November 2011- TenderRest at the Wellington Home & Garden Show

For the first time ever we took a stand at the Wellington Home & Garden Show at the Westpac Stadium. We get so many enquiries directly from customers, so we thought it would be interesting to show to them, and hear comments directly.

We under-estimated quite how fascinated people would be - the stand was constantly busy, people loved the Deco with Blossoms, and couldn't beleive they'd not previously been aware of these. The lids were on-off on-off - people appreciated being able to have a close hands-on look at a product that's usually far out of reach. .

Thanks to everyone for the comments, compliments and encouragment. We like what we're doing, and were so pleased the visitors did too. It's clear that our message of Naturally Beautiful for a more personal farewell is an option that people do wish to have for funerals.

2011- TenderRest launches new printed lids - Blossom and Fantail designs.

We're launching a range of new printed lid options - these can be used on the Deco, Conifer or Nextgen. The Blossom is a gorgeous, oriental-inspired print in pinks and purples. Fantail is a gentle sketched design of a fantail bird surrounded by branches and flowers - in monochrome. A appreciative thank you to Nash Alpine, a Scotland-based fashion and textile designer and an old friend of Tamara's (of TenderRest), for these sensitive and warm designs.

A more masculine print will follow early in 2012. We're thinking a 'Gone Fishing' design (fish, river, nature) but would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions - drop us an email with ideas.

We're able to do one-off individual print designs, but these are only for those ordering well in advance - turnaround takes at least a week.

November 2011- TenderRest Deco casket recognised in the National Sustainable Business Network 2011- finalists in the Design and Innovation category.

We went up to Auckland to take part in the Sustainable Business Network's Sustainable City Showcase- a fantastic expo showing all sorts of sustianable choices - from furniture, homewards, construction materials, eco-packaging, clothes, cars, bikes, and honey. We particularly liked the Hungry Bin - a womery/compost for small gardens, and Tahi honey from Northland. And Starfish with theTerra Plana shoes (of course).

We showed the caskets for 2 days - was really valuable to hear the questions from the interested public. Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. And thanks to the SBN for organising the event.

October 2011 - Final Furniture Ltd has moved to larger premises

We ran out of space in our wee unit, and so have moved to a far larger premises in Petone, Lower Hutt. We're lucky - we've found an old manufacturing workshop c. 1930s, so lovely squared windows, brick walls, high ceilings with rafters and 1950s lamps - effortlessly stylish! And offices adjacent and upstairs, so we're enjoying the space. Contact details have been updated, and we're planning an Open Day in early 2012 - contact us if you'd like to be sent an invite.

September 2011 - TenderRest Deco, Conifer and Bambino caskets are now available from Baldwins in Christchurch.

Funeral Directors can order directly from Baldwins in Christchurch.
Other South Island funeral directors - contact Baldwins, Mortech or TenderRest directly, whichever is most convenient.

September 2011 - TenderRest caskets are now available in Germany

And received an enthusiastic welcome into the German market.

Vahle Trauerwaren, in Paderborn, Germany, now stocks our TenderRest Bambino caskets for wholsale to German funeral directors. Mr Vahle showcases the Bambinos and a Nextgen bookshelf-winerack, at his "Herbszeichen" (Signs of Autumn) funeral exhibition.
Funeral Directors and the general public from across Germany attend the exhibition.

The Bambinos are a focus of interest, the stand is shown here:

and TenderRest's caskets are showcased on German television news (in German, see 2.33 mins.)

July 2011 - TenderRest's Nextgen is featured in Michael Smythe's book New Zealand by Design

New Zealand by Design - A History of New Zealand Product Design includes the TenderRest Nextgen casket:

"Andrew Hubbard's [...] Nextgen casket also has low sides to make viewing easier whilse softening the form of the vessel. As well as being made from pine or bamboo with 100% cotton quilted mattress, its sustainable credentials including 'pre-cycling' as a bookshelf/wine rack."

April 2011 - TenderRest launches its new range on April 19th at Mortech in Hamilton

The Conifer and the Deco casket adult options are now available alongside the infant bambino and limited stock of the bamboo adult tall nextgen.