HB Today - Your Home & Lifestyle 2024

A1HomesHawke’sBay recognisethataspiring homeownershave highexpectationsthese daysandofferarange ofoptionsfromA1built homestokitsetand transportablehomes.

VisitorstotheA1

showhomeinKaramu

RoadNorthinHastings willmeetDirectorGary Wood,alongwithhiswife Katie.Theyareassistedby MattCastleswhooversee

andprojectmanagethe buildingprocess.

Theshowhomeisaone stopshopwherevisitors canseethequalityofthe buildfirsthandandknow thattheirhomewillbe builttothesamestandard specifications.

A1homesoffer affordabilityduelargely toA1’sabilitytoacquire nationalpricingand passonthebestpriceto clients.Thereareover60

plansrangingfrom60sq metresto250sqmetres. Thesecanbebuiltstraight fromtheplans,changed tosuit,ortheycanbe usedasinspirationto createyourownoriginal Kiwidream.Thereare plentyofoptionsforkitset andtransportablehomes too.

Kithomesareproving especiallypopularin GisborneandMahiawith anotherbuildrecently completedatRuatoria. Theyarepurchasedby bothgeneralclients,who wanttomanagethe constructionandalso bybuilders.Itisquitea significantaspectofthe business,Garysays.

Transportablehomes arebuiltoffsiteandare generallytransported toremotelocations throughouttheregion.

“OurTransportable homesaredesignedto begreatvaluebaches, farmworker’shomesor forthosewantingbasic creaturecomfortsand honesttogoodness practicality,”Garysays.

Forthoseseekingafull buildclientscanexpect aninitialconsultation followedbyacost estimate.Oncethedesign isagreeduponadeposit

willberequiredandthe planswillbedrawnup. Thenit’stimetodecide onthedetails-alwaysan excitingprocess!

Clientswillselectfixtures andfittingsandany personalrequirements withanin-housecolour consultant.

Thenextstageofthe processisthebuildand botharethereeverystep ofthewaysupervisingthe build.Theyfeelpersonally responsibleforevery homebuildtheyoversee, toensureahighquality finish.

A1HomesareMembersof theMasterBuildersand theMasterBuild10-year guaranteeappliestoall theirhomesensuringyou havepeaceofmindand yourbiggestinvestmentis protected.

Openinghours:

805KaramuRoadNorth,Hastings MondaytoFriday 10am-4pm Saturdaybyappointment

DirectorGaryWoodandprojectmanagerMattCastles.

A1HomesKH84isavailableasafullbuild,atransportableorkithome.

A1HomesKH200c.

Snug is coming to Hastings

EmmaandSeanPatrick ofEastCoastPlumbing andGasaredelightedto announcethattheyare openingtheSnughome heatingandcooling centrewhichwillgivethe publictheopportunity tobrowsetheirbrand newshowroomandfully appreciateawiderange ofheatingandhotwater solutionsonoffer.

Snugheatingandcooling centrewillopenonthe

2ndAprilat917Karamu RoadNorth.Atthesame timeEastCoastplumbing

andGaswillmovetheir operationtotheSnug showroom.

EastCoastPlumbingand Gashasgarneredmany loyalcustomerswith theirqualityserviceand attentiontodetailsince itsfoundingalmosta decadeago Theopening ofSnugisasignificant stepforwardforEmma andSeanwiththeirnew company.

At220sqmetrestheSnug showroomwillhaveon displayagoodrange ofheatingandcooling

solutionsincludingRinnai hotwaterheaters,inbuilt gasfires,freestanding gasfires,electricinbuilt fires,afullcentralheating rangeanddisplaysofhot waterunits.

AsEastCoastPlumbing andGasareexperts ingasyou’llfindmany gasfires,gasheating, boilersystems,along withnewelectricfires thatcomplementsolar heating.Alsoonshowwill beRinnaiheatpumps, andhotwaterheatpump. Manyofthefireswillbe

workingsoclientscansee theminaction.Theonly heatingoptionthatSean andEmmadon’tdealwith arewoodfiresasthey prefertostickwiththeir mainareasofexpertise Seansaysthatmany peopleareoptingtouse gasthesedaysandit’s availableinHastings, Napier,andpartsof HavelockNorth,and theresalsoLPGreadily available.Gasisan efficientandconvenient solutionwhetheryouuse ittocook,heatwateror

inafire,gasgivesyou completecontrol.

