Sddff

New ideas for your happy place

EXPRESS YOURSELF take inspo from GLOBAL DESIGNER ANNIE SLOAN’S FARMHOUSE AN ECLECTIC HOMESTEAD A COOL APARTMENT RENO

DIY mural

A step-by-step to painting the best wall ever

WFH

THE RESENE COLOUR HOME AWARDS WINNER REVEALED

Make your home office a model of efficiency

Hibernation

MODE

HOW TO HUNKER DOWN IN COMFORT AND STYLE THIS WINTER

CONTENTS June

42

10 Shopping 12 14

F R E S H F I N DS U R N’D I T

Homes 42

TAK I NG S HA PE

54

New angles on geometrics 18

Homewares in verdant hues

64 A H AP PY HE R I TAGE

Couches to take a load off 24

28

H UN K ER D OWN

RESENE COLOUR HOME AWARDS

10 ways to cocoon in style

Meet this year’s winner

14 6 CA N’ T LI VE WITHO U T

Jade Turner’s top five 4

Art-filled walls and eclectic furniture fill a Grey Lynn beauty

WOM EN W E LOVE

The home fragrance sisters that are George + Edi

PA I NT E D LOV E

Decorative paint star Annie Sloan’s lovely old Normandy home

G RE EN LI G HT

2 0 S OFA S O G O O D

G R E E N H OU S E E FF E CT

The opulence of hothouses and a New Plymouth villa

Shapely ceramics 16

54

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76

8 0 C O O L C ON C E PT

A new barn-style home

Renovation 9 4 C E N T R A L P E RKS

A city apartment’s redo has created a stylish breathing space for its urban owners 1 02 WO R K F RO M HO ME

The home office has become one of the most important rooms in the house. Here’s how to organise for maximum efficiency, while still imbuing it with personality

Makeover 11 0 NEUTRAL TER RITORY

A dated Tauranga home has been brought into the 21st century with a sympathetic makeover featuring plenty of rattan and rustic elements 11 8 HOW-TO: PAI NT A MURAL

Introducing our resident builder and DIY expert Nikki Kettle. Her first project is a step-by-step guide to painting one of her distinctive murals

134

110

22

124

Food

Gardens

L I V I NG W E LL

1 3 2 MAG NO L I A M AG IC

Eleanor Ozich on finding joy in the kitchen 1 2 2 O H , CR U M B S

An apple, pear and ginger crumble you won’t want to miss out on 1 24 M A X I M UM CHO CO L AT E

Wonderfully wintry treats and puddings full of chocolate

The sublime flowering tree 1 34 C ON STA NT GAR D E N E R

Mary Lovell-Smith makes a to-do list for June 138 FREE OF WEEDS

Niva and Yotam Kay have a strategy that makes light work of weeds

On the cover There’s so much to observe in Michael Mansvelt’s wonderful villa we don’t know where to look first. Stars of the show though have to be daughter Alberta (Birdie) and Pluto the aristocratic doberman who appears to rule over all he surveys from his sofa.

See more of this house on page 42. Photography The Virtue

1 3 1 S O UN D B IT ES

The new and appetising food and drinks making an appearance now

YO U R H OME AN D GARDEN

5

Hello

Fiona Hawtin, Editor

Drinking this lovely aged chardonnay from The Hunting Lodge ($23.99). Apparently there are notes of pineapple, hazelnut, citrus peel, biscuit and butterscotch, although I am a philistine and can’t separate them out.

This month I’m…

In need of a new teapot and I have my eye on this Living & Co Tokyo teapot. $18, from The Warehouse.

Wearing Juliette Hogan’s Marvin cashmere cardigan ($679) in topiary.

Soft as a kitten and warm as hell. You can bet I’ll treat it with kid gloves to get years of wear out of it for the price. I’ve had dresses from Juliette that have been with me for 15 years.

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

Reading Simply Food by our columnist Eleanor Ozich ($45, Penguin Random House). The 80 recipes in this book can be made with 15 minutes work on our part. Plating up the almond torte with plums and cinnamon with that little effort is like alchemy.

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

I

f you look at the Annie Sloan’s painted stairs in her Normandy holiday house on page 54 you’ll notice immediately how wonkily painted they are. This from one of the world’s leading designers, who obviously freehanded them. From that we may deduce the effect was calculated. Part of the appeal of her charming house is that she has celebrated the age and quirks of it and precision painting would not have been the order of the day.

Michael Mansvelt’s New Plymouth work-in-progress house on this month’s cover also embraces the imperfect, a sentiment close to my heart due of my ‘rough enough is good enough’ motto because I cannot, for the life of me, paint a straight line.

Fortunately, we don’t all fall into this camp or the world would be a chaotic place indeed. Our new DIY expert Nikki Kettle is the master of straight painted lines as you’ll see on page 118. She takes us through a step-by-step guide to painting a wall mural and the result is nothing short of spectacular. And, for more of this exacting painting, you’ll find the winner of our Resene Colour Awards series on page 76, who impressed us with her creative use of paint.

Whether you’re a perfectionist or more slapdash, this issue really is testament to the transformational power of paint.

Freedomfurniture.co.nz

Assorted Glassware From $29.95

Autumn Winter 21 Lifewares

Social club

Locally made wares, plus our new online home

ART & EDITORIAL Deputy editor Bea Taylor Art director Nicola Feeney Chief sub-editor Michelle Joe Garden editor Mary Lovell-Smith Senior designer Béla Trussell-Cullen Designers Demelza Callesen, Alice Bush

Newly launched Kiwi business Skitty Studio is bringing trendy tiled furniture to New Zealand. Check out their profile to order.

WE LOVE

EDITOR Fiona Hawtin

@skittystudio

PET OF THE MONTH For quirky, colourful and curvy ceramic inspiration, look no further than Susan Christie’s beautiful, shapely creations.

Rocco the Birman, aged 14, is the Brodie family’s chief sleeper.

His favourite place to nap is wherever the most foot traffic seems to be. Clever boy.

@formantics

CONTRIBUTORS Helen Bankers, Kate Battersby, Fiona Barber, Anna Briggs, Lisa Fetherby, Wendy Fenwick, Jeannie Ferguson, Carolyn Haslett, Nikki Kettle, Camille Khouri, Emma Knowles, Babiche Martens, Marina Mathews, Leanne Moore, Eleanor Ozich, Catherine Steel, Alice Veysey, The Virtue, Simon Wilson, Mikkel Yang ADVERTISING | MARKETING | CORPORATE Sales director Rachel McLean Commercial brand manager Bridget Hewitt bridget.hewitt@aremedia.co.nz, 0211591265 Sales manager Guy Slater guy.slater@aremedia.co.nz, 02111040304 Commercial sales manager Mae Kelly mae.kelly@aremedia.co.nz Classified sales Kim Chapman classifieds@xtra.co.nz MARKETING Marketing manager Barbara Mantey barbara.mantey@aremedia.co.nz, 0279351456

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

EXECUTIVE Chief executive officer Jane Huxley General manager Stuart Dick Editorial director Sarah Henry PRODUCTION Printer Webstar Distributor Ovato Retail Distribution

+ Contact us Email yhg@aremedia.co.nz.

Postal address: PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352 + Subscription enquiries Phone: 0800 624 746.

Email magshop@magshop.co.nz or visit magshop.co.nz. + Advertising enquiries Sales Director Rachel McLean, email: rachel.mclean@aremedia.co.nz. Directory Advertising: Kim Chapman, email classifieds@xtra.co.nz.

Your Home and Garden (ISSN 1173-8642) is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication, unless initially specified otherwise.

All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled “not for publication”. Opinions expressed in Your Home and Garden are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of Are Media Auckland. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. Paint colours may alter in the printing process.

WELCOME HOME

TOP INSTAGRAM POST

We’ve been renovating... our website! Check it out online.

Feel stress levels drop by simply looking at this calming bedroom.

yourhomeandgarden.co.nz

@yourhomeandgarden

Instagram @yourhomeandgarden | Facebook facebook.com/yourhomegarden | Pinterest pinterest.com/yourhomegarden 8

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

THINK

AHEAD

ESPRIT HOME C A SE Y N OW AVA IL A BL E AT BR IS CO ES B R I S C O E S .C O. N Z

You are my sunshine Le Creuset’s latest colour Nectar is inspired by sunshine, honey and caramel.

Any of the Signature Cast Iron or Stoneware range in this, the happiest of colours, is guaranteed to brighten your kitchen. $480 for the 20cm Signature Round Casserole.

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YOUR H OM E A N D GA R DE N

SHOPPING 12

Fresh finds Hot decor trends and cool products.

16

Next big thing Add some punch with geometrics.

28

Hunker down Ten tips to beat the winter chill.

YO U R H OME AN D GARDEN

11

Fresh finds DALI-GHTFUL

Invite colour and quirkiness into your home with this Salvador Dali planter. Fill it with blooms bursting with personality and shape, $99.99 from boltofcloth.com

The latest looks and products we love

MORE IS MORE If you’ve coveted designer Evie Kemp’s incomparable maximalist style, here’s your chance to find out more. Evie has just released an e-book Much, an inspirational go-to for all things maximalist.

This is not a “how-to”, it’s a guide to help you develop your own unique tastes – with a little bit “more” thrown in there.

Find it for $39, eviekemp.com

In the stars THESE ONES ARE FOR THE HOROSCOPE LOVERS, OR SIMPLY THE COLOUR OBSESSED. TED BAKER’S ZODIAC RUGS BRING THE STAR SIGNS INTO YOUR HOME, CHOOSE YOUR OWN SYMBOL OR PICK YOUR FAVOURITE. $1200 FROM LITTLEANDFOX.CO.NZ

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S

Expect to see soft curves and earthy hues in Citta’s new range, which takes inspiration from rolling hills, dense forest and stretching plains. Horizon side table, $740 and Daily armchair, $2312.80, cittadesign.com

FROM RUNA + HOLLY’S LATEST COLLECTION, AUREUM;

NATURAL SELECTION

SPLURGE LURGE

STYLISH STORAGE NOW COMES IN THE FORM OF CANDY-COLOURED, COLLAPSIBLE CRATES. SAVE: LARGE FOLDABLE STORAGE CRATE, $19.99, COTTONON.COM SPLURGE: AYKASA MEDIUM FOLDING CRATE, $49, SUPERETTE.CO.NZ

SAAVE

Crate day

MOODY, FEMININE FLORAL PRINTS. FROM $490, RUNAANDHOLLY.COM

PITCHER PERFECT

SHELF LIFE The Tomado Shelving System has been in production since 1958. Its sustained popularity is all down to its affordability and flexibility. One set comes with three shelves and two struts. $185, goodform.co.nz

With its stoneware exterior and duckegg blue interior, the Canopy pitcher will look great on your shelf or on your table. $64.95, from freedomfurniture. co.nz

YO U R H OME AN D GARDEN

13

SAVE

2

S T O N E W A R E P O T, $ 24 .9 9, F R O M H&M HOME

3

1

m Smith & Caughey’s.

1 Home Republic Eos rings mustard vase, $44.99, from Adairs. 2 Jonathan Adler Eve urn, $365, from 3 Amphora toffee thin ear large vase, $39.99, from Adairs.

S T Y L E S TA L K E R

Urn’d it

4

Ceramic ware that was made to stand outt

8

5 7

6 4 Slab Ceramics handbuilt vessel #2, $120, from Paper Plane. 5 Amphora toffee thin ear vase, $21.99 (small), from Adairs.

6 Paso vase in peach, $59.99, from Shut The Front Door. 7 Pink ceramic vase, $8.50, from Kmart. 8 Living Space vase, $16, from Spotlight.

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SPLUURGE

10

11

B O B B VA S $250, FROM S LOW STO R E

12

Cha 14

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9

n

hora thin circle whit vase, $39.99, fr Adairs. 10 Stoneware vase, $27.99, from H&M Home. ive sel in ke $34 9 from Freedom. 12 Atlanta vase IV, $105, from Coco Republic.

CRAFTED WITH CARE IN NEW ZEALAND That’s the Russells difference

Featured fabric - Matrix by James Dunlop in Ice

Here in our local sewing room, our curtain-makers pay meticulous attention to detail by first checking each piece of fabric for consistency and quality before carefully measuring, cutting and sewing. That same diligence happens in our blind studio, where precise hand skills and technology combine to create quality blinds. And when complete, we also professionally install them so they hang and operate just right. That’s the Russells difference.

Book a free in-home consultation at russellscurtains.co.nz

Oblure Mondo dant lamp, 25, from Goood Form.

Vitra doll wooden N.12, Girard, $229, from Citta.

Plateau rug, $4549.60 from Designer Rugs.

Table tiles, around $40, from Areaware.

NEXT BIG

Home Republic kaleidoscope multi pot, $69.99, from Adairs.

NG

Taking shape

Introduce punchy geometrics into your home with angular forms and vivid lines Home Republic kaleidoscope multi pipe vase, $69.99, from Adairs.

Chiaozza wall hooks, around $70 (set of 5) from Areaware.

Pink check velvet cushion and colour block cushion, from $108 each, from Castle.

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DI HE

Soloman table lamp, $269, from Freedom.

Stained Glass No 1 art print by Emilia Clarke, from $49, from Endemicworld.

Think resort, not last resort.

Live the holiday lifestyle every day at Summerset.

Whether it’s bowls followed by drinks at the bar, a swim in the pool, or a quiet seat in the sun with your favourite crossword - we’re here to make your retirement anything but tiresome.

0800 SUMMER | summerset.co.nz

SUM3061_FP1

Think this sounds like you or someone you love?

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4

5

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WE LOVE

Green light

7

8

Verdant hues are the apples of our eye this season

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11

9 12

1 Joco cup, $32, from The Market. 2 Baina Roman organic cotton towel in sage and chalk, $110, from Paper Plane.

3 Home Republic angled glass green vase, $32.99 (small), and $54.99 (large), from Adairs. 4 Green Leaves notebook, $16, from Paper Plane.

5 1.7L Euro kettle in olive, $45, from Kmart. 6 Resene Amulet paint, $4.80 (testpot), from ColorShops. 7 Hillside patchwork cushion cover, $99.90, from Citta.

8 Ico Traders Jamb bookends in moss, $75, from Paper Plane. 9 Ercol originals butterfly chair in forest green, $1475, from Good Form. 10 Resene Aquamarine paint, $4.80 (testpot), from ColorShops. 11 Sage x Clare Tula Nudie bath mat, $99, from Superette. 12 Home Republic Desert Rose sage vase, $32.99 (small), from Adairs.

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YOU R H OM E A ND GA RD E N

Y u may t kn n itt t, b and ig -q -qu ualility int nte eriorr.

Place

kers is your ex ke e t st s op p for o a st lil

Wheth he r re b g w or ren enov ovat atin in Pla lace ceM rs has a the K tche Ki e B oo L nd d , and Wa W rdro drobe sollutio ti to u home ur e to o liffe! We e sttan and behi d ourr productss an and d of offerr warr rr es acros e rosss ourr ra ang ngess to ve you u pea a of mind.

S ec list c sultt co onc t th o h

ts in n r inspirational sh how o rooms ca a he help lp you from cre re ion of you ourr be beau a tiful stylish interiors.

To be inspired, check o t th range of catalogues online, or book a free consultation today!

placemakers.co.nz/interiors

CURVE APPEAL

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Y V E S S O FA I N WASHED LINEN WHITE, $5845, FROM COCO REPUBLIC.

2 3

S T Y L E S TA L K E R

4

Sitting room

Give everyone space to relax with these stylish sofas 5

VELVET LUXE

B Y R O N 2 - S E AT E R S O F A I N N AV Y, $ 1 9 9 9, F R O M DANSKE MOBLER.

1 Daily sofa in cruze olive, $4079, from Citta. 2 Zurich 3-seater sofa in dusty rose, $2949, from BoConcept. 3 Curve sofa in pecan velvet, $3995, from Contempa. 4 Rachel lounge suite in mystere gold, from $3599, from Danske Mobler. 5 William 3-seater sofa, from $5820, from King. 6 Fabian 3-seater sofa in rust, $3599, from Nood.

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LIVING WELL

JOY IN THE KITCHEN ELEANOR OZICH Home wellness expert

If cooking meals has become more of a chore than a pleasure, then it’s time to turn the hub of the house into a new fun zone

3

Create a fun cooking playlist

I always have music playing while I’m cooking, and it’s the most straightforward way to create a joyful association with the task. Music can instantly shift the way you feel and refresh your mood in minutes. You might like to create a few themed playlists, depending on the style of dish you are creating whether it’s Italian, French or Mexican. Sounds cheesy, but it makes the experience playful and fun.

4

Learn to be okay with kitchen failures

When I first started my blog, I honestly had no idea how to cook. I had to start from the ground up — and let me tell you I had plenty of fails in the kitchen. The first step to getting creative and having more fun in the kitchen is to cultivate a growth mindset. Be okay with the fact that not everything will work out, but learn to fall in love with the experimentation.

