Devonport, our charming village by the sea
Take your bedroom from tired to sensational
With assistance from ‘The Haven’ in The Old Post Office Building, Devonport
There’s no mystery to creating a beautiful bedroom, simply find a colour, a look, the pattern or texture that inspires you, then follow a few easy steps.
First choose your starting point – such as style, colour texture or pattern. Then build up the scheme by adding the different elements – colour, fabrics, furniture, flooring, accessories and lighting. Designers often create a “mood board” by putting together real samples or pictures of the possible paint shades, carpet, fabric and other items to see how well they work together.
So let’s look at each possible starting point:
Use Colour as your starting point – Colour is a popular springboard for any decorating scheme. Test pots are a good way to find a shade that will work best in your bedroom, then you can begin to choose fabric, furniture, flooring, lighting bed linen, cushions, throws and lighting that will work with your colour.
Let pattern be your inspiration – A fabric, wallpaper, bed linen even a cushion or favourite picture can inspire a look for a room. Echo the colours and motifs from the pattern on your walls, upholstery, floors and curtains, or look for coordinating designs.
Take your cue from texture – Woven textured linens, rough silks and embroidered voiles can each inspire a decorating look for a room. Using a mood board will help you work out what will look good with your textured staring point.
Re-create your favourite style – Perhaps you have a favourite piece of furniture, or have seen a look in a magazine or a place you have visited that inspires you. Creating a room in a certain style can be as subtle as an oriental motif or a full blown as shabby chic look.
To find out more, and receive a free guide that will take your bedroom from tired to sensational, call in and see us at The Old Post Office Building 10 Victoria Road, Devonport or email us at the.haven@xtra.co.nz
5 great reasons to visit The Haven...
Expert advice from our friendly knowledgeable team.
Exclusive stockist on the Shore of top brand Bianca Lorenne Fine Linens plus many other brands.
Not sure of a colour or style choice? – no problem. Take advantage of our “try before you buy offer” *Conditions apply.
Free ‘In Home’ consultations. We’ll come to you with a range of linens, cushions, throws etc so you can be sure they look great in your bedroom.
Lay-bys are welcome with a generous 3 months payment period.
Destination Devonport
News, Views, and Information from the Village by the Sea – Devonport.
Hello and welcome to this month’s account of what has been happening in the wonderful community of Devonport.
Christmas / New Year – A time to reflect on the year that was.
What a year it has been, and what a fantastic end with New Zealand winning the Rugby World Cup! But I am getting ahead of myself.
Despite the continuing gloomy economic situation Devonport has much to be proud of and much has been accomplished. Both the Victoria Picture Palace and Torpedo Bay Navy Museum have recently celebrated their first birthdays. They continue to do extremely well with patronage well ahead of forecasts. The Vic has developed a reputation for screening top quality Art House movies together with delivering live theatre, concerts and comedy acts. We are very proud of The Vic and are thoroughly enjoying its renaissance.
Meanwhile, at the other end of town, Torpedo Bay Museum in association with North Head is becoming a destination of National Significance. With the museum’s ever changing displays and the historical military significance of the tunnels at North Head this is a destination that deserves multiple visits.
We’re pleased to see the Devonport Food, Wine and Music festival has its future assured with the 2012 event all set for the weekend of 18 & 19 February. This is a wonderful festival, probably the best in New Zealand and certainly in the best location, right on the shores of the Waitemata Harbour. A top line up of bands and artists looks set to make 2012 the festival not to be missed.
Devonport Township is looking fantastic. A lot of effort has gone into the beautification of Devonport in preparation for the RWC and the results are evident. Devonport has always been a community of flowering garden beds and beautiful parks, and this has been enhanced by the addition of flowering barrels along Mainstreet creating a very colourful show. The town centre has had its tidy up and the wharf building has hugely benefited from the considerable amount of work that has been done to bring its outstanding maintenance issues up to date.
This brings me of course to the RWC. What a wonderful event it has been, and what a wonderful celebration of everything that is good about New Zealand. We showed the world how real hosts put on an event and we showed them how to play rugby (although the final match was the most nerve wracking game I have ever witnessed). Well done to everyone who was involved, splendid effort.
Must See – Must Do
If you haven’t visited Devonport for a while then I would recommend that you pay us a visit over the summer months. Enjoy the many wonderful boutique shops that you will only find here, have a quiet drink in a sunny courtyard or street pavement and feast on fish and chips at the park overlooking the harbour…Perfect.
From us all at the Devonport Business Association we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and relaxed New Year.
Eddie de Heer
President – Devonport Business Association
Birthday celebrations
& lots for Christmas at Nord
Victoria Holtelius is the energetic owner of Nord, that fabulous Scandinavian store in Fleet Street, Devonport.
Victoria was born in Sweden, is married to “a handsome Kiwi” and they have two children.
Before moving to New Zealand she had lived in Paris, London and Switzerland.
New Zealand has been home for 21 years now and Victoria celebrated three years as a business owner of Nord on December 1st.
She has worked in sales and marketing all her life and loves to meet people and prides herself on super friendly service. “I always try to go the extra mile for my customers which will include delivering gifts personallly if we have missed the courier at no extra cost. And customers really appreciate the service.”
Nord stocks Swedish Klippan home textiles for a nordic looking house; Finnish Marimekko range which includes the popular shoulder bags and teatowels; Pluto Design range of funky, useful homeware and gifts; Design House Stockholm crockery; Nordic confectionary; Grannas decorations for home and bach; Elk jewellery and accessories and Citta design products (from New Zealand).
“We have a great location with the stand-alone building in Fleet Street, off the main street in Devonport with natural daylight all day which compliments the Scandinavian feel of light in a home.
