& Lifestyle Your home
TheEastCoastisperfectforcasual entertainingoutdoorsandto experiencetheopportunitytorelax, unwindandchilloutwithfriends andneighbours.
Bynowhopefullyyouwillhave dustedofftheold,possiblyrusty BBQ,inspectedtheoutdoor suites,tablesorseatsandtaken stepstoconsiderarefreshasoutdoor furniture,particularlyolderfurniture, mightnotbeasrobustasoutdoor furnituremanufacturedrecently.
Whateveryourspaceandbudget therewillbeasolutiontosuit.Choose fromfamilysizeloungesuits,tables andchairs,benches,sunloungesand evendrinkstrolleysandicebuckets!For smallerfamilies,andthoseonlimited budgets,therearesomegoodoptions withbistrotypetableandchaircombos andtraditionalgardenbenches.
Thechoiceofmaterialsfortables rangesfromrustresistantaluminium, oftencombinedwithatimbertopsuch asteakoreucalyptus,toatempered glasstabletop.Benchmaterialsrange fromrustresistantpowdercoated toreclaimedtimberandsustainably sourcedeucalyptus.Allweatherwicker
isanotherdurableandattractiveoption that’strendingrightnow.
Therearesomegorgeousoccasional pieces,suchasdaybedsandeggchairs inwhichtowhileawayafewhours soakingupthesunwithagoodbook. Anddon’tforgetacushionortwoto brightenupthescene.Asunumbrella isamustinourclimateandgazebos areveryhandy,especiallywhen entertainingoverthefestiveseason.
Forchillyeveningsthere’sagood selectionofchimineas,braziersandfire pits.Pizzaovensandoutdoorovensare increasinginpopularity.
AsfarasBBQsareconcerned there’sabewilderingarraytochoose fromsosomeresearchbeforehandis recommended.Choicesrangefroma threepieceoutdoorkitchentoafour, fiveorevensixburnertoaportable kettle.Whatdoyoulikegas,coal,grill orsmoker?Thinkaboutthesizeyou wantandthespaceavailable.Finally considerifyou’dliketotakeyourBBQ tothebeach,inwhichcaseitwillneed tobeportable,orisalargerlessmobile appliancemoreyourstyle?
Afewfinishingtouchestoyour sectionmightincludesolarlights, citronellacandlesandagarlandortwo oflightsdottedamongstyourtrees andshrubs.
BuyingaBBQinNewZealandcan beanexcitingyetchallengingtask, giventhevarietyofoptionsavailable andtheuniqueconsiderationsofthe localenvironment.
Whetheryou’reaseasonedgrill masteroranovicelooking tohostyourfirstbackyard barbecue,understandingthekeyfactors toconsidercanhelpyoumakean informeddecision.
Firstly,considerthetypeofBBQthat suitsyourneeds.InNewZealand,the mostpopulartypesaregas,charcoal, andelectricBBQs.GasBBQsarefavored fortheirconvenienceandeaseofuse. Theyheatupquicklyandallowforprecise temperaturecontrol,makingthemideal forthosewhowanttocookavariety offoodswithminimalfuss.Charcoal BBQs,ontheotherhand,arepreferred bypuristswhoenjoythesmokyflavor thatcharcoalimpartstothefood.They requiremoretimeandefforttosetup andmaintainbutcanbeveryrewarding. ElectricBBQsareagoodoptionforthose withlimitedoutdoorspaceorforusein areaswhereopenflamesarenotallowed. Next,thinkaboutthesizeandcapacity oftheBBQ.Ifyoufrequentlyhostlarge gatherings,alargerBBQwithmultiple burnersoraspaciousgrillingareawill bebeneficial.Forsmallerfamiliesor occasionaluse,acompactmodelmight bemoreappropriate.It’salsoimportantto considerthebuildqualityandmaterials. StainlesssteelBBQsaredurableand resistanttorust,makingthemagood choiceforNewZealand’scoastalregions wheresaltaircanbeaconcern.
