New season furnishings

The Samarkand Designer's Guild range (see story below).

Classic Kiwiana

Wellingtonian Simon Manchester's personal collection is among the eclectic mix of decorative art that goes under the hammer this week at Webb's.

This opportunity to acquire pieces from Manchester's collection - amassed over 25 years - will relieve space at his large but overcrowded apartment.

"I've kept a few things, but the place was jammed full and I was running out of room," says Manchester, who has driven from Bluff to Kaitaia searching for pieces.

"The collection is about the wonderful, crazy, interesting things that have happened here in New Zealand.

"I have lots of things in the collection that are from other countries but they are as much a part of kiwiana as the pieces that are designed and made here. There was obviously something about them that struck a chord with people. Underneath that overtly conservative English background I believe there was something wild and colourful."

When Manchester started collecting, comparatively few other people seemed interested in the objects he fancied, but now there is a burgeoning interest in the decorative arts that reflect New Zealand's place in the world.

Webb's sale, on tomorrow and Saturday, features design classics from the 30s to the 80s, including furniture, glass, ceramics and collectables.

Affordable art

Photographic images printed on artist's canvas is the ideal way of upgrading from tired old poster prints without having to spend a fortune. Either buy a limited edition print, or have your own photo transformed into a work of art. Go to www.pureliving.co.nz

Turkish delight

Think Turkish harem, mix in a bit of French bordello and add a dash of luxe and you have the latest look from the Samarkand Designer's Guild range.

Inspired by the Silk Route, the Autumn 2005 range is a luxurious and extravagant collection of printed textiles that are rich and sumptuous.

Colours come directly from the silk route, from Imperial Venice to Constantinople, towards the Caspian Sea and then on through the fabled cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, across the Gobi Desert and into China. The tones range from soft sandy neutrals to rich cocoa and chocolate, grape and mulberry, chartreuse and bottle green, warm sky blues and amethyst, ruby and scarlet as well as black and white.

The art of wallpaper

The new wallpaper collection from boutique English company Cole & Son is finding its way into a growing number of design-savvy homes.

"Fashion and interiors are increasingly linked and this has been one of the sources of our inspiration for our latest collection," says Karen Beauchamp, Cole's design director.

"The papers in New Contemporary Two can be combined with those from our other collections such as broad and narrow stripes to create an individual look that suits modern or traditional interiors, in the same way that fashion blends elements of vintage, couture and high street style."

Cole's have also selected their most popular hand-printed designs in a collection entitled Classix, including Dorset, Dorset Flock and Paradise Tree.

Contemporary classic

The Holm sofa is now available exclusively at Bromhead Design. One of its own designs, the sleek sofa sits comfortably with the Auckland store's top-end contemporary furniture imported from Europe. The Holm ($4919 in Pasha fabric), which is also in demand from design-conscious consumers in Australia, is a relaxed style with a high back and wide arm detail. Perfect for relaxing at the end of the day.

Sitting pretty

Fans of Curtis & Clarke who are mourning the loss of their Ponsonby Rd store, which was closed after two burglaries, will be pleased to hear of the homeware brand's new summer collection.

Inspired by lazy days at the bach, the range includes these refreshing cushions that are relaxed without losing their contemporary edge.

Other Curtis & Clarke staples include their 100 per cent cotton New Zealand-made linen, featuring splashes of red. Scented candles, cards and Christmas decorations are also part of the growing range, which is available throughout New Zealand, including in Auckland at Allium in Newmarket and Macy Home in Ponsonby Rd.

Square patchwork cushion in red, white and beige (back right) $89; Egmont star flower screen printed cushion $89; red and beige striped cushion $69; and the Curtis and Clarke grey on white flower print (middle) $79.