Whendesigningthe showroomthecouple researchedshowrooms throughoutthecountry andsaythatSnugwill beoneofthepremier heatingshowroomsin NewZealand

Seanisahighly experiencedplumber andgasfitterwithmore than30years-experience andlastyearhequalified aslicensedrefrigeration engineerallowinghim toworkonheatpumps

too. EastCoastPlumbing andGasarelicensedwith thePlumbers,Gasfitters andDrainlayersBoard andarealsomembers oftheMasterPlumbers, GasfittersandDrainlayers NZInc.Alltheirplumbers arealllicensedandare highlyexperienced.

Emma,Seanandthe teamwouldliketothank theirclientsandsuppliers fortheirongoingsupport andlookforwardto welcomingeveryoneto Snug,theirnewshowroom verysoon.

Isrivercruisingrightforme?

Tenverygoodreasonstogeton-board

1.Holidayswithouthassle.Noneedto drive,navigateamap,cook,cleanor evenmakeyourownbed.Yourdays areyourowntodoasmuchoras littleasyoulike.

2.Unpackonlyonce.Avoidconstant packingandrepacking.

3.Thesceneryalwayschanges. Theviewschangedailyfromyour stateroom,therestaurant,lounge, thedeck…Betteryet,you’llgotobed inonetownorcityandwakeupina brandnewone.

4.Suitesarecomfy.Asroomyasa hotelroom,thespaceisamplefor two.Thebathroomsaregenerously sized.Mostrivershipshavebalconies orwall-to-wallpanoramicwindows. You’llwakeuptonaturallightandthe riverglidingpastthefootofyourbed.

5.Food,gloriousfood.FreshItalian coffeewithbreakfast?Ofcourse. There’salsoacontinentalbuffetand ateamofchefstowhipupyoureggs. Lunchislight(especiallyifyouhave justgobbledaframboisetartfrom thepatisserie)andoftenalfrescofor sun-soakedrefreshment.Dinnersare smartcasual,elegantandalacarte.

6.Youseeanawfullot.Excursions everyday,thelikelihoodofanew townorcityeverymorning.Noheavy roadtraffic.You’llseeahugeamount inashorttimeframe.Uncoverregion uponregionoffascinatinghistory, whiletastinggourmetfoodand observingthelocalwayoflife.

7.Smallships,bigcamaraderie.Much morepetitethantheiroceancruising bigsisters,passengernumbers aresmalleronarivercruise.The on-boardambiencefeelslikea communityoflike-mindedglobetrotters.

8.Sociableandrefined.Withguest numbersrangingfrom130-170 there’snohidingamongstasea offaces.Diningisaparticularly sociableaffairandguestsare encouragedtositatadifferenttable everyevening..

Inspiredtogeton-board?

9.Amplefreetime.Excursionsare usuallymorningorafternoon,with areturntotheshipforlunch,but there’snopressuretojoin.Take sometimetorelaxontheship’sdeck, visitthespaormaybeoptforabike ride.

10.Entertainmentislowkey.There arenojazzbandshere.Rivercruise entertainmentusuallyincludesonboardlectures(destinationhistory, WWIIexperts),culturalshows,nightly moviesandtherelaxingmedleyofa pianist.

VisitJennyNilssonandtheteamatHouseofTravelHawke’sBaywhowillbe abletoplanyourperfectcruise.

Ourmissionistodothingsoutoftheordinary!Elevatingspaces withqualitymaterialsandcraftsmanshipweknowwilllastyears tocome.Whetherit’syourdreamkitchen,laundry,homeoffice,or walk-inwardrobe,weunderstandthe essenceofthesespaces.

