| I recently spent nine months working on the Hobbiton Movie Set’s “Beyond the Door” interior build at Bagshot Row in Matamata. It was extraordinary to watch a simple hillock transform into two fully interconnected Hobbit Holes, built to be lived-in, explored, and enjoyed by visitors. Together with Ra Vincent, Kathryn Lim, and the rest of the team, we developed the back-stories for the Hobbit families who would “inhabit” these homes — their hobbies, their work, the objects they treasured. From there, we designed many of the set-dressing pieces that would bring those stories to life, working closely with craftspeople and artisans to turn sketches and ideas into real items that felt handmade, homely, and distinctly Hobbit. |  Kathryn, Catherine and Juliette creating sweet ceramics for the Hobbit Holes. |
 A very sketchy drawing for a rolling-pin holder For the first six months, we worked in Wellington, mapping out the floorplans on the studio floor and dressing imaginary rooms without any walls at all. It was a wonderfully strange and imaginative process — building a world by feel and intuition long before the physical spaces existed. Some of the pieces I loved creating most were the portraits, especially working alongside Alan Lee’s beautiful work. I also really enjoyed honing my calligraphy skills—crafting all the apothecary labels and even the bits of mail scattered around the set. |  One of the little portraits I did for the family tree on the wall  Some of the mail with calligraphy I created for the sets |
In the final three months, we moved to Matamata for the full installation. Each day involved placing and adjusting our set-dressing pieces while a hugely talented team of installers made everything tamper-proof. Around us, tilers, plumbers, electricians, painters, gardeners, builders, and drapers were all working on top of each other to get this magical project finished before Christmas. The scale and teamwork were incredible.
Our wonderful set dressing, fabrication and install team
It was a joy living in the rural quiet for a while — and spring in Matamata meant lambs everywhere, especially on the Hobbiton farm. “Shut the gate, everyone!” was a genuine daily chorus.
I loved getting lost in the world of quaint arts and crafts, and it was deeply satisfying to work on something designed to last — a permanent, touchable experience for thousands of visitors each day — rather than the temporary sets that are packed down as soon as filming wraps.
This project will stay with me for a long time.
I loved getting lost in the world of quaint arts and crafts, and it was deeply satisfying to work on something designed to last — a permanent, touchable experience for thousands of visitors each day — rather than the temporary sets that are packed down as soon as filming wraps.
This project will stay with me for a long time.