Use this as an opportunity to discover new flavour possibilities.

5

Choose a new level of confidence in yourself

1

Consider your thoughts around cooking

Choose to think of cooking not as another chore but as an opportunity to slow down and enjoy one of life’s most exquisite pleasures. Next time you are chopping 22

YO UR H OM E A ND GA R DE N

vegetables or rushing to get dinner on the table, use this time to focus your mind and feel connected to the ingredients that will nourish your body.

2

Clear your kitchen counters

A clean, uncluttered kitchen makes all the difference to me when I’m about to start cooking. Not only does it help to give a strong sense of calm and order, but a clear counter also encourages opportunity and necessary space in your mind to cook with a fresh outlook. Taking five minutes to tidy up beforehand will also save you more time in the long run. Once your space is clean and ready, consider the small, simple touches you can add to your kitchen space to make it more appealing.

I often have a few glass jars filled with flowers and herbs on the windowsill, and love to style my collection of cookbooks and knick-knacks in a pleasing way.

PHOTOGRAPHY ELEANOR OZICH

T

he way you feel about cooking affects everything you do – or don’t do – in the kitchen. You see, our thoughts control our reality, so if you believe cooking is hard, stressful or time-consuming, this will continue to be true in your mind. Mindset shifts can be transformational in our lives, and the brilliant thing is that this also applies to how we feel about cooking. Creating a joyful relationship with cooking has less to do with the process itself, and more to do with the thoughts we have around it.

Here are some simple ideas I have found to be helpful for making my time in the kitchen more enjoyable.

An anxious spirit does not enjoy creating so start walking around your kitchen as if you own it. Pretend to yourself that you know what you are doing, even if you don’t.

Friend, I believe you are more creative than you think. Remember, no one was born knowing how to cook. You will make mistakes, and that’s okay. The biggest mistake is simply not having the confidence to give new things a go.

LOADS OF

inspo

Wehave a

new home

online

DIY

projects

ideas

FOR YOUR HOME

PARTNERED WITH

yourhomeandgarden.co.nz

WOMEN WE LOVE

Sister act When creativity runs in the family, starting up an artisanal home fragrance business with your sister is a no-brainer.

Text Bea Taylor Photography Marina Mathews

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“We’re both prepared to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

R

ose and Sarah Agnew are sisters who have been running their artisanal home fragrance business George & Edi together for 10 years from their studio in Wanaka. And, much like their signature scent, it’s a partnership that’s nuanced, balanced and comes alive when put into action.

Their vision to create timeless and quality perfumed goods that bring a “little bit of luxury” to the home began with perfumed soy candles and has expanded to include reed diffusers, room sprays, soap, cream perfume and body lotion.

When did you start George & Edi, and why?

We started George & Edi back in 2011 – crazy that we are now in our 10th year. We had both been living overseas for many years and knew that if we wanted to move back to New Zealand, we would need to create our own jobs and start a business.

Where did the name George & Edi come from? The long version: Rose had been running a small fashion label, which she had named to honour the creative side of our mum’s family – Edi Garrett. Sarah had been looking at starting a side hustle in interior

ROSE AGNEW

furnishings and using the label name Georgie Logan (from Dad’s family). So, when we did a project together we decided to join the names and call it George & Edi. The short version: It’s our parents’ names.

What are your individual roles within the business? As a small team, we have very clear roles and both wear a number of ‘hats’. Sarah is our CEO, CFO, COO and ‘master maker of all things fragrant’ and Rose is our marketing and creative director and also manages client and customer relationships, our website and social media. The one crossover is that we are both creative directors for the brand.

What sets your candles and fragrance apart? We are artisanal, small-batch producers.

We honour the age-old craft of candle making and conscious manufacturing, which reduces waste and ensures all of our products are fresh and of the highest quality.

What wax do you use? Our candles are made from natural soy wax. We test all our fragrance oils in this wax to establish the highest fragrance load (percentage) we can use in manufacturing our candles. Fragrance loading to this highest percentage, ensures our candles have the best quality fragrance throw (release of scent when solid or while burning) possible.

OPPOSITE Rose says of working with her sister Sarah (left), “Neither of us has run a business before. Building a business requires a clear vision, long hours and a lot of hard work, so it has been invaluable that we share a similar vision, work ethic and are both prepared to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

YO UR HO ME A N D GARDEN

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STUDIO TIME The George & Edi headquarters is in Wanaka and open to visitors by appointment. Otherwise, you can find their home fragrances online.

Soy wax will only hold between seven to 12 percent of fragrance oil before the burn can be compromised, with oil leaching from the wax and creating a smoky burn. We also ensure the correct wick size is used for each fragrance and candle glass size, to give each candle the best possible burn time.

Tell us about the designs for your products.

When we first started in 2011, we hand-wrapped our candles in vintage book pages, so our branding was originally very black and white. We stumbled across some old Reader’s Digest gardening books, which had a few vintage drawings of flowers and plants, and after a month or so of wrapping with these pages, our wholesale customers started requesting ‘more floral pages, please’. We weren’t able to source more of these gardening books, so it became clear we needed to create our own floral designs to package our candles with. We now work with artists to bring our design ideas to life.

How do you create your fragrances? In the early years, Sarah created most of our fragrances, but we now work with a fragrance house so we can create larger volumes and maintain consistency. With our newer fragrances, we worked with a parfumier to create these for us. The sampling, tweaking phase through to the final production of the fragrance, can take anywhere from six to 12 months.

“We honour the age-old craft of candle making and conscious manufacturing.”

ROSE AG NEW

How does a candle fragrance differ from a soap or diffuser fragrance? Our soap and perfume fragrances must be skin safe, so this can require a special batch being produced for these products. With a candle, you get to experience both the cold and hot throw, but with reed diffusers, room sprays and soaps, you only experience the cold fragrance throw. Therefore, with some fragrances, we adjust the base notes to counter this and ensure the fragrance is balanced in all products.

What’s your favourite product?

Sarah: That’s like asking a parent to pick their favourite child. The product I use the most is our Fig Hand Cream (there is always a tube on my desk and in my bag). If I have to pick one fragrance, it’s probably Havana, as I love a slightly darker, moody fragrance but Liquorice is a close second and Bogart is really good too.

Rose: The product I use the most is our Liquorice Hand Cream – I adore this fragrance and the new matching soap. I am also a little bit obsessed with our fragrance No. 14 (we created this to celebrate our eighth anniversary and the 14th fragrance in the range). Every night I walk into my bedroom, smell this fragrance and smile. georgeandedi.com

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CANDLE CARE How long should a candle last for? The candle itself has a long shelf life, but we encourage you to use them within 12 months of purchase to ensure you are enjoying them at their best. Over time the wax will ‘bloom’, can discolour and the fragrance can deteriorate.

How important is correct candle care? How you care for your candle will determine the life/burn time of the candle.

The first burn is very important, and if you don’t set this up right the first time, you can lose hours of burn time, as the candle won’t burn to the edge of the glass. What could occur is ‘tunnelling’, which is the most common problem people have with soy candles.

What’s the best way to care for your candle? With a new candle, do not light it (for the first time) until you have a minimum of 3-4 hours to be able to leave it to do its thing.

Do not extinguish the flame until the wax melt pool (it will only be a few millimetres deep) has reached the edge of the glass.

Once it has reached the edge of the glass, it is safe to extinguish. The size of the candle and the temperature of the room will determine how long this process takes. Completing this ‘first burn’ correctly, will ensure your candle always burns to the edge of the glass.

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10

tips to hunkering down this winter

1

After-dinner drink

Whatever your poison, whether it’s a cup of hot chocolate or glass of Central Otago pinot noir, make a communal drink part of your winter routine to signal that it’s okay to do nothing more than be mindful and enjoy a warming drink in a beautiful pottery cup.

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PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

Baby, it’s cold outside. So why bother venturing out?

Stay indoors, indulge in some creature comforts and cocoon in style

S

2

Hearth-warming fire

A cosy night in by the fireplace is the stuff of winter legends. And, if you can’t have a real fire because of local council regulations, a wood burner or gas fire with lifelike flames could be the go. Otherwise, step outside and stoke up the fire pit, meditate on that burning fire and feel the heat.

1 Glasshouse Ode to Women limited edition cashmere & lavender fragrance diffuser, $59.99.

2 Homestay Blackberry & Guava candle, $10, from The Warehouse.

3 George & Edi Bogart room spray, $37.

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3 4 Ulla table lamp, $269, from Freedom.

3

Make scents

Warm fragrances such as amber, lavender or vanilla will help create a welcome environment and act as an olfactory hug.

Burn scented candles, use diffusers or room fragrance to set the mood. Particularly effective in your makeshift bathroom-as-spa.

A Netflixreeady sofa

Couches get a good woorkout over winter as we bin nge-watch our favourite TV V shows, so now may be thee time to upgrade the oldd one and get a generous secctional settee the wh hole family can make theemselves at home on.

Th hrows are mandatory for setttees at this time of year forr cosy indulgence and eveeryone should have their own to stop potential fights over who gets the blanket.

5

Your bathroom, your sanctuary

1

1 Loom cashmere/merino throw, $225, from Ico Traders. 2 Home Republic Turkish cotton bath towel, $49.99, from Adairs.

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2

A long soak in a hot bath (those in the know say warm, but we like it north of that) will not only take away that bone-chilling cold it’s near guaranteed to de-stress by relaxing all the muscles in your body.

Add some bath oil with a calming scent, such as lavender to step the luxury up a level and use candlelight to create a soothing ambience for your at-home spa. When you’re ready to pull the plug, wrap yourself in a warmed bath sheet.

ARTISANAL CREATORS OF PERFUMED GOODS AVA I L A B L E AT: W W W. G E O R G E A N D E D I . C O M AND STOCKISTS AROUND NZ

FOUNDED 2011 GEORGEANDEDI

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And so to bed

1

How good is an early night on a cold and stormy night?

High-thread count everything is just the tip of the iceberg.

You need good sheets, an abundance of pillows to keep you propped up if you’re reading, a textural throw and good bedside lighting to avoid eye strain.

1 Bed Threads linen pillowcases, $70 (two). 2 Knut lambswool throw, $215, from The Urban Studio. 3 Frankly & Co linen duvet cover, $229.

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Comfort of food

There’s a reason some things are kn nown as comfort food. They nourish your mental and physical wellbeing. Is th here anything better than a bowl of soup p or a chocolate molten pudding on a coold winter’s night? There’s no time like the present to buy that cast iron casseroole you’ve had your eye on.

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1 Amy Piper Metropole mug, $9.99, from Farmers. 2 Wellington Chocolate Factory drinking chocolate, $12.50.

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Loungewear worthy of the name

We may think we know loungewear thanks to lockdown, but it’s time to really up the ante and invest in pieces you wouldn’t mind being caught outside in if you somehow lock yourself out. The best loungewear is made from natural fibres such as cashmere (we’re setting the bar high here), feather-light jersey or soft bamboo.

1 Moondance eye mask, $9.90, from Wallace Cotton.

2 Mother of Pearl robe, $109.90, from Wallace Cotton. 3 Zermatt slippers, $ $150, from B Birkenstock.

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Get a hobby

Take time to be still and do something as uncomplicated as reading a novel, learning to embroider, finishing a paint by numbers or try a DIY craft kit. Simple pleasures matter.

Clever Poppy Desert Sun punch needle project kit, from $169, (kit and course bundle).

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Seasonal flowers

Hellebore Jacob plant, $24.99, from Kings Plant Barn.

Whether you grow flowers to pick for inside or you buy a bunch to arrange each week, you can’t go past the feel-good factor of flowers. Hellebores, snapdragons, stock, sweet pea and ranunculus – put simply, they bring cheer to the gloomiest of days.

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YH&G + BLANCO

Support act The undermount sink is a subtle showpiece, allowing the benchtop to be the star of your kitchen

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hen it comes to the kitchen, every element should work in unison to ensure a beautiful cohesive design. Your granite or marble benchtop should be a stand-out feature in the busiest room of the house, which means a BLANCO undermount sink plays its part as a vital support act by amplifying the sophisticated lines of the stone, glass, composite or stainless steel worktop but not overshadowing it.

Elegant yet unobtrusive

BLANCO SUBLINE sinks are renowned for their uncompromising bowl size and compact look, standing out for their elegant, straight-lined geometry. As SUBLINE almost completely vanishes into the undermount, the sink fits harmoniously into the worktop – perfect for modern kitchens and those wanting a timeless look.

The seamless transition from benchtop to sink extends the look of the counter space, ensuring it looks spacious and elegant with the sink sitting flush to the worktop and blending into the overall design. Simple lines always feel cleaner and the look of the continuous worktop with an undermount sink gives a modern finish.

Functionality and design As basins go, an undermount sink

gives you the best of both worlds – unobtrusive beauty with impressive performance. A stainless steel undermount sink offers an elegant, glossy effect. Or, if you’d rather have a more harmonious, colour-matched look, an undermount sink in granite in your choice of colour will deliver exactly that.

Easy to clean

No matter how exacting a cook you are, a rogue piece of feta or an olive pit will end up somewhere on the bench.

Attach a multifunctional basket to the sink and slide chopped-up food directly into it. The undermount design is rimless and ensures nothing gets stuck around the edges of your sink.

For more information on BLANCO products, please visit www.blanco.co.nz or follow on Instagram @blanco_newzealand

LIVING WELL

Cosying up How to make your home a welcoming retreat this winter with affordable styling ideas and a few clever tricks

Jade’s style tip A cosy rug, plush cushions and throws, artwork that makes your heart sing, and floor or table lights will help to create a cosy atmosphere.

YH&G + THE WAREHOUSE

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s the weather cools and we spend more time inside with our loved ones, it’s natural to want to make your place a cosy space to retreat to this winter.

That’s why creating a comfortable, warm environment is so important. The Warehouse has done the hard work for us and has everything we could possibly need to live cosy for less. A few simple seasonal switches and some considered styling is all it takes.

3 Colourful look: Living & Co botanical round canvas, $30. Living & Co jacquard cushion in brown, $15. Living & Co linen rich cushions in natural, navy and yellow, $15 each. Living & Co gold wire basket, $15. All from The Warehouse.

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The living room

The Warehouse lead designer Jade Turner believes this room is the “soul of any home, it’s where you want to relax with a cup of tea, watch your favourite show, spend time with the family, or just read a book”. By keeping the key pieces of furniture the same and switching up decor, it’s easy to go from a Scandi look for maximum hygge, to a colourful, energetic feel and on to an easy boho theme.

“That’s why, with our new winter range, we’ve created affordable pieces that you can seamlessly add to your existing furniture.”

The easiest and best value switches to make are plush cushions, a sumptuous floor rug, decorative on-trend objects and eye-catching art on the walls.

Scandi cool For this monochromatic Scandi look (left), start with the Tulsa sofa. Its compact size makes it ideal for small spaces. Then layer textured cushions – “the rule of thumb is to always decorate in odd numbers as it creates visual interest,” says Jade – wool-mix throws, a seagrass storage basket, a Highland cow artwork and some foraged pine cones to finish the look.

OPPOSITE Scandi look: Living & Co Tulsa 3-seater sofa with chaise (not pictured), $499. Living & Co Emily chair, $139.

Living & Co grey slub area rug charcoal 200cm x 300cm, $199. Living & Co faux fur Icelandic rug, $29. Living & Co Alyssa coffee table, $79. All from The Warehouse.

High-impact rug The look is anchored by the elegant, textured rug, which looks like a rug you might pay thousands for, but is affordable, starting at $149. “Rugs can help unify your living room and all the furniture within it. Here, size really does matter,” says Jade. “Use the largest size that will fit your space and ensure that the couch and chair legs will sit on it.”

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Colour and boho options By keeping the neutral Tulsa sofa, coffee tables, occasional chair and floor lamp and swapping out the room’s accessories such as the rug, art, throw and cushions for brighter, more saturated versions, 6 you can easily achieve a dynamic and colourful living space.

And when it comes to creating 7 a carefree boho look, sub in super-soft wool-mix throws, faux 1 Living & Co seagrass basket, $25. 2 Living & Co grey sheepskins, a generous number of slub rug 200cm x 300cm, $199. 3 Living & Co plush Berber cushion, $20. 4 Living & Co Ambience mango cushions, soft pink and green tones crush 13oz candle, $12. 5 Living & Co Niva side table, on the floor, plants and even a $49. 6 Living & Co twin floor lamp, $59. 7 Living & Co second rug for a chilled-out vibe. grid lantern, $10. All from The Warehouse.

Jade’s style tip The number of pillows on your bed is personal but I’d say four pillows to match your sheets and duvet, plus decorative ones or colour. for

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ABOVE Living & Co Indiana bed frame, $369 (queen).

Living & Co plush pillow top mattress, $549 (queen).

Living & Co Indiana nesting side tables, $65. Living & Co winter garden duvet cover set, $69 (queen). All from the Warehouse.

