giddygiraffe

2010-08-01T15:41:00.002+12:00

Check out this gorgeous farmyard room theme. Thanks to Faye for sharing her design for baby no.1. The farm scene are wall decals, removable and repositionable. 72 in total. im in love with them. Such an easy way to completely transform a room.

2010-07-02T18:10:00.002+12:00

Why my whole world has changed!

Lately I’ve had emails from customers wanting to know when our retail store is going to reopen, so I thought it was time to share………..

A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The shock was huge and devastating to me and my family, much of which lives overseas. Everyone’s initial reaction was one of shock and I know they were thinking two things (1) you’re a dead women and (2) those poor kids (Miss 3 and 7) ….and why shouldn’t they I thought the same thing too, I don’t want my kids to grow up without a mum, I’m selfish, I’ve invested too much into them already to not reap the rewards now they’re older and so damn cute!

Sitting in the doctors office sobbing my heart out, I truly didn’t take anything in apart from the word rare, which as it turns out it isn’t – it is a rarer kind but not ‘never’ seen before. After quick phone calls to close relatives before word got out we set about a series of tests to determine the extent of it all and what treatment was best. Through it all I had to maintain my smiley face at work each day and then at home each night in front of the kids…. it was hard!

Treatment was swift, within 3 weeks I was in hospital having a full hysterectomy. What a horrendous operation! Less said about that!!! A week in hospital and then back home for 6 weeks recovery. My mom flew over to look after the family and of course there were business decisions which needed to be made as well.
The short space of time left me no option but to close the retail store allowing me time to recover completely and just operate online.

There was a lot of thinking time on that couch and what I decided was my life was so so so jam packed every minute of the day with work, kids, cooking….life really…we all do it…but I wondered why. So I’ve decided to stop!
It’s just not worth it and to tell you the truth I never enjoyed the rushing everywhere all the time just to get to the next thing when really the next thing isn’t important at all.

So here I am 6 weeks on from the op and making some life changing decisions, which are long overdue.

I have decided to keep the online store active and close the retail side as well as scaling down all our retailers in NZ and OZ and keep it a bit more exclusive with a select few– the reality of the situation is that 90% of our business has always been and still is online, as we started as an online business, now we just need to perfect that!

Cancer is the single most gut wrenching word to hear and the instant panic that it causes is awful. Once the dust settles and with a little more information at hand from specialists (and not Mr Google!!!!!!!!) you get a better grip on things and actually focus on what you need to do to survive.
People tell me I’m lucky, it’s been caught early enough that further treatment is not needed. I don’t feel lucky, I feel like I’ve cheated all those other cancer sufferers who aren’t with us today and my thoughts are always with those families!

The support from my family and friends as well as some awesome business friends has been unbelievable and it’s thanks to them that I have stayed strong. On the whole I’m in a good place now.

In the meantime, we’re in the process of moving back to my home studio, which is a beautiful relaxed and creative environment. The warehouse will still be used for all our storage and packing and all furniture production has been outsourced.

So that means, there are some giveaway bargains on ex shop stock and all our outlet store seconds/samples are being added to the new online OUTLET STORE, so feel free to stop by and snap them up as there are usually only one of each item. Here's the link Online Store

All unsold furniture items will be listed on TradeMe if they aren’t sold by Sunday, as I need to clear the space.

I’m feeling creative again, so all customized artworks, drawer knobs and other creations are now available again, so feel free to drop me a mail, even if it’s just to say hi

x

Makeover March - Redecoration

2010-03-03T12:26:00.005+13:00

Finally redecorated Kates room - from the dark purple to a bright and breezy white with gorgeous pink and lime accessories but in a slightly older girl style - she's almost 7!
Linen: Treehouse Pretty Petal Range
Wall stickers: Sticki Tiki
Floor Rug: Giddy Giraffe
Art+Bookends: Giddy Giraffe - hand painted

2009 hottest colour chart reviewed

2010-02-11T21:29:00.004+13:00

Well the results are in. Our no.1 interior design colour from 2009 was....pink....yip girly wirly princess pink! It's one of the hottest debated colours, its either a yay or a big nay for many mums. But truly at the end of the day it's still the hottest kids (girls) interior design colour for this past year. Followed a close second by white, which we'll review in the coming week.

