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NEW IDEAS FOR YOUR HAPPY PLACE

MONOCHROME LOOK & REMASTERED howLEARN: to revamp classic black and white

House warming

RENTAL REFURB

THE HEATING LOWDOWN

All the tricks to transform your place in 48 hours

NEW SEASON TWEAKMENTS

OVER THE HEDGE Eco-friendly gardening

Statement lights and soft furnishings update

SOUPER DUPER Heart-warming soups

GOOD BONES THE SECRETS OF A FORMER STATE HOUSE’S FAMILY-FRIENDLY RENO

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CONTENTS June

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42

54 Shopping 12 14

F R E S H F I ND S C LUB M ED

Homes 32

W I N T E R WA R M E R S

Hunker down in style 17

W E CAN BE R OYA L

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Queens for a day Winter’s incoming G U I D E TO.. .

Whanganui treasures 26

WOM EN WE LOVE

Designer Emma Hayes 1 4 6 L AST LO O K

Bec Snelling’s must-haves

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FALC O N E R S’ N E ST

Empty nesters finally get to build a home their way in the Bay of Plenty

W ELCO ME BAC K

One family stayed put in their classic state house, extending and updating it to perfectly suit their needs

T R EAS UR E T ROVE

Much-loved mementos from adventures overseas find new life in a coastal New Plymouth home

2 0 T R E ND RE PO RT 22

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A heritage home is thoroughly modernised on the inside using a monochrome palette

Laid-back rustic inspo 16

B L AC K W I T H W H I T E

Renovation

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T H E H E AT I S O N

There are so many ways to heat your house these days but choose the most efficient according to the needs of your home

Makeover 94 PAST & PRESE NT

A ’70s house lacking in charm gets remodelled with hints of Mad Men 1 06 HEA D FOR BED

DIY expert Nikki Kettle builds a bedhead with moveable shelving – clever or what?

1 1 0 NEW L EASE O F L IF E

Easy and budget-friendly ways to refresh your rental, plus a 48-hour makeover guide

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118 Food 11 6 P UF F PIE C E

A vegetarian tart to write home about 118 LIQUID ASSETS

Soup is one of the best things about winter as these recipes attest 125 SOUND BITES

The latest scoop on food and beverages 126 PICK UP THE BEET

Red-hot recipes from Alice Hart’s The Magnificent Book of Vegetables

Gardens 132 I SEE RED

Camellias steal the show in winter 1 3 4 T H E C O N STA N T GAR D EN ER

Mary Lovell-Smith’s June checklist

On the cover Art in the kitchen is a thing – as ably demonstrated in this old cottage, which has been thoroughly pulled into the 21st century on the inside.

For the rest of this house, turn to page 32.

1 3 7 F I R E START E R

Fire pits are a welcome addition to any garden 1 3 8 H E D G E YO U R B E T S

Hedgerows and dead hedges are sustainable and eco-friendly

1 3 0 C O O K B O O K C LU B

Eleanor Ozich’s winter plan YOU R HO M E AND GARD EN

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Hello

Fiona Hawtin, Editor

This month I’m…

Playing this adult’s version of the memory card game, a child’s favourite.

This Printworks one has 25 iconic buildings you have to match to the city.

Fortunately, adults should have an advantage over the almost photographic memory of kids here as they may not know the city. $44.99, from Shut the Front Door.

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Vacuuming any chance I get with Samsung’s Bespoke Jet cordless stick vacuum. Someone who sold me another brand’s lesser one a while ago told me it was only meant to be a secondary cleaner in addition to your primary one. Not so this. It has brilliant suction and comes with so many attachments I’m still working through them. Suffice to say, the dog hair is not a problem any more. $1799, samsung.com Staying dry with Blunt’s Otis Frizzell umbrella. For every one of these limited-edition brollies sold, $20 goes to Cure Kids. Available from June 1. $129, from shopgood.co.nz

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

I

once rented a flat that had the most garish yellow walls.

It was like living inside a pound of butter. When I moved out the landlord accused me of painting them myself.

Had I known I’d get the blame I’d most certainly have painted over them in grey – as was the rage then – and endured her wrath. Small price to pay.

How far we’ve come in terms of tenant’s rights since then, and good job, too. The law now recognises that everyone should be able to create an environment they want to live in.

Obviously, you don’t want to spend inordinate amounts on a marble benchtop you’ll have to leave behind when you move on, but there are some cheap and cheerful ways to do over your place – and many of these enhancements can be peeled off and taken with you to your next home. Deputy editor Caroline Moratti has the lowdown on page 110, and there’s even a 48-hour guide for how to refresh your place in a single weekend. She’s kindly included coffee breaks.

Our homes this month include those of empty nesters building and renovating their dream homes, as well as some nifty renovation work that’s been carried out on existing homes. One that worked particularly well is the Saunders’ state house remodel on page 74, which boldly juxtaposes its humble bones with a modern extension to accommodate their family.

Whatever your life stage, home heating is a universal. Our guide on page 82 matches heat sources to your type of home.

Who’d have thought heat pumps could actually look stylish?

