Fionna Hill and Craig Thorburn have Christmas in their blood.
Do you have a copy of ‘The Christmas Book’ published in
1990? That was the work of Fionna and Craig along with Jo
Seagar, Lynn Bryan and photographer John Pettit. It’s a bible
that’s still returned to every year for design ideas and favourite
recipes.
That was how Craig and Fionna first met and their paths have
crossed many times since in their work. By chance Craig and
Fionna have now each settled in Greytown and have put their
combined energy behind styling a house for the Hospice
Wairarapa Country Christmas.
Based in Auckland Craig participated in major projects throughout
New Zealand (including Louis Vuitton Cup Promotions, staging for
major functions at Villa Maria Winery, Huka Lodge, Arrowtown
Winter Festival, and Ellerslie Flower Show to name but a few.)
He has now opened a wonderful garden and interiors shop in
Greytown called ‘Grand Illusions’ and it’s also a base for his
design services and community work.
Fionna decided to leave the hustle and bustle of Auckland,
yearning for her own garden after many years of apartment
living. She chose Greytown for its trees, mountains, foraging,
the seasonal plants that will grow there, friendly rural lifestyle
and a chance to continue her writing in tranquility. Luckily for
us, she still wears her floral design hat. She trained as a
professional florist at the Constance Spry Flower School London.
The Christmas book led Fionna to write several more books
which have won international acclaim. They include Country
Style Flowers, and Celebrations, Stylish Food & Decorating
Ideas (this was collaboration with Jo Seagar).
Book subjects changed course when Fionna grew edibles -
including microgreens - on her small city balcony. Her popular
book, ‘How to Grow Microgreens, Nature’s Own Superfood,’ is
now in five languages. A Green Granny’s Garden, a Year of the
Good Life in Grey Lynn, is a diary of her first year as a novice
edibles gardener.
Now Fionna is working on her eighth book, this time on
foraging and Wairarapa is the perfect province for inspiration
with its defined seasons and rural roadsides.
In Auckland, she ran Fionna Hill, Floral Design in Parnell,
Auckland – a stunning lifestyle shop.
Fionna and Craig are both planning and looking forward
to creating Christmas designs in the interesting home they have
been allocated for Hospice Wairarapa Country Christmas.
http://www.hospicewairarapa.co.nz/event/hospice-wairarapa-country-christmas/
Do you have a copy of ‘The Christmas Book’ published in
1990? That was the work of Fionna and Craig along with Jo
Seagar, Lynn Bryan and photographer John Pettit. It’s a bible
that’s still returned to every year for design ideas and favourite
recipes.
That was how Craig and Fionna first met and their paths have
crossed many times since in their work. By chance Craig and
Fionna have now each settled in Greytown and have put their
combined energy behind styling a house for the Hospice
Wairarapa Country Christmas.
Based in Auckland Craig participated in major projects throughout
New Zealand (including Louis Vuitton Cup Promotions, staging for
major functions at Villa Maria Winery, Huka Lodge, Arrowtown
Winter Festival, and Ellerslie Flower Show to name but a few.)
He has now opened a wonderful garden and interiors shop in
Greytown called ‘Grand Illusions’ and it’s also a base for his
design services and community work.
Fionna decided to leave the hustle and bustle of Auckland,
yearning for her own garden after many years of apartment
living. She chose Greytown for its trees, mountains, foraging,
the seasonal plants that will grow there, friendly rural lifestyle
and a chance to continue her writing in tranquility. Luckily for
us, she still wears her floral design hat. She trained as a
professional florist at the Constance Spry Flower School London.
The Christmas book led Fionna to write several more books
which have won international acclaim. They include Country
Style Flowers, and Celebrations, Stylish Food & Decorating
Ideas (this was collaboration with Jo Seagar).
Book subjects changed course when Fionna grew edibles -
including microgreens - on her small city balcony. Her popular
book, ‘How to Grow Microgreens, Nature’s Own Superfood,’ is
now in five languages. A Green Granny’s Garden, a Year of the
Good Life in Grey Lynn, is a diary of her first year as a novice
edibles gardener.
Now Fionna is working on her eighth book, this time on
foraging and Wairarapa is the perfect province for inspiration
with its defined seasons and rural roadsides.
In Auckland, she ran Fionna Hill, Floral Design in Parnell,
Auckland – a stunning lifestyle shop.
Fionna and Craig are both planning and looking forward
to creating Christmas designs in the interesting home they have
been allocated for Hospice Wairarapa Country Christmas.
http://www.hospicewairarapa.co.nz/event/hospice-wairarapa-country-christmas/
Back, Craig Thorburn, Jo Seagar, John Pettit. Front, Donna Hoyle, Fionna Hill. 1989.