BBQ Q weather
Anothercrucialfactoristhefeatures andaccessories.ModernBBQscome witharangeoffeaturessuchasside burners,rotisseriekits,andbuilt-in thermometers.Thesecanenhanceyour cookingexperienceandprovidemore versatility.Additionally,considerthe availabilityofsparepartsandafter-sales service.Brandswithagoodreputationfor customersupportcansaveyoualotof hassleinthelongrun.
Finally,don’tforgettofactorinyour budget.BBQscanrangefromaffordable
basicmodelstohigh-endunitswith allthebellsandwhistles.Determine howmuchyou’rewillingtospendand trytofindabalancebetweencost andfeatures.
Inconclusion,buyingaBBQin NewZealandinvolvesconsidering thetype,size,buildquality, features,andbudget.Bytakingthe timetoevaluatethesefactors,you canfindaBBQthatwillprovide manyenjoyableoutdoorcooking experiences.Happygrilling!
Beautiful bathrooms
Therecanbenodoubtthatrenovatingabathroomisamassive undertakinginvolvingplentyofplanningandresearchandalso involvingmanydifferenttradespeople.It’scommontohireexperts tohelpadvise,planandbuildyournewspaceandtheycanproject managetheworkthatinvolvesplentyoflogistics.
Vi iewingbathroomsin3Dis offeredbymanydesigners andtherearealsoafew online3Dplannersinwhichyou canspecifythesizeoftheroom, theplacementofappliancesandso on.PlaceMakers.co.nzhasavery sophisticatedplannerthat’seasyto use.Bearinmindthatyourbathroom hastobefunctionalaswellas attractivesotakingintoaccountthe needsofyourfamilyisparamount.
Renovatingbothkitchens andbathroomscanbeacostly undertakingsosettingafirmbudget willhelpcontaincosts.Thereare certainotheraspectsyoucan considertomakethebudgetgo furthersuchaskeepingtheexisting plumbingasitwasoriginallyinstalled.
There’salonglistofitemstobe consideredsuchasflooring,wall coverings,showers,baths,vanities andsinks,tapware,lighting,heating
andsoon.Giventhepopularity ofbathroomrenovationsthereis afantasticrangeofoptionsatall pricepoints.
What’strending?
Freestandingbaths
Wallhungvanities-thetimber lookiscurrentlypopular
Circularorovalmirrorswith backlitLEDlighting
Largerainforeststyle showerheads
Raisedvanitybasins (vesselsinks)
Doublesinkvanities
Softgold,brushedbrassand gunmetalarepopularfor tapwareandtowelrails
Rimlesstoilets
Wallhungtoilets
TRENDWATCH: Colour connections
Afearofclashingcoloursandadisjointedfinallookcanbebighurdles toovercomeingoingbeyondaneutralpaletteandexperimentingwith differenton-trendcoloursinyourinteriors.
Butusedthoughtfully,witha biggerpictureinmind,notonly canclevercolourcombinations makepurelyfunctionalspacescome alive,buttheycanalsocreatebetter flowandcohesivenessbetween interconnectedspaces.
Itmightbeaglimpseofarich botanicalshadelikeReseneParsley onanensuitewallwhilestandingina neutralbedroompaintedinReseneHalf SpanishWhite.Itcouldbepaintingyour livingroominsoftResenePattensBlue, seeingaboldershadeofReseneTory Bluethoughaconnectingarchwayto thediningroom.
Maybeyouhaveadramaticfeature wallinReseneScoriaatoneendofthe hallway,soyoumirroritbypaintingyour frontdoorthesameshade.
Therearemyriadwaystousecolour
tobringthedisparateroomsofyour hometogetherinwaysthatsurprise anddelight.
Createcohesion
Tobringimmediatecohesionintothe differentroomsinyourhomeResene ColourExpertJillMarshsuggests startingwithtrimareas.
“Keepingskirting,windowframes anddoorframesthesamecolour throughoutyourhomewillinstantly helptoconnecteachspace.
“Thiscreatesthefoundationofany colourschemeandkeepsalovelyflow.
Jackie’stoptipistouseanenamel onallthesesurfacessotheyare hardwearingandeasytowipedown. Usingthesamecolouronallthese surfacesalsomakesitmucheasierto freshenthemupifneedbe,asyoudon’t havetokeepdifferentcoloursonhand.
