Dynamic, versatile approach taking Queenstown’s Whitelaw Mitchell to new heights

Media release from Whitelaw Mitchell Two Queenstown-based creatives have today (Monday July 3) announced news of an exciting collaboration. Kimberly Whitelaw, 33, and Maranda Mitchell, 31, are joining forces to deliver a multi-disciplinary creative design studio as newly-branded Whitelaw Mitchell, renowned as the ‘littlest big agency’. Collaboration is at the very heart of the business…

Kimberly says both designers saw the partnership as a good opportunity to grow and evolve the existing Whitelaw Design business, founded in 2011.

“I’m thrilled that my business has gone from strength to strength since I ‘set up shop’ in Queenstown,” she says.

“Maranda has worked for me as a designer for the past eighteen months and I’m confident I’ve found a trusted business partner who complements my skillset and can help take the business to new heights.

“In an ever-changing digital environment, we’ve created an opportunity in a space not filled by traditional agency disciplines, and our dynamic and versatile approach will enable us to compete in a national creative market.”

Known as the brains behind former brand Whitelaw Design, Kimberly has worked as a graphic and web designer for ten years in Scotland, London and Queenstown.

Maranda said she doesn’t just design art, she consumes it 24/7.

“Our highly collaborative approach and our big city mentality in a small town is what works well for us,” she says.

“We’re ‘yin and yang’ in terms of our personalities, what we offer and even how we connect with our clients.

“The partnership has allowed us to expand on our skillsets, lean on each other’s strengths and take on bigger challenges.

“Our aim is to be pitching alongside big design firms nationally and internationally, with the nimbleness and flexibility that only a small agency can offer, giving our clients a more personable, honest collaboration.”

Maranda said she was ecstatic to be working with someone as talented as Kimberly, and describes her as “a critical part of the puzzle”.

With over 12 years’ experience designing for boutique agencies and large-scale firms in California including Pacific Communications and Baby Bird Communications, Maranda’s design exploration led her to New Zealand in 2015.

“I want to create a more influential impact and rattle a few cages in New Zealand’s design community,” she says.

“Art should be impactful, catch people’s attention and be open to interpretation.

“Kimberly and I both wear many hats – problem solvers, artists, thought leaders and successful women in business.

“For us it’s about being creative, pushing boundaries and we’ve got such a great opportunity to do this in Queenstown and further afield. The advertising agency world can be a bit old-school at times so we’re proudly females competing in this arena.”

Kimberly said their vision was to build a timeless, distinguished design agency, reflecting client brand ethos and delivering results beyond expectations.

“We’ll continue to build our client relationships through a personable and down-to-earth approach. We’re proud of every one of our clients, so thank you for growing with us,” she says.

“Times are changing. We’ve found our rhythm and we’re moving to it.”

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1/ The littlest big agency – Whitelaw Mitchell

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Major refurbishment for Holiday Inn Auckland Airport hotel

Media Release from Holiday Inn Auckland Airport Holiday Inn Auckland Airport today announced (June 27 2017) a full refurbishment of all public spaces, starting next month. The three-million-dollar redevelopment will transform the hotel’s public spaces, including the restaurant and bar, function rooms, hotel lobby, reception and swimming pool, to provide a more contemporary and tranquil…

Building on the heritage, community and cultural significance of the hotels location, creative design agency Designworks is tasked with drawing inspiration from New Zealand and Pacific to create a ‘welcoming heart’ for the hotel.

Keeping true to the Pacific heart and holiday concept, Vapor Restaurant will take on a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere with added bursts of colour, life and energy.

The properties Porte Cochere will get a clean and fresh new look thanks to new lighting, greenery and exterior panels.

Halo Bar will get a full structural refurbishment that includes the removal of existing floor and ceiling features, transforming the ground floor space. This will open up the bar to the new swimming pool deck where guests can sit back and enjoy a drink or casual bite to eat.

New furniture, flooring, light fixtures and artwork throughout will add a modern twist, creating spaces that are vibrant, inviting and unique.

Holiday Inn Auckland Airport is located just minutes from Auckland Airport terminals and all major motorways, and General Manager Scott Schaefer said the refurbishment would “revolutionise” guest and visitor experiences.

“We’re extremely excited to embark on this fantastic project to transform Holiday Inn Auckland Airport,” he said.

“The aim is to create an environment that’s not only an everyday escape for Aucklanders on business, but a home-away-from-home for anyone connecting to domestic and international destinations. We’re delighted with the design which is eye-catching but also warm and contemporary with a nod to cultural heritage.”

A mix of eclectic furniture including chunky timber communal tables and upholstered soft-seating furniture will be complemented by geometric timber cladding, purposely mismatched lighting and bold graphics for interior walls.

Existing Maori wood carvings, gifted by the local iwi, will be injected into the design and natural rope screens will create subtle dividers throughout the open plan space.

Stakeholders working on the redevelopment include Cockpit International, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Designworks, JSC Ltd and construction company Format.

Mr Schaefer said the comprehensive project and investment by building owners Cockpit International demonstrated their commitment to Auckland and New Zealand tourism.

“We look forward to connecting with our community for dining, weddings, ceremonies and family events, and acting as a hub for corporate conferences, seminars and events.”

Click here to visit Holiday Inn Auckland Airport’s website.

Picture caption: (Photo credit: Designworks)

1/ Relax and unwind – Holiday Inn Auckland Airport’s new look Vapor Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner

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Desirable design and unique artwork are hallmarks of the new Crowne Plaza Christchurch

Media Release from Crowne Plaza Christchurch Taking a very different approach to design and artwork, the new Crowne Plaza Christchurch is designed to bring a new, creative energy not only to the hotel but the heart of the city. The hotel will open on July 1 following renovation of the former office building, transforming it…

And complementing the hotel’s innovative interior, the work of New Zealand photographer Stuart Robertson – creator of the global project ‘Peace in 10,000 Hands’ — features prominently throughout the hotel’s public spaces and accommodation rooms.

