your spot to retreat to? With the right finds, your living area could provide for both. In an open-plan interior, creating a dedicated lounge can take some consideration, since it needs to continue the visual narrative of your kitchen and dining spaces. Consider placing the focus on the center of the room to create a conversational setting, rather than arranging your furniture along the walls or in relation to the TV. Smaller, more easily moved items can be switched up to suit the occasion, mood or season, like a pair of Daily armchairs that look good from all angles together and apart, Column side tables within easy reach, and a Point floor lamp to enhance the ambience. Colour is transformative in an interior, yet also very subjective. Gentle, calming neutrals; warm, earthy hues; vibrant jewel tones... whichever direction you go in, base your choices on what looks and feels good. With the aim of styling this space to provide a feeling of respite, here we included Sentient Dawn by Melanie Field (from The Frame Workshop & Gallery), and the hues of this abstract painting reinforce the laidback mood. However, like colour, art is a very personal choice too and doesn’t have to match your decorating scheme—be guided by how artworks make you feel in the first instance, then find the right home for them at your place. When it comes to furniture, selecting big-ticket items made from natural materials such as wood, stone, wool and linen can help you confidently style a living space with enduring appeal, forming a strong foundation on which to build character as you become more assured of your aesthetic. Try to avoid panic buying to fill a gap. It’s always worth the wait to take it slow and live with less until you find items you really love. Make a list of the key colours, textures and materials you’re including in each space as a handy reference to inform new purchases. A rug I purchased while travelling years ago has informed my colour choices for my own living area, and having its palette in mind has really helped me not to be swayed by the ever-quickening trend cycle. Art also works well for this purpose, or try reflecting the hues on view through your window. Once you’ve landed on your look, continuity will be a breeze. I take pleasure in regularly restyling the small objects at my place, so having dedicated spots in which to create these vignettes helps ensure visual cohesion. When items spill across every surface, the overall look can be more cluttered than curated. Allowing breathing room makes decorative moments more impactful. Try using your coffee table as a stage for storytelling. Choose a theme for your grouping of objects, such as using common colours, materials or shapes, and play with proportion and scale to create a pleasing vignette. Pairing objects offers a sense of formal elegance, while the casual asymmetry of objects arranged in trios can add an air of effortlessness. Next up, we’ll be focusing on the heart of the home—the kitchen. Discover Alice’s advice for challenging the status quo and adding personality to this space. Until then, view more styling inspiration here. Art credit: Sentient Dawn by Melanie Field (from The Frame Workshop & Gallery). Discover more from Melanie online and on Instagram.
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Inspired spaces with Alice Lines: Elevate your dining room with considered contrast
In our latest journal series, we’re sharing styling advice from homestyle editor Alice Lines. This week, Alice shows us how to embrace design in the dining room. Learn how elements of contrast can add personality and provide the perfect backdrop for at-home entertaining. Consider your surroundings inside and out when making decisions about your dining room material palette. Here, we set the scene for meals and making memories with a Tatamu table, its dark oak timber contrasting with the oak floorboards underfoot and offsetting the surrounding black window joinery. The push and pull of scale is a factor to take into account when selecting a table too—you’ll want one that’s large enough to accommodate all kinds of occasions yet still allows plenty of room to maneuver around. Your dining table and chairs don’t have to match—in fact, when they don’t, they can bring more personality to the space; even timber in slightly different shades offers extra visual interest. In contrast to the straight lines of the table, the curved backs of these Trace dining chairs adds both appealing form and functional comfort to this set-up. Rounding out the room, a Craft sideboard works as a sophisticated extra surface for storage, serving and display. The scale of the painting above—Shadow Games, by Helen Dean—balances out the relationship between the furniture in the room, drawing your focus into the space. Whether a gathering is planned or pulled together at the drop of a hat when friends pop in, I like to elevate the experience of hosting by making the setting special—but never overpowering; in a way, you want the styling to fade into the background so the food can be the hero and the conversation can make the lasting impression. Once you land on a look that works for you, I think it’s totally acceptable to serve the same dishes in the same setting every time you entertain. I’m all for making life easy by repeating what you know works well. Think of it as creating your signature style. In our next journal post, we turn to the living room. Alice shares her advice for creating a functional space thoughtfully layered with the things you love. In the meantime, view more here. Art credit: Shadow Games by Helen Dean. Discover more from Helen online and on Instagram. Flowers: From Aila Morgan Guthrie’s flower farm — Hands in the Dirt. Discover more from Aila online and on Instagram. Food: Gretchen Lowe. Discover more from Gretchen online and on Instagram.
