Interview | Jacquie Hudson of Ioanna Kourbela NZ

The Ioanna Kourbela Boutique recently opened its doors on Auckland's Jervois Road in Herne Bay, and I had the pleasure of attending an event there recently, in celebration of their gorgeous new home-wear range. Owner Jacquie Hudson, who I met through a mutual friend introduced the Greek fashion design house to New Zealand in 2011. The main line consists of luxurious knitwear, perfect for the coming Winter months. But what really sets this brand apart is the versatility of the garments which can be wrapped, draped, twisted or folded and worn in variety of different ways, according to personal style. I can see why the relaxed, minimalist aesthetic of the clothing has been so well received here in NZ. With a growing number of stockists both here and in Australia, and now an exclusive store I was eager to ask Jacquie a few questions...

Can you tell us a bit about your background - have you always been involved in fashion or was this a change of direction for you? 

Definitely a change of direction. I'd been involved in TV for over 10 years and really wanted to do something different... more creative and have my own business.



You discovered Ioanna Kourbela while in Greece. How would you describe the fashion brand and what made you decide to bring it into NZ? 

I would call it architectural knitwear with a feminine edge. There really is nothing quite like it in the world. I brought it to NZ as I believe it suits our casual, sophisticated way of dressing.

Since establishing yourself as the NZ distributor for Ioanna Kourbela you've expanded into the world of retail, firstly with your pop up shop and most recently the opening of your store in Herne Bay. How has this transition been? What was the opening/launch like? 

It is really like running two separate businesses. I don't feel I'm quite on top of everything quite yet! The boutique in Herne Bay is also a chance to get more creative which is so fun. The women who work with me make it even more rewarding. Our launches for both the pop-up and the new boutique have been well received so we hope that means we are doing things a bit differently to keep the interest in retail alive!

It must be exciting to see the Ioanna Kourbela garments used in photo shoots for magazines or being worn by celebrities. What has been the biggest highlight for you so far? 

Probably a four page spread in World magazine on Ioanna, M2 covering Ioanna's male line. and more recently Fashion Quarterly using so many pieces in their winter magazine...such a thrill. My biggest thrill however is seeing someone walking down the street in an Ioanna Kourbela creative... makes me smile.



Ioanna Kourbela Rattan Oversized Top (top image) and Trucks bag (bottom) featured in the latest Fashion Quarterly.

The boutique's interior is beautiful and I've heard from a very good source that your home is amazing! How would you describe your personal style and how is this reflected in the store and your own home? 

The store has a bit of a New York feel with the exposed brick. We have tried to keep it fresh but inviting with a mix of white and wood. My home is more modern. I love bright colour... if I had my way we would have a lot more crazy fabric prints! I love an old wingback chair but I would put a bright modern fabric on it!


The beautiful Ioanna Korbela Boutique in Herne Bay

You've recently launched the new Ioanna Kourbela home-wear range. Tell us a bit about the collection. 

It's a one-off made in 100% cotton and viscose. It's something that you can wear to bed but if someone comes to the door you don't look exactly like you've jumped out of bed! There are soft trousers, tank tops, a house-coat to match, cute little shortie pants and a little bag for them to go in if you are going away for the weekend! A really nice gift!

What are your favourite pieces from the current home-wear and winter collections? 

From the home-wear collection.... the soft trousers and tank in the little going away bag. From the winter collection.... the gorgeous knits arriving in store in the next couple of weeks. They just add amazing texture to any outfit.




You've recently started stocking Savar Skincare at your boutique.... are you planning on adding more brands or products to your range? 

No not at this stage. Savar Skincare goes so well with the Ioanna Kourbela brand using natural ingredients. We also have a few Minx boots and shoes to finish off any outfit.... so I think that is enough for now as Ioanna's collection is so huge and includes lots of great leather accessories too.

What inspires you right now - travel, magazines, people or the web? 

A little bit of everything overall but right now travel and people. I love visiting our retail clients around NZ. The women who own the boutiques do it all so differently and so well - it inspires me. I've had some of my best retail experiences outside the big cities.



Do you have any advice for those who dream of going into business themselves? 

Just do it! Be creative and put your ideas into action. My motto is to start slow, small and strong and build from there.


The gorgeous ladies of of IK Boutique, owner Jacquie Hudson (right) and Sohpia Sphan

Huge thanks to Jacquie for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer these questions for us. I can't wait to see the new knits that are due to arrive soon! The Ioanna Kourbela Boutique is located at 218 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay in Auckland. For other stockists throughout Australasia, take a look here. To keep up to date with new arrivals and events, make sure you follow IK NZ on Facebook. 

