11 minute read
53 My Home
My home
A stunning view of Tasman Bay, the surrounding nature and an eclectic collection of antiques make for an inspiring place to live and work for artist Emma Moncreiff and her daughter Daisy.
TESS JAINE
Who lives here?
I live in Ruby Bay with my daughter Daisy, our two dogs Sammy and Margaret, Reggie the pony, Edith the sheep and the hens, collectively called the girls.
What four words would you use to describe your home?
Welcoming, creative, peaceful, cosy.
What inspired this look?
My home is an eclectic mix of things that I have found over the years. I am not driven by any trends.
What’s your favourite spot in the house?
My lounge with expansive ever-changing views of Tasman Bay.
What piece would you never part with?
My Nana’s beautiful paintings that she did in her eighties, of the views of the family farm. Also the portrait of my daughter by artist Nina Cook.
What’s your decorating style?
I surround myself with pieces that inspire me as an artist, an eclectic mix.
Where do you shop for homewares?
I look for interesting pieces from places like Eclectic, Richmond Antiques, and op shops. My late Nana fostered in me a love of treasure hunting. I avoid mass-produced items that tend to end up in landfill.
What do you love about the neighbourhood where you live?
It’s peaceful. My art is inspired by the ever-changing views, my garden and everything that lives in it. We have native bush on the property and an area of land that is being left to regenerate. The rewards are so many insects, frogs, skinks and birds growing in numbers. It’s inspiring. With the predicament of climate change we can all become eco warriors, starting with our own backyards.
What’s next on your interiors list?
I have two beautiful old stained glass windows that I would like to incorporate into a redesign of the back entrance to the house.
What’s your favourite room?
My studio.
TOP: Emma’s home features a collection of art and antiques, her studio is a bright and inspiring place to work. AVOVE: A painting by New Zealand artist Sue Syme sits above some of Emma’s antiques. | Emma recently had these two paintings restored, they are by artist John Fijn. | Emma’s painting Wahi Tapu above the mantle. OPPOSITE PAGE: The antique glass windows found at one of Emma’s favourite stores, Richmond Antiques. They depict St John.
If money was no objec, what would you get for your home?
I would love to create another larger pond in the back garden to encourage more wildlife.
Have you done any renovations?
I found three old stained glass windows at Richmond Antiques and had them put together as a feature window. Also we renovated an old tumbled-down corrugated iron shed on the property which has now become the Tin Shed Studio, a great space to exhibit my paintings. It will be open each weekend in March.
If you had a day to refresh your home what would you do?
I would paint the interior.
Best budget tip?
Do it yourself if you can. It’s so rewarding to see the results of your own hard work.
What should every home have?
A really comfortable couch.
Best money spent?
Putting in three stained glass windows, they added character to my home.
What are you favourite pieces?
My daughter Daisy’s artwork.
Do you have any tips on how to keep your living area orderly?
I’m too busy to be orderly.
What is one thing you would change about your home if you could?
The back entrance incorporating the old stained glass windows.
Best memory in your house?
Having my Nana to stay and helping to raise my daughter when she was little – lots of happy memories.
Libby Acland (left) and Fi McNeill have opened Fabric Lane in Nelson's CBD.
Focused on fabric
When designing her own home, Libby Acland called on the expertise of close friend Fi McNeill to pick out some fabrics.
However, the pair quickly discovered a hole in the local market for unique, yet affordable fabric which they set about sewing up. “We couldn’t find anything we liked in Nelson which cemented the idea. You shouldn’t have to travel to find quality fabric.” A mutual passion for fashion and interior design saw the pair open up their very own fabric store in the heart of Nelson’s CBD. Fabric Lane opened in May 2021 and is already garnering a strong reputation among locals passionate about fabric. Fi and Libby say there is no other shop in Nelson quite like theirs. “We select end of line, discontinued and short ends from the main fabric suppliers in Auckland so people know that they are going to get a good deal and it will be good quality.” Buying from national giants James Dunlop, Textillia, Unique Fabrics, Charles Parsons, Hemptech, and Warwick, Fabric Lane is able to sell high end material at low end costs. “People think it’s more expensive because it’s boutique but it’s the opposite, we get it at an affordable rate so we can sell it at an affordable rate,” says Fi. Thanks to a wealth of connections within the industry, Fi and Libby can also connect customers with any fabric they desire. “If someone is searching for a particular fabric and we don’t have it in store, we can help source it for them. We also provide contact details of local upholsterers and curtain makers who we highly recommend.” From curtains, upholstery, lining to outdoor, the design duo caters for a range of needs. “Our fabric is our focus,” says Fi. With a background in interior architecture, the new career path was a natural fit for Fi. “I had been doing interior design for over a decade but could see Nelson needed something like this so people have access to fabric.”
Having met through their children, Fi and Libby say things fell into place around the end of 2019. “We had been good friends for years, and Libby was ready for a change from her role as a nurse, so I asked her to go into business with me.”