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Inspired spaces with Alice Lines: How to welcome colour to your bedroom
Learn how to enhance your space through our home styling partnership with Alice Lines, who we’ve turned to for her expertise as a talented stylist and editor of homestyle magazine. In a five-part journal series, Alice shares inspiring ways to style key areas of your home. Read on to discover her ideas for layering complementary colours in the bedroom. Your bedroom is a space that should be unique to you. Rather than exercising caution, enjoy being bolder with your styling choices. For me, that means using colour to create the desired mood. Establish a palette of three to four hues—pulling from a painting is a great way to start. Here, I referenced a duo of works by local Snells Beach artist Lucy Rice, whose intuitive abstract pieces come together in soft painterly tones, that provided the perfect jumping-off point for this scheme. For a look that’s well thought out but unfussy, visual contrast is a helpful tool. I started with a fresh Spearmint duvet cover, then teamed it with a flat sheet and pillowcases in shades of purple—soft Lupin and darker Mulberry—over a fitted Pinstripe sheet. Play around with pillowcases of various colours, mixing or matching them with your sheets and duvet. Bolster cushions are another go-to for me in the bedroom—they’re perfectly shaped for use as a prop for your neck or back. When it comes to bedding fabric, cotton and linen each have their seasonal merits. Your choice might come down to what gives you the best night's sleep. Not quite ready to go all the way with a multi coloured scheme in the bedroom? Whites and neutrals are the answer to simplifying a layered look on your bed. Slip them between complementary hues, then round it out with a pop of contrast, in the form of a feature cushion, for example. As summer approaches and the nights warm up, I like to keep it cool and calm in the bedroom by paring things right back. If you’re shedding winter-weight layers, the Morandi bedspread makes a chic alternative to a bulky duvet bunched at the end of the bed. Embrace this minimalist approach when you make the bed by pulling this bedspread right up and over your pillowcases for a smooth, draped finish. Pulling from its oversized-plaid palette, two cushions of different colours and sizes add just enough interest—and comfort—for summer siestas. In our next journal post, we’ll share how design can bring people together when entertaining at home. Until then, discover more inspiration here. Art credit: Camelia (above bed) & Cinnamon (above tallboy) by Lucy Rice. Discover more from Lucy online and Instagram.
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Designer selects: Imogen’s favourite kitchen pieces
Spending time in the kitchen can be a creative, mindful outlet. Make it a place you love with thoughtful designs from our kitchen and dining collection. To inspire, we asked Città in-house designer Imogen Tunnicliffe to share her five favourite kitchen pieces. Our little kitchen is still original 1960s and although it is ‘charming’ in a time-worn, weathered kind of way, it unquestionably needs a makeover! So, kitchens, renovations, and beautiful kitchen things are on my mind at the moment. Craft Sideboard My ideal kitchen would have enough space to include this sideboard. I love furniture with a low profile—somewhere between a mid-century modernist and Japanese aesthetic, which I think the Craft range fulfils. The smoked oak finish is really elegant. I would use this to house larger ceramics, such as bowls and platters. In an ideal world, I would only have a vase filled with beautiful flowers sitting on top of it. Copo Mugs I might also let the Copo mug sit on the sideboard! The Copo mugs are one of those perfect unions of design, colour, texture, and practicality. The mugs were inspired by mid-century silhouettes and the colours were chosen to pay homage to this era also. The colours are subtle but interesting, and allow you to create some beautiful but slightly off-beat combinations. Albers Placemats I enjoy the bold colours combined with the big oversized rib weave of these placemats. The combination makes them visually effective but also super tactile. They are a little bit unexpected with contrasting colours on the reverse that you can flip—depending on your mood, the table setting, or if one side needs a wash! They are the perfect mix-and-match placemat. Practically speaking, they are hardy and easy to clean, coming up beautifully after machine washing. Stelton AJ Teapot I’m more of a coffee drinker, but the Stelton AJ teapot could shift my allegiance. I love the proportions of the teapot and the quirky relationship between the spout and the handle. Designed by the legendary Arne Jacobsen, the teapot embodies modernist aesthetics with its sleek lines and subtle beauty while being user-friendly and functional. Linen Napkins & Tablecloths Our new coloured linen napkins and tablecloths in moody Lupin, peppy Spearmint or warm Ochre are elegantly interesting. Linen is the perfect fabric for napkins and tablecloths, being lightweight and easily washable with a subtle crinkled texture that is visually more relaxed than cotton. I enjoy the effect of the discarded napkins on the table—the light casting shadows in the creases, creating little sculptural forms on the table long after the guests have left. Discover our kitchen and dining collection in-store and online.