2009 Hottest Kids Interior Design Colours
1. Pink
2. White
3. Red
4. Lime
5. Blue

So where do you sit?

Photo Montage: L to R.
- Bunting http://giggleberry.etsy.com
- Lamp www.giddygiraffe.com
- Giraffe Wall decals www.stickytiki.co.nz
- Name sign & wall hook www.giddygiraffe.com
- Wooden names www.fudgedesign.co.nz
- Personalised fairy painting www.allsmilez.com

2010-02-09T09:47:00.004+13:00

Have you seen the latest YOUR HOME AND GARDEN? One of our fab customers has her gorgeous home on display complete with wooden letters (for Olivers room) from us.

Magnetic Memo Boards

2010-02-03T20:14:00.012+13:00

I’m always on the lookout for unique decor products, especially hand made items that combine quality and design flair. We all love to store (personally my fridge looks like its about to take off with all the fluffs of paper attached to it!) so I was excited to see these. A contemporary twist on the classic memo board these magnetic boards are fabric covered in designer trends with 4 matching magnets, so now not only will I have more space to ‘magnetise stuff’ it’ll look cool, hip, chic and in vogue!

2009-04-04T21:47:00.001+13:00

Happy Easter! Our design store will be closed until Monday 27th April. Our online store will still be open with orders being processed week commencing 27th April.

Gorgeous new floor rugs

2009-03-05T19:23:00.006+13:00

Beautiful vibrant colours, these cotton hand woven rugs add an instant designer sparkle!

Pit Pot Paint

2009-02-07T14:46:00.007+13:00

A busy painting week, a hint of the latest inspirations are here. Beautiful, bright, bold colours. Click this link to see the rest.... http://www.giddygiraffe.com/shop/Wall+Decor/Painted+this+week.html

2009, yippeee..........

2009-01-23T21:12:00.003+13:00

Happy holidays wherever you are in the world. Our summer has been steaming hot so far and we're just back from a long family beach holiday, which has been amazingly energising. As we enter our 4th year I'm really appreciative of all the support I have received and friends I have made but most improtantly of the opportunity to be creative on a daily basis.

Hopefully this blog will give you a glimpse into our crazy creative world of paints and fabrics, all of which we have in abundance at the moment! So, its time to get going again, I'm spending the week stocking up on some bright, funky artwork, as being our biggest sellers, our studio walls are a little empty after our pre Christmas sellout.

2008-07-06T13:43:00.008+12:00

coming soon..........

Name it, say it!!!!

2008-06-30T20:55:00.005+12:00

Chunky, rustic wooden letters....very "shabbyesq". Available in denim, fire, zest and rose.

Beautifully hand painted and then distressed.

Put your feet up........

2008-06-30T20:49:00.002+12:00

and relax with the Giddy LAYBY plan. It's easy and simple and a great way to manage the pennies over winter!

Miss, Mrs or Mr Nimble

2008-06-14T20:19:00.004+12:00

Our linen range is in demand more than ever and we're looking to expand it...hence some nimble fingers are now needed. Can you sew? or do you know someone you can? It'll be a part time position and could even be a work from home! Please email kim@giddygiraffe.co.nz

Sunny yellow for cold winter days

2008-06-14T19:39:00.010+12:00

We've been a little bit creative this week and with a yummy yellow to add some summer cheer! We're loving the new "Cutie Pie" range, especially cause its gender neutral which we get heaps of requests for. Yellow is a beautiful colour to work with (not too bright mind you!!! pastel is good), it just smiles happiness.............

Tina and Rebecca have been on at me for ages to get the Frangipangi theme going and its simply beautiful, very pacific and tropical! We have used mellow yellow again, thrown in some pink passion and voila....I love it!

Welcome

2008-06-07T12:18:00.011+12:00

A warm welcome to the Giddy Blog........its taken us a little while to get organised, soooo busy.... but here goes!

Thank you for joining us on this wonderful 'giddy' journey, we hope to use this space to let you know about new products, design tips and ideas and most importantly to get to know the team and their ramblings. There are many exciting plans so check back regularly for updates as we take baby steps towards the future.