Stay warm.

Social club Celebrate Matariki and creature comforts

ART & EDITORIAL Deputy editor Caroline Moratti Art director Nicola Feeney Chief sub-editor Michelle Joe Garden editor Mary Lovell-Smith Senior designers Béla Trussell-Cullen, Tanya Wong Designer Alice Bush CONTRIBUTORS Anna Briggs, Holly Jean Brooker, Gina Fabish, Jeannie Ferguson, Debbie Harrison, Nikki Kettle, Babiche Martens, Leanne Moore, Julie O’Reilly, Eleanor Ozich, Catherine Steel, Swell Productions, Shelley Tustin, Alice Veysey

Check out Raw Color’s temperature textiles, which communicate climate data through the colourful medium of knitted blankets.

WE LOVE

EDITOR Fiona Hawtin

@raw_color_

PODCAST OF THE MONTH Kick off Māori New Year celebrations with a bang in Tāmaki Makaurau. The Matariki Festival runs from June 21 to July 16.

To celebrate the launch of her new lifestyle brand, Boh Runga invites us to recall treasured childhood stories with bohboh Radio.

@matarikifestivalakl

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

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

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

S T R I A TM CLADDING

L I N E A TM W E AT H E R B O A R D

With our exterior cladding solutions.

TM It’s Possible .

To see Leonie & Phil’s full story, visit jameshardie.co.nz Copyright ©2021 James Hardie New Zealand Limited 0800 808 868.™ and ® denotes a trademark and registered mark owned by James Hardie Technology Ltd.

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PHOTOGRAPHY MARTINA GEMMOLA STYLING NAT TURNBALL

AN APPLE A DAY Bonnie and Neil’s hand screen-printed Apple Multi tablecloth is ripe with nostalgia. How can you fail to have a lovely lunch when the table is laid with this beauty? $299 (medium), from Father Rabbit.

SHOPPING 12

Fresh finds Hot new looks and cool products.

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In Whanganui Art, crafts, plants and bungalows.

26

Women we love Textile designer Emma Hayes.

YO U R H OME AN D GA R DEN

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The latest looks and products we love

Fresh finds

WINE AND DINE We heard it on the grapevine – food-themed table settings are having a moment. Serve dinner in style with this jazzy hot pot mat, $96, kipandco.com.au

BASKET CASE Danish brand Ferm Living is bringing the wonders of traditional weaving to ceramic pottery with this multifunctional vessel.

Perfect as a fruit bowl, pot plant holder or interior eye candy, the choices are endless when it comes to these handmade masterpieces.

Large ceramic basket, $199, from gathered.nz

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A BUG’S LIFE Your table settings are begging for a touch of whimsy, and we think these salt and pepper shakers will do just the trick. $25, from slowstore.co.nz

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Tea for one BREW IN STYLE WITH THIS ALL-IN-ONE AMALFI JARDIN TEAPOT SET, WHICH COMES COMPLETE WITH INFUSER, TEA CUP AND COASTER. SIMPLY SIP, RELAX AND STACK. $48.99, FROM KOOP.CO.NZ

CLEAN DREAM Declutter your bathroom vanity with Clean Clean Clean’s long toothbrush shelf. You’ll never go back to using a cup again. $70, from francesnation.co.nz

MIRROR, MIRROR

Made of Tomorrow’s blob wall mirror has captured our hearts with its playful Scandinavian sensibility. We’re talking all the right curves in all the right places. $499, madeoftomorrow.com

Rock on SI T BAC K A ND RELA X WIT H A MI D CENTURY STYLED CLASSIC. A CHIC PICK FOR A N Y N U R S E RY, WIT H A TOU CH OF C OMF ORT FOR MU M AN D DAD. E V I E FA B R I C R O C K I N G C H A I R , $ 8 4 9, F R O M F R E E D O M F U R N I T U R E .CO. N Z

LOVE YOUR LINEN

Crafted from 100 percent pure French flax linen, A&C’s new Mist collection will breathe new life into old spaces. A Friday night in has never looked so good, or so cosy.

Duvet cover, $279.99, from achomestore.co.nz

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE Hunkering down isn’t just for humans. Spoil your furry friend with a cosy corduroy pet bed that’s machine washable and perfect for frosty winter nights. Fetch Ziggy Forest Corduroy pet bed, $149.99 (small), from adairs.co.nz YOUR H O ME A ND GAR DE N

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NEXT BIG THING

Club Med Combine old-world seaside elegance with strong natural hues

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11 8 10 1 Jai Vasicek mini cross in paisley cerulean, $175, from Small Acorns. 2 Laren ceramic vase, from $85, from Coco Republic. 3 Sea linen bedspread, $329, from Citta.

4 Living & Co glazed Moroccan dinner set, $69, from The Warehouse. 5 Henny bath towel in splash, $105, from Bolt of Cloth. 6 Magique In Red A3 print, $95 (unframed), from Father Rabbit. 7 Horizon coffee table in brick, $990, from Citta. 8 Sage x Clare resin bowl, $72, from Tea Pea Home. 9 New Zealand lambswool Nevis throw, $229, from Bolt of Cloth. 10 Society of Wanderers pillowcase set, $119, from Moi on George. 11 Harper chair, $379, from Target Furniture.