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1 Living & Co ombre faux Mongolian cushion, $25. 2 Living & Co peonies duvet cover set, $25. 3 Living & Co arch dress mirror, $45. 4 Living & Co Magnus lamp, $25. 5 Living & Co abstract landscape rug, $199. 6 Living & Co rose bowl vase, $10. 7 Living & Co Indiana bedside table, $99. All from The Warehouse.

The bedroom

Aside from sleep, your bedroom is the place to wind down. “Think of the space as your sanctuary and decorate with the style that suits you best,” says Jade.

For winter, whether you opt for a botanical, glamorous or boho look, it’s particularly important to have a textured rug to ground the furniture and make the room feel cosy. Bedrooms also need “comfy cushions, curtains with plenty of fullness – thermalbacked ones for warmth in winter – and bedside lamps help to make a bedroom a cosy space”.

Starting point

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Jade’s plan of attack for styling bedrooms is to start with a beautiful duvet cover, then add cushions, mixing and matching colours and patterns. Finish with a tactile throw or a comforter in a different pattern, folded at the end of the bed.

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Finishing touches Next, it’s on to a bedside lamp to provide soft mood lighting. Finish with fresh flowers, a scented candle and a curved mirror to bring in extra light.

Switch it up

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For a boho look, a linen duvet in a natural colour is a great choice. Coordinate with wood-look furniture and rattan accessories.

A botanical styled bedroom is easily achieved by opting for a duvet cover in a leafy or pretty floral print. Complete the look with a rug and hang some wall art to tie the look together.

YH&G + THE WAREHOUSE

Living & Co Byron sage green dinnerware from The Warehouse.

Jade’s style tip We sell some dinnerware individually, starting at $5 per piece, so you can build the number of place settings that suits you best. It’s a nice weight and is hard wearing.

Living & Co Tokyo dining set range from The Warehouse (available early June).

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The dining table

It’s where families and friends share the experiences of their day and is the most lively room in the house for that reason. Dressing your dining table with dinnerware that complements the occasion will make everyone feel welcome and special. “If, like me, you’re a fan of the boho look, the Byron sage green dining set is perfect to create it this winter,” says Jade.

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1 Living & Co Maya old fashioned glass, $15 (six).

2 Living & Co Tokyo acacia salad bowl, $30. 3 Living & Co Austin dining suite, $399.

4 Living & Co Urban salt & pepper grinders, $12 each.

5 Byron sage green dinner plate, $5. All from The Warehouse.

Set the mood • Match the dinnerware to the food you’re serving. If it’s Japanese for dinner, minimalist plates, such as the Tokyo plates, give a wonderful Zen feel to the table.

• For breakfast, foster a relaxed family-friendly feel with seagrass placemats and coloured bowls for muesli.

• Let everyone serve themselves from mix and match serving bowls on the table to foster amiability.

• Accentuate the style of your tablescape with finishing touches. If it’s a natural look, try a sprig of rosemary at each place setting and serveware.

• For a more formal setting, a small posy of flowers and candles elevate the table and create ambience, but ensure these are low on the table so conversation can flow freely across the table.

The Warehouse winter homewares range is available now. Shop online at thewarehouse.co.nz or at your local store. Love these looks? For more inspiration, visit yourhomeandgarden.co.nz/style-diaries to watch how-to videos on styling an adult’s bedroom, a child’s bedroom, a living room, and a dining table three ways, as well as tips on creating a knock-out entrance and organising your pantry. thewarehouse.co.nz

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HOMES 42

Greenhouse effects Landscape designer Michael Mansvelt’s tropical escape.

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Painted love Annie Sloan’s farmhouse in Normandy.

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State of the art The wall of the staircase is a premium spot for hanging art, turning a trip upstairs or down, into something more arresting than plain old walls. For more of this house turn to page 64.

Happy heritage A home exudes beauty and grace.

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Cool concept Creating golden days in Wanaka.

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The greenhouse effect

Moving to a property with four glasshouses prior to last year’s lockdown turned out to be a blessing for Michael Mansvelt Text Fiona Barber Photography The Virtue 42

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Meet & greet Michael Mansvelt (landscape and interior designer), Flynn, 19, Felix, 17, doberman Pluto and Jack Russell-cross Casper.

GONE TROPPO New Plymouth, with its proximity to Mt Taranaki, isn’t known for its balmy climate in the cooler months, but Michael can be found in one of his warm glasshouses most mornings during winter.

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H INTO THE BLUE The walls in the living area are painted in stark, dramatic Resene Coast, which work as the perfect backdrop for Michael’s art and plant collection.

“I was nervous about taking it on, but my friends and family said, ‘You’ll love it,’ and now I feel so grateful we’ve got it.”

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f you’re looking for Michael Mansvelt, you might find him under a palm tree surrounded by tropical and sub-tropical foliage and vibrant-coloured blooms. And no, he won’t be in some Far North hotspot or island idyll.

His “happy place” is on the outskirts of New Plymouth. It’s here in one of his hothouses that he relaxes with a morning coffee, holds staff meetings and hosts mammoth dinner parties.

“Sometimes I work there, especially in the winter months,” says the owner of Michael Mansvelt Design, an award-winning landscape, interior and architectural design practice specialising in top-end projects. “The moment the sun comes up, it starts to warm up. Taranaki isn’t the warmest province – I feel I was born for a warmer climate.”

The hothouse is a 30- or 40-second walk from the back door of Michael’s house, a four-bedroom, turn-of-the-century villa on half a hectare of land.

The story of how he ended up in a former garden centre, started when he noticed the property had been sitting on the market for a while, so he decided to check it out. “There were lovely trees on the approach – puriri and a giant copper beech – I thought it was a sign. There were some nice character features in the house, but it was unrenovated. I love villas, but I don’t love villas with aluminium windows,” he says. “I saw it would be a lot of work, but had a lot of potential.”

He bought the property – complete with four hothouses and the villa, which had been moved to the site in the 1980s – just before the first lockdown last year.

Up until then, he’d had his office, home and plant nursery on different sites in New Plymouth, so despite the challenges of the Waiwhakaiho site, it offered him the opportunity to consolidate.

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H LIVING ROOM Michael’s cushions are from Plantation Design Store, which is owned by his ex-wife Alisha Barnes. The tan couch is crocodile leather and the coffee table was an antique shop find in Sanson.

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“It’s just incredible; I was nervous about taking it on but my friends and family said, ‘You’ll love it,’ and now I feel so grateful we’ve got it. It’s been the best thing for the business; now I can develop the planting.”

Michael’s currently in a ‘collecting phase’. “I’ve got a lot of plants to grow and propagate.” By cultivating his own, he says, he can save thousands of dollars each year.

Lock down those plans Last year’s first lockdown was challenging, but it also had its blessings. “It was a great opportunity to get my head around how the nursery would work, the irrigation.” Having an unrenovated property also gave him a freedom he was unaccustomed to. “Every house I’ve bought, I’ve renovated. Then the kids come in, followed by the dogs (doberman Pluto and Jack Russell-cross, Casper) and things get broken. I’m loving not having the pressure.”

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eldest, Flynn and Felix live with him. During lockdown, they hunkered down at the old garden centre, while his youngest two were with their mum, Alisha Barnes. She’s the owner of Plantation Design Store in New Plymouth, general manager of Michael Mansvelt Design and his former wife.

Michael insists the villa is unrenovated, but you’d be hard pressed to describe it that way if you’d seen the lounge and dining areas. Rich blue and pale walls are perfect backdrops for his art and, as you’d expect, plants. “When you’ve got a lot of white trim, you can’t lose,” he says of the blue paint, Resene Coast. The picture of the white dog is by Reuben Paterson, the wall hanging in the dining room is by Kay George, the bright ceramic piece is by Christine McLean and the wooden stag’s head was a Father’s Day present. The tall African milk tree behind the crocodile leather couch was left when Michael took possession of the property.

“They’re as tough as old boots,” he says.

Michael has big plans for the property, which also has a garage

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Style tip Palm trees don’t necessarily need bright light to grow indoors, they’ll happily thrive in a shady corner of a room.

LIGHTEN UP As a counterpoint to the dark walls and floors, Michael says, “When you’ve got a lot of white trim, you can’t lose.” The tall palm pictured in front is underplanted with begonias.

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H that has been converted into a recording studio by eldest son, Flynn (aka Jeremiah the Nine, on Spotify).

The semi-rural property, he says, is ideal for Michael’s sons and their friends. “When you’ve got two teenage boys, you’ve got eight teenage boys,” he says. “They’re in a safe place; they can be a bit rowdy. I’m happy having them around and I love feeding them.”

One of his non-negotiables in the renvovation is a “dream kitchen”, which he says, will be traditonal Shaker-style. It will look like it’s been there for a century, but will have all the mod cons.

In terms of the indoor-outdoor flow, “I’d like to turn it into a Queenslander with verandas all around — the garden is most important to me. The first thing I did in lockdown was plant a load of plants.” Michael put in fruit trees, flowers and more.

“I’m really into fragrance, I’m a sucker for any plant with a fragrant flower.”

House rules Michael trained as a landscape designer, but from a young age was always fascinated by homes: “I was adopted and the real common ground [with my family] was a love of houses.” He grew up in the south Taranaki town of Hāwera where he says, thanks to money from the local wool industry, there were many beautiful examples. “My friends had mid-century houses and California bungalows, and as a kid I was designing houses.”

That interest never waned and many years later when a friend said he wanted to build a seafront property, but hadn’t found the right design or designer, Michael was all in.

“I said, ‘I know what sort of house you should design and I drew the house on a napkin in a cafe.” The result: a mid-century-style, flat-roof house that launched his

“The garden is most important to me. The first thing I did in lockdown was plant a load of plants.”

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home-designing career – and a buzz around town. Not that it was a straightforward transition. “It was a real learning curve for me, learning about the engineering side of things.”

His favourite designers include revolutionary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who helped design his country’s new capital Brasilia in the 1950s, and compatriot Roberto Burle Marx, a landscape architect who worked with him and who is responsible for landmarks including the promenade at Copacabana Beach.

In terms of interior design, he picked up a good deal from Alisha. “What she doesn’t know about interior design isn’t worth knowing.”

His own interior design philosopy is one of “timelessness” and involves natural materials. “Look at the past – the designs that have lasted.” He says he’s never sought to be “on trend”. “I’ve always been a fan of buying antiques and Persian rugs.” He’s also attracted to colour and not afraid to use it.

His strengths? Using existing materials to their best effect.

In one commercial interior design assignment, the architect wanted to get rid of all the wood and start again but Michael decided to go with the grain and a sophisticated, woody design was the result. “My whole philosophy is to

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look at what you’ve got and think outside the square.”

Based in Taranaki, Michael’s work takes him all over New Zealand. Te Arai Lodge, near Mangawhai, featured on Grand Designs New Zealand and he’s currently working on a beautiful garden in Greytown in the Wairarapa.

A couple engaged him to design their houses in Taupō and Opua in the Bay of Islands, and he’s completed projects in Cambridge, Hamilton, Whanganui and Auckland. He also appeared in TV shows Mucking In and Back to Basics.

Home and heart When Michael says he’s in a good space, he’s not just talking about his property. Although he’s divorced from Alisha, he recently approached her to work with him again. “I said to her, ‘Why don’t you help me out? We’ve got four kids together. It benefits me; it benefits her. And when you’ve been married for 18 years… well, she knows how to manage me and that’s what I need.”

He’s also finding joy in sharing his designing, landscaping and plant expertise with his staff. “One thing I’m loving is working with these young people and instilling a passion in them; it’s like watching a a seed grow,” he says. “Plants are so good for us. I can definitely testify to that.”

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SHOP THEIR STYLE Eclectic objects, plants galore, comfortable, lived-in furniture and a healthy dose of whimsy make for inimitable style

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Michael’s top garden tips

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1 Goat’s head, $120, from Plantation Design Store. 2 Rose cushion cover, $59, from Bolt of Cloth. 3 Phalaenopsis orchid, $35.99, from Kings Plant Barn. 4 Cayman bar trolley, $1190, from Plantation Design Store. 5 Bristol 750mm industrial pedestal fan, $179, from Bunnings Warehouse. 6 Stag trophy head, $38, from Abstract Design.

7 The Poster Club Decoupes print, $95, from Paper Plane. 8 Kovacs Grace 3-seater sofa in Designer’s Guild Varese velvet, $6355, from Allium Interiors. 9 Footed urn, $249, from French Country.

+ We are so much happier when our outlook is green, so using plants to create that is a vitally important part of the human experience. + There is the right plant or tree for every space. Select plants that hide fence lines and buildings without outgrowing their space.

This way the plantings are more likely to be kept long term and the gardener is leaving behind a legacy that can be enjoyed by future generations. + Put in plants that attract our native birds and provide fragrance, shade and fruit to eat. These add other dimensions to our gardens and enjoyment of outdoor spaces.

Michael’s top interior tips + I’m a really big fan of using antiques and quality pieces of all styles from many eras. + Avoid buying too many on-trend items, as they can date quickly and look like they need replacing when that trend is out of style.

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A BLANK STAIR An “ugly, modern” staircase painted in a mixture of thick and thin irregular stripes on the risers has become the focal point of the room.

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PAINTED LOVE

Decorative paint doyenne Annie Sloan takes us through her Normandy home which, as you’d expect, is a rainbow of colours

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ou may recognise Annie Sloan’s name from the side of a paint tin of her eponymously named paint. As a fine artist-turned-decorative artist she wanted to create deliberately undetectable restorations and headturning murals in houses but was frustrated she couldn’t find paints that met her exacting standards. She came up with her own paints, then partnered with a Belgian factory to produce the paint she’d been making at home. The result is her famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Decorative painting hasn’t been the same since. Although Annie lives in Oxford, England, she

happily packs her paint brushes for some decorative painting at her Normandy holiday home.

Can you talk us through your home in Normandy?

The house in Normandy is a patchwork of old buildings.

Originally a long-house (which is a traditional type of French farm wherein the farmer and his family would live in the same home as all their animals – very cost-effective in terms of heating and so on), it’s comprised of one big long room at the front, which is our living room, kitchen and dining area. Behind that we have my studio and workshop, while upstairs are the bedrooms and bathrooms.

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FRONT ENTRANCE Annie found the front door, which was already painted green, at a salvage shop. “One day the paint will start falling off, but I love the way it looks now,” she says. COUNTRY RETREAT Before Covid-19, the rustic home in France was the perfect place for family to gather, including the couple’s sons and grandchildren.

Who stays there with you? I visit with my husband David. We usually go four or five times a year, but because of the pandemic, it’s been over a year since we last visited.

I miss the place terribly. We take a motley crew with us.

I’ve had journalists come to stay to write pieces on the property, old university friends and, of course, my sons Felix, Hugo, Henry and their families.

Meet & greet Annie Sloan (artist, colour expert and business owner) and David Manuel (business owner).

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How much work have you done on your home?

Not as much work as it needs, is the short answer. Getting anything done in the French countryside, particularly when you’re not there for long stretches of time to oversee the process, can be a very lengthy process. Culturally, the French have a laissez-faire attitude to meetings and arrangements and in my experience that only becomes more pronounced the further from Paris you are. You might have organised for an electrician to visit, but if the apples are in season and his friends need an extra hand with the harvest, not to mention the cider-making process, you don’t stand much chance of seeing your electrician ever again. We had our builder, Dino, come from Oxford once to do some rudimentary wall-knocking down and so on, and my aforementioned husband discovered a passion, if not a talent, for plumbing. We have some very esoteric piping as a result of his effort but it very much adds to the charm of the property, in my view. I’d love to spend a few

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DANCING ON THE CEILING Annie used two paint colours, Louis Blue on the ceiling and Duck Egg Blue on the beams, to help camouflage the mix of old and new wood.

“One prefers not to start making plans since one will only be disappointed when one has to abandon them.”

A NNI E S LOAN

MAKE A STATEMENT The chest of drawers, decorated with wording from the first line of James Joyce’s Ulysses, was originally bought to house paint and brushes.

“Most of the surprises have been pleasant ones – uncovered murals, treasure troves under the floorboards.”

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STUDIO Annie’s work area is where she spends most of her time tinkering on projects.

“Every piece of vintage furniture has such an interesting story,” she says. “From the history of the piece to the process of restoring and upcycling it to its former glory.” BY DESIGN Annie’s holiday home is a virtual showcase of paint effects and patinated furniture.

weeks there and get some proper bathrooms installed, but of course that’s all up in the air at the moment. One prefers not to start making plans since one will only be disappointed when one has to abandon them.

Did you have an challenges you didn’t foresee? Any monumental interiors fails? We’ve been very lucky – I’m a hands-on type of person with a lot of experience in renovation. Truly, nothing shocks me and with the dilapidated state of the long-house fully evident when we made the purchase, most of the surprises have been pleasant ones – uncovered murals, treasure troves under the floorboards, dated engravings and so on.

