• Blake Allnutt, Blake's Providore.
  • Jo Rogers, Jardin Outdoor Furniture.
  • Vanessa Judd, The Fairy Light Shop.

Living outdoors at home

Outdoor at Home Q&A feature

Vanessa Judd

Vanessa Judd and her family have lived in Milford for nearly 13 years and they love how close they are to the beaches, cafés, family and friend. Vanessa works at The Fairy Light Shop in Takapuna and loves the diversity of her job, from interior consulting to marketing and so much more.

Tell us about your favourite outdoor activity during the summer?
We find living on the North Shore during summer has so many outdoor community events to be involved in like outdoor concerts, movie nights, the Beach Series, markets etc which we enjoy being involved in. We love the community atmosphere. 

What outdoor area of your home do you enjoy the most in summer, and why? 
I would have to say our courtyard in summer where I can enjoy peace and quiet with a glass of wine and a good book.

What is an essential feature/tool/piece of equipment you can’t do without at home in summer, and why?
This would have to be the barbecue, as this makes summer life so easy and I love how it brings friends and family together.

Do you have an outdoor project you hope to complete this summer?
We have acquired my husband’s grandparents' home-built caravan which is need of some attention inside and out. We have decided to involve the kids with the process as an on-going family project.

Where do you love to explore in your own neighbourhood?
As many locals would agree, we think the coastal walk from Milford to Takapuna is something special which the whole family, including Barkley our dog, loves to explore most weekends.

 

Jo Rogers

Jo Rogers is the co-owner of Jardin Outdoor Furniture which is the New Zealand partner for French outdoor brand Fermob. Its contemporary, colourful showroom is based in Rosedale, Albany, so they spend a lot of time on the Shore but live in Manly on the Hibiscus Coast.

Tell us about your favourite outdoor activity during the summer?
My favourite activity in the summer is eating outdoors with family and friends – breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and aperitifs are all served outdoors whenever the sun is shining!

What outdoor area of your home do you enjoy the most?
My kitchen garden, that includes a lovely paved dining area under the plum tree. It gets all-day sun and is the best spot to sit and relax in the afternoon. Plus, I love being able to grow at least some of our own fruit and vegetables.

What is an essential feature/tool/piece of equipment you can’t do without at home in summer, and why? 
My watering system is absolutely essential – without it my kitchen garden would not survive.

Do you have an outdoor project you hope to complete this summer?
We are now the proud owners of an old cast-iron claw-foot bathtub. Hopefully by the height of the summer it will be plumbed in and installed on a new outdoor deck where we can enjoy a glass of wine in the bath on a summer evening. This is just one of many outdoor projects on the list – there is always an outdoor project brewing in our household!

Where do you love to explore in your own neighbourhood? 
The Auckland regional parks – any and all of them – plus the gorgeous beaches that line the North Shore from Cheltenham all the way up to Wenderholm.

 

Gavin Leonard

Gavin Leonard lives in Northcote with his wife of 24 years, Leanne, and now works in the real estate industry for Unlimited Potential following a police career. He loves the outdoors, and entertaining and socialising with friends and the neighbours. He has two adult children still living at home and Tucker the fawn pug who runs the household.

Tell us about your favourite outdoor activity during the summer?
Entertaining friends, cooking on the barbecue, learning to use my new Oklahoma Joe smoker. Plus tennis, swimming and relaxing in and around the pool when I’m not at work.

What outdoor area of your home do you enjoy the most?
Out by the Tiki lounge, our Bali-inspired covered area where I’ve got the stereo wired up so we can play our favourite music and chill out with a vodka soda.

What is an essential feature/tool/piece of equipment you can’t do without at home in summer, and why? 
The barbecue is the mainstay of summer activities, with the slow cooking of ribs/pork cuts either on the gas barbecue or the smoker. You can’t beat the flavours that you get from the grill.

Do you have an outdoor project you hope to complete this summer?
Looking at re-thatching the Tiki lounge roof as it’s time to upgrade. Artificial thatch seems a likely material as it’s more eco-friendly and lasts longer than natural thatch.

Where do you love to explore in your own neighbourhood? 
Le Roys Bush area is great for walking the dog along with walks around Northcote Point to the famous 'Troff".

 

Blake Allnutt

Blake Allnutt is the owner and chef at Blake’s Providore in Milford. He recently returned to New Zealand after 15 years abroad and is loving being back home. Currently he lives Orewa and loves living and working beachside, especially in summer. 

Tell us about your favourite outdoor activity during the summer?
During summer I really enjoy getting outside and playing golf. We are so lucky with how beautiful and natural the courses are here and how many great ones we have to hand. My other favourite activity is to entertain friends and family and barbecueing. There’s nothing better than a summer’s evening and firing up a real charcoal barbecue, taking your time to cook, chat and enjoy all the great food and wine New Zealand has to offer.

What outdoor area of your home do you enjoy the most?
Most definitely the deck, pool and barbecue area.

What is an essential feature/tool/piece of equipment you can’t do without at home in summer, and why? 
A real charcoal barbecue is a must and if you can, a good wood-fired oven too. I haven’t got one here yet but hoping to import one from my previous catering company that I was head chef of in the United Kingdom. ‘Blistering’ makes an amazing line of home wood-fired ovens.

Do you have an outdoor project you hope to complete this summer?
Really I’m just hoping to explore more of New Zealand in the summer, getting out and traveling around my own backyard - something I haven’t done a lot of lately.

Where do you love to explore in your own neighbourhood? 
Wherever there is good food and wine! I love exploring and finding new bars and restaurants.


Issue 103 October 2019