The Designworks team recognised that Crowne Plaza Christchurch had an opportunity to be part of a new appreciation for hospitality, food and culture as the city reinvents itself.

“We were asked to do the work precisely because we don’t take a classic design approach,” architect Naomi Rushmer said.

“We thought a lot about the whole experience, how guests and visitors to the hotel will feel and use each one of the spaces within it. We thought about them arriving, resting, eating and working, and that all private and public spaces should provide the opportunity to experience each of these four things.

“We’ve done this by thinking how the hotel epitomises the new Christchurch, bouncing back with spirit and inventiveness, encouraging guests and visitors to make new connections in modern spaces buzzing with creative, contemporary energy.”

Ms Rushmer said a key element to the design of guest rooms was the multi-use window seat designed to ‘hero’ views of the city, coast, hills and the Southern Alps.

“We want guests to walk into the rooms and be simply drawn to the view,” she said.

Timber slat walls in the lobby and lower floors exude natural warmth and add a textural feel to the property.

One of the key design features of the lobby is a three-sided fireplace creating a warm ambience as guests and visitors enter the hotel.

“It’s very impressive, it adds some real drama and mood to the space, complemented by beautiful theatrical lighting,” said Ms Rushmer.

The collaboration between Crowne Plaza Christchurch and photographer Stuart Robertson showcases his Peace in 10,000 Hands project and stunning New Zealand scenery.

Started four years ago, the project aims to challenge and reinvigorate a global conversation about peace and create history through art. To date Stuart has travelled through over 50 countries to capture over 3,000 images of a single white rose. A timeless symbol for peace, his images show it held in the hands of people from every walk of life on the planet.

His images have exhibited worldwide, and he’s delighted to display a range of his works in the new hotel. The lift lobbies at each level also showcase different works, each one telling a different story of grace and wisdom.

“The feedback we’ve had so far has been very good, and people will imprint their own thoughts and impressions on each piece,” he said.

Not only do some of his striking images for the peace project draw in the viewer around the property’s public spaces, but his natural scenery works – close-up shots and aerial images of New Zealand’s South Island – are focal points in guest rooms.

The new Crowne Plaza Christchurch opens on July 1 on the corner of Colombo and Armagh streets opposite Victoria Square.

Click here to visit Crowne Plaza Christchurch’s website

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1/ Photographer Stuart Robertson’s evocative work is a highlight in lift lobbies and throughout rooms and public spaces at Crowne Plaza Christchurch

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Yonder – intriguing and diverse new venue comes to Queenstown

Media release from Yonder Plans for an exciting new café, bar and restaurant housed in Queenstown’s historic McNeill’s Cottage have been unveiled today (Thursday June 22). Queenstowners and visitors have come to expect nothing but eclectic offerings from the World Bar collaborators Steve Ward and Gary Livesey, and they’ve delivered yet again, even with the…

Yonder (over there but you can’t see it!) is set to be a fun place to visit on all levels – a cultural hub for locals and an inviting spot for visitors who like the odd indulgence, good coffee and a healthy lifestyle.

Renovations are well underway in the 1882 cottage which will house Yonder. The cottage itself is a bit of a time capsule, renowned for its enduring character and original thick stone walls.

Yonder’s scheduled to open in late July in an enviable downtown location in the heart of Queenstown.

Director Gary Livesey said it was extremely exciting to watch the next chapter of this history-filled building evolve.

“We’ve designed Yonder to be a concept that’s open to more than one interpretation, hence the ambiguous name!” he said.

“Our overall vision for the venue is to capture different audiences throughout the day, delivering a tailored experience for the purpose of your visit. We’ve put a lot of thought into the design of the space to create a morning to night ambience and offering.

“Our die-hard caffeine fiends and breakfast aficionados will find a new home for premium coffee and the ultimate dippy eggs.

“Lunch and brunch will be a step up from the classic Kiwi fare with shakshuka, adobo beef, blueberry short stack or a kimchi bowl to whet the appetites. There’s a big emphasis on healthy food and quality produce.

“Dinners are going to be a step in a different direction with a big emphasis on smaller dishes and sharing, although there’s plenty of mains if you’re in it for yourself.

“It’s sure to be the perfect spot for socialising, functions, large-scale music events, or a little bright sanctuary for locals to unwind after a busy day.”

Malaysian-born head chef Jamie Samarakkody has designed menus for social sharing, with a diverse and accessible mix of new food lover options.

Yonder will serve Atomic Coffee Roasters barista coffee and stock some of New Zealand’s finest beers including Dunedin’s Emerson’s craft beers and Wellington’s Panhead Custom Ales.

The liquor cabinet will showcase an interesting gin collection, amongst other top shelf items. The bar will offer a carefully selected wine list and an impressive cocktail list for those feeling a little fancy.

Once the sun fully sets, Gary said the venue will focus on bringing original and interesting acts, performances and events to Queenstown’s CBD.

“Our vision for Yonder is to become the go-to spot for stand-up comedy, touring performance shows, up-and-coming artists and mainstream acts,” he said.

“We want to showcase each artist in an intimate gig with incredible sound and light production. We should be able to cater for six to seven-piece acts.”

The historic cottage was built in 1882 by Scottish stonemason James McNeill and has been a hospitality destination since the early 1990’s when it housed Queenstown’s first microbrewery.

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1/ Renovations are underway for Queenstown’s McNeill’s Cottage which will house new café, bar and restaurant Yonder

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