Weturnclients’visionsintorealitywithseamless,stress-free processes,strivingtodeliverlastingsimpressions andpremiumservice.

Wecan’twaittohearaboutyournextproject!

JAMESCOUTTS

0272328838|james@naturaledgejoinery.co.nz www.naturaledgejoinery.co.nzNaturalEdgeJoinery

FAMILYOWNED&OPERATED bySam&MelissaFranklin, thebusinesshasbeen successfullyoperational for20+years,&recently purchasedbySam&Melissain 2023.

- Residential& CommercialIrrigation Design,Supply,Install& Service

• Pumps

• Tanks

• Lawnpop-ups

• Dripline&micro sprinklers

- ServicingallofHawkesBay

SamFranklin

BComAg,NZQACert IrrigationDesign

P:0274427841

E:sam@theirrigatorhb.co.nz

W:www.theirrigatorhb.co.nz

VikingRiverCruise,Aschaffenburg,Germany.

ELEVATINGSPACES - LASTINGIMPRESSIONS - PREMUIMSERVICE

TrustedHawke’sBayBuilders WeBuildYourVisions

Ourmissionistobuildahomearoundthethingsthatmattermosttoyou. Thatmeans,wegettoknowyouandyourlifestyleinordertofitaroundyouduring thebuildingprocessandcreateahomeyou’reproudofforyearstocome.

PeteBarbara:021752819|DavisNorman:021448321 office@bnlconstruction.co.nz|bnlconstruction.co.nz ice@bnlconstruction.

Ifcharacterandwarmthmattertoyouthensolidwoodflooringisthenaturalchoice foryourhome.Elevateyourinteriorswithsustainableflooringthat’sbuilttolast. Yourhomedeservesrealwoodenfloors.

Whipitup

•ByChrysAyley

Aninterestinsewing, experienceworkingwith sheepskinsandastintas adairyfarmmanagerhas ledlocalwoman,Wendy Clark,onanexcitingnew full-timeventurecrafting beautifulitemsfrom cowhideandsheepskin.

Itwasaboutseven yearsagowhileliving inAucklandthatWendy startedcraftingsheepskin productsasahobbyand soldhercreationsatlocal markets.Shethenmoved backtoHawke’sBaysixyears-agoandworked atClassicSheepskinsas afootwearsupervisor. Latershefollowedher intuitionandestablished herownbusinessWhip itUpNZandleftfulltime work18-months-ago toconcentrateonthe business.

Workingfromhomein Hastingsshe’smanaged totakeoverhalfthehouse whatwithherworkroom inthediningroomand finishedproductstaking upconsiderablespace inthelounge.Here shestoresarangeof beautifulbags,numnahs, equestriansaddlepads, slippers,moccasins, sheepskinboots,cowhide

babyslippers,weekend bags,backpacksand cutesheepskinpyjama cases,tonamebutafew products.

ThisyearHorseofthe Yearwashermainmarket followedbyCentralField Dayswhichexplainsthe abundanceofstockat home!Rightnowshe’s beenworkingsevendays aweek.

Thequalityofallher materialsisallfirstclass withlongwoolsheepskins sourcedfromBowron andClassicSheepskins andcowhidesimported fromBrazilasNew Zealandleatherisnot pliableenoughforher work.Allzipsaremade tomeasureandthere’sa rangeofbeautifulzippull embellishmentssuchas horses,cats,butterflies andblingthatdecorate herbags.

Itisalabourintensive craftasWendymakesall thepatternsherselfand alsocutseverythingby hand.Currentlyshehas nineindustrialsewing machinesandfour domesticmachinesand soonshe’llmovetonew premisesinthegarden. She’salwaysenjoyed beingcraftyandlikesto

dothingsherownway “lettingmyimagination runaway,”whichcertainly makesforsomeexquisite originaldesigns.

Manyofthecowhides Wendyselectshave unusualspecklesthat workwellinheroriginal

designsthatsometimes alsoincludefabric. Businessexpansionplans includeawebsitewith onlineordering,although clientsoftenreachoutto WendyonherFacebook pageandorderdirectly andoldfashionedwordof mouthworkswelltoo.

