Lights of his life

Mike Thorburn, owner of ECC lighting, wearing a cashmere sweater, which is one of his ten favourite things. Photo / Martin Sykes

One hundred years is an impressive milestone, and especially so in the retail business - but it's this very special birthday that ECC Lighting & Furniture is celebrating this year. Mike Thorburn, the grandson of George Levett Thorburn who established the company in Auckland in 1909, has run the company for the past 20 years, with stores now in Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. He talks about some of his favourite things - design and otherwise - right now.

1 Pluma Cubic Kugel Schwarz pendant

It's made of over 4000 black goose feathers, is hand-assembled and is pure luxury. Feathers are more durable than you imagine - think of cloaks and quills from the past.

2 Fresh flowers

They make a place welcoming. I always get them from Bhana Brothers on Ponsonby Rd. They're always fresh and last for ages.

3 Artemide Tizio desk lamp

An icon of high tech design and part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It has very clever counterbalanced arms so you can adjust the positioning effortlessly.

4 Sweet things

Especially chocolate and French pastries like you get in Paris - it's something about the chocolate and the butter!

5 Giorgetti Wally sofa
You just sink into the down feather-filled cushions on this sofa. Once you've sat on down you can't ever go back.

6 Bonacina Astoria low back armchair

This is a chair that won't date. I love the leather cording that is threaded through the wooden frame.

7 Travel

Not just to cities like Milan, Paris and New York but to out of the way places like central Australia, Africa and the odd walking trail.

8 Antique desk clocks

My pair of antique desk clocks, found while walking around the back streets of Paris - they took my fancy and I would never have found them if I hadn't been walking. You see so much more of a place when you walk.

9 My cashmere jumper

Found on one of my many travels - it's so soft and light and keeps you warm. It is from Eric Bompard, in Saint Germain Paris - a fabulous shop just specialising in cashmere.

10 Hammocks

Lying under a tree in a hammock with a good book - the best relaxation I know and it only happens once a year!