The Garden City has played host to Working Style’s Managing Director, Chris Dobbs on many occasions. Whether visiting Christchurch for work or play, Dobbs has narrowed his favourite places to eat, drink, stay and visit down to a finite list of what he deems to be the best — and considering his penchant for the finer things, we’re quite happy to take his recommendations on board.
Stay I head down to the Garden City fairly regularly to visit our Working Style store in Merivale, and I always stay at the Hilton’s Chateau On The Park DoubleTree hotel. The staff are extremely welcoming, and the secluded setting really helps me to wind down after a long day of travel and work. The valet service is also fantastic (which is a huge plus for me) and I can always rely on my garments being perfectly pressed after suffering the inevitable wear and tear of travel.
The clams at Inati
Eat Over the many years I have been visiting Christchurch, I have definitely whittled my favourite places down to a definitive list. The Terrace offers a range of eateries in one location, meaning that it’s always easy to find something to suit my mood – whether that’s a cold beer or a bite to eat. Inati is another favourite and I always go for the ‘Trust Us’ sharing option (the chef here definitely knows best).
Terrace Tavern at The Terrace
For breakfast, I’ll usually head into town to Hello Sunday for a shakshuka or eggs benny. It’s the perfect place for a mid-morning pick-me-up and I love its low-key fitout (inside an old Sunday school).
Hello Sunday
Drink If I’m looking for somewhere nice and casual to wind down at the end of the day I’ll head to Number Four. The wine list is brilliant, and it’s just down the road from our store.
Culture I always try to find time to pay a visit to the Christchurch Art Gallery, which is currently showing Gordon Walters: New Vision — just down from a run at Auckland’s Art Gallery. I checked it out when it was in Auckland, but I think I’ll go for a refresher when I visit Christchurch later this month. If I’m after a more boutique experience I’ll drop by the Nadene Milne or Jonathan Smart galleries.
Michael Parekowhai’s Chapman’s Homer at Christchurch Art Gallery
Chateau On The Park — Christchurch, a DoubleTree by Hilton
Forget notions of whisky’s only purpose being to warm your cold winter heart. Despite its reputation as a fireside companion, whisky is essential to a number of refreshing drinks we indulge in when the weather’s warm. Light, thirst-quenching and thoroughly drinkable, these Chivas-based cocktails are the perfect summer libations.
1. Chivas Collins Place two slices of green apple at the bottom of a glass and pour over 50ml of Chivas 12. Fill the glass with ice and add in 100ml of lemonade and 50ml of soda water before stirring. Garnish this crisp, perfectly-balanced cocktail with a wheel of lime and prepare to feel instantly refreshed.
2. Morning Glory Fizz Into a cocktail shaker, squeeze 5ml of fresh lemon juice before adding 10ml of white sugar and a dash of Pernod Absinthe. Then add 50ml of Chivas 12 and 25ml of egg white. Shake the mixer dry before adding in ice and shaking again. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with soda water. This is sure to banish that hangover like nothing else.
3. Hoots Mon Spritz Add 12.5ml of Lillet Blanc to a glass before pouring in 12.5ml of sweet vermouth. Add in 50ml of Chivas Extra before topping with ice and stirring. Set aside a chilled glass of soda water and a lemon twist before pouring the alcoholic mixture over the soda and garnishing for a drink that hits the palate perfectly.
4. Rob Roy Start by pouring 50ml of Chivas 12 into a mixing glass and adding 12.5ml of Lillet Rouge and 12.5ml of Lillet Blanc. Top with ice and a dash of Angostura bitters before stirring. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange twist for an elegant evening concoction.
Homes which advertise a Sub-Zero fridge in the listing, net a 38% premium over other high-end listings.
We all know about ‘investment’ wardrobe pieces, but investment kitchen appliances are another thing altogether. When it comes to the crème de la crème of culinary hardware, Sub-Zero’s famous refrigeration specimens might just be worth every penny.