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Behind the photoshoot: Celebrating Christchurch’s mid-century architecture
In a recent photoshoot, we had the pleasure of styling our furniture, lighting, and textiles within a mid-century Ōtautahi Christchurch home. We were welcomed by owners Matt and Kate Arnold who are passionate about the city’s architecture. Matt is a self-confessed “tragic architecture nerd” who founded Christchurch Modern—a website that maps examples of the city’s modernist architecture from the 1960s. The website started as a blog when the couple were looking for their own house. It now serves an informal local architecture catalogue. The labour of love sees Matt meticulously archiving photography, plans, and clippings for fellow enthusiasts to readily access. During the 1960s, local architects experimented with modern design principles. New concepts were embraced and a distinct style of architecture emerged across the city and remains influential today. Function was at the forefront of design and new, modern materials—such as steel, glass, and concrete—were embraced. Ornamental details were rejected in favour of simple and pared-back designs. Open-plan layouts encompassed multiple living areas, and large windows helped to reduce the division between the indoor and outdoor spaces. At Città, our in-house designer Imogen Tunnicliffe has an affinity with modernist architecture—and especially the movement of Ōtautahi Christchurch. “I think the principles are still completely relevant today,” says Imogen. “The use of modest materials, simple but considered spaces and silhouettes, and thoughtful and inventive detailing. This combination makes these builds both special and attainable.” Over the course of the decade, some of Ōtautahi’s most iconic homes, as well as public and commercial buildings, were created in this unique style. This includes the Cashmere location of our photoshoot, which was designed in 1965 by John G. Philips. To help bring the shoot to life, Imogen was joined by fellow Città designer David Moreland. “Every mid-century house has its own personality,” says David. “This one truly embodies its current owners, Matt and Kate Arnold.” “It comes as no surprise that they are the custodians of this unique house. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to spend a few days at their beautiful property. Watching the sun rise and fall through the internal courtyard was a truly beautiful experience.” Imogen further explains the importance of preserving Ōtautahi’s architectural history. “Many of these buildings have been demolished, damaged by the earthquakes, or altered in a manner not sympathetic with the style,” she says. “It is important we have people like Matt and Kate, who are both champions and guardians of this architectural genre in New Zealand.” The home provided the perfect backdrop for styling our furniture and textiles. The photography captures the character of the home, including the post-and-beam construction, concrete-block walls, and cork flooring. Timber in deep, rich hues is seen throughout with statement vertical tongue-and-groove panels. Acoustic panels made from wood wool add texture and give a commercial-like aesthetic. Generous floor-to-ceiling windows welcome light and expose greenery beyond. The architectural details work in unison with our designs—not against, or in competition. This demonstrates how our thoughtful designs can work together to complement and enhance a space. The stunning photos speak for themself and we’re thoroughly grateful for Matt and Kate’s warm hospitality. To learn more about Ōtautahi Christchurch’s 1960s modern architectural movement, visit Christchurch Modern. You can also find inspiration in the homes documented in the Straight Line book co-compiled by Matt Arnold and Mary Gaudin.
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Behind the design: our waffle wool blankets
We’re excited to expand our range of New Zealand-made wool blankets to include two bold waffle designs. From start to finish, the design tells a New Zealand story. The newly released blankets are designed in our Auckland studio by our in-house designer, Imogen Tunnicliffe. The blankets are then woven and milled by a local manufacturer using New Zealand lambswool.
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Behind the design: the inspiration behind our Rothko cushion & throw
At Città, our designs often draw inspiration from diverse art genres and disciplines. Our recently released designs were inspired by the Colour Field art movement and artists such as Mark Rothko.
