Yredfff3 by feliz16

Make it more you. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freedom.

25% off

Signature sofa range*

The go-to solution for odd spots, cramped corners, and oversized rooms, the Signature sofa range helps tailor your new sofa to make it more you.

Find out more in-store or online at freedomfurniture.co.nz *Offer ends 6 April. Delivery fees and conditions apply.

We’ve had a makeover! (See inside)

THE TREND ISSUE 10 Power pastels, modern Mediterranean & more

CHIC COLOUR UPDATES

your home needs now

HOMES WITH HEART

Budget renos to designer digs Fuel up! Plant-based brekkies

THE RESENE COLOUR HOME AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED

EASY EASTER PROJECTS Kid’s bedroom revamp Create an outdoor room Garage overhaul

Take a tour of this A R T- F I L L E D A B O D E

on page 70

Relax with Concerto Concerto echoes simplicity and ease with its timeless aesthetic. For the ultimate in relaxation, expansive seating options, clever modular design and removable covers, Concerto is designed for the way we love to live.

kingliving.com (09) 309-3766 535 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052 NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA SINGAPORE MALAYSIA SHANGHAI CANADA

Personal Loans

ˢɴƺƳ p.a. on new loans $20K or more.

Let's move it from ‘to do’ to ‘done’ Start the year by getting stuff done. New car, travel, your ƳȸƺƏȅ ɯƺƳƳǣȇǕ Ȓȸ ˢȇǣɀǝǣȇǕ Ȓǔǔ ɎǝȒɀƺ ȸƺȇȒɀٓ áǝƏɎƺɮƺȸ ɵȒɖ need, we could help you get there. Offer ends 27/03/20. Jƺȅ ¨ƺȸɀȒȇƏǼ nȒƏȇɀ

0800 55 22 11

Minimum new loan amount $20,000. Offer ends 27/03/20. Credit & lending criteria, & fees apply, including a $240 establishment fee. Credit provided by Latitude Financial Services Limited.

CONTENTS April The trend issue

14 18

Shopping

Homes

F R ES H F IN DS SAV E O R S PLU RGE

4 4 R E SE N E C O LO U R H O ME AWA R D S

Up your board game 2 0 W E LOVE

Our winner revealed! 50 T HE F U N HO U SE

Shelfie goals 22

Hard work and bold vision pay off in this eclectic family home

WOM EN WE LOVE

Design dynamo Anna Begg 26

T R E ND R EPO RT

60 STE P BY ST E P

The decade’s top ten 34

This family worked wonders with a tight budget on a house no one wanted

F I ND ER ’S F I

It’s a glass act 36

ST Y LE STA LK ER

Standout stools 38

N EXT B IG T HIN G

The ripple effect 14 6 L AST LO O K

Renovation 84 WO RT H THE WAI T

A major reno transformed this Auckland villa into a dream family home 94 4 DAYS OF D I Y

Earn your Easter treats with these three step-by-step space revamps 10 0 GE T SM ART

The ins and outs of savvy home tech

Makeover 1 06 C OLOUR IN

With this season’s hottest new hues: cobalt blue, clay pink and moss green 1 1 2 KI D S’ C OR NE R

Bold moves give a shared room personal appeal 1 14 HE ART F ELT

Storage sorted with two simple DIY felt projects

A RT & SO U L

Classic design pieces mix with provocative art in this eye-popping abode YOU R HOME AND GARDEN

On the cover Bianca and Jesper Heinsvig may have a taste for iconic design but they’re not above a bit of DIY. See their MDF-and-tile coffee table on page 70. Photography Anitta Behrendt/Living Inside

Gardens 1 2 8 I N HE R NATUR E

A keen gardener’s latest venture sees her flexing her green fingers once more 1 3 2 FUTURE P RO OF

106

Five gardening trends you’ll be seeing in 2020 1 3 6 AP RI L C HE CKL IST

Top garden tasks to tick off this month 1 3 8 GARD EN MAKE OV ER

Carol’s plan to transform a public front yard

Food 11 6 EASTE R A LTE RNATI VE

118 6

YO U R HO M E A N D GA R D E N

Skip the mass-produced eggs with Eleanor Ozich’s simple vegan recipe 11 8 FRE SH FO RC E

Power up with these plant-based brekkies

20 20

40 40

50 50

600

DAVID REID IN DETAIL 10

220 0

30 30

40 0

5 50

60 0

First, we mark out the boundaries. Then we start pushing them.

BRENDON HAMILL PUKEKOHE

70 0

When your dream is a one of a kind architecturally designed home that pushes the limits, then you need an award-winning builder who will come on the unique journey with you.

Meet Brendon Hamill. He knows how to go the distance and create homes that don’t just win awards, but also the hearts of clients lucky enough to live in them every day.

80 0

If you aspire to have a home that challenges what’s possible, with award-winning attention to detail, visit davidreidhomes.co.nz and get inspired by what we’ve created.

4 40

5 50

Hello

Katie Newton, Editor @katienewtonhome

This month I’m…

coveting the Amulet Strength necklace from Meadowlark’s Gloria range.

introducing touches of autumn colour. Citta’s collection is a great place to start.

admiring Paper Collective’s art prints – but which to choose?

loving the teak serveware from Yolk Store for family feasts. dreaming of a tropical holiday. This lush spot at Fiji’s Wakaya Resort looks mighty good.

SIGN UP to our newsletter and get a fortnightly dose of inspo straight to your inbox. Visit yourhomeandgarden.co.nz/signup

YO U R H OM E A N D GA R DE N

PHOTOGRAPHY WENDY FENWICK. KATIE WEARS TOP FROM KOWTOW AND HER OWN SKIRT. JEWELLERY FROM ZOE & MORGAN.

elcome to my favourite issue of the year – the trend issue. It’s been a lot of fun peering into the crystal ball to predict what’s next for our homes, and waving goodbye to some of the past’s less lovely looks (I’m looking at you, grey, on-grey, on-grey). While I love discovering a new sofa shape as much as the rest of you decor junkies, it’s been most heartening to see that many of the key trends we’ve identified put environmental concerns first. By following the principles of conscious purchasing and sustainable building and gardening, being house-proud and planet-friendly can definitely go hand in hand. And while it’s not what you’d term ‘trendy’, to me the Prices have nailed it with their house (page 50). From the raw materials to the earthy colour scheme to their love of repurposing and buying vintage, their overarching philosophy is wonderfully simple: take what you love and add in plenty of who you love. It’s a recipe for making a home that’ll never date.

Social club Dreamy decor, a new store alert and grumpy cats galore

ART & EDITORIAL Deputy editor Bea Taylor Art director Fiona Kerr Chief sub editor Stephanie Attwater Designer Alisha Kumar Gardens editor Carol Bucknell

The soft colours and minimalist aesthetic of this feed are only eclipsed by the adorable cameos of one very lush cat

WE LOVE

EDITOR Katie Newton

DIGITAL Digital editor Lakshmi Krishnasamy Digital producer Olivia Day

PET OF THE MONTH

@mamoesjka_nl

All the best homeware, baby and gift ideas from this chic Kiwi-based store. Your wallet may not thank us...

Lenny prefers to knock on the front door with her paws instead of using the pricey tunnelled cat ﬂap installed in her Auckland home.

@husk__home

Page 84

CONTRIBUTORS Daniel Allen, Helen Bankers, Anitta Behrendt, Emma Coombe, Pippa Fay, Wendy Fenwick, Isabella Harrex, Debbie Harrison, Mel Jenkins, Emma McDonald, Vanessa Nouwens, Pia Olsen, Eleanor Ozich, Fiona Ralph, Rebekah Robinson, Tina Stephen, Sharon Stephenson, Bonnie Sumner, The Virtue, Alice Veysey PRODUCTION Production co-ordinator Lorne Kay Printer Webstar Distributor Ovato Retail Distribution

CONNECT WITH US We love seeing images from our #yourhomeandgarden community

ADVERTISING | MARKETING | CORPORATE Commercial director Kaylene Hurley Group sales director – directs/Australia Rachel McLean Head of brand – commercial Anna Magasiva Associate commercial brand manager Alexandra Cuadros acuadros@bauermedia.co.nz Advertising coordinator Greer Wilkinson gwilkinson@bauermedia.co.nz Advertising sales (direct) Amy Madden amadden@bauermedia.co.nz Directory advertising Kim Chapman classifieds@xtra.co.nz Brand & communications manager Katie Ward Publisher analyst Johanne Kendall EXECUTIVE Chief executive officer Brendon Hill Managing director Tanya Walshe General manager – publishing Stuart Dick Editorial director Sarah Henry PUBLISHED BY BAUER MEDIA GROUP (NZ) LP

@yourhomeandgarden + Contact us Email yhg@bauermedia.co.nz. Ph 09 308 2700. Bauer Media Group, Shed 12, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley St, Auckland. Postal address: Private Bag 92512, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141. + Subscription enquiries Auckland subscribers phone 09 308 2721 or call toll-free on 0800 MAGSHOP (0800 624 746), email magshop@magshop.co.nz or visit magshop.co.nz. Payment with order (quote credit card details or enclose a New Zealand cheque payable to Bauer Media Group). Please advise any change of address. + Advertising enquiries NEW ZEALAND Auckland: Nicola Saunders, ph (09) 366 5345, email: nsaunders@bauermedia.co.nz. Directory Advertising: Kim Chapman, ph (07) 578 3646, email classifieds@xtra.co.nz. Sales Manager Wellington & Christchurch: Ros Ellison, ph 021 626 669, email rellison@bauermedia.co.nz. Sales Manager Australia, NZ titles: Rachel McLean, ph (09) 308 2760, email rmclean@bauermedia.co.nz.

TRENDING ONLINE

TOP READ

TRAVEL BUG LOVE YOUR SHELF Citta’s new Autumn Winter collection, Still Life, invites us all to settle in and slow down. The Linear shelf in natural black and oak (with removable side panels held in place by discreet magnets) is the perfect way to display – and admire – a curation of beautiful objects. $2490 from citta.co.nz 14

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

From Marrakesh to Paris, Cuba to Tokyo, travel through 20 beautiful homes and be inspired by the sophisticated interiors. Travel Home: Design with a Global Spirit by Caitlin Flemming and Julie Goebel will help you curate an interior style that reflects your favourite places or experiences in a way that’s authentic and personal. $69 from paperplanestore.com

SPLURGE

CLAY PLAY Cut back on plastic with this clay-look soap dispenser, $19.99, from H&M. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re partial to a matching set, adding the the storage box, $19.99, and toothbrush mug, $4.99, will create a stylish trio. Find them at H&M.

Mad platter Used as a trinket bowl, key dish or cheese or fruit plate, these platters by Fourth St impart an earthy touch. Handcrafted in smooth, organic forms, they are made from Bidasar marble, found only in India. Available in two sizes, from $132, from Tim Webber. timwebberdesign.com

SAVE

POT OF GOLD Bring a pop of amber to your living room with this funnel-neck vase from Kmart. For dried-flower fans, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect colour to bring your bunch to life. $22 from kmart.co.nz

Pretty camp Far from your standard camping kit, the cute speckled pattern of this enamelware will elevate any al fresco meal. Safe for stove, grill, oven, flame and dishwasher, the collection comes in Cyprus (blue) or strawberry bomb (pink) and starts at $35, from kipandco.com.au YO UR HOME AN D GARDEN

Fresh finds The latest looks and products we love

RATTAN FAN

While it’s been designed to live outdoors the Soller chair from Meluka looks so good it’s likely to find its way inside too. Plus rattan gets points for sustainability thanks to its low-waste, low-energy production. $319 from meluka.co.nz

PYRAMID POWER Tristan Marler (Manawa Tapu) is trained in whakairo rākau (wood carving) and specialises in tā moko (Māori tattooing). You can find his intricate designs on paper, too, like this ‘Pyramid’ print, $300, from thepoiroom.co.nz

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

If you’re looking to become a plant parent or welcome some new varieties into your brood, Johnny Jungle is a goto for anything indoor plant-related. They sell and style plants, and offer great advice to help keep your potted family alive. Marble queen pothos, $52, from johnnyjungle.co.nz

YO UR H O M E A N D GA R DE N

Perk up Beneath this little coffee pot’s simple exterior lies innovative technology: a micro-etched filter specifically designed to enhance the flavour of your brew. $240 from everyday-needs.com

YH&G + TOURISM FIJI T R AV E L

A Fiji moment While Fiji provides plenty of opportunity to work on your tan, its appeal runs much deeper. Meet local artisans, enjoy sustainable and environmentally-friendly tourism and reconnect with your loved ones away from the stress of modern life

TOP PICK

Photography courtesy of Tourism Fiji, Marriott Resort; Chris McLennan and Yasawa Island Resort; Matt Crawford.

SHOP

Rise Beyond the Reef

S TAY

FIJI MA RR IOT T RESORT MOMI BAY

Rather than taking home mass-produced souvenirs, seek out products made by notfor-profit organisation Rise Beyond the Reef. You’ll go home with a beautiful example of Fijian traditional art or craft and simultaneously support efforts to bridge the divide between remote communities, government and the private sector, creating a better world for South Pacific women and children.

Situated on the Coral Coast, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay is one of only two resorts with overwater bures. This five-star luxury resort is the perfect place to reconnect with your loved one. Who needs to go anywhere else when you have stairs descending into pristine lagoon waters right below your deck? (Unless it’s to the day spa or restaurant, of course!) marriott.com

P L AY

Great Sea Reef Shining bright turquoise through clearer-than-clear waters, the Great Sea Reef (Cakaulevu) is the third longest barrier reef in the world. Snorkelling over this natural wonder – which includes a series of protected marine areas – you could encounter anything from green sea turtles and spinner dolphins to manta rays and even whales, as well as hosts of tiny, colourful tropical fish.

INDULGE

Yasawa Island Resort and Spa An exclusive resort with 10 private beaches and located in one of the most unspoiled parts of Fiji, Yasawa Island Resort and Spa is your ‘white sand and crystal clear water’ Fijian dream come true. Sustainability is at the fore, too, with food purchased from the local village, metal straws, no single-use plastic and even a glass crusher to convert used glass into building materials. yasawa.com

SAVE

2 S AV E O R S P L U R G E

Board game Say yes please to cheese with this selection of servingware Styling Fiona Kerr Photography Wendy Fenwick 4

SAVE

PA D D L E B OA R D, $25 FOR 2, FROM THE WAREHOUSE.

SAVE

F R E YA P L AT T E R , $ 3 9.9 9, F R O M SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.

8 4

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

S SAVE 1 Dimpled bowl, $3, from Kmart. 2 Glass tumbler, $12 for 4, from The Warehouse. 3 Glazed platter, $15, from The Warehouse. 4 Cheese knife, $44.95 for 3-piece set, from Freedom. 5 Grove marble dish, $49.90, from Paper Plane. 6 Dinner plate, $21.95, from Freedom. 7 Living & Co paddle board, $25 for 2, from The Warehouse. 8 Bowl, $3.50, from Daiso Japan. 9 Marble board, $49.90, from Citta. SPLURGE 1 Dip bowl, $14.90, from Citta. 2 Piccadilly tumbler, $14.90, from Citta. 3 Dinner plate, $49.99, from A&C Homestore. 4 Cheese knife, $59.99 for 3-piece set, from A&C Homestore. 5 Groove trivet, $145, from Bauhaus. 6 Charger plate, $54.99, from A&C Homestore. 7 Apex board, $69.90, from Citta. 8 Dipping bowl, $9.90, from Citta. 9 Tom Dixon rock board, $420, from Simon James. Background painted in Resene Flax.

SPLURGE

SPLURGE ROUND CHOPPING BLOCK, $64.90, F R O M C I T TA .

SPLURGE S A N D O VA L P L AT T E R , $ 1 1 9 . 9 9 , FROM A&C H O M E STO R E .

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

WE LOVE

Shelf life Inset shelving provides the perfect perch for beautiful objects in sunset tones Styling Fiona Kerr Photography Wendy Fenwick

YOUR H OM E A N D GAR D E N

Olive tree, $69.99, from Kings Plant Barn. Harvest planter, $109, from Citta. Vintage pot, $65, from Flotsam & Jetsam. On shelves: pink vase, $6.50, from Kmart. HĂźbsch vase, $39.90, from Allium. Stoneware bowl, $60, from Babelogue. The Kinfolk Table book, $79.99, from A&C Homestore. The New Mediterranean book, $95, from Babelogue. Rust oval vase, $9.98, from The Warehouse. Ash-glazed tea bowl by Yvette van Raders, $47, from Kaolin. Ginger jar, $80, from Babelogue. Pasta bowl by Duncan Shearer, $48, from Kaolin. Small vase, $40, from Babelogue. Plant Style book, $39.99, from Whitcoulls. Travel Home book, $69, from Paper Plane. Rough vase, $70, from Babelogue. Dip bowl, $19.90, serving bowl, $34.90, from Paper Plane. Piccadilly carafe, $69.90, from Citta. On bench: Hayley Bridgford vessel, $39.90, from Citta. Kinto birch-ply tray, $42, from Everyday Needs. Chenille cushion, $8, from Kmart. Linen cushion, $89.99, from A&C Homestore. Bench seat, $895, from Bauhaus. Floor basket, $22, from Kmart. Turkish kilim, $360, from Babelogue. Wall painted in Resene Santa Fe.

WOMEN WE LOVE

Work

the room With a homeware boutique, linen range and even a caravan bar for hire, interior designer Anna Begg is a woman of many talents Interview Fiona Ralph Photography Emma Coombe

YO UR HO ME A N D GA R D E N

nna Begg has been on a truly global journey so far. From a farm in Balclutha, via boarding school and tertiary studies in Dunedin, to working in graphic design in Italy and Byron Bay, she’s now settled in Wānaka, running an interior design business and homeware store. Brimming with interesting textiles and other treasures, The Workroom is stocked with pieces gathered on her travels, and also her own line of linen, Le Lin (all available online, too). Working alongside her staff, she also offers a property-styling service, window treatments and floristry, and has a caravan bar for hire for weddings or events, which she converted with her father. How did you get into your line of work? I had always been interested in interior design, fabrics and moving furniture about, from a really young age. I studied interior design in Dunedin, then worked in graphic design and art direction both in Italy and Byron Bay. When did you launch The Workroom? I was working for an interior designer in Wānaka, and when her business came up for sale I purchased and rebranded it. The Workroom began trading in 2016.

“I sell a lot of French and Indian vintage homeware. I love how it tells a story”

Do you have many people on your team? Six, all specialising in different areas from interiors to floristry and home staging. We also have many contractors under The Workroom umbrella. What is your process when you work with clients? We normally meet on-site to go over the scope of the project and I’ll get a feel for what they want, then I create a concept. We will then meet in-store to go over the concept and I’ll introduce the client to any fabrics or finishings that I have suggested and we’ll work together to get the finished concept. Once the design is locked in, we will work as a team to execute the design. Everyone plays a different role in this, from processing and ordering to installation. YOU R H OME AN D GARDEN

SWATCH THIS SPACE Anna also has a passion for graphic design and fashion. She’s currently designing new pieces for The Workroom’s own brand of leather products, ‘Cuire’, which includes bags, log carriers and laptop cases. She uses her graphic design experience to create cards, stickers, tags and packaging for The Workroom.

“I travel, attend trade shows and generally just poke about, always thinking about what I can sell” 24

YO UR H OM E A N D GA R D E N

How do you source all the items in your boutique? I love to travel, attend trade shows and generally just poke about, always thinking about what I can sell.

the day. Every day is completely different, depending on the stage each project is at. I always try to get back to the shop for closing at 5pm and wrap the day up with the team.

You have a mix of old and new. What do you love about vintage? I sell a lot of French and Indian vintage homeware. I love how it tells a story. I love the character they can bring to your home.

Tell us about your home. I live with my partner, Adam, dog Bella and cat Leo right in the centre of Wānaka – it’s about a three-minute drive to work. I’m always changing things in the house, although not by adding lots of new stuff. I love building my home with interesting, timeless pieces, so if I come across these, I’ll get them. We are currently renovating the kitchen, so I’m pretty excited about that.