Home Build | Living Room Inspiration

Welcome to part three of the Home Build Series, featuring the living room. I'm really getting into the swing of this series, and although each post takes hours to put together, the process really helps put my ideas in order. I love that I'm getting lots of great feedback from you guys, because ultimately I'm hoping that by sharing these posts with you, I'll be able to offer some help and guidance to those who are also building, about to embark on a build or thinking about doing so. Of course the same goes for renovators who are following along!

I'm looking forward to having two living areas and it's a great excuse to buy new furniture, but we don't want to rush into it. We've bought a few things, but we'd like to move in and then make decisions - we also need to recover from the build first! After all, that's what wishlists are all about, right? The main living area, which is part of the open-plan space along with the kitchen and dining area, is the one I'm going to focus on today. The second one which is downstairs, will be a relaxed TV room for the kids. In both rooms I want to create picture walls, and the one in the image below (1) is one of my all-time favourites. I also love the sofa (2) and the pale wood flooring (3). 

Image: source

I've made a start, firstly with my beautiful X Artwork (3) by Jane Denton, who I recently interviewed here. Words cannot express how stunning this piece is in real life, and I am beyond excited about displaying it in our new home. The Kristina Krogh Print (1) is another one that I love. After I featured Kristina's work here, local online store The Wooden Horse started bringing them in from Denmark. The colours are perfect, and the marble detail ties in beautifully with our kitchen. 

I also recently purchased the Tiger Print (2) from The Minimalist, which had been on my wishlist for ages. We recently purchased new sofas (4) so our current blue-black modular sofas will be moved to the second living area. We'd also like to move our current black entertainment unit in there and buy a new credenza (see wishlist). I fell in love with the the Sokeri Cushion (5) a while back, so I was thrilled to discover Australian online store Ten Things stocked them. I have my eye on lots more of their stylish products and I highly recommend you check them out! 

1 Stone Octagon Framed Print by Kristina Krogh from The Wooden Horse

2 Tiger Says Meow Poster from The Minimalist

3 Framed X Artwork by Jane Denton

4 Studio Stockholm Three and Two Seater Sofas from Freedom Furniture

5 Sokeri Cushion from Ten Things

6 Stockholm Coffee Table from Freedom Furniture

Besides from a new coffee table (6) that we've also purchased, the other key piece of furniture that we are getting is the String Shelf. Designed in 1949, the String system has become one of the most loved pieces of classic Scandinavian design. It's been on my wishlist for a very long time, and I can't tell you how excited I am to finally be getting one! The system is made up of different components, allowing for an almost infinite variety of combinations. Ideal for displaying books and treasures, there are also cabinets, drawers and magazine racks, and it comes in a range of colours. Because we have no open shelving in the kitchen, the String Shelf will allow us to display nice things, as well as books, which for me are a must. We can also add to the system as time goes on, or reinvent it altogether! The challenge however, is deciding on the initial configuration! Owner Ron Redel of the Auckland store Bob & Friends, who I introduced you to here, brought in the String Shelf to NZ and I'm in the process of confirming our order as we speak! We're going for the all-white option, however I'd love to introduce some walnut (3) perhaps at a later stage. I love those magazine racks!  

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

When it comes to living room chairs, the options are endless. I would love a pair of leather chairs, such as the Butterfly Chair or Paulistino, both of which featured in my recent Leather Love Interior Styling Post. I also love Eames Chairs and the Hans Wegner Shell Chair, which I included in my wishlist below (7), however at a cost of 3,245 USD a chair, we'd need to win the lottery! Which is why I'm leaning towards a cane chair. The one below (1) is from Ikea, and looks great paired with a cosy sheepskin (2). Alternatively I'd like a pair of black Robin Day chairs which are available from Bob & Friends for $225 each. Pretty good for a design classic, don't you think?

Image: Source

I've put together a wishlist, although in order to keep things concise I had to cull a lot, including books, other pretty items for the String Shelf, more prints and a large white cowhide rug! 

