"A more beautiful yacht doesn't exist" ~ Hilary Swank

New Zealand is a unique blend of cultures.  In fact, travel to New Zealand will expose you to a Pacific Rim melting pot that is virtually unlike any other country on earth.  A merging of indigenous Maori culture, European and Pacific immigration has created a culture known for natural beauty, artisans, rough-and-tumble rugby players and world renowned craftsmen, like those who make New Zealand Sheepskin products.

The predominate immigration influences were created by infusing English and Irish people onto the New Zealand mainland.  After World War II, New Zealand experienced a dramatic increase in Pacific Rim immigration; the mixture of these three or four cultures has produced one of the most interesting places on earth.

The native culture (Maori) is committed to the natural beauty of the country and equally dedicated to appreciating what the natural world has to offer.  Outdoor sports are emphasized and many of these people make their livings off the land.  The laid back Maori culture would seem to clash with modern day European influences but those have created their own niche in the country’s social folklore.

Cultural Identity and Reputation

Those cultures are best known for the three “R”:  Rowdy, Rugby and beer.  This reputation was created during World War II when New Zealand soldiers made a name for themselves by socializing more than your average soldier.  Their reputation has created a culture whose identity is heavily weighted in favor of drinking, horse racing, gambling, rugby and generally, the stereotypes of “men’s men” with a healthy appreciation for the natural beauty of their fellow New Zealand females.

Outdoor sports contribute heavily to the perspective of the average New Zealander, with an equally strong preference for participating in the sports as opposed to merely being a spectator.  This has served to bolster the image of the rugged New Zealander, perhaps beyond what is fair, but it is accurate on the whole.  None of the various populations are known for shyness or for being terribly uptight.

An acceptance of ‘what is’ is a hallmark of the New Zealand Culture.  “She’ll be right mate” is a popular phrase used that is often taken as a sign of carelessness or lack of thought.  In actuality, this is firmly entrenched in the belief that everything has a purpose and will work out as it is intended in the end.

The Importance of Earth and Perspective

Many New Zealanders make their living off the land so the visitor can also expect them to be more rugged in the countryside than in the cities, but overall, its countrymen/women are all built of healthy and sturdy stock.  The combination of a rough-and-tumble attitude and an acceptance of life as simply being has led to a merging of native and immigration cultures and a collaboration among all involved to preserve the national reputation for fun.  Another factor that greatly influences each groups approach is an almost reverent appreciation for the land and its beauty.

That appreciation flavors just about every New Zealander’s approach to life.  It does make them a little more boisterous than most of us.  One should not be weary or easily offended if visiting this gem of a nation, but rather should adopt the prevalent attitude that what happens will happen.

Sculptural art has always held a place in our hearts and our homes. Over the years, sculpture in the home has taken many forms. In the Art Deco era of the 1920’s and 1930’s, it was statues of flapper women with large Bourgeois dogs. In the 1950’s, statuesque art got a little kitschy with figural lamps, mantel top statues and large yard art statuary. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, art sculptures became larger than life as free form pieces made from metals such as copper, steel and bronze. The interesting thing about all these trends is that no matter which era, you can find these collectible items in homes today. In fact, they are also hot selling items on eBay and in traditional auction houses. Times may change and trends may vary, but sculptural art is always in style, always collectible and always a great investment.

With the world returning to more natural and renewable materials, wood sculptures in the most dramatic and aesthetic of forms have burst onto the art scene and they are highly sought after. Not like the mountain man of yesteryear, who sit on his front porch and widdle miniature masterpieces with a piece of wood and a pocket knife. Modern masters, taking a cue from these talented artists of yesterday, have elevated wooden sculpture art to a whole new level.

All of us have our own sense of style and preferred décor, whether that is contemporary or traditional. The question then becomes one of balancing warmth with luxury in your everyday home décor. You want to create a setting that is warm and inviting, but many people think this means you have to sacrifice style and elegance. You also want your décor to speak of class and taste, but you do not want it to be sterile, rigid, uncomfortable or cold.

The question of balancing luxury and warmth has not just been a question that has perplexed homeowners. Hotels and resorts have struggled with what to incorporate into their décor that speaks of elegance, but still is a place people will want to hang out. The choices made are often a compromise that mixes the two, with the result sometimes looking awkward and uninviting.

The trick to creating warmth and luxury is to choose products that are both luxurious and comfortable. A sheepskin rug or sheepskin pillows are great examples. Other good examples are couches and chairs that have elegant straight lines and muted patterns but also have cushions that allow for a comfortable sit or recline, such as overstuffed and down filled. As you shop around just ask yourself if this item feels cold or warm to you and most likely it will enhance your surroundings in the same way - cheers to comfort and as always, luxury!

Image this room showing the hardwood floors without the sheepskin rug that brings in the comfort and warmth.

Since virtually the beginning of time, fire has played an immense role in human survival. As humans evolved in terms of social, cultural, survival and wealth generation skills, humans began to look at fire as less an essential, life giving tool and more and more as an important, but enjoyable amenity. Fireplaces that provided heat, light and cooking are now mostly used for decorative purposes, camp fires that used to keep settlers, trappers and hunters alive are now places to pass a romantic evening or tell ghost stories and the outdoor grill is pretty much reserved for tasty vitals on holidays, during the summer and other special occasions.

