To start, can you introduce yourself and your family?

Hi, I’m Sherie, mother of three boys, Nischal (8), Nico (5) and Asher (3). My husband, Jiwan, and I got together in our early 20s and will be celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary this year. We bought our little home in Titirangi when we had our first son in a front pack after discovering this street when visiting a friend.

Your street has a lovely community feel to it, can you tell us about the ways in which you interact with your neighbours?

We live on a cul-de-sac, so you know almost everyone who passes by. The street bends and narrows, which means you need to slow down, pull over and give way with a wave. There’s a rhythm to our days, we find those who we’re in sync with as we come and go, finding comfort in the feeling we’re all in this together.

Your garden is beautiful! Can you tell us about how you and your family enjoy this space?

We feel very fortunate to have a classic quarter acre section. While our home is small, we’re able to spill out into our garden which is slowly evolving, creating spaces for the boys to play. I love that they can roll down the hill while I potter. Gardening requires time, which I come in and out of finding, so I just chip away at it when I can. My oldest son loves to play shops, so even when very new to the street, we’d set up stalls at the front of our home - homemade lemonade, feijoa jams and kasundi, grape juice -ingredients used from our back garden. Even though there’s less time to facilitate such things these days, I still enjoy being able to harvest and share.

What are some of your family's favourite one-day adventures?

Any of the west coast beaches! We went to Muriwai last weekend, but we also love to meander along the rocks during low tide out at Piha and Bethells for flying kites and the sand dunes.

As a designer, how does living in this area inspire you?

I’m most inspired when I have space. In this current chapter I am in, with young kids, being home alone for me is still a novelty. On these days, I love that I can open the French doors, let the light pour in and fill our home. Suddenly thoughts become clear and ideas tend to flow. These ideas may eventually transpire, but I’m learning to be patient and embrace a slower pace.

What are your must-pack essentials for a family getaway?

If we have a ball, wet-weather gear (togs and/or raincoats) and a change of clothes, we’re basically sorted. The boys are their best when outdoors.

Sunnup is all about slowing down, what are some ways in which you practice slow living?

I was sitting down, chatting to my husband the other night and he said “we need to do less, it will allow us to do more”. So, as we arrive in September, we find ourselves longing to spring clean our lives a little. To unwind I’ve started stretching in the evenings with Jiwan, lights dimmed. We then read through a few pages of whatever is next to our bed before turning the lights out. In the mornings I’m usually woken by three pairs of cold feet, so we snuggle on the couch for half an hour before launching into the day. The husband has left already but (thanks to him) hot coffee awaits.