Georgie P 'Outside'

Door mats with a little fun and colour

2011-04-12T09:43:00.000+12:00

Stone Door Mats

2011-04-12T08:32:00.001+12:00

I have had a number of people ask me about door mat options so here are a few ideas.....

More updates from the Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village

2011-03-24T17:30:00.001+13:00

Affordable Outdoor Fabrics

2010-05-28T14:29:00.000+12:00

Here is a preview of just some of the yummy outdoor fabrics that are available from Femme de Brocante in Rangiora. They have just updated their Outdoor range. I have recently bought some outdoor fabric from these girls to do up an old outdoor chair. A great way to add some colour and style to a garden setting!

Easy- Veg

2010-05-28T11:27:00.000+12:00

It is fantastic now to see there are many choices available for growing your own healthy vegetables from home. I know I have already posted on some other companies that provide a similar product but choice is always good and these guys have a fantastic website! Now is a great time to think about setting up a vegetable garden to allow the soil to settle in time from spring planting!

Retiring in style!

2010-05-28T10:41:00.001+12:00

Now those T.V programmes that show landscape makeovers in what appears to be a day, really frustrate me, as they show a false idea of how long it really takes to implement a job properly. I have just been to visit the landscape team from Ecco Landscapes on site at the Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village here in Wanaka. It is deadline day for the completion of landscaping of the first four units and I have to say it is looking fantastic. Seeing the transformation over the past few days from dust to mud to ready lawn, I have to keep reminding myself that the team have been working away at this since January of this year. Further landscaping of the other nine units in stage one will follow but it is very rewarding to see some coming to fruition and to give everyone a sense of what a fantastic village this is going to be! I think I am almost ready to retire!..............

Off the Radar!

2010-05-28T10:22:00.000+12:00

My apologies on the lack of posts over the past few weeks. I'm now back on board with some exciting updates of projects we have been working on and some exciting new products to file. Watch this space................

A World of Wonderful Treasures

2010-03-04T09:30:00.000+13:00

New to our streets is Kate Findlay's quaint little shop found behind the little courtyard on Helwick Street in Wanaka. As an interior designer, Kate has recently branched out to offer selected individual pieces for both indoors and out. The selection has a somewhat worldly theme to it and what I like about it is that many of the pieces are true antiques you will be lucky to find anywhere else. Here is a peep look a some of the things she has to offer. It is fantastic to see interesting pieces available for use outdoors, including pots, Indian dye pots, sculpture and old antique balistrades.... Well worth a visit! You can contact Kate on 03 443 4057 or email katefindlay@xtra.co.nz.

Chemical Free Pools

2010-02-23T16:17:00.002+13:00

A client of mine a while back questioned me as to a natural pool system that relies on aquatic plants to help with the filtration of the water without chemicals being required and I have to admit I have never heard of it. I have now discovered that someone in little old NZ has introduced this concept which is very exciting!

The Natural Pool offers clean, chemical free swimming by combining a swimming area and a shallow planted water region - an area given over to aquatic plants which not only oxygenate the water but along with micro-organisms, act as living filters and organic cleansers, naturally and continually filtering the water through their root system.
These 2 areas are separated by a submerged barrier wall but the water still flows between the 2 regions. There is no need for chlorine or any harsh chemicals only the addition of a filter and circulation pump system.

Ecological Outdoor Furniture

2010-02-09T15:20:00.000+13:00

I've just taken this information direct from Rebecca's Art and Design Blog as it says pretty much what we need to know!
"This is a design that we have been working on and off for the last three months. We wanted to do an outdoor table, purely because we like this timber called Vitex. Vitex is directly marketed against other hardwood timbers such as Kwila as is comes from a sustainable source.

I like it as it ages gracefully in the elements and ends up a beautiful silver tone and refrains from giving you splinters. The design itself uses stainless steel hinges allowing the pieces to be folded down compacted for storage. The Vitex dose have a wonderful hard quality to it and has a life expectancy of approximately 40 years, mainly used in decking we look forward to using this ecological product more and more."

Rain Water Harvesting

2010-02-04T13:07:00.000+13:00

This website is worth a look if you are considering harvesting rainwater for irrigation or household use. The systems provide safe solutions for the collection, storage and distribution of rain water.

We've Updated Our Profile Page!

2010-02-02T12:17:00.001+13:00

I've just finished updating the photos on the profile page of our website. This gives you a glimpse in to our studio- such a great place to work from!

Rambling Shade

2010-02-02T09:39:00.001+13:00

We often get some fantastic comments from clients that see this photo in our photobooks so I thought I would share it! The simple idea of a black steel free standing pergola with a white wisteria providing the shade works really well in the fact that there is shade in summer but sun in winter when the wisteria has lost its leaves. The boldness of the pergola means that when it is not covered in leaves it still looks just as effective. Pergolas are also a great way to frame vistas in the garden.

Modular Outdoor Kitchens

2010-02-02T09:13:00.000+13:00

I've just received some information on modular outdoor kitchens available in New Zealand, which looks very exciting! The EZI-scape modular system comes with 4 basic units, a BBQ module a sink unit module, a plain bench and a bench extension. Doors are in either stainless steel or cedar louvre and custom tiles are also an option. These modules look to provide a fantastic easy and workable option for creating that outdoor kitchen. I can't wait until I can find a client keen to give them a try.... Will keep you posted!

