Our place: Decades of happy memories

Retro on Rushton, on Rushton Ave, Bureta, is a shop with pre-loved and up-cycled treasures created and managed by mother-of two Rachel MacPherson. Rachel and her family live in her old family home, behind the shop. The house holds an eclectic mix of retro items and design. She talks to Martine Rolls.

I love our home and have fond memories of growing up here. This is where I had my 16th and 21st birthdays, and Joe and I were married here. The house was built in the 50s and when we did the alterations, I wanted to make sure it was colourful and special.

"I have always loved the 1960s and 70s. I remember when I was really young, I asked my mum and dad to take the door off my room and replace it with an orange and brown beaded curtain.

"My mum was an avid flea-marketer, long before it became fashionable. She loved the community, especially the neighbourhood children, and was known as the Queen of Rushton. Being creative is in the genes. I don't buy anything retail.

"In 2009, I left my day job to help care for Mum as she suddenly became very ill. After she passed away, I found out I was pregnant with our second child. At the age of 45, I was 20 weeks pregnant without even realising it.

"Sammy was born in April 2010, and he arrived a month early. When our friends and family where here to celebrate my baby shower, I was rushed to hospital to have him. Sammy is 4 now, and our eldest son Eli is 10. Eli sleeps in my old bedroom, which has been completely rehashed.

"When we started refurbishing the house, we chose cork. It fits so well with the rest of the house, and acoustically it's great. Things don't break when you drop them either.

"The main colour is avocado green, and there is a lot of orange around. Orange is my favourite colour. The big orange circles on the wall are made from the glass that was in the original conservatory. We have used all sorts of materials from the old house, creating design details.

"Joe had a serious work accident last year. "He is recovering at home. Retro on Rushton is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and I juggle this with the children and work at Gregory, a boutique in town. Joe is able to help at the shop.

"Everything at Retro on Rushton is pre-loved but it is nothing like an op shop. There's furniture, clothing and accessories, and the items have a story. You don't get that when you shop online. My friends didn't quite get the concept at first but I had it in my head. Sanding, painting and gathering things became a way for me to work through grief.

"Now, the shop has turned into a bit of a destination. I have met a lot of lovely people who have become regular customers, and when they heard what happened to Joe, they have even cooked us meals. I find things at auctions, in op shops, and people are scouting for me. Dad also knows a lot of old cronies who are very proactive with what I'm doing. I clean things up, re-upholster and reframe.

"Sometimes I see something that is looking a bit sorry and I know I can fix it up."