What does an average day look like for you? I head to the shop at about 7am to catch up on overnight emails. Then I open the shop and plan any consultations, and what all the girls will be doing for the day. This involves receiving shop stock and client deliveries, client installs, florals, property styling and quoting/processing of jobs. I’ll normally head out on my first consultation at 10am and sometimes I can be out all day in back-to-back design meetings. I’m often popping in and out of the shop to get things for different clients throughout

What’s on the cards this year? I will be trying to travel more to source unique products, and will also be working on a new linen collection for Le Lin. The year is already filling up with lots of exciting renovation projects and new-builds, too. theworkroom.boutique @theworkroom_

ork r by Jude Rae

This season we invite you to seek moments of calmness & allow yourself to truly be still. Explore our new collection in store & online now.

AUCKLAND • HAMILTON • WELLINGTON • CHRISTCHURCH CITTADESIGN.COM

TOP TRENDS for the new decade

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re moving away from stark white towards mood-enhancing colour; from straight lines to gentle curves. Welcome to the era of sensorial delight at home Text Sharon Stephenson 26

YO UR HO ME A N D GA R D E N

Colour in the kitchen

Stylist and designer Vanessa Nouwens, of Nes Design, picks bold colours and two-tone cabinetry as the next big kitchen looks. “While white kitchens will always have their place and are hard to trump in the clean-and-fresh stakes, the evolving trend is to include more colour,” she says. Two popular colour families are navy or shades of green. When teamed with marble benchtops, brass hardware and smoky glass lighting, they add depth and create a beautiful, luxe look. For two-toned cabinetry, the key is to get the mix of colours right. Blending wood ﬁnishes below with lighter colours above gives a feeling of spaciousness. Otherwise, opt for a contrasting island bench to make a statement.

Style tip An island bench in a contrasting finish feels more like furniture than cabinetry.

PHOTOGRAPHY BAUER SYNDICATION, MUUTO

1 Sphera glass pendant, $179, from Freedom. 2 AB pendant, $440, from Citta. 3 Mercer Aurora gooseneck mixer, $599, from Kitchen Hub. 4 White marble serving board, $12, from Kmart. 5 Sylvan cabinet handle in brushed brass, $7.88, from Mitre 10.

YOU R HOME AND GARDEN

Follow the curve

Rounded corners and organic shapes were in abundance at Milan Design Week, notes Laura Heynike, founder of Pocketspace Interiors. She says bringing this look into your home interior works best when echoed by multiple pieces, from furniture to accessories. A rounded hallway console, for instance, connects to curved sofas, ottomans in freeform or distorted shapes and the gentle, wavy lines of watercolour textiles on soft furnishings. Rounded dining tables are said to promote more open conversations, too.

Wabi next-gen Sometimes described as “imperfect, impermanent and incomplete beauty”, the concept of wabi-sabi has been applied to everything from landscaping to mindfulness. According to Laura, this has now morphed into an interiors style – a naturalistic look that also incorporates our high-tech lifestyle. “This new wabi look brings together humble materials and mixed metals with soft curves. It embraces rich, imperfect terracotta tones and reﬂective metals to playfully contrast one another,” she says. Technological innovations for the home, such as lighting systems that replicate natural lighting, are on the rise, too.

YOUR H OM E A ND GA R DE N

1 Kate sofa, $2995, from Me & My Trend. 2 Puddle coffee table, $1399, from Freedom. 3 Alvar Aalto rose gold bowl, $325, from Good Form. 4 LSPX-S2 glass speaker, $899.95, from Sony. 5 Hay Jessica Hans Miro vase, $143, from Amara. 6 Betty floral cushion, $51, from Society of Wanderers. 7 Ellis outdoor dining chair in pink, $100, from Target. 8 Angled dome pendant in pastel 07, $92.50, from The Lighting Centre. 9 Kaleido tray, $99, from Amara.

PHOTOGRAPHY NIKOLE RAMSAY (HALLWAY), ANITTA BEHRENDT (FLORAL SOFA)

Florals

Interior designer Toni Brandso, of Material Creative, says the days of minimalism are being overtaken by brave, bold and beautiful colour influenced by flora and fauna. “Particularly exciting is the maximalist move to mixing floral prints of various sizes on walls, ceilings, cushions, couches and even lampshades,” she says.

Style tip When mixing florals, make sure there’s a common colour on each item to tie them together

Power pastels

Hot on the heels of millennial pink come the sophisticated tones of mint green, faded blue, lilac and soft yellow. Toni says this trend is particularly strong in the realm of sculptural furniture. “When mixing and matching pastel colours, there’s an air of calming luxury and softness which is ideal within a residential setting.”

YO UR HOME AN D GARDEN

Sustainable materials

Sustainability is a strong focus when it comes to building and decorating. Current favourites in the decorating scene, bamboo and rattan, are joined by newcomer cork as materials that tick the boxes for being both stylish and sustainable, thanks to their low-energy, low-waste production. For building projects, recycled, reclaimed and salvaged wood and metals will be a preferred option.

Slow design

The antithesis of throwaway consumerism, this movement asks questions about a productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s origin and how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made, as well as its environmental impact. Consumers are starting to care more about the provenance of well-made pieces, rather than click-to-order mass production.

Modern Mediterranean

This look combines the timeless blue and white of the Med with natural or age-old elements such as terrazzo, travertine and rattan. Globally, this combination of natural textures and relaxed simplicity is set to be a hallmark of the decade.

YO UR H O ME A N D GA R D E N

Antiques

If overseas trends are any indication, there will be a renewed interest in antiques in the coming years. Trendspotters say that while vintage style has been around for a while, designers are now digging further back, to art and decorative objects that are many decades, if not hundreds of years, old.

Biophilic design

Biophilic design takes its cues from the forms, patterns and shapes of the natural world and embraces natural materials in their most unrefined state. Think rough-hewn timber, unpolished concrete and stone in all its many textures. Using these design principles has been shown to reduce stress and improve creativity and productivity in the workplace â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so why miss out at home?

1 Tiptoe Venezia recycled-plastic coffee table, $849, from Ico Traders. 2 Peter Lovig tambour-door sideboard, $5000, from The Vintage Shop. 3 Shades blue gloss tile, $99.50 per sqm, from Tile Space. 4 Dipped clay pot and stand, US$58, from Anthropologie. 5 Sunday dressing gown in toast, $159, jacquard towels in chestnut, from $19.90, forget-me-not organic towel in chestnut, $39.90, from Citta. 6 Seca stone in natural, $194.93 per sqm, from Muros. 7 Ashlar stone in copper, $194.93 per sqm, from Muros.

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

What’s next for colour

RESENE Fast Forward

RESENE Mother Nature

“Colour is a huge part of our world and our interior projects. It can transform a space and it’s an excellent way to express your style and personality” V I C B I B B Y, I N T E R I O R D E S I G N E R

Create a feeling

Interior designer Vic Bibby, of Bibby + Brady, uses colour not just to make a room look nice but to create a feeling. “In this crazy world people want to feel a connection with nature and to create a calm, welcoming space to come home to,” she says. She predicts the next decade will see more warm, earthy and organic tones and a shift away from the cool greys of the past decade. “Think the softest beige with rose undertones, creamy Champagne, rich chocolate brown. Pink will still be big: dusty, earthy pinks and bright fuchsia.” She also picks yellows, warm terracotta and pumpkin reds, as well as a cooler palette of deeply saturated blues and greens. “Dark and moody colours embrace us and make us feel cosy.” (Want to know more? Bibby + Brady are now running an online colour course; for details, visit bibbyandbrady.co.nz.) 32

YOUR H O M E A N D GA R DE N

RESENE Raging Bull

RESENE Sunbaked

RESENE Just Dance

S RESENE Napa

RESENE Despacito

RESENE Moonlight

RESENE Cleopatra

RESENE Twisted Sister

Expert tips with Karen Warman of Resene + Use a flat finish, such as Resene SpaceCote Flat, to bring out the depth and moodiness in your colour. Or to brighten it up and make it pop, use a gloss finish such as Resene Enamacryl. + For a tone-on-tone palette, start with your favourite dark Resene hue then select progressively lighter versions until you are happy with your room. The Resene whites & neutrals collection makes this easy with up to six strength variations of each colour for you to choose from. + Upcycle fast fashion items with a Resene testpot or two. Rather than throw out that ontrend accessory you bought a couple of years ago, revive it with a fresh colour to bring it into your new room palette. OPPOSITE Wall colours: Resene Double Ash (top). Resene Tacao. THIS PAGE Wall colours (clockwise from top left): Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta. Resene Dark Buff. Resene Merino with Resene Swiss Caramel, Resene Route 66 and Resene Indian Ink.

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

Mix it up

Where to start Bar carts and sideboards have seen a resurgence in recent years and are excellent places to display a glass collection. Start small by collecting coloured or textured pieces as you spot them in op-shops, online or at ﬂea markets. Check out deborahsweeney.com or vintagecolour.co.nz for well-priced ﬁnds or splash out on designer pieces from a mid-century specialist such as Mr Mod.

Think big

FINDER’S FI

Glass half full FIONA RALPH Sustainable shopping advocate

From smoked to frosted, ribbed to coloured, unique glass is trending. Fi reveals how to find this vintage treasure

Glass furniture or decorative pieces can help a space to appear larger and lighter. While vintage smoked glass furniture takes a bit of hunting down, you can ﬁnd shelves, cabinets and tables featuring this material if you keep an eye out. Frosted, smoked and textured glass doors, screens or windows can let light in while still maintaining privacy. If you’re renovating, look out for interesting glass at demo yards and recycle centres, or if you are lucky enough to already have unique glass features in your home, please consider keeping them! Pendant or globe lights in the same material can also create an eye-catching look. These lightshades soften the light emitted from a bulb, which gives them a more understated appeal than the brighter glow of clear glass. New Plymouth’s Vintage Industries and Auckland’s Vitrine stock extensive collections of 1960s and 1970s pendant lights, globes and the iconic spiky Sputnik chandeliers.

Buyer beware

moked glass, a staple of the 1970s, is back, which got me thinking about this moody material and other types of glass worth hunting out in secondhand shops. Coloured glass is also a favourite for vintage collectors, and pink, amber and blue are particularly popular right now. Vintage stores and op-shops are great places to track down coloured or smoked glass to add to your collection. Look out for drinking glasses, vases, candlesticks and platters.

YOU R H OM E A ND GA R DE N

One thing to look out for if you’re picking up green, or sometimes other coloured vintage pieces, is uranium glass. The element was once added to glassware as a colourant. While the amount of uranium in these pieces is usually deemed too small to pose a risk, it’s worth being aware of. You can check if a piece is made with uranium by holding a black light up to it – uranium glass will glow in the dark – or holding it up to the sun to check for a faint glow. @ﬁona_ralph

Top ﬁnds for April 01

RAINBOW CONNECTION

Blogger Elsie Larson, of A Beautiful Mess, has curated the ultimate vintage glass collection in her Nashville home (above and opposite). @elsielarson

SWEET FRUIT

Artist Devyn Ormsby’s vintageinspired glass fruit looks good enough to eat. @devonmade.glass

TREASURE TROVE

This Kiwi-run Instagram account is the place to go to buy stylish secondhand glassware. @thislifein_objects

IMAGE BY ELSIE LARSON, ABEAUTIFULMESS.COM

Playing around with opacity and texture can give a glass collection new life. You can ﬁnd plenty of interesting textured glass pieces at secondhand shops, such as ribbed and gridded glass, bubble glass (where air bubbles are incorporated into the piece) and American Depression glass (colourful, cheaply made pieces produced in the US from the 1920s to the 1940s).

ADVERTISING FEATURE

WELCOME HOME CREATE A COSY AND COMFORTING AMBIENCE WITH YOUR FAVOURITE GLADE HOME FRAGRANCE

hen you walk into a room you want it to feel instantly welcoming. Give yourself the gift of a freshly fragranced home with Glade® Sense & Spray®, the only automatic freshener in the New Zealand market with smart motion sensor technology. The attractive new design with gold accents blends seamlessly into your home decor and lets you add your favourite fragrance from the Glade® Sense & Spray ® range. It automatically releases a burst of fragrance with essential oils into the air when you pass by, or you can simply press the boost button for a refreshing burst. It’s an uplifting and effortless way to set a mood and a scent you’ll love coming home to, every day.

SOOTHE THE SENSES Choose your favourite fragrance from Pomegranate & Cranberry, Sheer Vanilla Embrace®, Hawaiian Breeze® and Lavender & Vanilla.

AVAILABLE IN ALL LEADING SUPERMARKETS

2 3

5 6

S T Y L E S TA L K E R

Perch perfect Long legged or petite, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stool to suit every style 7

15 14 8

12 9 11 13

1 Sala counter stool, $229, from Nood. 2 Fiber tube stool, $430, from Bauhaus. 3 Leni stool, $39.95, from Mocka. 4 Recycled elm wood stool, $199, from Green With Envy. 5 Henne counter stool, $119, from Freedom. 6 Muuto Nerd bar stool, $999, from Bauhaus. 7 Muuto Visu bar stool, $999, from Bauhaus. 8 Velvet mustard stool, $25, from Kmart. 9 Wrap stool, $360, from Tim Webber. 10 Pleat bar stool, $149, from Freedom. 11 Hut stool, $340, from Citta. 12 3D stool, $790, from Citta. 13 Hut stool with ring, $440, from Citta. 14 Teak root wood stool, $339, from Green With Envy. 15 Enzo bar stool, $199, from Danske Mobler. 16 Living & Co Spencer bar stool, $59, from The Warehouse.

YOU R H OM E A ND GA R DE N

COMPILED BY VANESSA NOUWENS

FROM THE TROPICS TO TE AWAMUTU. Has this tropical curtain fabric caught your eye? Tear this page out and add it to your moodboard, or turn the page for more inspiration. Image features Amazonia Lagoon from Warwick (pattern not to scale).

NEXT BIG THING

Ridge line 10

Homeware gets its groove on with ribbed and rippled textures 5

8 6

1 Home Republic Elliott bedside table, $420, from Adairs. 2 Expose side table, $739, from BoConcept. 3 Bruno bobble stool, $939, from Soren Liv. 4 Ribbed vases, from $14.99, from H&M. 5 Linear pot, $12, from Kmart. 6 Kennedy ribbed ottoman, $1598, from Soren Liv. 7 Ferm Living Podia table, $1735, from Slow Store. 8 Paramount bar cabinet, $1899, from Freedom. 9 Kennedy tufted headboard in olive green, queen $2408, from Soren Liv. 10 Hubsch amber soda glass, $49, from Good Thing.

YOUR H OM E A ND GA R DE N

COMPILED BY VANESSA NOUWENS

FROM THE TROPICS TO TE AWAMUTU. Whether you are after a bold tropical print, or something more subtle, we have thousands of curtain fabrics in varying colours, patterns and textures to choose from. Image features Amazonia Lagoon from Warwick.

TREND SPOTLIGHT

Midnight dream A delicate floral in blue (or white) adds whimsical lightness to a moody palette

Style tip Euro-sized pillows will frame the bed and create a sense of drama, especially if you don’t have a headboard. Choose Euros in contrasting fabrics to add depth and texture.

Get the look

Colour palette

Your Home and Garden Midnight Floral duvet set, from $159.99. Midnight Floral Euro pillowcase, $39.99 each. Midnight quilted velvet Euro, $49.99 each. Textured velvet cushions, $49.99 each. Midnight velvet quilt, from $179.99. Available exclusively from Farmers.

Add colour to a classic. The tried-and-true colour combination of blue and white gets a fresh new look when paired with unexpected contrasting tones. Try rust brown or mustard for a shot of warm, earthy colour. Go luxe with layers. Create a cosy, welcoming vibe by layering your bed with luxurious fabrics. Velvet is the star of the season and adds instant, tactile glamour – choose from textured finishes or the lustrous geometric design available in Euros and quilts. White sheets keep things crisp. Style up the surrounds. While the bed is the hero, it’s not the only element in the room. Take your cue from the Japanese-inspired floral print and add handmade ceramics and sculptural branches to the bedside, or play up the earthy feel of rust with warm timber furniture. Double your options. This duvet set with pillow cases is reversible to give you different looks to experiment with. Choose white, blue, or a mixture of the two.

S H O P T H E N E W C O L L E C T I O N I N S T O R E A N D AT FA R M E R S . C O . N Z

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE free CHALK PAINT® BY ANNIE SLOAN

Simply apply to the surface and then use Clear Chalk Paint® Wax to seal and protect. You’ll love the velvety matte ﬁnish and the new lease of life given to an old piece of furniture.

Versatile, easy-to-use and fun! Annie Sloan invented Chalk Paint® in 1990 to make transforming your home easier for everyone. There’s no need for priming or sanding. Just pop open your tin, dip in your brush and apply the paint to furniture. Chalk Paint® works on just about every surface in your home and garden, including wood, metal, concrete, plastics, glass, marble, fabrics and melamine. + For tips, tricks and inspiration as well as details of your local stockist, visit anniesloan.com.

HURRY! OFFER ENDS 15 APRIL, 2020

Subscribe today!

$17 $36 $69 FOR 3 ISSUES Via direct debit just $5.67 an issue

FOR 6 ISSUES Save $16 off retail cover price

FOR �2 ISSUES Save $36 off retail cover price

Need more reasons to subscribe? + Free delivery to your home + Never pay cover price again + Never miss an issue (Already a subscriber? Simply extend your subscription to take advantage of this offer.)

YOUR FREE GIFT A set of Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan including 120ml Chalk Paint in Oxford Navy and 120ml Clear Chalk Paint Wax, worth $50.

S U B SCRIBE SECUR ELY ONLI NE : magshop.co.nz/yhg/M204YHG1 OR call 0800 MAGSHOP (0800 624 746) and quote M204YHG1 TERMS & CONDITIONS This offer is valid for all New Zealand subscriptions quoting M204YHG1 by phone or online at magshop.co.nz/yhg/M204YHG1 before midnight 15 April, 2020. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subscriptions on Direct Debit renew automatically and will continue until we are advised of cancellation. Direct Debits may be cancelled at any time simply by calling 0800 624 746 during business hours. Gift will be sent to the bill payer. Savings are based off the retail cover price. Subscription rates are available for delivery to New Zealand addresses only. Please allow up to 6-8 weeks for delivery of first issue. For full terms and conditions and overseas rates, please refer to magshop.co.nz.

COLOUR HOME AWARDS 2020 WINNER

Cool change This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resene Colour Home Awards winners brought subtle colour and a dose of character back to an Oamaru villa Text Fiona Ralph Photography Isabella Harrex

RESENE DUCK EGG BLUE

YOU R H OM E A N D GA R DE N

Meet & greet Tessa Simpson, 35 (freelance makeup artist), Tyler Simpson, 34 (project foreman), Reeve, 5, and Luca, 3, plus Monty the Labrador.

essa Simpson never imagined her character-filled Oamaru home would take out the top prize in the Resene Colour Home Awards. The long-time reader of Your Home and Garden has always followed the competition and decided to enter when she and husband Tyler finished painting their home last year. Tessa could hardly believe it when she received the email saying that the home’s calming, cohesive colour palette had won the couple $5000 in prize money. The stylish blue and grey tones Tessa chose for the interior, along with the striking monochrome exterior, are a welcome change from the “sea of beige and yellow” (plus one pink bedroom) which dominated when the family moved in five years ago. “When we first moved in, I neutralised everything,” explains Tessa. A few years later, when the boys were both toddlers, “I decided to change it and make it a bit more exciting.” Tessa, a makeup artist, has a background in wedding styling and says interiors are an extension of that. “I’ve always enjoyed interiors. I like playing around with styling things and I like art and colour.” She painted the bedrooms herself but enlisted local painters A1 Decorating for the rest of the work. This has been the couple’s first renovation, as their previous home was a new-build, and Tessa says she prefers a house with character. “It was quite different coming into an older house and changing things.”

