At Essence we love putting together our house features. We love seeing how people live, how form and function combine, how trends and practices evolve.
Read MoreFrom bookends to teddy bears – The Repair Café in Timaru sees a whole host of items through its doors.
“It’s really the same principle as the Repair Shop,” says volunteer and trustee of the Sustainable South Canterbury Trust, Rhys Taylor, referring to the popular UK reality television series.
Read MoreHollie Reedy is the founder and designer of NZ based Age Eyewear. She established the business more than a decade ago and now runs it from her office at home. She lives in Auckland with her partner and 8-month old son and juggles life, motherhood and great eyewear design.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a quick way to revamp a room – paint is often the go to solution. Whether it’s painting a feature wall or, as Dorothy did recently, painting a concrete floor – a lick of paint can transform a space. (By the way – a tip from Dorothy – if you are painting a concrete floor make sure you wax it when you finish).
Read MoreFrom the driveway the home of Janice and John Newell looks elegant with its schist stone and timber exterior. Tucked onto a central Rangiora section, the angular looking home has not a single window onto the street front. But looks can be deceptive. Step into the double width entry hall and the house opens out all around you – with its three bedrooms, two living rooms and large open plan kitchen dining area – it feels big.
Read MoreThe first time that musician Josh Keating (Ngāi Tahu) was up on stage for a musical performance was before he was born.
“I’m pretty sure I was at the NZ Gold Guitar Awards in Gore when I was in mum’s tummy,” laughs the now 19-year-old singer, song-writer and guitarist. “I’ve been going to those awards my whole life.”
Read MoreThe long, slow flight of harrier hawks circling overhead is a sight many of us love to see against our wide-open Canterbury skies.
Read MoreWe talk to lots of local business people and we’re frequently bowled over by their work ethic, knowledge and passion for what they do – whether that’s providing legal services or making great coffee. But regardless of the industry, many business owners struggle with cashflow.
Read MoreWe caught up with Wongi Wilson, the awesome mural artist who has worked on pieces all over Canterbury, including the Triangle in Ashburton, Twizel and several in Christchurch. We wanted to find out a bit more about what goes into creating a mural and his approach to the art form.
Read MoreWith Dry July just around the corner, it could be the ideal time to try out a little ‘sober curious’ living. If that sends shivers down your spine as you recall slightly sour white wine that so often used to be the low alcohol option – think again. No alcohol and low alcohol options are changing – and they’re getting much, much better.
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