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APRIL 2022 $9.50 (INCL. GST)

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CONTENTS April

30 Shopping 12 14

F R E S H F I ND S STA R P OWER

Homes 30 OUTSIDE INSIDE

A new poolhouse extends an Ōamaru home’s living space dramatically

Hollywood glam 16

T HAT ’ 70 S S HOW

Burnt orange and brown makes a comeback 18

A new-build in Palmerston North that takes its cue from Bali

O P PO S I T ES AT T R ACT

Monochrome endures 2 0 S H OR E T H IN G

Coastal cool 22

L I V I N G WE LL

Eleanor’s storage hacks 24

WOMEN WE LOVE

Florists join forces 1 4 6 B R I E F H I STORY O F. ..

The Eames bird

YOUR H O ME A ND GA R DE N

P O SI T IV E LY PA L MY

C U RV E A P P E A L

A modern farmhouse in Riverhead reﬂects its owners’ appreciation for the brick houses so beloved in London

Renovation 72

P LOT TIN G T H E I R ESCAP E

One family relocated an old bungalow to the country for a change of pace 8 0 FO O L P R O O F G U I D E TO BAT H R O O M R E N OVAT I O N

Our renovation expert Jen Jones has a list of 10 things to consider before changing your bathroom 8 4 BAT H R O O M U P DATE

The latest bathroom looks and tips on how to get them

Makeover 92

MIX AND MAX

Conﬁdence with colour and bold decorating choices are all in a day’s work for one interiors stylist in her own home 104 KID’S CORNER

A fun playroom 1 0 6 S PAC E SAV E R S

Experts have clever ways of making a small home feel much, much bigger 114 BOOK IT IN

After a place to have a quiet read? Create your own library

132

114 Food 1 2 0 YO U ’ V E G OT T H AT UM A M I F E ELI N G

Mushroom pies with minted, mushy peas 122 LET’S DO BRUNCH

Not quite breakfast, not quite lunch, this fare is so good it could be eaten morning, noon and night 131 SOUND BITES

The latest food and kitchen needs

122 Gardens

132 HOCUS CROCUS

These little beauties are the stars of autumn 1 3 4 T H E C O N STA N T GAR D EN ER

Mary Lovell-Smith checks off what to do this month 138 POND LIFE

Create your own ﬁshpond and enjoy the tranquility of the water as you marvel at the eco life

On the cover Interior designer Annabel Berry isn’t afraid to take a colour and run with it in her home and new pool house. Her colour of choice is blue – you could say she’s in her blue period. To see just how dramatic one colour can be, turn to page 30. Photography Rachel Wybrow

YOU R HO M E AND GARD EN

Hello Fiona Hawtin, Editor

This month I’m…

Reading Dogs in Early New Zealand Photographs ($34.99, Te Papa Press). This treasure has more than 100 photos of dogs ph photographed between the 1870s and 1920 aaround the country. The formal studio portra portraits of dogs, often with their owners, are an ab absolute delight. My favourite is the dog wearin wearing a cap, driving gloves and goggles in the driver’s seat of a car.

Wearing Juliette Hogan’s navy suiting Carmela dress. It’s super ﬂattering and makes a nice change from slouchy WFH gear. Also, after many months of elasticated waistbands, it’s reliably comfortable. $649, juliettehogan.com 6

YOU R HO ME A N D GA R DE N

Plating up on this Ottolenghi pink dish with blue pepper. It’s so nice eating off something that isn’t white for a change. $22.50, from sabato.co.nz

PHOTOGRAPHY, HAIR AND MAKE-UP CAROLYN HASLETT. FIONA WEARS ZOE & MORGAN NECKLACE, LONELY CAMISOLE AND HELEN CHERRY JACKET.

’ve been looking around my house since the war on Ukraine started and feeling so very lucky to have a comfortable home I’ve renovated for my family over the years. I can’t imagine having to go into survival mode with loved ones, grab the pets and life’s basics to keep you going as you flee across a border to a safe country or hide out in underground train stations. I look at my kitchen table, a beaten-up old rimu number I found at a garage sale back when garage saleing was a legitimate sport. The kids may have carved names of crushes into it when I wasn’t looking, but it speaks of a life of shared dinners and yes, the odd fight about eating vegetables. There’s the cut in the carpet fresh from when it had just been laid in the living room and someone saw fit to do a craft project on it using a craft knife with the carpet as a board. There are the linen curtains still hanging after a weekend marathon sewing session, the kauri drawers I painstakingly covered in oyster shells for a bit of grotto chic one summer, the Buddha-shaped cookie cutter on the kitchen wall I’ve used to make plenty of good karma biscuits, the water jug I proudly made at pottery, the kitchen island’s marble benchtop I had installed when I thought I was going to be a chocolatier… years and years of memories that tell the story of my life. That’s really what Your Home and Garden is about. Yes, we’re frequently excited about incoming interiors trends and don’t hold back but, at our heart, we want to showcase houses that tell the occupants’ stories. This issue is no different. Annabel Berry has created a trans-seasonal pool house, which is on the cover as well as page 30. It may have been put together with her interior designer know-how, but she didn’t do it for professional reasons, it was designed to be a space the generous entertainer can host friends and family. And she’s just one of the people whose story we tell this month through their homes and lovingly curated possessions. Hopefully, someday soon, the Ukrainians who’ve fled their homes will be able to return to them and keep on accumulating cherished household items that speak of their own unique lives.

Social club Where the worlds of interiors and art collide

ART & EDITORIAL Acting deputy editor Leanne Moore Art director Nicola Feeney Chief sub-editor Michelle Joe Garden editor Mary Lovell-Smith Senior designers Béla Trussell-Cullen, Tanya Wong Designers Demelza Callesen, Alice Bush CONTRIBUTORS Fiona Barber, Kate Battersby, Anna Briggs, Jessica Doyle, Wendy Fenwick, Debbie Harrison, Carolyn Haslett, Jen Jones, Babiche Martens, Caroline Moratti, Vanessa Nouwens, Eleanor Ozich, Ingrid Rasmussen, Sarah Rowlands, Catherine Steel, Swell Productions, Rachel Wybrow

Finding the beauty in ’shrooms is the new obsession of Torontobased Kiwi artist Anna Church. @annachurch_art

WE LOVE

EDITOR Fiona Hawtin

PODCAST OF THE MONTH The Auckland home of mid-century furniture dealer, artist and interior designer Jodi Newnham showcases all her passions.

Actor Dax Shepard and his buddy Monica Padman chat to celebs and interesting types. There’s a lot of over-sharing but in a good way, and it’s often hilarious.

@midcenturyswag

CONNECT WITH US

ADVERTISING | CORPORATE Sales director Claire Chisholm Commercial sales manager Mae Kelly, mae.kelly@aremedia.co.nz, 0212460276 Senior account manager Chloe Thomsen chloe.thomsen@aremedia.co.nz Campaign manager Angela Wei angela.wei@aremedia.co.nz Classified sales Kim Chapman classifieds@xtra.co.nz EXECUTIVE Chief executive officer Jane Huxley General manager Stuart Dick Editorial director Sarah Henry Distributor Are Direct + Contact us Email yhgnz@aremedia.co.nz. Postal address: PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352 + Subscription enquiries Phone: 0800 624 746. Email magshop@magshop.co.nz or visit magshop.co.nz. + Advertising enquiries Sales Director Claire Chisholm, email: claire.chisholm@aremedia.co.nz. Directory Advertising: Kim Chapman, email classifieds@xtra.co.nz.

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Your Home and Garden is published by Are Media Ltd of Level 1, 317 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021. Printed by Webstar, 114 Swanson Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610. © 2021. All rights reserved.

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YO U R H OM E AN D GA R D E N

GREEN LIGHT Creating a tranquil bedroom is one of the secrets to a good night’s sleep. You won’t go wrong with this selection of soothing green mix-and-match patterned bedware that is both calming and very modern. Green Harmony quilted duvet cover, $209.99 (queen), from Adairs.

YOUR H OME AND GAR DE N

SHOPPING 12

Fresh ﬁnds Hot trends and cool ﬁnds.

Style stalker Go for glam with star power.

Women we love The Isadia ﬂoral design team.

YO U R H OME AN D GA R DEN

The latest looks and products wee love

HIGH FLYER The Large Cast Jet Plane in aquamarine by artist Simon Lewis Wards, has just landed. $230, from thepoiroom.co.nz 12

YO UR H OM E A ND GAR D EN

SPLURGE

Fresh ﬁnds

WILD THING Kip & Co bed linen celebrates pattern, print and creativity in collections designed for adults, teenagers and children. Th The Australian brand’s colourful and somewhat some zany creations include a duvet fe featuring prancing pink horses, pictured pictu above. To see more from the Kip & Co range, visit moiongeorge.nz LOOKING FOR AN IMPRESSIVE GIFT FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION? THIS EYE-CATCHING SET OF SIX POLS CHAMPAGNE FLUTES IS A STANDOUT. $280, FROM BOBANDFRIENDS. CO.NZ

S BUDDING BEAUTY

BASKET CASE Bring some subtle colour to your home with this handwoven basket made from kaisa grass and stitched together with cotton. $69.99, from tradeaid.org.nz

Lift your spirits with this pretty blue bud vase, which looks stunning when the sunlight catches it. $59, from boltofcloth.com

TH PANDEMIC-INDUCED WFH TREND THE HAS LED TO A NEW SPIN ON WORK H WARDROBES, DRESSING FOR SUCCESS WA AND COMFORT. THESE PJS LOOK SO –A GOOD YOU COULD EASILY THROW ON GO SOME TRAINERS AND HEAD OUT FOR A SOM WALK. $200, FROM HYBERNATE.COM.AU WAL

NEUTRAL GROUND

LOVE LOCA LOCAL AL

From calming creams to fabulous fawns, neutral doesn’t have to be dull. Walls in Dulux Whāngarā and ceiling in Dulux Sandfly Point Half. For more decor options, visit dulux.co.nz

Handmade goods created in New Zealand are the hallmark of the homewares collection curated by Auckland-based clothing label Widdess. Dipped mugs in gold and blue. $46 each, from widdess.co.nz

DULUX IMAGE: PHOTOGRAPHER LISA COHEN. STYLIST BREE LEECH

SAVE TOGETHER TIME Sharing food and good times with friends and family is the best. This gorgeous grey stoneware from Freedom looks so good it deserves to be displayed on open shelving when not in use. For more on the Harbour dinnerware collection, visit freedomfurniture. co.nz

BLURRED LINES Photographer and artist Westney Rhind takes his inspiration from nature. This print is called Awaroa Inlet East. $79 (unframed); $199 (framed). paperplanestore.com YOUR H O ME A ND GAR DE N

Queen Bee square cushion, $69.90, from Wallace Cotton.

S T Y L E S TA L K E R

STAR POWER 2

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Add some old Hollywood glam to create a golden glow

Lillian chair in natural, $789, from The Cane Collective.

Fazeek Wave tumbler in amber, $95 (set of two), from Paper Plane.

Velvet cushion cover in blush, $59.90, from Mood. Bash bowl by Tom Dixon, $1075 (large), from Simon James.

.99, , $499 d r a t s . mu estore ouf in Flare p m A&C Hom fro

YO U R HO ME A ND GA R D E N

Faux fan palm 90cm, $189, from Harvey Norman.

Velvet cushion 50cm in tur meric, $55, from Bolt of Cloth.

3 4

S T Y L E S TA L K E R

That ’70s show Embrace the warmth of burnt orange and brown

7 6 8

1 Kowhai cushion cover in organic cotton (43cm), $65, from Bolt of Cloth. 2 Asili x Citta Whittle bowl, $329, from Citta. 3 Pablo Stumpy stool/table, $599, from Bolt of Cloth. 4 Pickle ottoman, $929, from The Cane Collective. 5 Rainbow Arch doormat, $59.99, from A&C Homestore. 6 Jonathan Adler Peace tray, $169, Smith & Caughey’s. 7 Resene Smoke Tree paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 8 Leo table lamp in terracotta, $349.99, from A&C Homestore. 9 Ming vase in brown, $325, from Bolt of Cloth. 10 Artland Highgate tumblers, $49.90 (set of four), from Bolt of Cloth.

YO UR HO ME A N D GA RD E N

NEXT BIG THING

Opposites attract Deliver graphic drama to your decor with the tension of polar opposites 6

4 2 7 3

8 10 9 1 littala Nappula plant pots in beige, dark green and white, $179 each, from Bolt of Cloth. 2 Toppu pot in black and white, $159 (small), from The Cane Collective. 3 Spotty vase, $76, from Apartmento. 4 Resene Sea Fog paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 5 Menu Torso table lamp, $1175, from Simon James. 6 Karlsson flip clock boxed XL, $359, from Apartmento. 7 Arc candle in dusk, $118, from Father Rabbit. 8 Hugo occasional chair in black, $849, from The Cane Collective. 9 Marimekko Unikko plate in white and black, $43 (20cm), from Bolt of Cloth. 10 Hotel Magique Shell unframed print, $95 (A3), from Father Rabbit.

YO UR HO M E A N D GA R D EN

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S T Y L E S TA L K E R

Shore thing Adopt a casual coastal vibe for a look that lasts long past summer

Koifish glasses, $135 (stack of four), from Bolt of Cloth.

Marlo Rustic teak bench, $999.99, from A&C Homestore.

Sea Urchin bowl in steel blue by Rebecca Heap, $90, from The Poi Room.

Castle bath towel in milky, $99, from Small Acorns.

Hogla baskets in natural and white stripe, $139.98 (set of two), from Trade Aid. 20

Beach Lotus mug, $19.99, from Trade Aid.

YO UR HO M E A N D GA RD E N

Hello Moeraki photographic art print by Elliot Alexander, from $49, from Endemicworld. Shell pot, $209.99, from A&C Homestore.

LIVING WELL

10 ideas for beautiful storage ELEANOR OZICH Home wellness expert

Take control of the chaos and prepare to get sorted

1. Begin with a drop zone Consider the entry zone in your home, and where the majority of your clutter tends to accumulate. For me, this is the kitchen, which is why I have a dedicated pegboard for things such as bags, keys, pet leashes and hats to keep it hanging in one place. The drop zone is different for every 22

YO UR H O ME A ND GA R DE N

house, which is why you might like to consider a shoe rack, pegs, or a few hooks to hold all your odds and ends in one area. Even a simple wooden tray for keys and the like can make a big difference.

2. Think seasonally Consider all the items you no longer require for the upcoming season, for

example, winter coats and boots in summer or snorkelling gear in winter. What’s the point in having oversized, bulky items around that won’t be put to use for an extended amount of time? Gather all the things you won’t be using for the next six months, then place them in a large plastic container and stow them away in the garage or the attic.

PHOTOGRAPHY ELEANOR OZICH

aving a minimal and tidy home creates more space, which evokes a feeling of freedom, peace, and intentionality. For this reason, I subscribe to the belief that everything in your home can be beautiful while also serving a purpose. This also includes creative storage options to keep your house tidy. We all know that clutter, whether hidden or on display for all to see, can cause a feeling of chaos. That’s why I’m sharing 10 simple and visually appealing tips to help unleash your home’s true storage potential.

S I have two extra-large built-in drawers under the beds. However, you can also use plastic containers on wheels or matching baskets. Opt for containers or baskets with lids so the stored items don’t get dusty.

6. The joy of baskets For most miscellaneous things in my home, such as wetsuits, toys, bathroom products and toilet paper, I opt for various sizes of baskets and woven bags to keep things tidied up prettily. I consider myself a minimalist, but will happily break this rule regarding baskets. Thrift stores and homeware stores offer many options.

7. Utilise the back of doors

3. Areas for shelving Tip Your don’t realise that the least-used space shelves are a Most in your home is prime real estate for reﬂection of shelving. For example, the perimeter just your hobbies below your ceiling is a fantastic, out-of-theshelving area that can add an and interests way abundance of storage space, as does the and a great space around your door frames. Get a place to display carpenter in to build you some bespoke shelves, or better yet, build them yourself. items other than books. 4. Hide your wire clutter There’s nothing that frustrates me more than unsightly wires and cables all over the place, but some small tricks can help you be on your decluttered way. Firstly, always place your couch or a large piece of furniture in front of electrical outlets, then plug everything, from lamps to fans to laptops, in these areas. You can then use cable ties, tape, or pegs to trace the wires around the furniture’s silhouette, ensuring they are out of sight. For phone and laptop cables, use bulldog clips attached to the edge of your desk, which you can then loop your chargers into to keep them all lined up in one neat space. This also saves you from having to bend down underneath your desk to ﬁsh them out when you need them.

5. Under the bed Whenever I have friends around, they can never understand where I hide the majority of all my kids’ paraphernalia. The answer is under their beds, of course. If squeezed for space in small bedrooms, utilising this area is golden.

This one might sound obvious, but I’m sure that most overlook this organisational hack in most rooms outside the bathroom. Every door in your house can provide brilliant storage space in the way of hooks and clever rack systems. This idea especially applies to bulky items such as dressing gowns, winter jackets, and hats.

Top ﬁnds this month 01

HANG TIME

I love the classic design of these peg hooks from Father rabbit. Crafted from pine wood with a satin paint finish, you have the option of forest green or dark grey. @fatherrabbit

8. Beautify your folding Is your laundry cupboard looking messy? Perhaps you’re bored of the way it looks and desire a little more space and order to your linens? Taking an extra moment to fold your linens and towels in a tidy fashion will not only make your storage area roomier, everything will be easier to ﬁnd. I usually do an overhaul every few months and the extra effort is always worth it! Search ‘linen folding techniques’ on Google if you need some inspiration.