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ESPRIT ZA RN A N OW AVA I L A B L E AT B R I S C O E S B R I S C O E S.C O. N Z

NEXT BIG THING

Winter warmers Keep cosy with these soft and snug necessities 2

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1 NZ wool felt coasters, $35, from Loft Furniture. 2 Muskhane wool felt tinkerbell vases, $69 (set of three), from Folklore Home Store. 3 Wipy tissue box cover, $66, from Crisp Home & Wear. 4 Sherpa coal hooded bathrobe, $89.99, from Adairs. 5 Heirloom faux fur cushion in snowshoe hare, $99, from Loft Furniture.

6 Living & Co kids’ plush sherpa blanket in garden, $25, from The Warehouse. 7 Living & Co velvet print cushion in abstract rust, $10, from The Warehouse.

8 Glerups The Shoe with honey rubber sole, $189, from Nordic Chill. 9 Dutch oven, $259, from Biroix. 10 Oat frills wheat bag, $62, from Crave Home.

11 On Sundays mulled wine loose leaf tea, $22.90, from Orient.

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S T Y L E S TA L K E R

We can be royal

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Show your sovereign style this Queen’s Birthday weekend 7 6 8

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10 1 Buchanan rose lambswool rug, $285, from The Scottish Shop. 2 Etienne 8-light chandelier, $399, from Early Settler. 3 Royal tour anniversary commemorative collector plate, from $299.95, from The Bradford Exchange. 4 British vintage-style Union Jack flag throw pillow, $144, from Homeloft. 5 Le Forge horse lamp, $279, from Smith & Caughey’s. 6 1p stamp rug, from $1605, from Heugah Interiors. 7 Harney & Sons HRP Royal Palace Tea, $32, from Smith & Caughey’s. 8 Wedgwood Hibiscus teacup and saucer, $169, from Smith & Caughey’s. 9 Pip Studio teaspoons, $49 (for four), from Ballantynes. 10 Princess tiara, $31, from Lovisa.

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Text Caroline Moratti

As the days grow darker, a few lamps will add warmth and light to the cosy nooks of your home. It’s only right that these interior essentials get a chance to shine with fabulous and bold lampshades. The perfect shade will soften the white light glare and become a talking piece, all in one go.

WINTER TRENDS

All the latest looks and styles to perfect the art of hunkering down

Statement shades

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Open shelving Although you might feel the urge to hibernate with the colder weather, don’t shut up shop when it comes to your kitchen. Open shelving allows you to showcase all your favourite culinary treasures, from beautiful jars of preserves to sprigs of dried herbs that will carry you through the winter season. Add some pottery, a cookbook and a plant or two for that extra homely feeling.

Vintage mixing Pair thrift shop finds with contemporary prints for a gallery wall that’s sure to inspire.

Vintage frames and watercolours work perfectly alongside sleek, bold shapes to create the look of a miniature museum, all from the comfort of home.

A world of wallpaper Expand your feature wall into a four-wall masterpiece. We love how a fully wallpapered room transforms a space into a timeless salon.

Just because it’s gloomy outside doesn’t mean your walls have to be.

Piped furnishings A line of piping adds a luxe finish to cushions, blankets, pillowcases and duvets. A nostalgic touch with a warm edge, this trend is spot-on for winter. Soft and cosy linens framed with a black border will suit any snug sanctuary.

Cultiver linen set, $535, from Father Rabbit.

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THE BUSMAN’S GUIDE TO:

Whanganui It may be famous for its river but this historic city also has fantastic ceramics and homewares to stock up on, as well as some inspiring bungalow spotting

Paloma Gardens 1 1 P O H U T U K AWA L A N E , F O R D E L L

ROSS GIBBS

Drive east for 20 minutes from downtown Whanganui and you can pull up at these privately owned gardens that are open to the public. Owners Nicki and Clive Higgie have spent many years cultivating what has been deemed a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Stroll through the towering bamboo forest, wander across the immaculate grass of the Wedding Lawn, marvel at the Jardin Exotique’s myriad of palms, cycads, cacti and succulents, cross the Palm Garden and wind up in the wonderfully foreboding Garden of Death. This is an enclosed garden with poisonous plants such as the obvious oleander, the curious tequila agave and, shock, horror parsley. Apparently, if taken in very large doses it can lead to kidney and liver problems. paloma.co.nz

CALIFORNIAN BUNGALOW DRIVE-BY

Sunset over lower CBD.

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A casual drive through suburbs such as Durie Hill and Gonville is a happy hunting ground for some fantastic examples of the Californian bungalow. Some are stucco, some brick and others are wood but most share the generous covered porches and interesting decorative touches as well as large, tree-lined sections. If you’re short of ideas on what will enhance your house’s street appeal, a 20-minute drive will give you plenty of inspo.

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“A punk potter who cuts pieces out of his fresh ceramics.”

