Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Are you feeling indecisive about what to get for Mother's Day? I’ve rounded up a selection of beautiful pieces from some of my favourite local haunts, including a few coveted pieces from my personal wishlist. Whether you're seeking last-minute gift ideas or simply looking to indulge yourself, I hope this curation inspires... 

Clockwise from Top Left

'Farmhouse in Basque' by Phillipe Long (1872-1957) from John Stephens & Company

Freddie Crew Sweater in wool cashmere by Juliette Hogan

Milly Bag in aubergine lambskin by Yu Mei

Neue Pearl Earrings by Sophie Buhai from Simon James

The Design Chaser x Città Terrace Vase in beige from Città

Solitary Set 07 in moss by Baina

Warm Nordic carved wood tray in walnut from Good Form

Motomu Oyama Plate with foot large & medium from Public Record

Eight Homes: Clements Design from Lamplight Books

Incense Burner in blackened bronze by Studio Henry Wilson from Simon James

Black Anise Eau de Parfum 50ml by Abel 

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Città Introduces New Capsule Collections for 2022

Taking a step back from the traditional seasonal approach to provide more time to deliver lasting products, New Zealand design company Città has released two capsule collections for 2022, with more to follow. Curated to live well beyond the current season, the first two collections, Capsule One and Two see an expansion to their much-loved textiles range, along with thoughtfully designed objects to enrich interior spaces, hand-sculptured pieces in marble, a new table series influenced by Japanese design, and more. I’ve picked out some highlights...

The Tatamu Tables are designed inhouse by David Moreland and Nikolai Sorensen. Despite their robust, solid oak construction, they are aesthetically light and elegant thanks to a design influenced by the oblique forms of origami structures. Aptly, the name Tatamu comes from the Japanese word meaning ‘to fold’ and the tables feature V-shaped legs that are visually reminiscent of folded pieces of paper. A silhouette that is tall and thin from one profile, and broad and flat from the other, the tables offer unique perspectives when viewed from different angles. Made from 100% solid American white oak, the collection includes a dining table in three sizes and a coffee table, all in a choice of natural or smoked oak finish.

Capsule One invites a playful palette and texture to the kitchen and bathroom with nostalgic woven plaid patterned tea towels and beautifully textured waffle towels. 

“We have been loving working with waffle weaves lately,” says Imogen, Città’s Head of Textile Design. “The intricate woven structure works to soften bold colour combinations whilst also adding depth and texture.”

The new collection includes beautifully sleek and minimally designed Salt and Pepper Grinders made from solid aluminium with a matte finish. Designed to enhance the kitchen and dinner table, the grinders feature a durable ceramic grinding mechanism that can be adjusted to grind finely or coarsely, while the orientation of the mill is designed to keep salt from spilling on your tabletop.

In addition to the grinders, Nikolai Sorensen and David Moreland have designed the Geo series consisting of hand-sculpted marble objects. Ideal for use as bookends, the pieces include a sphere, cone and wedge and can also be displayed on their own to add a sculptural touch to any space. Available in two earthy colours, the complex tones are reminiscent of the rich forest floor, as seen from above.

Città's talented inhouse textile designers Imogen Tunnicliffe and Sophie Clapson have expanded on Città's range of cushions and throws with cosy and tactile pieces in pure wool. I love the Hutt Wool Throw and Boucle Cushion Cover.  

A selection of new designs is now available in Città retail stores and online at www.cittadesign.com, with more products from the Capsule Collections arriving over the coming weeks. To stay in the loop subscribe to the e-newsletter and follow Città on social. 

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Kristina Dam Studio introduces Sculptural Designs for the Bathroom

As part of the Frame Collection for Spring-Summer 2022, Kristina Dam Studio has created a range of sculptural pieces for the bathroom, designed for everyday use. With meticulous attention to detail, the bathroom essentials are defined by their refined and clean architectural expression, natural materials, and strong graphic lines.

The new collection consists of mirrors, towels, jewellery displays, hooks, a toilet paper holder, hand soap and hand lotion with a tray and a bottle display.

The Dowel Series 

The Dowel mirror is minimalism at its finest, demonstrating the beauty in simplicity and the strength in honest design. Framed in steel and centred with a walnut plug, the sleek mirror is available in three variations (shown below), and can be used beyond the bathroom, in the bedroom, entranceway, living area, or any preferred space for reflection. 

The Dowel Hooks and Toilet Paper Holder combine contrasting materials of warm walnut and stainless steel, adding a strong style statement to any surface. The series also includes the wall-mounted Dowel bottle display to house the new Kristina Dam Studio soap and hand lotion. 

Minimal Towel Series

Combining graphic design, function, and quality these covetable towels are uniquely designed to be luxurious and long-lasting. Each towel is loomed from premium, long-staple cotton fibres that offer exceptional absorbency. The collection is certified OEKO-TEX®, which guarantees that it is socially responsible and crafted safely from materials tested for harmful substances with environmentally friendly processes. The towels come in three sizes: small for the hands, large for the body and a bold statement towel for the beach.

Jewellery Display

This refined Jewellery Display is as much a tiny treasure trove for precious accessories as it is a small piece of art. Designed to be placed on a shelf or furniture, the display can also be hung on the wall (as shown in the bedroom below) and is crafted in a choice of walnut or natural oak. Reflecting the organic patterns of the beautiful wood grain, no two pieces are the same.

