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The Whole Nine Yards
17 Blonde
DEB LEWIS (LEFT) AND LIANNE HARPHAM IN THEIR ECLECTIC MARTINBOROUGH STORE.
Julie Tulloch and Sophie McCoy
Deb Lewis & Lianne Harpham
Treasure trove which delights the eye
Natural fibre clothing made for New Zealand women
OWNERS
Always a joy to visit, ‘The Whole Nine Yards’ is the light and bright furniture and homewares store at 209 Chapel Street, Masterton. There is so much to look at and enjoy, it’s a visual feast. Furniture, cushions, faux flowers, drapery fabrics, clothing, wallpapers and artwork. So many gorgeous items to adorn your home. Everything is carefully selected by Sophie McCoy and Julie Tulloch who set up their business in 2016. Shopping for the store is mainly done at the National Gift Fairs held bi-annually. Both women have long been in the furnishing industry and it has a been a dream for the two friends to run their own store. They are like chalk and cheese in taste which somehow works to beautifully combine the eclectic mix of goods in the store. Sophie has a penchant for things ‘pretty and feminine’ while Julie prefers things on the ‘wild’ side. Sophie runs the store and specialises in customising the sofas. She has, at her fingertips, access to all manner of products. Julie drives the in-house curtain consultancy service and both women offer clients advice on colour co-ordination, be it for a room or a colour combination for an entire home. To add to the mix is the beautiful range of clothes by New Zealand designer Donelle Scott, who creates the funky, feminine ‘Lace’ brand “We like to support New Zealand made where we can.” A growing aspect of the business is the custom-made couches. To
create the ‘sit that suits’, customers can view the varied range of couches in store. These can be changed up by altering arm design, heights and seat width. Customers also choose the type of foam that suits them best, be it for a softer or firmer sit. “It really becomes a personalised piece of furniture to complement your home and lifestyle,” says Sophie. New looks are emerging in curtain fabrics too. There’s more natural linen, sheers and gorgeous floral patterns. “We are moving away from the monotone greys and whites which have been so popular in recent times,” says Julie. “Life is a mix of colours. It’s great to have colour in your world,” says Julie. “Colour makes us smile”. Julie was born and bred in Masterton and has raised three sons. Initially a hairdresser, she learned the soft furnishing trade at Levene in Masterton. Sophie also grew up in Wairarapa and spent two years in Wanganui at the Design School. She has a daughter and a son.
OWNERS
The name ‘17 Blonde’ came to Lianne Harpham and Deb Lewis when struggling to find a name for their brand of clothing. “It was 2017 and we’re both blondes. Easy!” And so Lianne, the former homeware store owner and Deb, the former IRD manager joined forces and began producing their unique brand of clothing. In August 2018, they opened their shop, 17 Blonde, in central Martinborough. So popular are some of their natural fibre dresses, that one customer admits to having a dress in each colour and it’s all she wears, they are so comfortable. Lianne and Deb are the designers and they use a small production house in Wellington. “We like to support our New Zealand artisans. We love garments that can be worn year round, a simple piece in summer, through to layers in winter.” Their linen fabric is sourced overseas, in Europe and Japan but then it’s all New
Among the array of treasures are some stunning Chinese cabinets which have captured the eye of both Sophie and Julie. These are original pieces from old China that have been restored, often highlighting the original painted design. Check them out along with all the other wonderful treats in this vibrant store.
beautiful home Make your home a
Drapes, blinds & sunscreens Furnishings & giftware Call in and see us 209 Chapel St, Masterton. P 06 370 8766 www.thewholenineyards.co.nz
Natural Fibre Clothing + Home Store
Open 7 Days 10am - 3pm 4 Kitchener Street Martinborough Ph: 06 3069069 www.17blonde.co.nz
Zealand designed and made. “We needed to obtain quality linen which will last. None of that thin stuff that wrinkles up badly after five minutes of wear.” says Lianne. Made from flax, linen can be thrown on the compost heap, when you have worn the garment out…….it’s so natural. They were living in Martinborough where Lianne owned a homeware store and Deb was a regular customer and they became friends. Both were sick of not being able to find comfortable, natural style clothing, so they decided to make their own. Their first production run had three styles made, a dress and two tunics. The ‘Bella’ dress was a winner from the start. Initially Lianne sold the garments from her homewares shop but it was soon obvious they needed to focus purely on their brand. Now, the clothing side is going so well, 17 Blonde has expanded into larger premises.