BEHIND THE SCENES

KENDY L MIDDELBEEK STYLIST

Kendyl Middelbeek calls herself an accidental stylist. “I fell into styling during my first few graphic design jobs in publishing. I didn’t even really know it was something you could do and I loved it so much I put my hand up to style photo shoots wherever possible.” This issue Kendyl styled our Objects of Desire on page 41 and Finishing Touches on page 178, work she calls an indulgent treat.

“I get to create a beautiful still life, using bits and pieces that I love. I’m beginning to realise I might have a latent obsession with fleshy pinks and nudes, I can’t seem to stay away from them in my work.” And at home? “My partner and I have just moved in together, and it has been pretty great to finally curate and create a place of our own. The most interesting interiors are the ones with unusual objects, loads of texture, and that are a little rough around the edges.”

SALLY TAGG PHOTOGRAPHER

“It is such a privilege to photograph home gardens,” says Sally Tagg. “Each one reflects a little bit of the owner’s personality. All so different, all with their own challenges and all bringing a lot of joy.” Sally loves the outdoors, but has recently moved to Auckland’s Devonport and is struggling with a steep, exposed site with no existing garden. Luckily she has her work to inspire her: “I have adopted some of Rosemary McPherson’s ideas [see Sally’s photos of her garden on page 104]. I especially love the concept of a throw garden, whereby you simply throw collected seeds or plants into a steep area and let them fend for themselves. I also now collect seaweed from local beaches after big storms, another of Rosemary’s tips.” Outside of work Sally is an artist and sculptor, and is documenting local kauri trees in the face of kauri dieback.