01 Flos 265 Wall Lamp from Nest
02 Succulants in White Pots from Yopik
03 Geometric Print by RK Design from The Minimalist
04 String Shelf and Styling via Nordic Leaves
05 Grey Post - G by Playtype 
06 Etch Tea Light Holder in Brass by Tom Dixon from ECC
07 Hans Wegner Shell Chair in Walnut & Leather from Design Within Reach
08 Vedel Birds from Kiitos
09 Wool Rug designed by Scholten & Baijings for HAY
10 Rowan Cushion from Freedom Furniture
11 Pia Wallen Cross Blanket 
12 Eastvold Credenza in Walnut from House & Hold

Right, I'm off to make a final decision on the String Shelf! 

Interview | George Harper of TIDE

Hailing from New Zealand's Waikato region, furniture designer and maker George Harper has come a long way since his days spent working in the backyard shed on evenings and weekends. Residing in Melbourne where he runs his own furniture company TIDE, making the transition from office job to full-time study in order to hone his craft was a brave move, but one that has clearly paid off. One look at the new TIDE website that launched last week, and I was drooling over his beautiful range of handmade, mid-century Scandi inspired furniture. Thank goodness George did give up the day job because there is no doubt that this is his true calling.


Senna Side Table/Stool

Blending functionality with simplicity, I love that TIDE sets themselves apart from the mass-produced by creating furniture of the highest quality, designed to last a lifetime. This strong sense of individuality is evident throughout the collection, with each unique piece showcasing George's creativity, attention to detail and distinct craftsmanship. To find out more I asked George a few questions... 

You're originally from New Zealand. Where did you grow up? When did you move to Melbourne and what do you love about living there?

Grew up in rural Waikato, spent a couple of years in London mid-90's and then on to Melbourne in 1999. Melbourne has a really vibrant, varied and supportive creative scene as well as proper pubs! It turns out that AFL is actually a pretty good game and of course there is a bigger market to tap into when trying to get something like TIDE up and running.


Lyssna Round Dining Table, Yo Dining Chair and Tierra Sideboard

Maya Rectangle Coffee Table

Can you tell us a bit about your background and the path that led you to becoming a furniture designer/maker and the launch of TIDE?

Had an office career to 2006. Started furniture-making at weekends a couple of years beforehand as a creative outlet (and for practical reasons i.e. needed a specific sized table that I couldn't buy 'over the counter'). Had always had a penchant for being a business owner so at the beginning of 2007 left the job and went back to full time study - a two year diploma in furniture design and making. Set up TIDE mid 2007 to market the product (chopping boards at the beginning).

La Corona Side Table

Remi Couch

How would you describe your design aesthetic and the style of furniture you produce?

There are definite mid-century and Scandinavian influences - love the sculptural nature and character of design from that period, and the honesty, warmth and simplicity of Scandinavian design.

Everything we come up with tends to have a light and elegant feel with clean lines, and we're big on detail and quality - we don't know any other way.

Mollino Executive Desk

Lyssna Side Table and Senna Side Table/Stool

What is your favourite piece from the current range?

Has to be the new Tuki Side Table - mainly because it is the newest in the range! There were countless variations to this and so many hours spent on the details - but I knew the moment it was all resolved that we had it. Really happy with everything about it. The Tuki desk, coffee table and dining table versions are soon to follow.

Tuki Side Table

Tell us a bit about how TIDE operates in terms of manufacturing. Is everything made on site? Do you employ other staff and what are their roles?

We do everything in terms of manufacturing on the timber side of things, and oil finishes. We outsource our upholstery work, spray finishing and steel fabrication. We have two full time staff on the production side of things and my partner Pia does a lot of marketing/graphical communication work and bookkeeping. I'm finding myself spending more and more time running the business and design/prototyping.

The TIDE workshop

George working on a La Paz Side Table/Stool

Where do you draw inspiration from - local or international design, the web etc?

Inspiration comes from everywhere and anywhere. Could be an off-cut of timber and there is so much amazing stuff going on out there it's all around us - with the web making it all so accessible. Other than that it can be just pencil on paper grinding it out - to the middle of the night 'eureka' moment (although there is probably only a 10% success rate on those!). Oh and the TV series 'Mad Men'!

Miette Entertainment Unit

La Corona Coffee Table

What are you currently working on?

As above - Tuki desk, coffee table and dining table to be launched soon. A shelf/storage unit soon to follow too..

What advice would you give to other creatives who dream of going into business themselves?

Be prepared for the ups and downs - it's a roller coaster ride. But the peaks and troughs do flatten out over time. And keep the faith - I've received that piece of advice many times over the last few years!

Senna Table, Senna Side Table/Stool and Yo Dining Chair

Senna High Stool

Thanks so much to George for this interview. Hearing about the hours that go in to each new design and the commitment to detail and quality makes you appreciate the end result that much more, don't you think? I have to say I'm an even bigger fan now! 