9. For all the little things A glass jar makes a practical storage option for all the small, messy things in your home. Whether it’s colouring pencils or that half-used box of washing powder, displaying your everyday needs in a glass jar is an easy way to keep knick-knacks and loose ends out of the way. Glass jars are, of course, great in your kitchen pantry, too.

10. Declutter box

BOXING ON

Made from raw paper pulp, these stackable boxes make a wonderful lightweight storage option. I love them for kids’ toys and miscellaneous papers. @slow_thestore

LOOK HERE

Lastly, the key to keeping your home spick and span is to minimise the things you no longer need. Do you struggle with letting go of stuff you no longer want? Start a declutter box to store the things you’re not sure about giving away. After a few weeks, peek inside the box and consider whether you feel good about donating or getting rid of the items. Put the box in a high-trafﬁc area so you won’t forget about it. eleanorozich.com

Organise all of your kitchen ingredients by using these sleek and simple storage baskets. On the website, you’ll also find nifty mini jars for spices, and a whole range of fridge containers and labels. @the_home_label

YO U R HOM E AND GARD EN

WOMEN WE LOVE

Florists Lydia Reusser and Isabel Johnston discovered doubling up made for singular success Text Leanne Moore Photography Kate Battersby

The power of two 24

YO U R HOM E A ND GA R DE N

S DESIGN DUG Joining forces works well for florists Lydia Reusser (left) and Isabel Johnston. They are creatively similar, yet bring different skills to the business side of their partnership.

uckland florists Isabel Johnston and Lydia Reusser began working together at the end of 2020, after the first Covid-19 lockdown. “Lydia approached me with the idea of partnering up after we had spent many hours freelancing together and discussing our dreams of what our ideal vision for a floristry business would look like,” says Isabel. Having spent so many weekends working together on weddings and events, the pair decided that combining their talents on a joint venture could lead to something unique and exciting. “I already had a handful of regular clients who I provided flowers for on a weekly basis and Lydia had weddings booked for the upcoming season,” says Isabel. “The partnership developed organically as our aesthetics were very aligned and we both had a strong desire to create something different from what is traditionally on offer in the floristry scene in Auckland.” What is your shared vision for Isadia? Isabel: We really wanted a business that allows us to create floral designs that speak true to our artistic vision. We have both worked really hard to encourage our customers and clients to enjoy the unexpected nature of flowers and see the beauty in the unusual. It has been extremely rewarding to stay true to our vision and be recognised. When did you work out your roles and have they evolved over time?

Lydia: We both came to our business with certain strengths and interests and while we don’t have specific roles, we can complement each other by doing the jobs that we are drawn to and enjoy. For example, I will often write up a wedding quote and Isabel will create the mood board for the project. However, over time we have found we often need to do a little bit of everything and are good at jumping in when the other person needs a fresh perspective. Is there a yin and yang dynamic going on? Lydia: Less yin and yang, more complementary, although we feel it really depends on a day-to-day basis. Having a business partner allows us to have moments of inspiration or on the flip side, fatigue. During these moments we tend to lift each other or allow space for down time when we need it. At times we can also push each other and we certainly get through emails and admin at a faster rate. There must be definite advantages to YO U R HO ME AN D GA R DEN

FLORAL ART SPACE The pair has transformed a former paint warehouse near the University of Auckland into Isadia’s light-filled studio. “The walls were painted all different bold colours when we moved in,” says Isabel. The first thing they did was paint the interior white and put up some soft dusky pink curtains to provide much-needed shade for the pretty blooms. They have taken on full-time florist Cara, and have a trusted team of freelancers for big events.

What was your big break? Isabel: Over the past year things just began evolving in such a way where we found ourselves working alongside some amazing clients, which in turn opened up further incredible opportunities for us. There have been moments when an inspiring brief has come in and we’ve looked across at each other and been so excited. It is extremely rewarding for us when we are approached for a job where they specifically want to work with us for our unique aesthetic, and trust us to bring an inspiring vision to life. What’s been your biggest challenge? The Covid disruptions continue to throw challenges our way. Every time there’s a community outbreak/lockdown we need to change plans. During these times we remind ourselves to remain kind and fair – and that we are in the business for the long haul. Currently our biggest challenge is the impact of Covid on the floristry industry – due to high demand and less availability, wholesale flower prices are running at an all-time high.

being a duo? Isabel: Absolutely. Our business has three main areas of operation – regular interior clients, weddings/events and retail bouquets. We have a lot going on, so we are big on logistics and planning. It’s great to have two heads working on problem solving, ﬁguring out ideas, and the best way to do things. What about your personalities, similar or different? Isabel: We are quite different, which works in our favour. Lydia is 26

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wonderfully pragmatic whereas I tend to get carried away with the creative vision. And your ﬂoral styles? Isabel: To begin with Lydia had a more naturalistic, garden aesthetic with a focus on wedding work while I leaned a bit more to the sculptural and unusual. Most of my work was bouquet and installation based. After working together we have learned a lot from one another, which is what gives Isadia its unique style.

What’s the hardest part of running your own business? Isabel: Working out boundaries and maintaining a healthy work/life balance. The most frustrating thing we hear is “I would love to be a florist, you just get to play with flowers all day”. The reality is that 85 percent is accounting, marketing, consulting, flower sourcing, delivery driving, bucket and vase cleaning, 5am early flower market buying and event planning, and then 15 percent flower arranging. Does your work make you happy? Lydia: Absolutely. It has its challenges but at the end of the day neither of us could imagine doing anything else. Floristry is definitely seeing some big changes around the world, with a more sustainable focus, which is encouraging. It is also (finally) being recognised as more of a respected art form and we are excited to be a part of the flourishing community. isadia.co.nz

“It is extremely rewarding when a client comes to us speciﬁcally for our unique aesthetic.” I SABEL J OHN STON

YOU R H OM E AND GAR DEN

YO UR H OME A N D GA R DE N

PHOTOGRAPHY ANNA BRIGGS

COURTYARD OF APPEAL This courtyard provides a natural entertainment area long into autumn. With the large deck, greenery, indoor-outdoor ﬂow and, of course, the pool, why would you want to be anywhere else? For more of this house, turn to page 42.

HOMES 30

Outside inside A pool house enhances a home in Ōamaru.

Positively Palmy A Bali-inspired retreat in Manawatū.

Curve appeal A countryside-loving family’s new-build.

YOU R HO ME AN D GA RD EN

OU TSIDE INSIDE Interior designer Annabel Berry has a pool of talent to draw from at her coastal chic home in Ōamaru Text Debbie Harrison Photography Rachel Wybrow

Meet & greet Annabel (creative director of Design Federation) and Simon Berry (managing director of Whitestone Cheese), Mia, 10, Jackson, nine, and Boe, seven, plus dogs Tessa and Wicket.

RELAXING BY THE POOL Creating a ‘holiday at home’ vibe was Annabel’s vision from the start. It was achieved in the pool room with cool blue walls, the small kitchen with its awning window and the comfortable day beds, which are perfect for a cat (or dog) nap. YOU R HO ME AN D GARD E N

LOUNGE The leather couches are from Nood and green coffee table from Design Federation. The artwork is A More Beautiful World by Jen Sievers. Window shutters are used extensively throughout the home. “By installing lovely white timber shutters on our windows we instantly created that holiday vibe,” says Annabel.

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“I chose a very pool-inspired colour on the walls to create that cohesion with the outdoors.” A N NAB EL B ER RY

t’s actually impossible to believe Annabel Berry’s Ōamaru home is the same one we featured back in 2016. Structurally, the house is the same – apart from the addition of a pool house and studio/guest accommodation; we’ll come to that later – but the decor is almost unrecognisable. Art has been pared back and moved, statement lightshades switched out, ﬂooring replaced and most rooms boast a new paint palette. But what do you expect from someone who studies colour and interiors all day long? “What can I say? It’s in my DNA,” Annabel laughs. “Constant change and evolution are part of being a designer. I’d say our home has changed as I have grown as an interior designer over the years, but this current aesthetic is one we really love as a family.” Annabel and Simon’s renovation kicked off with two poolside additions: a pool house and home studio, both around 25sqm each. Annabel’s busy design practice had made it increasingly necessary for her to have a place to work from after hours – and being able to do so while supervising kids in the pool was the dream scenario. The neighbouring pool house was created to give the family a stylish space to lounge in out of the sun. It was important to the couple that both new spaces were multipurpose, so each includes additional accommodation for guests – but in true designer fashion, the beds are not as you’d expect. “With the pool house, we bought split beds so we can push them together to make a king bed or have them apart. I got some covers made by an upholsterer so they act as day beds when they’re not needed as beds,” she explains. “In my home studio, we included a wall bed, which sits behind beautiful duck-egg blue cabinetry. This means we can use the space for yoga or lounging when the bed isn’t in use.”

OUTDOOR ROOM The rattan lampshade above the outdoor table in fire area is from Design Federation and the blue and white striped umbrella is from Ico Traders. The once industrial-looking space has a more relaxed feel thanks to the Mediterranean-inspired design elements. New tiles have replaced the concrete floor. “I hunted high and low to find the right ones and was so pleased when we got these,” says Annabel.

The pool house To ﬁt with Annabel’s design brief of “a holiday at home”, she knew she wanted the pool house to be blue and white. “I chose a very poolinspired colour on the walls to create that cohesion with the outdoors, and used stunning blue and white sheer drapery to create the mood we were looking for.” The pool-inspired tones carry through to the bathroom, which is a mix of calming blues. “The bathroom was a delight to design. The beautiful ﬁsh scale tiles in mid-blue are a combination of all the things I love, as far as colours, materials and shapes go. For functionality, I wanted a vanity that served the purpose of hand washing without the drama of storage, which was not needed – I love the concrete basin that we found. The bathroom backs onto the pool area, so we added a half wall in here to provide additional privacy,” Annabel explains. YO UR HOM E A ND GARD E N

IN THE GROOVE Using tongue and groove wall panelling throughout the home added texture, interest and an instant coastal vibe. Annabel used panelling in the lounge, their kitchen island and both pool-side rooms. The round table in the family room is from Design Federation (opposite).

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H X A small kitchen allows guests to be self-contained during their stay at the Berry retreat, though Annabel says it’s mostly been used to create poolside happy hour drinks.

The studio Annabel has a studio and shop in town for her interiors business, Design Federation, but it was important to her that her home studio was just as professional to allow her to be productive when working here. The resulting space is a far cry from the overﬂowing dining table she used to work from after hours or during Covid-19 lockdowns. “I painted it in a biscuity pink to deliver a place of calm and warmth. Because it’s solely my space, I could happily make it feminine and ‘me’. I love this studio – it’s a space that I can retreat to and keep on top of work while still engaging with my children – but it’s also a beautiful space for guests to stay.” The Berrys are beyond happy with the ﬁnal result of their two new outdoor additions. “Simon and I are thrilled with both the design and functionality of these two new rooms. We just love every aspect and the spaces totally work for our needs.”

The house renovation Adding the new poolside rooms caused Annabel and Simon to look at their existing four-bedroom home, considering what they were happy with and what they would like to change to ensure everything ﬂowed as one. “Covid provoked a greater need for us to feel relaxed and on holiday at home so we moved the style of the house from modern vintage to classic coastal,” she explains. They started by redecorating the kids’ rooms before addressing the rest of the home. The whole renovation took around 18 months and Annabel reveals she focused on four simple things to change the look of her home: paint, panelling, shutters and accessories. “By far the biggest transformation comes with the change of paint and different colours throughout the home. We always talk to our clients about how paint is the most cost effective and best way you can bring personality to your home. Most people are too scared to do it, but as you can see, bringing a fresh palette to your space can be uplifting,” she says.

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“I have access to the best products and I’m lucky to be able to use these in my home.” ANN AB EL B E RRY

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H X HAPPY HOUR Adding a small kitchen to the pool house was a genius stroke. The coloured Elysian kitchen mixer is from ABI Interiors. DINING The lightshade is by David Trubridge and the round table, Annabel’s favourite piece of furniture, is from Design Federation. MAIN KITCHEN (opposite) The Hayes leather and wood stools are from Design Federation, as are the pendant lights.

Using tongue-and-groove wall panelling throughout the home added texture, interest and an instant coastal aesthetic. Annabel introduced the panelling in the lounge, their kitchen island and both pool-side rooms, using it all the way up to the ceiling. White window shutters were next, Annabel’s tried-and-true go-to for achieving a sophisticated Hamptons-style look. “We specify shutters for many of our clients because they are so beautiful and bring a sense of calm to a space. By installing lovely white timber shutters on our windows we instantly created that holiday vibe,” she says. Lastly, Annabel indulged in some retail therapy, purchasing items she’d been eyeing up through her interior design work. “With a shop brimming with decor, art, cushions, rugs and other accessories, it’s hard not to get carried away. I have access to the best products and I’m lucky to be able to use these in my home. Most of our artwork is local art – we love supporting local artists, designers, photographers and creators,” she says.

Kids’ rooms Annabel says the kids’ rooms have naturally evolved as they’ve gotten older but new paint colours elevated them and gave them a look that suited their personalities. “The children all had a say in their colour choices, which I just tweaked slightly in tone. Don’t be afraid to include your children in the process – while they tend to head towards prime colours, you can adjust the tone to ensure you get an outcome everyone loves.”

The outdoor area Annabel banished the previous industrial look for something straight out of the Med. “When we did a vision board for the space I kept looking at Mediterranean outdoor spaces as the closest look to what we wanted to achieve. I’m a big believer in always starting with a vision board. Hunt down images of what you like – the process helps you learn what you don’t like, too, which is just as YOU R HOM E A ND GA RD EN

important to know. Look at the images you’ve chosen and recognise the common threads, then get started on sourcing what you need – or find a designer who can deliver this vision for you,” she advises. The charcoal wall around the fireplace become duck-egg blue, the dark industrial-style drum lightshade is now a breezy rattan shade and the floor has gone from concrete to some very pretty tiles. “I hunted high and low to find the right ones and was so pleased when we got these. They have to be outdoorspecific tiles to ensure they can withstand the frosts we get here and were hard to find, but we got there and I love the end look.” Annabel brought in more of that blue-and-white Mediterranean-inspired palette through custom-made outdoor squabs and plastered walls. “Plastering the fireplace wall and painting it Periglacial Blue was one of the best things we did, as it delivered the vision perfectly,” she says.

Future plans Annabel is thrilled with the results of their coastal chic renovation – for now. “Now our home naturally ﬁts into the aesthetic that we love as a family. We have very busy lives running two businesses and, with three children, it was important that when we’re home our house feel relaxed and have that holiday feel, which I believe we now have. I am really happy with it all. Our next renovation will be the kitchen – when we recover from this one.”

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“Changing paint colour is the best way to change the atmosphere of a room for the least expense.” A NN ABE L BE R RY

BATHROOM The skis are a vintage find and the Volkswagen Kombi artwork is from Design Federation. Resene Blue Dianne and Resene Milk White was used on the walls. SLEEP EASY (opposite, clockwise) The rattan wardrobe and bedding are from Design Federation; the blue and white stripes in Boe’s room are painted in Resene Norwegian Blue and Resene Milk White; and the bed in the studio is from Asko Wall Beds.

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Honesty box

SHOP THEIR STYLE Create that holiday-at-home vibe with jute and rattan pieces, then add pops of colour in a tropical motif 1

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What do you prefer – high-end or bargain buys? A mix. I still love vintage and the history of a piece. I tend to save up for decent, locally made furniture because it lasts a lifetime and supports the local economy. What do most visitors comment on? Our pool space and outdoor dining area, and the colour of our rooms. They want to know how they can achieve something similar, which I am happy to share. What change gave you the best bang for buck? Changing paint colour is the best way you can change the atmosphere of a room for the least expense. If you are not good with colour, I recommend finding a professional designer who has experience with colour. To get the best outcome, ask to see their portfolio and show them images from Pinterest of rooms you like. What is your favourite spot in the house? The day bed by the pool – I head to it the minute I get home. It’s bliss to be able to lie down and chill out while supervising the kids in the pool. What are the changes that have worked best for your family? The additional accommodation for our parents and the work from home office. Best memories in your home? All the best memories are with our family, watching the children grow up and experience all of this together.

Contacts Benchtop florim.com Cabinetry Melteca and joinery by Firmans Joinery, firmanjoinery.co.nz Flooring Rhino EverCore, carpetcourt.nz Shower ABI Interiors, abiinteriors.co.nz Free-standing basin Concrete Nation, concretenation.com.au

Shop 1 Ananas outdoor cushion, $95 (50cm), from Bolt of Cloth. 2 Kartell Louis Ghost chair, $925, from Backhouse. 3 Sophie shade, $399 (large), from Mr Ralph. 4 Croc stool, $358, from Apartmento. 5 Kesia jute rug, $341, from missamara.nz. 6 Firth lampshade, $365 (large), from Design Federation. 7 Aqua Pacific Coconuts cushion, $179 (55cm), from Republic Home. 8 Willow bedside table, $895, from Republic Home. 9 Carson sofa, $5995, from Republic Home. 10 Keifer occasional chair, $1995, from Republic Home.