WendyimportscowhidesfromBrazil.

Productsincludestylish,comfortablemoccasins.

Wendy’simaginationresultsinsomeuniquehandbags.

SAI POTTERY

offers an extensive selection of ceramic goods, hancrafted by talented artists from all over Thailand and thoughtfully curated by our team

The product range includes dinner- and drinkware, vases, decorative pieces and much more. Each item is individually made by hand, with a modern approach to the work with clay and great appreciation for the ancient tradition of Thai pottery

Amongst the creatives we support are small business owners and emerging artists of the Thai ceramic scene, alongside well established pottery masters. They all share the love for their craft and an ever-growing interest in practices that are ethical and kind to the planet

It is our mission to share the magic of clay with retail and hospitality businesses across New Zealand, Australia - and internationally

A huge selection of wholesale products is available for immediate purchase and we are also able to develop brand new designs specific to our customer’s needs

Nothinglikecelebratingwithwine!

InMay2023Hawke’sBay wasappointedoneofthe GreatWineCapitalsof theWorld!Theaccolade recognisesHawke’sBay asoneofthegreatwine regionsoftheworldand aleadingdestination forwinetourismthat setsitalongsideeleven otherprestigiouswine regionssuchasBordeaux, NapaValley,Bilbaoand Adelaide.

AdmissiontotheGreat WineCapitalsNetwork comesafterastringent selectionprocess lookingattheregion’s winegrowingindustry,its history,itswinetourism, educationalopportunities, business,andtravel,as wellasthecitiesand regionitself.

Hawke’sBayisNew Zealand’soldest establishedwineregion andisthelargest premiumredwine producerinthecountry. Theregionisrenowned forfull-bodiedredblends, elegantSyrahandrich, complexChardonnays.

TheMediterraneanstyle climatewithitssunand maritimeinfluences tempershotsummer daysandallowsforalong growingseason.Thefour riversinHawke’sBayhave

influencedsoiltypewhich rangesfromsandyloams overclaypanstoloamy claysandfreedraining alluviumdepositsand stonesintheBridgePa areawhichisknownas theGimblettGravels.

Thereareover200 vineyardsincluding58 independentgrowers, 98wineriesand38 cellardoors.Thewebsite hawkesbaywines.co.nz hasplentyofinformation, summariesandlinksto justover100wineriesthat canbeexploredinthe Bay.

AskerneEstateWinery isafamilyrunbusiness establishedin1993.It’s

locatedofftheTeMata MangateretereRoadon theoutskirtsofHavelock North.JohnandKathryn Loughlinfoundedthe estateandnowtheyhave helpfromtheirdaughter Laura.Overtheyearsthey haveexpandedthecellar doorwhichwasnamed CellarDooroftheYearin 2019.Theyhavealsowon numerousawardsfortheir wines.

In2021theyreceived greatshowresultswith PinotGris,Chardonnays, Viognier,Syrahand SérieuxRosé,fromthe 2019to2021vintages takingoutsevenGold medalsandthree trophies.Aninteresting

pointofdifferenceistheir gourmetpicnicswhere guestscanputtogether aselectionofgourmet foodstoenjoywithwine orbeerinthevineyardor cellarwhentheweatheris inclement.

ManyofHawke’sBay’s notablerestaurantsare associatedwithvineyards andwineries,forexample MissionEstateWineryin Taradale,CraggyRange andBlackBarnBistroin HavelockNorth.

Hawke’sBayoffers extensivewinetourism experiencesincluding winetours,vineyard cycling,wineryconcerts, andurbanwineries.

AneweraforAinsworth&Collinson

Aconstructioncompany thatconsistentlydelivers uncompromising commitmenttotheir clientswithhighquality workmanshipisreaching amilestonethisyearas theycelebrate25yearsin business.