It will increase the value of your entire home You might sooner think of a lick of paint as being the best thing to improve saleability, but recent surveys have shown that homes which advertise a Sub-Zero fridge in the listing, net a 38% premium over other high-end listings (zillow.com). This is an asset that will clearly pay dividends.
It’s an iconic design Function might come first for Sub-Zero but there’s no denying form weighs heavy in terms of this fridge’s appeal. The classic, bold appliance with its louvred grille is a transcendent style that has become one of the most imitated home product designs ever. And you know what they say about imitation…
It’s more durable than most Most homeowners might be satisfied getting several years of service out of an appliance but when it comes to Sub-Zero, it’s a product that will last you decades. One of the marque’s enduring commitments is ’to build the best’; Sub-Zero’s appliances are constructed in their own American facilities where they can control every step of the manufacturing process. Only premium grade materials are used, the technology is state of the art and the craftsmanship is of the highest calibre (every fridge is handmade, hand finished and 100% quality tested.)
Your grocery bill will thank you for it Sub-Zero pioneered the dual refrigeration system, which relies on two separate, self-contained cooling systems to keep fresh food fresher and preserve frozen food longer (thanks to a more consistent temperature throughout.) They also developed an air filtration system inspired by NASA technology that scrubs the air of ethylene gas (which speeds up food spoilage) and also reduces odours by removing bacteria, mould and viruses. Everything about the fridge, right down to its ultra-effective seals, encourages food longevity.
Your power bill will thank you for it Sub-Zero equipment meets high energy efficiency tests and even the largest refrigerators consume less power over a year than a 100 watt light bulb. Foam filled doors help insulate the unit more efficiently, and the dual refrigeration system means less energy is used overall.
It’s easier to clean The fridge’s 18-gauge stainless steel exteriors are not susceptible to denting and are easy to keep clean due to the thicker graining in the steel. Need we say more?
Left: Mini Lady Dior bag, small Diorama ultra black bag and J'adior slingback pumps from Dior (09 373 4849) | Right: Valentina trench coat from Paris Georgia; Mini Lady Dior bag and Dioramour shoes from Dior (09 373 4849); Odin chair by Resident from Simon James Design
When the light begins to fade, and the calls of a long day morph into the quiet intimacies of evening, we don our favourite designers and decide who to become once night falls. From glittering fabrics to precise suiting, these are the clothes, shoes and accessories we adorn ourselves in after dark.
Left: Helen Cherry Cameron jacket and cigarette pant and Alexander Wang Rina heels from Workshop; Lady Dior ultra black bag from Dior (09 373 4849); Odin chair by Resident from Simon James Design | Right: Headline Cross pumps and Trunk clutch from Louis Vuitton; Missoni maxi dress from Muse BoutiqueLeft: Small shoulder bag from Gucci; Stuart Weitzman Mira mules from Scarpa | Right: Alice McCall The Future is Female skirt from Superette; Sidone bag from Prada; Odin chair by Resident from Simon James Design
Left: Wool and silk tuxedo jacket and Corea Borg Jasper navy shirt from Dadelszen; Mid-fit shirt from Workshop Denim; Bow-tie from WORLD; Solferino derby shoes from Louis Vuitton; Odin chair by Resident from Simon James Design | Right: Saint Germain loafers from Louis Vuitton; Marquess silk and wool grosgrain jacket and Vincenza tuxedo shirt from Dadelszen; Bow-tie from WORLD
Image credit: Styling: Margie Cooney, Art Direction: Fran King
Reuben Bonner — Founder & Organiser, Wondergarden Festival The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time is the ultimate mystery adventure written in such a simple, wondrous voice that it is hard not to feel endeared to Christopher John Francis Boone, the story’s protagonist. He is a 15-year-old amateur detective who is hell-bent on finding who in God’s name has speared his next door neighbour’s dog, Wellington, with a garden fork! This book serves as a poignant reminder of how different we all are as human beings, and how we should be patient and compassionate of those around us following a different path. Christopher — who has Asperger syndrome and is ensconced in his own reality — has just as an important quest to complete (finding Wellington’s killer), as we might with our daily lives getting the bills paid, the children fed, or replying to a list of unanswered emails. It’s easy reading, but very fulfilling and shrouded in mystery and intrigue, and is also peppered with some excellent humour.