The same could be said for the outdoor fire pit. Fire pits used to be functional appliances that smoked meat, cooked large meals or allow nomadic tribes to smoke the fruits of their hunting trips. Now, fire pits are used primarily to help us pass time in our backyards on quiet evenings when the cozy warmth of a fire gives us a pleasing sense of relaxation, ease and comfort.

This year, take your garden from dull to dramatic; from the ho-hum syndrome to the WOW factor! Whether the garden is for growing herbs, creating an outdoor sanctuary or simply a space to enjoy your favorite plants and flowers, we all enjoy spending time planning, assembling and maintaining our garden, not to mention the time spent enjoying the fruits of our labor! Take a walk around your neighborhood and you will find that most gardens look the same. This is primarily because most people overlook an important aspect of creating focal gardens; adding and displaying unique urns and statuary. This is the keystone to create a visually appealing garden space that offers various points of interest at different heights using color, texture and shape.

The ‘average’ garden has vases and planters that are dispersed throughout the garden and utilized to grow plants, display rocks or just for decorative reasons. They are usually very sturdy, made out of thick plastic, ceramic or concrete. Using an urn to display special flowers or plants calls attention to them when people wander around the garden. If you want a garden that is anything but average, you need to think outside the box when it comes to urns, pots and statuary.

To be dramatic in your garden, you might want to consider infusing colorful pottery. Large Majolica Italian pottery including; vases, umbrella stands and Orcio urns made in Italy make exceptional planters; giving a tall, sleek appearance and a burst of distinct and luxurious color. Pottery from Deruta and urns are also a great choice, and since they are available in different sizes, you could easily create a grouping of outstanding potted flowers in varying heights and shapes. Adding colorful pottery to your garden means that you don’t have to rely on flowering plants to provide vibrancy and color intensity in your garden. Especially in early spring and late autumn, when blooms are at a minimum, Italian pottery urns and vases can work to add shots of color all over the garden.

Al Fresco is an Italian style of dining; painting or room arrangement that incorporates a “live” atmosphere. It uses colors and outdoor mood to set an environment that promotes fresh air, relaxation and refinement, as only the Italian can do. Typically, the Al Fresco garden is a creation that allows people to dine in leisure, savoring fresh food, surrounded by lush plant life, lots of fresh air and serenaded by a mood enhancing fountain or other source of running water. Mention Al Fresco dining to most people and the image that immediately comes to mind is one of a glorious dining experience set on a secluded patio, deck or rooftop, complete with a splendidly set dining table, fabulous foods, a fountain running in the background and lush plant life surrounding the outdoor eating space.

The first step to converting your outdoor space is to assess the levels of ambient noise that will permeate the area. If you live in a city, you will never be able to totally eradicate noise, but you can, with careful planning, reduce that noise to a low din. By pre-determining the level of noise that naturally exists in your environment, you can then decide the types of “noise” reducers that you will need to drown them out and create an atmosphere that resembles a fresh air dining space from eras past. Trellises covered with lush vines also acts as a clever noise barrier. For a more permanent effect, you may want to consider a wall made of Italian brick or stucco. If you take this route, consider building in a couple of shelves on which you can place interesting potted flowers or Italian pottery for a true Italian feel. You will find a fabulous selection of authentic Italian dinnerware for your dining experience at Upside Living.

We found this charming setting to be the perfect Al Fresco dining example for your backyard at Chris the Cook website. Be sure to check out his delicious recipes while you’re there. Enjoy!

My wife and I enjoy animal causes and support a boisterous pack of dogs in our home, so I’m a sucker for pet events and charities.  At a recent Dog Walk and festival to support the local animal shelters, I found a wonderful dog-themed wine, Fred’s Red from McNab Ridge winery.

My tastes run to fruit forward reds lately, so this blend of Syrah and Zinfandel caught my attention.  It didn’t hurt that the label on the bottle featured a sheepdog in a red bandanna with his head cocked in my direction.  I am a sucker for a cute dog, so I couldn’t and didn’t resist.

Fred’s Red is a great young wine with lots of fruit and tang.  It’s still very young, but according to the winery not intended to age in the bottle.  It’s for drinking now with food and friends.  Try it with spicy fun foods like fish tacos, veggie pizza, or Greek salads.

You’ll find it fresh with a rich purple hue and good legs on the bowl of the glass.  Breathe deeply and you’ll catch scents of blackberry and rosemary.  Swirl it around your mouth and tongue, and you will enjoy full body and lots of fruit.  It’s crisp and clean with no lingering smoke or pepper.  Spice teases but doesn’t overwhelm.

Spend $16 or so on a bottle and you won’t be disappointed.  Spend $20 by buying it at a wine shop that donates to pet charities and you’ll enjoy knowing that you have helped Fred’s cause, too.

Imbibe and enjoy!

Rampant Oenophile