A GALLERY 85 GLASGOW STREET

A Gallery, inside a repurposed villa, has rich pickings of local artists and exhibitions, which include Whanganuiborn artist Sheila Pearson’s whacky animal paintings in the manner of Old Masters until May 1. But the main reason to visit is because it’s the local gallery of Whanganui-based ceramicist Aaron Scythe, who has an international following. He studied ceramics in Japan for many years and is influenced by the yobitsugi method of repairing ceramics.

He’s a punk potter who cuts pieces out of his fresh ceramics and virtually destroys tea bowls cutting them up to rebuild them, then painting bubble cars and other whimsies on them in traditional Japanese style. agallery.nz

Quartz, Museum of Studio Ceramics 8 B AT E S S T R E E T

The ’70s may have given pottery a bad name but this vast collection of New Zealand pottery proves there’s so much more to it than those brown salt pigs.

Studio potter Rick Rudd, who is known for his precise hand-built black teapots that look more like futuristic abstract sculptures, opened this brutalist building to give his wide-ranging collections a home. On display is his own New Zealand Collection, with pieces by Len Castle, Barry Brickell and Madeleine Child, and the Whanganui Collection with works by locals is proof, if you needed it, that Whanganui is a hotbed of artists. There’s also the Rick Rudd Collection of his own work, as well as that

of Simon Manchester who was a huge collector of local pottery and amassed a collection of 3000 New Zealand pieces during his lifetime. What is every bit as interesting as the collections is that Rick can usually be seen behind the reception area, quietly sculpting his teapots with the bare minimum of tools. quartzmuseum.org.nz

ART OF THE MATTER Aaron Scythe’s Japanese-influenced ceramics (top left); one of Sheila Pearson’s cat paintings at A Gallery (top right); Rick Rudd’s 10 Green Bottles (above) and one of his sculptural teapots.

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“Feels like Europe, but it’s actually the city’s best interiors and furniture shop.”

La Station Design Store 139 GUYTON STREET

You won’t fail to notice the old Central Fire Station, a vast Spanish Mission-style building with well-groomed cypress trees pressed up against it. Feels like Europe, but it’s actually the city’s best interiors and furniture shop. You’ll find everything from rattan bedheads, to chairs, scented candles, lights, glassware, tableware and all manner of accent pieces. lastation.co.nz

ALSO VISIT Brown & Co for handmade glass lights; New Zealand Glassworks for a chance to watch this red-hot skill, then pick up a paperweight from the gallery; and the Whanganui River Markets on Saturday mornings for Devine Treats, the stall with the home baking.

You’ll know it by its towering streusel cake.

SARJEANT GALLERY P U K E N A M U , Q U E E N ’ S PA R K A L S O , S A R J E A N T O N T H E Q U AY, 3 8 TA U P O Q U AY

The grand neo-classical Sarjeant Gallery, built in 1919, is closed at the moment for earthquake strengthening and the addition of an extension. Word is it reopens next year and should be worth a trip just to marvel at the revamped exterior, let alone the roughly 8500 national and international art works. Still, you can make do with Sarjeant on the Quay for the time being. When we swung by Mark Rayner’s rug wall hanging of Jacinda Ardern La Corona was on show, as was ceramicist Angela Tier’s Egyptian-style ceramic Seven Dogs figures (pictured above). serjeant.org.nz 24

YO U R HOM E A ND GA R DE N

Protect the ones you love so they can keep doing what they love If you’re a parent or caregiver, you’re likely to have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and what it could mean for your whānau.

It’s important to know that if your tamariki aren’t yet immunised and they get COVID-19, they’ll need to wait three months before they can get vaccinated.

We’re here to help you get the answers and information you need.

Call 0800 28 29 26 to chat with someone who can help or to make a booking for your whānau.

Covid19.govt.nz/tamariki

WOMEN WE LOVE

In print From painterly strokes to graphic lines, Emma Hayes’ work is inspired by nature Text Leanne Moore Photography Babiche Martens

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iving in the city, Auckland-based designer Emma Hayes is in her element. Her commute to work is a few steps downstairs to her studio, where she designs painterly collections of wall coverings and textiles that are sold around the world. Inspiration for her designs, however, comes from an utterly different perspective. When it comes to firing up her imagination, Emma turns to the great outdoors.

“Spending time in nature fuels me creatively. The colours I use in my designs are directly linked to the landscapes I see around me,” she says.

Like many New Zealanders, living overseas gave Emma a renewed appreciation of this country’s natural beauty.

When she arrived back from London in 2006, she landed a job designing textiles for fashion label Cybele. The role gave her the opportunity to take a concept right through from design to marketing. Emma thrived in this end-toend creative environment and the experience gave her the confidence to launch her own business in 2011. “I was ready for a change and I could see a gap in the lifestyle market for beautiful textiles.”

These days, she combines running an internationally successful design house with raising triplets, seven-yearold boys Quinn, Louie and Remi. It’s a busy life, but Emma thrives on the challenge.