Signature Soap and Hand Lotion

An exciting addition to Kristina Dam Studio's design universe, three signature scents have been carefully selected to reflect the values of the brand. "Classic" is a discreet refreshing scent that combines orange blossom and lemongrass with warm wooden notes. "Minimal" derives its subtle, clean scent from clary sage, cedarwood and green leaves, while "Modern" is a contemporary fragrance that contrasts delicate fresh flowers with ripe orange and warm sage notes.

All soaps have an exfoliating effect due to the natural abrasive grains of apricot kernels, while aloe vera and extracts of ginger and pink pomelo ensure hands are kept soft. The hand lotion provides additional nourishment, soothing dry hands with almond and apricot kernel oil.

Marble Bottle Tray

Beautifully sculptural crafted from Desert Storm Marble, this tray provides the perfect home for the Soap and Hand Lotion.

To see the Frame Collection in its entirety, take a look here. Well worth checking out, the collection also marks Kristina Dam Studio’s 10th Anniversary and includes a special anniversary piece, the incredible Frame Sculpture.

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My Visit to HANA - New Zealand's First Infrared Healing Sanctuary

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting HANA, New Zealand's first dedicated Infrared Sauna and Light Therapy Wellness Centre, located in the heart of Grey Lynn, Auckland. HANA, which translates to shine, glow and radiate in Maori, was founded by Sarah Higgins with the aim of providing a calming and healing sanctuary that encourages the art of relaxation, and taking time for self-care.

Consciously designed with a calming and modern aesthetic by Pennant & Triumph, I felt an immediate sense of calm as soon as I entered the beautiful space. Greeted by Sara, I was interested to learn that her personal wellness journey battling unexplained fatigue was what led her to the healing power of infrared saunas and light therapies. “I spent years seeking answers from multiple health practitioners, trying to get to the root cause. Through this process, I learnt a lot about alternative options to conventional treatments and came across the healing benefits of saunas and more recently red light therapy. I wanted to be able to make it easy for people to access these treatments.”

With a career background as a Pharmacist with nutritional and environmental medicine training, Sara is passionate about guiding people on their own journey of wellness. "Our bodies detoxify through our skin, and infrared saunas and light therapy help to activate and encourage the process. Sometimes we just need to give it some time, heat and space to heal.”

While hugely popular in New York and London, the concept of a wellness space dedicated to infrared sauna is completely new to NZ, but its use is proven to provide head-to-toe benefits such as full detoxification, ultimate relaxation, alleviation from pain, glowing skin, more energy, improved circulation and a strengthened immune system. The full body Photobiomodulation (red light) therapy pods, which use red and near infrared light to help mitochondria (the power house of our bodies cells) to function better. The treatment comes scientifically backed to also repair sun damage, reduce wrinkles, speed muscle recovery, heal scarring and stretch marks, reduce inflammation, boost testosterone levels and enhance collagen.

I got to experience both the red light therapy pod and sauna during my visit, and it was such a treat. I felt a deep sense of relaxation and the pain in my muscles (which were sore from a workout the day before) melted away. My skin was glowing following the treatments and I could feel the benefits for may hours afterwards. I can see how this could become addictive! Post sweat, I completed my spa ritual with a private shower that runs filtered water - a critical component post sauna - and products from my favourite skin and hair care brand Sans Ceuticals along with luxury towels by Baina.

The design of the space was a key factor for Sara when bringing her overall vision to life. Wanting to gain a little more insight, I spoke to Justin Roderique, Architectural Director of Pennant & Triumph...

Can you tell us a little bit about the brief, and the inspiration behind the design?
The HANA brief was to create a unique retreat environment within an existing industrial warehouse space at the Scrap Yard development in Grey Lynn. Our response and ultimate goal was to create a sanctuary for customers to relax and unwind within a calming and unique space.

Were there any obstacles long the way, and if so, how did you overcome them?

The challenge was to separate the existing base building industrial feel and provide that sense of calm the moment customers entered the space. We wanted to provide a space that transported customers to another place, give each customer an authentic experience and make them feel good and wanting more.

What materials did you use to bring the vision to life, and how does the palette play a part in the overall concept?

When establishing our initial concepts the material choice and detailing was a key consideration. Materials needed to feel cohesive and work with the existing base material palette. Natural stone and off white textured hand rendered plaster was chosen to warm the space whilst letting the light play and transform throughout the day. Bespoke timber joinery is showcased against the existing concrete floor. Natural stone tiles line the base of the showers contrasting against a textured olive wall tile and brass fixtures and fittings. 

The design features beautiful arches and bespoke elements. Talk us through these... 

A minimal approach put a real emphasis on a high level of detail throughout. The final layout was created to provide a sense of discovery with the use of small openings and sight lines throughout to allow subtle cues to the space that lies beyond. Curves and arches were introduced to soften the space and also provide an organic feel. Humans naturally react positively and feel more comfortable towards curves and soft edges.

The use of natural and artificial lighting was a key factor to allow our client to set the mood at different times of the day or night but also to allow for different spaces to work separately as required. To ensure a fully considered result all elements within the space including the joinery, fixtures and fitting were bespoke - designed and manufactured for HANA allowing us to showcase a space that allows customers to be immersed within.

Photography by Jono Parker

The private infrared saunas can be booked for up to 45 minutes and Photobiomodulation (red light) therapy pods, for up to 20 minutes. The wellness centre also provides holistic practitioner pop-ups such as massage therapy and pilates. For more information, opening hours and bookings, visit www.hana.nz.

This post was created in collaboration with HANA. I only work with brands and products I love, and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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