Our Place: Life in a 'big, warm hug'

Tauranga artist Memphis Robson-Frentz lives in a historical home on Fifth Ave. It was built in 1882 by John Cuthbert Adams and extended later to comfortably accommodate his family of 10 children.
As told to Martine Rolls

What I love most about the Taiparoro Mansion is that it is so old. It's one of Tauranga's oldest family homes and, throughout the years, it's always been full of people. That's why it radiates warmth and positive feelings. You feel that as soon as you walk in the door. It's like the house gives you a big, warm hug.

I moved into it five years ago when I needed a place to recover and heal. I was struggling with my health and was dealing with some life-changing issues at the time.

This home became my safe haven.

The lounge is one of my favourite spaces as it is eclectic but still a very tranquil place. My artwork is all around me here. It is bright and uplifting.

You have a great outlook through the large glass windows to the gardens and the native bush outside.

It's a perfect spot to relax for a while and cuddle up, but it's also big enough for entertaining.

I'm sure that many great get-togethers and parties have been hosted in this room over the years. This is a very social house.

Memphis Robson-Frentz in her historic house, Taiparoro Mansion. PHOTOS/ANDREW WARNER

My studio and the gallery next to it are my other favourite spaces. The studio is also a large room, and that's where I work most days on my paintings. I sew and make jewellery there as well.

My designs are colourful and funky and I make cushions, dresses, jewellery, tote bags and homeware, as well as prints and original paintings.

They can be found in the Aroha Design Store or on www.memphis.co.nz

People are always welcome to visit my gallery and have a look around. It's part of the house, but the entrance is just around the corner.

The gardens are a bit of a jungle at the moment and it's a bit to keep up with, but I enjoy pottering about in them.

It is very colourful out there at the moment. Lots of the tropical plants are in bloom right now.

I'm planning to have the gardens featured during the Tauranga Garden & Arts Festival again this year.

I don't mind that I can only call a small part of this big house my own space.

It's not just a home for me, you see, it's a home away from home for others, too.