Ainsworth&Collinsonwas foundedbyKenAinsworth andFlintCollinsonin1999. Overtheyearstheybuilt areputationbasedon qualityandbuildingto abespokestandard.As highlyendorsedbuilders ofmanyfineresidential propertiestheywere alsosoughtafterfor theirexpertiseinhome alterations,additions andassistingwithlight commercialprojects.

However,aquarterof acenturyhasrecently broughtachangeof leadershipasthesons ofKenandFlint,Luke AinsworthandLeif Collinsonrespectively, arenownewbusiness partners.Kenisstill heavilyinvolvedfulltime intheofficebutheis graduallywindingdown hisinvolvementwhileFlint hasretiredcompletely.

Itwasadiscussionabout successionplanningthat ultimatelyledtoboth LeifandLukebuyingin

tothecompany.Agreat byproductofthatisthat thecompanylegitimately retainsthenameof Ainsworth&Collinson.

LeifandLuke,along withtheirteamof12will continuehighendwork andrenovations.Their commitmenttoquality workmanship,friendly, efficientserviceand greatvalueformoneywill remainthesame.

Thetightknitteamof14 haveplentyofexperience andlongservicebetween themandseveral relativesofKenandFlint arealsoinvolvedwiththe business.ShortlyDaniel Collinson,anothersonof Flint,willjoinAinsworth& Collinson.

Overtheyears Ainsworth&Collinson hasbuiltastrong networkofexperienced subcontractorsinNapier whotheyareproudto workwith.

Theserelationships ensurethatnomatter howcomplexabuild, theywillseethejobwill becompletedtothe veryhigheststandards. Thispersonalguarantee isfurtherreinforcedby aMasterBuild10Year Guarantee.

AtAinsworth&Collinson Ltd,workwithmanyof thefinestarchitectsand designersthatHawke’s BayandNewZealand hastooffer,assisting inbringingtheirclient’s projectstolife.Theirwellestablishedreputation makesustheirfirstport ofcallwhenseekinga buildingpartnershipfora newproject.

TheteamatAinsworth &Collinsonhavewon numerousMasterBuilders competitionawards overtheyears.In2021 theywonfourawards, includingaGoldAward andLocalSupreme winner.

AnewbuildunderwayinRoslynRoad,BluffHill,Napier.

TheAinsworth&Collinsonteam.

Bringinglifebacktotheoldgirls

•ByChrysAyley

Workasapart-time schoolbusdrivergives AlisterRamsaythe flexibilitytodevotethe remainderofhisdayto beautifullyrestoringold valveradios.

It’sapassionthat’sgrown intoaflourishingbusiness overthelasttenyearsand it’saconsiderabletalent thathesays“involvesa littlebitofmagic”.

Alisterrestoresoldvalve radiosbacktoworking conditionandaddssome

moderntechnologyatthe sametime.Thecabinets areallrefurbishedback totheiroriginalstatethen auxinputandBluetooth areadded,alongwithFM radioifrequired.Modern technologyallowslisteners tostreamtheirownmusic throughtheiroldradio.

Asachildhewasexposed toelectronicsandradios ashisdadwasaham radiooperator.Butit wasn’tuntil12yearsago thatAlister“pickedup anoldvalveradioand gotitgoing”.Aftermuch researchhefiguredout howtofitauxinputand

thencameupwiththe ideaoffittingaBluetooth receiver.

Alisterandhiswife Mariahadthree childrenwhomhehome schooledbutwhenthe timecameforhimto lookatemployment

opportunitieshe discoveredthereweren’t manyoptions.Hesought helpfromtheTararua CouncilBusinessHub whowererunningasmall businesssupportgroup andtheyencouragedhim toestablishRetroRadios. Withtheirsupporthe

AlisterandMariaenjoyattendingmarketstogether

AStewartWarnerbeforeandafterrenovationbyAlister.

enteredthePalmerston NorthInnovate

Competitionandreached thefinals.Thecompetition included12weeksof businessmentorshipand “that’swhereitallstarted,” hesays.

AlisterandMariatravelled tovariousmarketsselling therestoredradiosand Alisteradmitsit’snice todothingstogether althoughtherearetimes whenshereferstoherself as“Aradiowidow.”