KITCHEN, LIVING The colour for the living area and hallway was the hardest to choose as it had to go well with the new flooring and carpet and lead nicely into the bedrooms, which are each in different colours. Resene Duck Egg Blue was the perfect fit and a soothing foil to the bold teal splashback.

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

COLOUR HOME AWARDS 2020 WINNER RESENE LY N C H

BOYS’ BEDROOMS Reeve, an arty kid, chose dinosaur names to write on the wall (painted in Resene Lynch) in stick-on letters, and picked out some of the artworks himself. Tessa added a houseshaped blackboard feature for him, using Resene FX Blackboard Paint. Luca’s room (opposite) was made over in deep, inky Resene Avalanche, with a fun yellow fabric (used for curtains and as an artwork) making a great contrast.

YOUR H OM E AN D GA R DE N

Choosing colours for each room took some time as Tessa wanted to ensure the tones worked well together. The palette started with older son Reeve’s room, which was initially painted in Resene Blue Moon. Last year Tessa updated this to the grey blue of Resene Lynch. “I felt like the room needed slightly more depth, especially once we laid the new carpet,” she says. She chose an inky blue (Resene Avalanche) for Luca’s room and Resene Ash, a grey with a hint of green, for the sun-filled main bedroom. “The subtle green tinge is very calming but also has enough depth to not be boring,” she explains. Ceilings throughout the house and bedroom trims and skirting boards were painted in Resene Alabaster. The living room colour took a while to decide on, as it needed to match the flooring and flow nicely into the hallway and bedrooms, which are visible from the living room. It also needed to complement the dark brown cabinetry in the adjoining kitchen, which the budget didn’t stretch to updating. Tessa eventually settled on Resene Duck Egg Blue for both the living room and hallway, with trims and skirting in Resene Half Rice Cake. “When we put the new flooring in the living room, I felt the Alabaster was too stark against the floor and we needed something softer and warmer,” she explains. A teal tiled splashback in the kitchen, new blinds in the living room and updated carpet and light fittings in the hallway completed the look. The exterior colours were the hardest to choose, says Tessa. The house was originally beige with white trim and had a number of rotting weatherboards. The previous owners had also installed aluminium windows which took away some of the character. “I didn’t want to highlight the aluminium so I decided to paint the weatherboards in white – Resene Sea Fog – and make the remaining character

RESENE AVA L A N C H E

Colour tip Creating a moodboard will help to clarify your vision and assist with ensuring colours work together cohesively. TESSA SIMPSON

YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

COLOUR HOME AWARDS 2020 WINNER

Judge’s comment “Many of our Resene Colour Home Awards winners have a love of bright colours. This home is a little more subtle and cleverly embraces many colours but in a tone-on-tone palette carefully chosen for each space, bringing attention to all the right places” KAREN WARMAN, RESENE

features pop with dark Resene Element.” The double garage was also painted in Resene Element. Neighbours have commented on how smart the outside looks, and one has even been inspired to paint their own home. Tessa says she wouldn’t change anything about her renovated home and the family plan to stay here for a long time. They are currently staining the deck (built by Tyler) in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black and painting the new laundry in Resene Atomic – a drastic improvement from having the washing machine in a kitchen cupboard. The prize money couldn’t have come at a better time to help with the ﬁnal part of the reno: painting and ﬁtting out the bathroom. Plus some will now go towards course fees as, spurred on by her win, Tessa has just signed up to study for a diploma in interior design. The next Resene Colour Home Awards aren’t far away – stay tuned for your chance to enter.

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

MORE COLOURS TO TRY FROM R E S E N E ’S FAS H I O N FA N D E C K

RESENE Peace

RESENE Smoothie

RESENE Wishing Well

HOMES 50

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANITTA BEHRENDT/LIVING INSIDE

The fun house Lively times abound in this family abode

Step by step They saw potential where others saw defeat

Talking point The iconic Wegner Shell chair is a favourite of this homeowner’s, as its sculptural design feels like installation art. See more of her treasures on page 70.

Art & soul There’s no room for the predictable here YOU R HOME AND GARDEN

THE FUN HOUSE From run down to remarkable, this special home shows what’s possible with a bold vision — and hard work

Text Debbie Harrison Photography Alice Veysey

“

H DINING Carved out of a small space leading to the back deck, the dining area is pure Price creativity. The couple painstakingly hand-laid the thin clay bricks (from a Trade Me importer), made the seating and created the beautiful pipework pantry.

f there’s one thing to take from hearing Brydie and John Price’s renovation story, it’s that this couple are not afraid of hard work. Their to-do list to turn their 1967 Mount Maunganui property into a dream home was eye watering; and included making the house watertight, replacing the roof, sorting out the plumbing, electrics and gas, and repainting the entire exterior. And that was just one part – the landscaping was even more gruelling. But the mammoth job list didn’t faze this clever couple when they bought the four-bedroom, twobathroom home in late 2015. In its original condition, the it was far from a show home, but they saw past that and say it was love at first sight.

The project

“There was no fencing or landscaping, the roof was paper thin and rusted out, the driveway was all broken in the middle and slanted steeply,” Brydie recalls. “Basically, everywhere we looked pointed to hard work ahead. But the shape of the house was gorgeous and we fell in love with the tall ceilings, the split-level entryway and all the heart rimu.” John agrees: “The original design of the house was so good, we loved the split level that would give us our own space but not make us feel too separate. And, of course, there was that big backyard. That was such a winner for us – it was a huge blank canvas.” In just four years, the couple used their creativity, vision and work ethic (and the help of a few family members and friends) to turn their run-down house into a completely unique family home.

From outside in

“Our plan for this house was to work from the outside in,” Brydie says. “We moved in at the start of December 2015 and knew we wanted to enjoy the summer outdoors. Our family turned up, tools in hand, and the main deck was built quickly, followed by the covered area.” The couple put a lot of effort into their landscaping, a decision that has paid off, even if it wasn’t the easiest job on their list. The first steps were to install proper drainage and fix the driveway, which was on such a slant that it caused the bottom room of the house to flood whenever it rained. “It was a big job,” John admits. “We had to lift the whole front yard by one metre using fill, and add mega soak pits. We formed the back garden with a truckload of boulders that were too heavy to lift and we had no access for vehicles. We had to use a pallet trolley to wheel them down the side of the house, one by one.” The hard graft was worth it. Today, there are plenty of outdoor spaces the family can enjoy, rain or shine, including three decks, an outdoor bar and, the pièce de résistance, a covered entertaining area featuring a lounge, hot tub, fire pit and swinging hammock chairs, edged by a gorgeous tropical garden. 52

YOU R H OM E A ND GA R DE N

Meet & greet John Price, 40 (works in landscaping and construction), Brydie Price, 39 (flight attendant), Miila, 17, and Spencer, 15, plus dogs Pedro and Chica.

Beyond that is their backyard, with enough room for a game of volleyball as well as a flourishing vege patch, a super-productive glasshouse (a birthday gift to John from Brydie, complete with a disco ball) and an outdoor cinema screen. “We use it at every party or to watch big rugby games. We recently had all the neighbours over to watch The Lion King movie – that was an awesome night,” John says.

Raw materials

There’s a feeling of warmth and individuality in the Prices’ home, and that’s due in part to their choice of materials. Wood, brick, glass, bamboo, ceramic, rattan, stone, marble and countless indoor plants all feature throughout. “When John and I first met, we talked about our dream home being made from mostly raw materials, so that’s what we’ve tried to use,” Brydie says. “We’ve always loved the look of bricks, so we were excited to

use them in this house, even though it was a bit of a mission. The ones we used are slices of real clay brick, so we had to hand-lay them like tiles and use mortar in a piping bag, which was extremely messy. We did this in the entryway, hall, kitchen-living and downstairs on the end walls and pillars.” Bold choices are what set this home apart from so many others; for Brydie, the confidence to choose slightly unusual materials started with some sage advice. “A good friend of mine once said, ‘If you truly love something, it will all work together.’ Styles and trends come and go, so we try not to follow them too much. We figure if it makes us happy, then it belongs in our home,” she says. When it came to decorating the downstairs area, the couple wanted it to feel warm and cosy but also a little bit fun. They chose to use gaboon, an African hardwood, on the walls because of its warm, pinky tone. “It also fitted in with our goal to not have many whitepainted walls,” John says.

EXTERIOR Extensive landscaping now features where before there was none. John built the outdoor bar (on the steps) which is perfect for preparing a tipple to enjoy on the back deck. The exterior is painted in Resene All Black. UNDER COVER The family regularly use their outdoor fire/barbecue, and the hot tub (on the far side of the roofed patio) is popular in winter. There’s always music playing at the Price house, too – the entire family love collecting vinyl and each plays an instrument.

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

“A good friend of mine once said, ‘If you truly love something, it will all work together.’ We figure if it makes us happy, then it belongs in our home” B RYDI E P R I C E

KITCHEN, LIVING Two unique features in the kitchen are an island made from two tool trolleys, and a brass and copper light salvaged from a German cargo ship in the 1940s. “We wanted something really special for the kitchen so we were stoked when we came across it,” says Brydie. The lounge’s built-in display cabinets are original – “At the open home we heard someone saying, ‘Oh man, that’s gotta go.’ I think that made us bid higher!”

A bespoke kitchen

Having both worked in hospitality, Brydie and John knew exactly the sort of functionality they needed from their kitchen. Their priorities were stainless-steel benchtops, a large sink and high-end cabinetry. With black vanities already installed in the bathrooms, they carried the theme of black cabinetry into the kitchen. Avid entertainers, the couple needed heavy-duty storage – and lots of it. They devised a kitchen island with a ton of storage but, instead of having one specially built, they bought two tool trolleys and pop-riveted them together and had a macrocarpa bench made for the top. Fitting in a dining area wasn’t so easy. Space was an issue, so the couple closed off a doorway and created a corner booth, building the wall-mounted seating and doing the upholstery themselves. They also built the adjacent floor-to-ceiling pipe shelving that serves as a pantry as well as looking good. “We’ve always stored our food in jars and, with such a high ceiling, it made sense to make that wall a functional feature,” Brydie explains. YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

Getting it done

RUMPUS The downstairs rumpus, which opens onto the covered patio, is the family’s favourite space – they use it for watching movies on the projector, family jam sessions, and as a whisky lounge “in the early hours of the morning when our parties need to be moved indoors”. The goat-hide chairs and a velvet sofa were bought specifically for the space, along with a custom-made Murphy wall bed (“awesome for when guests come to stay”). BEDROOMS The intricate macramé hanging in the master bedroom was created by Brydie, and John made Miila’s clothes rail.

YOUR HO ME A N D GA R D E N

The couple lived on-site throughout the renovation and insist it was no hardship. In fact, it was almost the opposite. “John built a concrete sink outside, so we created the coolest kitchen set-up under the roofed area,” Brydie says. “It was so cool it made us wonder if we needed an indoor kitchen!” Aside from the plumbing, electrics and tiling, they did everything themselves, with help from family and friends. “Our extended family and friends have all made a massive contribution to renovating this house,” Brydie says. “John’s brother, MJ, and his wife, Emma, have spent so much time here brainstorming, drinking, demolishing, drinking, building and… drinking. Our nieces and nephews did the hard yards, too. Every day we are grateful to them for helping us.”

Don’t buy – diy

Brydie and John were committed to recycling materials wherever they could. John made the dining table from rimu wall-framing saved during the demolition process. Old jarrah telephone poles left by the previous owners were used in the landscaping. The posts for the roofed outdoor area came from the dismantled Portland Cement wharf in Whangārei. Much of the decor is also pre-loved, found at opshops by an eagle-eyed Brydie. “As a flight attendant, I’d spend my downtime scouring the op-shops for treasure. I could tell you where all the best op-shops are in every town in New Zealand – but I won’t,” she laughs. Brydie is “obsessed” with macramé and made all but one of the gorgeous pieces in the house, including the chandelier that hangs in the entryway. She also crafts headboards and lights to sell.

A home to share

“Throughout the renovation John and I would sit up late, drinking wine outside and coming up with ideas,” Brydie says. “We both have the same style and vision so we didn’t disagree on anything when it came to this renovation. We just keep talking until an idea is created and it’s so awesome to see them come to life.” The couple have no plans to move, but will soon share the home with loved ones and other families – they’re going to put it on Airbnb while they are off camping and caravaning so more people can enjoy their slice of paradise. “One summer, we had 25 family and friends stay for two weeks,” Brydie says. “We’d all been to Rarotonga together so we thought it would be funny to recreate a Pacific resort. John carved a canoe to eat our buffets out of, we printed gazettes each morning for our guests, listened to island music and the kids made us cocktails. It was so much fun. We love making memories in our home.” YO U R HOME AND GARDEN

Honesty box

SHOP THEIR STYLE Macramé and cane mix with factory-style lighting and chunky stainless steel for a ’70s take on industrial chic

1 3 2

Do you have any advice for would-be home renovators? Brydie: Renovate it for yourself and no one else. You are cleverer than you think. Everyone has a creative side so don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and do it yourself. Also, you need to invest in great tools to have any chance of doing a good job. Do you tend to go for high-end or bargain buys? High-end when it comes to permanent fixtures like tiling and tapware but bargain buys when it comes to furnishings. Any regrets? We wish we’d saved some money from the budget to put a little plunge pool in. Maybe one day!

Budget Kitchen $57,500 Living and dining $10,400 Rumpus $15,700 Bedrooms $9000 Bathrooms $40,000 Outdoors $49,000 New roof $9000 Total $190,600 (excluding labour except for bathrooms)

Shops 8

0 10

The Axe in Wellington, theaxe.co.nz. Our mustard velvet sofa and some smaller homeware came from there. Nood, nood.co.nz. This is where we got our very cool goat-hide chairs and Noguchi-style coffee table. Vintage Industries in New Plymouth, vintageindustries.co.nz. They have amazing vintage lighting and other quirky stuff. Tauriko Sawmill, taurikosawmill. co.nz. They supplied our outdoor table and all the timber bar tops and leaners around the property. Every op shop has treasure!

Contacts

1 Living & Co jewellery box, $15, from The Warehouse. 2 Cocktail multi-tool, $65, from Superette. 3 Beer mug by Duncan Shearer, $44, from Kaolin. 4 Cavallini Herbarium poster, $12.90, from Iko Iko. 5 Boiler Room industrial light, $297, from Leopold Hall. 6 Bronson basket, $64.95, from Freedom. 7 Jute doormat, $159, from Father Rabbit. 8 Replica Noguchi coffee table, $1599, from Nood. 9 Eton sofa, $2599, from Freedom. 10 Mesh table lamp on stand, $17, from Kmart.

YO UR H OM E A N D GAR D E N

Tiling Ian, Oceanbeach Tiling, 027 492 6324 Concrete-laying Jeff Wright, 021 552 484, wrightsconcreteplacing.co.nz Kitchen fit-out HK Kitchens, 07 578 6361, hk.net.nz Appliances (inc dual-fuel oven) Kitchen Things, 07 571 6366, kitchenthings.co.nz

Floor plan

KEY 1 Master bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Office 4 Walk-in wardrobe 5 Bathroom 6 Entry 7 Dining 8 Deck 9 Lounge 10 Kitchen 11 Rumpus 12 Hot tub 13 Outdoor lounge 14 Bathroom/laundry

Get yourSHELF sorted! BOOKboy 1 Bay 4 High

Top level

PLAYhouse BOOKboy 1 Bay 5 High, 1 Bay 4 High

8 8

Mid level

12 BOOKboy 2 Bay 5 High

8 11 13

14 2

Lower level

Palette 1

1 Resene Cabbage Pont 2 Resene Half Pale Rose 3 Resene Baltic Sea 4 Brick from Trade Me

TH REE KI N GS NORT H S H O RE ALBANY BOTANY D O WN S HAMI LTO N TAU RANGA HAST IN GS PALM ERS TO N N TH PARAPARAU MU LOWER H U TT

meluka.co.nz

9 83 MT E D E N RD 1 3A L IN K D R 26 0 OT E HA VAL LE Y RD 50 1 T I RAKAU DR 1 5 MAU I ST 1 56 CH AD W ICK RD 810 H E RE TAUN G A ST 6 9 9 MAIN ST PAUL AS, 25 E PIH A ST 28 RUT H E RFORD ST

DE S IG NE D AN D M ADE IN NZ

OPEN-PLAN LIVING The living space has a doubleheight feature wall currently in Porter’s Paints Guerrilla, which Nita will have “no problems changing” whenever she tires of it. The flooring is Krono laminate in hardy oak from Prime Floors.

STEP

Masters at making every dollar count, this family have worked wonders on a classic splitlevel house that no one else wanted Text Tina Stephen Photography Helen Bankers

YO UR H OM E A N D GARD E N

Meet & greet Nita Pearson, 49 (administrator), Francis Scordino, 48 (sports club manager), Jordan, 23 (PhD student), Noah, 15, and Raphael, 13, plus Indy the dog, Miss the cat and Birdie the budgie.

W KITCHEN Nita found a large piece of Marimekko fabric (a 1980s design) in an op-shop for $20 and stretched it over a frame to create a colourful focal point. She also made the bulb lighting using coloured cables from Trade Me and Mr Ralph and op-shopped fittings. Another budget-savvy idea was to up-spec certain finishes in her flat-pack kitchen from Ex-Space, giving her the best of both worlds. DINING The table got a new look with Porter’s Paints Chalk Emulsion and a wax finish.

YO UR HO ME A N D GA R D E N

hen Nita Pearson and partner Francis Scordino were looking for a home, they saw potential where others saw problems. “We needed a fourbedroom, two-bathroom house with a boys’ backyard that sat within our budget,” Nita remembers. “At the time, 2011, there wasn’t a lot to choose from. Fortunately for us, the fact that this home needed a complete renovation made it so ugly that no one else was looking at it!” While nothing had been touched since the Seventies, Nita loved the location of the property – up high on a sloping site in the Auckland suburb of Pakuranga – and they were able to snap it up. The classic split-level house had elevated views and all-day sun streaming into an open-plan living and dining area, with a kitchen tucked into the rear. On the lower level were the bedrooms and access to a large back garden. Happy with the sunny aspect and the layout, Nita focused on fixing some of the issues inherent in an old home.

Work begins

The family wasted no time getting rid of the tired old carpets, window treatments and wallpaper. With a limited budget, they did most of the initial work themselves while saving for the next stage: the bathroom. “This was definitely the worst area. It had no windows and there was this weird separate toilet by the back door. It needed to be reconfigured,” says Nita. Her interiors experience – at that time she was an interiordesign consultant and was also selling vintage finds online – meant she was able to handle the design and planning by herself, working to a budget of just $5000.

LIVING The woodburner has become an attractive feature with the aid of some pretty baskets and a super-simple plant display using painted trellis. The plants are safe even when the burner is lit because the heat pumps outwards into the room.

“We are all recycle warriors in this house and try our best not to buy new. The boys are great at op-shopping ” N I TA P E AR SO N

ENTRY This area, used by the couple’s three boys as a “mud/ dump room”, will eventually be reconfigured. The 1980s laminate panels have been painted in a custom colour using Porter’s Paints Interior Satin Finish (“a hardy, quality paint – perfect for in here”). The tiles were a good find at the Tile Clearance Centre. LIVING (opposite) The open-plan living area occupies the home’s middle level, with stairs leading up to an open-sided mezzanine containing the boys’ living room, a bedroom and an office.

