Braden Fastier.

When I first moved to Nelson in 2003, I came upon South St while wandering around town for the first time.

It’s a street of old workers’ cottages built in the 1860s, which are now protected as a heritage area. I instantly fell in love with the tiny street and the lovely wee houses. It was just magic.

When looking for my first flat I saw a room for rent in one of the best houses in the street. I couldn’t believe my luck. I lived at number 15 for more than eight years, but when offered it to buy, I decided having a child was next on my to-do list and chose to move.

I was offered number 10 by my awesome landlords and started nesting in my new home.

This house was built in 1864 but the skylights all through the house make such a difference to the light.

Moving from one cottage to another was a fresh start for me – a decluttering of my things and a new canvas to work with.

I think you can make a rented house a warm and inviting place and love it just like your own.

I enjoy beautiful old things, which suit the house perfectly.

Nelson’s Sunday market is fantastic and so are the region’s antique shops; you can’t go past Kmart on the odd occasion also.

My best purchase by far is the blue/ grey four-seater sofa that I found at antique store Eclectic in Nelson.

Maria Henare, Eclectic’s owner, suggested I try it out, but I said ‘‘Nope, I’m good,’’ and bought it on the spot.

I was already in love; it was too beautiful and perfect to let it pass by.

There are several things I love to collect.

My parents had framed butterflies on our wall while I was growing up and I enjoy them myself.

Both sets of grandparents had pieces of Blue Mountain Pottery, and I also treasure my teacups and saucers, gold cutlery, art, and vintage finds.

I like to surround myself with lovely things I adore to look at. The kitchen shelving is a blessing; I can display a lot of my dainty things on it.

Decorating Grace’s room has been great. My Aunty Diana made one of the buntings out of old vintage kids’ books and I just love it.

Grace gets joy out of looking and talking about her artwork. It’s a good conversation topic for a two-year-old.

Raising Grace in the street is fantastic. It has a real sense of community and fulfills that old saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’.

I have lived in South St now for 13 years – the longest of anyone in the street.

We have Neighbours Day parties that I usually help organise and decorate, and this past Christmas we had brunch at number 14 and invited a few guests staying at the BnBs on the street also.

For now, I amhappy renting this house in a beautiful street right in the middle of town. It suits us both.

I have looked at houses to buy but have not found one I wanted to live in or move to. South St is my home.