Nowtheyspendlesstime atmarketsashe’srunning outoftimeandhe’sbusy mainlyrestoringold radiosforclientsrather thanrestoringthemfor sale.Healsohelpspeople searchandidentifyold radiostheymayhave memoriesofbutdon’t knowthedetails.

Radiosaresourcedfroma varietyofplacesincluding TradeMeandthereare plentyofdonations thatincreaseasAlister becomeswellknown throughFacebook,his webpageandmedia articlesabouthiswork. Theradios,someof whichhesaysarenot worthmuchbeforebeing restored,arestoredintwo 20footcontainers.

There’sagoodselection ofwhat’savailableto buyonAlister’swebsite suchasaclockradio,Bell radiogramwithupdated turntable,largemantle radios,anakedPhilco, aColumbusNZ,Zenith, AttwaterandKent,Courier andUltimatetonamebut afew.

Ifhehitsatechnical problemAlistertalksto “peoplewhoareolderand wiser”.HealsousesJustin

alocalautopainterto paintthemetalradios.

Onespecialfindof Alister’s,that’snotevena radiobutaphonograph, isanold1924Ultraphone twinneedlegramophone that’squiterare.“Ithink it’sreallycool.”What’s especiallyinteresting isthatitwasthesound systemfortheNuhaka MovieTheatre,backin silentmovietimes.Alister hasrestoredittoinclude asmallamplifierbutit’s notforsale.

He’salsorestoredseveral collectibleZenith“Walton” shutterdialradiosasseen ontheTVprogramme “TheWaltons.”

Whatdoesheenjoy abouthiswork?“Taking somethingthat’sno longergoing,andis lookingdecidedlyworn out.Itmayhavesatina

shedfor20or30or40 yearsandturningitinto somethingthat’sactually beautiful,usableand enjoyable.Soit’sactually bringingthatlifebackinto theseoldgirls.”

It’snotunusualforsome specialradiosthathe’s reallyattractedtomight “migratetomyhouse forawhileuntilIdecide I’mgettingsomething different.”

Withtheamountof craftsmanshipandtime spentonrestoration Alisteroftencharges apricehethinksisfair ratherthanchargefor therealtimespentona restoration.

RecentlyFlossieand Dean,anewstoreat245 DickensStreet,Napier hasstartedstockinga smallselectionofAlister’s refurbishedclassicradios.

Currentlytheyhavethe FestivalHall,ahighend radiogrambyPhilips and“oneofthebest stereogramsNewZealand haseverproduced.”When restoredtheradiossound amazing.

“Thesoundqualityisalot betterthanyou’dthinkit wouldbe.”Whenpeople hearthequalityit’salot betterthantheythinkit wouldbeandyounger peopleareespecially impressed,hesays.

http://alister-ramsay.squarespace.com

ACourierandGoldenKnightafterrestoration.originallytheywerealwayscreamcoloured.

TheLittleGeneralbyGeneralMotors1933.GeneralMotors onlymanufacturedradiosfortwoyears.

Five-yearjump

•ByCatherineMastersandOwenVaughan

Housepricesinevery Hawke’sBaysuburbare highernowthanfiveyears ago,accordingtonew figuresfromOneRoofand itsdatapartnerValocity.

Mostofthebiggestjumps sinceMarch2019have beenintheregion’slowest pricedsuburbsandreflect thestrengthoffirst-home buyeractivityduringthe post-Covidboomand slump.

Onesuburb,Wairoa,has seenpricesmorethan double,butevenwiththat 107%liftthesuburbisstill thecheapestinHawke’s Bay.

OneRoofandValocity measuredthefive-year changeintheaverage propertyvalueofevery NewZealandsuburbwith 20-plussettledsalesin thelast12months.

Theaverageproperty valueineachofthe 790suburbsanalysed washigherthanitwas fiveyearsago.The smallestincreaseswere inAuckland,whilethe biggestpercentage riseswereinGisborne, SouthlandandWest Coast.