What’s your favourite part of the house? The upstairs bedroom. The wall was made in the traditional style – hay and guano with mud packed between beams, and I painted it in Chalk Paint in Old White. The texture is so stunningly sublime that we put a bath in the bedroom so I could bathe in it and admire the beauty of the wall.

It’s an extremely relaxing space and a brilliant example of working with what you have being the key to the best renovation projects.

Did you paint the house yourself or get the painters in?

I painted the house myself. I adore painting and would never let anybody else have all that fun. Walls, in particular, are so therapeutic.

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MAKE AN ENTRANCE The front door takes you straight into the sitting room “a lovely open-plan room with rafters and an open fireplace,” says Annie.

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H Can you take us through the colours in the pink living, the room with the painted mural over the fireplace, the colourful staircase and the green bed please? I’ve always had pink living rooms, I just think it’s a lovely flattering, calm, warm colour and it makes perfect sense in a room where we spend so much time socialising. The mural over the fireplace existed already but was very faded so I had a joyful afternoon picking that out with my own paints. The staircase was painted over a rainy weekend when I was writing one of my books – I think it was Creating The French Look. I needed a break from recommending techniques and writing step-bysteps so I had some therapeutic, self-indulgent, bright colour playtime. The green bed is painted in Chalk Paint in Antibes Green, one of my favourite colours, then I overlaid Dark Chalk Paint Wax to get that gorgeous, rich aged look. Gold Gilding Leaf was a no-brainer; the second I saw the details on the headboard I knew I needed to turn to metallics to give it the glamour it deserved.

Could you tell us a few of your paint tricks? You can find all of my paint tricks online and in my books. I live to share paint tricks. Sign up to my newsletter, which includes a pretty constant stream of inspiration, ideas and how-tos.

What do you love about paint, and specifically Chalk Paint? Paint is the quickest and cheapest way to utterly transform a space. You can save a piece of furniture from the

“Chalk Paint is the best because you don’t have to waste time prepping; you simply pop open a can and start painting. It dries quickly too.”

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How to give a cupboard a rustic look 1. To emulate this farmhouse rustic look, begin with a base Chalk Paint in Duck Egg Blue, allow to dry fully, then wax with Clear Chalk Paint Wax. 2. Once the wax is touch-dry, apply a top coat of Chalk Paint in Graphite.

3. Sand this back lightly so that the colour underneath comes through.

4. Then, use the Annie Sloan Detail Brushes and touches of Old White and Duck Egg Blue to add details and outline the panels of the doors. The circular design details are easy to create and wobbliness is to be embraced.

5. Finally, apply a coat of Clear Chalk Paint Wax to your painted piece to finish and protect.

scrap heap using paint and rediscover your own creativity.

Chalk Paint is the best because you don’t have to waste time prepping; you simply pop open a can and get painting. Then it dries very quickly, too. Both those things were important to me because I was a working mother of three boys and I needed a paint that would fit my lifestyle and make things easier rather than harder.

How would you introduce someone with white-on-white interiors to the colour you’re so known for? I’d be very worried about someone with all-white interiors – it’s not good for the soul. They’ll have a painted picture frame; a bunch of daffodils on a table, a set of placemats they adore. We’ll start there. Once you’ve found a colour you love it’s easy to integrate it into your home; paint a lamp base, then a stool, and next thing you know you’re diluting the paint to make a wash and you’ve got a gorgeous rustic farmhouse blue wooden floor. It’s addictive and the paint really does speak for itself.

What’s your biggest consideration when approaching a do-up? Consider the furniture. Think about it before you start painting; you may well change your mind halfway through, but the design process itself is necessary. Sit down and look at the furniture; notice the shapes and structure of the piece and use colours which enhance and reflect the bits you like or mask the bits you don’t.

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GARDEN It’s taken Annie nearly 30 years to get her family holiday retreat looking the way she wanted, including putting in raised willow garden beds to grow vegetables.

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SHOP THEIR STYLE Chateau chic requires a love of painted furniture and cotton ticking, with a nod to glamour and some deliberately under-restored pieces 3

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1 Aimee 3-cup candelabra, $175, from French Country. 2 Fermob 1900 table, $1310, from Jardin. 3 Organic ticking duvet set, $239.90 (queen), from Wallace Cotton. 4 Jute and cotton rag rug, $89.99 (medium), from Trade Aid. 5 Matis artichoke, $109, from French Country.

6 Directoire painted console, $4900, from Baran de Bordeaux. 7 Directoire painted chairs, $1800 (pair), from Baran de Bordeaux.

8 Nouveau galvanised watering can, $24.98, from Mitre 10. 9 Elm bread board, $109.99, from A&C Homestore.

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LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM One of Lisette’s favourite stores is Auckland’s Babelogue, a textile store that features mid-century through to ’80s decor and furniture.

Outdoor rug and hall runner both from online rug store Miss Amara. The sideboard in the dining room and the glass and metal coffee table in the living room are both from Republic Home.

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An Auckland couple discovered there’s an art to downsizing after leaving a large family home

A happy heritage Text Leanne Moore/Cave Bureau Photography Helen Bankers/Cave Bureau

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Meet & greet Lisette Cross (make-up artist), Gavin Lendich (mortgage broker), Joseph Lendich, 26, and Lucy the English Staffy.

CASUAL DINING The large wooden dining, which has been matched with stylish brown leather chairs, is made for relaxed entertaining with the couple, their two sons and friends. EXTERIOR The heritage home is the perfect size for the family. “You can’t beat a two-storey return veranda villa,” says Lisette.

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ake-up artist Lisette Cross is used to translating the wants and needs of clients, using her flair for colour and composition. Her creative background and years of experience came into play when Lisette and her husband Gavin Lendich moved into their heritage home in Auckland 18 months ago. “We could see this place had great bones and we’ve really enjoyed making it our own,” says Lisette. “She’s an old girl who’s had some nips and tuck over the years but she didn’t require any major work.”

Lisette has created a home where the white walls and pale timber flooring act as a canvas for her bold artworks and eclectic furniture collection – and, just like her work in make-up artistry, it exudes style, beauty and balance.

“My aim was to make this place feel welcoming and casual.

I wanted to maximise the natural light and create a bit of a bohemian vibe with lots of colourful art. It’s not a precious house – I’m happy for people to leave their shoes on, or lounge on a sofa. Everything is designed to be used and nothing is put aside for a special occasion.”

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“I wanted to maximise the natural light and create a bit of a bohemian vibe with lots of colourful art.”

L I S ET T E C RO S S

Small and practical

Now that their sons Joseph and Dominic are in their 20s, Lisette and Gavin were looking for a smaller home that would work well for this ‘empty nest’ phase. “The layout is perfect for the way we like to live. We wanted enough room in case an adult child boomeranged, which is exactly what happened when Covid-19 struck.

Joseph came back to live with us but there’s plenty of room for everyone. We’ve got three living areas downstairs and his bedroom upstairs has its own wing.”

Previous owners extensively renovated so they haven’t had to do too much to the house. “We like the way it’s been designed for practicality and easy living.

The fact that we didn’t have to do any major work has been a bonus. I just had to decorate,” says Lisette. “We didn’t really need much new furniture. In fact, we had to sell quite a bit as we were coming from a larger home.

But I did find there was more wall space and I decided to go for a gallery look and fill it with art.”

Working in a creative field has given Lisette a deep understanding of colour and the confidence to go for some strong personality-packed pieces. “I love colour, especially mixing different colours together. I’m not into matchy-matchy. The art is all mediums and textures and 68

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H ANIMAL MAGIC The cow hide rug give warmth to the bleached floorboards while the eye-catching longhorn cow skull wall hanging adds to the boho-chic look.

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styles and genres. In fact, all the art and furniture is a bit of a happy coincidence rather than anything that has been particularly planned. Some furniture was bought new, some second-hand, and some of it was even found on the side of the road back in the days when we had inorganic collections.”

Old versus new

Finding a smaller property with low maintenance grounds was a priority for Lisette and Gavin. They also wanted a character home, after a new build experience did not live up to their expectations. “We downsized from a three-storey townhouse in St Mary’s Bay, which was the only new house we have ever lived in. Up until then we’d always had villas or bungalows. Being a new build, we thought it would be low maintenance but we couldn’t have been more wrong. We bought it from

Style tip To keep a leather sofa in mint condition, be sure to place it in an area away from direct light or heaters.

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developers and, over the six years we were there, we had plumbing and electrical fails and a never-ending list of repairs. In hindsight, older homes are much more forgiving to the everyday wear and tear of kids and dogs, and I think they suit and absorb that lived-in look,” she says. “Plus, you can’t beat the character of a two-storey return veranda villa.”

The villa is believed to have been one of the first homesteads built on Grey Lynn farmland in the 1890s.

It originally included a tennis court, but that was carved off a few years ago for a house that was being built next door. “From what we have been told, a major renovation was done a couple of owners ago. We heard that they put a lot of attention into the details and restored much of the character back into the home.

I believe at one stage it was even in two flats. They did a really great job as nothing urgently needs doing.”

The only change the couple has made was a lockdown-induced project. “When we moved in the floors were a very dark brown shellac, which looked good with the white walls, but seemed impossible to keep looking clean,” says Lisette. “It drove me mad during lockdown when there was nothing much to do but look at the floors, and we decided to go the opposite route and bleach them. The floor sanders warned us that the shellac had soaked into the boards and it would be impossible to bleach them right back. This didn’t worry me, and I really liked the rustic look that they have now. It actually gave the old girl a real facelift.”

H HALLWAY Lisette loves colourful prints and her art collection in the hall includes Dick Frizzell’s Big Kiss, featuring comic book hero The Phantom, and Ryan Fowler’s Pug on a Bike.

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MAIN BEDROOM A wooden bed frame with padded headboard pumps up the cosy factor for relaxing weekends. A textured throw is the perfect contrast to crisp white bed linen.

OUTDOORS The outdoor rug is from online store Miss Amara and it looks great teamed with classic, comfortable Adirondack chairs.

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Style tip Transform the ambience in your back garden at night with vintage festoon string lights.

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SHOP THEIR STYLE Colourful art, one-off finds and even more art give a relaxed vibe to a stately two-storey villa 2

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Best thing about the house? As well as the layout being perfect for the way we live, this house is built to get lots of natural light, which makes it nice and warm for an old home. We’ve positioned the sofas so you can follow the sunny spots around the house.

What’s one thing you would change about your home if you could? Not much. It really is ideal for us. The only thing I’d do is make the driveway a bit wider, if I could. It’s so narrow, I wouldn’t like to back down it.

Most memorable experience you’ve had in your home?

Some pretty cool sunsets from the second storey and some good fireworks displays from the Sky Tower.

Lisette’s style tips

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1 Kendall cushion, $129.99, from A&C Homestore. 2 Frida Kahlo Meditation poster, $29.95, from New Zealand Fine Prints. 3 Rattan wing chair, $799, from Green with Envy. 4 Halie indoor outdoor rug, $317, from Miss Amara. 5 Silica 1600 sideboard, $3099, from Danske Mobler. 6 Marcello & Co Swerves vase, $19.99, from Farmers. 7 Living & Co Himalayan pink salt lamp, $29, from The Warehouse. 8 Cross lamp table, $149, from Danske Mobler. 9 Eton 2S sofa, $2499, from Freedom. 10 Dick Frizzell Big Kiss print, $59.95, from New Zealand Fine Prints.

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+ Beauty of random My decorating style has changed over the years, depending on where we’re at with our life stage. Now that the boys are grown up, it’s much more about our space and less about accommodating their needs. I’ve never been keen on following trends, I prefer an eclectic look and tend to be drawn to things that have a story or a meaning behind them. I find if you gather a collection of things you love they will always look good together – don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. One store I find hard to go past is Charlotte Rust’s shop Babelogue in K’ Rd. I always come out with something.

I’ve bought art from her and a ’70s-style cane chair. + Rest & relaxation We enjoy entertaining and this house is well set up for it. We’ve only been here for 18 months, so with Covid-19 and lockdowns, we really haven’t done a great deal. It’s always nice to start the evening with a glass of bubbles or a special cocktail. When we have people over, it’s always very casual.

There’s a gathering space between the kitchen and the dining area that people are drawn to. And, when the weather’s warm, it flows easily to the outdoor seating area. I like to prep as much

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of the food as possible, so by the time everyone arrives, I can relax and enjoy their company. + Work & play We both work from home. My work as a freelance make-up artist takes me all over the place but I do all my admin from my office at home. Gavin is a mortgage advisor and his clients come here for appointments, so we needed a space where we could work and play. What’s great about this place is that Gavin and I have an office upstairs and all the living is downstairs, so it’s easy to keep the two separate. We’ve got it set up so we each have our own work stations, with a good desk and chair. We were both working from home before Covid hit, so we were well aware of how to create a work space where you live. Now the rest of the world is catching on. + Love where you live We’ve been enjoying getting to know our neighbourhood. We moved to Grey Lynn a couple of months before Covid hit so we were just getting to know the local

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KEY 1 Deck 2 Bedroom 3 Office 4 Main bedroom 5 Bathroom 6 Ensuite 7 Wardrobe 8 Stairs 9 Entry 10 Lounge 11 TV room 12 Dining room

community. But after many hours of dog walking during lockdown levels 3 and 4, we’ve developed a good lie of the land and discovered parks and walkways we never knew existed. Over the last few months we have got to know the neighbours a little more, too, and they are all super friendly and welcoming. It’s quite a mixed bag, with people who are older than us, younger than us and from all walks of life, which adds real interest to the community. And we are doing our best to shop and eat out in the ’hood to support all our local businesses.

Shops & contacts Favourite store Babelogue @babelogue_shop Leather sofas Freedom, freedomfurniture.co.nz Outdoor rug & hall runner Miss Amara, missamara.nz Sideboard and glass coffee table Republic Home, republichome.com Floor sanding Good Wood Flooring, goodwoodflooring.co.nz

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COLOUR HOME AWARDS WINNER

great idea

A PA I N T E D A R C H OR SEMI-CIRCLE IS T H E F E AT U R E W A L L F O R FAS H I O N FORWARD HOMES.

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Meet & greet Jasmin Vallance (event manager).

Circle of influence This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner started small by painting vases before going all out with eye-catching murals

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Text by Catherine Steel Photography by Kate Battersby

Jasmin used Resene Moccasin for this circle on a background of Resene Alabaster, adding further interest with a gold sunburst mirror.

oothing pools of colour that uplift and bring a sense of joy were the impetus for the home of this year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner.

The murals were painted by Jasmin Vallance in three rooms of her Point England home in Auckland. The seed to decorate was planted after she dabbled in the effects of paint during lockdown last year.

While she was online seeking inspiration, the work of a woman painting and upcycling items with paint caught her eye.

“I thought ‘I can do that’,” Jasmin says. “So I started painting vases and furniture, and my confidence grew from there.”

As her approach evolved, she applied her creativity to the hallway, spare room and office in her home, bringing in soulful, earthy neutrals with pink, green and black.

Despite entering the Resene Colour Home Awards, she didn’t expect to win and is still adjusting to the fact that her creations took the title and $5000 cash prize.

“I’m shocked,” she says. “There were other houses I was up against that were amazing, I didn’t think I’d have a chance. I’m just a Joe Blogg, I don’t have a design background.”

Jasmin was at work, where she is employed in construction support, when she saw the email revealing her as the winner. “I was sitting at my desk and let out a squeal, then ran around the office yelling YO U R HO ME A N D GARDEN

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CONTINUE THE ARCH THEME IN THE BEDROOM WITH A C U R VA C E O U S H E A D B OA R D.

The bedroom is painted in Resene Rhino.

‘I won! I won!’ I hugged my dad, who I work for, and called my partner and Mum to let them know. I feel like I’m still fizzing from it now.”

The archway and circle, which are a part of her winning scheme, are comforting to the eye.

“They’re not boxy,” she says. “I’m drawn to those non-uniform shapes. The hallway arch looks like a doorway that could lead somewhere else.”

“I started seeing a few arches around and thought I’ll have a go,” she says. “It took a bit of convincing to get my partner, Matt Palmer, to come on board. I was gung-ho, thinking, ‘Let’s go for it and do a black arch because, being paint, we can just paint over it if need be’.”

An arch in Resene Black felt like a safe colour to use in the hallway, not being too bright or intense. “I wasn’t hugely comfortable with colour at that stage. But as soon as I saw it, I thought I’d move to more colourful colours in other parts of the house.”

This approach evolved to choosing the terracotta of Resene Moccasin in the spare bedroom, in a giant circle. “I like those earthy neutral colours and didn’t want to go for a whole bright orange.”

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asking whether I should go for terracotta or blush. Terracotta was the answer.”

Knowing she and Matt wanted that room to be a nursery one day, such a genderneutral colour was key – she’s already got her mind set on painting an organic rainbow.

A mirror was placed in the centre of the terracotta circle, reminding Jasmin of a sunrise. “The shape is plain and simple, but then the colour adds an extra layer of warmth to the room.”