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Design Federation (03) 434 2447, designfederation.co.nz

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

How to create a room for all seasons + Much as we admire the open-tothe-elements style of Balinese houses, our less temperate climate means it’s not a reality for us. That said, an all-weather room that’s open along at least one wall is becoming increasingly popular here. + Whether it’s extending the roofline of the house or creating a deck and covered pergola, you’ll need to check in with local council guidelines about any permits you may require. + Alternatively, louvres are an excellent choice for overhead – they’re waterproof and provide shade, but there’s also the option to have them open for light and airflow. + Weatherproof furniture is essential. Look for powder-coated steel, teak, rattan or moulded plastic pieces. + Easy-to-clean flooring that is impervious to any rain that may come in sideways in a downpour is advisable. Ideally, choose something such as non-slip floor tiles or a hardwood deck. + A heating source will be a necessity if you’re planning on using it yearround. An outdoor fire or gas fire would be ideal. Alternatively, a stash of blankets kept nearby makes sense. + You’ll need plants that are just as happy to grow indoors and out. + Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular. This could be anything from a built-in barbecue to a wood-fired pizza oven or a fully functioning kitchen depending on budget.

Floor plan KEY 1 Spa 2 Main bedroom 3 Ensuite 4 Bedroom 5 Bathroom 6 Kitchen/ dining/living 7 Media room 8 Outdoor fire 9 Pool 10 Pool house 11 Studio

The smart way to upsize your home

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If Covid lockdowns taught us anything it’s that having space at home is important. Whether you’re looking to invest in a new house or renovate your current one, we’ve got some expert tips to help you.

Think about what sort of space is important to you

For some that will be a rumpus room for the kids and some additional ofﬁce space. For others, upsizing might mean more land for outdoor living or a self-contained space. What do you really want and need?

Consider separation of space 11

A living room in a separate part of the house, a sit-in kitchen with sliding doors to outdoor space or a media room for movie and gaming are great options.

Take note of design in new developments

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Modern homes make the most of smaller spaces by utilising every square metre of a home – think rooftop gardens, quirky seating nooks, elevated patios and dual-purpose areas.

Space-creating hacks 3

1 Resene Atomic 2 Resene Norwegian Blue 3 Napier Deco matt tile from TileHaus 4 Resene Smokescreen

Mirrors can make a smaller home feel more spacious by reﬂecting the space and replicating the view or consider the size of your furniture in relation to room size. Adding more light or ceiling height can be a great way of creating perceived space in a smaller area. trademe.co.nz/property

P O S I T I V E LY PA L M Y No strangers to renos and hard work, a Manawatū couple pooled their formidable talents to build the perfect Bali-inspired retreat Text Debbie Harrison Photography Anna Briggs

f lockdowns have taught us anything, it’s that a home you love being in is worth its weight in gold. And if that home also feels like the tropical retreat we’re all hankering for while borders are closed, well, that’s just priceless. Blair and Rebecca (Bec) McDonald nailed the holiday-whileyou’re-at home vibe of their new-build by centring it around a key outdoor feature and its surrounding private entertaining area. “The home was designed and built around the pool. Even though it’s in the middle of Palmerston North, I wanted you to be able to forget that and imagine you could be in Bali. Now, sitting under the umbrella on the deck, music playing, a yummy platter on the coffee table, pina coladas in hand while watching the kids in the pool really makes us feel like we are holidaying at home,” says Bec. “Having a pool was about us giving something back to our kids – they have been through a little bit of renovating with us in their time.” “A little bit of renovating” is quite an understatement – the children have lived through

LIVING The low teak and woven leather chairs are by Hayes. The tūī artwork is by Margaret Petchell from Endemicworld.

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LIVING /KITCHEN/DINING The linen sofa and Cica dining chairs are both from St Clements and the dining table is from Freedom. The Normann Copenhagen pendants were sourced from Backhouse and the kitchen stools are by Sketch Interior. “I had to have the Sketch oak bar stools for the kitchen. They cost a fortune, but nothing else worked as beautifully. They were made for my kitchen,” says Bec. OUTSIDE The concrete blocks used in the entrance and kitchen splashback enhance the exterior cladding by visually connecting the interior and exterior spaces. The Rib50 iron cladding was something Bec had been keen to use for a while. The wire chairs are from Ico Traders and plastic balcony chair from King & Teppett.

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Meet & greet Blair and Rebecca McDonald (residential building company owners), Ryder, 11, Indy, eight, Tilly, six, and French bulldog Zinzan.

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several renovations including an old villa, which started when Indy was just four months old. The couple are a prime example of “team work makes the dream work”, with Blair and his building crew on the tools and Bec in control of the design. “We work surprisingly well together. I’m lucky in that Blair is very practical and he likes to ﬁnd cheaper solutions to bring the various designs I cook up to life. I help him with the building (he’s in charge there) and he helps me with the designing (I’m in charge there). We both know who’s the most qualiﬁed in each area and let each other do their thing,” she explains. For this project, Bec and Blair purchased a property with an old Tudor-style home, did that up, moved into it, then built their new home on the empty 399sqm section at the rear of the property.

The design process

MAIN BEDROOM The lightshade is from Corcovado Furniture & Homewares and the wooden bench from Sunday Homestore in Waihi. BATHROOM AND POWDER ROOM “Powder rooms are the perfect place to really stretch your design legs and that’s exactly what we did here. I love the black and white handmade tiles we had designed for the powder room – their quirky boldness really pops and works with the calmness and simplicity of the other fittings,” says Bec. The subway tiles are Acquarella white and the larger profile grey tiles are Cottofaenza Bianco Natural from Quantum Flooring. The wall lights are from Lighting Direct.

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The couple say “high impact on a small site” was their brief. “We wanted to pack a lot of punch into our highly desirable location and get the most out of our new home for family living. This was our chance to make something a little unique and truly ours,” explains Rebecca. At the forefront of the design was the pool area. “This house would only be half as beautiful if it wasn’t lovingly built and focused around the pool. The pool serves as not only a little slice of fun, but it also creates a focal point for design and outlook,” says Bec. “And then I honed in on connecting the interior and exterior spaces with large windows and plantings. I wanted to blur the lines between in and out by connecting the pool and landscaping to the living areas as much as possible.” The size of the site and that non-negotiable pool meant the McDonalds had to build upwards to ﬁt in everything they needed. They ended up with a contemporary twostorey home, with a living room and main bedroom suite downstairs and three children’s bedrooms, a bathroom and media room/living room with balcony upstairs. With so many builds and renovations under their belt, the couple had a fair idea of what they were doing when it came to the build and design of this home. “I think every build and every renovation teaches you so much – we are always and forever learning,” says Bec. “We always take so much experience from one build to the next. Our previous home taught me that investing in quality where it matters and having a clear and precise design direction will pay dividends in the end result. Believe in yourself, love trends, but don’t follow them. Also, it’s okay to be uncompromising on some things – it’s all in the details at the end.”

Style choices When it came to the decor, Bec wanted a luxurious look but using materials that were low maintenance and hard wearing. Cue concrete ﬂoors, internal concrete block work and Dekton benchtops for the kitchen, scullery and vanity tops. These choices were softened by adding texture, such as linen drapes, throughout the home. The dreamy drapes were hung from the ceiling to exaggerate the feeling of height in the rooms and to add a touch of luxury. “The right drapes can really make a space. I love drapes,

“Investing in quality where it matters and having a clear and precise design direction will pay dividends in the end result.” BEC MCDONALD

especially these ones. They’re the number one thing visitors comment on.” Bec says her decor style is most inspired by Scandinavian design. “I love simplicity in design with white walls, wood accents, and bursts of fun and colour. I love calm and curated spaces that aren’t fussy or pretentious and I’m a fan of classic design elements mixed with new,” she explains. A cohesive flow was achieved between rooms by carrying the same design elements throughout, such as colour, flooring and window coverings. For this home, Bec went with brass in the kitchen, scullery and bathrooms. “Brass was an easy choice because it has such a luxurious, beautiful, living finish. It’s like putting jewellery on when wearing a great outfit,” she says.

Personality in the kids’ rooms Ryder, Indy and Tilly made design choices for their spaces but to deter any unicorn/car/Disney princess requests, Bec went for the “this or that” approach. “Getting kids their age to choose from two or three options means they’re involved and make the space their YO UR H OM E A ND GARD EN

own, but it allows you to remain in control of the cohesion of the overall design. As a result, each bedroom has features speciﬁc to its little occupant,” she shares. Indy’s requests were a soft pink scalloped ceiling and a built-in desk and shelves; Tilly got her long-coveted bunk beds and soft violet walls; and Ryder is rapt with his black feature wall, guitar hung as art, and the big window overlooking the pool. “I wanted their rooms to be somewhat minimalist so drawers and shelving are built into their wardrobes, which was great for both looks and practicality.”

The main retreat When it came to Bec and Blair’s bedroom, it was all about that Balinese vibe. “This room was designed to be a complete retreat – a resort-inspired escape from the world. It was important for this room to have that connection to the pool and its tropical landscaping,” she says. They achieved this with sliding doors that step directly from the deck into that outdoor entertaining space. The pared-back colour scheme of the main bedroom is serene and restful, allowing the eye to wander to the pool and tropical plantings just outside. “Modern mum and family life is hectic at times and having this space – designed by us, for us – has often 48

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felt like a reprieve. It is the most calming, restful space and I love having a place for everything.”

The kitchen Sitting at the centre of the living space and also being the hub of busy family life, Bec knew the house’s kitchen had to be beautiful but hard-wearing. “I wanted to create a great-looking kitchen that would look great for many, many years to come, standing up well to family life through the use of good materials for the benchtops, ﬂooring and the concrete blockwork,” she explains. Sticking with a timeless black, white and grey colour scheme, Bec added texture and interest through the concrete block splashback, the pendant lights and the striking black island. Choosing different colours for the cabinetry and benchtops of the island and rear wall sections was a deliberate choice, making the island feel more like a huge table and to separate the kitchen. Brass handles on the integrated fridgefreezer bring a touch of luxury. “They’re so pretty. I love the combination of the brass on the Malibu-coloured cabinet doors, especially next to those soft grey linen drapes – divine. My thinking is, if you can elevate a utility area or item, why not?” A butler’s pantry off the kitchen keeps any mess out

TILLY’S ROOM The bunks were made to Bec and Blair’s design by their joiner. The Just love print is from Castle and Things and the black mushroom lamp from Freedom. The walls are painted in Dulux Soft Violet and the drapes throughout the house are from King & Teppett. The carpet is Cavalier Bremworth Levante in Felucca. RYDER’S ROOM The artwork is from Blacklist Store, the guitar from the Rockshop and shelving cabinet by Meluka. The black paint used in this room, the kitchen cabinets and lounge is Dulux Bethells Beach. INDY’S ROOM (opposite) The bedding is from Castle and Things, the Mustard Shorty pink locker is from Shut the Front Door, and stationery trolley from Kmart (opposite).

Tip Involve your children in decor choices for their bedrooms to give them a sense of ownership, but only offer two or three options.

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of eyesight, plus it also cleverly doubles as a laundry. “I tucked the washing machine away in the butler’s pantry. It’s so good having everything so handy and I would do it again in a heartbeat, especially with the door opening right out to the potager garden and washing line,” she says. “A well-designed house adds to your life though the way it easily enhances your day-to-day living. The location of the washing machine is an example of that, in fact the whole house is an example of that. Living here just makes life easy.” 50

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Future plans However, the minute the couple downed tools and started enjoying their new home, their heads were turned again. “We accidentally found the home of our dreams,” admits Bec. “Well, it will be after a wee bit of work. We found an old farmhouse set on an overgrown 4.5ha, only 10 minutes from the centre of town. It needs a full renovation, inside and outside, and we have big plans to make it a beautiful space, not only for us but also hopefully for events one day. Watch this space.”

“A well-designed house adds to your life through the way it easily enhances your day-to-day living.” BEC MCDONALD

EASY LIVING The concrete blocks work well with the black iron cladding and both materials were chosen because they are “low maintenance, hard-wearing and attractive”. The tropical, Bali-inspired plant choices thrive in the local climate.

SHOP THEIR STYLE Bali feels for this contemporary home meant a neutral palette and investing in simple pieces that will stand the test of time 2

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1 Aspen wire chair, $285, from Cintesi. 2 Kos throw, $64.95, from Freedom. 3 Blonde bench seat, $495, from Sunday Homestore. 4 Peppa Pig soft toy, $38.99, from ToyCo. 5 Anya leather lounge chair, $795, from Souk Collective. 6 Margaret Petchell Leonard Tui art print, $120 (small), from Endemicworld. 7 Bowral dining table, $1809, from Freedom. 8 Cosh table lamp, $64.95, from Freedom. 9 Normann Copenhagen bell pendant, $930, from Backhouse.

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Floor plan

“I am a lover of routines, and even something as simple as brewing a cup of tea is a way to signal to my body to relax. The new Dilmah Arana tea range contains a blend of spices like ginger and cocoa - inspired by traditional Ayurvedic approaches to wellness. To be enjoyed at any time of day when you need a moment to slow down.”

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Bottom level

KEY 1 Entry 2 Living 3 Dining 4 Kitchen 5 Bedroom 6 Wardrobe

7 Bathroom 8 Laundry 9 Ensuite 10 Deck 11 Storage 12 Garage

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@balanceyourplate – Kathy Xu, Nutritionist and Foodie Influencer

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Second level

Honesty box What do you prefer – high-end or bargain buys? Always both. Mixing and matching is the spice of life. Create something no one else has. Anything you regret or wish you’d done differently? I try not to have too many regrets. Each build is a lesson in building and design and teaches us so much. Although I loved the design, I’m not sure the push to open/close kitchen cabinets were for us. We kept knocking them open with our butts. What gave you the best bang for buck in terms of impact or result? It’s a modern box house in design,

but there are no hidden or internal gutters. The roof is hidden behind a straight facade, then slopes away to the rear of the house to traditional spouting. This gave us all the looks, but without the costs or the problems. What were the challenges? We probably spent the most time on the concept plans for this home than for any other build we have done. We were focused on getting the layout of the design just right. It’s more personal when it’s your own home, so you put a little more pressure on yourself.

SLEEP

COMFORT

DETOX

DIGESTIVE

#Dilmah #AranaHerbalTea

CURVE APPEAL Sustainability and a love of nature are some of the design elements that inspired this countryside-loving family’s new-build Text Fiona Barber Photography Kate Battersby

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n interior designer and a builder make a handy combination. Throw in an ability to hunt down stylish second-hand bargains and a penchant for gathering treasures and you’ve got all the ingredients for something special. The conﬂuence of Kate and Jesse Crooks’ talents and skills is their Riverhead property, a stone’s throw from the upper reaches of the Waitematā Harbour. Their twin-gabled family home is all about open, airy spaces, being close to nature, and sustainability. The style? “It’s a modern farmhouse with an eclectic mix of furniture,” says Kate, who grew up near this once-rural north-west pocket of Auckland.

Breathing space After living in London and central Auckland, Kate and Jesse decided to head west to be closer to the countryside. Riverhead, says Kate, has a small-town feel to it, so they bought

Meet & greet Kate Crooks (interior designer at Kate Crooks Design), Jesse Crooks (builder and co-owner of Astute Build), Willow, six, and Siena, four. a corner section there and set about designing a family home to suit them and their “outdoor kids”. “Before our build, we’d often go for walks and bike rides in the area – down by the river and boardwalk,” she says. “A lot of the design elements within the home reference back to the textures, patterns and contrasts from the river and surrounds. We love being out in nature so having the river, walkways, pond and mountain-bike tracks close by is perfect.” They wanted their house to have a sense of presence, as if it had been there for a while, so chose roughly pointed white bricks and shou sugi ban (Japanese-style charred wood) for the front. Five years living in the British capital had changed their minds about the beauty of brick, which also proved to be cost-effective. Indoor-outdoor living was also 56

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important, and the couple wanted ﬂow from both ends of their 255sqm fourbedroom house. The open-plan living space spills on to a wide deck and generous front lawn, and out the back, the kitchen overlooks an enclosed garden with raised beds and a sheltered dining and entertaining space.

Inside job Step into the living, dining and kitchen zone and the impression is one of fresh air and space. Light ﬁlters through skylights, windows and sliders, the latter connecting the living area to the deck that runs along the base of both gable forms. “We love having the high, pitched ceilings and exposed trusses and the option of two outdoor areas at either end of the house,” says Kate. The white expanse is punctuated with

H EXTERIOR The brick was painted in Resene Black White and the timber cladding is shou sugi ban, which is also sometimes called yakisugi, and is the Japanese method of charring the surface of timber to waterproof it.

“A lot of the design elements within the home reference back to the textures, patterns and contrasts from the river and surrounds.” K AT E C R O O KS

LIVING (opposite) The parallelogram tiles used for the fireplace hearth (and ensuite and powder room floors), were a Trade Me buy. The wooden coffee table was made by Kate’s opa, Johannes La Grouw Snr, who co-founded Lockwood Group. KITCHEN The vintage scales were found in a London market and the coffee machine used to belong to Kate’s opa.