Wairoawasof10suburbs andsmalltownswhere theaverageproperty valuemorethandoubled since2019,from$158,000 to$328,000.

That’sstillcomfortably withinrangeofmost firsthomebuyers,but thedamagewroughtby CycloneGabrielleand lastyear’sslumphas slowedtherateofgrowth (inthelastthreemonths propertyvaluesWairoa didn’tbudge).

Theresearchalso identifiedthebiggest dollarchangesoverthe five-yearperiod.Property

valuesinfourHawke’sBay suburbsweremorethan $400,000higher.Eskdale, inHastings,wasupmore thanhalfamilliondollars, benefitingfromthepostCoviddemandforlifestyle properties,although again,futuregrowthis inthesuburbislikelyto belowerasaresultof CycloneGabrielle.

Recenteconomic forecastsforHawke’sBay havebeendownbeat, whichcreateschallenges forthehousingmarket.

Accordingtomarket projectionsbyOneRoof andValocity,Hawke’s Bay’saverageproperty valuewon’treturnto itspost-Covidpeakof $933,000untilthesecond quarterofnextyear.

Thewaitwillbelonger, however,forAucklandand Wellingtonregions,both ofwhichsufferedlarger declinesthantherestof thecountry.

TheOneRoof-Valocity projectionsarebased ontheaveragequarterly growthrateforeach regioninthefiveyears totheendof2019.In thecaseofHawke’s Bay,thegrowthrateof 3%isconservativebut theimpactofCyclone Gabriellemayseethe regionreturntopeakeven later.

WayneShum,senior researchanalystfor Valocity,saidhigherfor longerinterestrates, acostoflivingcrisis andtheimpactofthe planneddebt-to-income

ratioswouldlengthen thehousingmarket’s recoverytime.Houseprice figuresfromtheOneRoofValocityHouseValue IndexshowHawke’sBay’s

averagepropertyvalue wasupjust0.4%($3000) inthethreemonthsto theendofFebruaryto $802,000.

Seniorresearchanalystfor Valocity,WayneShum. CreditFionaGoodall.

Frimley. Flaxmere.

Blissfulbathrooms

Formanypeoplea bathroomisaplaceto retreatfromthepressures oflife,torelaxinawarm bath,lightacandleand soakthecaresoftheday away.Oncejustaroom inwhichtohaveabath, showerorbrushyour teeth,bathroomshave evolvedfromordinary toextraordinary.Along withkitchenstheyhave becomeaspaceinwhich toinvestfinanciallyand indulge.

Whensellingahousethe appearanceofbathroom, justlikekitchens,isoften

akeyfactorinabuyer’s decisionmakingprocess.

Bathsandbasinsthat arebeautifulobjectsin theirownrightareon trend.Modernbaths,in particular,aredesigned tomakeastatement,are oftenfreestandingand starofanewbathroom.

Theheightofluxuryfor manywouldbeafree standingrolltopbathwith ballandclawfeet.

Basinshavetendedtobe shallowandwhiteinthe lastfewyears,although colouriscreepingin andtapsarebecoming

availableinfinishesother thantraditionalchrome. Rectangularandsquare basinsarestillontrend. Bathtapsorspoutsare sleek,oftenminimalist andthewaterfallstylefor bathtapsisstillpopular. Popularbasintapsinclude stainlesssteel,brushed brassandblack.

Onechangeonthe horizonisthemove towardscolourwithbold statementsmakinga comebackandearthy tones,alongwithgreens trending.Whilemany cringeatthememory

of70sand80scoloured sanitarywaretheyarealso experiencingarevival, especiallyinEurope.So, itshouldn’tbetoolong beforethetrendhitsNew Zealand.

Metallicelementsare alsomakingacomeback astheyhintatelegance andarewarmerthan traditionalstainlesssteel fixturesandfittings.

Bathtapsorspoutsare sleek,oftenminimalist andthewaterfallstylefor bathtapsisstillpopular.

Trendingbasintaps includebrushedbrass

andblackmatchedwith squareorrectangular basins.