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Q&A: Get to know our furniture & product designer David Moreland
We’re going behind the scenes at Città & introducing you to our talented team. This week, we chat with David Moreland about his role as our head of furniture and product design. David studied 3D Design at Unitec and developed his career in furniture design and production before joining Città in 2014. In our latest journal post, we speak to David about the designs he’s most proud of, the best part about what he does... and his love of all things music. Tell us about yourself and what you do. I’m the Head of Furniture & Product Design here at Città. We are a multi-disciplinary design studio that works on everything from tables, chairs and lighting to all types of accessories and homewares. Recently, we have also worked on a few of our store interiors, which has been fun. Our Commercial Bay fit-out features a wall of floating shelves paired with a customised version of a new sideboard range we have coming out, which we are really happy with. When did you first realise you wanted to pursue a career in design? I think I’ve always wanted to do this—I didn't have a lightbulb moment or make a conscious decision that it was going to be my career. I studied 3D Design at Unitec, which encompassed all aspects of design. I ended up making furniture for most of my assignments and have never looked back. Where do you get inspiration for your designs? Anywhere and everywhere really! Sometimes it can be the smallest spark from a completely random place. The longer I have been doing this, the harder it is to not consider the commercial aspects of any given project right from the start. I try to run before I can walk with any new design and embrace the mistakes, because often that’s where something unique can be found. Can you talk us through your creative process? How do the furniture and product collections come to life? I have hundreds of unrealised projects in drawing pads, so I regularly look back at these sketches to look for something we might not have run with earlier. I work collaboratively with Nikolai and we both have different strengths. One of mine is attention to detail, so I am heavily involved with the development of the construction and internal workings of any given piece. Often these aren’t necessarily noticed or even seen by the customer, but I like releasing a fully developed product where we have considered every aspect and achieved the best result possible. Do you have a design you’re most proud of? I’m really proud of the collaborations we have been releasing. There have been two nice lighting ranges with local designer Alex Buckman and the Liana sofa with Scott Fitzsimons. There is also the Acre dining chair coming out that we have been developing with Michael Young for more than four years—it will be amazing to finally set it free into the wild! I’m also proud of Nikolai’s work. He’s such a great designer and only going from strength to strength. I couldn’t ask for a better person to be designing with. What’s the best part about what you do at Città? The team I work with is amazing. It’s a great environment to be able to come into every day, which makes everything easier and fun. I also love that we get to turn designs into reality. Being able to realise (some) of the ideas that pop into your head is incredible—it’s a dream really. Which upcoming design or project are you most excited for? The aforementioned Acre chair project with Michael Young is an exciting one. The chair uses both 3D plywood and eco plastic, both of which are challenging materials to work with. It was certainly a process we learnt a lot from, but the product is both beautiful and durable and one that I am very happy to say that I have worked on. How do you enjoy spending time outside of Città? I love music, to the point where we have a turntable in the studio at work for the overflow of records from my personal collection. I also love going to watch live music. We have been a bit starved of this for the last year-and-a-half but that means I have seen a number of local acts perform, which has been great. I’ve got Tame Impala tickets for December, which I’m looking forward to—fingers crossed!
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About: Wool, Aotearoa’s natural fibre
Wool is an enduring natural fibre with endless benefits, and we are fortunate to have it in abundance in Aotearoa. An inherently renewable fibre, wool is the ultimate circular material - it is the most reused and recyclable fibre on the planet. Woollen items stand the test of time, lasting for decades, if not longer. Wool is an intrinsically textural fibre and can be adapted into finely woven or highly textured items. It is a much-loved material in our design department at Città and is used to create many of our products from cushions and blankets to upholstery fabric. “Wool is a wonderfully tactile material to work with and shines most brightly when its natural features are accentuated. It can manifest in completely different ways depending on how it is woven, what it is blended with, or how it is applied”, says Imogen, Città’s Head of Textile Design. “Most importantly it's a highly sustainable material that is renewable, breathable, biodegradable, soft and warm, but also incredibly durable. New Zealand produces some of the best wool in the world and it is always a pleasure to be able to work with local materials.” Discover what makes wool so unique and versatile, and how to enjoy it for years to come. Eco-friendlyWool is naturally biodegradable, and once disposed of, it releases valuable nutrients and carbon back into the soil to be used again. It decomposes quicker than other fibres and makes for a beneficial layer to your compost bin or as a weed mat in your garden. Suitable for all climatesThe structure of the fibres enable wool to react to your body temperature, keeping you warm in cold temperatures while also keeping you cool in the heat. Anti-bacterial propertiesLanolin is the natural oil and waxy substance found in sheep wool. It provides wool fibres with anti-bacterial properties from the fatty acids that inhibit any bacteria build up. Lanolin also contains strong conditioning properties and is easily absorbed by the skin, making for an exceptional moisturiser. Caring for your wool100% woollen items are relatively simple to care for. Because of its valuable anti-bacterial properties, the material has the ability to self-clean. To maintain the integrity of wool, avoid washing it too often. However, when it does require cleaning, we recommend a gentle cold hand wash and laying your items out flat to dry. Landscape Images shot by: Taylor Brandon & Julian Schiemann
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About: Linen, a conscious fabric
Linen is one of the most sustainable materials in the textile industry. It is produced from the fibres of the flax plant, which is made into yarn and then woven into fabric.
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