Author Archives: Editor

In Oscar’s Corner

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Editor

I was recently asked just how much the townsfolk of Napier would have really know about Oscar Wilde in his own time. I answered pretty quickly that I felt some had very real understanding of Wilde and some perhaps some … Continue reading →

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Family Secrets

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Editor

Recently on Kim Hill’s morning radio show, it was revealed that her great-grandparents had been servants in England. There is nothing unusual about this. In the 19th century a vast percentage of the population was employed ‘in service’. It was … Continue reading →

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Searching for Jasper Green

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Editor

I have, over the years, got into the habit of buying myself little tokens, (paintings, expensive books, nice watches), to mark a special occasion, especially those that come with a cheque attached – an advance or a nice award. This … Continue reading →

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In Praise of Small Kitchens

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Editor

The builders are at last in residence and we have squeezed into the remainder of the house. The Studio is piled high with furniture and paintings and the Hallway is choked with even more paintings and even more furniture. The … Continue reading →

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A portable print room

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Editor

A while back at a Bethune’s book auction in Auckland I bid on and got an 18th century scrapbook. I was the only bidder for what would have appeared a slightly tatty one-off and the price was correspondingly low. It … Continue reading →

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HOME invasion

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Editor

This is Peter and I snapped in the library by photographer Brian Culy. You can read all about it in the June/July issue of Home NZ out now. Then, once you’ve all got your own copy in front of you, … Continue reading →

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Building the Titanic [Bathroom].

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Editor

Without a doubt the most unattractive (aka revolting) room in the those when we acquired it, was the bathroom in what we referred to as the second flat. This was the nicest of the three flats and the bathroom had … Continue reading →

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Cleaning up your act

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Editor

You know that moment you walk into the door after being away. For me it’s like a snapshot of your own life. How does the house look (house being a reality of its own but also a metaphor for how … Continue reading →

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Colonial Idol: and the contestants are …

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Editor

If this man seems familiar it might be that you have spent too long in the pub. For decades he lived on a shelf above the bar of the Birdcage tavern, in Auckland. I acquired him in the sale of … Continue reading →

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How to decorate your hotel room

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Editor

On a Tuesday night, I find myself at Dunbar’s in Auckland. The catalogue for this sale hadn’t been particularly spectacular and I wasn’t going to go. Dunbar’s Auckland sales are never as strong as their Wellington ones – in part … Continue reading →

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