Stage by stage

After six months of saving, they were able to complete the bathroom and laundry (which absorbed the weird toilet), doing the demo and painting themselves. Nita scoured auction houses and Trade Me for fixtures, whiteware and tiles at bargain prices, enabling 90 percent of the budget to go on a tiler, plumber and builder. Two years on, after saving for the next stage, Nita engaged professional plasterers, then worked with students to finish the interior painting, budgeting in the scaffolding for the high walls and sloping ceilings, a classic feature of Seventies homes. Although all the rooms have been painted in Resene Black White for a fresh, spacious feel, Nita has used small doses of colour to achieve a high impact. The huge and high feature wall running the length of the living area is currently painted in Porter’s Paints Guerrilla. The khaki green adds depth to the bright, light-filled space. The final part of the interior renovation – a new kitchen – came four years later, again accomplished on a small budget. With smart planning and some elbow grease, the new space integrates perfectly into the living area, bringing Nita’s styling to the fore. “I used a flat-pack kitchen supplier (Ex-Space) and worked with their designer to make it all fit,” says Nita. “There are two cupboards that we had to get custom made – everything else is all standard flat-pack fit. We were able to upscale the finishings to a stone benchtop, soft-close and hidden inset drawers, custom handles and a lovely giant sink.” YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

“The high views from our living room are one of our favourite features — the moonlit nights and sunrises are amazing” NI TA P EAR SON

BEDROOMS Noah plays a tune in Raphael’s room. The bedding is from The Warehouse, the bedside lamp from Kmart and the drawers from an op-shop. Nita won two rolls of Milton & King ‘Nixon’ wallpaper on Instagram and hung it herself in the master bedroom. The black and white photograph of wattle blossoms was created by Nita and Sheera Gordon. BATHROOM (opposite) The family bathroom was the worst room in the house. It was completely redone for just $5000 with most of the tiles picked up cheaply at the Tile Clearance Centre.

YO UR H OM E A N D GAR D E N

Old over new

Replacing the flooring in the main living area needed to happen at the same time as the kitchen. With constraints on the budget, Nita looked for a practical solution and chose a laminate that tied in with the home’s style. “Our budget meant our only choice was a laminate plank, but if you get a good laminate installed professionally it looks a million dollars,” she says. While the renovation progressed over nearly a decade, Nita continued to style and visualise the home, grabbing bargains and treasures from local op-shops to give it a perfect, quirky vintage style. She stretched a large piece of Marimekko fabric over a frame and placed it centrestage in the dining area, delivering a blast of colour to the heart of the house. “I’ve always been a lover of retro and vintage,” says Nita. “I love that my style works perfectly with this house. Ninety percent of our furniture is from the side of the road or op-shops. I love colour, and nature is always my inspiration. But I also love a calm, neutral space. “We are all recycle warriors in this house and try our best to not buy new. The boys are great at op-shopping and often find board games to use over the school holidays, then return the ones they’ve finished with or sell them on Trade Me.” The home is a testament to the Kiwi way – working hard and saving and then being smart and creative throughout the renovation journey. The result is a simple, stylish, versatile home perfectly suited to the family. “We love the split-level, open-plan living, the fireplace and high ceilings of this house,” says Nita. “It feels like a super-spacious living area, but the house is actually only 175 square metres. We can even hear what the boys are up to when they’re playing their games in their own living area upstairs. “The high views from our living room are one of our favourite features – the moonlit nights and sunrises are amazing, and we can look down on the cute park across the road. We also love our neighbours who share their plants and throw back all those cricket balls on their roofs without complaining.” YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

SHOP THEIR STYLE

Honesty box

Pops of brilliant colour and plenty of lush plants add visual impact to this home’s base of white and wood

2 4

Best lesson learned? Nita: We had our new kitchen appliances stolen because we’d stored them in our carport, ready for the installers. We’d never had anything stolen from our carport up until then and had just taken it for granted that they would be okay. What would you never do again? Plumb in a sink and paint those dirty, dark-stained beams. Any DIY disasters? Francis broke his ribs trying to fix a window seal. One thing you would change about your home if you could? The exterior cladding and roof tiles. Most memorable experience in your home? Christmas Days.

Budget 6

8 7

How did your budget forecast compare to your actual spend? We haven’t had to borrow anything to renovate yet. I try to get a reasonable estimate and add on 10 percent, then we save towards that. I think that helps you stick to a budget better than using borrowed money. We will have to borrow for the next phase, though. Where did you save? Price-reduced laundry cupboards and the flat-pack kitchen. Any splurges? Trades and quality paint (cheap paint never lasts with so many kids). Do you tend to buy high-end homeware or seek out a bargain? We can’t afford high-end. Quality secondhand suits us. Best advice when it comes to spending money on a home? Make a list, set a budget and stick to it.

Cost breakdown Bathroom $5000 Laundry $2500 Deck and stair rebuild $6000 Plastering and painting $5000 Carpet (bedrooms and hall) $3500 Insulation (to prep for floor) $1500 Kitchen and flooring $15,000 Landscaping $1000 Total $39,500

Contacts 1 ‘Afternoon Frolic’ art print by Alice Berry, $189, from Endemic World. 2 Chloe pendant, $39, from Mr Ralph. 3. Shino gold planter, $39, from Flux Boutique. 4 Hanging plant in pot, $10, from Kmart. 5 Display shelf, $3.50, from Kmart. 6 Unikko tea towel, $57, from Bolt of Cloth. 7 Oak-look bookshelf, $55, from Kmart. 8 Luca Moroccan wool rug, $1299, from Farmers. 9 Tucker ottoman, $499, from Freedom.

YOU R H OM E A N D GA R D E N

Flooring Prime Floors, Penrose, prime-floors.co.nz. Great choices of all types of plank flooring, great service and amazing installation.

Floor plan KEY 1 Boys’ lounge 2 Bedroom 3 Office 4 Deck 5 Living 6 Dining 7 Kitchen 8 Entry 9 Bathroom 10 Ensuite 11 Laundry 12 Master bedroom

Top level

Mid level

LIMITED EDITION 4WD

SPORT

$39,990

+ORC*

Kitted out with 4WD, Black Body Kit, 7 seats, luxury and more.

Call 0800 54 53 52 or visit mmnz.co.nz to find your nearest Mitsubishi Motors Dealer now.

Lower level

Palette 1

1 Dulux Glenbrook 2 Porter’s Paints Guerrilla 3 Resene Black White 4 Milton & King ‘Nixon’ wallpaper

10 year / 160,000km Powertrain Warranty (whichever comes first) (non transferable). 5 year / 130,000km New Vehicle Warranty (whichever comes first) (non transferable).

*Price listed is for Outlander Sport. Price excludes On Road Costs of up to $550 which includes WoF, Registration and a ful u l tank of fuel. ffer available while stocks last. Visit mmnz.co.nz for full Diamond Advantage terms and conditions.

MIT 1037 OUTSPT

Art & soul Classic design pieces mix with intentionally provocative art in this eye-popping family home Text Pia Olsen/Living Stories Photography Anitta Behrendt/Living Inside

LIVING Bianca and Jesper made the coffee table out of MDF and square tiles. The Georg Jensen vase is filled with cherry blossoms from the garden and the copper pendant is by Tom Dixon. The large-scale artwork is by Kristian Touborg.

DINING Bianca mixes collectable designer items with unexpected pieces. The Big Bang suspension light is by Foscarini. The vase on the table is by Giacomo Alessi. LIVING Another classic Italian design that caught Biancaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye is the 1960s Snoopy lamp.

Meet & greet Bianca Heinsvig, 37 (blogger), Jesper Heinsvig, 38 (contact manager), Sille, 8, and twins Sebastian and William, 4.

he first time Bianca Heinsvig entered this newly built house in 2014, she didn’t think much of it. But when she walked 15 steps further in and discovered the cosy atrium courtyard and beautiful view from the living room across fields and a small lake, she began

to change her mind. But the most important discovery in the 155-squaremetre home in Hasselager, just outside the Danish city of Aarhus, was that it had both a large kitchen and, if they tore down a wall in the living room, the spacious family room that she dreamed of. “I am a collector and I love furniture, lamps, ceramics and art,” Bianca says. “I often crave something for a long time while I save up for it. There needed to be enough room for all the things I have fallen in love with.”

Living with legends

Bianca’s special finds include items from Danish design icons Verner Panton and Hans J Wegner. “My favourite chair is Wegner’s Shell chair because it is so sculptural,” she says. “I like the organic design language. As soon as there is a sculptural feature about a design, I love it. It’s like installation art.” Her favourite design period is the 1950s and 1960s. “It’s the period that has paved the way for today’s design.” Alongside her Danish favourites, Bianca has begun to introduce Italian design into the mix. In her home, among other things, you’ll now find the Snoopy lamp from Flos – a design classic from the 1960s – and a Giacomo Alessi woman’s-head vase. “I am constantly evolving my tastes and have started to become more interested in international vintage design to achieve a unique look,” Bianca says. “I have a need to stand out and I also like to treasure-hunt.” YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

“Don’t buy anything that fits into your home too easily. It’s too predictable. Go for eye-catching instead” BI A NCA H E I N SV I G

DINING Assorted ceramics and interior design magazines are on display. The Diamond wire chair is by Harry Bertoia for Knoll.

DINING Candlesticks from Fritz Hansen are paired with an Eames bird. A gallery wall displays works by Julie Nord (on the left) and Michael Kvium (top right). KITCHEN A black benchtop contrasts with white cabinets in the simple kitchen. The Flowerpot pendant is by Verner Panton and the vase is by Georg Jensen.

YOU R HOME AND GARDEN

MASTER BEDROOM The palm wallpaper contrasts prettily with the peachy pink print and Flowerpot pendants by Verner Panton. The side tables are Eames and the armchair is a Hans J Wegner design.

OUTDOOR LIVING Bianca and daughter Sille in their lush atrium courtyard where flowers and plants spill from wooden boxes on an old trolley.

Art with purpose

In addition to a unique furniture mix, Bianca loves to showcase her personal taste in art. It has become a passion, and every room is home to works by various artists and in a range of media. “Art is a way of expressing oneself, and the art on the walls tells you about the person living there,” she says. “Whether it is decorative art you have chosen because it is neat, political art with a statement, or maybe provocative art where you’d like to press some buttons. I have some works, such as the large one by Kristian Touborg (in the living room), where some guests react immediately and say, ‘Wow, this is horrible.’ You are forced to take a position on the work, and I like that.” Other pieces include oil paintings, photos and lithographs, from both noted and little-known artists. Bianca deliberately tries to have a little of each in order for the works to stand out. When asked for her advice on decorating with art, she is overflowing with tips and ideas. “You should buy according to your gut feeling instead of looking at what is the trend right now,” she says. “Also, hanging art on a coloured wall highlights the nuances of the work. Don’t buy anything that fits into your home too easily – go for eye-catching instead. Whether it is art, ceramics or furniture, my motto is that it should pop!” YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

SHOP THEIR STYLE

Style tips

International design classics mingle with soft pastel furnishings and marble accents in this eye-catching home

+ Save up for a special item rather than buying something that’s not quite right or that follows a flash-in-the-pan trend. + A collection of design classics will work in many different environments and for many different life stages. If they’re looked after, collectables will hold their value, too. + Think about how the eye moves across the room and choose unexpected items (and combinations of items) that will cause it to linger. + Create a background of soft wall colour with paint or subtle wallpapers that allows artworks to take centre stage. Coloured walls can highlight particular nuances of each work. + Art can be political, provocative or purely beautiful. Aim for a mix of all of these things so that what’s on your walls will really represent who you are.

Shops 7

1 Faux magnolia branch, $44.95, from Freedom. 2 Round cushion cover, $25, from Wallace Cotton. 3 Broadway cushion, $34.95, from Freedom. 4 Garden pot, $29, from The Warehouse. 5 Avoca black marble-top side table set, $249, from Early Settler. 6 Eames House bird, $320, from Matisse. 7 Tom Dixon copper pendant, from $855, from ECC. 8 Vase, $79, from Bolt of Cloth. 9 Bruna dining table, $699, from Target. 10 Hans Wegner replica Wishbone chair, $265, from Cintesi.

YOUR H O M E A N D GA R DE N

Cultivating a collection of designer furniture and artworks like Bianca’s isn’t cheap. But by saving up and cultivating an eye for classic designs that’ll work in any interior, you will end up with beloved pieces that will last a lifetime. Try these local stores for starters, or keep in contact with reputable vintage furniture dealers both here and overseas. ECC ecc.co.nz Matisse matisse.co.nz Simon James simonjames.co.nz Studio Italia studioitalia.co.nz Cult Design cultdesign.co.nz Design 55 design-55.myshopify.com

Palette 1

1 Dulux Hicks Bay 2 Dulux Oriental Bay 3 Cole & Son ‘Palm Jungle’ wallpaper from Allium 4 Casablanca white tiles from Tile Depot

See styles in store and online. Stock subject to availability.

YH&G + FARMERS YO U R S T Y L E G U I D E

Discover new depths As the weather cools, turn your bedroom into an inviting haven with rich earth tones and plush textures

Colour palette

Style tip Pick pops of colour that sit in harmony with an earthy palette. A natural ochre ties in well with fellow warm tones such as blush and rust.

Recreate the look CUSHIONS

Domani Lina cushion in dried rose. Domani Argo cushion in mustard. Domani Lina cushion in pink lotus. Tilly@home knit cushion in ochre. Tilly@home mini tassel cushion in rust.

BEDDING

3 ways to warm up your bedroom this autumn with Farmers

CUSHY NUMBER

MIX IT UP

FLOOR PLAN

You can introduce fresh colour without the commitment of a full bedroom makeover by updating your cushions. Keep the palette complementary while adding details like stripes, patterns or luxurious fabrics.

Rumpled and relaxed is the new bedlinen vibe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and this includes your sheets. Get creative with colours, that still work with classic white, and try other fabrics such as linen for an elegant effect.

Layering rugs over your floor helps amp up the cosiness in any room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and keeps your toes warm in winter. Try a combination of textures, plus a giant, velvety pillow or two, for perfect lounging.

Domani Toscana pillowcases in baked clay. Domani Toscana duvet cover set in baked clay. Tilly@home Paradise throw in ochre blush. Domani Bendetta throw in toffee.

ACCESSORIES

Marcello & Co Avery bedside table. Amalfi Andres table lamp. Tilly@home Ava candleholder. Tilly@home Maverick jug. Tilly@home Boheme tealight holder. Tibetan Hide rug in ochre. Luca Kali jute rug.

Shop the new-season look in store and at farmers.co.nz

Is there a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Home of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in your neighbourhood?

Issue on sale 2 April homema azine.co.nz

Bathing beauty Having two bathrooms was a priority for this familyof-fiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major reno, and both of the finished spaces are gorgeous. See more of this project over the page.

RENOVATION

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA MACDONALD

94 4 day DIY Three revamp projects for the Easter break

100

Get smart The latest automated tech for your home YO UR HOME AN D GARDEN

Worth the wait Ten years after moving in, this interior designer gutted her Auckland villa to transform it into her dream family home Text Fiona Ralph Photography Emma McDonald 84

YOUR H O ME A N D GA R D E N

R KITCHEN Daughter Esther is a keen cook so Annick chose a practical stainless-steel prep bench paired with a 3.5-metre island with a waterfall stone benchtop. The table detaches from the island and can also be extended to over 3 metres.

Meet & greet Annick Larkin, 43 (interior designer, stylist and content producer), Tim Larkin, 46 (CCO/director), Lottie, 10, Esther, 9, and Tom, 7, plus cats Oskar and Lenny.

Problems & solutions

1 LIMITED STORAGE A ventilated attic was installed in the roof cavity, space under the stairs was turned into a wine cellar, and cupboards were added above the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wardrobes.

2 NOT ENOUGH BATHROOM SPACE An ensuite extension was built off the master bedroom and the little-used downstairs bathroom was remodelled.

3 POOR FLOW The floor plan was reconfigured so that all the bedrooms opened off the central hallway, allowing space for an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area.

YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

Style tip Aim for a neutral base in communal areas and let art and potted greenery add interest and colour to the space.

nnick and Tim Larkin hunted for a new house for nine months before realising it would be better to renovate their current home to better fit their family’s needs. Although Annick is an interior designer, it was the first renovation she’d tackled for her own home. “I knew that I’d eventually want to change things down the track, so I tried to keep things really simple to allow for that,” she says. The end result, with its mix of simple tones and striking finishes, is the perfect blend of fun and functional and offers plenty of space for the couple and their three children. Here, Annick walks us through the project, and shares what she’s learned.

YO UR H OM E A ND GA R DE N

R LIVING Pre-primed Vulcan shiplap panels from Abodo Wood and a custom shelving unit/TV cabinet made by builder Chris Marsh add character to the living room. A velvet ottoman from Me & My Trend, Big Save sofa and rug from iRugs finish the look.

THE DECISION

Why did you renovate? Annick: When we purchased our Remuera, Auckland, home in 2009, we only had Lottie, who was six months old at the time. It suited the needs of our small family, but by 2012 our family had grown, with the arrival of Esther and Tom. The house worked okay while the kids were little, but once they were all at school and more independent, it didn’t function so well. We looked at buying a new house for around nine months, but we couldn’t find anything that suited our needs and was in close proximity to the kids’ schools. After making the decision to renovate, it took over two and a half years before we started. Having lived in the house for 10 years, did you have specific ideas on what you wanted to change? Yes. The kids all needed their own bedrooms with a decent wardrobe and room for play and study, and we wanted a second living room/play area for the kids. Tom’s bedroom was originally situated directly off the kitchen, which was impractical. We wanted the bedrooms to be in one zone that you could close off from the family spaces. We also needed an extra bathroom/ ensuite as one main upstairs bathroom servicing five people was insufficient. Plus we wanted to achieve better flow, and have a kitchen that worked efficiently, plenty of storage and more space in general. As I work from home and Tim often has work to do after hours, we needed a study where we could both work. We also wanted a separate, sound-proofed space for the children to play their instruments (all three play the drums and Esther also plays guitar), so we converted the garage into a music room and office. In addition, we wanted to fix walls and floors that weren’t plumb so we could get rid of draughts from old, badly fitting windows and doors and eradicate the mould caused by not having insulation.

THE PLANS

What did the planning process involve? We originally engaged an architect who had some incredible ideas which we absolutely loved. Unfortunately, when we got the quantity surveying report done, the plans needed to be seriously reined in as the estimated cost was triple our budget! It was really disheartening so we shelved the reno plans for about six months. During this time I tinkered away and drew up literally hundreds of different layouts until I came up with a floor plan that Tim and I agreed would work for us and not blow the budget. We had a builder give us an estimate, then engaged draughtsman Blair Miller from House & Ground, who drew up my plans and managed the resource and building consent process, which took a further five months.

Planning tip Create a moodboard to identify themes and colours you are drawn to. This will guide you in the direction of your home’s colour palette.

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

KIDS’ ROOMS The wallpaper in each room is from These Walls, the desks are from Trestle Union and the metal Tolix chairs are from Madder & Rouge. Esther and Tom’s beds are by Incy Interiors, from Hatch, while Lottie has a canopy from Numero 74 and daybed by Down to the Woods from Tea Pea.

What was your inspiration for the style and colour palette? Our house was originally full of bold colours, which I loved but had grown tired of. I still wanted to use colour, but with a more refined and mature palette. I’m also a lover of wallpaper so I wanted to use it in some rooms for colour, texture and interest. It was important that the house felt modern, light and fresh but, equally, I wanted to bring back her beautiful character features which the previous owners had removed. My kids are not great sleepers so I wanted to create rooms that were restful and calming, but were still fun and reflected their personalities. I wanted the upstairs living spaces to feel light, fresh and airy, and the downstairs to feel cosy and relaxed.

3 Colour tip When using colour don’t just think about how it will look on the wall but how it will make you feel when you are in the room.

YO UR H O M E A N D GA R DE N

THE OVERHAUL

What changes did you make? With resource, height and heritage restrictions, we were limited with our floor plan. For instance, we were only able to extend the south side of the house by the tiniest amount for our master ensuite (4 metres by 1.3 metres). We gutted the entire house and moved a lot of walls plus demolished a decommissioned chimney and flue. Every wall, ceiling and window was replaced and the whole house rewired. We created four bedrooms off the central hallway, and added inbuilt wardrobes in every bedroom, plus hallway storage for linen and towels. We added skylights, sanded and polished the floors, installed a new roof and made the stairwell narrower to create more usable space. We also installed a new family bathroom and kitchen, opening up that area to make an open-plan living/kitchen/dining space. Downstairs, we reconfigured the entire layout to include a spare bedroom, kids’ rumpus, laundry and third bathroom. We insulated walls, ceilings and floors beyond recommended depths, and installed a ducted heating/cooling system, under-stair and attic storage, double-glazed windows and internal shutters in every room.