What’s your background? I went to art school in Auckland and my first job in a design studio showed me it was possible to marry fine arts with commerce. That was incredibly inspiring. While I was in London I studied at Central Saint Martins, where Alexander McQueen, Stella

NATURE TRAIL Emma Hayes is surrounded by her nature-inspired designs at home and at work. In the dining room, a wall features her Bloom wallpaper and the studio is full of her creations.

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UNLOCKING THE IMAGINATION Emma’s talent for colour and composition was fostered and encouraged at secondary school. She has gone on to launch and run a successful design studio, producing wall coverings and textiles that are in demand around the world. ”Success for me is running my business and having time for family life, too,” she says. Her work has a painterly quality, seen below in the cushions on her sofa.

McCartney and John Galliano are all past students. That was an amazing experience and, combined with London’s vibrant cultural hub, had a lasting influence on me as a designer.

What was your first big break? It has been more about a series of events and relationships that have developed gradually, rather than one thing. Over time I’ve built a team here at the studio and developed relationships and initiatives that have allowed the company to grow. There are five of us that make up our HQ team in Auckland, and a wider network of suppliers and distributors who I consider part of our team as well.

What was the biggest challenge? Having triplets when the business was in its infancy was, on a personal level a great joy, but a hurdle in terms of stamina. To make it work I had to design my business around my life, not the other way around. As a result the business has become more flexible and that has proved to be a strength during the pandemic. We already knew we didn’t need to operate using a traditional 9-5 model to be successful.

How do you fit it all in? I thrive on being busy, but I don’t have any special secrets. There are times when I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel.

I have had to learn to delegate, and also get better at saying no and not overcommitting.

This has got easier as the business and my team has grown and there is more of a support structure in place. When it comes to the international side of the business, lots can be done outside of local work hours so that suits me. I also have great support from my partner Johnny and my lovely family.

“Having triplets when the business was in its infancy was a great joy but a hurdle in terms of stamina.”

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What impact did the triplets have? I probably had less balance before the boys came along.

Now I have to take time out from work and often the time I spend with them is active or play-based so it’s a good counterbalance. I always try to get enough exercise and sleep, as well as treasuring the small things in life.

Who inspires you and how do you keep your creativity alive? Lots of different ways. Nature is a huge inspiration. As well as fuelling my work, getting out into the “green” is good for

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my health and wellbeing. I think often about scale and how the abstract expressionists considered this in their work. And I think a lot about McCahon and how he created “paintings to walk by” where you had to move your body to view the work.

Seeing an artist at work in their studio, creative friends doing great things, and catching up with people who make you feel good about life in general are all an inspiration.

Have you ever had a business mentor? Yes, I’ve had a few over the years. I’ve also got a wider scope of people I can talk to when I feel like I need some business advice. One thing that I’ve discovered from experience is that verbalising an issue with someone can give you clarity.

Do you have anything in the pipeline? We’ve got a few exciting projects coming up. There are some new design releases scheduled for this year, including wallpapers featuring grasscloths, and a fresh collection of artworks. Another interesting project is an acoustic collection we are currently developing with New Zealand company Autex.

What’s the best and worst part of running your own business? The highlight for me is the people I’ve been able to meet and work with along

the way, especially my team. The toughest part is that you can be your own harshest critic.

What about career highlights? Working with Louis Vuitton these past two years. We were approached by the Louis Vuitton design team to supply a selection of our papers for their Auckland city, Melbourne and Newmarket stores. We’ve supplied them with fine grade papers that have a gentle vibrancy of colour and we are thrilled to see them co-existing in such luxurious surroundings.

We are grateful that an international brand like Louis Vuitton chose to work with a local brand for these projects.

MATERIAL WORLD One of the perks of being a textile designer is that you can create your own unique garments. Emma wears a top she designed in one of her own fabrics.

And rumour is that you’ve made it in Hollywood, too. Yes, and we didn’t even know. One of our Instagram followers sent us a screenshot of our Bloom paper, which she saw on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills TV show. One of the housewives, Dorit Kemsley, has it in her home. We work closely with our showroom in LA, and with many international interior designers who specify our products, but we don’t always know the full details of their projects so it was a surprise. Social media is good like that. We get to see our papers installed in many different places all around the world. emmahayes.co.nz YOU R HO ME AN D GA RD EN

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PHOTOGRAPHY ALICE VEYSEY 30

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ALL IS CALM As bedrooms go, this is a study in using restful colours and soft lighting to make sleeping a major activity. For more of this house, turn to page 54.

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Black with white A heritage home is enhanced with a monochromatic palette.

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Treasure trove Travel finds are given a new life in a place by the sea.

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Falconers’ nest An elevated build in the Bay of Plenty’s Te Puna hills.

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BLACK WITH WHITE A heritage home’s contemporary update was enhanced with a monochromatic palette

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fter living in a 1950s weatherboard cottage for some time, interior designer Jess Hunter and her husband Sam were set on a contemporary new build for their next family home. But finding a great block they could build on freely in a heritage area proved challenging.

