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WHICH HUE FOR YOU?

Resene Cashmere Resene Twine

Resene Lone Ranger

Three soft colours, Resene Cashmere, Resene Twine, and Resene Lone Ranger, create a calm space and a soothing layered effect to match the texture of Betty Bouclé Occasional Chair by Le Forge from Ballantynes. Accessories have been used to mirror the curves.

The neutral pink of the Resene Cashmere wall is decorated with frames in warm tones of Resene Twine and Resene Lone Ranger.

A side table can sometimes be a focal point. This Madras Link Ponte Brass Side Table with curved brass detailing and a glass top is a statement piece in this cosy nook.

Large woollen rugs like the Quadriglia rug from Dilana designed by artist Chiara Corbelletto bring a luxurious warmth underfoot. This graphic pattern brings warmth to the eye and echoes the curves of the chair.

Accenting the rug is a large sculptural sheepskin floor cushion. These can be used as a floor seat or footstool but are soft enough to cosy up and lay your head on for relaxed lounging or reading on the floor.

Adding interest and quirk, a final touch is the Gingko Smart Book Light. Here, it masquerades as a natural leather book, but when opened, it transforms into a sculptural long-lasting LED light that’s an ideal choice for a reading space.

Betty Bouclé Occasional Chair by Le Forge, Ponte Brass Side Table by Madras Link, and Gingko Smart Book Light from Ballantynes; Quadriglia by Chiara Corbelletto from Dilana; Stone Set by Wilson and Dorset from Ico Traders; Plant in Planter stylist’s own from Flourish Foliage; painted picture frames stylist’s own; Resene Cashmere, Resene Twine, and Resene Lone Ranger from Resene ColorShops.

Lynette McFadden Business Owner & Mentor Harcourts gold @lynette_mcfadden

GREEN FINGERS

My once-green fingers are now long gone, replaced with a team of trusty helpers who arrive monthly to mow, sow, and sort things that I would have once relished (a big ‘thank you’ to them for the job they do!).

You see, way, way back, I was a committed and dedicated gardener. I took pride in being able to recite the botanical names of many of the trees and plants we inherited in the homes we lived in.

I’d plant out big pots of annuals and bulbs, and I’d make regular pilgrimages to the Botanic Gardens to learn and look for new inspiration.

Where did all of that go?

I think, on reflection, it got buried somewhere between ‘I’m too busy’ and ‘it all feels too hard’, but the reality is I’m not, and it isn’t.

So, where do I start, and how do I recapture that most human of feelings, the desire to get your hands dirty?

My deepest inspiration is my grandparents. My nana had the most exquisite garden, packed and planted with flowers that are today making a resurgence: dahlias, poppies, hydrangeas, roses – old and new – lily of the valley, and little blue forget-me-nots.

All of these beauties would make the journey from the garden to the vase, and I can honestly not remember a time when flowers weren’t present in the meticulously kept state house my beloved grandparents lived in all their lives.

Equally, my grandfather’s vegetables fed his family, children, and grandchildren throughout the years, and that was long before our love for the words ‘organic’ and ‘homegrown’ evolved.

My parents have maintained these traditions and surpluses from their abundant garden find their way into local ‘help yourself’ stalls as well as being dropped off at our home and office.

In this busy, mad, sad, sometimes bad world of ours, the most calming thing any of us can do is to breathe in the fresh air and beauty that surrounds us when we are in or working on a green space. The setting doesn’t have to be grand, large, or even meticulous. The experience can be as simple as sitting under a tree, planting herbs, or walking in your or someone else’s garden.

It’s a panacea for many of the pressures that life can throw at us and well worth the effort.

So, I’m going to rekindle my gardening genes, roll my sleeves up and welcome the tasks an autumn garden requires.

I just have to ask my dad what those are.

Five ways to restore happiness in Fiji

Whether it’s your New Year’s resolution to focus on health and wellness, to get back in touch with your inner adrenaline junkie or get back overseas to fall in love with the world again, it makes sense that the place where happiness finds you would be at the top of your list. We’ve rounded up five reasons why Fiji is the perfect spot to restore your happiness.

RECONNECT WITH NATURE

Whether you step off the shores of your resort or venture out a little further, Fiji’s marine life is something of a natural wonder, untouched pristine reef, crystal clear waters, and if you’re lucky, you may even get to swim with a manta ray or a sea turtle.

MAKE MEMORIES THAT’LL LAST A LIFETIME

Fiji is home to a floating bar in the middle of the ocean, with only marine life as their neighbour. Cloud 9, just a 45-minute boat ride from Port Denarau, has its own wood-fired pizzeria, bar, on-site DJs, and is in the middle of the ocean within the Mamanuca Islands archipelago.

FULL BELLY, FULL HEART

Convinced drinking and dining in Fiji begins and ends at its resorts? Fiji’s vibrant – and varied – hospitality scene is coming of age. Local restaurants, cafés, and food tourism operators are celebrating both local flavours with a tip of the hat to its rich multicultural history.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE BULA SPIRIT

In Fiji, ‘Bula’ is more than just a greeting – it’s a wish for happiness, good health, and the energy of life. You’ll hear it everywhere you go in Fiji, bookended with the largest smile you’ve ever seen; it’s impossible to not reiterate the pure joy that they radiate.

INVEST BACK INTO THE LOCALS

Fiji has several brands and products showcasing the incredible talent of the locals. Rise Beyond the Reef is one of these brands, hiring local women to make stunning products, with a portion of the profits being returned back into the community. Pure Fiji and Nama Fiji are two incredible beauty lines, the latter using locally sourced sea grapes to make their product and employing local women from the Yasawa Islands.

Whether you flop and drop or head out on an adventure, there are so many reasons why Fiji is considered the place where happiness finds you. To learn more about travelling to Fiji or to dream up inspiration, visit fiji.travel/open.