Maintainingconsistentcolours throughyourhome,whetherontrims orbiggersurfaceslikewallscanalso helpconnectpartsofyourhousethat mayhaveaslightlydifferentfeel,such aswhenanoldhomeisgivenanew modernextension.
Usethisconsistenttrimcolourasa buildingblocktofindothercoloursthat willworktogetherthroughoutyour home,Jillsays.“Lookforconnecting neutralandfeaturecoloursthatwork together.Colourconnectionsare veryimportantastheyaddyourown personalstyletotheinterior.”
CourtesyofResene
Repeatingthefeaturewallcolouraround thisopendoorwaymakesthisadjoining nookfeelpartofthemainroom.
Layeringtonallysimilarshadesofgreenhelpsmakethis opendiningandlivingspacefeellikeacohesivearea. Curveddecorativefeaturesaddtotheconnection.
Capture theessence ofsummer
Refreshingyourhome’sinteriorforsummerisanenjoyablewayto embracetheseason’swarmthandvibrancy.Herearesomeideasto helpyoutransformyourlivingspaceintoasummerhaven.
Embracelightandairycolours Summerissynonymouswithlight andbrightness.Startbyswappingout dark,heavycoloursforlighter,more refreshinghues.Thinkwhites,pastels, andsoftneutrals.Thesecoloursnotonly makearoomfeelmorespaciousbut alsoreflectnaturallight,enhancingthe overallbrightness.Considerrepainting walls,orifthat’stoomuch,simplychange yourcushioncovers,throws,andrugsto lightershades. Introducenaturalelements Bringingtheoutdoorsinsideisagreat waytocelebratesummer.Incorporate naturalelementslikeplants,flowers,and evensmallindoortrees.Notonlydothey addatouchofgreenery,buttheyalso improveairqualityandcreateacalming atmosphere.Optforlow-maintenance plantslikesucculents,ferns,orsnake plants(Mother-in-Law’sTongue)ifyou’re notparticularlygreen-thumbed. Lightenupyourfabrics
Heavyfabricslikevelvetandwoolcan makearoomfeelstuffy.Switchtolighter materialssuchascotton,linen,andsheer fabrics.Thesematerialsarebreathable andperfectforsummer.Changeyour curtainstosomethinglighterandmore translucenttoletinmorenaturallight. Similarly,swapoutheavybedspreadsand throwsforlighter,breathableoptions. Declutterandsimplify Summerisatimeforrelaxation,and aclutteredspacecanbestressful.Take thisopportunitytodeclutteryourhome. Removeunnecessaryitemsandkeep onlywhatyouneedandlove.Thisnot onlymakesyourspacelookcleanerbut
alsomakesiteasiertomaintain.Consider adoptingaminimalistapproach,whichcan makeyourhomefeelmoreopenandairy. Addsummerscents
Scentscansignificantlyinfluencethe ambianceofyourhome.Introducefresh, summeryscentslikecitrus,lavender, oroceanbreeze.Youcanusescented candles,essentialoildiffusers,oreven freshflowerstoachievethis.Thesescents canmakeyourhomefeelmoreinviting andrefreshing.
Updateyourdecor
Smalldecorchangescanmakea bigdifference.Addsummer-themed decoritemslikebeach-inspiredartwork, seashells,ornauticalelements.These touchescanevokethefeelingofa summergetawayrightinyourhome. Additionally,considerupdatingyourtable settingswithbright,cheerfultablecloths andnapkins.
Optimizenaturallight
Maximizethenaturallightinyour homebykeepingwindowscleanand unobstructed.Usemirrorsstrategically toreflectlightandmakespacesappear largerandbrighter.Ifprivacyisaconcern, optforsheercurtainsthatallowlightto filterthroughwhilemaintainingsome levelofprivacy.
Refreshingyourhome’sinteriorfor summerdoesn’thavetobeadaunting task.Bymakingafewsimplechanges, youcancreateabright,airy,andinviting spacethatcapturestheessenceofthe season.Embracelightcolours,natural elements,andbreathablefabricsto transformyourhomeintoasummer sanctuary.
Tinyhomes
Asearchontheinternetreveals numerousoptionsfromkitset h houses,cabins,bachsandeven transportablepods.