To avoid compromising their dream, the couple found an empty block in 2017 and engaged an architect to come up with a clever design that met the local heritage requirements and gave them the new home they were after. In the plans, the Georgianstyle cottage was placed at the front and linked to two equally new pavilions, which met all the council’s criteria. They were able to come up with the perfect balance on the outside and on the inside they could do whatever they wanted.”

Another key part of the brief was a home that sat comfortably in the surrounding landscape and had a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. This was achieved by allowing a comfortable amount of room between the pavilions and blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. “This design has encouraged us to utilise and live on the whole property,” says Jess.

While the architect was busy synthesising traditional and contemporary architectural

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Meet & greet Jess and Sam Hunter, and their daughters ranging from six to 13: Bea, Lily, Olive and Ellie, plus Willow the Labrador.

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“On the inside, we could do whatever we wanted.”

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OFFICE One open and one closed shelf strikes the perfect balance in this compact workspace. The chair is from GlobeWest. KITCHEN (opposite) Black Dekton Domoos benchtops by Cosentino complement the concrete floor. The appliances are all by Miele.

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LIVNG Breeze-friendly windows and a fireplace make this the place to be all year-round. The floor-to-ceiling linen curtains are a key part of the design to soften the concrete floored spaces.

The dining chairs are from GlobeWest and the sofa is a custom-made.

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“Many people think interior design follows the build, but working with the architect from the beginning creates a more cohesive result.”

LAUNDRY The white walls and dark floor link to the overall design. The benchtop is Caesarstone Pure White with Di Lorenzo tiles on the splashback.

The peg caddy is from Kmart.

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“I recommend buying major furniture and lighting pieces during the build in case the budget is tight at the end.”

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ENSUITE (opposite and below) A wall ornament in the ensuite offsets the boldness of the Meco bath and Milli tapware from Reece. The shower area features Di Lorenzo mosaic tiles (below). BATHROOMS (above) The terrazzo tiles are the perfect foil for the vanity from Reece.

styles on the outside, Jess devised a clever scheme to link the interiors, using the same materials and a limited colour palette throughout.

The pavilions focus on three areas: open-plan living, a parents’ retreat, and a kids’ zone. Robust polished-concrete flooring became the signature feature, and hydronic heating was installed to combat the chill of the winter months.

Jess warmed her design visually with three main elements: panelling in the hallway, linen pendants dotted about and masses of floor-to-ceiling curtains in every room, which immediately softened the place.

For the kitchen, Jess specified minimal joinery to create an even greater sense of openness. She chose practical Dekton Domoos Matte Nero for the benchtops and print-resistant black Laminex AbsoluteMatte fronts for the cabinetry.

“There are lots of little fingers in our house,” she says, “and I didn’t want to be cleaning the cupboard doors a million times a day.”

Jess managed the build while working on numerous projects for her own business, and moved her family seven times during that time. Aside from that, she absolutely loved the process. “I’d do it over and over again,” she says. “I’m very lucky that Sam trusts me because I really got to run with it.”

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build, she says. “Many people think interior design follows the build, but working with the architect on the floor plan and interiors from the beginning creates a more cohesive result. And that way, you can resolve any issues early on – from where the power and plumbing points are going, to furniture choices and any custom joinery that you may need. This can save a lot of time, money and stress. I also recommend buying major furniture and lighting pieces during the build in case the budget is tight at the end.”

Though the home has only one living area, there’s plenty of room for everybody to do their thing. Jess says it’s a very fluid space, mostly revolving around the kitchen.

“We all move easily from indoors to out, be it prepping for a barbecue or setting up the fire pit, and the kids rollerskate on the concrete floors between the two – we love it.”

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KIDS’ ROOM The pine bunk beds, handmade bamboo pendant light and sheer pink curtains are all from Ikea.

The Swedish homestore also came up trumps with this oak-topped desk and wooden shelving.

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Did some design plans or items change during the build, perhaps due to lack of space or budget?

As always in a build, something had to give, although we said the pool was never going to be that thing. But of course it was; stage two was the pool.

Anything non-negotiable in your build? The cellar. It was the one thing Sam really wanted.

Best surprise discovery in your home? Our main-bedroom pavilion has become a sanctuary for me, because I can close it off and have quiet time away from my family when I need it. The other surprise element was the stream next door to us. The kids go exploring over there, they build their own structures and enjoy nature – I love that.

Like to share any cost-saving tips?

We used Ikea wardrobes in the kids’ rooms instead of custom joinery.

Lessons learnt “There are two things I wish we’d done differently. One of them would have been to put fly screens in the living room to ward off pesky insects.

I would also have loved more wardrobe space in the main bedroom, but we wanted a separate powder room next door.”

Good news The Hunters installed hydronic heating throughout, which is an environmentally clean and costeffective system that warms by circulating hot water through radiators or pipework in floors or ceilings.

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TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

MAIN BEDROOM Acoustic panelling was used for the bedhead. The hand-blow glass wall light is by Soktas and the French flax bed linen is from The Beach People.

