Tree Stump

This is an intriguing way to disguise an old tree stump. This lovely wooden picnic table was outside a real estate agents premises in Foxton

Dog

This fearsome beast is half of a pair guarding the driveway of a Foxton beach residence.  Casting concrete animals is a dying art that I hope makes a come back with the whole retro revival thing going on. I'm sure there is interest out there. Talking with the owner of the 'dog', she said they had had many people wanting to purchase these ornaments. Our garden has a couple of concrete critters that occasionally make an appearance. One is a fawn, the other is a yellow rabbit. I'll break out the camera next time they are spotted.

Food

Chowing down on fresh simple food outdoors with family and friends on a warm summer evening is about as good as eating gets. I'm sure it's something primal. Maybe we feel closer to nature because we aren't cocooned by the perceived safety of four walls. Just as an aside, the lettuce that prawns are nestled on is a variety called 'Iceberg' apparently it is the preferred type for many prawn salad fans. I have been begged to grow it at home. I have yet to find the seed or seedlings anywhere.

Hydrangeas

Blue and pink hydrangeas in conjunction with old timber and corrugated iron, a truly fine visual combination.

Toilet

I'm sure I'm going to get in trouble one day for taking pics inside public toilets.
The example above is in central Napier.
This type of private public interior decor appeals to my sense of the humble. It doesn't get much recognition, yet I'm sure it is much more important to a lot of people than the latest, flashiest pieces of architectural 'brilliance'.
Matching the colour of the toilet paper packs with the tile walls is a nice touch.

Gallery/Cafe

We visited 'The Photographers Gallery, Hawke's Bay' in Napier, what a great space, the walls are painted black, not the usual white. Inside the gallery is a cool retro style cafe called the 'Kitchen Table'.
Great coffee, great food, great service. I particularly like the black-board wall in the bottom pic, so good to have an interactive activity that doesn't rely on some sort of screen and people can leave there mark/comments/thoughts. Also in the bottom pic customers from Christchurch admire an inspiring collection of greeting cards also from Christchurch.

Colour

It would be sad to live in a world where people were afraid of colour. I'm informed it's the thing to do to lather ones nails with a couple of different colours. I enjoy the cupboard doors in the bottom pic. They are painted in what was known as 'Kelly Green' it was all the rage in the 1970's. I was given the opportunity to paint the toilet at our house when I was at high school. I chose 'Kelly Green'. The moment I left home the toilet was repainted. I think that was a wise decision.

Decor

This little 'Handymans Dream' was an abandoned farm house on Grae's ancestral farm/home. Places like this are so exciting to come across, I could spent hours fossicking around. I particularly like the green enamel coal range. It's always a good idea to have some heating and cooking option that doesn't rely on electricity. After power was cut to so many houses and businesses in Christchurch after the big earthquakes, I have become very very wary on relying on only one source of energy.

Farmer

All the farmers I've met have the same hands. Large, strong and a bit gnarly. They sometimes scare me.

Carpets

A couple of great 1970's carpets meet in a doorway. Reminds me a bit like the zone where two rivers meet.