“I wanted the upstairs living spaces to feel light, fresh and airy, and the downstairs to feel cosy and relaxed” — ANNI CK L ARK I N Did you do any of the work yourselves? I was responsible for choosing and sourcing all the fixtures, fittings and finishes. I also designed the kitchen and had this drawn up and manufactured by Fusion Kitchens & Cabinetry. Apart from that, our amazing builder, Chris Marsh from Elevate Projects, and his team of tradies did everything else. Chris’ eye for detail is second to none and nothing was ever too much trouble – if I changed my mind on something or wanted to add new detailing to a room, he would make it happen. They were incredibly efficient and we ended up only having to move out for four months, with the bulk of the renovation being completed during that time. YO U R HOME AND GARDEN

THE FEATURES

How did you enhance the character of the villa? We have a 3.8-metre stud so we wanted to accentuate this by making our doorways taller. We went from 1.8 metre doors to 2.5 metre doors – this also lets a lot more light into the central hallway. We installed a new front door with custom-made bevelled leadlights, which is one of my fave parts of the house. We added ceiling battens to the hall ceiling, wide, detailed skirting boards and character architraves and cornices. We removed layers of lino and bitumen to uncover the original mataī and kauri floorboards which we sanded back to their former glory. Chris sourced reclaimed kauri boards so we could match the original timber floorboards throughout the kitchen/living area. Additionally, we had all-new timber double-hung sash windows custom made

YO UR H OM E A N D GARD E N

to fit the home’s era. We also installed a new tongue-and-groove front porch with character fretwork and rails, plus a large finial to complete the exterior roofline. Any unexpected challenges? The week before the reno was due to start I pulled up a corner of carpet hoping to find timber floorboards. Instead I found layers of lino and a thick, ultra-sticky, black substance. Chris immediately came over and took samples from around the house to send off for asbestos testing. It was a nervous week awaiting the results, but thankfully no asbestos was detected. We also had large amounts of timber stolen off the site and had an excruciatingly slow painter painting the exterior. He originally said he would need scaffolding up for two weeks; however, this ended up being in situ for five months.

MAIN BEDROOM While Annick wanted a walk-in wardrobe, space restrictions meant that a pull-down rail system from Fit with bifold doors made by builder Chris was a better option. The teal velvet headboard is from Miss Lolo. BATHROOM The bathrooms and ensuite were all fitted out with fixtures from Waterware and tiles from MC Tiles.

THE END RESULT

How did you find the reno experience? I absolutely loved it. It helped having an amazing builder/ project manager on site. Chris would call me every morning to discuss what was happening that day and what was required of me, like having fittings, door and window hardware and cabinetry chosen/ordered/ delivered. He understood my aesthetic and strove to make my ideas a reality. He made the reno stress-free and enjoyable. Now your home’s been transformed, do you think you’ll stay here? Maybe. Maybe not. We all love the house – however, I’m keen for another project. Let’s just say I’m always passively looking! This was our first reno, but I loved the process so much I’m super-keen to do it again.

Bathroom design tip Opt for large format tiles. The smaller the tile, the more grout lines and this makes a room feel smaller.

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

Renovation worksheet

Honesty box What did you save and splurge on? We saved on the kitchen build by purchasing an ex-demo oven and fridge and opting for 20mm-thick benchtops instead of 60mm. We splurged on our bathrooms with beautiful hardware, tiles and custom vanities. Best lesson learned? Having a heritage home is beautiful but the restrictions were immense. It was hard finding a happy medium between what we wanted and abiding by council regulations. What would you never do again? Use a teeny tiny mosaic tile for a splashback. Most memorable experience? Moving back in on Christmas Eve and waking up in our new house on Christmas Day.

Budget 2 10

KEY 1 Porch 2 Bedroom 3 Kitchen 4 Dining 5 Entry 6 Master bedroom 7 Ensuite 8 Bathroom 9 Living 10 Rumpus 11 Laundry

Labour, materials, sundries $485,000 (including rent, consents, shutters, blinds, carpet, joinery, cabinetry, alarm, heating/cooling system, fittings, fixtures, furnishings, electrics, plumbing, glass) Kitchen $45,000 Living $5000 Family bathroom $30,000 Ensuite $25,000 Bedrooms $8000 Office $2000 Total $600,000

Contacts Interior design and styling Annick Larkin, annicklarkin.weebly.com Builder Chris Marsh, Elevate Projects, 021 524 747 Plumber Josh Steel, Steel Plumbing, steelplumbing.co.nz Wifi, wireless TV antenna and smarthome technology Joshua Veale, Antenna Co, tvdigital.co.nz Leadlights Graeme Peterken, chevalierleadlights.co.nz Solatube skylights Kerry Clark, hometech.co.nz

Finishes

Suppliers ESTHER’S ROOM ‘Piper’ wallpaper in blush from These Walls

TOM’S ROOM ‘Jungle’ wallpaper in blue from These Walls

SHOWER Tube porcelain tile in nero from MC Tiles

RUMPUS ROOM Resene Coast

Timeline OCTOBER 2009 Bought house

SEPTEMBER 2018 Started renovation

YO UR H OM E A N D GAR D E N

DECEMBER 201 8 Most of reno finished

APRIL 2019 Completed renovation

Bathroom fittings waterware.co.nz Fence and tongue-and-groove panels abodo.co.nz Kitchen fusionkitchens.co.nz Tiles mctiles.co.nz Blinds totallookblinds.co.nz Kitchen bench stonebydesign.co.nz Wallpaper thesewalls.com.au Pull-down wardrobe rails fit-nz.co.nz Paint resene.co.nz Kitchen artworks @_artworkbyjulz_

YH&G + MICO

PART FIVE: INSPIRATION

Phoenix tapware and Adesso toilet suite and bath at Mico.

Modern minimalism Future-proof your bathroom with this clean and simple look

CS25383 12/19 ADVT2019

reating the perfect bathroom requires not only a marriage of form and function but space and aesthetics as well. One broadly appealing look which strikes that happy balance is modern minimalism. Its slimline baths and basins and simple, fuss-free storage solutions not only make efficient use of available space but create an incredibly clean and calming feel. Whether you’re planning a super-practical minimalist space or aiming for a splash of luxury with a few extra-special bells and whistles, Mico has a huge range of products and brands of proven quality for all budgets. Download the Mico Bathroom Book at mico.co.nz for fresh ideas. Their team of nationwide bathroomware specialists can assist you when selecting your bathroom products and introduce you to reliable tradesmen. Louise Cook, Mico’s resident style guru and national category manager for bathrooms, says planning is easy and free with Mico. “Our team love getting creative and making it work for you. Our 3D Design Planner also means they can really help you visualise the possibilities. From there, we can understand your needs, access products to fit these requirements, help with budgets and support you through the project as much as possible.”

BATH , S H OWE R AN D S U R RO U N DS Modern minimalism calls for a squared-off bath with thin sides. When choosing a shower, think about the dynamics of the space and consider what kind of door or entry system is required. Frameless showers create a sense of space and simplicity against a tiled wall. Be sure to go for a high tray lip to provide a good water seal. As for tiles, choose a crisp, minimal range in black, white or grey. Square shapes (eg the Adesso Degree Bath) and thin sanitaryware (eg Adesso Urban Basins) help to create a refined, minimal feel, especially in monochromatic colour schemes.

CAB I N ETRY Built-in storage or clean white or black cabinetry is recommended to avoid clutter. Couple this with a thin-sided basin to echo the look of the bath tub.

as functionality. Mico’s bathroom products are manufactured by world leaders in the industry and bring sought-after European styling to New Zealand within an affordable price range. Also exclusive to Mico is the Raymor range. This collection is distinguished by its simple, modern design, fine engineering and value for money.

F I N I S H I N G TO U C H E S A matching slimline toilet seat will help complete the look, along with snowy white towels. Be sure to hide toilet brushes and roll holders. Soften the hard edges and materials with a plant or two and set it all off with invisible recessed lighting.

Opt for black or gunmetal tapware – wall-mounted for the ultimate seamless look.

S H OWE R H EADS AN D TAPWAR E When selecting showerheads and tapware, opt for black or gunmetal with minimal detailing – wall-mounted for the ultimate seamless look. For those seeking a contemporary bathroom, Mico’s Adesso range offers edgy, minimal design as well

BOOK A CON SULTATION AT YOUR LOCAL MICO SHOWROOM AND LET THE E XPERTS HELP YOU PL AN YOUR PERFECT BATHROOM

TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT MICO.CO.NZ

days of DIY Earn your treats this Easter by tackling one of these step-by-step space transformations Text Bonnie Sumner

YO UR H OM E A N D GA RD E N

DAY

C L E A R & P R E PA R E

Create a concept for the room using either a physical or digital mood board. Get your child’s input and find ways to include things they love. Clear out the room then create three piles: keep, donate, recycle. Remove curtains and rails. Working with your ‘keep’ items, compile a list of new pieces you want to introduce that suit your concept. A great piece of art or a rug can inspire new ideas and gives you a good basis for creating a cohesive space. Give your room a good clean and wipe down walls, skirtings and trims. Fill holes and sand any rough spots plus skirtings, architraves and wardrobes/doors if painting.

Kid’s bedroom revamp

DAY

GET SORTED

M A K E A S TAT E M E N T

Grab brushes, rollers and any other items for painting. Low sheen and satin paint will hide imperfections so are perfect for a quick bedroom refresh. Semi-gloss and gloss are ideal for skirtings and architraves. Find curtains. Readymades are easy and available in most sizes. Shop around for furniture, art and soft furnishings. Visit local op-shops or antique stores. New linen will instantly change the way a kid’s room looks and feels. A new lamp and a few cushions will inject personality. Time to paint. Start with the ceiling: cut in around the architraves and, while the paint is still wet, paint the ceiling with a roller. Move on to the walls; do them in one go as keeping your paint wet will prevent obvious joins between areas. Finally, paint the skirting and architraves with semi-gloss or gloss, taping them off first for a cleaner finish (just make sure the walls are dry before applying the tape).

Apply a final coat to the ceiling, walls and trim. If you’re applying wallpaper to a feature wall, wait until your other walls are dry to avoid damaging the new paint. If you are creating a feature using paint, tape it up and paint once your base colour is dry.

DAY

PHOTOGRAPHY BAUER SYNDICATION, THE VIRTUE, DANIEL ALLEN

DAY

WITH STYLIST AND R E N O VAT O R J E S S S I N G H @_jesssingh

FINISHING TOUCHES

Make sure the paint is dry before you dress the room. Leave all the tags on purchased items until you have put the room together, just in case something doesn’t quite work. Start with a rug, then position furniture, hang artworks and add soft furnishings. Allow your child to bring in their treasures, making it a special space for them. Install the new curtain rail and hang curtains. Sit back and enjoy! YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

Outdoor living refresh WITH STYLIST AND R E N O VAT O R J E S S S I N G H

DAY

@_jesssingh

PLAN & PREP

DAY

Clear the area to create a blank canvas and waterblast clean if necessary. Prep the ground. If you’re laying stone, lime chip or bark onto gravel or concrete, make sure it is level and free of weeds. Mark out your area. Divide it into a chill-out zone and dining. Research the best deals for landscaping supplies. Buying in bulk will save you money.

FRESHEN UP

The size of your area will determine how much of each product you require; your local supplier will help you with quantities, so take your measurements with you. A fire pit is a cosy addition to an outdoor space. If you’re installing one, pick up some base pavers from a tile or hardware store. Try a few paver patterns and once you’re happy with the design, spread out an even layer of sand. Place pavers in the sand and check they’re level. Lay weed mat to go under lime chip, bark or stone, to stop weeds coming up. Add a generous layer of your chosen material, ensuring the weed mat is well covered. If you’re planting lawn as part of your outdoor area, you should properly prepare the soil, turning it over and levelling before laying ready lawn or sowing grass seed.

Go to your hardware store, plant centre and/or furniture shop if you need exterior paint, outdoor furniture or plants. Take your time and get a feel for how the zones will work together. Paint surrounding fences or pre-existing decking area to smarten things up.

YO UR H OM E A N D GAR D E N

DAY

A L L A B O U T T H AT B A S E

FINISHING TOUCHES

Bring life to your outdoor area by adding plants. Whether you choose easy-care shrubs, brightly coloured flowers or even trees, think about the space and how you intend to use it, and speak to the professionals about your vision. Dress your zones with furniture, cushions etc, then sit back and relax.

DAY

goodspacedesign.co.nz

C L E A R & P R E PA R E

PHOTOGRAPHY BAUER SYNDICATION, KATE CLARIDGE, TOM HOLLOW/MEDIAWORKS

Move everything out of the garage. Make three piles: throw away, give away and keep. Check the ‘throw away’ pile to make sure it can’t be used by anyone else or for anything else before it goes to landfill. We store so much we don’t need in our garages so only keep what you actually use. Decide where you want everything to go and how to organise it, then gather shelves, storage containers, racks and hooks, ready to install. Sticking to one type of material, such as ply, for all the shelves and cupboards will give a seamless look. Make sure all the storage containers fit on your shelves.

Install bike-hanging racks and shelves for surfboards and skateboards. You want them to be easy to access but to take up the least amount of room possible. Put up a wall of hooks. Attach a sheet of pegboard to the wall, then add hooks to hang bike helmets, other sports equipment and tools. Fishing rods can hang at the top so they are out of the way. A jacket rack for bulky jackets is also a great idea if you don’t have a coat cupboard. Just make sure that this is installed in the driest part of the garage.

DAY

WITH DESIGNER H A N N A H F E LT H A M

O N T H E WA L L S

GET SORTED

Sort what you have into ‘families’, such as water gear, camping and kids’ stuff (drawings, schoolbooks and memorabilia – make a pile for each child). Label your storage containers in large writing, eg ‘Christmas decorations’, ‘Halloween’, ‘baby clothes’, then fill each box. For everyday items, baskets are great, such as one for your dog holding leads, poo bags and towel. Make a ‘to-do basket’ for items to be returned or dropped off, so you can just grab and go. A basket for each child is a good idea, so they know where their sports gear is kept.

DAY

Garage overhaul

DAY

THE BELLS & WHISTLES

Put everything back in its allocated place and enjoy how organised your garage looks. Garages don’t have to be ugly, boring spaces, so if there is a spare wall, get some of the kids’ art framed and hung up. YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

AFTER

LIVING THE DREAM

Kitchen perfection Longing to fix your kitchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annoying layout or change those dated finishes, but find the idea of renovating too daunting? The good news is that getting the look of a bespoke kitchen has become a whole lot easier â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and kinder on your pocket

DREA M I T

Before this kitchen was renovated it was dated and had no real flow, so it was difficult to know how to give it a top-to-toe update. A free in-store appointment with a Mitre 10 kitchen consultant finally set a plan in motion. With all the finishes on hand for consideration, home renovators are not only able to envisage how a whole scheme could work, they can also find plenty of inspiration for achieving a personalised look that is right on trend.

YH&G + MITRE 10

BEFORE

PL A N I T

Key to the renovation was the idea of incorporating the underused laundry room into the kitchen, freeing up a lot of space and creating a much better flow. The consultant’s suggestion to rotate the island bench – thus creating a large, functional area – has transformed the feeling of the entire space, and they were able to achieve this without losing valuable storage. T HE BENCH TOP

The clever design and choice of finishes have resulted in a kitchen with an appealing, modern feel. One major style decision was to embrace the latest ‘waterfall’ treatment for the benchtop and island. The refined marble look of Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo was selected for the island and its seemingly continuous flow from top to floor has given the whole space a chic, luxurious look. This lighter-coloured, flecked material provides a modern contrast in the middle of the room against the darker marble of the Caesarstone Turbine Grey on the wall and L-shaped benchtop. T HE CAB INET RY

The cabinetry treatment was another important focus, and a combination of sophisticated matte black counterpointed by the warm tones of French Oak Wilderness has been a real success. This marrying of black, wood and marble-like finishes has really brought the kitchen to the fore of the latest design trends and created an elegant space for entertaining. T HE DETAILS

The Mitre 10 consultant paid special attention to every design detail to ensure the kitchen had a thoughtfully curated look. The Hafele Subline Blanco double sink is not only practical, but the two bowls also rest in one cutout panel for a streamlined look. The on-trend gunmetal Elementi sink mixer complements the sink and cabinetry beneath, and also emphasises the clean lines of the kitchen with its continuous finishes. This transformed kitchen is now truly the heart of the home – an inviting space to cook and entertain in, with a stylish edge that makes it instantly appealing.

1 Caesarstone Turbine Grey splashback and waterfall benchtop. 2 Resene Karen Walker Wan White paint. 3 Melteca French Oak Wilderness cabinetry. 4 Acrylic Matte Black cabinetry. 5 Sylvan Norton cabinet handle (black). 6 Elementi Set sink mixer (gun metal).

Tips for working with tradies Prior to ordering your kitchen, do an all-tradies recce on site to iron out any issues – they may have money-saving recommendations that don’t impact the design. Tradies should ideally be familiar with the product they’re installing. Mitre 10 has a list of recommended installers.

BO O K IT

Head to mitre10.co.nz/ kitchens to book a free appointment instore with a Mitre 10 kitchen consultant.

Lighting

There’s no need to worry about leaving lights on once your home is equipped with smart lighting, complete with timers and scheduled lighting moods. Sleep mode allows lights to automatically switch on if someone gets up in the night, and if you’re out of town, your lights can mimic your behaviour to make it look like you’re home. While you can set up a full smart lighting system so your home lights up as you walk through it, you can also buy individual voiceactivated LED bulbs, such as those in the Philips Hue range, for a few key areas.

R E N O VAT I O N W O R K S H O P

Get smart Reduce life’s little annoyances with the latest automated tech for your home

Text Fiona Ralph icture never using a TV remote, light switch or scribbled shopping list again. Or, never having to worry if your pet has been fed, calling your kids to the dinner table, or pressing a button to hear your favourite song. With voiceactivated assistants and the latest smart home technology, many of life’s chores and annoyances are simply being erased. What’s more, home automation is growing more affordable, more accessible and more intuitive every day. There are voice assistants, smart lightbulbs and digital doorbells that sell for under $50. It all adds up to the prediction that smart homes will soon be like smart phones – ubiquitous.

1 00

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

Entertainment

Streaming services, smart TVs and wiﬁ- and Bluetooth-enabled speakers have brought smart audio and video into the mainstream. You probably already stream content on various devices, but integrating these devices into your home will take your tech experience to the next level. “Whatever audio and video equipment is selected for your home, the key part that makes it all usable, which is missed by all but the specialists, is the control system,” says Dan Howard from The Audio Consultant, who specialises in audio and video automation and creates custom home theatre rooms. It’s not that expensive to streamline your audio and video systems, he says. Pricing depends on the scope of the project and existing infrastructure, but “most owners of lounge-room TV and audio systems could eliminate the pile of remotes on the coffee table, simplify their control and add smart music streaming for under $2000”.

Outdoors

Your outdoor area can be as techsavvy as your home’s interior, from heating, security and audio systems to cordless lawnmowers and pool cleaners and intuitive awnings and screens which open or close to suit weather conditions. Smart, eco-friendly irrigation systems can be set up to ensure a scheduled watering won’t go ahead if it has rained or if it is forecast to rain that day. Outdoor lights can be activated at sunrise and sunset, connected to alarm systems or triggered by the opening of a door or gate. 1 Google Nest Mini in charcoal, $79.99 2 Nanoleaf smart lighting remote, $99.99. 3 Philips Hue Tap switch, $89.99. 4 Samsung Smart Things Hub, $149.99. All products from Noel Leeming, available online and in selected stores.

Style tip Look out for speakers and other tech in sculptural shapes, on-trend colours or cool retro designs – or opt for discreet styles if you prefer the ‘invisible’ look. 2

PHOTOGRAPHY BAUER SYNDICATION

YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

10 1

Privacy tip Remember that anything you say after a command prompt – eg “Hey Siri” or “Okay Google” – is being recorded and logged by the service.