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TREASURE TROVE Much-loved travel mementos find new life at a coastal home in New Plymouth Text Caroline Moratti Photography Gina Fabish 42

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Meet & greet Delwyn McCurdy (real estate consultant) and Craig Hooper (truck repairs) and their two dogs, Ted and Oscar, and Marley the cat.

HOME COMFORTS The couch cushions are from local Fitzroy stores, Home Love & Mette K and Mee O Mi. Delwyn loves to swap these around and change the covers for a fresh look.

A large cowhide from Koko Classics drapes over the couch.

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or Delwyn McCurdy and Craig Hooper, it didn’t matter what their next house looked like, it mattered where it was located. The couple, having raised their now-grown children on a sprawling lifestyle block, wanted the convenience and comfort of living in New Plymouth for their next stage of life. “We wanted a smaller section with minimal lawns to mow, but I really wanted it to be by the beach,” says Delwyn.

They set their sights on the popular coastal suburb of Fitzroy, but having already missed out on three houses in the beachside community, Delwyn and Craig moved fast on the next newly listed property.

“We didn’t care what the house looked like, we just wanted the land. It was all about being in the right location and the right position,” Delwyn says. In fact, her first viewing of the sunshine yellow, two-bedroom bach wasn’t until after purchase. “We said we’d live in it for six months to decide what we wanted to do, like knock down or renovate, but I had the architectural designer in two weeks later,” she laughs. That was 14 years ago, and the pair are now proud owners of a contemporary oasis, minutes away from the call of the ocean.

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LUCKY FINDS The cane chair is a 1950s original Paul Frankl chair, a treasured find from a secondhand shop. The palm cushion covers were sewn by Delwyn’s mother, after finding the feather inserts at a garage sale.

The rustic coffee table is from Freedom, Delwyn loves the shape and rough texture it brings to the room.

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LIGHTS UP The drum light shade was found in a Blenheim shop called Cinnamon, and had been salvaged from a motel in the tropics. “It was just what we were waiting for,” Delwyn says.

OPPOSITE The outdoor furniture is from Freedom and the fire pit is from Koko Classics.

“It’s a very modest house from the front, but once you come in it opens right up, like a hidden sanctuary.”

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WARM WELCOME The hallway side table was a $25 op-shop find, spray painted in matte black. Delwyn inherited her love of collecting from her father, who used to go to Gilmour’s Auction house every Friday morning. “I loved the type that were stacked to the brim and covered in dust, I was fussy and often didn’t buy anything but when I found something I loved, I knew it.”

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Tranquillity calls One of Delwyn and Craig’s renovation necessities was a main bedroom away from the hustle and bustle of the house. A step-down into the space was created for both physical and mental separation, producing a private sanctuary that overlooks the picturesque courtyard.

The guest bedroom radiates the same sense of calm and is painted in Resene Karen Walker blues for added depth.

“Out the front, the garden is a bit like a jungle so it’s important to have that tranquillity in the bedrooms,” Delwyn notes. Creamy linens from Bianca Lorenne adorn the bed – a “must-have” since the kids have left home.

While the urge to build anew was tempting, the couple fell in love with the stunning structural elements of the original house, opting to extend the art-deco abode seamlessly into the new millennium. The ornate ceilings and original floorboards still remain, pops of history sitting alongside the sleek modern touches.

The bathroom is wallpapered in a playful pattern of fish darting amongst coral, a surprisingly moody note for the coastal abode. Delwyn says she wanted something that “when you’re busy and have a quite stressful job, it’s nice to come home and instantly feel relaxed. Home should be somewhere that comforts you, so I like the darker colours for that reason.”

The house is now centred around the generous, intimate courtyard, with some of the plantings taking

years to establish. A few well-placed queen palms lend much-needed shelter and privacy, creating a pocket of serenity in the family home. “It’s a very modest house from the front, but once you come in it opens right up, like a hidden sanctuary. People walk in and it just envelops you,” Delwyn says.

The pair love to entertain and host potluck family dinners, so the indoor-outdoor flow on the deck was essential. Wooden chairs are playfully scattered around a fire pit, acquired from Koko Classics.

Living well Large, floor-length sliding doors greet visitors from the courtyard, ushering them into the sunny living room.

Grasscloth wallpaper, from Plantation Design, is an instant focal point of the space, providing tropical texture to the surrounding white walls.

There’s a world of stories to be found among the tabletops, from carrying leather Sardinian masks through flash floods in Rome, to packing Jemez pottery in socks and underwear. Most are displayed on what appears to be an ordinary wall unit at first glance, until the eye reveals it to be an old Egyptian door propped on oak table legs. A wooden propellor gifted to Craig’s grandfather for his service in the war leans in a corner, with avid discussions about the piece one day becoming a light fixture. Lovingly hung among family portraits sits a framed 1800s photograph of an unknown gentleman, picked up YO UR H OM E AND GAR DEN

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from a seaside market. He’s referred to as “Great Uncle Festus” with a wink to enquiring guests. The living room is a constant curiosity shop – a delight in every glance, a memory in every step.