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black tapware, plus replica Constance Guisset light pendants that hover over the kitchen island like flying saucers. “Because we chose these [black] windows we decided to keep the theme, with brass trim. It was important to have good quality fittings. We’re all about sustainability and hard-wearing, so we put more money into that.” While they love their open zones, the couple also planned for private spaces, such as their bedroom, an upstairs retreat with views to the water. “That’s why we did the double storey.” Their serene space also has an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. At the top of the stairs is a wide study, which is kitted out for both businesses and can be tucked away behind sliding doors. Towards the foot of the stairs you’ll find Kate’s must-haves – treads that wind around the side of the stairwell and into the foyer. She says Jesse wasn’t so keen on the idea because of the work involved in curves, but the extra effort has been worth it.

Gather and cherish IT’S IN THE DETAILS Outdoor seating from Mitre 10. Baskets add texture to the laundry – and were turned into light shades in the stairwell (opposite). SIENA’S ROOM The canopy was handed down by Kate’s sister Sjaan. WILLOW’S ROOM Rug from H&M, shelf from Trade Me. COOL CURVES Replica Constance Guisset light pendants in the kitchen.

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When the budget gets tough, the tough get resourceful. “We were on quite a tight budget so finding a few items and materials second hand, and using furniture we already had, meant we could splurge on a few things.” Walk around the house with Kate and she’ll point out the Trade Me buys, including a bed and matching side cabinets, a chair, art, lamps, the dining suite and parallelogram-shaped tiles used for the fireplace hearth and floors of the ensuite and powder room. And when the budget runs out, the tough also get inventive. Above the stairwell is a beautiful trio of lampshades – made by Kate from baskets. You’ll also find evidence of Kate and Jesse’s travels. “We moved to London in 2007 and worked doing retail design, including creative store windows, department stores, malls, pop-ups, shops, fixture design, and I also worked on high-end residential jobs,” Kate explains. “I got the opportunity to work on projects all around the world, including England, Korea, Russia, China, India, Mexico and Sweden. “Jesse and I brought back a container load of furniture from India on our way back to New Zealand, so a few of these pieces were used in this home.” In terms of precious pieces, in pride of place in the living room is the coffee table made by Kate’s late opa. Her grandfather was Johannes La Grouw Snr who, with fellow Dutch immigrant Johannes Van Loghem, founded Lockwood Group in 1951. Opa’s coffee table, she says, is of sentimental value, and at night its petal-like forms create shadows on the ground. His coffee-making

“It was important to have good quality ﬁttings. We’re all about sustainability and hard-wearing, so we put more money into that.” K AT E C R O O KS

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BATHROOMS The main bathroom wall and floor tiles are from Tile Space. The bathroom mirrors are from Kmart and vanities from Kitchen Theme. The marble parallelogram-shaped tiles used on the ensuite and powder room floors are from Trade Me.

machine sits on her kitchen benchtop. An antique child’s desk and chair set sits off to the side in the kitchen, a birthday gift to Siena from Poppa, Jesse’s father. Kate’s design ﬂair is everywhere in a relaxed, understated way. She has a wealth of experience to draw on: “When I moved back to New Zealand I continued to do a lot of retail design, then moved into hotel design. After having kids I went out on my own and started Kate Crooks Design where I now do mainly residential design.”

Garden to table Stand in the kitchen and through sliding windows above the benchtop you can choose what’s for dinner. Kate and Jesse have always had gardens and out the back you’ll ﬁnd raised beds bursting with produce that also form attractive borders for their sheltered dining and entertaining area. “This is quite a small garden for us.” Kate says Jesse studied horticulture, so is a big gardener, and she comes from a family that always had gardens. As a result, the kids are growing up knowing about garden produce. You can ask the girls to pick veggies and herbs, and they’ll know exactly what you’ve asked for, says Kate. “The kids are growing up gardening.” With both parents from the country (Jesse hails from the Hokianga), the Crooks are keen to give their children a life on the land. The family is now on the hunt for a rural property with more scope for gardens and trees. 62

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Tip Know when to save and splurge in the bathroom – this vanity is made by a cabinetmaking company while the mirror is from budget-friendly Kmart.

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SHOP THEIR STYLE A modern take on an airy white farm house use is punctuated with black and some dramaticc ﬁttings

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1 Kitchen Collection Tahitian Lime and Grapefruit surface spray, $19.95, from Ecoya. 2 Petite Friture Constance Guisset Vertigo pendant light, $2670, from ECC. 3 Forget Me Not duvet cover, $249 (queen), from Citta. 4 Resene Spring Wood paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 5 Bermuda cushion, $69.90, from Wallace Cotton. 6 Trendy oscuro mirror, $249, from Plumbing World. 7 Leigh outdoor chair, $1199, from Cintesi. 8 Resene Avocado paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 9 Misi Luki banana plant, $59.99, from Kings Plant Barn. 10 Anders timber stool, $495, from Coco Republic.

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H Honesty box What did you save on? We got our marble tiles off Trade Me for an absolute bargain (about $200). What did you splurge on? The shou sugi ban cladding (Japanese-style charred wood), the curved stairs and the kitchen. What’s the one thing about your home you’d change if you could? We would definitely have a pool. Best lessons learned? If problems or challenges arise there is always a solution. Sometimes the solution ends up to be better than what was proposed. What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? It was really nice to host the family Christmas here and have enough room for everyone to stay.

Kate’s design tips + Planning is key. Get your vision/wants onto a mood board or pinboard so you can see all your chosen finishes/items/ images/colours together. + Keep it simple if you are on a tight budget, then splurge on a few key items to help pull your look together. + Take time to research thoroughly before starting a renovation or new build. + Trust your personal style. Find something you love, whether it’s a piece of art, clothing or furniture and use that as a starting point to create a look and feel for your space. + Think about the furniture when planning each area and what you want to fit into each space. Also, do you want built-in storage/furniture? Planning these at the early stages is key.

Timber flooring by Bespoke Timber Coatings.

Contacts and suppliers Astute Build Jesse Crooks, astutebuild.co.nz Woodbox Architecture Landon Canham Tile Space tiles.co.nz Fox Plumbing foxplumbing.co.nz DC Bricklayers 0210 244 3833 Dominator Garage Doors dominatorrodney.co.nz Paterson Trading Company Bathroomware. paterson.co.nz

Floor plan

7 10 12 5

5 8 9

Ground floor

Finishes Parallelogram-shaped tiles for the hearth, ensuite and powderroom floors bought off Trade Me. Main bathroom wall and floor tiles from Tile Space. Interior paint Resene Black White Exterior paint Resene Black White on painted brick. Architraves, trims and skirtings in Resene Half Black White.

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First floor

KEY 1 Deck 2 Living room 3 Dining 4 Kitchen 5 Bedroom 6 Bathroom 7 Hall 8 Entry 9 Toilet 10 Laundry 11 Garage 12 Cupboard 13 Main bedroom 14 Ensuite 15 Wardrobe 16 Study YO UR HO ME A ND GA RD EN

BAY WATCH A property developer and his family ﬁnd magic at Moonlight on a steep section overlooking the Tasman Photography Swell Productions

YH&G + VANTAGE

hen Nicky and Ben Lee ﬁrst saw a Raglan section for sale they were undeterred by the fact that the compact site had never been built on, despite a few local builders previously owning it with plans to do exactly that. Perched high above Moonlight Bay, with 180-degree views across Raglan Harbour, the setting is spectacular. But the site was, and still is, incredibly steep. “Every inch had to be excavated,” explains Ben. “You could hardly walk on it.”

Rising to the challenge Ben, a property developer and carpenter, enlisted the help of his frequent collaborator, architectural designer Tane Cox of Red Architecture, and tackled the project head on. “Out of those tensions you become creative with your solutions,” says Ben. “You build your way out of it.” Subsequently, the resulting 140sqm cedar-clad house – a series of angled pods – stands on 160 piles. The idea for the house was that it was based entirely around holidaying. The family lives 55km away in Tamahere and wanted a place they could bring their family and host large gatherings.

Meet & greet Nicky (PA to London-based theatre agent) and Ben Lee (property developer/carpenter), Sienna, 10, Theo, seven, Poppy, four, and Buddy the puppy.

TAKE IN THE VIEW Enter through the full-height glass Vantage door and a few steps later, you can access the sunken outdoor dining area, complete with a built-in barbecue and coffee kitchen.

There is accommodation for 12 in this holiday home, which was built to entertain a lot of people effortlessly across the many areas.

Enter through the full-height glass Vantage front door and two steps later, you can access the sunken outdoor dining area, complete with a built-in barbecue and coffee kitchen concealed behind a cafe window that opens upwards on gas struts. Otherwise, turn right and you’re in the open-plan kitchen, dining and living space united by wide plank French oak flooring. A floor-to-ceiling picture window and two large APL Architectural Series over-the-wall sliding doors powder-coated in Matt Lignite get star billing here, allowing that view to come into its own. Slide them open and they magically disappear into the slatted cedar-clad wall. It’s those details that Nicky and Ben relish. The same goes for the entertainment unit and floating kitchen island made from leftover oak. The intention was for them to look like they’ve been hand-crafted, “not like you’ve gone and bought them from a shop”. The other upstairs pod has two bedrooms and

YH&G + VANTAGE OPEN-PLAN LIVING (opposite and below) The French oak flooring complements the large APL Architectural Series sliding doors powder coated in Matt Lignite. When opened, the doors slide into the slatted cedar-clad walls. BARISTA STATION (left) The cafe window opens upwards to catch the sea breeze. GUEST BOX Features custombuilt bunk beds and a convenient bathroom area. The Vantage sliding door opens to the spa and lawn.

an ensuite off the main bedroom, with provision for an outdoor shower. The second bedroom incorporates bunk beds, the lower a double bed and the upper a top-and-tail space. These custom-built beds have pull-out storage so the bedrooms aren’t cluttered with suitcases – commitment to Ben’s solution-based building practice. Again, details matter and the bathroom is a vision in pistachio-coloured Winckelmans tiles from France. Downstairs there’s a completely self-contained “guest box” kitted out with a bathroom, queen bed and more custom-built bunks. The sliding door leads out to the spa and ﬂat lawn. All up, there is accommodation for 12 in this holiday home, which was built to entertain a lot of people effortlessly across the many areas on a site that, while compact, is big on design, easy (and yes, luxurious) living.

S E E M O R E O F T H I S H O M E AT VA N TA G E . C O . N Z / B AY- W AT C H

PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT We’re always up for a bathroom refresh. Before getting started, check out our foolproof guide on page 80, then what’s making a splash right now on page 84.

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RENOVATION 72

Escape plot A historic home is moved and updated.

Bathroom renos Jen Jones’ easy-tofollow tips. YO U R H OME AN D GA RDEN

ISLAND TIME Laird and Tilly in the kitchen, which was a dated mess when they bought the building. OPPOSITE Julie and Sean Granger’s home, which was divided into two pieces for the move, at its new site. Julie and Sean wanted the house to look like it had always been there.

BEFORE

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BEFORE

PLOT TI NG THEIR E SCA PE Separated by distance and a pandemic, a woman’s dream of relocating a historic home to the countryside of her youth was a passion project

Meet & greet Julie (barrister) and Sean Granger (environmental operations manager), Laird, 11, and Tilly, eight.

S BEFORE

HOME SWEET HOME The couple bought the historic house, even though it had no functioning kitchen or bathroom. The Grangers enlarged the kitchen and brought the bathroom inside. OPPOSITE The front door and original pine floorboards; the outdoor fire pit.

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tanding on a narrow, dusty road in a picturesque hinterland, Julie Granger’s heart was in her throat. Half her dream home, a 1900s historic house, was on the back of a truck, precariously crossing a creek over a single lane bridge. “We were watching to make sure it wouldn’t fall off,” the barrister explains. Timber homes, such as this classic example, are common in the subtropical region of her childhood. “I love old houses, their history, and the architecture,” says Julie. For years, Julie had been searching the websites of companies specialising in relocating and repiling this type of house “in the hope one day the dream might become a reality,” she says. Then, in 2019, Julie and husband Sean found a home in the holding yard of a removals firm. “They buy houses and put them up for sale on their website,” Julie explains. “Then they move them.” Julie and Sean, who works in environmental management, live in the city with their children, Laird and Tilly. Their careers and the children’s education necessitate they stay put for the next few years, but the family retain strong connections to the area of her youth. “It’s my heart home,” says Julie. “It’s where I’m happiest.” It’s where she and Sean first met, studying at university, and the couple have talked about returning to the region one day. Julie says when they first inspected the three-bedroom house, her heart skipped a beat. “It was love at first sight,” she says. “It had tongue-and-groove panelling throughout, original hoop pine floorboards, original fretwork and ceiling roses… and the sweetest green casement windows.” It had been cut in half, its roof removed, and was ready to be relocated. A few months prior, while holidaying at a beachside town in the region, Julie had remarked jokingly to Sean that they should buy a place in the area. Sean, a keen surfer, didn’t need extra encouragement, and they started scouring real estate websites. They found the ideal place, 20 minutes from the coastal town. “It was an old cow paddock,” says Sean. “It was perfect for us.” Julie’s dream of relocating a classic house was coming together, but the Grangers would have to manage their relocation and renovation from 800km away – and during the Covid pandemic. Apart from council approvals and ensuring delivery to the site was possible, given road and weather conditions, the Grangers also had to meet the requirements for building in a designated fire-prone area. It was a daunting project, but by December 2019 the house was finally on the block. Once there, the home was repiled and stitched back together, which took about a week, and the roof replaced. The house also had to be connected to a septic system, rainwater tanks and power. “The house was in an unliveable condition, with no functioning bathroom and kitchen,” says Julie. “It was a major renovation.”

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“It was an old cow paddock. It was perfect for us.” S E AN GR A NGE R

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KEEPING TO THE CLASSICS Tongue-and-groove panelling features throughout the house. New French doors were installed to match the original and open up the kitchen for a greater connection to the lounge and dining space.

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ABOUT THE HOUSE • The house was bought from a removals ﬁrm who also relocated the house to the property from their holding yard. • Julie and Sean used local tradespeople wherever possible. “We were able to ﬁnd builders who were friends of people we knew, and tradespeople I’ve known since I was at school,” says Julie. • The couple’s builder also did the carpentry and project managed the build. • The kitchen and butler’s laundry was built

and installed by a local kitchen company. • The lattice on the front door is original. “It was in great condition. It had been taken off and stored inside the house,” says Sean. • The original hoop pine ﬂoorboards were restored back to their former glory. • The sliding doors that lead to the laundry were originally hinged doors that Julie and Sean’s builder put on a barn door track. • The landscaping was designed and built by a local ﬁrm.

“We wanted it to look like it had been there forever. When we did something new, it was in keeping with the original.” J U LIE G RA NGE R

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YOUR HOME AN D GA RD E N

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

MAIN BEDROOM The house was reconfigured, with three bedrooms and bathrooms at the front. BEDROOM Laird and Tilly in one of the bedrooms, which were originally a single large room that was divided into two.

Managing the project remotely, the couple gave the builders a detailed scope of work, right down to the architraves. “We wanted it to look like it had been there forever,” says Julie. “When we did something new, it was in keeping with the original.” The walls, doors and windows are original, and the Grangers retained the French doors and opened up the enclosed veranda. Originally a three-bedroom home with a bathroom off the kitchen, the home has been reconfigured so the three bedrooms and bathroom are at the front, with an ensuite off the main bedroom. The Grangers enlarged the kitchen, and installed a laundry, as well as a wooden deck with views over the bush and a 14,000 litre plunge pool. The garden includes a number of raised vegetable beds, a fire pit, and future plans for an orchard. “A plot is a small parcel of land or a place to grow food, so it seemed apt,” says Julie of their choice of name, The Plot, for their property. “But The Plot also means a journey or storyline, and this property is a special part of our family’s story… bringing us back full circle to where I grew up and where we met.” The Grangers plan to live at The Plot once their children have left school. “I’m so passionate about the area,” says Julie. “I’ll always think of it as home.” Despite the difficulties, she and Sean are thrilled with the outcome of the project. “We would do it again in a heartbeat,” says Julie. “I was in love with this type of home before; I’m even more in love with them now.”

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FROM LEFT (clockwise) The comfortable lounge room; sliding doors to the bathroom; the plunge pool; French doors open to the deck.

“I’m so passionate about the area. I’ll always think of it as home.” JU LI E GR AN G E R

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THE FOOLPROOF GUIDE TO

Bathroom renovation Consider these 10 helpful tips before making any big changes to your bathroom 1. Reuse the plumbing

JEN JONES Renovations expert

If your budget’s tight, do your best to reuse the existing plumbing locations. Try not to move the toilet or shower as this can be a costly exercise by the time the water supply and wastewater pipework is repositioned and extended as needed. This means keeping the bathroom layout the same, and refreshing it with new finishes, fixtures and fittings instead. If your budget allows it though, definitely reconfigure the plumbing to improve the layout.

2. Limit the tiling If you don’t have a huge tiling budget, consider laying a feature tile on one area 80

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and either plain white porcelain tiles to the rest of the walls, which can be part or full height, or a paint or plaster ﬁnish instead. That way you’re still getting a bit of wow out of the space without breaking the bank. Alternatively, opt for a large tile – think 60cm x 60cm – the larger it is, the quicker, easier and cheaper it is to install as there are less cuts and less grout to contend with. The only exception is in the shower, in which case you’ll beneﬁt from choosing a strip drain or acrylic base for ease of fall (the way the water drains away). Be mindful of in-wall cistern toilets if you’re thinking of tiling the area. If there’s a maintenance issue and the cistern needs to be accessed, then you’ll likely need to cut through the tiles to do so – unless the toilet is positioned on an interior wall and you can

R access it from the other side of the wall. The advantage of an in-wall cistern and tiled wall combo however, is that the wall is a lot easier to clean than a painted wall ﬁnish.