ThroughouttheNorthIslandmany peoplearechoosingtorentacabinand placeitontheirsectionwhichisarelatively inexpensivewayofhousingextrafamily membersorteenagerswhoneedmore space.It’salsoacosteffectivewayof livingwithoutmovinghouse.Iffamily circumstanceschangetheextraroomcan bereturnedwhichisawin-winsituation.
Adverseweathereventssuchas CycloneGabriellealsosawarisein demandforrelocatablehomes.Theycan bemanufacturedreasonablyquicklyand deliveredonsite.Generallytheyaremade ataspecialistmanufacturerfollowing specificationschosenbytheclient.Then it’sarelativelyeasyjobtotruckthehome toitsnewaddress.Transportcostsare generallyextra.
Havingelderlyparentsliveonsiteis alsoincreasinginpopularity,especially
thosewhohaveplentyoflandavailable suchasfarmersandpeoplelivingon lifestyleblocks.Theparentscanleadan independentlifebutbeclosetofamily shouldtheyneedhelp.
Theoptionsarenumerousandrange fromabasiconeroomsleepout,tostudio cabins,aonebedroomhomeoratwo bedroomhome.Theclienthasplenty ofchoice,forexample,placementof bathroomsandgenerallyeachhome hasakitchenandisfittedoutready tolivein.Qualitymaterialsareusedin theirconstruction,fixturesandfittings. Modificationofplansissometimes anoption.
Plansaregenerallyveryspecificitemizing everythingfrompowerpointstojoinery, roofingmetal,ranchslidersetc.Thereis oftentheopportunitytocustomizeyour homebychoosingflooring,paintcolours, kitchenandbathroomsetup.Additional optionsavailablemightinclude-skylights, decksandpergolas.
Aswithallprojectsitpaystodoyour
Thelastfewyearshasseenashiftinthehousingmarkettowards smallerhomes.Thereareanumberoffactorscontributingtothis suchaspressureonlandintowns,financialpressuresand anawarenessthatsmallerhomesaregenerallyeco-friendly.
homeworkandifpossiblegoandviewa showhometostudythedetailsanddiscuss optionswiththevendor.Animportant factortocheckoutiswhetherthebuilding meetsNZbuildingstandardsandifbuilding consentisrequired.Yourtinyhomewill needtobeconnectedtoservicesso confirmwhetheritisincludedinthecost. Transportablehomesareaversatileand practicalsolutiontoNewZealand’shousing challenges.Theyofferarangeofbenefits, includingcostsavings,timeefficiency, andhigh-qualityconstruction. Withvarioustypesavailable,from modularhomestotinyhomes, thereisatransportablehometo suitalmostanyneed.However,it’s essentialtoconsidertheassociated challenges,suchassitepreparation andtransportcosts,toensurea smoothandsuccessfulproject.
Whetheryou’relookingfora permanentresidence,aholiday home,oratemporaryliving solution,transportablehomes
provideaflexibleandinnovativeoption thatcontinuestogainpopularityacross NewZealand.
Tinyhomescanbeusedforallmanner ofpurposessuchasinvestmentproperties, holidayhomes,sleepouts,studiosand offices.Designsrangefromfunctionalto luxurydependingontheuse.
Takealookatwhat’savailableandyou maybepleasantlysurprisedatwhat’son offerandalsotheprices.
Spruceup yourdeck
Firststartbygivingyourdeckagood sweep.Fromhereyoucanassess whatpreparationisneededpriorto stainingyourdeck
Now,hammerinanynailsthataren’t flushwiththedecking.
Ifmouldispresentremoveas muchaspossiblebyscrapingwithastiff brushandapplyananti-mouldproduct. Insomesituationsyoumayneedto senddownyourdeckingifthereare splinterscomingfromyourtimber.Ensure youpunchthenailspre-sanding.
Nowcleanyourdeckwithatimber prepproducttoremoveanydirt,grease, oil,waxandothersurfacecontaminants. Readtheinstructionsontheproductsyou decidetouse.
Allowthedecktocompletelydrybefore youmoveontostaining.
Stainingyourdeck Choosethetypeofstainyouwilluse. Bothoilandwaterareavailable.
