Anna's Tips

One for the School Lunch Box

19/2/12 – Yes all the kids are now well and truly settled into life at school and as always I am struggling with the whole School lunch thing! So here is my sister Pip’s delicious Ginger Crunch recipe.
It also freezes really well for a later date.
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Things I Love: Tulip Dining Table

5/2/12 – I am so excited I am now the proud owner of an Eero Saarinen Tulip Dining table! Now the search is on for some fabulous chairs to go with this design classic – no pressure.
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The Christmas Dinner Table

15/12/11 – Yes it is now just a couple of weeks
till Christmas, I thankfully have finished my Christmas shopping, and my thoughts have turned to Christmas dinner. So while I am thinking, I thought I would share some tips and ideas for setting the Table for the big day!
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Things I Love – CH28 Chair

12/12/11 – As you may have guessed I have a slight obsession with chairs! If I had my way I would have enough chairs to seat a small army, so to speak.
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How to choose the right headboard for your Bed

23/11/11 – We've made a list of of the most important things to consider before buying a headboard, otherwise known as a bedhead.
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Wallpaper: Elitis an expert in wider widths

19/11/11 – Most commercially available wallpaper comes in 53cm wide by 10m long roll; a roll can roughly cover a 5m square surface area. Unlike other wallpapers, Elitis wallpaper has the distinctive feature of being available in wider widths. Elaborated on 70cm wide backings, or even sometimes 1 metre ones like Glass and Icone; they are available in 10 m rolls. Therefore covering a 7 m or 10 m squared surface area, or 30% to 50% more wallpaper compared to standard rolls.
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Interior Spaces

4/11/11 – Have you ever noticed how sometimes you walk into a room and something doesn’t feel quite right? There’s a disturbance, but it’s often hard to pinpoint the source of your discomfort. We absorb a lot of visual information that we use to develop a framework for assessing colour, proportion, perspective and space on a subconscious level. When we enter environments that conflict with those ideas, we experience tension. In psychology, it’s referred to as cognitive dissonance, which differs from personal taste in that dissimilar styles can still adhere to common idea of visual harmony. We might not like someone else’s style, but it can still “work” in a room.
There are many obvious and subtle considerations to ensure that your room is functionally and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, arranging sofas, chairs, tables, lamps and other furnishings should be planned, rather than accidents. Arranging furniture properly can improve the traffic flow and organization of a room, while helping to highlight whatever feature of the room is most important to you.
One of the most important elements of room placement is the three F’s – Function, Focal Point and Flow. Here are my top things to consider.
Function – What kind of room is it? Arranging furniture in a dining room is much different than in a living room, bedroom or Study. Does the room need to accommodate a lot of people or just a few?
Focal Point – What do you want to showcase? If you have a big bay window, perhaps you want to highlight the view. Maybe your pride and joy is a majestic decorative fireplace. Orient your furniture to direct attention to the focal point. If a television is important to you, the optimal distance between the TV set and any seating is roughly three times the size of the screen.
Flow – Can people move easily from place to place? Notice at how people enter and exit the room, and how doors open and close. Cluttered pathways can make you feel like you’re in an obstacle course, so avoid placing large pieces of furniture in the natural lane of traffic if at all possible.
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Tim Webber - Ampel Light

27/10/11 – While on a flight recently flicking through some magazines I came across these fab new pendant lights from New Zealand designer Tim Webber. Webber graduated in 2009 with a bachelor of design-3D and object. He then set out to develop his own furniture range, largely constructed from the highest quailty Birch plywood.
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Trust your Gut - Colour

20/10/11 – Your floor is littered with hundreds of paint samples and you still have no idea which is the right colour for your room and what trend you should follow or even if you should follow a trend, so what should you do?
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Sofas - The Family Room

7/10/11 – If you are looking at buying a sofa for a family room that is going to see a lot of attention from children, it will need to be indestructible! Here are of my interior design tips that may help in your quest.
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Izola Shower Curtains

26/9/11 – Izola explores the creative possibilities of shower curtains and bathroom accessories. This fun collection offers fresh and sophisticated designs that feature photographic-quality prints of famous world destinations, iconic maps, whimsical patterns and the work of groundbreaking artists. These machine-washable shower curtains are made from high quality, heavy-duty materials in the standard 72″ x 72″ size.
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An Xmas present that will entertain kids for hours

21/9/11 – Make sure your little people are entertained for hours with this fun Teepee from Mocka
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Home Office Design

17/9/11 – With more of us choosing to work from home, your office should be somewhere stylish and practical and away from other areas of the house. Keeping a professional feel to the room will allow you to stay motivated when deadlines loom.
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Sky Planter