To see the full range of furniture, take a look at the TIDE Catalogue. Each piece can be tailored to personal requirements in terms of size, materials and finishes. TIDE also offers a custom-made design service. For showroom hours and information on ordering pop over here. Selected TIDE pieces are also available from some stores listed here. 

Sunday Moodboards & Winner Announced

I don't usually write a blog post on Sundays however I have two Sunday moodboards, one from last week and one from today to share with you. If you missed them on my Facebook page here they are... 

We're halfway through the School holidays here in NZ and I must say I've enjoyed taking a break from all the rushing around. Feeling relaxed and enjoying today's sunshine, I'm sending out some chilled vibes by way of this moodboard. I love black and white mixed with walnut, and these images have a luxurious yet earthy feel. Do you have a favourite spot at home where you like to sit and and take time out with a cuppa?

In sharp contrast, this moodboard is vibrant and upbeat. I came across the Funday image by Danish graphic designer Hannes Beer ages ago, and last week I was inspired to use it in a moodboard. It also gave me a chance to indulge in a red them, which I hadn't done before.

All images via my Pinterest boards. 

The other reason I'm posting today is to officially announce the winner of the Girl & Graaf Giveaway from last week. Announced on Facebook, I forgot to do so on the blog, so here it is! Congratulations to Rebekah Whiunui who won, and a huge thanks to Girl & Graaf and to everyone who entered.  

It's shaping up to be a great week ahead, with exciting interviews and another installment of Home Build, so make sure you pop back! Enjoy the rest of your weekend ♥

Bathroom Towels That Wow

Bathroom towels are such an important accessory for the home. We see and use them everyday so it makes sense to invest in quality design that you love. Ever since I bought a Missoni for Target hand towel from Collected some time ago I've been hankering for more brightly patterned towels. If you have an all-white bathroom or are looking to change things up a bit then towels provide an easy way of adding colour and personality, without having to do any major renovations.

Even small details can make a big difference. Gorgeous Missoni Towels add colour and interest to this all-white bathroom above, belonging to Norwegian blogger Cathrine of Trettien.com.

I recently came across this photo series for H&M Home by Yellows Photography. So inspiring, I love both their range of towels and the styling. 

Although H&M Home only ship within the UK, I've found plenty more online finds to include in the following top ten picks. 

Images below links

01 Missoni Josephine Towels from Safari Living
02 Shower Towel by H&M Home
03 Globe Velour Towel Range from Citta Design
04 Hand Towel by H&M Home
05 Missoni Niles Pippin from Tessuti
06 Houndstooth Velour Hand Towels by Citta Design
07 Anorak Kissing Stags Towel from Allium 
08 Pixel Velour Hand Towel & Face Cloth Set by Citta Design 
09 Missoni Jazz Paprika from Tessuti
10 Houndstooth Velour Bath Towel by Citta Design

Enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you back here on Monday for another dose of design love! 

Wooden Flooring | Three Ways

Today is Anzac Day, a national holiday for both NZ and Australia and we're having a very lazy day around home. I was going to take a break from the blog today but I get really excited about flooring and decided this post couldn't wait. When it came to building, the pale wooden flooring I've always longed for was at the top of my list of must-haves and I'm thrilled that it's finally happening!

If I had the luxury of choosing any brand in the world, hands down I'd pick Dinesen. This home in Copenhagen I wrote about a while back is a prime example of how amazing their flooring looks. Dinesen produce an exquisite signature floorboard with extraordinary dimensions. Long, wide planks provide a beautifully simple yet elegant look. Every time I see them my heart beats a little faster.

1 | 2 | 3

I'm also slightly obsessed with Herringbone floors right now. This parquet flooring, which also comes in a chevron pattern, dates back to 1684 in Versailles. It goes to explain why I love seeing it in beautiful old character homes styled with a touch of French flair. 

If I was lucky enough to have herringbone flooring in my home, I'd keep clutter to a minimum in order to show off the beautiful pattern. Simple monochrome styling allows for the floors to stand out.   

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 

Lastly, I can't go past white painted floorboards. Distinctively Scandinavian, more and more people are embracing the trend here in NZ and I can see why. Providing a gloriously fresh canvas for adding texture and pops of colour, I particularly love white painted flooring paired with rustic wood accents, exposed bricks and a large cowhide rug.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 

Do you have a favourite type of flooring?