In the study, Jasmin went with curves again, this time in different forms: “I was trying to paint triangular-like shapes with a fluid movement to them.” The theme here was to tie in with all of the colours in the house by using Resene Moccasin, Resene Flax and Resene Dust Storm. “It was a nice way to make all of the colours cohesive and pull it all together. I enjoyed bookending them with Resene Moccasin at the top and bottom. This also has a slight sunrise vibe.”

“Overall, we wanted a fun, slightly different vibe,” she says. “The murals were so simple to paint and I knew I could easily achieve them by myself. They just bring a bit of joy to our home.”

More Resene colours to try:

RESENE Vanilla Ice

RESENE Green Smoke

RESENE Desperado

For more colour ideas and inspiration, visit your local Resene ColorShop, or order your free colour chart online, resene.co.nz/ordercharts.

Jasmin used Resene Flax as a feature wall in her living space.

The circle in the spare bedroom is painted using Resene Dust Storm.

Guests are welcomed to Jasmin’s home with the front door in Resene Glamour Puss.

“I’m drawn to those non-uniform shapes. The hallway arch looks like a doorway that could lead somewhere else.”

JAS MI N VAL L ANC E

The arch in Resene Black punctuates the rest of the wall in Resene Alabaster.

For the mural Jasmin used Resene Moccasin (top and bottom), Resene Flax and Resene Dust Storm.

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Cool concept This barn-style house in Wanaka is designed to foster golden childhood memories with its cosy nooks, easy flow and semi-rural vibe Text Camille Khouri Photography Marina Mathews

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LIVING The cleverly placed windows and sliding barn door flood the downstairs area with light – and offer prime views of the fruit trees planted by the family.

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Meet & greet Anna Findlay (partner real estate agent), Jake, 12, and Estelle, eight.

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site close to town with a rural aspect was too good to pass up for Anna Findlay, a Wanaka real estate agent for Ray White and mum of Estelle and Jake. “I had sold this whole block and I knew the owners wanted to subdivide eventually so I asked if I could carve off a piece and secure it. We are close enough to town that Estelle can bike alone to school, but it still feels rural. I come from a rural background and it’s nice to have that space around me,” she says.

Planning

Anna used Pinterest to help define the type of house she wanted. She presented a board of images to architect Barry Condon of Condon Scott Architects – and when she looks back now, much of that is echoed in the house design. “I wanted a Scandi barn look with four bedrooms, with one downstairs for parents and guests, and a separate TV room. I wanted to use a lot of wood. Barry captured my vision almost immediately with the concept drawings. There weren’t a lot of changes from there on.”

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“I wanted a Scandi barn look with four bedrooms, with one downstairs for parents and guests, and a separate TV room.”

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Design

The house is clad in pale cedar with slatted timber sliders that can be moved along with the sun, creating beautiful light effects and also preventing the house from overheating in the summer. Entry to the home is via a light-filled double-height atrium, with the upper level landing acting like a mezzanine.

A feature wall created from recycled bricks provides a reference to the barn look in the kitchen and dining area. This was built by Anna’s brother and painted using an old hearth brush to create an aged texture. The kitchen design was based around an image seen in an architecture magazine, with metal casing used for upper wall shelving and the island legs, making the island appear like a long table.

KITCHEN /DINING Anna’s brother built the feature wall from recycled bricks. The kitchen benchtop is Laminex Celadon, the bar stools are from Janet Brown Furniture & Homewares and the walls are painted in Resene Half Merino.

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Style tip Layer a mixture of textiles, such as linen, faux fur and a patterned cushion, to add cosy depth to your family room.

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“I wanted a home that the kids would be able to create childhood memories in. That was a big part of my vision.”

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Personal touches

Family movie time is a special occasion for the family and the TV room provides the perfect spot to cosy up and enjoy it, with darkly painted walls, velvety curtains and Wilson & Dorsett sheepskin Shaggy Bean Bags. Upstairs, the bedrooms are housed under the sloped roof with some beautifully framed views of the grounds. Anna’s room features an oversized walk-in wardrobe, important for housing the many dresses from her previous life as the owner of a fashion boutique.

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BATHROOMS All the bathroom walls are painted in Resene Quarter Merino.

EXTERIOR The house is clad in pale cedar with slatted timber sliders that can be moved along with the sun.

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Style tip For luxurious softness underfoot, a good quality underlay is almost as important as carpet choice.

Fun-filled memories

Anna’s favourite place to relax is the living room with its high ceilings and comfortable mix of old and new furnishings. This space spills onto decking and an expansive lawn, with a tennis court that doubles as a scooter and bike riding area for Estelle and Jake.

“I wanted a home that the kids would be able to create childhood memories in,” says Anna. “That was a big part of my vision: this big lawn we would run around and play on, and a house where we could laugh and have fun.”

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SHOP THEIR STYLE This Central Otago home practises hygge right down to the snuggly bean bags, sheepskin throws and wood burner 1

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1 Woven leather seat barstool, $398, from Janet Brown. 2 Highland faux fur bean bag, $179.90, from Redcurrent.

3 Resene Inside Back paint, $4.80 (testpot), from ColorShops. 4 LSA Strand cylinder vase, $79.99, from Stevens.

5 Woodsman Serene 16kw ultra-low emission burner with flue kit, $3549, from PlaceMakers. 6 Faux sheepskin rug, $39.99, from Mitre 10. 7 Living & Co linen-rich cushion, $15, from The Warehouse. 8 New Hampshire loose cover 3-seater sofa, $1949, from Freedom.

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What areas of your build did you save on? Splurge on? I saved by not buying much new furniture – we only needed a few new pieces.

The bricks for the feature wall in the living room were pretty reasonable and my brother Finny did the brick wall free of charge. I spent a bit more on getting great underlay because it makes such a difference underfoot.

Best lesson learned? Always go with your gut feeling.

What would you never do again?

I’m happy with the finished result and don’t have any regrets.

Any renovation or DIY disasters?

Not a disaster, as such, but as a single mum you become quite good at making flat-pack stuff.

I became good at reading the instructions and realising that if you put the screw in wrong it’s not going to end well.

Most memorable experience you’ve had in your home (good or bad)? Watching the grounds develop and mature, giving us more privacy. Being able to pick fruit from the trees we planted.

Every day, coming home from the end of a busy work day is a good one – I love the privacy, space and feel of the house.

Anna’s style tips

+ Start with a comprehensive Pinterest board of exterior and interiors that you love. For me, a theme certainly developed. I think I saved a lot of time going back and forth with concepts. + Don’t feel you have to buy new furniture for the new house. I had a lot of older pieces that I worked around the house – I love the mix of old and new together. Many of my bits and pieces were collected from overseas or are family pieces. + Getting the advice of an interior designer to tie it all together was key – I knew the colours I wanted but they worked out the different shades for ceilings and curtains. This was invaluable for the right look and balance. + Have a project management company build the house. As a full-time working mum I found

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this a real weight off my shoulders and it worked out to be costeffective too. We agreed on a set price contract prior to building, and they helped with showing me examples of products available.

I was also kept updated when choices had to be made – for example, lighting and flooring. + Plant trees early on. We would bike over before the build started and water and maintain the trees I planted, so that they had started to establish themselves by the time we moved in.

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KEY 1 Living 2 Dining 3 Kitchen 4 Pantry 5 Storage 6 Foyer 7 Toilet 8 Laundry 9 Lounge 10 Bedroom 11 Ensuite 12 Back porch 13 Garage 14 Main bedroom 15 Dressing room 16 Bathroom 17 Study/rumpus

Contacts

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Architect Barry Condon, condonscott.nz Builder Josef Beston, Turnkey Homes, Wanaka, turnkeyhomes.co.nz Electrician Inline Electrical, Wanaka, 022 043 2532 Plumber Simply Plumb, simplyplumb.co.nz Painter Green Light Painting, Wanaka, greenlightpainting.co.nz Heating Airmax Wanaka, airmaxlimited.co.nz Kitchen Wanaka Joinery and Metalworks Wanaka for steel framework, wanakajoinery.co.nz; metalworkswanaka.co.nz Flooring Wanaka Wood Floors, wanakawoodfloors.co.nz Carpet & wooden shutters McKenzie and Willis, mckenzieandwillis.co.nz Tiles Lakeland Flooring, Wanaka, 03 443 8610 Windows/doors Design Windows, Cromwell, designwindows.co.nz Landscaping Mike Young Landscapes, Wanaka Interior advice Anna Begg, The Workroom, theworkroom.boutique

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Suppliers The Workroom, Tussocks, Janet Brown Furniture & Homewares, Wilson Dorset, McKenzie & Willis, Freedom Furniture.

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RESORT AT HOME Once the Vantage APL Architectural Series cavity sliding doors in Metropolis Coal Dust powder coat are open, the open-plan living space becomes one with the extensive decking outside.

SITE FOR SORE EYES This clifftop stunner is the ultimate in indoor/outdoor flow Photography Simon Wilson

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he site of Cathi and Jono Staines’ home on the clifftop above Murray’s Bay, with its sweeping sea views across to Rangitoto and beyond, is so prized by the couple that, rather than move, they simply rebuild.

The 361sqm modern home of precast concrete and dark painted Accoya cladding is the third incarnation on the site they’ve called their home for 27 years.

Living here so long meant they were the experts and could tell architect David Giles from ARCreate exactly where the best views were for this latest home in which they’ve lived for 14 months. “We knew exactly what would work,” says Cathi.

Jono loves nothing more than opening the Vantage sliding windows in Metropolis Coal Dust from the main bedroom to fully appreciate those vistas.

They’ve raised their five boys on the property and now look after their 11 grandchildren from here.

“It’s a very family-friendly house. The grandchildren, aged from 16 months up to 11, are here most days,” explains Cathi of the four-bedroom home.

But it is the resort style of living that visitors to the house are quick to notice and Cathi can attest to, fondly recalling regular cocktails by the pool during the first lockdown.

This relaxed resort feel is in large part down to the seamless flow from the open-plan interior living space to the expansive outside deck, fireplace, ample entertaining areas and, ultimately to the pool. When

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the couple open the APL Architectural Series cavity sliding doors standing three metres tall on two sides of the living space, inside really does become outside and vice versa, meaning the children can safely come and go as they please. “Once they’re open, indoors and outdoors really does become blurred.”

Cathi is a fan of modern interiors and the soft neutral tones of the home, furniture and impressive leathered granite kitchen island set off by dark stained oak cabinetry inset with brass hardware is a testament to this. “I love modern but not stark and it has to be child-friendly,” says the grandmother who installed coloured LED lighting in the media room because one of her granddaughters thought it would be fun.

Now that the couple have their version of paradise, the Staines are pretty sure they won’t be building again, so have made it a smart home able to open blinds and curtains, control the music and alarm system remotely. They have also future-proofed the house by installing a lift, although the only ones to have used it so far are the grandchildren.

Meet & greet Cathi (property developer) and Jono Staines (business owner).

ROOM WITH A VIEW Upstairs, the generous main bedroom with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe runs the width of the house.

Jono loves being able to open the Vantage sliding windows rather than more traditional awning windows right up to enjoy those amazing views across the Hauraki Gulf.

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

Natural healing As restorative living spaces go, this works wonders and follows a simple formula: plenty of plants and natural elements, add some wood and keep your overall palette muted with soft white and gentle grey. To discover more about this house, turn the page.

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RENOVATION

CREDIT HERE XXXXXXXX

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Central perks A city-fringe pad big on personality.

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Out of office Our top 30 work from home tips.

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CENTRAL PERKS

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Statement pieces, a touch of whimsy and a tactful approach to colour ensure personality reigns in this two-storey, city-fringe apartment Text Catherine Steel Photography Anna Briggs

LOUNGE The vintage tripod lamp, Forma couch and vintage chair covered in Romo Dalton fabric anchor the living room zone on the ground floor.

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rafting a comfortable, stylish home out of an apartment isn’t always easy. Even if you’re the owner, you can be restricted with what you can change in terms of the structure, and space is often limited.

While you may endeavour to reduce clutter and unnecessary furniture, favouring easy flow, you don’t want the apartment to look and feel sterile.

But there are ways to reach a happy middle ground, as interior designer Matt South and management consultant Alex McKay discovered after buying an apartment in Auckland’s Freemans Bay, on the edge of the CBD. The couple, who met three years ago and flatted with a friend in the same complex, quickly worked out how they would revamp one of the dwellings if one came up for sale. One year later an apartment with views of Victoria Park did on the most sought-after side of the complex – and Matt and Alex swiftly swept it up as their first home.

The right fit

Meet & greet Alex McKay (management consultant), Matt South (interior designer), and Dora the pug.

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What had attracted Alex and Matt to the apartment block was the balance of a central city location and a sweeping vista of the park. The latter offered a sense that they were somewhere much quieter.

“We both liked the situation – being right in the city but not right in the city, we’re on the fringe,” Matt says.

“The view was pretty hard to beat; we’re big on greenery.

The layout was key, too – two bedrooms, two bathrooms and two carparks, which is hard to come by for less than $2 million in the city. The layout upstairs is great, with bedrooms on either side of a bathroom and one ensuite.

That was the draw.”

For Matt, home is a haven in which to reset as well as a place to entertain. The 110sqm two-level apartment spills out onto a private courtyard where the couple love to sit and relax with guests. “We’re big on entertaining, so the

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DINING An original 1950s G-plan dining table found online and the floorboards from Flooring Xtra interplay with dark and pale tones. The large arched mirror is from A&C Homestore and the artwork to the left, by Waikato artist Claudia Aalderlink, is made from recycled beehives.

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“We’re big on entertaining so the courtyard appealed to me. I’ve been waiting my whole life to have a home to entertain in.”

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R KITCHEN SECRETS Mixed surfaces in white and silver tones set a fresh, modern scene in the kitchen, which opens onto a courtyard.

A coffee and cocktail trolley from Trade Me, pictured below, is the perfect touch for when friends come over.

The Nanoleaf light was bought from Mighty Ape.

BEFORE

BEFORE

courtyard appealed to me,” Matt says. “I’ve been waiting my whole life to have a home to entertain in. We’ve got friends with their own homes who have always hosted us, so it’s great to start reciprocating.”

On the street side of the building, where the couple bought, apartments don’t come up very often because many of the original owners stay put because of the view.

“The apartment is a bit of a gem. It doesn’t look so pretty from the outside, or in theory, but once you’re inside you fall in love with the view, location and amenities.”

What they did

Entering through the courtyard, you step into the apartment’s entrance, which is also the kitchen. The interior is a modern, sleek display of soft grey, white and plenty of natural light grounded by pot plants and whimsical feature lighting. The kitchen leads to a dining and lounge area, then upstairs are two bedrooms.

While the original owners occupied the apartment for 15 years, they didn’t do any renovating. “But they were gentle on the house, so we didn’t have to redo the kitchen or bathrooms,” Matt says. “We did, however, replace all of the flooring and carpet. The ground floor was broken up into hardwood in the kitchen and carpet at the other end of the ground floor where the lounge is.”

Already knowing how they’d revamp the apartment made the whole process easy. “Having the floorboards continue seamlessly from the front door to the lounge window overlooking the park, was key to getting that light, open sense. It was important to draw people from the entrance to this aspect.”

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BATHROOM The monochrome main bathroom is the one room that has yet to be renovated.

nerve-wracking. Now I can’t imagine having a bedroom without colour, it’s a cosy part of home that you don’t constantly see, so it’s nice to have it feel a bit different.”

Lighten up

While it is common to find apartments with balconies covered in pot plants to achieve privacy, Matt and Alex avoided this to accentuate the view to people entering through the front door.” They also repainted and changed the lighting throughout.

A perfect palette

Whitening the interior was crucial for providing a fresh interior. Walls, the ceiling, trims and doors were coated in Dulux Mt Aspiring Quarter. “Being an apartment, you need as much light as possible to keep it nice and fresh,” he says.

“This is a crisp white, but it’s got a hint of warmth. I don’t like cold whites, and we’ve got a lot of timber furniture, which wouldn’t have felt right with a cool white, so something with a little warmth is best.”

Being a smaller place, keeping the ceiling, doors, walls and trims the same white opens it up more, he says.

“If you have any colour changes it starts to define the transitions to different areas of the room.”

But it wasn’t all white throughout. Upstairs, a wash of olive green in Dulux Gully was painted onto the bedroom walls, providing a break from the white walls. “It was bold for me because I never pictured committing to a colour,” he says. “It was a little scary to lock one in, which I do for other people every day – when it’s your own space it’s 10 0

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The dark, original lighting was all replaced with white downlights, and the couple has cleverly brought in feature lighting to provide not just extra mood lighting but a bit of cheekiness. On the lounge wall, a Seletti Monkey Lamp climbs the wall holding a light bulb, and, in the kitchen corner, a Nanoleaf light changes colours to suit your mood or the music. An oversized tripod light also anchors the space with its grand presence. “Lighting is important to me,” Matt says. “We replaced the downlights with newer ones, but we never really have them on because we always use the feature lights or lamps.”

