Christmas formally arrives at 292

This festive set piece heralds the official arrival of the 2015 Christmas season at 292.  
I have long collected small ornamental houses.  The real estate on display were purchased at Citta Design and Bo Concept, with others received as gifts from friends.  In recognition of my Swedish heritage, I have chosen a Dala Horse of Sweden - this one was from Kikki K.  The glass star decorations and Seed LED lights are from Vanessa Cohen's superb Magnolia Trading Co in Wellington.  The tray is Country Road.  The classic AGEE Jar and white stones are from the collection of Judy Minty (mother) who kindly raided her extensive garden for the branch. 

This is the final resting spot for the festive arrangement, on top of our new sideboard. 

God Jul! (Merry Christmas in Swedish)

Styling and photographs by Charlotte Minty.
Words by Craig Greaves.

New Work - Living Room

Here's a hero shot from a project, that was completed earlier this year, where we furnished a living room for a family of four.
We started with a colourful kilim style rug from Armadillo and Co to anchor the new and existing furniture in front of a fireplace. For the new comfortable sofas, a neutral and children friendly fabric was chosen, which we enhanced with colourful feather filled loose cushions. To complete the picture, we introduced warmth with a timber Radial coffee table from Citta Design. Lovely.
Photograph by Charlotte Minty.

Honiara, Solomon Islands

From Wellington to Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara

Last week I had the pleasure to leave my office in Wellington, hop onto a plane and venture aboard to my first international project...in Honiara, the Solomon Islands of all places.
I am working on a private project which won't been seen here on the blog, however I am able to share the sights I saw over the few days I visited. I was lucky to be looked after by my clients and drive in an air conditioned car to my locations - Honiara has a tropical rain forest climate and it was 30 degrees each day I was there, a rather dramatic jump from 10 degrees that I left Wellington in!
Before my trip, my knowledge of Honiara was of political unrest and ethnic violence especially from the late 1990's onwards. While I was there,  you can sense some tension remains. Scars and debris from past conflicts and floods are also visible. However, there is promise to the town and I met some great people - expats and locals, who are passionate about the country and who made my stay a pleasurable one.

Lush tropical flowers - a riot of colour by this car park

The days were hazy and the supposed stunning view of the surrounding islands were not visible during my stay

A friendly hitchhiker on the car windscreen

I visited a local hardware store to see what was available - love the old school peg board display

Solomon Islands House of Parliament

Seaside dining - a breeze is always welcomed.

Debris and scars remain from the April 2014 floods - worse flooding in history for Solomon Islands

An amazing hanging shell sculpture

We finished each day with Solomon Islands' finest - perfect for the hot weather

A crazy shell wall light at the Hibiscus bar, King Solomon Hotel

The 'guards' at Heritage Park Hotel

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Newly Reupholstered Chairs

My client showed me two chairs several weeks ago - they been handed down through the family to her and she wanted to keep them, however they needed serious repair and updating. There was sagging seats, no foam, old worn fabric, beaten timber - in general, they had been much loved over the years and were looking worse for wear. So last week, I happily delivered these newly refurbished chairs back to her house - she was delighted.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

This Week's Office Happenings...

 

This richly embroidered Jane Churchill fabric called Santana has been ordered to create new cushions for a client.

This lovely fabric will be tying together a range of colours and textures in their living room, including a newly

re-upholstered sofa in cream zebra stripes!

Another week in the office has whizzed by and some lovely jobs have been coming together - here are just some of the things that have been happening. Have a great weekend all.

 

This Cole and Son wallpaper, Columbus is going in a client's new powder room. Their new house has lovely views
of the sea and this room happens to be at the back of the building so why not take the view with you?



I saw these lab bar stools in white while having coffee with my boyfriend in a café and knew they would be perfect for
a client's new traditional style kitchen that I've designed for her - even better that they are available in duck egg blue,
her favourite colour.

 

I was given this divine T-lab rabbit as a gift of thanks from a friend - (whispering) who may be opening a cool new store
in Wellington. Don't worry I'll keep you posted! She's looking sweet on my book shelf.

 

Updating a Fireplace

Here's a nice detail from a job that I am managing at the moment.
When I first met with my client, she wasn't too keen on this fireplace in her living room and I agreed with her. It didn't produce much heat and the surround was rather large, almost overwhelming for the space that it was in. In essence, we wanted to make it less of a focal point. So we got the top half chopped off, put in a new gas fire insert for better heat output and painted it white. It looks much better, don't you think?

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Details from a Renovation

Here are some quick shots from a renovation I worked on last year - the client is at the stage where she is slowly going through the spaces and 'dressing' each room to finish off the renovation, which includes new furniture to replace existing, placement of furniture, art on walls and so on. This always takes time. The main renovation that happened last year included the new glossy back and white kitchen that you see above.

New oak timber dining table with the black and cane chairs. Looks great with the new oak floors.

I always like a stripy chair - this new one is in the family room next to fresh orange curtains.

I like this back to the wall bath which gives the impression of a freestanding bath, yet it takes up less room.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Colour and Pattern

It's always lovely to see a job completed and here are some details from a family home that was done today.
We had a great mix of colour and pattern coming together with the fabrics on the furniture, drapes, light shades and cushions in this family room beside the new kitchen. We also finished off the mainly white kitchen with these cool IMO Baker stools in black. Looking smart!

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Charlotte Minty Interior Design is Ten Years Old

Charlotte Minty Interior Design is ten years old! My, time has flown - and as I think back, some of it is a little fuzzy!
I have had many fantastic clients over the years who have taken me on (thank you) and who have challenged me with their briefs. And boy, there has been a variety - interior design, wedding design, visual merchandising, teaching, magazine styling, furniture design and so on it goes. I love the challenges and have learnt so much. It is most satisfying for me as I finish each job with happy clients.
A big shout out goes to my family - especially to my mentor, Alan Minty who continually takes the time to look over my work and freely share his years of wisdom in the architecture industry. To Judy Minty, Dorian Minty and Amelia Minty, who over the years I have either collaborated with, have discussions and bounce ideas with, who buoyed me up when things got challenging as well as other aspects that come with working in design and running your own business. Your love and support is priceless - thank you so much.
Here's to another ten years!
Photograph via oncewed.

Completed Work - New Kitchen

If there is one thing that I been doing a bad job of this year, that would be not taking photos of my work after it has been completed. It is so easy to finish a job and move on to the next one without reflecting on the whole process and enjoying the results. Also, interiors can be difficult to photograph! Excuses aside, I have been calling up a few clients and I'll be slowly going around and recording some of the work done this year.
This hardwearing family kitchen is located in a traditional house in Wellington - the client wanted clean lines, lots of storage and to use traditional materials like timber and stone to give texture.

Upstand detail on kitchen island



Vertical subway tiles

New Emeco bar stools with red leather seats at the breakfast bar 

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.