3. Consistency is key Choose tapware, ﬁxtures, hardware and accessories from the same range so that the style, colour and shape will be seamless. If that’s not possible, then aim for the same colour and ﬁnish at the very least. Try to choose your vanity, basin and tapware together. The depth of your vanity will determine the basin location (usually centred) and where the basin is placed will determine the distance between tapware and pop-up basin waste. As a rule of thumb, aim for the end of the tap to sit exactly over the sink waste, otherwise you’ll end up with water pooling behind the basin or at the base of the tap; and toothpaste and other grime drying on the pop-up waste.

4. Consider function Opt for a hybrid bath to get the best of both options so you can enjoy an aesthetic front but placed against the wall for easy cleaning. Build in some storage for toiletries, or a candle and wine glass. This could be a tiled wall niche or a part-height wall that sits back against the main bathroom wall, providing a ledge for whatever you need to store there. Built-in baths also offer an opportunity to integrate a cupboard into the framing for concealing bath toys from view when not

Tip With no gap where dust or dirt can gather, a back-to-wall hybrid bath is a family-friendly choice.

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5. Is it easy to clean? When designing spaces ask yourself, “Will it be easy to clean?” Think about how you’re going to get behind the bath to clean it and what happens when the surface-mounted basin has an awkward hard-to-reach base that will attract mould and mildew. Bathrooms are wet areas and you need to be able to reach every nook and cranny for effective cleaning. This is when integrated or hybrid baths and undermount basins come in handy.

“Installing a wet room-style walk-in shower needs consent. Always make sure you obtain compliance documentation.”

6. Cabinetry selection Whether you’re having bespoke vanity and tower units made, or purchasing off-theshelf, consider positioning power outlets inside them to avoid having to store things such as an electric toothbrush on top of the vanity. Save the visible spaces for indoor plants, nice soaps and candles.

7. Think ahead If you plan to sell in the future (that’s anywhere from ﬁve years on) think about the future target market and bear them in mind when designing. For instance, I wouldn’t remove the bath from a fourbedroom home as there’s a good chance your home will be purchased by a family with young children when you come to sell.

PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

8. Down-spec where possible Not every bathroom in the house needs to match or be at the same high level of spec. If you have a small bathroom or second toilet off the laundry, you could make do with painted walls to free up funds for a feature tile in your ensuite.

9. Budget for decor Don’t forget to budget for the extras, such as new towels, plants, soap and candles to put the ﬁnishing touches to the room. Old, mismatched towels look out of place in a beautifully renovated bathroom.

10. Keep it compliant Know what does and doesn’t trigger a building consent. For instance, installing a second toilet or wet room-style walk-in shower needs consent. Always make sure you obtain compliance documentation as well, this includes a Certiﬁcate of Compliance (CoC) from your electrician, and a Producer Statement (PS3) from your plumber, water proofer and tiler.

jen@nineyardsconsulting.co.nz YOU R H O ME AN D GAR DEN

style it up Treat your bathroom as you would any other room in your home and layer it up with personal style. Add a vase of fresh ﬂowers, a candle and a display tray of your favourite perfumes.

BATHROOM UPDATE

Transform your space

Styling your bathroom Work out what kind of look you want to achieve. Do you like clean lines and luxury ﬁnishes or do you prefer your decor to have an industrial edge, art deco style or a vintage vibe? A burst of colour Once you’ve nailed your look, select a colour palette. Think of the bigger picture; the decor of your bathroom should be in harmony with the rest of your home. Soothe the senses As well as a place for daily rituals, a bathroom can be the ultimate self-pampering haven. Fragrance will instantly give it a spa-like feel. Candles bring a warm glow, along with a beautiful scent, and burning incense is another way to create a sweet-smelling sanctuary.

All you need – from creative inspiration to the latest looks 3 5

1 Retreat mirror in white, $1395, from Republic Home. 2 Vintage lassi cups, from $69, from Small Acorns. 3 Blue and white bone inlay stool, $995, from Republic Home. 4 Valkea votive in turquoise, $35.99, from Bolt of Cloth. 5 Pacifica tiles, $575 per sqm, from Middle Earth Tiles.

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R Reno rules Planning ahead If your reno involves replacing floorboards with tiles in an older home, discuss with your builder first. The work could require removing the entire floor, including the joists and trusses. This is how your builder will ensure the tiles are flush with the floorboards when it’s completed. Expert advice A bathroom renovation involves many decisions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider employing an architect or bathroom designer to ease the load. Budget friendly If money is tight, the single most important thing you can do to save on costs is to keep the basin, bath, shower and toilet in existing positions. The biggest expense when it comes to bathrooms is moving the plumbing to accommodate a new layout.

Mixed materials

Bespoke cabinetry in the bathroom brings a resort-style vibe. It takes a bit more time to create a custom design but it’s well worth the effort

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1 Hansgrohe Croma combination shower chrome with shower arm, $1160.43, from Mico. 2 Joiku plywood tray in brown beige, $129 (46cm), from Bolt of Cloth. 3 Meek Doric round basin in mid grey, $1472, from Artedomus. 4 Oasis bath sheet, from $59.90, from Wallace Cotton. 5 Heirloom Studio 1 Noir seven-rung slimline towel warmer in black, $579 (450mm x 825mm), from PlaceMakers. 6 Gessi Inciso (+) widespread wash basin mixer with pop-up in black, $2477.81, from Mico.

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Best bathroom trends Colour and character Bathrooms don’t have to be pristine white spaces lacking in character. They can take just as much design detail and personality as any other room. Choose tiles in similar tones to add impactful colour to your bathroom. In plain sight When it comes to designing your ensuite, it’s highly likely you’ll be able to see it from your bedroom. Ensure the view is pleasing on the eye by keeping the look and feel of your wet room in a complementary style to your bedroom. Deco deluxe Luxurious and classic, the return of art deco style is at an all-time high. It makes for a winning combo in a bathroom, where the subtle yet striking colour palette of the era – pale gold, sage green and dusky pink – are all lovely tones to have as a backdrop to the daily ritual of washing and cleansing.

the new art deco The simple luxe look of art deco never goes out of style. Transform your space with tone-on-tone tiling and decorative details for the ﬁnal ﬂourish

1 Version Originale liquid Marseille soap, $34.90, from Citta. 2 Stucci Relieve Tiffany Gloss tile 75mm x 230mm, $144.90 per sqm, from Tile Warehouse. 3 City Plaster Multicolour matte tile 600mm x 1200mm, $131.10 per sqm, from Tile Warehouse. 4 Mae hand towel, $39.90, from Citta. 5 Methven Wairere 200mm overhead shower with wall arm in black, $289, from Elite Bathroomware.

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hotel vibe

Go for the drama and glamour of a dark palette, then add a fabulous pendant light and a bath made for soaking

In the mood Darkly dramatic To create a sophisticated bathroom that is made for relaxing choose shimmering mosaic tiles in dark tones such as rich brown, charcoal grey or inky blue. Perfectly balanced It is possible to hit that sweet spot between glamour and functionality. The key is being able to tone down the lighting for those times when you want to retreat from the hurly-burly of life. Making magic Create a powerful focal point to give your bathroom the wow factor. A statement pendant light suspended above a beautiful bath can set the tone for the entire bathroom decor.

1 Mudag.30 pendant, $199, from Lighting Plus. 2 Glass Vixel mosaic tiles in rust, $126.50 per sqm, from Artedomus. 3 Methven Aio wall mounted bath spout in chrome, $269, from Elite Bathroomware. 4 Meek Intra bath in off white, $16,939.50, from Artedomus. 5 Honeycomb brass stool, $699, from Republic Home. 6 Jacquard bath towel range in chestnut, from $8.90, from Citta.

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modern rustic The past and present mix seamlessly together in this bathroom, where vintage pieces and the warmth of wood bring rustic charm

Where old meets new

1 Fog Linen storage basket in deep grey, $69, from Father Rabbit. 2 Phoenix Axia wall basin bath hostess set 180mm in matte black, $1045, from Mico. 3 Christy Brixton towel, $40, from Father Rabbit. 4 Ming vase in black, $325, from Bolt of Cloth. 5 Phoenix Vivid hand towel ring in chrome, $58.85, from Harvey Norman. 6 Adesso Urban ultra-thin oval vessel basin in matte white, $779, from Mico.

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TEXT LEANNE MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

Perfect imperfection Time-worn pieces, such as a vintage mirror bearing the patina of age, add instant character. Mix vintage and modern together for a bathroom style that showcases the old with the new. Well aged Recycled materials can be stylishly showcased in a bathroom renovation, whether it’s a piece of marine-grade teak timber repurposed as a benchtop or some old bricks salvaged from a demolition site. Tales of the unexpected For a fresh and interesting look, combine pieces from different eras and you’ll develop your own quirky style in no time at all.

PlaceMakers Kitchens

READY

FOR LIFE

With a range to suit every style and budget, PlaceMakers can help you take your dream kitchen from concept to completion.

SOFT

Cabinetry made in New Zealand (excluding hardware)

German Hettich Atira soft-close hardware

ISO14001 environmentally certiﬁed moisture resistant board

Free in-store design service or online kitchen planner

To be inspired, check out the new Kitchens Catalogue online, or book a free consultation today! placemakers.co.nz/kitchens

A range of solutions to suit any budget

15 year warranty on cabinetry

Lifetime warranty on internal hardware

SUNNY DAYS The feature wall is back with a vengeance. In this entrance, a bold gold wall ensures there’s never a dull moment. Check out the rest of this house on page 92.

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MAKEOVER

PHOTOGRAPHY LIVING INSIDE

Mix & max An interiors stylist goes for bright and bold.

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Space savers How to maximise compact areas.

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PINK SITTING ROOM The golden arch, found on eBay, set the tone for this room. The green on the inside of the arch is an archive colour by Farrow & Ball. The velvet chairs are vintage.

Relocating to the country allowed an interiors stylist to create her dream maximalist home

MIX & MAX Text Jessica Doyle Photography Ingrid Rasmussen/Living Inside YO UR HO ME AN D GA R DE N

STAIRCASE/ENTRANCE HALL Instead of a carpet runner, Emily painted a black stripe along the hall and up the stairs. The vibrant yellow paint on the wall adds a sunshinefilled splash of colour.

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Meet & greet Emily (interiors stylist) and Charlie Mellor (bike company general manager).

hen Emily Mellor and her husband Charlie found their dream home in the countryside, it was clearly meant to be. At the time, in summer 2015, it was in fact already under offer, as Emily found out when she called the real estate agent. But, she says, “I had this premonition that we were going to live there, and I told the real estate agent so. She probably thought I was mad.” Sure enough, six months later, the agent called her back to tell her that the sale had fallen through, and Emily and Charlie moved in three months later, in April 2016. Nothing in particular had prompted the move from their previous home, a two-bedroom ﬂat in the city, other than the realisation that they would never be able to upsize to a house in the same area due to the prohibitive property prices, and a desire for a simpler, more outdoorsy way of life. It was the house itself, a characterful, three-storey property built in the late 18th century, that really drew them in: “You can just tell it’s a house that has been loved forever,” says Emily. “You walk in and it resonates good vibes.” The interiors needed some updating, however. “It YO UR HO ME A ND GA RD EN

KITCHEN Emily designed the kitchen cabinets herself and had them made by a local joiner. The white Aga stove was a must-have. ENTRANCE HALL The black-and-white Elefant wallpaper is from Swedish interior design company Svenskt Tenn and the mirror is a vintage find.

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was like 1983 on the inside,” Emily recalls. “There was thick carpet everywhere, lots of beige and brown, and the kitchen looked like a sauna. There were some really nice patterned wallpapers, but they were in bad condition. The previous owners had lived here for a long time.” Luckily, Emily had a vision for how she wanted the rooms to look, and cut her hours as a freelance brand consultant so that she could project manage the work. She started on the main part of the house, redecorating throughout and replacing the bathrooms, and although they weren’t undertaking any major structural renovations, it was still a challenge: “We lived in it while the work was going on, and although we had a brilliant team of local builders, it was a bit of a nightmare,” she says. After taking a break from the building work, she then started on the kitchen, which is to the side of the main house and would originally have been used as a stable. “There was a fake ceiling, so we removed that to reveal the full ceiling height, but otherwise we just modernised it,” she says. “We’d been living in the house for a while by then, and we realised that we didn’t need to change the layout of the kitchen; it worked perfectly as it was.” Emily took her design cues from the rural location of the house: a white Aga stove has been teamed with black units with brass handles, a farmhouse-style wooden table and a vintage black-painted dresser displaying crockery and glassware. In terms of the decor elsewhere, Emily’s style is unabashedly maximalist – one of her key inspirations was the work of the legendary British decorator David Hicks – YO UR H OME AND GAR DEN

“You can just tell it’s a house that has been loved forever. You walk in and it resonates good vibes.” EMI LY MEL LOR

SET THE MOOD The walls in this bedroom are painted in Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball and the wool blanket is by Norwegian brand Indigofera. The late British decorator David Hicks, who was known for his use of bold colours and mixing vintage items with contemporary furniture, is one of Emily’s design heroes. His influence can be seen in her home from the purple Togo sofa and well-worn leather swivel chair to the faceted coffee table and gold lamp.

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so bright colours and bold patterns were high on the agenda. “I’d love to be minimalist, but I just don’t know how to do it,” she says. She set about creating mood boards for each room, pulling together wallpaper samples, paint chips and pictures of furniture and accessories. In each case, she started with a showpiece item such as a stand-out piece of furniture, a patterned wallpaper or a statement lamp, and based the rest of the room around it. Favourite wallpapers came from brands such as House of Hackney, Svenskt Tenn, Cole & Son and Swedish interior designer Beata Heuman, which she complemented with vibrant paint shades. Furniture was sourced from brands such as Ligne Roset and Hay, as well as local vintage shops and auction sites. “It’s a bit of a mix of everything,” says Emily. “When you’re on a creative journey, things start to ﬁnd you.” Since their move to the country, Charlie and Emily’s lives have changed in every way. Charlie has ditched the commute to the city and left his previous job in fashion to work as general manager of a local bike company, and Emily has launched her own interior design and styling company. “Running a house like this is busy – there are always jobs to do,” she says. “I do miss my former life sometimes, and the culture and diversity of the city, but I don’t miss the hectic pace and the dirt. I love visiting, but I’m always so happy to come home.”

“It’s a bit of a mix of everything. When you’re on a creative journey, things start to ﬁnd you.” EM ILY M E LLO R BATHROOM Miami wallpaper by Cole & Son is teamed with an archive Farrow & Ball paint colour called Folly Green. POWDER ROOM The striking wallpaper is Marbleized by Beata Heuman.

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Emily’s design tips Give yourself time, and live in the space ﬁrst if you can. It could save you money, as you might change your mind about everything you thought you wanted to do when you ﬁrst moved in. Don’t rush. Call in as many samples as you can to see how they work together, board them up and put them up on the wall, so that you can live with them for a bit and see how they change with the light.

If you’ve got something you love, such as a picture or a favourite piece of furniture, use that as a base for a scheme. If your budget is tight, think creatively. We didn’t have the budget to do a carpet runner on the stairs, so we painted a black runner all the way up the stairs and landing. Above all, be brave. Colour can really enhance a room, and your mood.

KITCHEN/DINING The dining chairs are by Hay. BEDROOM Emily had the cushions on the bed specially made. The room’s original dated carpet was removed in favour of rugs. OUTSIDE French doors from the kitchen open to this pretty little outdoor conversation area. Emily in her hedge garden (below).

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PAINT BOOKSHELF (left) From top to bottom: Blue box painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Takaka and animal in Resene Sante Fe. Books in Resene Tussock and Resene Twizel. Blue storage tub in Resene Half Resolution Blue. Felt marker pen pot in Resene Twilight. Round basket in Resene Travis, horse in Resene Hopbush. Small crate in Resene Ayers Rock. Book in Resene Sante Fe, elephant in Resene Takaka. Storage tub in Resene Hopbush.

BOOKSHELF (right) From top to bottom: Round basket in Resene Twizel. Pencil pot in Resene Takaka. House decoration in Resene Half Resolution Blue, books in Resene Twilight, Resene Ayers Rock, Resene Tussock and Resene Half Resolution Blue. Storage box in Resene Tussock, rhino in Resene Twilight. Plant pot in Resene Ayers Rock. Pink dish in Resene Hopbush.

RESENE

Playing is not only fun it’s also essential for a child’s healthy brain development. Max out the space

Kid’s corner Styling Vanessa Nouwens Photography Wendy Fenwick

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CREDITS Round cream cushion from Kmart. Lilac cushion cover from H&M. Animal pictures, books, skipping rope, plants, markers , pencils and wooden animals all stylist’s own.