“ I love meeting new and interesting people and introducing them to the Scandinavian style, giving superb service. We have a great team at Nord with local Swedish mothers, local students and my family helping out. My daughter Olivia is helping me a lot during this Christmas season.”
“We have some great gifts for Christmas. I believe in giving useful things that last, so Swedish blankets, hammocks, beach towels, kaftans, tea towels, wallets, ipod wraps, wood jewellery – we’ve got it all at Nord – the list is too long!”
During December a highlight at Nord will be the Swedish ginger bread house demonstrations. There are also lots of Nordic style stocking fillers and door wreaths to ensure the festive season is celebrated in style.
Nord, 1 Fleet Street, Devonport. Phone 446-3265
or visit www.nord.co.nz.
Devonport Community News
by Maire Vieth - Devonport Community Coordinator, Devonport Peninsula Trust
I am the Devonport Community Coordinator, just got back from a wonderful family trip to Germany and the US, and while still struggling with my jet lag, it is great to be back in summer in our vibrant and beautiful community on the peninsula!
Community life in Devonport this month is driven by two of our key community organizations – Devonport Lions and The Rotary Club of Devonport. Starting on Sunday 4 December with the Devonport Lions Santa Parade that steps off at 11 am in front of the Community House on Clarence St and winds its way along Fleet St and Victoria Rd toward Windsor Reserve. Expect wonderfully themed floats, bands, fancy cars and many creative displays. The parade leads directly to the Devonport Christmas Festival on Windsor Reserve (11 am – 3 pm), where you will be entertained by Dance in the Park, a local celebration of dance and music, where you can shop at the Devonport Craft Market stalls, and where you can have lunch thanks to a variety of local community groups that will run sausage sizzles, cake stalls, etc. There will be Santa with a picture booth as well as a preschool play area for the little ones. Local businesses are also running a number of promotions on that day which will make December 4 a perfect day to do your Christmas shopping locally.
The Rotary Club of Devonport is involved in two fabulous events this month, starting out on Saturday 10 December (noon - 3 pm) with the Scotty Brewer Skate Day Out at the skate park in Ngataringa Park (across Lake Rd from the golf course), honouring the late Scotty Brewer, a local skater who was instrumental in establishing the skate park, as well as celebrating the talent and passion of local skateboarders. Rotary is sponsoring the event and Cheapskates Takapuna is running the skate competition. On Sunday 11 December, Devonport Rotary is organizing an Art in Action day (10 am – 4 pm). Watch the painters in action, painting “en plein air” outside the Devonport Library and by the Band Rotunda in Windsor Reserve. There will be Petonque, music and you can try painting your own masterpiece or purchase a favourite one displayed or painted on site by one of the painters at the auction at 3 pm. Bring a rug for a picnic with food and drinks that are available as well. All funds raised will be donated to local community projects.
Devonport Rotary is also involved with this summer’s More FM Devonport Food, Wine and Music Festival, scheduled for February 18 and 19, that has just confirmed an impressive line up of music on both days with Che Fu, The Phoenix Foundation, Shona Laing, Jeremy Elwood, The De Sotos, Ddub, and more. Buy your tickets now to secure your spot in the crowd!
In the spirit of planning ahead, I would like to mention that now is also a good time to plant your seeds for the pumpkin and sun flower competitions that will be part of the Harvest Festival at the Devonport Community House on Sunday 11 March. If you are looking for a spot to grow your plants, or if you are just generally keen on gardening, drop in at one of our best kept local secrets, the Devonport Community Garden in Mount Cambria Reserve, on any Sunday from 2 – 4 pm or email Charlotte Smith at devonportcommunitygarden@gmail.com for more info.
This is it from me for now. Enjoy the beautiful weather and have a great holiday later in the month! Maire
For more info or to sign up for the Devonport Peninsula eNEWS, please contact dportcomm@xtra.co.nz or call 445 9533
Abigails – now a website
to match the fabulous store
Isn’t it great when an established business is moving with the times. If you want to see what we mean then go online (www.abigails.co.nz) and take a look at the fabulous online store they have developed. Abigails has been Devonport`s premier gift destination for almost thirty years, attracting not only discerning local shoppers but also those from the whole of the Auckland area and from throughout New Zealand. Now they are doing the same in cyberspace!
But for those of us who like to visit the store to buy gifts then a visit to Abigails in Devonport’s main street during December is a must.
Owner Diane Francis (Di) has lots of goodies that will make a real hit with your loved one’s this Christmas.
“We welcome the Australian MOR toiletries range with lots of super new products beautifully packaged,” says Di. “These are Paraben free and made in Australia. They recently won the award at the Reed Gift Fair in Melbourne for their stunning packaging and displays.
“We also have a new shipment of the ever popular PIP crockery and are very pleased to have the Moover Toys range designed in Denmark. This includes dolls prams for wee tots, designed to slot together. They are beautifully made and have just arrived in time for Christmas. The new Ecosprout range of organic cotton hooded towels, sheets for bassinets and cots, and wipes for babies are all wonderfully soft.”
Abigails also has stunning affordable glass decorations – from angels and hearts and birds to matryoshka dolls.
Abigails has earned an enviable reputation for friendly, helpful advice for your selection of that unique present.
Abigails specialises in gifts for all occasions – Christmas, Easter, Mothers` Day, Fathers` Day, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, New Baby and Baby Shower. Specialities include toys and clothing for babies and kids, fragrances for the house, personal fragrances and toiletries. They also have a gift wrapping service.
“We pride ourselves in sourcing the uncommon as well as top brands, believing that shopping should be an adventure rather than a chore,” adds Di Francis.
So get instore or online to discover Abigails today!
Abigails, 40 Victoria Road, Devonport. Phone 445 3072
or visit: www.abigails.co.nz.
