20 Oct 2019

Christine Fernyhough: Mid-century living in the Butterfly House

From Sunday Morning, 10:20 am on 20 October 2019

For over 30 years, philanthropist and author Christine Fernyhough has built an extraordinary collection of over 4000 everyday objects of mid-century New Zealand craft, design and folk art. She talks to Jim about the collection, which is documented in her new book, Mid-Century Living: The Butterfly House Collection, and how she managed to come across all of her treasures.

The Crown Lynn display in Christine's bedroom

The Three Faces of Eve lampbase. Ceramic Crown Lynn potters circa 1945 - 1955

Flora's dressing table with Burlington Berties' bone china flamingoes and hand carved clothes brushes.

The sleepout with its vinyl orange poufs

Living room with 60's surfboard

The bach from the back

The Living Room with its many colours; leopard print, bright orange, red, yellow.

A bevy of Crown Lynn swans including coloured swans

Swans and a range of Crown Lynn vases. 1950's Vitra sunburst clock by George Nelson for Howard Miller clock manufacturer. And Vladimir Tretchikoff's Chinese Girl.

The living room, home to the Dolls House

The kitchen with its formica table, vinyl sleigh chairs and chrome stools.