Showersareavailablein cornerfitsandrounded. Thentherearedouble showersandplentyof oversizeshowerheadsto selectfrom.Choosefrom rainheads,tobodyjets andoverheadjetsina choiceofchrome,brass orblack.Fortheheight ofluxurywhynotinstalla doubleshowerheadtobe enjoyedbyacouple?

Thedesignoftoilets thesedaysareoften squat,minimaliststyles

andmoreoftenthannot inwhite.Forthoseinto luxurythere’satopofthe rangetoiletincorporating abidet,wirelesscontrol, sensoractivatedauto openandcloseandselfcleaning!

Smarttechnologyhas reachedthebathroom withde-mistingmirrors, LEDtemperaturedisplays andautomatichandwipe sensors.

Theultimateinluxury wouldbetoadda hydrotherapybath,a steamroomorasauna!

Cosycushions

Softfurnishingscaneasily transformaroomfrom blandtoextraordinary. Cushions,rugs,throws, chaircovers,beddingand pillowsareallexamples thatcanbepractical, comfortableand decorative.

Withtheongoingtrendfor neutralinteriorsdressing uparoomwithsoft furnishingsandaddinga splashofcolour,isalmost anecessity.Butthereare signsthatthistrendison thewayoutwithcolour makingacomeback.It’s possibletobrightenupa roombyexperimenting withcolourandtexture andallwithoutbreaking thebank.

Sustainabilityisa considerationthesedays andwe’reseeingnatural materialscomingto theforewhichmightbe explainedbytheneed forpeopletofeelmore grounded.Lookoutfor colourpalettesincluding beige,olivegreenand othercoloursrelatedto nature.

There’sahugerangeof scattercushionsavailable atallpricepoints.It needn’tcostafortune togiveyourloungeor bedroomsamakeover everynowandthen.

Availableassquares, circularorrectangularthe choiceoffabric,pattern andtextureisalmost overwhelming.Trending rightnowarenatural, earthycoloursand texturesalongwithplenty ofimitationfur-perfect forsnugglingdownona coldwintersday.

Floorcushionsandrugs areseeingarevival toowithahugechoice availablefromTurkish rugstohandknotted andplentyofoptions toberightuptodate withcoloursforkids, geometricsandneutrals.

Athrowisbasicallya small,decorativeblanket thatcanbedrapedovera sofaorchairanddoubles asablanketifneeded. Hugelypopular,theyare oftenfringed,ratherthan hemmedandcouldbe consideredasessential tomanywholiketobeon trendwiththeirinterior decoration.

Theyareparticularly usefulinwinterasthey canbeusedassnuggle blankets.

Bedroomsarereceiving muchmoreattention thesedaysandthere’s plentytoenhancethe décorbeitmasculine,

feminineorforthe children.Bedding,duvets andduvetcovers, pillows,andcushionscan transformafunctional roomintoacomfortable

haven.There’sahuge rangeofduvetstochoose from-summerweight, winterweight,synthetic, andnaturalwool.Duvet coversetscanquicklyring

thechangesandadda wholenewdimensiontoa bedroomtoo.

Havingfavouritepiecesof furniture,suchaslounge

suites,re-upholstered ratherthanthrowingout andbuyingnewisanother option.Thereareseveral expertswithintheBay.

PANACHESOFTFURNISHINGS

Winteriscoming...nowisthetimetogetthose windowscovered,wecanmakeyourlinedor bumphandbackedDrapesandRomans,double tracksandrods.RollerblindsandWoodenblinds Wehaveahugeselectionofsamplestochoose from,Linens,cottons,silk,recycledpolyesters,so manytextures,colouranddesignstochoosefrom Wecreatecustommadeproductstofitthecomfort andlookofyourhomeinourownworkroomat503 HeretaungaStreetwest,Hastings

Comeseeustobookyourfreemeasureandquote andseeourextensiverangeofcushions,home decorandfabricsforyourdrapes,blinds,bedcovers, upholsteryandmanymore,wecanalsorecover yourLampshadesforthatfinishingtouch