Both are mothers to three children and say their work/life balance was crucial when opening their business. “We didn’t want to create extra stress on the family so we work mostly school hours, then can leave and switch to mum mode,” says Libby. The pair say they take great pride in helping people achieve their design dreams. “We love it when people come into the store and find what they are looking for, and seeing photos of the completed design.” Libby and Fi also try to create a welcoming atmosphere in store.
“We always want people to come in and feel special and listened to. We love chatting, that’s when it becomes more than just a sale of fabric.”
Fabric Lane Bank Lane, Trafalgar St, Nelson 10am-3pm Tues-Friday | 10am-1pm Saturday fabriclane.co.nz
Home Style
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1. Cast a little glow on your outdoor dining with Fermob’s Balad lamps – a versatile, fun solution for outdoor entertaining. lynfords.co.nz 2. Christmas inspiration, gifts and homeware at Storey Collection. 65 Collingwood St, Nelson 3. Porter’s Chalk Emulsion™ – the perfect choice for creating distressed and elegant effects on furniture and shelving. guthriebowron.co.nz 4. Victorian style strapmetal bench seats from single to four seaters. Available at Richmond Antiques. 2 Salisbury Road, Richmond. 5. Natural fabrics, handcrafted, and always a good dash of vintage. aninsidestory.co.nz
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HOME • GIFTS • XMAS
Giving Joy - The Milestone Make a Difference Appeal
The Christmas season is a favourite time of year for the staff at Milestone Homes. It is when their annual Make A Difference Appeal is launched. The idea is simple. “We believe that no child should be without a gift at Christmas” is the Milestone Homes message. “As organisers of the event we want to get the maximum number of gifts into the maximum number of homes throughout the Nelson region,” Manager Adam Hills explains. “Our job is to get the message out to as many people as possible that by participating in this project they can really make a tangible difference to others less fortunate.”
Once the Milestone Homes Christmas tree is erected in the Richmond Mall by Pak ‘n Save, it is decorated with Make A Difference Appeal tags. The public are then encouraged to go and take one or more if they so wish. Each one gives the information on whether that particular gift is to be for a family or a boy or girl and in what age group. The giver then goes out and purchases a gift and drops it off to the Richmond Mall Information Centre with the tag attached. It is important that gifts are not wrapped as this is done by Milestone Home’s partner in the operation, the Fifeshire Foundation who is responsible for distributing them to families. Participating can be a great deal of fun with many local families now making it an integral part of their Christmas season to choose presents together. It can be a way for children to become involved in, and enjoy the ‘giving’ aspect of Christmas as well as build a foundation of caring and consideration. They often come up with good ideas about what others their own age would most like to receive and the tags themselves have suggestions to help in choosing a gift. Presents don’t need to be expensive but they need to be new items and thought about carefully. The aim is to give something that will enhance the life of a child or family, maybe even give them an experience they wouldn’t have otherwise have had.
Reports back from those who deliver the gifts leave the Milestone Homes organising team in no doubt that their efforts are well and truly appreciated. “The wonderful thing about giving a gift,” says Adam “is that it gives both the giver and receiver a real sense of joy. It is a ray of sunshine. To us, that is a vital part of sharing some love and care around at Christmastime.”
So grab a tag, buy a gift and drop it off before the 17th December and give the gift of Christmas this year!
Campfire cooking
Cast iron camp ovens for roasting meat and vegetables, baking breads, cakes, scones, stews, casseroles and whole fish. Pre-seasoned and ready to use.
Outpost Supplies
53 Quarantine Road, Nelson 0210 634 450 | outpostsupplies.co.nz
WeedX natural herbicide
New Zealanders love WeedX because they can spray with peace of mind. It’s safe, fast, effective, organic and non-toxic. Available in either ready to spray or concentrate. Refills welcome.
Goulter’s – The vinegar people 122 Tahunanui Dr, Nelson Order online at naturalherbicide.co.nz
Garden hideaway?
These rustic style cabins provide the perfect extra space in your backyard. Any building under 30m2 no longer need council approved building consent so getting your backyard haven just got easier.
Allwood Sheds 15 Gladstone Rd, Richmond 03 547 7026 allwoodsheds.co.nz The Yamaha F310 is the perfect first guitar. Just $369 for a package that includes gig bag, digital tuner, strap, stringwinder, string set, capo and picks.
Beggs Music Works 264 Hardy St, Nelson beggsmusic.co.nz
Christmas shopping made easier.
Quality toys and giftware including John Deere, Wishbone, Micro Scooters, Kinderfeet, Classic World, Lamaze and Boon.
Baby On The Move Nelson 4 Akersten St, Port Nelson babyonthemove.co.nz
Linen, cotton and silk
Using a natural yarn for your knitted and crocheted summer garments will ensure you are both stylish and comfortable.
Cruellas 155 Hardy St, Nelson 03 548 4016 cruellas.co.nz
Expecting guests these holidays?
Seriously stable, seriously strong and seriously well priced. The Como folding bed folds up small, tucks away in the storage cupboard, under a bed, or in the wardrobe. Suitable for children and young adults.
Nelson Beds 59 Quarantine Rd, Nelson 03 547 4567 nelsonbeds.co.nz