4 Smart home safety tips with Martin Cocker, Netsafe CEO + Use unique passwords and two-factor authentication for all online accounts connected to a smart home device. + Restrict purchasing/payment permissions especially if there are children in the home. Accounts can be configured to require explicit authorisation or passcodes when payment is required. + Turn off personalised results where possible to protect your personal data. Your information is collected to create a custom marketing profile but this can be disabled/reset with most services. + Routinely check bank statements and emails for any payments or orders you never requested. The sooner you dispute a charge the more likely you are to stop a bogus order using your details. + Consider turning off or muting your smart speaker/digital assistant when it is not in use. + Keep your devices up to date. Devices will have new features added and system upgrades rolled out periodically. If you’re prompted for an update, it’s important to follow through. + Consider covering the camera in your smart device when not in use so people can’t see what’s happening inside your home. 102

YOUR HO M E A N D GA R DE N

Privacy

Privacy is an important consideration with the advent of new technology. Charles Mabbett, spokesperson for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, recommends that consumers purchase products from companies that value and prioritise customer privacy. “Learn about the product you are looking at buying,” he says. “Do your homework. Understand how it collects information, what information it collects and how the company intends to use that information. And if the manufacturers allow you, learn how to turn off the features that concern you.” But are voice-activated assistants really listening to, and recording, everything you say? Yes, says Martin Cocker, CEO of Netsafe. “Smart devices that respond to voice commands are constantly listening for their wake word,” he says. “However, the major players have confirmed that they only capture and use the information provided after the wake word, with all other recordings being discarded. This means those services are not listening to your conversations or providing services based on them. While scepticism remains, as far as these claims can be externally verified, they have been found to be accurate.” In addition, there is the risk of being hacked, with Charles Mabbett saying that some connected devices can have weak security. Martin confirms that Netsafe has had a report from someone who believed their smart home device was compromised. 1 Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera, $399.99. 2 Ring Video Doorbell, $159.99. All products from Noel Leeming, available online and in selected stores.

MICAH DICKSON Noel Leeming Tech Solutions Expert

New to smart homes?

“One advantage is that we no longer have to carry keys. We can go out for a walk and take nothing with us” ANNICK LARKIN

The verdict? Interior designer Annick Larkin, whose Auckland home is featured on page 84, worked with Antenna Co to set up smart lighting, Yale digital locks, a Ring doorbell camera and alert system, smart alarm system, security lights and smart TVs. “One advantage is that we no longer have to carry keys,” says Annick. “We can go out for a walk and literally take nothing with us! We simply unlock the door with our phones or use the digital pin pad.” Annick also says the system is “super easy” for the kids to use. “For added peace of mind we can arm and disarm our alarm system remotely, plus we can access a live feed from our security cameras at any time from our phones, so even when we are away we can keep an eye on the house and any comings and goings.”

What are some key considerations for people who want to set up smart technology in their home? Some things you may consider before embarking on your AI adventure are your internet connection, tech skill level and desired outcome. Over half my visits are to give recommendations on fixing a home wifi network. We often suggest upgrading the router or using a mesh network (multiple routers throughout the home). How does Noel Leeming help those new to smart homes? Smart home products aren’t hard to use but they can be tricky to set up. We recommend a Tech Solutions Specialist or our myTechSolution service and product protection bundle. Whether it’s music throughout your house, a daily schedule read out to you, or ambient lighting on cue, it’s all achievable with smart home tech and our free service provided by in-home consultations. We will provide expert advice and instructions that will give you confidence on your journey to creating your own smart home. What home automation products would you suggest for first-time buyers? Smart TV, Amazon or Google AI voice assistant and wireless smart speakers. Wireless speakers are easy to control and provide atmosphere. Some of the more advanced speakers can be used as intercoms, AI voice assistants, or to take TV sound throughout the home. Taking phone calls or using a smartphone while you’re busy in the kitchen can be problematic – but with smart speakers, phone calls are easy, converting cooking measures is a breeze and switching on a song or the radio can be done without lifting a finger. What is some of the latest home tech? Personal security camera systems, such as Arlo, Ring, Nest, and Swann, provide apps for 24/7, worldwide viewing. Being able to easily check in with family, friends, the house or the bach is something many people think is too expensive or requires a level of expertise that’s beyond them. With smart security cameras, alerts come directly to your phone or tablet. This gives you the ability to rest easy as you see your pet or family return home, or see who arrives at your door whether you are at home, in the garden or out and about, and to alert police or security if needed. YO U R H OME AN D GARDEN

103

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve helped 500,000 Kiwis get more from their tech

delivery

set up & installation

learning

From smartphones to smart TVs and every ything in between, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to have helped so many Kiwiss set up and learn how to get the most out of their new w technology, and we can do the same for yo ou. Our Tech Solutions team offers everything g you need to get your device set up, connected and working, whether it be for your home or business. Talk to us today to get your tech sorted. Visit us in-store or call 0800 555 989

Terms and conditions apply. Go to noelleeming/services for more information.

support

repair

STYLING VANESSA NOUWENS. PHOTOGRAPHY WENDY FENWICK.

Mood floor lamp, $540, from Citta. Soho armchair in wool blend, $1895, from Me & My Trend. Vintage linen cushion, $85, from Adairs. ‘Dancing at Dawn’ canvas art, $1500, from wallstreetnz.com. Form side table, $680, from Bauhaus. Candle, $25, from The Aromatherapy Company. Black vase, $50, from Nood.

MAKEOVER

Cool character cobalt blue is having a moment, but how should it be used? We share some tips over the page.

106 Colour in How to use three of this season’s hottest hues

114

Heart felt Storage is sorted with these two DIY projects YO U R H OME AND GARDEN

10 5

MAKEOVER WORKSHOP

Colour in Update your interior with three of the season’s hottest hues – cobalt blue, clay pink and moss green Styling Vanessa Nouwens Photography Wendy Fenwick

THIS PAGE Cabinet painted in Resene St Tropaz. Ombre Home Mediterranean Summer vase #2, $12, from Spotlight. Wave-cut vase in white, $49, from Republic Home. Blend candle, $25, from The Aromatherapy Company. Hôtel Magique ‘Fleurs de Mer’ unframed print, $95, from Father Rabbit. Face vase in white, $28, from Adairs. OPPOSITE Wall and floor painted in Resene Half Rice Cake. Matisse Nude framed print, $259, from Freedom. Lombok Pottery Collective round-handle vase, $60, from Shut The Front Door. Face vase in black, $40, from Nood. Hamptons sofa, $1999, from Danske Mobler. Cruella spot throw, $279, and cushion cover, $49, from Homebody. Belgian vintage linen cushion in cornflower blue, $85, from Adairs. Bedu linen fringed cushion in black, $169, Yves cushion in blue, $239, marble coasters in Arctic white, $49 for 4, from Republic Home. Oak Humla coffee table, $995, from Bauhaus. Raised plant pot in white, $8.50, from Kmart. Ombre Home Mediterranean Summer vase, $12, from Spotlight. All other items stylist’s own. 1 Creative Spaces book, $55, from Book Depository. 2 Koo Home Lindsie pom pom cushion, $33, from Spotlight. 3 Hôtel Magique ‘Shell Flower’ print, $95, from Father Rabbit. 4 Velvet penny round cushion, AU$79, from Castle and Things. 5 Menlo floor lamp, $269, from Freedom. 6 Aluminium Matki vase, $138, from Design Depot. 7 Urban Loft Venetian tall vase, $35 from Briscoes. 8 Mirror coffee table in black, $299, from Target. 9 Philodendron cordatum potted plant, $70, from Sill Life. 10 Flare candleholder, $29.90, from Citta.

1 06

YO UR H O M E A N D GARD E N

The living room Blue never goes out of style – and for good reason. This versatile hue can be paired with white for an ultra crisp, refreshing aesthetic or used tonally for a moody or relaxed vibe. While we have loved the reliability and elegance of navy, cobalt blue is our new obsession. It’s an intense shade so it works best as an accent. For this lounge, we painted a secondhand cabinet in Resene St Tropaz and then repeated variations of this colour through the Matisse print, cushions and vases. Black provides a striking contrast, and soft grey makes the room feel inviting.

Style tip For an accent colour to make an impact it should be included at least three times, at three different heights, in a room.

2 4

Blue mood Step aside navy, it’s time for intense, eye-popping cobalt to have its interior moment

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

107

The bedroom

Here we’ve used layers and a tonal colour scheme to bring the peaceful, earthy vibes of clay pink into the bedroom. The wall, painted in Resene Wafer, and matching bedlinen create a soft base for darker and lighter clay shades to pop. The velvety, rich rose tones of the euro pillowcases combine with the soft nude and pale blush cushions to add interest within the same colour family. Choosing a lighter colour for the floor allows the look to feel crisp and modern. Style tip Bedrooms are the perfect spaces to play with shades of clay pink as it’s thought to have a calming effect. Team with white for freshness.

THIS PAGE Wall in Resene Wafer. Floor in Resene Urbane. Lightshade in Resene Just Right. Kaia side table, $329, from Shut The Front Door. Living Space two-tone vase, $24.50, from Spotlight. Cafe cup, $29.90, from Citta. Marble coaster in Arctic white, $49 for 4, from Republic Home. Aura Home organic cotton queen duvet cover in rosewater, $269, and pillowcases, $34.95 each, Aura linen chambray throw in pink clay, $149, Bambury velvet cushion in nude, $109, Mulberi Indira cushion in evening pink, $109, from Harvey Norman. YH&G velvet euro pillowcases, $50 each, from Farmers. Hampton linen blush stripe pillowcase, $60 for 2, from EziBuy. Flowers from The Botanist. OPPOSITE ‘Reflection’ print, $75, from Maiko Nagao. Frame, $18.60, from Spotlight.

1 1 Rogue magnolia in sphere glass, $44.95, from Freedom. 2 Rubio candleholders, $7.95 and $12.95, from Freedom. 3 Kate Reed ombre mug, $13, from Farmers. 4 Tilly@home Dune vase, $30, from Farmers. 5 Small soapstone vessel, $89, from Paper Plane. 6 ‘Earth Wahine’ print, $55, from Maiko Nagao. 7 Belgian vintage linen cushion, $90, from Adairs. 8 Cotton velvet round cushion cover, $54.90, from Citta. 9 Oak-look side table, $25, from Kmart. 10 Oak-look bin, $6, from Kmart. 11 Moon table lamp, $340, from Citta. 12 Washed velvet quilted throw, $179, from Citta. 13 Tray, $59.95, from Freedom.

6 4

7 8

9 11

12 13

Clay all day Dustier and more earthy than millenial pink, there’s a new shade making us blush

YO U R HOME AND GARDEN

109

The dining room

Moss green makes just the right impression in a dining space. While it’s a great option for a feature wall – it’s a statement, but not too loud – it would also look welcoming in a nook or alcove. Here we’ve chosen a piece of art that stands out on the wall and beautifully offsets the moss hue. Black bowls and vases, or a pendant, link back to the shapes and colours in the art to tie the scheme together elegantly. Style tip Pair this comforting shade with organic forms and other earthy hues. Dark woods and natural materials such as rattan and stone will add more depth, while lighter-coloured ceramics and furniture will stop this look from feeling dated.

THIS PAGE Wall painted in Resene Waiouru. Floor painted in Resene Merino. Take Note canvas art, $850, from wallstreetnz.com. Roulette dining table, $1329, Neighbourhood dining chairs, $229 each, from Freedom. General Eclectic Freya bowl, $50, and plates, $30 each, from Shut The Front Door. Piccadilly glass tumblers, $14.90 each, Piccadilly carafe, $69.90, from Citta. Himla linen napkins, $75 for 4, from Allium. Paden textured vase (with dried flowers), $135, from Republic Home. OPPOSITE Letters wall canvas art, $950, from wallstreetnz.com. Plant pots, $60 each, from Mitre 10, painted in Resene Scrub. Foliage from The Botanist. Large banana leaf platter, $169, from Allium. Lombok Pottery Collective Aren bowl, $50, from Shut The Front Door. Ribbed black glass vases, $15 and $40, from H&M. Only Orb emerald glass candle, $79.90, from Allium. 1 10

YO UR H OM E A N D GARD E N

1 1 Glen pendant, $74.95, from Freedom. 2 Grove marble dishes, from $39.90, from Citta. 3 Grid tumblers in olive, $15 each, from Green With Envy. 4 Whitewash framed canvas, $199, from Flux Boutique. 5 Ildhane cast-iron candlestick holder, $115, from Everyday Needs. 6 Home Republic philodendron potted faux plant, $55, from Adairs. 7 Living & Co Kina glazed bowl and platter, $15 each, from The Warehouse. 8 Roulette bar cabinet, $1399, from Freedom. 9 Home Republic Jackson pot, $90, from Adairs. 10 Gold finish vase, $172.50, from Design Depot. 11 Hans Wegner replica Elbow chair in walnut, $259, from Cintesi.

2 3

6 5 7

10 9

Moss magic Discover the sophisticated, calming appeal of this gentle-natured verdant hue

YO UR HOME AN D GARDEN

111

RESENE FOUNDRY

Shared boys’ room

While every kid might want a room of their own, the reality is that sometimes it isn’t possible. A shared room has its benefits, too, as it can help siblings bond and learn to share and compromise. When it comes to designing and styling a shared room, there are many approaches you could take. In this boys’ room we have created a dividing line down the middle by painting a stripe on both the wall and floor, and picking a bold Resene colour inspired by the surfy bedlinen for each side. An orange accent colour painted onto the upcycled rattan bedside table and toybox again echoes the bedding. The rattan headboards were bought for $20 each on Trade Me and given a modern update with Resene Foundry. A shared room definitely comes together better when the bedlinen is the same, but different accent colours can be introduced via cushions, pillowcases and throws.

Kids’ corner This fun shared room walks the line – literally – between the desire for a cohesive look and the need for individuality Styling Vanessa Nouwens Photography Wendy Fenwick

PAINT Wall: Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Green Pea and Resene Hemisphere. Floor: Resene Walk-on in Resene Green Pea and Resene Hemisphere. Stripe: Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Black White. Headboards and pendant: Resene Lustacryl in Resene Foundry. Wooden hook, cabinet and toybox: Resene Lustacryl in Resene Pursuit (palm trees in Resene Foundry). Basket: Resene Hemisphere. CREDITS Kids House Surfer double duvet covers, $36 each, from Spotlight. Home Republic blue vintage wash cushion, $89.99, Home Republic stonewash cotton green pillowcase, $44.99 a pair, small dracaena plant, $149.99, from Adairs. Grey throw blanket, $99, from H&M. Scala tall blue glass, $12.90, from Citta. ‘Surf’s Up’ print, $49, from Simply Creative. Picture frame, $12, from Kmart. White wooden hooks, $16.99-$19.99, from Shut The Front Door. Ahoy tote, $29.95, from Weave + Co. Other items stylist’s own.

PROJECT: Name plaques

You will need a piece of pine 50cm x 12cm x 2mm. Brush a tiny bit of your chosen Resene paint onto the pine, allowing the woodgrain to show through for a distressed look. Write the name on the board in pencil, then go over it in paint using a thin brush. Add a little motif too, if you like â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we chose a palm tree. To hang the plaque, take a 24cm length of jute rope (around 12mm thick) and staple-gun or glue it to the back of the plaque at both ends. Hang on a small nail or removable picture hook.

All the colours seen here are from the Resene Total Colour System. Paints and colours are available from Resene ColorShops and resellers nationwide. resene.co.nz/colorshops or 0800 RESENE (737 363).

RESENE HEMISPHERE

RESENE GREEN PEA

RESENE PURSUIT

SIMPLE PROJECTS

Heart felt Keep clutter contained with these easy felt storage ideas Styling Vanessa Nouwens Photography Wendy Fenwick and Mel Jenkins

Thick grey felt, dowel and leather thonging from Spotlight. Wall and floor painted in Resene Black White. Static Portrait print, from $29, from Simply Creative. Black oak Compound drawers, $2990, from Citta. Raised pot, $8.50, hurricane metal candleholder, $8, from Kmart. Living & Co Loft 26 candle, $18, from The Warehouse. Sicilia rug in charcoal, $50, from Bunnings. Aspen lounge chair, $690, from Citta. Other items stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own.

Storage box Use this felt box as a laundry basket or extra storage for clothing and toys.

You will need

90cm x 90cm piece of thick felt Metre-long ruler Pen Scissors Sewing machine Cotton thread

How to make

Step 1 Take your ruler and measure and mark 28cm, 30cm, 60cm and 62cm along the edge of your felt. Do this on all 4 sides. Step 2 Connect the marks opposite each other by drawing a line with a pen. You should end up with 9 boxes. Step 3 Cut out the felt from the 4 outside corner squares at the 28cm and 62cm marks, to leave you with a cross shape. Step 4 Identify the 4 mini 2cm x 2cm squares that sit at the corners of the centre square. Draw a diagonal line through the 2cm boxes from the outside towards the centre square. Step 5 Cut along these short diagonal lines. Step 6 Fold up 2 adjacent sides so they sit evenly on the work surface, then sew them together with a 2cm seam. Repeat for the other sides to create a box. Step 7 Use as a laundry hamper, soft-toy box, craft container, or however you wish.

Magazine holder Keep your magazines tidy with a simple and stylish holder to hang on your wall.

You will need

50cm length of dowel, 2cm in diameter Testpot of black paint Paint brush 80cm x 60cm piece of thick felt Metre-long ruler Pen Scissors Sewing machine Cotton thread Pins Cord, twine or leather thonging to hang magazine holder

How to make

Step 1 Paint dowel with black paint and leave to dry. Step 2 Cut out 1 long piece of thick felt measuring 15cm x 80cm. Step 3 Cut out 4 pieces of thick felt, each 18cm x 44cm. These will become the loops to hold the magazines. Step 4 Take the long piece of felt and fold over 6cm at the top. Sew to create a loop that the dowel will slot into. Step 5 Fold each of your 4 pieces of felt in half and pin (loop-end downwards) to the longer piece of felt, as seen in the picture. Overlap each loop with the next by 6cm. Step 6 Sew the loops to the longer piece of felt and remove the pins. Step 7 Slot in dowel and attach leather thonging, cord or twine to either end. Step 8 Hang on the wall using a small nail or hanging hook and slot your folded magazines into the hanger. YO U R HOME AND GARDEN

1 15

Coconut creme Easter eggs Makes around 20 mini eggs FILLING

2 cups desiccated coconut, plus extra for sprinkling ½ cup coconut cream ¹⁄³ cup melted coconut oil 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup Pinch sea salt

Top finds for April 01

CHOCOLATE COATING

½ cup coconut oil ¼ cup pure maple syrup ¼ cup nut butter (I used almond, but peanut or cashew would also work well) ¼ cup cocoa, cacao or carob powder (I used carob as I love its malty flavour) Pinch sea salt (optional) 1 In a mixing bowl, combine the

LIVING WELL

An Easter alternative ELEANOR OZICH Home wellness expert

This Easter, skip the massproduced eggs and try making your own treats. You’ll be surprised at how easy – and delicious – the results can be

n this recipe, I’ve dipped the creamy coconut filling in homemade almond butter chocolate. But if you don’t feel like making the chocolate from scratch, just melt 200g of good-quality dark chocolate and use that instead. Oh, and did I mention these cute mini eggs are vegan?