Kitchen goals

The kitchen is bright and breezy in grey and white hues, with original bi-fold windows opening out to the courtyard.

Between the kitchen and lounge is an original 1950s G-Plan dining table Matt found online. “This table informed a lot of our decor, including the colour of floorboards. We wanted a complete contrast between the table and floor in terms of dark and light tones. We didn’t want to mix its red-based timber with yellow-toned oak flooring.

Downstairs, the interior all works back to that table.”

Nearby, a stainless-steel unit provides a coffee and cocktail set up, the silver tones tying in beautifully with the kitchen. “It goes through stages of being covered in alcohol or curated, depending on who’s been fluffing around.”

It may be small, but this apartment is a success story in modern living and clever design ideas. “When renovating an apartment, you are somewhat limited with what changes you can make, especially with things like the location of windows and the internal footprint,” Matt says.

So we knew we were fortunate to find ours with great bones and a view that would never be built out.”

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GUEST BEDROOM Green accents pay homage to the main bedroom’s dramatic setting. The floor lamp was bought years ago.

MAIN BEDROOM The olive green walls ooze personality in a sumptuous hue. The bedside lamps are from Freedom and the console is from Furniture

By Design.

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WORKSHOP

OUT OF OFFICE Our top 30 tips to help you create a home office that sparks productivity Text Bea Taylor

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1 Oak look bookshelf, $55, from Kmart.

2 Lemon wedge pen holder, $14.99, from Typo.

3 Bamboo stationery holder, $6.50, from Kmart.

4 Shorty locker in ocean blue, $269, from Shut The Front Door.

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here are three letters that have become increasingly familiar to everyone over the last year – WFH. Whether it’s a little corner of the dining table, a nook under the stairs or an entire room, the work-from-home office has been well and truly test-driven. Here are 30 tips to ensure your set-up is allowing you to work at your most productive.

Location

Creating a home office space that encourages work starts with choosing the right space.

Consider what you need from your office space. If peace and quiet is a top priority, a separate room or a corner in a less frequently used room is where you should set up camp. If you need to keep an eye on small children, you may need your workspace near a communal family area, in which case a cupboard office or an office nook might be for you.

If you’re small on space, look to set up your office in a corner of the living room, or as a last resort, your bedroom.

It’s important to separate your personal life from your work life when working from home – to make it easier to ‘switch off’.

It’s generally recommended that your office is kept out of your bedroom and out of direct sight of the TV.

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If you do end up setting up your office in your bedroom, have the desk facing away from the bed and use furniture to define the different zones. Try a screen divider, bookcase or set of shelves. This will help you to separate the ‘relaxation’ space from the ‘work’ space.

Think of your office space in terms of a kitchen. In other words, create a triangle of productivity. For example, if your printer, computer and bookshelf are all elements you use daily, have these close to your desk so you’re not having to get up and walk every time you need to access them.

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Channelling your inner Marie Kondo to create a home office space that’s free of clutter will also help to give you a clear mind for work. And although you might not be able to ditch everything that doesn’t ‘spark joy’ in an office scenario, efficient and stylish storage solutions will keep those office items that don’t necessarily ‘spark joy’, but are essential business tools, out of the way until you need them.

Tuck some drawers – you can also use bedside tables – underneath your desk as a clever way to maximise both space and storage.

Open shelving is a great option for storage in a small space. These will allow you to store items away from the desk without having to take up valuable space.

Utilise a stylish trolley or bar cart to store office essentials and knick-knacks.

This is particularly useful if your home office is set up in a communal living or dining area and you need to clear the space when guests are around – simply roll your office storage into another room.

Baskets and boxes offer tidy solutions to keeping little bits and bobs from sprawling over the office space. This is especially true of your desk surface. Find an elegant bamboo or wooden box to hold your day-to-day work essentials in to prevent your desk from overcrowding.

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Technology

If there’s one thing that’s going to help your efficiency and productivity in your home office, it’s technology that makes your work easy to get done.

One word – wireless. Whether it’s your mouse, keyboard, or both, going wireless not only provides a desktop free of cords but also allows you greater freedom to move around and work in different areas, should you need to.

A monitor – or two. If you’re working from home, a monitor or larger computer screen will improve productivity. It’s better for your eyes, your posture and gives you more space for work. If you can accommodate it, two screens is even better.

If a monitor is not practical for your home office and you’re strictly a laptop user, invest in a laptop stand (or use a stack of magazines) to elevate your screen to eye level. If you do this, you’ll need to connect your laptop to a wireless mouse and keyboard to be able to work without holding your arms suspended in the air.

You should always design your home office with your tech needs in mind. For example, when you’re positioning your desk in the space, think about how you will run cords to a power socket in the safest way possible and whether you’ll need a power bank or an extension cord.

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Lighting

Much like a good Instagram shot, lighting is a top priority. Proper lighting will reduce eye strain and headaches, help to lift your mood, and put you in a good frame of mind for productive work.

Allow as much natural light to flow into your home office as possible.

Embracing natural light will improve energy levels. Keep notice of where the sun will be during the day – you don’t want to have golden rays shining directly into your eyes at any point.

If you’re going to position your desk facing a window, look at getting sheer curtains or blinds installed too. These will diffuse the amount of sunlight that comes in (so you don’t have to squint at your screen), while maintaining the look and feel of natural light filtering into the room.

Well distributed, diffused light will reduce eye strain and glare on your computer monitor. The best way to get this

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1 is with overhead lighting or with an up-shining floor lamp that will bounce light off the ceilings and walls.

Table lamps and lampshades are great for task lighting in an office.

Set up your lamp to eliminate shadows across your work surface. For example, if you are right-handed, placing a lamp on the right-hand side of your desk will cause your arm to cast shadows over your work when writing, therefore, place the lamp on the opposite side or further away to diffuse the light.

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1 Oh Shift wireless keyboard in mustard, $39.99, from Typo. 2 Pebble wireless mouse in rose pink, $44.90, from Logitech. 3 K580 slim multi-device keyboard, $119.90, from Logitech. 4 Putney table lamp in blush, $199, from Freedom.

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Ergonomics

A comfortable working environment equals higher productivity. It’s as easy as that.

Before setting up your ergonomic workspace, you will need to start with a blank slate, which means a major de-clutter. When you’re adding things back in, think about what you need immediately on hand and place these items in reaching distance. Then, create zones for your other items and store them as such.

Your desk should be deep enough for your computer screen to sit an arms-length away and high enough for your legs to fit comfortably underneath.

Your chair should have proper back support and be high or low enough for your feet to be flat on the floor (or on a foot stand).

Check your posture. Your chin should be parallel to the floor, shoulders should be even and knees bent at 90 degrees when sitting. Your elbows and underarms should lie straight on the desktop or the armrests of your chair with a 90-110-degree angle at the elbow. Your eyes should be equal to the top of your computer screen.

Before heading out to buy office furniture, first measure your home office space to get a rough idea of what size furniture you are looking for. Then, take your measuring tape with you when you shop. That way, you can triple check that the chair you’re buying will fit under the desk you want, and more importantly, they are the correct heights for you to be comfortable while working.

1 Pike dining chair in seafoam, $199, from Freedom. 2 Workspace writing desk, $149, from Warehouse Stationery.

3 Oren office chair, $229, from Freedom. 4 Workspace Moda bookcase desk, $199, from Warehouse Stationery.

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Decor

Once you’ve got all the functional elements taken care of, make sure your office is a place you want to be in by styling it with your favourite things.

Art on the walls. Not only does art bring in colour, personality and style, but it will give your eyes somewhere to rest when you’re staring off into the distance waiting for inspiration to come.

Plants. People tend to feel happier and spend longer in spaces where biophilic design is prominent (when nature is incorporated to building design), and the easiest way to do this at home is through indoor plants. It’s also been found that having greenery in the office helps to replenish our attention capacity and encourage creativity.

Stationery. This is your party, so you do what you want to. If that means going bold and graphic, or natural and organic, that’s up to you. Fun stationery that stamps your style in your workspace is a great way to make you feel happy about doing the mahi.

Objects of interest. Add your personality to the space by incorporating little decor items, candles, vases of flowers, a special mug, or family photos.

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Always working in the background, colour plays a part in how we feel and work in our homes.

Green, blue and yellow are all believed to inspire focus, optimism, efficiency and creativity – essential elements conducive to a productive environment.

If you need to define an office area within a larger open-plan space, paint the walls a different colour around your desk. It could be as simple as a partial feature wall, or if you feel like getting creative, try your hand at a mural (see page 118).

Adding colour to your office isn’t limited to just paint. You can also add these colours through art, cushions, plant pots and stationery.

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1 Pocket sticky note set, $11.99, from Typo. 2 2021/22 mid-year planner, $29.99, from Typo. 3 Everyday gel pens, $12.99 (three-pack), from Kikki-K. 4 Mini pastel highlighters, $12.99 (five-pack), from Kikki-K.

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Routine

There’s nothing like a daily routine to help get you ready for work and this shouldn’t change when you’re WFH. Set clear boundaries for what you do while ‘at work’ when you’re at your home office. This might mean you’ve got a set of ‘work clothes’ that you get changed into when you’re WFH (it can be a power suit if that’s what helps you to be more productive, but comfy loungewear is also more than appropriate).

Shut off at the end of the day. It can be harder to switch off when you’re already at home. When you’re done for the day, turn your computer off, switch your office lights off, change out of your ‘work attire’ and do something that helps you to relax.

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PHOTOGRAPHY WENDY FENWICK, HELEN BANKERS, ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

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MAKEOVER

All things beige and beautiful Taupes, beiges, terracottas and dusky pinks are an easy way to create warmth in a room. In this children’s room they work harmoniously together to set off the rattan accents. For more about this house, turn the page.

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Neutral territory A dated ’50s gem in Tauranga reaches its true potential.

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DIY project A paint job that will make your walls really pop.

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Neutral

territory A ’50s home, complete with garish Axminster carpet and lino, receives a family-pleasing modern update with help from a beautiful beige and blush palette Text Bea Taylor Photography Alice Veysey 11 0

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M LIVING The rug is from Flooring Xtra, the couch from Freedom and the chair from The Cane Collective. Amie favours soft neutrals when it comes to decorating, their home is awash with shades of beige and blush, and interesting decor objects fill every available space.

Meet & greet Amie (social media manager and content creator) and Anthony Brodie (signwriter and airbrush artist), Finn, 11, Amira, six, Ari, two, and Rocco the Birman.

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DINING Replacing the patterned lino with timber flooring has made the biggest difference in the kitchen and dining space, and painting the kitchen cabinets and island white also helped bring some light into the space (see opposite). The pendant light is from Corcovado and the table from Freedom.

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hen Amie Brodie first moved into her new family home in Otūmoetai, Tauranga, she didn’t feel confident they could make it work – despite husband Anthony assuring her of its potential. And, as it turned out, he was right. Hard work and a lot of patience have seen the couple transform the dated ’50s gem into a bright and welcoming family home. “I love that we’ve added our touch and made it ours,” says Amie. “It didn’t feel like ours when we moved in, but it does now. It’s home.”

How long have you lived here? We have lived here 18 months. We bought the house in October 2019.

BEFORE

What did you like about the house when you moved in?

We loved the weatherboards, the character and the location.

It’s close to all the schools for the kids, it’s central to town and Mount Maunganui is a quick drive over the bridge.

BEFORE

What didn’t you like about the house? This is our first home together (Anthony had owned a place in Australia before we met that he’d renovated), so I didn’t have any idea about renovating. When I looked at the house, all I could see was a run-down house with wallpaper hanging off the walls, old Axminster carpet, horrible light fittings, mix-matched curtains and ’70s retro lino. There was only one very tiny single door pantry, the laundry was in a terrible state and don’t get me started on the tiny bathroom. Anthony kept telling me these are just superficial and that it has good bones. To be honest, I woke up the first morning in our new home in tears. I remember feeling so overwhelmed.

What changes have you made and why?

Flooring: The first thing we did was rip up all the old Axminster carpet that covered the hallway and lounge.

We felt like we had struck gold when we found hardwood timber floors underneath.

Walls: I chipped away at the wallpaper – in some rooms there was up to five layers. It was tedious, but I found best results using a steamer. Then, room by room, Anthony plastered YO U R HO ME A ND GARDEN

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and skim coated the walls. I helped sand, and then we re-painted. If you’ve ever sanded plaster you will know that powder gets everywhere.

Living room: With the help of Anthony’s father (an engineer) we were able to take out part of the wall between the kitchen and lounge to allow for more open plan living. It made such a difference. The accordion door was not my jam, so my father took it out and covered up the old gas fireplace for us too.

Kitchen: The kitchen has been painted and we painted over the cabinetry in white. Dad also made us floating shelves in oak for all my ceramics to keep out of children’s reach. We sanded and painted all the doors white and replaced all the old handles with matte black handles.

Bathroom: Anthony painted the bathroom walls and tiles in white and my father made some beautiful oak floating shelves.

Electrical: We replaced all the lights; I purchased several pendant lights and we put downlights in the kitchen. We replaced all the light switches and plug points with new ones.

Bedroom: In the main bedroom we ripped out the wardrobe and an old set of built-in drawers so we could fit our king size bed in and side tables. We have a make-shift clothes rail in the meantime, but plan on building a new wardrobe in the future.

Exterior: Outside Anthony built a fence and I stained it. We’ve planted new plants and cleaned up the existing garden.

Any big setbacks or challenges? Our first challenge was discovering that the floor had partially rotted in the laundry.

We had to replace the flooring and get a new sink. Another flooring challenge was around the area where we took the fireplace out – there weren’t enough original floorboards to cover the empty space so my father took some floorboards out of the kids’ wardrobe – great save, Dad! Then, when we ripped the lino up in the kitchen and dining room we found patches of particle board. We ended up sacrificing some of the flooring in the kitchen to pop in the dining room so that the beautiful tawa floorboards could flow right through the lounge through to the dining. We’ve covered the kitchen floors with a large rug for now until we decide if we tile, vinyl or use tawa boards from the bedroom.

Our biggest challenge was renovating with three kids, especially a toddler. He got into his fair share of paint.

I had a two-hour window each day while he napped to chip away at each room.

Was it DIY or did you use tradies? It’s all been DIY. We have been very fortunate Anthony is a handy man, his father is an engineer, and my father is a cabinetmaker by trade but has also been in the building industry. We also have a friend who is an electrician, so he came and did all the lighting and switches for us. I’m so proud of what we have achieved.

What was your budget for the reno? We didn’t have a budget, to be honest. All our money went into buying the house. It meant that week by week, as money came in, we would renovate. We would plan ahead and write lists of what needed to be done and prioritise. I’m not the most patient person and I’d sit there in the chaos wanting to fix it all at once, but we couldn’t. I had to learn to wait.

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M KITCHEN The one downfall of older homes, says Amie, is the lack of storage. As a solution, she asked her dad to make some floating oak shelves for the kitchen. Not only do they add a stylish visual element, they keep all of Amie’s precious ceramics and homewares out of reach of little hands.

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BEDROOM The main bedroom wasn’t originally big enough to fit Amie and Anthony’s king-sized bed. To make it work, they ripped out the wardrobe and built-in drawers. The linen duvet is from Adairs, the throw is from Citta, the pillowcases are from A&C Homestore and Foxtrot linen, and the bedside lamp is made by Kiwi ceramacist Deborah Sweeney.

Style tip Use art as a starting point in the bedroom. Draw out primary and secondary colours to help influence your bedding colour choices.

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M BEFORE

“I love that we added our touch and made it ours. It didn’t feel like ours when we moved in, but it does now. It’s home.”

AMI E BRODI E

What have you splurged on? I splurged on a few things here and there, mainly the decor but we won’t tell Anthony. We purchased a new couch and dining table from Freedom. I splurged on new linen for all the beds, mainly Foxtrot Home, as well as a few pieces from Citta, A&C Homestore and Adairs. My bedside lamp was a splurge piece, by Kiwi ceramic artist Deborah Sweeney.

And where have you saved? We saved on all the shelving – my dad made these. Our blinds and sheers were a great price from Spotlight – Anthony cut all the blinds down himself to fit the windows. I think when we come to do the kitchen the tapware will be my splurge and the bathroom will be the tiling and tapware.

What is/was your interior inspiration for the place?

I love coastal, Bali and beach vibes. Wood, rattan warm tones and lots of texture. I get inspiration from magazines, books and Instagram. Some of my favorite home inspo books include Our Spaces, Three Bird Renovations, The Kinfolk Home and Leaf Supply.

What was the biggest change you’ve made in the house and how has it affected the way you live in it?

The biggest change was ripping out the wall between the lounge and dining/kitchen. It’s opened the area up and

made it more functional. It used to be such a small and stuffy space. They definitely didn’t know much about open plan living back in the 1950s.

What do you look for in a good piece for the home?

