When you're scouting around for the latest soft or hard furnishing concepts and products for the home, and you just can't find what you're looking for, how often do you hear the shop assistant say in hope of making a sale, "Hold on a minute, I'll just check what's out the back"?
Invariably there is always some little hidden treasure that has just been loaded into store and hasn't made it to display in the front of the shop and you think, 'Gee I'm glad I asked, this is perfect'.
Over the coming weeks, months and years, well, depending on how my trusty legs look after me, I'll share with you the hidden treasures we land 'Out the back', before they make their way to the shops. I often travel the seven seas by air, to many different locations searching for unique time pieces which will take pride of joy in any home, small or large.
So what's out the back this week?
Well, I've just made it back in time for some cosy weather which has hit our shores. It looks like the brollies are no longer needed (fingers crossed) and its time to stoke the fires!
Mmmm, so the fire place is need of a revamp? Well it just so happens I took a little break in Queenstown N.Z. While I was there I couldn't help noticing the amazing use of stone cladding on exteriors and internals. So after investigating a little further I found out that the stone used is called schist and is in abundance in New Zealand. This is because the minerals and rock lavas that have been spewed out of the surrounding volcanic ridges have morphed into a densely packed stone, perfect for insulating and building materials.
So I couldn't bring back schist which needs a stone mason to erect but I did bring back the next best thing! Stone walling that looks and creates the same inspiration as the beautiful Amisfield winery and bistro http://www.amisfield.co.nz.
If you would like to know a little more about how to revamp your fire place or create the Amisfield look anywhere around the house or garden then email or post a comment and I will give you all the details.