116

YOUR H OM E A N D GARDE N

desiccated coconut, coconut cream, coconut oil, maple syrup and sea salt. Mix until well combined. 2 Place the coconut mix in the fridge to firm up for about 25-30 minutes. 3 Using your hands, form the chilled mixture into egg shapes and place on a plate lined with baking paper. Place in the fridge or freezer to set for at least 1 hour. 4 For the chocolate, place a double boiler or small pan over very low heat and melt the coconut oil, maple syrup and nut butter together. Let it cool completely, otherwise it will split. Stir in the cocoa and salt, if using, then whisk until glossy and smooth. (Or for a shortcut, just melt 200g of good-quality dark chocolate.) 5 Carefully place a small fork or skewer into the end of each egg and dip in the chocolate. (If coating is too thin, whisk in a little more cocoa until it reaches a thick consistency that’s perfect for dipping.) 6 Place the chocolate-dipped eggs on a plate lined with baking paper, drizzle with more chocolate and sprinkle with extra desiccated coconut. 7 Refrigerate to set for at least 15 minutes. If you like, serve in paper cases or arrange in little ‘nests’. Store eggs in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. eleanorozich.com @eleanorozich

F L AT W H I T E TUMBLER

This hand-thrown mug by Thea Ceramics is the perfect size for my morning coffee. @thea_ceramics

TINY HOUSE

We are building a tiny house on our property, and this small, yet stunning, book by Brent Heavener is filled with inspiration. @tinyhouse

REDEEM KEFIR SODA

Bright and citrusy, this mandarin and yuzu infused kefir is my favourite summertime drink. It’s incredibly low in sugar, too. @redeemdrinks

2111 - YHG ÂŠ Mastercraft Services Limited

Inspired. Designed. Renovated. Guaranteed.

Get inspired! Order our free 2020 Look Book at

28 locations nationwide

www.mastercraft.co.nz/kitchens/yhg

Visit us at www.mastercraft.co.nz or call 0800 67 67 67

FRESH FORCE

From homemade nut butters to creamy fruit pots, these plant-based brekkies are the perfect fuel for busy days

118

YOU R H OM E A ND GAR DE N

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY BAUER SYNDICATION

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

119

Cherry tomato & cream cheese bruschetta

Nut & seed butter

Scrambled tofu wrap

Makes 1½ cups

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 cup blanched almonds, roasted ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts ½ cup sunflower seeds ¼ cup linseeds (flaxseeds) ¼ cup olive oil 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup ½ tsp flaky sea salt

600g firm tofu 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp tamari 30g baby spinach, sliced thinly 1 large tomato, chopped 2 spring onions, chopped finely 1 cup canned refried beans with chilli 4 quinoa wraps (eg Farrah’s brand) 1 medium avocado, chopped ¹⁄³ cup loosely packed coriander leaves Hot chilli sauce, to taste 1 lime, cut into wedges

Serves 4 INGREDIENTS

400g truss tomatoes (different colours if possible) 250g cherry tomatoes (a truss if possible) 1 Tbsp rosemary leaves 4 cloves garlic, bruised and halved 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp fig-infused balsamic vinegar (eg Te Mata Figs or Giusti brand) – or use plain balsamic 8 thick slices seeded sourdough bread 150g vegan cream cheese (available in specialty food stores) Rocket and walnut pesto (see page 123) – optional 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C. 2 Place tomatoes, rosemary and garlic on an

oven tray. Drizzle with oil and vinegar; season well. Roast for 20 minutes; cool for 5 minutes. Lightly crush tomatoes; reserve juices on tray. 3 Toast bread and spread with cream cheese. Top with tomato mixture and drizzle with juices from tray plus a little pesto, if using. TIP Day-old bread is ideal for this recipe. 1 20

YO UR H OM E A N D GARD E N

1 Combine all ingredients in a processor,

scraping down the bowl regularly, until smooth; or use a high-powered blender. This will take 10-25 minutes depending on the power of your processor/blender. 2 Spoon into a jar and refrigerate; stir before using as the oil will settle on the top. Try it on your favourite toast or crispbread, then top with fruit such as rockmelon, kiwifruit, mandarin segments, thinly sliced apple or strawberries, sliced avocado with sesame seeds or edible flowers, banana strips or blueberries.

TIPS This will keep for up to 3 weeks in a

container in the fridge. Omit maple syrup if you prefer.

1 Pat tofu dry with a paper towel then

crumble into pieces with your fingers. 2 Heat oil in a large frying pan on medium heat; cook tofu and tamari, stirring, for 2 minutes or until warmed through. Add spinach, tomato and spring onion; cook for 1 minute. Season. 3 Heat up the beans then spread on wraps; top with tofu mixture, avocado, coriander and sauce. Roll up to enclose; tie with kitchen string, if you like. Serve with lime wedges.

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

1 21

FIG & ORANGE CHIA PUDDINGS

page 125

122

YOU R HO M E A N D GA RD E N

Brekkie mushroom burger Serves 4 INGREDIENTS

Chia crepes with caramelised banana & black sesame Serves 4 INGREDIENTS

¾ cup plain flour 1 Tbsp white chia seeds 2½ Tbsp coconut sugar ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup almond milk ½ cup water Coconut oil, melted, for cooking 4 Bobby bananas, halved lengthways (or use 2 long bananas, quartered) ½ cup coconut or vegan yoghurt 2 Tbsp blueberries 2 tsp black sesame seeds 1 Mix together the flour, chia seeds, 2 tsp of

the coconut sugar and the cinnamon in a bowl; make a well in the centre. Combine the almond milk and water, and gradually whisk into the flour mixture until smooth. Stand for 20 minutes. 2 Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Lightly grease with coconut oil. Pour ½ cup of batter into centre of hot pan, tilting pan to coat base in a thin layer; cook for 1 minute or until browned. Turn, cook on the other side until golden. Transfer to a plate; cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing with coconut oil, to make 4 crepes. 3 Reduce heat to medium-high. Sprinkle remaining sugar over the cut sides of the banana pieces. Cook, cut-side down, in the pan for 1 minute or until caramelised. 4 Divide crepes between plates. Top with caramelised banana, yoghurt and blueberries; sprinkle with sesame seeds. TIP The hotter the pan, the better the crepes.

However, remove the pan from the heat for a few seconds between each crepe so they don’t burn.

8 large portobello mushrooms, trimmed ½ cup olive oil 1 medium eggplant, cut into 4 thick rounds 400g tomatoes, sliced thickly 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 2 small avocados, sliced thinly 100g baby spinach ROCKET & WALNUT PESTO

50g baby rocket leaves ½ cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves ½ cup walnuts 1 clove garlic, crushed 1½ Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes ½ cup olive oil 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line 3 oven

trays with baking paper. 2 Place mushrooms, gills up, on 2 trays. Drizzle with 2 Tbsp of oil; season. Place eggplant on last tray. Drizzle with ¼ cup of oil. Roast vegetables for 20 minutes. Toss tomatoes in remaining oil and vinegar and place around mushrooms. Roast vegetables for a further 15 minutes or until tender. 3 Meanwhile, make the rocket and walnut pesto. Blend or process rocket, basil, walnuts, garlic and yeast flakes until combined. Add oil in a thin, steady stream, blending until smooth. Add lemon juice; blend until just combined. If pesto is too thick, add 1 Tbsp water. Season to taste. (This makes 1 cup pesto.) 4 Place 4 roasted mushrooms, gills up, on plates. Top with eggplant, tomato, avocado, spinach, pesto and remaining mushrooms, gills down. Season.

Spiced pecan French toast Serves 4 INGREDIENTS

1½ cups coconut milk 2 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup pure maple syrup ½ cup hazelnut meal 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes (see tip) ½ tsp mixed spice 1 cup pecans, chopped finely 8 slices thick multigrain sourdough bread 40g vegan margarine 250g mixed berries 2 tsp icing sugar Edible flowers, optional 1 Whisk together the coconut milk, vanilla,

2 Tbsp of the syrup, hazelnut meal, yeast and spice in a shallow dish. Place pecans on a plate. Soak bread in coconut milk mixture, one at a time, for 1 minute on each side. Press onto pecans. 2 Heat half the margarine in a large frying pan over low-medium heat; cook bread, in batches, for 2 minutes on each side or until golden, adding remaining margarine halfway through. 3 Divide French toast among plates; top with berries and remaining syrup. Dust with icing sugar and serve decorated with a few edible flowers if you like.

TIP Pesto can be made a day ahead; keep

tightly covered in the fridge. Store any leftover pesto, covered by a thin film of olive oil, in the fridge for up to 1 week; use in sandwiches or swirled through vegetable soups. It can also be frozen in a small container for up to 3 months.

TIP Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast

that is a complete protein, as it contains 18 amino acids, including the nine that are essential for good health. It is generally fortified with B12, an important nutrient for vegans that is lacking in a meat-free diet. YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

123

Nut milks

Vanilla nut milk

Makes 2 cups

Make nut milk as before, using ½ cup almonds and ½ cup cashews. Split 1 vanilla bean lengthways, scrape the seeds into the milk and stir to combine.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup nuts – you can use most nuts, eg skinless hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans 2 cups water 1 Place nuts in a large bowl and

cover with cold water. Cover and leave for 4 hours or overnight. Drain, rinse and drain again. 2 Process nuts with the 2 cups water until smooth. Pour mixture through a strainer lined with a fine cloth into a large bowl. Keep any solids for another use (see tips).

1 24

YOUR HO ME A N D GA RD E N

Spiced nut milk Make nut milk as before, using 1 cup pecans. Stir in 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 star anise and either ¼ tsp saffron threads or 2 long strips orange zest. Leave overnight for the flavours to infuse then strain. TIPS Using skinless or blanched nuts

will create a whiter-coloured milk. • Dry out the strained, blended nuts on an oven tray in a 150°C oven. Sprinkle on your breakfast cereal or add to curries and pastes. • Using a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix, will create a smoothertextured milk. • To sweeten the milk, add pure maple syrup or puréed dates before processing.

Fig & orange chia puddings Serves 4 INGREDIENTS

5 dried Turkish figs 1 cup water 2 cups almond milk ½ tsp vanilla bean powder (or 1 tsp vanilla paste) 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1 tsp finely grated orange zest, plus strands orange zest, to decorate (see tips) ½ cup white chia seeds, plus extra to decorate 1 cup coconut yoghurt 150g blueberries 150g blackberries 2 small fresh figs, cut into wedges ½ cup cherries ¼ cup edible flowers (optional) 4 heart-shaped vegan chocolates (optional) 1 Place dried figs in a small bowl with the

water; stand for at least 2 hours. Drain; discard liquid. 2 Blend drained figs in a high-powered blender with almond milk, vanilla, maple syrup and zest until smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl; whisk in chia seeds until combined. 3 Pour the mixture into 4 small glasses, bowls or dishes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. 4 Blend yoghurt and half of the blueberries until smooth: spoon evenly among glasses. 5 Serve puddings topped with blackberries, remaining blueberries, fresh figs and cherries. Sprinkle with strands of orange zest, extra chia seeds and edible flowers, if you like. For romantics, add a chocolate heart to each, too.

Blueberry pie brekkie pops Makes 8 INGREDIENTS

250g fresh or frozen blueberries 1 tsp ground cinnamon ¹⁄³ cup pure maple syrup ½ tsp finely grated lemon zest 1½ cups muesli 1 cup coconut yoghurt

TIPS Use a zester to make strands of orange

zest. If you don’t have one, peel rind thinly from ½ orange using a vegetable peeler, remove any white pith then cut into long, thin strips. These puddings are best made the night before serving. They will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge.

1 Stir blueberries, cinnamon and 2 Tbsp of

the maple syrup in a small saucepan over high heat; bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, mashing blueberries occasionally with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes or until liquid has thickened slightly.

2 Stir in the lemon zest. Transfer to a small

bowl and refrigerate for 20 minutes or until cooled slightly. 3 Meanwhile, blend or process muesli until it resembles fine crumbs. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the remaining maple syrup. 4 Fold muesli mixture and yoghurt through blueberry mixture. Spoon yoghurt mixture into 8 popsicle moulds, pressing down firmly. 5 Freeze pops for 2 hours or until firm enough to hold sticks upright. Insert popsicle sticks, making sure they are centred. 6 Freeze popsicles for a further 4 hours or overnight until firm. TIPS You can use your favourite muesli

for this recipe. If you are having difficulty unmoulding the popsicles, dip the moulds in warm water for 5 seconds to loosen. YOU R H OME AN D GARDEN

125

SPECIAL ISSUE ON SALE NOW!

*selected retailers only

GARDENS

Pattern play Fiona Spencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand-painted pots have become a hit for the business she runs from her garage, Black House Creative. See more of her verdant space over the page.

132 Future proof Five garden trends to take note of in 2020

PHOTOGRAPHY HELEN BANKERS

136

April checklist Top tasks to be doing in the garden this month

138

Garden makeover Carol Bucknellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan for a very public front yard YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

1 27

In her nature After successful stints as both a florist and a landscape designer, Fiona Spencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s green fingers are being put to work once more Text Carol Bucknell Photography Helen Bankers

G GROWTH PHASE The garage has become Fiona’s studio where she pots up plants and paints her pots in the geometric patterns that have become her trademark style. Begonias, palms and other subtropicals are some of her most popular offerings.

reen thumbs often run in families so it’s no surprise to discover that Fiona Spencer’s passion for plants and design was inspired by her grandmother’s garden. Te Puke-born and raised, Fiona’s favourite childhood hobby was experimenting with different plant combinations. “In the weekends, I would spend my time weeding and then nag Mum to take me plant shopping to fill the garden with annuals and perennials to finish off my landscape design. My room was full of indoor plants, too,” she says. Naturally, plants became her career, first as a florist then as a landscape designer. Now a mother of two young boys, three-year-old Cooper and one-year-old Riley, Fiona has once again returned to her horticultural roots. This time she’s selling a wonderful variety of indoor plants and bespoke geometrically patterned pots through her home-based business, Black House Creative.

Design inspiration

“I have always had a thing for pots, plants and patterns and had been toying with the idea over the last few years,” she explains. “Then one night I had a light-bulb moment about designing patterns on white pots. It just felt right, and the right path to head down for me and my family. “After I had my second son, Riley, I bought some white pots, designed some patterns and hand-painted them. I had such a good response from friends and family that I started selling the pots at markets and on Trade Me.” Fiona initially focused on local markets in Kumeu and Coatesville, northwest of Auckland but, encouraged by all the positive comments, she has recently decided to try her luck online. “I thought it would be quiet over winter so I decided to work on creating an online store. Instead, it was really busy!” YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

1 29

LUSH LIFE Fiona sells a variety of pots and plants in different shapes and sizes. In her own garden, lush-leaved subtropicals predominate with tractor seat plants (Ligularia reniformis) and cycads particular favourites.

Fionaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top tips for indoor plant care

1 FEELS LIKE HOME Find out where your plant comes from and try to mimic the conditions in your home. For example, a plant from Central America will like, warmth, humidity and water.

2 WATER WATCH There's a fine line between giving your plant too much water and not enough. To check, place your finger in the soil. If it still feels moist, no need to water.

3 SUN OR SHADE Be careful not to burn your plant's new leaves with harsh sunlight. If they require it, position it in indirect light only.

130

YOUR H OM E A N D GA RD E N

Juggling act

With limited time during the day, she spent many night-time hours building her online store, which has been operating for six months. “I’m very pleased with how it’s running. I spend 30-40 hours a week sourcing plants, painting pots, collaborating with other businesses and managing deliveries. “It can be very challenging juggling the business, household and kids. I have to plan my days carefully and avoid trying to achieve too much in one day.” Luckily, her whole family have been very supportive, with electrician partner Dane Edmonds helping with the markets and parents on both sides babysitting and assisting with the unpacking. “Dane is the muscle and a good salesman. And of course he does the coffee and food runs!” she adds.

Home sweet home

As well as starting and running a flourishing business over the past two years, Fiona has also been busy helping with the renovation of a 1960s house in Red Beach, Auckland, which the family currently call home. “Dane’s father, Brett, bought the house and we’ve been involved from day dot with the reno: colour selection, tiling, hardware, electrical work, landscaping and so forth. Brett and I worked together on the garden design; I then drew up some concept plans and implemented the garden.” Both the garden and the interior reflect Fiona’s contemporary design aesthetic, with beautifully healthy plants filling every corner of the sunny house, as well as the decks and outdoor spaces. The garage, which car fanatic Dane was happy to cede to Fiona’s business, is now a green cornucopia of lushleaved plants and pots in various states of transformation.

“Back when I was a child, my first indoor plants were the common spider plant and bridal veil (Tradescantia multiflora),” she reflects. “These days, so many new varieties have come onto the market. I’m continually learning about new indoor plants through social media, books and suppliers.”

Future plans

Despite her busy schedule, Fiona’s not slowing down with her plans for Black House Creative. “I’d like to see the business develop into a physical store/warehouse where I have my design studio and a one-stop boutique store for indoor/outdoor plants and pots.” A home of their own is also on the agenda. “Dane and I would like to have our own place. We love living in Red Beach so hopefully we can stay here.” black-house-creative.co.nz

“It can be challenging juggling the business, household and kids. I have to plan my days carefully and avoid trying to achieve too much in one day.” F IO NA SP EN CER

YO U R HOME AN D GARDEN

131

WORKSHOP

New leaf As the 2020s begin, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come up with five predictions about how our gardens will change over the next few years Text Carol Bucknell

s we embark on a new decade one thing is certain: life will be full of changes and the environment will be a key concern for all of us. In the gardening world, a greener awareness has been growing for many years and we predict this will continue as we head towards 2030. Other likely trends to watch out for include a growth in naturalistic gardens, weird and wonderful edibles grown from seed, designs to attract wildlife, gardens as art galleries, and mindful planting.

1 PHOTOGRAPHY BAUER SYNDICATION

Getting greener

Sustainability will be the watchword this decade, for professionals and home gardeners alike. We’ll be doing more to reduce our use of environmentally unfriendly products such as concrete, peat-based plant mixes and plastic pots, as well as eliminating harmful chemical sprays for pest and weed control. The way we garden will change, too. We’ll water more sparingly and at the right time (early morning) to avoid wastage, and traditional soil cultivation will be replaced with no-dig gardening so that beneficial soil organisms are not disturbed (see how to make a no-dig garden bed at yates. co.nz/vegetables). We may even dispense with gardening gloves as research reveals getting your hands in the soil benefits the immune system.

Back to nature

Many gardeners are already giving nature more of a free rein in their outdoor spaces and this naturalistic gardening approach is likely to become a mainstream trend in the next few years. Meadow-style gardens are popping up everywhere in Europe and we’re now seeing them in the southern hemisphere, too. Shrubs stay in their natural shapes rather than being ruthlessly pruned, flowers are left to self-seed freely around the garden, grass is allowed to grow longer and ‘weeds’ such as dandelion, buttercups and clover are not plucked out of the lawn (because they attract beneficial insects). Gardens will be softer, more relaxed and more harmonious places to be in.

YO UR HOME AN D GARDEN

133

Put down the clippers Minimalism will beat a hasty retreat in the 2020s. An intensely manicured, soulless garden with few plants and even fewer flowers means no insects or birds. In other words: a garden with no life. The next decade is all about rekindling life so minimalism will have to go.

Birds and bees

As we head towards 2030, falling bee and insect populations will prompt a greater awareness of the amazing work these creatures do in our gardens. We’ll plant more nectar- and pollen-rich flowers for them, leave seedheads on plants, and grow a more diverse array of fruiting and flowering plants to attract a wider range of insects. We’ll also create habitats for bees and insects by building insect hotels, leaving small wild areas in the garden for them to feed and nest, and installing water features and ponds where they can drink easily. Bird lovers will be doing their bit to help those under threat from reduced habitat and food sources by planting nectar- and berryproducing plants, particularly native species such as kōwhai, lophomyrtus, pseudopanax and coprosmas, as well as opting for more loosely trimmed hedges where our feathered friends can nest out of the reach of predators. As well as growing plants that feed and house wildlife, more and more gardeners will embrace the general permaculture principle of choosing species that have at least two or three practical functions rather than being purely ornamental. If you want to plant a tree, for instance, choose something like a lemon that will provide shade, fragrance, fruit and screening. If you’re after flowers, select pretty ones by all means, but are they scented or good for picking or drying, or do they produce nectar for bees or attract beneficial insects that kill aphids? We’ll also be opting for plants, particularly natives, that are more drought-tolerant and require less fertiliser, spraying, pruning and general maintenance.