Max Patte — Artist I’ve read all sorts of books on art, artists and the art market but The $12 million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art is hands down my most dog-eared, underlined and loaned out book on the shelf. More than any college tutor or trip to a gallery, this book helped me really understand and appreciate what happens to a work once it leaves the studio; how the lasting success of that work is influenced and controlled; the role of the dealer, gallery and collector; who sets the value and what makes it rise. With tales from the auction house, mega dealers, private jets and inside trades, this is a fascinating and engaging look at the phenomenon of an unregulated, sometimes murky and constantly surprising art world. It’s the book I wish I’d read at school.
Paul Huege de Serville — Founder, Servilles Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish was a book that definitely changed my perspective. After listening to the author (an entrepreneur and founder of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization) and reading his book it gave me a deeper understanding about culture, value systems and structures that help you get clear pathways to run a business. Before that, I used to operate mostly by instinct and past knowledge, so keeping that and adding his way gave me lots of clarity in our business.
Peter Cullinane — Founder, Lewis Road Creamery I’m not a big fan of business texts, I much prefer learning by example. The stand-out book for me is Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. It’s not a lesson in how to be a kind spirit but it is the best insight into the singular attitude that created the world’s most successful company. Steve Jobs believed everything was important, from the biggest ideas to the smallest details. He was relentless in his pursuit of perfection. For him, business was personal. He created a business that reflected what he wanted, not what others might want. This biography is a riveting read.
Karen Walker — Founder, Karen Walker When I was 12, I discovered Evelyn Waugh and devoured everything he wrote, but it was his satire, his scathing, sneering reflection upon the English sitting-room, that I especially loved. Through his lens, he questioned and ridiculed the establishment but also, somehow, despite the curled lip, showed his love for it. This was an embrace with a slap, a pinch, a shin-kick thrown in for good measure and that really appealed to me. He questioned automatic, given, expected respect. He challenged and poked fun at the establishment and I loved that. And don’t even get me started on Brideshead Revisited, which still makes me weep!
Champagne and cocktails served from the Dior-decorated bar set the celebratory tone as we gathered underneath the handbag-laden walls of Dior’s Queen Street boutique in honour of its Cruise ’19 collection launching in-store. Admiring the new pieces and picking favourites from the bold prints and patterns characteristic to the collection, we shopped and socialised while the DJ (dressed in Dior) underscored our evening with a lively set from behind her decorated booth.
Check out all the action from the event in the video below.
Finding the perfect premises in which to house a business can be a long and arduous task. But when Denizen’s Editor-in-Chief Claire Sullivan-Kraus laid eyes on an unassuming warehouse in Auckland’s Victoria Precinct, she knew she had found something special. With its discrete ivy-covered street frontage, soaring ceilings, and spacious upper and lower levels, she recognised a space with immense potential.
Having published and edited design magazines for more than a decade, Sullivan-Kraus knew that the outcome of this conversion needed to unequivocally reflect the ethos of the Denizen brand. A floor plan and concept was developed to create an impactful space that presented two major points of visual interest.
Housing the publishing operations of Denizen in the building’s mezzanine floor, the large cavernous downstairs area was converted into a social hub for hosting and entertaining clients, conducting photo shoots and facilitating inter-office conviviality in the form of shared staff lunches and Friday afternoon cocktails.