6/9/11 – Do you want to create an unusual plant display? With this Ceramic Sky Planter it is easy and looks fantastic. When it comes to inside plants, I want easy care due to busy family life. I forget to water them, don’t really look after them and then am utterly surprised when they survive!
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Collecting Art

1/9/11 –
Art is such a personal thing, what one person loves another just doesn’t get. But an art collection can really add something special to an interior space. A large piece can make a real statement to a room. Or carefully displayed works can make a gallery of a hallway.
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Stress

22/8/11 – So how do you slow down when there is always something else to be done? Here are a few ideas that I really should follow!
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Kitchen Surfaces

18/8/11 – When it comes to designing your kitchen, choosing a work surface is one of the most important decisions you will make. Not only does it have to look fantastic, it has to withstand heavy use day after day, year after year! So before you buy consider whether you’d be prepared to put some effort into maintaining its look, or would you rather have something more easy care.
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Coral Pendant : Designed by David Trubridge

7/8/11 – The Coral Light shade, designed by David Trubridge, is a true eye-catcher. Create a focal point of interest that is truely Kiwi.
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Living with Collections

30/7/11 –
Candle sticks, cups, Stamps, marbles… Most of us at some point have been a slave to a collection or three. There is no doubt about it, collecting stuff is fun- and it can make your home look great. As we grow up we seem to gather more stuff and sometimes it seem all to much, here are some simple tips to make the most of your collection/s:
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LED Lighting

25/7/11 – LED lighting has come a long way in just a few years. The letters ‘LED’ stand for Light Emitting Diodes, which means that they are not lamps or light bulbs but electronic gadgets. They have been around as indicator lights on appliances, home entertainment systems, computers etc since 1962. But it is only in the last 8-10 years that manufacturers of diodes have managed to make them bright enough for them to be considered as light sources.
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Cork a Natural Choice

18/7/11 –
Cork floor tiles are the ultimate in ‘up-cycling’. Made from the cork that’s left over from the production of wine bottle corks, cork floor tiles are essentially a waste product, made good. They’re also from a completely renewable resource. Like shearing a sheep, bark is stripped from the cork oak tree, leaving the tree standing. Cork comes from the ancient Mediterranean forests.
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Laid Back Interiors

12/7/11 – Creating a home that creates an easy relaxed and welcoming environment goes a long way towards making your daily life run smoothly. Imagine your home organised relaxed, comfy, functional and that looks fantastic. It is possible here are a couple of ideas to achieve just that.
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Drum Lamp Shades

3/7/11 – Drum lamp shades are cylindrical in nature, typically shaped like an oil drum with the same circumference at the top as at the bottom. A drum lampshade is useful in lighting your interior as they cast light both upwards as well as downwards, plus they fit well with simple interiors and shapes.
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Lemons Lemons Lemons …

27/6/11 – It is that time of year when everyone is getting colds the weather is marginal and the idea of a winter escape is on our minds!
Here is my good friend Jackie’s recipe to make winter not seem quite as blue and to use some of the Lemons that are falling off the tree.
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Versatile Ottomans : Sacho

20/6/11 – Ottomans can be a great addition to a living space as they can provide extra seating, a coffee table, a great perch for a few children and a footstool.
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Countrywoods Shutters : Window Treatment

16/6/11 – Shutters are another great alternative to curtains or blinds. Shutters are functional, durable and practical. They can provide light and heat control through their tilt mechanism, while adding style and value to your home. Shutters are all custom made to fit your windows or doors exactly and will make a stylish addition to your interior décor.
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Things we love… Verner Panton

7/6/11 – If you are looking for a new feature light and a design classic then the VP Globe pendant light by Danish designer Verner Panton might be for you. The VP Globe was dreamed up in 1969 the year Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.
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How to – Select Furniture

3/6/11 – Here are some of my top tips for selecting furniture that you will enjoy for many years! Well designed and well crafted furniture is an investment. You want to select pieces that meet your needs and provide years of enjoyment. Think about what you need and choose wisely.
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G P and J Baker : Cushions

23/5/11 – As the weather cools down and we are spending more time indoors an easy and wallet friendly way to refresh and liven up an interior space is with new cushions.
These gorgeous floral cushions are from a recent interior job. The cushions pull this interior together into one cohesive look; the strong pattern gives the room a focus and creates interest in an otherwise plain scheme. The cushion fabric is called Numpheus from the Perennia collection from G P and J Baker. It comes in three colour ways; I have used the sand and pistachio in this interior design project.
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Kids Bedrooms : Happy World : Organic Cotton