134

YOUR HO ME A N D GA RD E N

Fancy food

Over the next decade, planting edibles will continue to be popular but we’ll develop an increasing sophistication in the vegetables and fruit we choose to cultivate. Rather than your basic tomatoes and lettuces, we’ll be discovering heirloom varieties in a diversity of colours and shapes as well as experimenting with exotic plants from other countries. Commercial growers by necessity have to keep their seedling ranges limited but there’s a vast array of seeds available. As edible gardeners become more adventurous it’s a safe bet that many will become skilled at growing rare and interesting fruit and vegetables from seed. Check out the seed catalogues of Kings Seeds and others to see what’s on offer already. Horned melon or pineberries, anyone?

Outdoor art

We like to personalise our living spaces and the garden is no exception. With the average home expected to become smaller in the coming decade, more of us will move our artworks outside, turning gardens not just into outdoor rooms but beautiful, green art spaces. Expanding well beyond traditional sculptures, expect to see all kinds of art including antiques and beautifully crafted one-off pieces. The trend for using repurposed objects in the garden will gain new traction, too. Green-minded homeowners will be scouring secondhand shops for interesting picture frames and mirrors, furniture and other decorative pieces to add that unique finishing touch to their gardens.

Give them a drink As well as planting to attract more birds, bees and butterflies to the garden, it’s important to make sure they can also access fresh water, particularly in the hottest months. Create shallow areas in ponds and water elements for birds to land before they bathe and drink. And plant waterlilies or position rocks or other objects to sit just above the water level so insects can safely drink, too. YO U R H OME AN D GARDEN

135

April checklist Reap the golden rewards autumn brings to the garden this month Words Carol Bucknell Illustrations Pippa Fay

Flower of the month

Garden diary YOUR H OM E A N D GAR DE N

PLANTING TIME If there’s plenty of moisture in the ground you can plant new trees, shrubs and perennials, or move existing ones. Add plenty of compost a week or so beforehand; if soil is heavy clay add compost, sheep pellets or other organic matter to improve its drainage and attract worms.

CAROL BUCKNELL Garden editor

136

GET BUSY

ON THE MOVE Early frosts can be a problem in some areas. To protect frosttender plants in containers (citrus, frangipani, hibiscus) move them to sheltered spots on the terrace or under eaves. If too heavy to move, mulch soil and wrap pot in sacking, blankets, or even bubble wrap.

Japanese Anemone This plant’s pretty pink or white blooms add romance to the autumn garden and a soft contrast to the yellows and oranges commonly seen at this time of year. A clump-forming perennial, it prefers shade or semi-shade with regular moisture but is incredibly tough and will even tolerate clay soil and full sun. Cut back after flowering and mulch to keep it snug during its winter dormancy. Some find Japanese anemone a tad weed-like, but it’s easy to control if it starts to spread; just dig up the rhizomes and replant elsewhere.

GOLDMINE Fallen autumn leaves are a precious resource, adding carbon matter to compost and making a super mulch that will encourage lots of useful organisms into the soil below. If you have none of your own, gather them up from street gutters, berms, even parks.

HERB OILS A good way to use up surplus herbs is to make herb oils – there are plenty of recipes online. They can be made from basil, dill, fennel, sweet marjoram, rosemary and thyme. Choose nicely shaped glass bottles and give them as gifts.

Sow

Harvest PUMPKIN A good way to work out if pumpkin, butternut and squash are ready to pick is to gently knock the skin. If they make a hollow sound and the skin is hard, cut them from the vine, including at least 10cm of stem. Doing this, and sitting them in the sun for 2 weeks, will help them last as long as possible in storage. EGGPLANT Eggplants ripen to various sizes so check yours is at its optimum size before harvesting. To avoid fruit being over-ripe and bitter make sure outer skin is still nice and shiny. If you have an excess, grill thick slices and cover with olive oil in a sealable jar to use later in casseroles, curries and ratatouille. CHIVES Cut chives no lower than 3cm off the ground to ensure plants will keep growing. Store extra leaves in fridge in a plastic bag. If using them in cooking, add to pan as late as possible as chives will lose flavour quickly. Chives contain large amounts of vitamins C and A and can help strengthen nails and teeth as well as stimulate the appetite. Chop up leaves and flowers to flavour or garnish potato salads, omelettes, soups and sauces. Garlic chives look similar but their flowers are white not pink and the leaves are broader with a strong garlic flavour.

Good to know Check the planting spot for a tree isn’t on top of underground power cables or sewage pipes. If unsure contact the service provider.

SALAD MIXES It’s essential to keep your nutrient levels up during winter and a good way to do this is by sowing salad mixes that contain hardy greens such as mizuna, chicory, kale, rocket and miner’s lettuce. Most are easy to grow in pots on the deck or in well-drained beds as long as they have a good planting mix and plenty of moisture. Sow every 6 weeks to ensure you always have lots of plants in the garden. PEAS Sow peas when the weather has cooled, ideally to below 15°C during the day. If you use a spot that is shaded during the middle of the day, peas will grow well in warmer temperatures. However, if you live in a very cold region, wait until late winter or spring to sow. Fresh from the garden, peas contain lots of vitamins and minerals and their big seeds make them easy for little ones to sow. As well as the classic garden peas there are plenty of other varieties including mange tout, snow peas or sugarsnap types that can be eaten with the pod on. CARROTS These can be tricky but are worth growing because nothing beats the taste of home-grown. Soil must be reasonably fine and fertile for best results. Dig in compost in advance and remove clods, stones and sticks. There are plenty of varieties so choose one to suit your soil and climate. Sow direct into the garden, not too close together, in furrows. Mixing the seed with sand makes it easier to sow thinly.

Plant PARSLEY The seed can take 4-6 weeks to germinate, so it’s much quicker to buy seedlings. Plant in a spot where they’ll get 6 hours of sun a day, into potting mix or soil that’s well drained and fertile with regular moisture. In hot areas plant where there’s some afternoon shade. If your soil isn’t suitable,

grow in pots. Both types, curly and flat-leaf, are usually grown for one season only. BEETROOT Choose strong seedlings and space 10-15cm apart to allow plenty of room for roots to develop. They can be grown in most areas all year round but a tunnel house may be a better bet in colder

regions. They are ready to harvest when about golf ball size and the tops swell and pop out of the ground. If they grow too big, chances are the roots will be woody, so leave in the ground and harvest the leaves for salads and stir-fries (the leafy tops are said to be one of the world’s healthiest foods).

YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

137

The show’s over An all-too-public front yard is turned into a usable, private space

Garden makeover

Text and perspective drawing Carol Bucknell Illustration Pippa Fay

138

YO UR H OM E A ND GA RDE N

Hi Carol We are in our late sixties and will soon be downsizing to a small 1975 house with a ﬂat front yard that has never been landscaped. The section is typical North Shore clay, sunny and catches the sea breezes. We’d love to replace the fence and connect the front of the house via new doors to an entertaining/sitting area that is private from the road, with maintenance-free plants, possibly no lawn, some colour and scent for year-round interest, and a raised bed for herbs and greens. We enjoy views of our neighbour’s palms and wonder if we could tie it all together. Jean Morgan, Takapuna, Auckland

6 4 1

1 Replace windows with new glass doors opening onto small deck and steps leading down into the garden and a paved terrace at ground level to maximise privacy. Build planter boxes for herbs near doors or around the terrace.

2 Create paved terrace across front of house with large-format concrete pavers or similar. Go for a light colour to harmonise with the brick used for the house and to make the space feel larger.

3 Remove rest of lawn and surround terrace with luxuriant subtropical planting with plenty of flowers for colour and scent as well as lush-leaved varieties for interesting foliage textures.

4 Plant three palms or other tall trees in the corner on the street edge to enhance the subtropical look, add a vertical dimension to the garden and make a visual connection with the tall banana palms next door.

5 Build a new, higher fence along the side and across the front (not shown in illustration). Include an inward-opening side gate the same height as fence, ensuring users of the terrace are not visible to people accessing entrance on driveway side of the house.

6 Plant a pleached hedge inside side fence to soften materials and make garden feel more serene and green. Plant another on opposite side for privacy but retain existing Ficus pumila vine, keeping it tightly clipped so that its branches won’t grow too thick.

PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES, HELEN BANKERS

Suggested planting plan Mock orange

Never-never plant

(Murraya paniculata)

(Ctenanthe species)

FLOWERING SHRUBS Try gardenia, hibiscus, tibouchina, vireya rhododendron, dwarf Australian frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum ‘Gold Nugget’), Murraya paniculata, Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata), Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense).

LUSH-LEAVED PLANTS Try black taro or other taro varieties, Fatsia japonica, ctenanthe, tractor seat plant (Ligularia reniformis), philodendron varieties, clivia, rengarenga lily, Coprosma ‘Poor Knights’, Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), Cordyline terminalis hybrids.

Australian frangipani

Feijoa

(Hymenosporum flavum)

(Acca sellowiana)

TALL TREES Try Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), king palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae), European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Strelitzia nicolai, Queensland umbrella tree, Australian frangipani.

PLEACHED HEDGE Keep trimmed to 2-3 metres for privacy without blocking sunlight. Try citrus, feijoa, Ficus ‘Tuffy’, Murraya paniculata, Michelia figo or other varieties such as ‘Fairy Blush’ and ‘Mixed Up Miss’.

Note: These plants are suitable for this site, which is in a warmer part of the country, sunny with clay soil. Check them out at your local nursery and ask if they’re right for your garden and climate.

TIP Raising or mounding garden beds is essential when planting subtropicals into clay soil. Generous mulching will also help replicate the type of jungle conditions where these plants grow naturally as well as helping to retain soil moisture.

Need help with your garden? Does an area of your garden need a revamp? Garden editor and landscape designer Carol Bucknell will come up with a plan for some lucky readers. All we need are photographs of your problem area, details of where you live, a site description (where north is, the soil type, whether your garden is exposed to wind or heat) and the style of garden you would like. SEND TO Garden Makeover, Your Home and Garden, Bauer Media, Private Bag 92512, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1010, or email yhg@bauermedia.co.nz. We can’t feature everyone’s garden in the magazine, but if you’d like some personal design advice, you can contact Carol at carolbucknell.co.nz.

YOU R HOME AN D GARDEN

1 39

In store

This month’s must-haves for your home

SHELLEY’S TOP PICKS

DOWN TO EARTH

King Living has partnered with New Zealand interior designer Shelley Ferguson for ‘The Room Project’. Working with a neutral colour palette, Shelley chose the King Living Plaza in a soft sea mist fabric, pairing it with Seymour armchairs in a matching shade of grey and styling the setting with Apero tables by Charles Wilson. All available from kingliving.co.nz.

Nestle in the ambience of the rich, earthy palette from the new-season Home collection at Farmers. Domani Toscana duvet cover set in baked clay – queen RRP $279.99.

BATHROOM UPDATE

SWEET DREAMS

FOR THE GOOD BOY OR GIRL

With a lever-less design and ultra-thin outlet, the Axia basin mixer is a modern twist on tradition. This award-winning product is here to revolutionise your bathroom experience. Find it at phoenixtapware.co.nz.

Create your kid’s dream bedroom with Meluka’s new playhouse range. The simple, stylish furniture is built to last and arrives fully assembled. Choose from the huge range, all made in New Zealand, at meluka.co.nz.

Made fresh in New Zealand, Meat Mates is a tasty meal enhancer of pure protein that you can simply sprinkle over your dog’s daily food to nutritionally enhance his or her diet. From $9.99; visit meatmates.com to find your local stockist.

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

THIS CHAIR ROCKS!

KITCHEN DESIGN MADE EASY

Scandi fans will love freedom’s Abbotts rocking chair. From the robust ash timber, rattan seat and rope suspension, this piece will add flair to any bedroom, nook or nursery. Shop in-store or online at freedomfurniture.co.nz.

At Mitre 10 we have a great range of New Zealand and European kitchen brands, Kiwimade cabinetry and a contemporary range of benchtops and tapware. With expert advice on tap, and great benefits including a free design service, 10-15 year warranties, flexible finance options and 43 showrooms nationwide, it’s never been easier to get the kitchen of your dreams. mitre10.co.nz/kitchens.

HURRAY, IT’S MARKET DAY

IN THE ROUND

SWEET SURPRISE

With over 200 local brands participating, you’ll find all the homeware, fashion and lifestyle must-haves at the General Collective Lifestyle & Design Market. 22 March, 9am-3pm, ASB Showgrounds, Auckland. generalcollective.co.nz.

Combining style and durability, the new Eclipse Concrete Nation basin is available in 12 unique colours and sold exclusively by The Kitchen Hub. Visit thekitchenhub.co.nz for more details and to view the full range.

Here’s your chance to indulge, guilt-free, with a Fibre One Chocolate Fudge Brownie. It’s the delicious, chocolatey fix you’ve been craving, without all the calories. Find them in the muesli bar aisle for $4.79 for a five-pack.

GENERAL COLLECTIVE MARKET SHOWCASE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 22 MARCH 2020

+ GENERAL COLLECTIVE

www.generalcollective.co.nz Instagram: @generalcollective www.facebook.com/generalcollective Brimming with beautiful homeware, fashion and lifestyle must-haves, the General Collective Lifestyle & Design Market is hosting over 200 local brands at the one-day curated market, the first for 2020. Meet the makers and embrace their unique, handmade art, design and products. 22 March, 9am-3pm, ASB Showgrounds, Auckland.

STRENGTH WITHIN +BODY, MIND, SOUL

+GEORGE STREET LINEN georgestreetlinen.com

facebook & insta: strengthwithinNZ info@strengthwithin.co.nz www.strengthwithin.co.nz Consciously pairing crystal, sandalwood, rosewood and rudraksha beads into New Zealand handmade bracelets and malas.

+NOMAD

facebook.com/ nomadtradingcompany www.wearenomad.nz Original hand-printed linens and ethically sourced homewares. Minimalist simplicity for your lifestyle.

Quality cotton, linen and bamboo bedlinen, online any time. Available at General Collective Market, 22 March.

Ph: 021 999 202 ingrid@talula.co.nz www.talula.co.nz

+TWILL THROWS

Talula Tween Wear is a fun collection of classic styles with edgy details for girls aged 8-12. Cleverly designed for changing shapes, everything is adjustable or easy-fit. Made with love in New Zealand.

112 Carbine Rd, Mt Wellington, Auckland Ph: 09 573 1469 | info@inter-weave.co.nz www.twillthrows.com Luxurious 100% NZ wool throws. Manufactured in NZ, contemporary design and colour. Local, natural, sustainable.

KOA ORGANICS

facebook.com/KoaOrganics @koaorganics www.koaorganics.co.nz

Discover the muscle-relaxing magic of topical magnesium. Fast-acting for aches, pains, cramps and better sleep. Organic and 100% natural.

+VINTAGE STITCH UP

Elizabeth@vintagestitchup.co.nz www vintagestitchup co nz Antique ndwoven p and linen es sourced m Italy and crafted for ur natural home.

To advertise here contact Kim Chapman. Phone: (07) 578 3646 or 021 673 133. Email: classifieds@xtra.co.nz

+TALULA TWEEN WEAR

OUTDOOR LIVING, GARDENING, LANDSCAPING SHOWCASE

+LISA SARAH

+BURNET’S

lisa@lisasarah.com www.lisasarah.co.nz A collection of original outdoor garden art, custom house numbers and address panels made from premium quality NZ steel. See Lisa’s brand new collection for autumn on her website or contact her for custom work.

+STOKED STAINLESS

To advertise here contact Kim Chapman. Phone: (07) 578 3646 or 021 673 133. Email: classifieds@xtra.co.nz

www.stokedstainless.com - Wood-fired hot tubs - Bath tubs - Spa pools

+PUPGO PET LAWN

www.pupgo.co.nz An easy-to-use, contained toilet system for dogs and cats. Excellent for pets with limited access to real grass. Perfect for home, balconies, apartments, travel, boats and more. A litter-free option for cats. Made in NZ.

+LILYFIELDS MT SOMERS Ph: 03 303 9743 | www.lilyfields.co.nz

www.burnets.co.nz Create lawn envy in your neighbourhood with Burnet’s premium range of lawn seed and care products. Formulated for New Zealand conditions. Lilyfields has wonderful summer and spring colour for pots or gardens. Order bulbs from our 2020 catalogue. Gift vouchers available. Bulbs sent NZ-wide. Free catalogue available on request.

+STONESET DIY Ph: 0800 70 8000 www.stonesetdiy.nz

helen@patiopals.co.nz | www.patiopals.co.nz Our unique range of quirky Patio Pals are perfect to complement your outdoor setting.

+TRELLISCENTRE

Ph: 06 368 4778 | 021 680 968 cngore@xtra.co.nz | www.trelliscentre.co.nz

Makers of the famous Adirondack chairs. Stainless steel screws and bolts. Pine $250, macrocarpa $320, freight from $20.

+BURNET’S

+PATIO PALS

www.burnets.co.nz Burnet’s Gold plant food feeds for up to 3 months. Encourages healthy and abundant growth in your garden. Suitable to use in pots, containers and garden. Gold Long Term plant food feeds for up to 12 months.

Tired of that loose paving stone? We have all your DIY resin gravel binder solutions in one place! From resin binders to tools, decorative aggregates and complete kits.

Ahead of the trend in garden furniture

N –

– Circulation

26,743

Readership

243,000

T h e Lu n c h b ox Q u e e n WA S T E - F R E E L U N C H E S – M A D E E A S Y !

NZ's largest range of bento boxes, beeswax wraps, food pouches & lunch accessories to make healthy food FUN!

w w w.t h e l u n c h b o x q u e e n .c o. n z

homeware & interiors www.kgdesign.co.nz

Refuse to be ordinary

TO BOOK ADS CONTACT Kim Chapman ph 07 578 3646 or 021 673 133 classifieds@xtra.co.nz Nielsen CMI (Apr18-Mar19) / ABC Circ (Apr18-Mar19)

Phone: 021 536 788

www.thecowhidecompany.co.nz

our Check out

GORGEOUS cowhide rugs and accessories

To advertise here contact Kim Chapman. Phone: (07) 578 3646 or 021 673 133. Email: classifieds@xtra.co.nz

TOETOE | 100 % LINEN BEDDING

theaxe.co.nz

To advertise here contact Kim Chapman. Phone: (07) 578 3646 or 021 673 133. Email: classifieds@xtra.co.nz

193 Adelaide Road, Newtown

HIGHVIEW APARTMENTS 66-70 Thompson Street, Queenstown reservations@highviewapartments.co.nz PH (03) 450 2142 · HIGHVIEWAPARTMENTS.CO.NZ

FASTER. BETTER. STRONGER. And that only describes the WiFi connection.

OFFERING UNINTERRUPTED VIEWS OF LAKE WAKATIPU, QUEENSTOWN BAY AND REMARKABLES ACROSS TO WALTER & CECIL PEAKS. The Team at Highview Apartments, Queenstown are waiting to welcome you into your home away from home, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. Wake up to the Earnslaw steaming her way past towards Walter Peak and enjoy your morning coffee from your own terrace or balcony. Our one and two bedroom Lake View apartments offer self contained facilities for your convenience. Off street parking, complimentary fitness room, outdoor spa, Bbq area and sports storage locker all waiting to help your holiday a memorable one. Studio’s also available on request.

MULTI-ROOM MUSIC. THE HI-RES WAY order online at

www.GaryAnderson.co.nz FREE DELIVERY 0800 4 STEREO (0800 478 373)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Lacquer trays in pink and blue, $39.95 each, from Freedom. Living & Co soy candle, $6, from The Warehouse. Bloomingville vase, $40, from Allium. Broste candle, $22.90 for 10, from Allium. Dining candle, $5.90, from Citta. Gatsby wall planter, $19.99, from Shut The Front Door. Nanette Cameron: Interior Design Legend book, $30, from Everyday Needs. Artek Riihitie plant pot, $129, from Citta. Segment tray, $89.90, from Citta. Background painted in Resene Pelorous.

LAST LOOK

Out of the blue Mix organic forms and splashes of brilliant colour for a standout living-room display Styling Alisha Kumar Photography Rebekah Robinson

146

YO UR HO ME A N D GA RDE N