This week we chat with the lovely Rebekah, creator of Annise Designs. We discuss her diverse career, family life and NZ favourites. Cooper Interiors loves the use of candles in a home to make for a softer and more relaxing environment, especially in the colder months! Make sure you try the coconut lime scent, it's our favourite!
Can you describe why you decided to name of your business Annise?
The name 'Annise' is special to me because that is my middle name (although spelt different but pronounced the same 'an niece'. We also gave our daughter the middle name 'Annise' so it is significant to our family.
Can you tell us a bit about your background? Have you always been creative?
I originally trained as a Registered Nurse so have worked in this field for the majority of my life. Since having my second baby I have taken a break from nursing and am loving being at home, being a Mum.
My main creative outlet (apart from making my candles) would be my garden. We have about 2 acres and alot of this is garden, veges, and fruit trees. I am influenced by cottage gardens but also love NZ Natives. I have recently planted a flower picking garden and would love to learn more about arranging flowers. There are so many amazing creative freelance florists in the Hawkes Bay that I am inspired by. I like the idea of the slow living moment. I try to grow as much as I can at home.
Are you working on anything new currently?
I am trialling working with different scents / fragrances (mixing / matching) and would like to come up with my own signature scents for my candles rather than 'off the shelf' ones eventually. I love the scent of peony so would like to use that smell in future candles.
What does your work place look like?
My partner moved a large shipping container onto our property for me, which is great for storing the candle equipment like the soy wax, vessels, accessories etc. My partner is an engineer so if I need anything like shelving I am lucky he can make me just about whatever I ask for. I hand pour the candles in my own kitchen. At the moment it doesn't matter if I make a mess with wax in there because the kitchen is very old but will finally being replaced this month. We have been renovating our cottage off and on for 7 years!
What is your favourite fragrance?
Probably 'Coconut Lime' or 'Vanilla'.
Who is your favourite NZ creative and why?
I really love to support NZ made, small business and local whenever possible. For me that means shopping in and supporting my closest town of Waipawa. It's important to me to shop small and I love to shop at my local organic shop and butchers.
I have so many NZ favourites;
Clothing: Kowtow
Body care: Real World NZ (hand cream, body lotion, lip care etc)
Artists: Sophie Melville, Billy Culy, Rennee Boyd Ceramics and Jodie Wilson of 'and she flew'
Eateries: Pipi Resturant (in Havelock North), Mister D's (in Napier)
Shops: Cauliflower Goods (in Havelock North), Papillon Clothing (in Havelock North) Blackbird Goods (in Napier).
All Imagery is credited to Rebekah Burton. To shop Annise Designs please visit annisedesigns.co.nz.
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