Next,choosethestaincolour. Dependingonyourtimbertypethecolour mayvaryslightlysoit’sbesttotakean offcutofyourdeckingtimberintostore withyou.
Ifyouareusingmorethanonecan
ensureyoumixthecanstogetherto ensurecolourconsistency.
Toensureyoudon’tgetstainonyour houseuseapaintbrushtocutinalong theedgeofthedeckwhereitmeetsthe house.Ifyoudogetanyonyourhouse wipeitoffstraightawaywithturpsifusing anoilbasedstainorwaterwhenusing waterbasedstain.
Applystaintodeckwithanapplicator padandpole.Ifneedbeapplythestain betweenthedeckingboardsorjoinswith apaintbrush.Paintafewboardswideina rowtoavoidacontrastincolours.Resist thetemptationtoapplyexcessoil.Tobe effectiveoilsmustpenetratethetimber,
notremainonthesurface. Leavethedecktocompletelydrybefore walkingonit.Thetimecanvaryonthe weatherbutgenerallyit’sbesttostayoff itforatleast12hours.Checkthelabel toseeifyouneedtore-coat.Thisvaries betweenproducts.
Handyhints
Foranewdeckmakesureyourdeckhas weatheredforaseasonbeforeapplying anystain.
Ragsusedwithoilbasedproductcould beafirehazard.Soaktheminwater overnight,orhangouttodry,before disposingofthem. CourtesyofMitre10
Spring cleanup
Justasinteriordecorationisamatterof personaltastesotooisthepresentation ofyourexternalspace.Somepeople have‘greenfingers’andenjoyspending asmuchtimeworkingontheirsection astheycan.Othersfindgardeninga choreandmayoptforeasycare,orlow maintenance,sections.
Easycaresectionsthesedayscanbe goodlookingwithjudicioususeof pavers,foliageandotherdecorations. There’sagoodselectionofsculptures, statuesandornamentsforgardensand whocanresistthesoundoftricklingwater? Notonlyarewaterfeaturessoothingthey areagoodsourceofwaterforbirds.
Awanderaroundanygardensupplystore isgreatforthinkingaboutwhat’spossible thesedays:raisedgardenbeds,pebblesand bark,privacyscreensandnoendofplant potsandpavers.
Containergardeningiseverpopular andgivesflexibilityinthattheycanbe movedaroundtocreateanewlook.Preplantedbaskets,shrubsinpots,window
boxesandflowersinunusualcontainers suchasoldboots,oldbicycles,with appropriatedrainage,canallcreatea stunningtalkingpoint.
Springisthetimetodoastocktakeof yourgardenandfeedthesoilinpreparation forplantingflowersandvegetables. There’splentyofchoicewhenitcomesto improvingsoilhealthincluding ready-madecompostandhome-made compost.Lateronvegetableswillneed feedingandyoumayneedtoapplyliquid fertilizer,sheeppelletsoranyoneofmany productsavailable.
Onoldersectionstreescanoftenposea problemwhichiswhereatreeexpertsuch asanarboristortreesurgeoncanhelp.
Startingagardenfromnewiseasier thantakingoveranestablishedproperty althoughvisionisrequiredtobeable to‘see’thefinalproduct.Landscape designerscanhelpinthisrespectandhave tremendouscreativeability.
You’llneedawishlist,anunderstanding oftheclimate,sunandsoilandabudget! Aplanofthesection,toscale,willalsobe needed.Considertheimmediateneeds ofyourfamilyandalsohowtheymight changeinthefutureasthefamilyages.
Ontrend kitchens2024
Thekitchenisoftenconsideredtheheartofthehome,andin NewZealand,thissentimentisreflectedinthelatestdesigntrends for2024.Aswemoveintosummerseveralexcitingtrendsare emergingthatblendfunctionality,sustainability,andaestheticappeal.
Boldcoloursandpatterns
Gonearethedaysofall-whitekitchens. In2024,NewZealandkitchensare embracingboldcoloursandpatterns.This trendincludescolourfulbacksplashes, patternedfloors,andtwo-tonecabinetry. Sustainablematerials
Sustainabilitycontinuestobea significantfocusinkitchendesign. Materialssuchasbamboo,recycled glass,andreclaimedwoodarebecoming increasinglypopularforcountertops, backsplashes,andcabinetry. Smartkitchens
Technologyisplayingacrucialrolein modernkitchendesign.Smartappliances, suchasrefrigeratorsthatcanorder groceriesandovensthatcanbecontrolled viasmartphone,arebecomingstandard features.