16/5/11 – Happy World is a fantastic range of wallpapers and fabric’s for Children from the French label Casadeco. The range is described as a place where children can create their own universe of play, dreams and stories.
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Wood alternative

10/5/11 – If you are after an alternative to wooden blinds for those high humidity or UV areas- then your search is over.
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Preserving Olives

5/5/11 – This weekend I'm picking Olives. Yes buckets and buckets of black olives that hopefully the birds haven't feasted on!!I It is a family tradition followed by a long alfresco lunch with plenty of last years olive oil and great Waiheke wine.
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Royalist

27/4/11 – Why not get in the mood for the Royal wedding with these fabulous union jack cushions from England. Made from 80% wool and 20% nylon, they are made from panels of felt with hand embroidered stitch details. This is a classic union jack design that is a fabulous accessory for that wow factor. I have these available now for the special price of $169.00 (including inner and delivery)
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Children's Bedrooms

26/4/11 – The always fabulous Sandberg have done it again with a fantastic new children's collection Engla and Elliot. The Engla and Elliot collection draws on the nostalgic influences of children's books from the 1950's. In this outstanding collection the patterns are drawn by hand, you will find bold chequered harlequin patterns and romantic circus horses, parrots in love and cheerful tea parties.
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It's Getting Chilli Outside : Curtains

11/4/11 –
With winter knocking on the door- curtains become a must have! Curtains help with creating coziness to your home, help with heat retention and a great excuse to spurge on some gorgeous fabric's!
A good pair of curtains should last you 15 years or more, and sometimes they can be adapted to fit different window sizes.

Here are some of my top tips for curtains:

• It is worth investing in blackout linings especially for bedrooms to ensure a good nights sleep. In Children's rooms this is essential.
• Remember fabric's with a large pattern may require more fabric so as they match when closed.
• Curtains will be with you for a long time so make sure you love the fabric. Simple is sometimes better, as you can change wall and accessories much more readily than drapes.
• Pole tracks should extent 30 cm past the window frame. This will ensure no light is blocked when they are open.
• Finally ask an Interior Design Expert. This is particularly important with fabric selection as the harsh New Zealand sun makes some fabric's unsuitable in many situations.

Anna
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Feijoa Jam

6/4/11 – If your garden is anything like mine, you are sinking in a sea of feijoa's!
I have to carefully pick my way down the path from the car, missing as many as possible. So in celebration of autumn and the fabulous and somewhat abundant feijoa here are a couple of ideas for there use.

1 kg Feijoa fruit (weighed whole)
¼ cup water
4 cups sugar
Method
Scoop out then roughly slice the feijoa's, add water and boil gently until soft. Stir in sugar and boil for 5-10 minutes, or until a drop popped onto a saucer jells. Feijoas are high in pectin so this happens quickly. Immediately pour into heated jars and seal.
Tip
You can freeze the pulp of feijoas if you are struggling to get through them. Feijoas are also fabulous mixed with Apple in a crumble, in a bran muffin or even a chutney!

Anna
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Frame Me

29/3/11 –
Art is an important element in any interior. It adds personality into the space and interest to the walls around you. If you want to introduce art into your home read on.
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Ready Set Winter

22/3/11 – The end of the summer is nearly upon us! The nights are closing in and it is dark in the mornings. I thought it would be good to give you my top 10 tips to survive the coming season in style.
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Your Product Sourcing Expert

17/3/11 – At Cuthbert Interiors let us take the stress out of your next renovation or new build project. We can manage your interior design project from start to finish. We can source that hard to find piece and have it delivered in a timely manner. Let us take the stress out of interior design and make your next project an enjoyable one.
Here at Cuthbert Interiors we have established relationships with a vast array of specialists, manufacturers and suppliers throughout the country. Making Cuthbert Interiors your go- between, you don’t need to do the running around or make that phone call; we will do all that for you. We will work with you and your builder to ensure that interior design decisions are made, ordered and delivered when and where they are needed.
Let us take the hassle out of the interior design process, give me a call.
Anna
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Romo 2011

14/3/11 – One of my all-time favourite ranges Romo has just released its 2011 fabric and wall covering collections. These fabrics are stunning, fun and their use of colour inspiring .
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Custom designed rugs by Cuthbert interiors.