I look for something that is timeless, pieces that I will love in years to come. Yes, sure I get some pieces that are on trend now and out next week but for the main pieces in our home I like to get pieces that I know I would still love in five even 10 years down the track. Neutral tones, wood, plants, 100 percent linen, open shelving are all timeless.

On trend colours are always changing, you can add colour in soft furnishings and in your artwork etc.

What is your favourite spot in the house? And why?

I absolutely love the younger kids’ room. I love the colour block wall, the warmth the room brings and the fun I had styling it. It’s a room I only dreamed about as a child.

What has been your biggest learning about your home while you have been transforming it? That everything takes time and money. It’s not a quick fix. Also, a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Renovating isn’t for the faint-hearted. There will be frustration, arguments and the chaos is real. But there is beauty at the end of the chaos where you can sit back and say we did this.

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Paint the town Walls looking a bit bare? Take a leaf out of Nikki Kettle’s colourful book and paint a show-stopping mural Project Nikki Kettle Photography Anna Briggse

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M OUT WITH THE OLD The wall in Nikki’s living room has been an ever-evolving project, originally with just the one palm tree painted in the corner. She was inspired by the retro patterns she found on Pinterest to give it a completely new look.

BEFORE

Meet & greet Nikki Kettle @honey_i_pulled_a_wall_down Our resident DIY expert, Nikki Kettle, will be sharing her latest projects and DIY tips with us from her Greytown home. But first, get to know this wonder mum.

Where does your background in building/DIY come from?

When I left school, I didn’t want to go to university. I didn’t want to go somewhere similar to school and I didn’t want to be in debt, so I did a building apprenticeship. My mum was a race-car driver, so going into a male-heavy industry never worried my parents. The DIY side of things (not just building) came when I was 21 and bought my first home. Basically, it needed everything fixed, but because I was broke, I started doing what I could.

What’s the favourite project you’ve done so far? Rearranging the kitchen and adding a walk-in pantry to our home. I feel like we have made such an impact without having to spend a lot of money.

You can see it online at yourhomeandgarden.co.nz.

What tools would you recommend to people who are starting their DIY journey? You will need basic hand tools like a pencil, measuring tape and hammer. Also a good drill and something to cut with, like a small skill saw.

Resene colour palette BERRY REDS, SOFT PINKS AND TA N G Y O R A N G E S PA C K A P U N C H A G A I N S T A S TAT E M E N T B L AC K WA L L .

RESENE Double Foundry

RESENE Midwinter Mist

RESENE Soothe

RESENE Manhattan

RESENE Blackberry

RESENE Smoke Tree

You will need Washi tape or low tack tape Testpots – Resene Double Foundry, Resene Midwinter Mist, Resene Soothe, Resene Alluring, Resene Blackberry, Resene Smoke Tree, Resene Manhattan Level or laser Measuring tape Pencil Wet cloth Paint brush, mini roller and painting tray YOU R HO ME A ND GARDEN

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Step-by-step guide

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Start your mural by measuring and marking the straight lines on the wall. Measure down from the ceiling to get them as straight as you can, or use a level or laser.

Mark the lines with a pencil.

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When you’re satisfied with your first line, run washi or low-tack tape along it. To achieve a really clean, straight line, make sure your surface is nice and dry, press down hard and check that there are no gaps or bubbles.

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From your first line of tape, use a ruler to measure and mark the bottom line of your mural.

When you’re sure it’s straight, mark this line with tape.

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Repeat this process for the other stripes.

To the right-hand side of the mural, you’ll have two curves.

To achieve a perfect curve, attach a piece of string to the wall with a pin roughly where the middle of your curve will be, then wrap the string around a pencil (keeping tension on the end). Start sweeping your string and pencil around the pin to form a curve. You may have to play around with the pin position and the length of your string. Once you’ve got your first curve marked out, simply adjust the position of the pencil within the string and repeat the process to form an outer or inner curve.

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Before painting the mural, first paint along the tape edge with the background colour (I used Resene Double Foundry). This helps to seal the tape and will give a cleaner line.

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Use a mini roller to paint the first stripe of colour of the mural.

When it comes to painting the curve, switch to a paint brush and do it freehand. A good curve requires a reasonably thick brush, I used a 50mm. Have the brush well dampened with paint, but not dripping, then apply it to the wall with reasonable momentum.

The slower you go, the harder it will be to keep a perfect arch.

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Allow to dry, then repeat this process for every second stripe.

Peel the tape off when the paint isn’t completely dry so it doesn’t flake everywhere.

Allow the paint to dry completely.

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When the paint is dry, tape over the painted stripes to allow you to paint the alternate lines.

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Repeat this process with all the stripes in the mural until it is complete.

TOP TIPS • Start the mural with the lighter

Resene colours. It is harder to paint over the dark colours if you accidentally paint over the lines.

• Instead of a brush you could

try a mini roller to make light work of the painting. Resene’s Testpot Roller Kit, $5, is the ideal size for its testpots. Resene recommends lightly dampening the roller sleeve before use.

• Two coats of Resene paint will give

a rich coverage.

• For an extra effect you can use

Resene FX Magnetic Magic under the mural to hang family photos and move them around without damaging the wall.

• Clean paint brushes, rollers and trays

in the garden or lawn, not the sink.

When you are taking a break wrap your brush in cling wrap – it will save you washing up and keep the paint fresh so you can get straight back into painting.

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FOOD

Oh, crumbs!

SERVES 4

50g caster sugar 1 tsp ground ginger 2 pinches ground cloves Vanilla ice cream, to serve

INGREDIENTS

1 Preheat oven to 220°C. Grease a

Butter, for greasing 5 ripe plums, halved, stones removed 3 pears, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped Juice of ½ lemon 2 Tbsp caster sugar

1.5-litre baking dish with butter, add fruit and lemon juice and sprinkle with the first measure of sugar.

2 For the crumble, combine flour, sugar, ginger, cloves in a bowl and rub butter in with your fingers until clumps form. Scatter over the fruit and bake until golden and bubbling (20-25 minutes). Serve with ice cream.

PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

This plum, pear and ginger crumble shows off the fruit of the season.

CRUMBLE

11/3 cup flour 150g butter, diced

124 Maximum chocolate Sweet-as treats and puddings.

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Sound bites What’s new, exciting or inspiring in the food and beverage world.

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Maximum

CHOCOLATE Sweet treats and warming puds – indulge in a little bit of what you fancy

Chocolate, sour-cherry and oat slice

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Milk chocolate doughnuts

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Rhubarb and chocolate tart SERVES 8-10 INGREDIENTS

120g blanched almonds 90g raw caster sugar 70g dark chocolate (58%-66% cocoa solids) 4 rhubarb stalks, trimmed and thinly sliced diagonally Creme fraiche, or ice cream (optional), to serve SHORTCRUST PASTRY

330g plain flour, sieved 40g icing sugar, sieved Scraped seeds of 1 vanilla bean

Smart tart tip This very easy tart can be whipped up fast if you have shortcrust pastry on hand. The recipe here can be made ahead and frozen; otherwise use a good shop-bought pastry.

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150g chilled butter, diced 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 For shortcrust pastry, pulse flour,

icing sugar, vanilla seeds and a pinch of salt in a food processor to combine. Add butter and process to just combine, then add egg and pulse briefly. Turn out onto a work surface and bring dough together. Pat into a rectangle, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to rest.

2 Roll out pastry between two sheets of baking paper to a 27cm x 42cm rectangle, place on an oven tray,

still between paper, and refrigerate for 30-40 minutes to rest.

3 Preheat oven to 190°C. Take pastry out of the refrigerator and remove the top sheet of baking paper. Process almonds, sugar and chocolate in a food processor to coarse crumbs, then scatter mixture over pastry, leaving a 1cm-2cm border. Scatter the rhubarb over the chocolate mixture, then fold in the sides of pastry to form an edge and bake until pastry is golden brown (25-35 minutes). Stand to cool (about 20 minutes), then serve with creme fraiche or ice cream.

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Bread and butter pudding with ricotta and chocolate SERVES 8 INGREDIENTS

400ml milk 350ml pouring cream 1 vanilla bean, spilt and seeds scraped 7 egg yolks 150g caster sugar 1½ small (650g each) sourdough fruit loaves, unsliced 150g firm ricotta 140g dark chocolate (65%-70% cocoa solids) Finely grated rind of 1 orange Dutch-process cocoa, for dusting 1 Bring the milk, cream, vanilla bean and

seeds to a simmer in a saucepan. Meanwhile, whisk yolks and sugar in a bowl until pale.

Add the hot milk mixture, stirring to combine well, then cool (15-20 minutes).

2 Cut ends off loaves and thickly slice bread.

Cut each slice in half diagonally, then brush with custard to moisten. Arrange bread in a 2-litre baking dish, crust sides up. Pour remaining custard over the top and stand, occasionally pressing down lightly so bread absorbs custard (30-40 minutes).

3 Preheat oven to 160°C. Dot ricotta and chocolate over the bread, scatter with orange rind and bake until golden on top and custard is thick and set (30-35 minutes; cover with foil if top starts to brown too much). Serve warm.

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Warm chocolate and peanut butter skillet brownie SERVES 4-6 INGREDIENTS

200g butter, coarsely chopped 200g dark chocolate (56%-60% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped 200g brown sugar 3 eggs 110g plain flour 40g Dutch-process cocoa ¼ tsp baking powder 100g milk chocolate, coarsely chopped 100g unsalted roasted peanuts 80g salted peanut butter Ice cream or whipped cream, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C and butter a

23cm-25cm ovenproof skillet. Melt butter and dark chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth (2-3 minutes).

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2 Remove from heat, add sugar, then add

eggs one at a time, mixing well between additions. Sieve in flour, cocoa and baking powder, add a pinch of salt and stir to just combine (don’t overwork the dough or the brownie will become cakey). Stir in the milk chocolate and peanuts, reserving a little of both to garnish.

3 Spoon into a skillet and smooth top.

Dollop with peanut butter and swirl with the tip of a knife, scatter with reserved peanuts and milk chocolate. Bake until set around the edges but still fudgy in the centre (15-20 minutes; a skewer inserted should withdraw with some wet mixture on it). Cool briefly so it’s not too hot (5 minutes), then serve warm with ice cream or cream.

F Ginger-chocolate tart with roast pears SERVES 8 INGREDIENTS

400g dark chocolate (56%-60% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped 160g butter, coarsely chopped, plus extra for greasing 6 eggs 300g caster sugar 50ml brandy 40g Dutch-process cocoa, plus extra for dusting 120g hazelnut meal 50g plain flour 2 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp baking powder

ROAST PEARS

300g caster sugar 8 small ripe pears, peeled, halved and cored Thinly peeled rind and juice of 1 orange and ½ lemon 20g ginger, cut into julienne 40ml dessert wine Creme fraiche, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. For roast pears,

scatter sugar in a roasting pan large enough to hold pears snugly in a single layer. Press pears cut-side down into sugar, stand for 5 minutes, then turn cut-sides up and scatter with rinds and ginger. Combine juices and wine, drizzle over pears and roast until

caramelised (15-20 minutes). Keep warm.

2 Meanwhile, butter a 26cm-diameter tart tin and dust with extra cocoa, shaking out excess. Stir chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until smooth.

3 Whisk eggs, sugar and brandy in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until thick and pale, and mixture holds a thick ribbon (10-15 minutes). Remove from heat, fold in melted chocolate mixture, then sieve in dry ingredients, mix gently to combine.

4 Spoon mixture into tart tin, smooth top and bake until set around the edges (10-15 minutes, but still soft in the centre. Stand for 10 minutes), then serve topped with creme fraiche, roast pears and syrup.

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portions with a sharp knife (heat the blade in hot water, then wipe it dry before cutting for a clean slice). Chocolate, sour cherry and oat slice will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Milk-chocolate doughnuts Chocolate, sour-cherry and oat slice MAKES ABOUT 24 PIECES This is like a luxe version of the school lunchbox slice. The oaty base is still there, but in this reboot it’s studded with cacao nibs and tart sour cherries.

INGREDIENTS

225g (1½ cups) plain flour 225g rolled oats 50g brown sugar 80g dried sour cherries 60g cacao nibs 1½ tsp baking powder 200g melted butter, cooled slightly 230ml pouring cream 450g dark chocolate (56%-60% cocoa solids), finely chopped Sea salt flakes, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Butter a 20cm x

30cm slice tin and line it with baking paper. Combine flour, oats, sugar, sour cherries, cacao nibs, baking powder and ¾ tsp sea salt flakes in a bowl, stir in butter, then press mixture evenly into the tin.

Bake until golden brown (15-20 minutes).

Cool to room temperature.

2 Bring cream to the boil in a saucepan, then remove from heat, add 300g chocolate and stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth, then pour evenly over oat crust and refrigerate until set (1-2 hours).

3 Melt remaining chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until smooth, then spread chocolate over slice, sprinkle with sea salt and refrigerate until firm (1-2 hours). To serve, cut into

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MAKES ABOUT 14 Fluffy home-made doughnuts are among our favourite things. In this case, we’ve added a little cocoa to the dough and doubled up on the chocolate with a glossy chocolate glaze. We’ve decorated ours with a mixture of crunchy toppings for extra texture – chocolate malt powder, chocolate shards and chocolate biscuit balls. Customise yours with whatever takes your fancy. Don’t be shy.

INGREDIENTS

14g (2 sachets) dried yeast 600g (4 cups) plain flour, plus extra for dusting 110g (½ cup) caster sugar 80g butter, at room temperature, coarsely chopped, plus extra for greasing 40g Dutch-process cocoa, sieved 2 eggs, at room temperature 360ml lukewarm milk Vegetable oil, for deep-frying Chocolate malt powder, chocolate shards and chocolate biscuit balls, to serve MILK CHOCOLATE GLAZE

75g caster sugar 60ml water 250g couverture milk chocolate, finely chopped 50ml pouring cream 1 Stir yeast and 70ml lukewarm water in

a bowl to combine and stand until mixture begins to foam (5-7 minutes).

2 Combine flour, sugar, butter, cocoa, eggs, 1 tsp fine sea salt and yeast mixture in an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook.

Add milk and knead on low speed until a sticky dough forms (4-5 minutes; the dough will be quite wet). Turn out onto

a lightly floured surface, dust top with a little extra flour, form into a ball, transfer to a buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and stand in a warm place until doubled in size (1-1½ hours).

3 Turn dough out onto a floured surface and roll to 1.5cm thick. Cut out rounds with a floured 8cm-diameter cutter, then cut out holes with a 2.5cm-diameter cutter.

Place 2cm apart on trays lined with baking paper, cover and stand until doubled in size (45 minutes to 1 hour). Reroll scraps and repeat.

4 For milk-chocolate glaze, stir sugar and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to the boil and cook without stirring, brushing away sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush, until dark caramel (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat, add 60ml water (be careful, hot caramel will spit), return to heat and stir until smooth. Remove from heat, add chocolate and a pinch of salt, stand for 5 minutes, pour in cream and stir until smooth. Cool briefly.

5 Heat oil in a large saucepan or deep-fryer to 180°C. Deep-fry doughnuts in batches, turning once, until darkened, puffed and cooked through (3-4 minutes; be careful, hot oil will spit). Drain on paper towels and cool for (4-5 minutes). Dip tops of doughnuts in warm chocolate glaze, place on a wire rack and scatter with toppings.

Doughnuts are best eaten on the day they’re made.

RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING EMMA KNOWLES AND LISA FETHERBY PHOTOGRAPHY MIKKEL VANG, ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

“This is like a luxe version of the school lunchbox slice. The oaty base is still there, but in this reboot it’s studded with cacoa nibs and tart sour cherries.”

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Souper heroes Eat soup and do some good. Three new soups from Naked Locals have been developed with 20 cents from each soup ($5.99 each) purchased donated to respective charities. Proceeds from the Lentil, Potato and Caramelised Onion Soup will go to Satisfy Food Rescue; the Farmer’s Market Vege and Quinoa Soup to Everybody Eats; and the Kumara and Coconut Soup will go to Gizzy Kai Rescue – all three organisations help to combat food waste and poverty.

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

Sound bites

All the ingredients for kitchen and entertaining success

ORANGE CRUSH

Satsuma season is upon us.

Jam-packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, these little beauties also contain vitamins A and B, as well as calcium and iron. Eat them as they are or try them in a smoothie for a vitamin-packed breakfast.

Satsuma mandarin, honey & tahini smoothie with ginger SERVES 2 600g mandarins (around seven), peeled ¼ cup oats ¼ cup tahini 1-2 Tbsp honey 8g fresh ginger, peeled In a high-speed blender, blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Serve immediately or refrigerate.

CHIP, CHIP OLÉ Pushing the flavour boat out is Proper Crisps with its new flavour – the Pineapple Salsa Tortilla Chips ($4.19). Made with pineapple, mango and jalapeno peppers, you’ve got the taste of salsa batch-cooked into your chips.

Word has it they’re fantastic with a citrus ceviche.