Openshelving
Openshelvingremainsapopular trend,offeringamodernandstylish lookwhilemakingiteasiertoaccess dishesandcookware.Thistrend
allowshomeownerstoshowcasetheir kitchenwareandadddecorativeelements totheirkitchendesign.
Innovativelightingsolutions
Lightingisacriticalelementinkitchen design,and2024seesashifttowards softer,morediffusedlightsources.Lamps onkitchenislandsandunconventional lightingchoicescreateamoreintimate andwelcomingatmosphere. Heritageandinnovation
Thereisagrowingtrendtowards blendingtraditionalaestheticswith moderninnovations.Thisincludes showcasingfeaturecooktopsand exposedappliances,whichaddcharacter andfunctionalitytothekitchen. Multifunctionalspaces
Kitchensareincreasinglybecoming multifunctionalspacesthatcaterto variousneeds.Thisincludesintegrating officekitchenswithhigh-endappliances anddesigningkitchensthatcanserve associalhubsforfamilygatheringsand entertainingguests.
Growyour ownedibles
Therisingcostoflivingandtheincreasingquestforsustainability isleadingpeopletore-thinktheirapproachtorelyingsomuchon supermarketboughtfruitandvegetables.
Eventhosewhoaren’tkeenon gardeningcanhaveagoatgrowing vegesathomeasnotalotofspace isneededandyoujustcan’tbeatthetaste offreshlypickedproduce.Fromgrowing lettuceinpotstotendingafewtomato plantsthere’splentyofchoice.Havinga smallvegegardenisagreatwaytoget kidsinvolvedtooandtheycanbeallocated smallchoressuchasweedingand wateringandoftengetfirstpickof thecrop!
Ifplantinginthesoilyou’llneedanidea ofthesoiltype,knowledgeofthelocal climateandafirmideahowmuchtime you’dliketospendtendingthegarden. Withalittleplanningevenasmallgarden canproduceplentyofproduce.
Therearemanyalternativestodirect plantinginthesoilandthere’sagreat rangeofcontainer,potsandgrowing systemstochoosefrom.Raisedgarden bedsareanotherpopularoption, especiallyforthosewhohaveback trouble.Theyareavailableinarangeof materialsincludingplastic,aluminium andtimber.
Growbagsaresolutionforpotatoes, strawberriescanbehungvertically andhangingverticalgardensarealso becomingpopular.Withabitofingenuity itemscanbere-purposedorrecycled,the humblewoodenpalletforexample,canbe craftedintoaraisedgardenandoldwine
barrelsmakeattractivecontainers.
Thequalityofplantingmediumis anotherfactortobeconsidered.There’s plentyofchoicebuttakecaretoselecta qualitypottingmedium.Somecontain extraslikecontrolreleasedfertiliserand granulesforincreasingwaterholding capacity.Yourplantswillprobablyneed extrafertiliseranyway.Anyplantsor vegesgrownincontainerswillneed regularwatering.
Takethetimetodiscoverwhatgrows wellintheclimate?Whatdoyour neighboursgrow?Sticktowhatyouknow andyouwillhaveafairchanceofsuccess.
Thereareplentyoffruitsthatcanalso begrownincontainersandthere’san increasingselectiononsaledesigned especiallyforthatpurpose.Theyare generallymarketedasdwarffruittreesand includeseveralvarietiesofcitrus,apples andnectarines.
Movingbeyondcontainersandintothe gardenthereareplentyoffruitsthatcan begrowndomesticallyandfewthingsbeat theabilitytobeabletopickafruitstraight fromatree.Feijoaandpassionfruitare commoninHawke’sBay,olivesandgrapes growwellandsodofigsandavocados. Nuttreessuchashazelnutandalmonds areanotheroption.
Enjoygettingoutintothefreshairand experimenting.Themoreyoulearnthe greatersuccessyou’llhave.