Keeping things light and bright was pivotal, so Resene’s Half Copyrite paint provided a fresh finish on the floors. Furthering the sense of vastness in the double height space, the low-sheen finish of Resene Uracryl prevented glare and provided the ideal blank canvas for the thoroughly contemporary furnishings.
A long-standing passion for the industrial look of Crittall window frames led to the decision to create a steel framed glass boardroom that would become the office’s epicentre, an impressive room to host client presentations and meetings. With a desire to keep the space relatively informal, textured walls and artworks were used to imbue the room with an inviting warmth.
The boardroom’s built-in cabinetry, displays an eclectic collection of tchotchkes and books helped to curate a more relaxed atmosphere, with the final result offering a distinct departure from the traditionally austere corporate boardroom.
Left: Samsung’s Frame Television displays beautiful works of art in near perfect resolution. Right: The deep charcoal staircase, achieved using Resene Masala, creates an interesting focal point when juxtaposed with the white flooring and walls. Knoll’s Platner Table and Chairs and classic Fortuny floor lamp make an impact in the small meeting room.
Being the backdrop for many of Denizen’s most important meetings, a screen was a necessity for the boardroom and Samsung’s Frame television offered a revolutionary way to integrate the television into the room’s design without requiring a compromise on style. When not in use, the 55-inch TV displays works of art in near perfect resolution, while its built-in sensor works to balance the screen brightness and colour to create the impression of a naturally illuminated canvas. The screen artworks can be updated at the click of a button, to suit changing moods and styles.
To introduce a textural element to the large feature wall, we used Resene’s Rockcote Clay Plaster Decor. Beautifully fine with built-in marble dust that glistens when exposed to ambient light, the hand-applied, hand-finished plaster boasts a velvety smooth, suede-like finish that immediately injects the space with a tactile warmth. Aside from its obvious aesthetic qualities, this natural clay plaster is non-toxic and free from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) making it ideal for the long-term health of the building’s occupants.
The office kitchen is fully equipped with a full suite of Fisher & Paykel appliances
Designed purely with entertainment in mind, the expansive kitchen offers a complete fleet of innovative, Fisher & Paykel appliances — including a 127 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cabinet, an integrated CoolDrawer™, an Induction Cooktop and Built-In Oven, and an integrated double DishDrawer™ dishwasher — ensuring that Denizen remains well-equipped to host any event in style. The majority of the kitchen’s functional elements were housed behind large, bi-folding doors allowing for a swift transformation to hide any unsightly mess, should an unannounced visitor arrive.
Cementing the project’s underlying objective of creating an office that reflects the Denizen brand, the practical spaces, refined aesthetic, inherent functionality and purpose wrapped tidily in a glossy facade have resulted in the ideal space to call home.
At last week’s Heroes Gala, we were lucky enough to have acclaimed photographer Olivia Kirkpatrick onsite with a professional photo studio to create beautifully crafted snapshots of what proved to be a night to remember. Encouraging guests to pose for their very own portrait moment, it was with great skill and tireless patience that Kirkpatrick wrangled the keen masses into sophisticated poses to capture the finer details of everyone’s carefully curated getups.
All of the photos from Olivia’s studio are available to view and download here.
Many know Mimi Gilmour as the powerhouse hospitality name behind a number of Auckland’s most popular restaurants including Burger Burger and formerly, Mexico. Her entrepreneurial spirit has seen a new breed of casual dining emerge with more than half a million diners known to pass through her doors each year. While hers has become an iconic tale of a businesswoman crushing it in the hospitality industry, what many don’t know is how Gilmour is using her position to encourage young people to gain employment and develop an excellent work ethic. With a goal to be the best workplace for under-25s, she is committed to creating an engaged and energetic workforce via a programme called BB University which will create positive growth by way of incentivised financial opportunities and an unprecedented support network. Gilmour is leading by example and is positioning the hospitality industry as a viable career path for young people.
To read more about the inspiring journey of this entrepreneurial Hero, pick up a copy of the latest Denizen magazine, available now.
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