Wall (opposite) Resene SpaceCote in Resene Half Parchment. Floor Resene Travis with Resene Half Parchment mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects to create marbled floor. Bench seat Resene Half Resolution Blue. Bookshelves Resene Bullwhip. Table Resene Tussock. Stools Resene Ayers Rock and Resene Twilight. Side table Resene Twizel with small crate in Resene Twilight. Animals on floor Resene Ayers Rock, Resene Tussock, Resene Lustacryl in Resene Takaka and Resene Sante Fe. Toy box (below) Resene Twizel with planter in Resene Travis. Rhino in Resene Twilight and box in Resene Takaka. Lioness in Resene Sante Fe.

aving a space at home for your little ones to let their imaginations run free and somewhere to store toys, games and craft items is a great opportunity to have some fun and be bold. This gender-neutral playroom’s ﬂoor and walls are painted in neutral Resene Half Parchment, with colour added through furniture and accessories to bring the space alive. The coordinated palette is created by repeating the colours evenly throughout the room.

Playroom essentials Having shelves in a playroom is not only handy for storing items it also keeps things tidy and makes it easy for your little ones to access everything. Smaller storage tubs, baskets and boxes are better for kids to ﬁnd things than big containers, where they have to pull everything out to ﬁnd what they want. A small table and chairs or stools are essential items for your kids to craft and play games. Whether it’s a reading nook, a bean bag in a corner or small chair having somewhere for your child to sit and read a book is an easy way to encourage reading and some chill-out time.

Magnetic picture hangers To create the magnetic picture hangers, you will need two pieces of ﬁne pine slightly larger than the size of the picture. You will also need some twine, ribbon or string cut to your desired length, some magnetic strips and glue. Paint the pieces of wood, then glue the ends of the twine to the inside of a piece of wood. Glue the magnetic strips to the wood. Repeat by gluing the magnetic strip to the other piece of the wood, ensuring the magnetic strips line up on both pieces. Lay the picture onto the back piece of wood with the twine hanger. Lay the other piece of wood on top and the two pieces of wood will join together magnetically. Hang on the wall. Giraffe picture hanger in Resene Ayers Rock. Zebra picture hanger in Resene Hopbush. To hang the pictures directly onto the wall, use Resene FX Magnetic Magic as a basecoat to create a magnetic wall and use quality magnets to attach your pictures.

Animal coat rack Make an animal coat rack by taking a piece of plywood or pine and paint in your desired Resene colour. Take three plastic animals and cut them in half so you’re only using the front. Paint with two coats of your desired colour, then glue the animal halves to wood.

Canvas art Creating your own artwork can be a fun project to do with your children. Take two art canvases and paint them in a solid colour using Resene testpots. Using some removable sticker adhesive, draw or trace the letters for your words onto the sticker and cut out. Stick them to the painted canvas. Smooth down all corners so there’s no paint leakage. Paint the top colour onto each canvas over the letters and leave to dry. Once dry, peel the sticker letters off to reveal the Resene colour. My Happy Place canvas (opposite) Words in Resene Sante Fe and background colour in Resene Takaka. Be Kind canvas (above) Words in Resene Resolution Blue, background in Resene Twilight.

For more kid’s room decorating ideas, pick up a free copy of habitat plus – kids’ spaces from your local Resene ColorShop or reseller – or, view it online at www.resene.com/habitatplus. It’s packed full of ideas for how you can bring out the best in your child’s play and sleep spaces.

S PAC E

S AV E R S Ten ways to maximise small areas Text Catherine Steel

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maller homes and apartments need to be more ordered than larger family homes. If your home isn’t feeling as functional as it should, there are plenty of ways to utilise every last centimetre of space. From reﬂective surfaces to using dead space, these space-saving hacks will change things for the better.

Back to basics

Look at your space as if there is no furniture there – how best could you utilise it, ensuring it serves you well? Are there any awkward features you can remove? What little ﬂow you do have, ensure it is smooth and easy. “When dealing with a small home, you need to look at it as a blank canvas and reﬂect on whether your existing furniture is right for the space,” says Laura Heynike, director of Pocketspace Interiors. “Some items might be too large, too short or too small. Getting your balance right is a key priority, and your small space requires you to curate it with care.”

Smart storage

Innovative storage is vital for making a home feel uncluttered and open. Katie Scott, director of Sticks and Stones Design, says it allows for less clutter, plus the rooms will feel bigger: “Storage units and cabinetry that reach to the ceiling will use dead space sometimes left with standard-height cabinetry.” If you have an attic space, utilise it, adding a ladder for easy access for items you use rarely. Laura suggests adding a built-in wall storage system to your lounge wall. “If the TV is wall-mounted, it will free up space,” she says. “Use spare wall space to store concealed items in drawers, balanced with exposed shelving for decor. Keep an eye out for space above door frames or behind beds that you can utilise too.”

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Listen to your heart

Accommodating practical space solutions doesn’t mean you need to forgo your favourite tastes and aesthetics. Your home still needs to bring joy and reﬂect who you are. “If you are in a small space, then it might as well be a space you love, right?” says Laura. “You might have to rework how you express yourself in your furniture and decor selection. Ease off on the darker tones and incorporate your favourite style using pattern, texture and multi-functional pieces of furniture. You can bring in subtle embellishments through artwork and frames, instead of using large pieces to tell the story.” Stamp your individuality with cupboards painted in your favourite hue or made from rattan or pale timber, with brass or vintage handles. YOU R HOM E AND GA RD EN

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“Get things up off the ﬂoor. It gives you more room to move.” M EG FRE E M AN , JK W IN TE R IOR A R C H ITE CT U RE & DESI GN

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Bring dead space to life

The only way is up

Use recesses you would otherwise typically not utilise, such as under the stairs for storage, bookshelf or a desk nook. Being creative with your home is one way to a successful small home. “The key to making your space work for you is by utilising every square inch of it,” Laura says. “Look at how your entrance can be more useful than just a thoroughfare, seek out gaps above kitchen cabinetry. Use a wall for a pull-down table instead of a fixed table – perfect for an office nook or dining table. Get crafty with identifying every space you can find, then work backwards to see what on the list would be beneficial to execute in your small space design.” Consider cavity sliding doors for entries into ensuites, which can be particularly tight, as they take up less floor space.

Keep your furniture and fittings elevated, freeing up the floor from clutter, Meg Freeman, designer at JKW Interior Architecture & Design, says: “Get things up off the floor. It gives you more room to move. Use open shelving, wall-mount your TV and lights and never underestimate the power of a hook. A bag hung on the wall, rather than dumped on the floor will always make a space feel tidier and more spacious.” When it comes to your hot water cylinder, question whether you really need it. Katie suggests that if you’re upgrading it, replace it with one that attaches to the home’s exterior wall: “This will give you extra room or storage inside, as cylinders tend to use up a lot of space.”

Double duty

Let your layout multitask for you, Meg says, as many spaces can do ’double duty’. Bring a table into your lounge so it works as a dining space too, or set up a desk in your bedroom so it also exists as an ofﬁce. “Delineate these zones with lighting and rugs,” Meg says. “Use multi-purpose furniture such as a wall-hung desk for a bedside table or a stool as a coffee table to give you more options.” Katie says an open-plan living area allows for multiple uses, making it feel larger: “Remove a partition wall between the kitchen and dining, providing more options for furniture placement. Make an spare bedroom multi-use with a fold-out couch or a fold-down bed built into storage cabinetry.” This double act applies to furniture too; consider an ottoman or bedroom window seat that can store items within, or a kitchen island that includes storage below its bench. YOU R H OM E A N D GAR DEN

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Jalcon Homes development manager Jacob Aitken knows what it’s like living small. Here’s what he learned

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Bathroom recesses

If you have enough depth in your walls, free up your bathroom vanity by recessing the mirror cabinet. Katie says, “This creates good storage and can be as big as you like. With a good-sized mirror cabinet, reduce the size and bulk of your vanity or simplify down to the basin only. Keep your vanity wallhung, as this will give you a greater sense of open space. Walls in bathrooms are hugely under-used, so use vertical heated towel rails instead of ladder versions.” Think twice whether you need a bath or just a luxuriously large shower, she says. “A shower-only will make the room feel more open. Keep the glass simple with a single panel and walk-in, rather than using doors.”

Use reﬂective surfaces

Get used to seeing yourself within the home because surfaces that offer a hint of reflection will create illusions of depths to enhance illumination. “Have a few reflecting surfaces in the space to make it seem larger,” Laura says. “Try adding in a mirror, gloss-front artwork and a wooden floor, instead of carpet, as well as ceramics or glass decor to bounce around the light. You might want to take the opportunity to enhance the standard lighting scheme to minimise vignette corners in your space.” Think glass light fittings and even a shiny marble-look benchtop next to a polished stainless steel fridge or surface in your kitchen.

What did you find most challenging about living in a small apartment? The reduction of storage space was the biggest challenge. You have to adapt to that and get better organised. It forces you to review what stuff is important and what is just stuff. It’s good to make tough decisions and to ask yourself “will I ever use this?” If the answer is no, get rid of it. What are the advantages? Interestingly, while less storage is a challenge, having less stuff and having smaller spaces to take care of is also liberating. It creates time to focus on things that are more important than maintenance, like family time or other leisure or lifestyle activities. Your advice for someone about to move into a compact apartment? Focus on decluttering before you move and get organised. Think strategically about storage systems and options, such as how you might fit-out a cupboard. Examine how you use your stuff and plan accordingly such as daily, monthly or not at all. Get a good barbecue. You’re working on a lot of these developments. When we say compact, what size are we talking specifically? Small is relative depending on where you have come from, but typically our developments for a one bedroom can be around 50sqm and 70sqm for a two bedroom. A traditional Auckland three-bedroom villa might be 90sqm, but there is typically a massive amount of wasted space. It’s all about efficient use of the area you have, including the integration and utilisation of small outdoor spaces as opposed to gardens. How is the design and layout impacted to give occupants what they need? Design plays a huge role. From the integration of outdoor and indoor spaces so that space can be used in all seasons, along with things like the positioning of windows and creation of viewpoints. The combination of living and cooking areas and the clever use of open plan really enhance the liveability and utilisation of smaller homes. As mentioned above, technology like storage systems and even combined washer/ dryers add to the ability to make small work.

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Kitchen service

Master storage in small kitchens while allowing access to the essential must-haves and allow what ﬂow you do have to run smoothly. “Cooktop, oven, sink, fridge – these need to function well overall and not feel crammed in,” Katie says. “Rangehoods integrated into high cupboards above cooktops, instead of a canopy unit, can add storage and keep the space simple.” Think laterally when it comes to where you store your food: “Pull-out pantry units can maximise storage and access. Use high wall cabinets, taking them to the ceiling where you can, as wall space can be overlooked and turn into dead space.” Use this as a decorative solution, drawing the eye to pretty jugs and bowls, tying in with your room’s colour palette. Katie says keep lighting subtle, with LED lights under high units, bar fronts, and in-toe kicks. There are also stylish little wall sconces that bring personality to a small wall without dominating it. “Appliances such as a two-drawer dishwashers will keep dirty dishes off benchtops as you can load one while a wash cycle is being run on the other.” Reduce the need for a kettle and power point by using an instant hot water tap, she says. Omit a food waste disposer too, she suggests, freeing the space below the sink that could be used for bins or storage.

Flooring options

It’s not just what’s at eye level that will impact the sense of space in a room, your flooring will too. “In a small space, the use of one kind of flooring will give the sense of a larger space by linking multiple areas well,” says Katie. “Timber flooring boards are great for this and, when they run all one way, the long boards give a linear feel, adding length to rooms.” Consider the overall feel, too, as a dark carpet in a small room will give a cave-like feel, Katie says. This will make it feel closed in and it tends to be something she would avoid unless you want this feeling. “If you have a good heating system and a warm home, a nice light flooring timber in bedrooms with rugs added for some softness and warmth will keep the rooms linked and feeling open and light.” Ultimately, strive for a balance of positive space (where an object exists) and negative space (the area around the object) to achieve a free-flowing small space, Laura says. “It’s a fine balance of not having too much large furniture, but also not getting too bitsy in your collection. Keep good space around your artwork and floor objects, and you will be well on your way to a small space that you love.”

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“Use high wall cabinets, taking them to the ceiling where you can, as wall space can be overlooked.” KAT I E S COT T, ST IC KS & STON E S DE SI GN

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Book it in

Create a full-scale library, or even scatter piles of good reads around the home. Colour coding is optional

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SHELF AWARENESS This library space was created in an unused corner of a study. It utilises the full height of the walls, with a ladder providing easy access to the top shelf.

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hether you wish for a private library ﬁlled to the brim with your favourite books, or you’re simply looking for an aesthetically pleasing storage solution, bespoke library joinery is the answer. As well as providing an opportunity to display your books, trinkets and treasures in style, it can elevate a room and make a not-so-large space feel grand. But to get it right, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps.

Tip Colour is making a comeback so go for it using paint and/or laminate ﬁnishes.

Location While dedicating an entire room to a private library is a nice luxury, it’s not essential. Library joinery can be incorporated into almost any available space. “I think with the increase in people working from home, we’re looking to find almost any under-utilised area to create library and office storage,” says interior stylist Heather Nette King. “Niches next to fireplaces, in corners, and even along hallways are being repurposed to create shelving.”

Materials Timber may seem the obvious choice for constructing shelves, but not all are equal in strength and endurance. “A freestanding shelving unit needs to be durable, so you can’t go past a nice hardwood timber – depending on the look you’re going for,” says Matthew Menichelli, a former The Block Australia builder. “By simply using a stain or oil ﬁnish, you can create an effective and functional feature in any room.”

Size Reach out to a professional tradesperson who can measure your room to determine the shelving possibilities without impacting the space and its primary function. “First, decide on the number of books you need to house and ensure you have the room to do so,” says Matthew. “Based on the overall size of the

FILE UNDER FASCINATING Curate books according to interest

FASHION

The Little Book of Valentino by Karen Homer ($27.99, Wellbeck), is ideal for those who want a quick introduction to this iconic Italian label.

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INTERIORS

Photographer Simon Upton has kindly shot some of the most interesting and sumptuous places in New York Interiors by Simon Upton ($130, from Smith & Caughey’s).

M X room, the shelving unit should always be in proportion. Avoid having the top shelf above 2400mm as it makes access an issue. The ideal depth is about 350mm, which gives enough room to store books of all sizes while not taking up valuable ﬂoor space.”

Trends Warm timbers such as oak and walnut will always be a library classic, but pops of colour via paint and surfaces such as Laminex laminate are popular. “There are some dynamic colour combinations, such as reds and pinks, plus stunning pared-back palettes of black with warm neutrals,” says Heather. “There is also a deﬁnite trend for closed cabinetry on the lower half of shelves as everyone needs space to store the necessary but not-greatlooking stuff. Arches are still a strong trend, too, with arch-shaped mouldings even appearing on otherwise rectangular cabinet doors.”

WORDS LAURA BARRY PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

Style Once installed, the way you style your bookshelves will affect the look and mood of your space. “Stick to the old library system and group books by theme rather than colour – it will make hunting for a certain book far less frustrating,” says Heather. “Always leave some space for things that are not books, such as little sculptures, bunches of ﬂowers or photo frames, and mix up the orientation of the books to create visual interest: stand some up straight and stack others on their side. For a beautiful layered and lived-in look, stack books on other surfaces, such as side tables and deep windowsills. Try to have a comfortable chair near the bookshelf to remind you to sit down and fully enjoy the way your book collection can transport you to another time or place.

TRAVEL

Prepare for travel across the ditch, or just do it from the comfort of your armchair with The Little Book of Sydney ($14.99, Orange Hippo!).

Tip “Recessed lighting is a great way to highlight the insides of library shelves, but even wall sconces will create a lovely downward projecting light source,” says Heather. “Track lighting with pivoting bulbs is great as you can angle it to hit the areas you need access to.”

HEDONISM

St Tropez Soleil ($240 from Smith & Caughey’s) tells the story of the French Riviera hotspot in glorious photos. It’s all here from Brigitte Bardot to Matisse and Naomi Campbell.

RECIPES

If you’ve ever wanted to cook, shop and eat in a more ecoconscious way, Sustainable Kitchen by Sadhbh Moore and Abi Asten Glencross ($32.99, White Lion) has got it all. YO UR HO ME A ND GA RD EN

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COLOUR HOME AWARDS FINALIST N° 6

A whale of a time A Christchurch couple abandoned nursery wallpaper samples for a dreamy design that came out of the blue Text Caroline Moratti Photography Sarah Rowlands

S Meet & greet Patrick Yeung (international operations manager, Lincoln University) and Erica He (fashion designer), and Noah, 11 months.

ometimes, a picture really does paint a thousand words. When Erica He and husband Patrick Yeung first set out to decorate their son Noah’s nursery, they had no idea they were about to embark on an oceanic mural of epic proportions. The couple set off to their local Resene ColorShop in Christchurch to browse wallpaper and paint options, dreaming of a light blue room. But, after looking at sample paintings and listening to staff recommendations, another alternative began to emerge. “We flagged the wallpaper idea and decided on the spot that we would paint our own picture because it would be more meaningful for our baby,” explains Erica. “Hopefully, he will appreciate this when he grows up.” They decided to paint the walls Resene Half Dusted Blue, a job for Patrick. After he finished, Erica used Resene King Tide, Resene Excalibur and Resene Half Black White for the mural of a trio of whales that represents their family of three. The result is something out of

a dreamy science-ﬁction novella: whales glide effortlessly through plump clouds, gazing towards a longing moon. Hot-air balloons ﬂoat, too, alongside the marine life, as a lighthouse watches on from below. The couple’s three days of work turned into a thousand words of love. “We love the end result very much and think the colours match our furniture and decorations quite well,” says Erica. “We hope baby Noah will love it too.”