IN WITH A GIN

It may sound like an odd pairing but Scapegrace Gin and the Wellington Chocolate Factory have joined forces for a limited edition gin-flavoured chocolate bar. The signature notes of the gin’s juniper, nutmeg, coriander and dried citrus peel are match made in heaven when paired with the chocolate’s Dominican and Peruvian cocoa ingredients. $12.50 for 75g.

Nice ice baby H E R E ’S A NE W F LAVO U R AL E RT FRO M N E LS ON C OW-TO - C O NE I C E- C RE AM MAK E R S AP PL E BY FAR MS, WH O US E MIL K A ND C R E AM F RO M TH E I R OW N C OWS TO MA KE AMA Z I NG I C E C RE A M – T RU ST US I F YO U H AV E N’ T TR I E D IT Y E T. TH EY ’ VE D E V E LO PE D ST RAC C I ATE LL A , AN ITA L IAN VAN IL LA G E LATO WI TH C H O C O L ATE C H IP S I N A L IM ITE D E D IT IO N O N E- O FF FO R FAR RO FRE S H . $ 1 2 .99 FO R 85 0ML .

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Garden royalty Bowl-shaped or starshaped, few blooms rival the spectacle of regal magnolia blossoms adorning bare branches on a winter’s day. Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in autumn or spring in moisturerich, free-draining soil. Be sure to check the growing specs, some varieties can grow to a majestic 10 metres.

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GARDENS 134 PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY

Constant gardener Mary LovellSmith’s tips for winter.

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Free of weeds Niva and Yotam Kay’s secrets to a weed-free garden.

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The constant gardener From fruit trees to roses, what to plant, harvest and sow this month

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

June

Garden diary

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• Plant garlic on the shortest day – or thereabouts. It’s easy to grow, just ensure you buy the bulbs from a garden centre or organic shop as imported garlic is often treated to stop it sprouting.

Choose a sunny spot with friable, free-draining soil. Insert the clove pointy end up about 8cm deep about 15cm to 20cm apart.

• Add cheer to the gloomy colder months with winter-flowering shrubs, such as daphne (which has the bonus of that heady fragrance); the perfectly named wintersweet and witch hazel. Or, for bolder blooms try sasanqua camellias, leucadendrons, grevilleas and

proteas to light up the garden.

• For local colour try the glorious foliage of the native coprosma – ‘Evening Glow’, ‘Fireburst’, ‘Golden Glow’, ‘Pink Splendour’ and ‘Tequila Sunrise’. The colder they are, the more intense the colour.

Or try horopito ‘Red Leopard’, whose leaves are used medicinally for a range of ailments.

• Plant any bare-rooted roses or fruit trees as soon as possible after purchase. Bare-rooted plants come usually in a plastic bag with sawdust or strips of newspaper around the roots rather than soil and will dry out and can die without prompt action.

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Pro tips From the experts at Kings Plant Barn

Landscape 101 A rather bright mid-green was the fence colour of choice in the 1960s. By the turn of the century that green had darkened substantially, before morphing into a deep charcoal to black in the twenty-teens. Here it stayed – some would argue, for too long.

Signs are now that its popularity is waning, in the more vanguard gardens at least. While black is smart, it can veer toward predictable or grimness. It shows foliage off beautifully but so do other colours.

Trending are lighter shades of it, that is, soft greys. Always calming, it also replicates the natural colour of ageing wood, silvering gently.

A teal-grey will calm and fade into the distance; while a more tea-coloured one hints at faraway hills. White, like black, is smart; unlike black however, it is lively and timeless. Instead of a hard white, try an off-white, or one that matches the paintwork of your house. Dark

brown colours work well, but only as a stain, seldom as paint.

Some prefer what landscape designers call “invisible green,” which is any shade of dull green that disappears under foliage. It is likely the colour those ’60s gardeners were going for and also highlights one of the secrets of getting a fence looking good – never skimping on the foliage in front of, above or over it.

The other major decision in treating a wooden fence is whether to stain or paint it. Paint offers more colour choices and not as much of it is required in comparison to a stain, which soaks in. On the other hand, a stain is more forgiving regarding application, especially if the wood is rough-hewn.

If the fence is already stained, paint can be applied, though in some cases a light sanding may be needed. Staining over a painted fence, however, is not recommended.

Any tips for keeping birds fed over winter?

Attract birds, both native and introduced, with different feeding stations. Kākā, bellbirds, tūī and silvereyes will feed from nectar feeder bottles. Attract kererū as well with cut fruit on the fence or by hanging the pieces from tree branches away from cats. Avoid feeding birds with bread, milk, oats or honey water. Wild bird seed and bird energy bars are best distributed in specific feeders.

PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY

To eat • There is no better time than in the depths of winter to dream of tree-ripened, sun-kissed summer fruit. Pleasure your taste buds by planting deciduous fruit trees now.

• Ash from untreated wood is a good fertiliser, if used sparingly. Sprinkle on compost or over soil, avoiding seedlings, which it may burn, as well as on acid lovers such as azaleas, blueberries, daphne, heather, rhododendrons and strawberries.

• Plant silverbeet. This quick-growing vegetable should only take four weeks from seedling to kitchen, and is pretty much trouble-free to grow.

• As long as the soil is not too wet, cabbage, kale, lettuce, mustard greens and peas may also be planted, and radish sown.

Is there a quick way to protect my frost-prone plants this winter?

Move outside plants in pots to a sheltered space such as a greenhouse or on a covered deck. If you have frost-tender plants in the ground, cover them by mid-May with frost cloth to prevent them from getting cold damage.

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How to... prune roses

Steal this look The dazzling winter vignette is the result of thoughtful plant deployment. Setting the show alight are the fiery-stemmed Cornus alba ‘SIbirica’, the Siberian dogwood. Grown for its stunning stems, it benefits from regular coppicing, that is cutting back to roughly 15cm above ground level every two or so years, to engender multiple fine stems. Other cheerystemmed dogwoods include Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’, whose stems are yellow at the base, turning orange, then crimson at the tips; and golden Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’.

CONSIDER THIS

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The trees immediately behind, offering a complementary backdrop, are the evergreen conifers, Thuja occidentalis. Their barrelled bulk is offset in turn by the final flutterings of the flowering cherries’ leaves behind and above. The purple-leaved smoke bush, Cotinus coggygria, at the back of the thujas picks up the pink stems and add depth to this glorious scene. Note, too, how the eye is called sideways to rest upon the shaggy white trunk and branches of the paper birch, Betula papyrifera.

How many tools did I lose in the garden before I cottoned on to this?

Too many. Gardening is seldom a one-task occupation. You might be weeding, spot a plant that needs a quick tidy with the secateurs, or one that needs tying up. You put down your weeder, next minute, you’ve lost it. Not, though, if you’re wearing a tool pouch to which your tools can readily come and go. I don’t like mine too big, just space for a niwashi, secateurs, maybe a little pruning saw, transistor radio or phone. Cyclone garden belt, $19.98, from Bunnings Warehouse.

Before you start, cast anxieties aside and remember: roses are tough, and it is near impossible to kill them by poor pruning alone. I have cut back bushes with a chainsaw with no detriment to the plant.

With secateurs, pruning saw and loppers at the ready, remove all dead, damaged, and sickly branches, and all those crossing over through the middle of the bush.

The rest of the pruning is really about how big you want the plant, what shape and so on.

Whatever your aim, always prune back to just above an outward facing – bud – this is where the new branches will sprout, and will help create an open, airy bush, which is best for plant health.

Prune on a fine day from July to mid-August; slightly earlier in the warmer northern districts and a bit later in colder regions. Ramblers should only be pruned in summer after flowering.

GROW with

CONFIDENCE We’ll help you grow the garden of your dreams with expert advice from our team of gardening specialists, ongoing support with our online Plant Doctor, and an extensive range of quality plants, all backed by our Sure to Grow Guarantee.

EXPERT ADVICE

PLANT DOCTOR

SURE TO GROW

Our knowledgeable team is passionate about gardening. They can i « Þ Õ w ` ë À>Ì ] V Ãi Ì i À } Ì « > ÌÃ] > ` vviÀ } } >`Û Vi Ã Þ Õ V> }À Ü Ü Ì Ì V w`i w` Vi°

v Þ ÕÀ « > Ìà >Ài ½Ì vii } £ää¯] bring in a photo or sample and the ill prescribe a solution.

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PR ROUD DLLY KIW WI OW OWNED SINCE 1992 8 STORE ES AU AUCKLAND-WIDE KIINGS.C CO.NZ | 0800 PLANTS

Free of weeds Niva and Yotam Kay of Pakaraka Permaculture on the Cormandel Peninsula, have written the book on weeding strategies. Well, it’s a chapter in The Abundant Garden, nonetheless, they share what they learned here in this extract

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G OPPOSITE The right tools for the job – two large hoes, a file, niwashi and a medium stirrup hoe.

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WEEDING TOOLS • We do most of our weeding with two styles of hoe: one has a long handle about our height, and the other has a short handle about 25cm long (10 inches). With this combination of quality hoes, we’re able to reach any weeds that dare to show themselves.

• Keep the blades of the hoe sharp by giving them a quick sharpen with a file before you start weeding. Just like a chef wouldn’t work with a blunt knife, a gardener shouldn’t use a blunt hoe.

A sharp hoe will effortlessly cut weeds, rather than just bruising them and moving them around the bed. This makes weeding physically easier and also more effective, as most young weeds won’t recover from their roots being separated from the stem.

• There are many types of hoes of different shapes and sizes. We love our long-handled stirrup hoes (also called oscillating hoes) for most weeding tasks and find that the 12.5cm (5 inch) width is the most useful size. The Japanese or Korean niwashi is our favourite short-handled weeding tool, and is basically a sharp blade on a stick. The niwashi is a versatile tool that can also be used as a trowel.

ABOVE Yotam weeding with a long-handled large hoe.

RIGHT Niva harvesting edible alyssum flowers.

T

here are three main strategies we use to establish a weed-free garden.

The first is getting rid of the pre-existing weed seeds in the soil, known as the ‘soil’s seed bank’, through short, regular weeding sessions. Seeds can remain dormant until favourable conditions prompt them to grow, so it will take a few seasons to completely exhaust the seed bank, and the wind will continue to blow new seeds onto the beds as well. The trick is to weed little and often; removing weeds when they are small is much easier than when they are established.

The second strategy for a weed-free garden is to avoid soil disturbance using no-till practices. By keeping the soil layers intact, seeds located deep in the soil are not brought to the surface, where the light and warmth will encourage them to germinate.

The final strategy is not to let any weeds get established in the garden. Once weeds are established, they can quickly take over big portions of your cultivated beds, making them even harder to remove. Established

One of the best ways to maintain a productive garden without hours and hours of labour is to keep the garden as weed-free as possible.

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weeds develop large quantities of viable seeds, which, once dispersed throughout the garden, will undermine your previous weeding efforts. As the saying goes, ‘one year’s seeds makes seven years of weeds’.

In general, if you think you can see seeds on the plant, those seeds will be viable. Remove these plants carefully, so they don’t drop seeds into the growing bed.

These plants should not go directly onto the compost heap. Instead, they can be fed to the chickens or soaked in a bucket of water for a week before being added to the compost pile.

Weeds will always pop up in your garden, but as you work to decrease their number, your workload will also significantly decrease in the years to come.

Weeding basics

When weeding, timing is everything. It’s important to do your weeding when the ground is as dry as possible (without damaging crops of course). When the soil is moist from rain or watering, weeds re-root themselves more easily. Aim to weed on a sunny morning, when the sun is beating down, as even large weeds will dry out. Usually, after a few sunny hours, you can turn the irrigation back on. In winter, you will need to pick up most of the weeds you have cut, because they are likely to re-establish themselves if you leave them on the soil.

If there are a lot of weeds in the area where you are planning your garden, you could space your rows so their

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“It’s best to avoid pulling weeds as it takes the organic matter from the soil.”

YOTAM A ND NI VA K AY

width matches one of your hoes for efficient weeding.

We’ve found this approach hugely helpful when we are establishing a new garden bed.

Weeding doesn’t have to happen only in predetermined weeding sessions. When you are harvesting vegetables and encounter a patch with weeds, it’s worth spending a few minutes to pull them out. If you are already bending down to harvest, take the opportunity to pull out a few weeds as well. Developing a mentality of ‘let’s take care of it’, rather than ‘leave it for later’ goes a long way towards creating a productive garden.

Although weeds will come up throughout the year, you will have spikes of weed pressure at certain times depending on which weeds are predominant in your area. Spring is usually one of these times, as weeds try to grow before the dry weather kicks in. In our garden, there is also a spike in autumn, and we make sure to concentrate our weeding around that time, so we can start the winter with no established weeds.

Repeated shallow cultivation

ABOVE Yotam sharpening the stirrup hoe.

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Weeding with a hoe is more effective when you hit weeds while they are tiny. Once weeds grow larger than about 5cm (2 inches) tall, they don’t die as easily, and it takes significantly more time and effort to weed them. Aim to cut the plants with the hoe, just below the ground so that the leaves are separated from the

YO UR H OM E A ND GARD E N

roots. When plants are young, they rarely recover from this trauma.

In addition to cutting them, young, small weeds can be smothered with a thin layer of soil. Both these strategies allow the weeds to be eliminated without causing a significant disturbance to the soil, as well as leaving the roots’ biomass to decompose in the ground and feed the soil’s biological community. Generally, it’s best to avoid pulling weeds, as it takes organic matter from the soil and causes a disturbance that will often give birth to a new flush of weeds.

When weed pressure is high, hoe the paths and beds every two or three weeks to tackle the weeds when they are vulnerable. This will make a big impact and make weeding easier in future years. It usually takes up to two hours to skim through our 1000sqm garden.

When working with a long-handled hoe, hold the hoe with your thumbs facing up. This helps to keep your back straight and your shoulders broad, maintaining good body posture while doing most of the weeding while standing up. Try it; you’ll be amazed to feel the difference between thumbs up and thumbs down, and how your muscles respond to each position. If you get tired or if the weeds are 5–15cm (2–6 inches) tall, switch to thumbs down so you can apply more force. For weeds larger than 15cm (6 inches), it is usually better to skim them off at ground level with a spade.

G

ABOUT THE BOOK Reprinted from The Abundant Garden by Niva and Yotam Kay with permission by Allen & Unwin NZ, $45, 2021. Distributed by Bookreps NZ Ltd. Photography Chris Benzakein. RRP $49.99.

The stale-bed technique

One of the best weeding practices is to weed before your crops are even in the ground. Do this by tricking the weeds into growing; by preparing the bed and keeping it moist, but not planting anything into it, you will create favourable conditions for weeds to germinate. After 10 days to two weeks, a flush of weeds will pop up; hoe the bed to kill these weeds, then keep it dry for another day. Once the weed pressure has reduced, it’s time to plant or sow the vegetables you want to grow.

Covering beds

When a bed is not in use or not going to be planted or sown in a couple of weeks, it is best to cover it with weedmat, tarps or heavy mulch. This helps to protect the soil biology, prevents soil erosion and compaction by rain, and stops the bed from growing a crop of weeds.

Weeds aren’t evil

We also want to say that weeds are not evil! Most plants we consider weeds are usually the first to colonise bare land after a natural disaster. They have an important ecological function as pioneer plants that protect the soil. While they are growing, they improve the conditions for other long-term plants to flourish, and in the meantime, they also feed the soil’s biology.

Many weeds also have medicinal properties, some are edible, and many will flower and provide food for bees and beneficial insects. However, you really don’t want them in your vegetable gardens, so you should systematically get rid of them... but there is no need to resent them while you’re doing so.

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01 Sight. My most-loved piece of art in the house is my giant custom Flox print I was given for my birthday. I love that it’s supporting local artists and brings a part of modern Kiwiana into the home. It’s a huge focal point of vibrant colours and bold style that really pulls other accents of the room together, plus it’s a great conversation starter.

02 Taste. Everyone who knows me knows I can’t cook, but what I can do is make a mean cup of coffee thanks to my Nespresso coffee machine. This literally gets me through the day running around with my sustainable coffee cup or an espresso martini on the weekends.

F I N A L S AY

The Warehouse’s lead designer Jade Turner is ruled by his senses

Hear. This is very important in our house as we love music and dancing around on a Saturday morning as we do the chores. We have smart speakers connected in a few rooms that even control the lighting, so not only do you get great sound but also some disco lights. Amazon Echo Dot.

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YOU R H OM E A N D GARD E N

05 Touch. it’s about layering and sometimes the biggest statement you can make is right under your feet. Our living room rug is the Living & Co wool pile pebble rug r from The Warehouse, which instantly anchors the room and gives you a sense of calm and comfort. It’s perfec for keeping the heat in during the winter.

ell. In this new vid-19 world, we al ays have a tube oof Ecoya hand sanitiser (sweet a and jasmine) in th house. Not only es it smell great, ’s perfect for a ap-free wash as yoou’re running out e door and kills 999.9 percent of bacteria.

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