Blog to Watch

2010-02-01T20:51:00.000+13:00

A group of four Lincoln University students have taken on the huge mission of creating an installation at the up and coming Ellerslie Flower Show. The blog is in its very early stages but should be an interesting one to keep an eye on. Good luck to the Four Play team!

Plant Profile: Lomandra longifolia 'Tanika'

2010-01-29T15:07:00.001+13:00

A great tough plant that is almost indestructible, Lomanda 'Tanika' is easy care and very drought tolerant. It is great used on mass and needs very little maintenance other than the odd haircut. It gets to about 600x650mm high.

COD Delights

2010-01-29T14:01:00.000+13:00

The old classic the Cape Cod chair is a great way to add colour and impact to your outdoor area. The chairs by COD: Classic Outdoor Designs (made in Wanaka) are available in any colour on the Resene colour palette. These chairs were recently featured on the front cover of Resene's Habitat magazine.

Update for Tiritiri Lodge

2010-01-28T15:08:00.000+13:00

I have spent some of the morning taking some shots of the wonderful Tiritiri Lodge. Seeing your work come to fruition is a hugely satisfying part of begin a Landscape Architect. It does make such a difference to have a client who is a true gardener and credit must be given to Stephanie and Denis as they have taken what I created for them and continued to let it develop and evolve. Here is a sneek preview of the updated photographs before I update them to my website portfolio!

Cover It Up!

2010-01-27T16:29:00.001+13:00

If you haven't got the funds for a new BBQ then why not spruce up your old one with one of these fantastic NZ BBQ covers!

"We couldn't help but think that the bbq – the centrepiece of the great Kiwi outdoor dining space – spent 18 hours a day and eight whole months a year smothered in a rubbish bag. So we asked ourselves, if you’re going to invest time and talent and moolah in the bbq and the whole picture-perfect, indoor-outdoor flowy thing, why the heck not find a way of protecting your steel baby from the elements that didn’t then turn around and throw style to the wolves?"

Build Your Own Vegetable Garden

2010-01-27T09:53:00.001+13:00

With a move towards growing your own vegetables, these are a great option for anyone with limited space or perhaps if you are renting and want to be able to take them with you when you leave. They are also very cost effective and don't require building skills to put them together. If you want to create a no dig vegetable garden, layer a thick layer of newspapers in the bottom of the bed, then about 100mm of pea straw or leaves and then top up with compost. It is best to set this up in the winter months giving you time for the compost to settle. The idea is that you continue to layer compost on top. You will find some quick titivating with your hand as you replant is all the garden needs! I think I might get myself some of these!

Fantastic Photography!

2010-01-26T17:04:00.001+13:00

Recently our studio was featured in Homestyle magazine. Some people definitely have a knack with a camera and Johanna Hughes is one of these lucky people! Her blog is well worth a look and she has a fantastic portfolio ranging from commercial to wedding photography. She managed to make me feel quite at ease in front of the camera which I must admit, I normally find quite a daunting experience!

Happy Bithday 'Georgie P Outside'

2010-01-22T14:13:00.000+13:00

I am actually 2 days early but knowing I have a wedding tomorrow and the head won't be up too much I thought it best that I post this today! It takes a while to get the hang of blogging but I'm pretty sure I've got it now so expect heaps more posts over the next year! I'm always on the look out for inspiration so be sure to contact me if you have any ideas or anything you can offer to the site. Thanks for keeping in touch. Georgie

New Zealand Sustainability Resources

2010-01-22T12:49:00.004+13:00

Here is a list of some interesting resources in terms of sustainability that I would like to share

ECOBOB: Information of sustainable living

Eco Design Advisor :A fantastic FREE service operating from eight Councils - Waitakere, Auckland, North Shore, Hamilton, Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty, Kapiti Coast, Nelson, and Queenstown lakes District. The Eco Design Advisor is a specialist, providing free energy, water and material related advice on home building projects, to ensure better use is made of resources.

Eco Power: Eco friendly power, heat and plumbing solutions.

Energy Wise: is EECA's consumer programme that provides information and funding for householders so they can make the most of energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy.

Level : The Authority on Sustainable Building is a BRANZ resource which offers more technical advice for the building professional.

Smarter Homes: Is aimed at homebuilders and has been developed by Consumer Build, Ministry for the Environment, Dept of Building and Housing and Beacon Pathway.

Seed Building: A Wanaka company providing advice and guidance on all aspects of sustainable building.

Sustainable Building in the Queenstown Lakes District

Sustainable Wanaka: A local charitable trust which aims to actively promote and manage the integration of ecological, social, cultural and economic goals for our community's sustainable development.

Beautiful Paints For Healthier Living Environments

2010-01-22T12:22:00.000+13:00

Using simple, honest ingredients such as chalk, china clay, plant oils and tree resins, BioPaints’ environmentally friendly products give you the protection you need for your interior and some exterior surfaces.

Georgie's a Greenie!

2010-01-22T12:19:00.000+13:00

In case any one wonders why I'm so madly blogging on sustainability issues today, I am in fact having a change around of my website set up. I am bringing all the Eco Design information from our website in to our blog to make it easier to search and to simplify the website. Make sure you keep and eye on our website over the next while as there will be major updates on photos and information!