COLOUR HOME AWARDS 2022 The winner of the Resene Colour Home Awards 2022 will be featured in the May issue. More Resene colours to try:

RESENE Alaska

RESENE Bali Hai

RESENE Cobalt

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SERVES 8 INGREDIENTS

30g mixed dried mushrooms 100g butter 1⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1kg button mushrooms, sliced 2 leeks, white part only, sliced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 2 Tbsp plain ﬂour ¼ cup tomato paste ½ cup red wine 1 cup vegetable stock 2 Tbsp thyme leaves, plus 6 extra sprigs 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 400g can fava beans, drained, rinsed 100g Swiss brown mushrooms, trimmed Olive oil spray BLUE CHEESE PASTRY

3 cups plain ﬂour 300g cold butter, chopped 150g blue cheese, chopped ¼ cup chilled water MINTED MUSHY PEAS

500g frozen peas 50g butter 1 Tbsp chopped mint 2 Tbsp mascarpone or cream

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1 Place dried mushrooms in

a medium heatproof bowl; cover with boiling water. Set aside for 30 minutes or until soft. Drain; chop coarsely. 2 Meanwhile, make Blue Cheese Pastry. Process flour, butter and cheese until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add chilled water; process just until dough starts to clump. Tum out onto a floured surface; form into a smooth ball Divide in hall, then flatten each into a disc; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 3 Heat 50g butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a heavy-based frying pan over high heat. Add half the sliced button mushrooms; cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes or until

mushrooms are soft and golden. Season. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with remaining butter, 1 tablespoon of oil and remaining mushrooms. 4 Add remaining oil to pan: cook leeks and garlic, stirring, for 2 minutes or until leek has softened Stir in flour; cook for 1 minute or until vegetables are coated. Stir in tomato paste; cook for I minute. Add wine; cook for 1 minute. Add soaked, chopped mushrooms, stock, thyme and Worcestershire sauce. Return the fried mushrooms to the pan with any juices, then reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes or until mixture boils and thickens. Season. Stir in fava beans. Transfer mixture to a large tray to cool. 5 Preheat oven to 200°C. 6 Roll each disc of pastry on a large, lightly floured sheet of baking paper into a 35cm round, 3mm thick. Slide each pastry round on paper onto a large oven tray. 7 Divide cooled mushroom mixture between rounds. Spread evenly, leaving a 6cm border. Fold pastry border up and around filling. Bake for 20 minutes. 8 Top pies with Swiss brown mushrooms and extra thyme sprigs; spray with oil spray. Bake for a further 25 minutes or until pastry is browned and crisp and mushrooms are tender. 9 Meanwhile, make Minted Mushy Peas. Cook peas in a medium saucepan of salted boiling water for 2 minutes; drain well. Place hot peas in a food processor with butter, mint and salt; process until coarsely chopped Add mascarpone; pulse briefly to just combine. Keep warm. 10 Serve pies with Minted Mushy Peas.

FOOD

Mushroom pies with minted mushy peas

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Let’s do brunch Mid-morning repasts with an international ﬂavour.

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Sound bites What’s new, exciting or inspiring in the cuisine and beverages scene.

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Let’s do

BRUNCH Go international for your next mid-morning dining experience with these swoon-worthy dishes from around the globe

BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST SANDWICHES WITH VERJUICE APRICOTS

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WHITE BEAN SMASH WITH EGGS, KALE AND BROWN BUTTER

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Swedish cardamom morning buns MAKES 12 INGREDIENTS

1 cup milk 2 tsp dried yeast 2 Tbsp white sugar 2½ cups high-grade ﬂour 1½ Tbsp freshly ground cardamom (see Tip) 65g unsalted butter, softened ¾ tsp ﬁne sea salt 1 egg, beaten lightly FILLING

200g unsalted butter, slightly softened ¾ cup sugar 1½ Tbsp ground cardamom ¼ tsp ﬁne sea salt TOPPING

2 Tbsp sugar 1 tsp freshly ground cardamom 1 Combine milk, yeast and 1 teaspoon of

the sugar in a medium jug. Cover; stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy. 2 Place the flour, cardamom, butter, salt, remaining sugar and the yeast mixture in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix on medium speed for 8 minutes or until very smooth and elastic. (Or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes.) 3 Turn dough onto a work surface; press out into a rectangle about 2cm thick. Make three slashes, 5mm deep, in top of dough. Cover with greased plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2 hours or until doubled in size. 4 For the Filling, beat ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment just until well combined; do not overbeat (it should not be fluffy or too soft). 5 Preheat oven to 220°C. Line two large baking trays with baking paper. 6 With a short side in front of you, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 30cm x 38cm rectangle, about 3mm thick. Dot surface of dough with small spoonfuls of filling; gently spread filling over dough with an offset spatula. With the shorter side in front of you, fold the top third of the dough down over the middle third, then the bottom third up to cover the folded dough. Use a rolling pin to gently pat the dough to seal, then roll into a rectangle about 24cm x 30cm. With the long side in front of you, mark the dough at 2.5cm intervals, then cut into 12 even strips. Split each strip down the middle 1 24

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Tip Buy cardamom seeds from Asian grocery stores and grind the black seeds yourself for best results; Buns are best eaten warm on the day.

almost all the way but leaving 2.5cm joined at one end. Holding one strip of dough at the joined end, stretch and twist lightly, wrapping the dough twice around your ﬁngers, overlapping slightly, like a bandage; fold the end over the coil and tuck it underneath. Place on lined trays. Repeat shaping with remaining strips. 7 Stand, uncovered, at room temperature for 1 hour or until puffed and risen. 8 Brush the buns with egg; sprinkle with combined topping ingredients. 9 Bake one tray for 8 minutes; rotate tray and bake for a further 8 minutes or until deep golden and cooked through. Repeat with second tray. Cool on trays.

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Oat crumpets with avocado and sriracha honey bacon SERVES 4

2 Tbsp olive oil 1 large avocado, sliced

INGREDIENTS

1 cup wholemeal flour 1 tsp fine salt ½ cup rolled oats 1½ tsp dried yeast ½ tsp chilli flakes ½ tsp baking soda 1½ cups milk, lukewarm Oil cooking spray 8 streaky bacon rashers 1 Tbsp honey 1 Tbsp sriracha 1 cup Greek yoghurt 2 Tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 Tbsp chopped chives 8 eggs 126

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1 Place ﬂour, salt, oats, yeast, chilli ﬂakes,

baking soda and milk in a medium bowl; whisk until combined. Cover; stand in a warm place for 1 hour or until bubbly and risen. 2 Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200°C. Line an oven tray with foil; spray lightly with cooking spray. Lay bacon on tray; brush both sides with combined honey and sriracha. Bake for 20 minutes or until crisp and caramelised. 3 Combine yoghurt, mustard and chives in a small bowl; season. Refrigerate until required. 4 Bring a medium saucepan of water to the

boil. Add the eggs; simmer for 6½ minutes for soft boiled. Drain, then leave in cold water. When cool enough to handle, peel eggs and set aside. 5 Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over low heat. Spray inside four 7.5cm round, 2cm deep crumpet rings with oil spray, dust with a little extra ﬂour, tap to remove excess; place in a pan. Gently spoon a heaped ¼ cup of crumpet mixture into each ring. Cook for 3 minutes or until bubbles appear and the surface is just set. Slide a large spatula under each crumpet and ring, and turn over. Cook for 2 minutes or until set and cooked. 6 Serve oat crumpets with bacon, halved eggs and sliced avocado with the yoghurt and chive mixture on the side.

F Kūmara rosti with mushroom medley SERVES 4 1 Coarsely grate kūmara; squeeze out INGREDIENTS

1 large orange kūmara (see Tips) 2 eggs, beaten lightly 2 cloves garlic, crushed ½ cup panko breadcrumbs 1 cup ﬁnely grated parmesan ¼ cup olive oil 100g butter, chopped 2 Tbsp fresh oregano leaves, chopped 6 portobello mushrooms, trimmed 2 x punnets mixed mushrooms (brown, oyster, enoki etc) 150g baby kale leaves

excess liquid. Place grated kūmara in a large bowl with eggs, half the garlic, breadcrumbs, parmesan and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Season, them mix well. 2 Line a 24cm non-stick frying pan with baking paper (see Tips). Add kūmara mixture, pressing down firmly and evenly to cover the base of the pan. Cook, covered, over a medium heat for 10 minutes or until browned underneath and kūmara is almost tender. Slide rosti onto a flat plate; invert frying pan over rosti, then flip the plate and pan to turn

rosti over. Cook a further 8 minutes or until rosti is browned underneath and cooked through. 3 Meanwhile, preheat an oiled grill pan. Place butter, oregano and remaining garlic in a small saucepan over low heat; stir until just melted. Combine mushrooms and butter mixture in a medium bowl; season well. Cook mushrooms in grill pan for 2 minutes each side or until browned and tender. 4 Cut rosti into wedges; top with mushrooms and kale leaves, then drizzle with remaining butter mixture to serve.

Tips Kūmara turns brown when cut so it’s best to peel and grate it just before placing it in the bowl; if you have a scratch-free, non-stick frying pan you won’t need to line it ﬁrst with baking paper.

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Ricotta & basil pancakes with roasted chilli tomatoes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

300g baby truss roma tomatoes 3 long red chillies, halved lengthways 1⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 cup firm fresh ricotta 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind 1 egg 1¼ cups milk 1¼ cups self-raising flour ½ cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped ¼ cup grated parmesan Green olive tapenade and watercress sprigs, to serve

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1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Place tomatoes

and chillies on an oven tray lined with baking paper; drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season. Roast for 10 minutes or until blistered and just tender. 2 Whisk ricotta, lemon rind and egg in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk in milk, then ﬂour. Stir in basil and parmesan; season. 3 Heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Pour ¼ cups of mixture into pan, allowing room for spreading. Cook pancakes for 2 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a

plate; cover to keep warm. Repeat with a little more of the remaining oil and batter to make 12 pancakes in total. 4 Serve stacks of warm pancakes topped with roasted tomatoes and chillies, a spoonful of tapenade and watercress sprigs. Drizzle with any remaining oil.

F Slow cooker braised beans & ham SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS

4 x 400g cans pinto beans, drained, rinsed 410g can tomato puree 2 Tbsp brown sugar, ﬁrmly packed 2 Tbsp treacle 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1kg smoked ham hock (see Note) Chargrilled sourdough, to serve 1 Heat a 5-litre slow cooker on low. 2 Place beans, tomato puree, sugar, treacle, mustard,

ham hock and ½ cup water in cooker; cook, covered, for 8 hours. 3 Remove ham hock from cooker; discard rind. Coarsely shred ham with two forks or cut into slices; discard the skin and bone. Season to taste. 4 Serve braised beans and shredded ham on buttered chargrilled sourdough. Note: You can cook this recipe in the oven at 150°C for 2½ hours or until the ham is falling from the bone; this recipe can be made up to 3 days ahead; refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat when ready to serve.

Scandi breakfast platter SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

250g cream cheese Rye crispbread, to serve GIN & JUNIPER GRAVLAX

1 Tbsp coriander seeds 1 Tbsp fennel seeds 1 Tbsp juniper berries 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind 300g sea salt flakes 1⁄3 cup sugar 1⁄3 cup gin 800g salmon, pin-boned, skin on ¼ cup Dijon mustard 1⁄3 cup fresh dill, finely chopped QUICK PICKLED VEGETABLES

¾ cup white wine vinegar ½ cup caster sugar ½ tsp salt 3 cloves 1 cinnamon stick Tip 2 small beetroot, shaved You will need to start 1 small red onion, shaved making the Gin & Juniper 1 Lebanese cucumber, shaved

Gravlax at least 1 day ahead 1 For the Gin and Juniper of serving to ensure you Gravlax, pound coriander have enough time to seeds, fennel seeds and juniper cure the salmon.

berries using a mortar and pestle

until coarsely ground. Transfer to a medium bowl; add the lemon rind, salt, sugar and gin. Season with pepper. 2 Spread half the mixture on a large deep tray lined with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Top with salmon, skinside down; spread with remaining mixture to cover. Wrap plastic tightly over salmon to cover and reduce any leaks. Refrigerate for 24 hours turning salmon after 12 hours. Rinse salmon lightly under cold running water; pat dry with paper towel. Spread mustard on ﬂesh-side of salmon; top evenly with dill. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 3 For the Quick Pickled Vegetables, place the vinegar, sugar, salt, cloves, cinnamon and 80ml water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer for 3 minutes. Place the beetroot and onion in a medium heatproof bowl. Place cucumber in a small heatproof bowl. Pour two-thirds of the hot pickling liquid over the beetroot and onion; pour remaining liquid over cucumber. 4 Serve Gin and Juniper Gravlax with cream cheese and crispbread with the pickled vegetables on the side. YO U R H OME AND GARD EN

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Skillet hotcake with tahini maple pears SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS

1½ cups self-raising ﬂour ¼ tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1⁄3 cup tahini 2⁄3 cup maple syrup 2 eggs, beaten lightly 1½ cups buttermilk 50g butter 3 medium ﬁrm beurre bosc pears, unpeeled, each cut into 6 wedges 2 Tbsp lemon juice Toasted sesame seeds, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 220°C. Place

a 26cm (top measurement) ovenproof skillet in the oven to preheat. 2 Place ﬂour, baking soda and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons each of the tahini and maple syrup, then the egg and buttermilk; whisk until combined. 3 Heat 30g of the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add pears; cook, turning occasionally, for eight minutes or until browned and almost tender. Add the remaining cinnamon, tahini and maple syrup, then the lemon juice; stir gently until combined. Cook, over low heat, stirring occasionally, for ﬁve minutes 130

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Brioche French toast sandwiches with verjuice apricots SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

1 cup dried apricots 1 cup verjuice 1 medium lemon 1 cup caster sugar 2 sprigs lemon thyme 1 vanilla bean, split lengthways, seeds scraped 250g ﬁrm fresh ricotta 500g day-old brioche loaf (see Note) 1⁄3 cup apricot jam 6 eggs ½ cup milk 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 Place apricots and verjuice

in a small saucepan; bring to the boil over medium heat. Remove pan from heat. Stand, covered, for 20 minutes or until apricots are plump. 2 Using a zesting tool, remove rind from lemon in long, thin strips; you need 1 tablespoon zested rind. Juice the lemon. 3 Add zested rind, juice, sugar,

lemon thyme, a vanilla bean half and half the seeds to apricots in pan. Bring to the boil, stirring, over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened and syrupy. 4 Combine ricotta and remaining vanilla seeds in a small bowl. Cut eight 1.5cm thick slices from brioche. Place brioche slices on a clean work surface. Spread four slices with jam. Spread remaining slices with ricotta mixture. Join slices together to make four sandwiches. 5 Whisk eggs and milk in a large bowl. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Soak one sandwich in egg mixture for 30-60 seconds on each side (see Note). Place in heated pan, reduce heat to low; cook for 2½ minutes each side or until well browned and heated through. Transfer to a plate; keep warm. Repeat with remaining sandwiches. 6 Serve French toast sandwiches topped with apricots and syrup. Note: The amount of time you need to soak the bread in the egg mixture will depend on how stale (or fresh) the bread is.

White bean smash with eggs, kale and brown butter SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

1 large lemon 2 x 400g cans cannellini beans, drained, rinsed

2 spring onions, chopped 1 clove garlic, grated finely 2 tsp paprika 75g butter 1⁄3 cup walnuts, finely chopped ¼ cup seed mix (pumpkin and sunflower seeds) 2 Tbsp white vinegar 8 eggs 60g baby Tuscan kale leaves (see Note) 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil Chargrilled sourdough and butter, to serve 1 Finely grate rind from the

lemon; you need 1 teaspoon. Juice the lemon. Place beans, spring onions, garlic, half the lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of the paprika in a food processor. Pulse until roughly smashed; season. 2 Melt butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add walnuts and seed mix; cook, stirring, for 4 minutes or until golden. Add remaining paprika; cook, stirring, for a further 1 minute or until nuts, seeds and butter are browned. Stir in lemon rind and remaining juice. Season. Set aside. 3 To poach eggs, half-ﬁll a wide saucepan or medium frying pan with water. Add vinegar; bring to the boil. Break one egg into a cup. Using a wooden spoon, make a whirlpool in water; slide egg into whirlpool. Repeat with remaining eggs. Allow water to return to a simmer. Cover pan, remove from heat; stand, covered, for 2 minutes or until soft poached. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggs to a plate lined with paper towel. 4 Toss kale leaves and oil in a small bowl. 5 To serve, place buttered sourdough on serving plates. Top with bean mixture, kale eggs, seeds and nuts; drizzle with brown butter mixture. Note: If you can’t ﬁnd baby kale leaves, use regular kale. Tear the leaves into pieces, then massage the pieces with a little olive oil to soften them.