8/3/11 – Rugs are an important part of any interior space; they pull everything together to create a cohesive look. They also add warmth and can help in the zoning of a room.
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MOCKA: Support a Christchurch Brand

27/2/11 – www.mocka.co.nz
This a fantastic local website that I want to share with you.
Mocka is a small family run business based in Christchurch. They provide contemporary furniture and toys for children from birth. After the unimaginable horror of the Christchurch earthquake this week, let’s get behind Christchurch and get them back on their feet by supporting local businesses.
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Design Icon – Wishbone Chair

21/2/11 – Designer -Hans Wegner

The Wishbone chair is a true design classic and one of my personal favorites, let me introduce you:
Hans Wegner is one of the many designers who made Danish design world famous, joining Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton... His most famous designs are his chairs (designing over 400 in his lifetime); the most famous of all is the wishbone chair (aka the Y chair).
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Something Different this Valentine

10/2/11 – Why not try something different this year, that will last and put a smile on their face.
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11 Amazing Benefits of Wool : Moon Fabrics

7/2/11 – Wool is storming its way back and riding high in the flight to authenticity, provenance and environmental consciousness.
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Room to Grow

2/2/11 –
A Child’s room goes through many stages and changes, how do you keep up with them and keep it looking great without spending a fortune based on the whim of the moment!
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What’s Your Kerb Appeal?

15/12/10 – What does your entrance say about you? Urban Sophisticate, Country Chic or just a bit tired and worn. The state of your entrance matters more than you think.
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How to decorate a Christmas tree

29/11/10 – Christmas is nearly upon us, the kids are starting to make lists and I know I will go slowly mad.
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Care for Me!

23/11/10 –
Wooden and other hard furniture require a bit of extra TLC. But you will be rewarded with many years of pleasure from your piece.
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You still have time

15/11/10 – Yes it is only 6 weeks till Santa arrives, but you still have time to order cushions!
Do you need to spruce up your house for the festive season, why not some new cushions?
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Colour me Bold

8/11/10 – As any one would know I love colour.
Colour can change one’s mood and surroundings with ease. It’s simple to change a room with colour, a cushion here a rug there… it need not cost a fortune. With this in mind you can afford to mix it up and change things with the seasons or your mood.
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Pattern my world

1/11/10 – Colour and pattern have always been important to me. If you love these elements of design, then you must check out one of my all time favourite designer’s new book Pattern.
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How to clean a leather Sofa

25/10/10 – Cleaning leather is tricky, I know I have kids with little grubby fingers!

The best trick for cleaning leather is to clean it with Saddle soap or leather dew (a combo of soap and oil- usually available from shoe repairers or good furniture retailers).
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Summer has arrived : Citta Bean Bags: 2 weeks only special

6/10/10 – Summer has arrived and with that comes more Kiwi BBQs, outdoor living and lounging. Now is the time to be thinking about reinventing your outdoor spaces just in time for the Xmas festivities and entertaining.
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MIX IT UP

23/9/10 – Don’t be afraid to mix styles, eras or objects. Items of sentimental importance are such and should not be discounted or eliminated. Eclectic design is an art but it does work and will achieve a look that is truly individual and reflects you life, travel and memories.
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Maximize Your Space, Visually.

9/9/10 – Adding mirrors to a room can change the entire feel. If you have a smaller living room but want to make it feel bigger, add a large mirror. Although this doesn’t really add to the area of the space – it can make it appear as if it’s larger because it’s an optical illusion. Through the reflection of natural light and images from the outside a space a room may appear wider or longer. The shape of the mirror you choose can also change the effect.
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I LOVE IT :: Check out Wallace Cotton :: Spring

9/9/10 – Though it might be grey and wet outside, liven up your mood with this fabulous new bedlinen.
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Define Your Space

31/8/10 – Defining Interior spaces within which you live is often over looked. It is very important that areas with different purposes and uses, ie Living or Dining, are given their own clear areas. This enables the eye to move calmly through the space, not being jarred or conflicted by clutter or disarray. It makes your home inviting and draws people into the usable spaces.
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Know Your Fabrics

23/8/10 – Boucle : Textured with a curly woolly look, good for a cosy feel. Often several coloured yarns mixed together.
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Bright Spark

14/8/10 – Lighting in an interior design scheme can play a huge part to its success. It is import to remember that lights play a role in the ambiance of a room and how you feel within it. The role of light can be broken in to three distinct areas:
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Don't Skimp on Quality

3/8/10 – Always purchase the best your budget can afford Sometimes you see an item that is within your budget, but poorly made. How long will it last before you have to replace it? Keep in mind that this is an investment and you don't want to have to replace items every year due to poor craftsmanship.
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The Three F's to Consider When Arranging Furniture.

2/8/10 – The Three “F’s” are Function, Focal Point and Flow
Function
What kind of room is it? Arranging furniture in a dining room is much different than in a living room, bedroom or office. Does the room need to accommodate a lot of people or just a few?
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