Alana Broadhead-Fryer of Waihi Beach homeware store Sunday explains why good design goes hand in hand with sustainability.
You are a designer, writer and retailer. How did you kick off your career in design?
I’ve been passionate about design since I can remember – even at school I kept a sketchbook of ideas for things like furniture and jewellery. I was a copywriter, then art director in the advertising/marketing world for many years, and over that time, I started a popular design blog, curating the best of New Zealand design.
How do you apply sustainability to your work?
Along with all the important basics, such as low-impact packaging and recycling, we intentionally prioritise design that is sustainable by two definitions – having longevity and being consciously made. In terms of longevity, it’s about buying less but better – quality over quantity. Longevity also means curating products that, while contemporary, have a timeless quality about them. We want you to find something at Sunday that you will use and love for decades. Good design also supports people and the planet. We love handmade items and products made here in New Zealand because they tend to be more consciously produced and use less resources. Plus it supports fellow creatives in our own country.
Inside Sunday at Waihi Beach
You are an avid follower of New Zealand designers. The local design aesthetic has traditionally been very pared back – is this changing?
A little. The current international interior trend toward uber-curvy, bold, sculptural forms has begun to make its way into the New Zealand design language. And at the same time, the general public is getting much braver with their style expression at home.
Beauties for the bedroom, including Oneiros, a limited-edition print by Brijana Cato.
What does living well at home mean to you?
One of our mantras here is ‘design is the art of living well’ – the idea that we can design spaces for the life we want to live. Our homes can both inspire and actively support us to live our best lives and show up as our best selves. Beyond just looking good, design has the ability to change how we feel, to improve our lives, to give our days more joy and meaning, and even change the way we see ourselves.
What’s a design principle you could suggest to someone who is furnishing on a budget?
Slow down. Good things take time. Building a house may have a deadline, but creating a home is a long game. Allowing your space to evolve also allows for our own personal style to evolve. Taking time tends to mean more creative, unique style solutions; less impulse, splurge and trend purchases; and a natural pull to quality over quantity. Layering a space slowly also helps you see more clearly when you’ve reached ‘enough’.
Linen laundry basket
What are the essential components of a well-designed living room?
What do you want to do – or what sort of person do you want to be – in this specific space? How do you want to feel? The answers are your essential guiding principles. Beyond this, I think there are only two must-haves: comfy seating and beautiful lighting.
What do you enjoy about living and working in your region?
Sometimes we say we live at Waihi Beach, but work in the world. We love that we get to enjoy the slow pace of this little beach village, while also having an online store and other projects (like my book, Our Spaces) that can reach design-lovers anywhere. We also love seeing all the gorgeous new builds popping up, as more and more people are making a similar sea change.
sundayhomestore.co.nz