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

or until pears are tender and sauce is thickened. Set aside. 4 Meanwhile, carefully but quickly remove the hot skillet from the oven; add the remaining butter, swirl to coat. Pour in the pancake mixture; smooth the surface. Bake for 15 minutes or until browned and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. 5 To serve, top hotcake with tahini maple pears and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

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TICKLED PINK

Fever-Tree, the posh tonic makers have a saying: “If three-quarters of your drink is the mixer, mix with the best.” Makes sense. The latest offering Refreshingly Light Wild Raspberry tonic uses hand-harvested Scottish raspberries and British rhubarb, and it contains no artificial sweeteners to turn your ordinary gin and tonic into a thrillingly pink drink. $10.99 (4 x 200ml pack).

GEORGINA HAYDEN’S NISTISIMA (BLOOMSBURY, $55) FEATURES 120 RECIPES FROM EASTERN EUROPE, THE MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE EAST. NISTISIMA MEANS FASTING FOOD AND IS THE FOOD EATEN DURING LENT FOR THOSE OF ORTHODOX FAITH. THESE TIME-HONOURED RECIPES ARE ALSO VEGAN FOR THOSE SEEKING TO EAT MORE PLANT-BASED FOOD.

Goldie days Any excuse to make a cake and this new set of Living & Co Goldie bakeware will do it. Made from carbon steel, with a non-stick coating and gold ﬁnish, the range consists of a springform cake tin, $15 (24.5cm); a cookie sheet, $15 (45cm); a 12-cup mufﬁn tin, $7; and a large roaster, $20. All from The Warehouse.

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

Sound bites All the ingredients for kitchen and entertaining success EASTER EGG-CELLENCE Because you can never have enough chocolate Tony’s Chocolonelyy Easter Egg carton, $10.99 Twelve Fair Trade eggs gs in seven flavours from milk chocolate to nougat, hazelnut and caramell sea salt. The flavours are unequally divided in the pack to represent the current inequalities in n the chocolate industry. y. Deliciousness with a dash of ethics. From cookandnelson.com

Devonport Chocolates Chesterfield egg, $16.90 This generous 50g white chocolate te egg is splashed with a fetching Jackson Pollock-style yle finish in dark chocolate and zesty orange. From devonport chocolates.co.nz

House of Chocolate Bunnies, $14 This box of dark chocolate, milk and caramelised white chocolate bunnies is ideal for those who can’t decide their favourite type – or are fans of all three. From houseofchocolate. co.nz

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STARS OF AUTUMN If you choose the right species, crocuses can bloom from April for nearly nine months of the year, particularly in cooler winter districts. There are crocuses for every garden, from sunny to shady, and this month is the best time to put in some bulbs, as well as feed established plantings with rich compost for spring.

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GARDENS 132 Constant gardener Mary LovellSmith’s tips for April.

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Pond life Relax and reﬂect with a soothing water feature.

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The constant gardener As the days turn crisp and cool, it’s time to prepare your garden for winter

MARY LOV E L L- S M I T H Garden editor

COLD COMFORT Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale favour the cooler weather, so plant seedlings now for latewinter harvest. Broad beans, celery, snow and sugar snap peas and spinach can also be sown or planted now.

April

Gone to seed

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While some gardeners like to harvest seed and store it until spring sowing, others will let the seed scatter naturally to germinate and grow in situ. And if the subsequent plants are not in the right place they can be transplanted in spring. This necessitates careful weeding now; and it pays to let all seedlings get to a size at which you can identify the plant – and tell if it’s a weed or not. Experience makes the recognition easier earlier. Many annuals especially self-seed readily, multiplying with pleasing alacrity. As will weeds. If you can’t get round to pulling them out, cut off their ﬂowering heads to stop them spreading.

WHY NOT? With its vibrant and exotic orange blossoms, gorgeous blush-red globes and golden autumn foliage, the pomegranate tree warrants a place in gardens on looks alone, never mind the tangy deliciousness of its fruit. While they do best in drier, frost-free regions with long, hot summers and in free-draining soil, they take well to life in a pot, which makes such conditions reproducible in most parts of the country.

Pro tips From the experts at Kings Plant Barn

Steal this: a dose of autumn mellowness

Are coffee grounds really good for plants? There has been a signiﬁcant amount of research done on the effectiveness of coffee grounds in the garden. Coffee grounds are best added to your home compost (10-20 percent should only be added), and once broken down, can be added to your soil before planting into. The pH levels can also differ, as not all grounds will be acidic.

Grab your favourite tea towel (the one you consider too fine to dry dishes with) or tablecloth, some tin mugs or wine glasses, a flask of steaming tea or a bottle of soft red wine; add the likes of Eccles cakes or rustic bread and cheese and head into the garden. If you haven’t a seat or table, improvise with logs, upturned buckets, or an old rug spread in a desirable spot. Blankets or woolly jumpers may be needed to keep out the damp and chill of the shortening days. These are often days when we tend to work in the garden rather than relax there. Now it’s time to let the leaves stay fallen, to admire the ripening hips and the smell the last of the roses. If your local by-laws allow, light a little bonfire, thermette or firepit. Bring a book, or a friend or three, and soak up all the golden softness of an autumn afternoon – and twilight.

READY, SET, PICK QUINCES are best harvested when fully mature, that is when golden, aromatic and snap easily from the tree. Treat the fruit gently as they bruise easily. MEDLARS, too, should be picked as late as possible, preferably not till the flesh softens and browns (or blets as it is known). PASSIONFRUIT Black passionfruit should be kept on the vine until the skin is dark and hard and starting to dimple. GRAPES Remove leaves around grape bunches to let the sun in and air to circulate, meaning the grapes will ripen more quickly, and with less chance of fungal diseases.

What’s the easiest way to treat powdery mildew? This fungal disease happens in gardens with high humidity and plants being too close to together. Treat powdery mildew with organic sulphur, which can be used on edibles.

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CONSIDER THIS

LANDSCAPE 101: ROLL OUT THE BOARDWALK Walkers and trampers may think of a boardwalk as a necessary but sometimes too tame track through sensitive habitats or difficult terrain. For others, the word conjures up the eastern coast of the United States – Coney Island and Atlantic City, where the boardwalks extend for kilometres along the top of the beach. Domestic boardwalks are narrower and shorter – but no less appealing in the right position. As in the wild, they are useful when the ground is wet or boggy and the terrain uneven. And taking inspiration from the States they can imbue our Kiwi gardens with that laid-back beach mood. Ready-made roll-out boardwalks are unavailable in New Zealand outlets but are simple enough to make. Use heavy-duty polyester webbing or flat hosing to hold the treated decking timber together. When

attaching the required lengths of timber to the strap, ensure there is enough of a gap between the pieces to allow the walkway to be rolled up for storage. Remember, too, that several short lengths of boardwalk are easier to handle, lay and store than one long one. Curved pieces can be made by altering the angles at which the wood is set – but they become harder to roll up. Boardwalks can be laid on grass, shingle, dirt or concrete. They can be rolled out for special occasions, or moved around as the layout, say of your vegetable beds changes. Pull them out in winter when the tracks gets muddy; or in summer to that outdoor bath or shower. Or for a casual path through the shrubbery. For a permanent boardwalk, a more substantial base and foundations is usually advisable.

How to get more lizards in the garden Getting rid of the cat is your best bet – and mice, rats, hedgehogs, stoats and ferrets who all love a munch on a tasty little lizard. Failing that, create a safe home in a sunny spot for our diminutive native reptiles, most commonly skinks and geckos, with piled logs and rocks for them to hide under and escape enemies and excesses of cold and heat, and to sunbathe on. The more nooks and crannies, the better. Low-growing and divaricating shrubs, ferns and grasses around the pile will give them additional cover and help fill their larder with insects, which can also be encouraged with some damp, dark spots to lurk. Being omnivores, lizards will thank you for planting berry-bearing shrubs, such as kawakawa and coprosmas, and nectar-suppliers, such as rātā, mānuka and flax. All of which can be washed down with fresh water, into a shallow bowl under the pile, hidden from prey.

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Like Swiss army knives to Boy Scouts so are the folding saws to gardeners. The beautifully designed Silky Pocketboy saw, in which the blade swings nattily and safely back into the handle, rates among the top three gardening tools of many a professional gardener. And it’s not just because the shorter blade gets into many a tight spot, or that the saw slips so effortlessly into one’s back pocket, ready to draw at the first sight of a wayward branch. The 13cm blade cuts through surprisingly large – and small – diameter stems with ease, and comes in a range of teeth configurations (from large to extra fine) and correspondingly coloured handles. We like medium, not just for its bright orange easy-to-spot colour, but also that it is versatile, fitting the bill for so many jobs.

Pocketboy curve folding saw, from $58, from silkystore.co.nz.

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WORKSHOP

Relax and reﬂect with a soothing and stylish statement water feature that’s good for the local ecology too

POND LIFE

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aving a fishpond may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but those who love them know that this humble water feature has the power to create tranquillity in the most urban of locations. From the soothing sounds of rippling water to the calming nature of fish swimming in and out of reeds, a fishpond could bring the quiet moment of contemplation your garden is missing. YO UR H OME AN D GAR DEN

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INSTALLATION Follow guidelines for the set-up and choose your lining carefully.

“If you’re doing a natural-style pond, a durable UV-stable PVC pond liner is best.” JAM ES HE AD L AN D

Installation

You can buy pre-made pond kits from hardware stores and landscaping retailers, however these are usually best suited to small projects. If you plan to install a large pond, you’ll need to consult a professional to ensure the landscaping and lining are done correctly. Concrete is robust; rubber and plastic can also be used, though require careful installation to ensure the pond is water-tight. “If you’re doing a natural-style pond, a durable, UV-stable PVC pond liner is best,” says garden designer James Headland. “Just make sure it’s also ﬁsh- and marine-safe.”

Fish

Not all fish species will thrive in a pond, so be sure to consult an aquatic expert before purchasing. “Goldfish are the most popular fish kept in ponds,” says James. “There are heaps of different species, colours and fin shapes to choose from.” Remember, fish require food and oxygenated water to survive, so choose pond-happy plants that will supply food for the fish, and a water pump that properly oxygenates the water.

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FISH Not all fish species will thrive in a pond, but goldfish are a popular choice.

Plants

When it comes to landscaping your water feature, rocks, pebbles and pavers are excellent for framing, but you’ll need a specific selection of plants to ensure a successful ecosystem within: oxygenators, floaters, submersibles and marginal plants. Some pondloving species include water lilies (Nymphaea spp), cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) and blue flag iris (Iris versicolor). Ask a specialist at your local plant store for recommendations that suit your climate.

PLANTS Make sure to plant the right mix of fish-friendly flora.

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Location & depth

LOCATION Place the pond in a partially shaded spot out of the wind.

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TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

When choosing a location for your fishpond, be sure to avoid areas that are vulnerable to gusty winds and lots of falling leaves, or where water pools after heavy rain. A sunny location that’s protected from some of the harsher elements and is partially shaded is perfect for both fish and pond plants. “Somewhere with a little cover from foliage around the pond, and planting within the pond to protect fish from predators is best,” says James. Before constructing any pond, big or small, it pays to check with your local council. Of course, shallow ponds are good for growing lily pads and, if less than 400mm deep, do not require fencing. They also take up less space and are cheaper to install, but are only suitable for small fish.

G One fish, two fish, which fish?

As mentioned goldfish are best suited to ponds. There are many types you can consider from the standard, common-orgarden comet goldfish and shubunkins through to the more exotic fantail, lionhead and red cap oranda goldfish. It’s best to keep the more common types with the more common types as they’re generally the most boisterous, and keep only the fancier, more gentle ones together to avoid conflict. Remember koi carp, while very pretty and a popular choice for ponds in Asia, are classified as a noxious fish in New Zealand, growing up to 75cm and weighing up to a 10kg. It’s illegal to have them in your pond.

LIONHEAD GOLDFISH

COMET GOLDFISH

Water pumps & ﬁlters

To maintain effective filtration and, therefore, water quality and clarity, you will need to install a pond pump. “Low voltage is best, and try to match the size of the pond with the size of your pump so it works effectively to move water around,” says James. Look for a pump that can process your pond’s entire water volume within two hours, or faster if the pond also has fish. A submersible pump is the easiest to install as it’s simply placed in the pond, while external pumps require plumbing through the wall of the pond, which requires extra water sealing. Solar-powered pumps are best, but if you require an electric connection, ensure it’s installed by a professional – never use extension cables. Consult an aquatic gardening expert if you have any more questions about filtration.

SHUBUNKIN

FANTAIL GOLDFISH

RED CAP ORANDA GOLDFISH YO U R HO ME AN D GA R DEN

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This offer is valid for all New Zealand deliveries quoting M224YHG by phone or online at magshop.co.nz/p/m224yhg before midnight on April 20, 2022. Savings are based on the retail cover price. Rates include GST and postage. Offer is available to existing subscribers, who must opt in at the advertised rate. Subscriptions for existing subscribers will EQOOGPEG CV VJG GPF QH VJG EWTTGPV VGTO 2NGCUG CNNQY YGGMU HQT FGNKXGT[ QH [QWT ƂTUV KUUWG 6JKU UWDUETKRVKQP QHHGT ECPPQV DG WUGF KP EQPLWPEVKQP YKVJ CP[ QVJGT QHHGT (QT #TG /GFKCoU RTKXCE[ RQNKE[ RNGCUG XKUKV CTGOGFKC EQO CW RTKXCE[ #HVGT VJG ƂTUV UKZ KUUWGU VJG UWDUETKRVKQP YKNN CWVQOCVKECNN[ TGPGY CPF DG DKNNGF CV GXGT[ UKZ KUUWGU JCNH [GCTN[

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Modern interiors meets new and vintage Moroccan rugs

5/169 Maunganui Road, Mt Maunganui www.bohzali.co.nz

T h e L u n ch b ox Q u e e n WASTE-FREE LUNCHES - MADE EASY

NZ’s largest range of bento boxes + beeswax wraps drink bottles + insulated bags + reusable yoghurt pouches + food jars + sandwich cutters and much more.

Source: Nielsen CMI Q4 2020 – Q3 2021 (October 2020 – September 2021)

Circulation 22,000 Readership 101,000

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT Kim Chapman 021 673 133 classifieds@xtra.co.nz

LUXURY SCARVES

Dark Hampton darkhampton.com

www.thelunchboxqueen.co.nz

WAGENER

Sparky CA She’s sweet and petite and clean-air approved

An exotic collection of all things beautiful

Customised coloured panels are available. www.wagenerstoves.co.nz PH 09 408 2469

MarigoldandAmber.co.nz

Book a qualiﬁed Interior Designer to help you select the right colours for your home. Choose either: Online Colour Consultation ($89 for 1 hour)* In-Home Colour Consultation ($125 per hour)*

To book a consult visit dulux.co.nz/services or call 0800 800 424 *Average In-Home Consultation is two hours. Online Consultations are best suited for smaller projects. In-Home may incur travel charges. Residential rates only, Colour Designers are not available in all regions. Conditions apply. Dulux and Colours of New Zealand are registered trade marks of DuluxGroup(Australia) Pty Ltd.

YOU R H O ME AN D GAR DEN

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DESIGN CLASSIC

A brief history of...

The Eames bird Forever linked to legendary designers Charles and Ray Eames, the carved blackbird is an object of beauty

Charles and Ray Eames.

When did Charles and Ray Eames design the bird? This may come as a surprise if you’re not part of the design world, but the couple known as mid-century masters of modern furniture, did not actually design it. Why is it linked to them then? They discovered the simple carved wooden bird on their travels and loved it so much they brought it home. The couple gave it pride of place in the living room of their Paciﬁc Palisades home and they often used it in promo work. And so began the bird’s enduring association with them. 14 6

YO UR H OM E AN D GA R DE N

Is anything known about its origins? The bird is believed to have originated as a hunting decoy. Charles and Edna Perdew, of Illinois, are credited with creating it in 1910.

the living room. Lightly worn from the passing decades, it’s one of many objects from the couple’s far-ﬂung travels artfully displayed throughout the home.

What’s so great about the bird? Anyone with a passion for interiors and beautiful design appreciates the bird’s clean and simple lines. Carved from a single piece of wood, it has steel legs and beads for eyes.

How old is the Eames house? Designed in 1945/1946, it was completed in 1949.

Apart from black, white and a walnut ﬁnish, does it come in any other colour? Well, yes and no. A limited edition gold version was produced in 2015. Only 1000 birds were manufactured out of alder wood, covered in a layer of gold leaf. The Eames House Bird Golden is now a collector’s item. Is the original bird the Eames brought back still around? Yes, and you can go and see it. Those lucky enough to visit the Eames house, which today serves as a ‘time stood still’ museum near Santa Monica, California will spot it on a vintage rug in

Where can I get hold of some Charles and Ray Eames style? The Eames House Bird has been sold at Matisse in Auckland since it was launched by Vitra in 2007.

nood.co.nz

NARROW NECK

Photo: Lisa Cohen. Stylist: Bree Leech. Wall colour shown is in Narrow Neck Half. Dulux and Colours of New Zealand are registered trade marks of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Ltd. Due to limitations of the printing process, images may not represent the true paint colour. Always conﬁrm your colour choice with Dulux Sample Pots.

Find your colour at dulux.co.nz

NARROW NECK

One of our most popular neutrals.

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Articles inside

LET ’S DO BRUNCH

POND LIFE

BRIEF HISTORY OF

YOU’VE GOT THAT

FOOLPROOF GUIDE TO

LIVING WELL

WOMEN WE LOVE

OUTSIDE INSIDE

MIX AND MAX

PLOTTING THEIR ESCAPE

FRESH FINDS

KID’S CORNER