“I’m a vegetarian and I don’t eat meat, but I love animal hides,” Delwyn laughs. These soft furnishings drape luxuriously over the chairs, including an iconic secondhand Paul Frankl cane chair. “You should have seen the look on my husband’s face when I came home with that.”

The living room flows to the modern monochrome kitchen, the nucleus of daily life. A thick wooden benchtop was encouraged by the couple’s love of chunky, natural products “because wood never dates”. With the exception of the herringbone splashback, which has changed three times, much of the space has remained the same since the renovation. “The kitchen is the hub of the home, so when we have parties, a lot of people comment that they feel like they’re on holiday or that they’ve escaped somewhere.”

A collector’s paradise Delwyn is the first to admit she isn’t a follower of trends. “I like to think that all my treasured items, no matter what size and how insignificant they are, tell a story that has a meaning or invokes a certain feeling,” she admits. “I wouldn’t just go out and buy a couch, I would rather have no couch until I find the right one or the right one finds me.” The result is a collection of repurposed and op-shopped treasures from all corners of the globe, thanks to Delwyn and Craig’s many

travel adventures. Her foraging started out with shells from beaches in the islands, but once the kids were independent, the dynamic duo went on weeks-long motorcycle tours of the US, Canada and Italy, where Delwyn would put small treasures in the side saddlebag of her bike. “What some people might consider rubbish, I deem as decor.”

The real estate agent’s best home hack stems from her love for cushions. “Go to a couple of op-shops and look for feather inners, which you can often pick up for around a dollar,” advises Delwyn. “Don’t look at the cover of the cushion, you can swap them out for nicer covers.” She loves to change these soft furnishings, even lending some to clients.

While cushions come and go, the house has remained largely the same over the years thanks to the classic design choices. There’s some small work to be done to lower the front gate to improve kerb appeal, but for the most part Delwyn and Craig are content with their coastal oasis. “As a family, we had moved five times before planting ourselves here,” they say. A move is always possible in the future, but the pair plan to never sell this home due to its blissful seaside location. “It’s nice to be settled and now feel at home.”

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SHOP THEIR STYLE Prized possessions collected from travels over ver the years enrich this house and give it a bohoo air 2

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1 Botanical print, $95, from French Country. 2 Madam Stoltz cotton runner, $169, from Home Love & Mette K. 3 Mexican clay cross, $129, from Made in Mexico.

4 Raffia wall hanging, $85, from Ohaupo Beach Club. 5 Resene Biscay paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 6 Resene Macau 21424 wallpaper, $219.95 (per roll), from ColorShops. 7 Cycas revoluta plant, $79.99 (5L), from Kings Plant Barn. 8 Kunti shell necklace, $249, from Republic Home. 9 Palms velvet cushion, $47, from Spotlight.

10 House Doctor Juno vase, $94, from Home Love & Mette K. 11 Buddha head, $99, from World of Decor.

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Honesty box What areas of your renovation did you save on? The old garage looked like it didn’t belong on the property, but we managed to keep it by recladding with black stained Shadowclad and roughsawn cedar rainscreen siding over the top.

Splurge on? High-end cabling and sound system provisions, which we’ve never used as we prefer our ’70s record player and big, old speakers. We also bought top-quality carpet, which is still like new.

Best lessons learned? Allow for extras such as blending new into existing older, wonky ‘40s walls.

We ended up having to reline some areas.

What would you never do again?

My husband jokes that we would never reno again and would build new, but I know he likes the decorative ceilings and rimu floors as much as I do.

Any renovation or DIY disasters?

Trying to live in the house while building. We washed dishes in a bathtub and had the washing machine set up in the back yard with an outdoor shower.

What’s the one thing you would change, if you could? We have changed the splashback a couple of times as tastes have changed.

We’re loving the black tiles in the herringbone pattern, it’s classic and shouldn’t date. The hall is narrow, but we can’t change that, it is what it is. Other than that, we love our home.

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? Always our social gatherings. We love family and friends dropping in to visit or celebrating with us. it’s a very social house, the flow really helps.

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KEY 1 Entrance 2 Office 3 Bedroom 4 TV room 5 Bathroom 6 Dining 7 Kitchen 8 Family living 9 Courtyard 10 Main bedroom 11 Walk-in wardrobe 12 Ensuite 13 Laundry 14 Scullery 15 Garage

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well. He also made an artwork for us that is still on the lounge wall.

It is made from the old wooden boards pulled out when we were in demo stage. He enjoyed the odd surf or swim on his breaks, too. reliabuild.co.nz

Shopping Plantation Design Store The grasscloth wallpaper, patterned cushions, beach and tropical oil painting on the wallpapered wall. plantationdesignstore.co.nz Home Love & Mette K and Mee O Mi Cushions. homelovemettek.co.nz; meeomi.co.nz Koko Classics Bar stools, chairs in lounge, cowhide, fire pit and antler light in main bedroom. kokoclassics.co.nz

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Contacts Builder Russell Henderson, Reliabuild Ltd. It’s great to have a local builder who understands us

1 Resene Wan White. 2 Black subway tiles laid in a herringbone pattern for kitchen splashback. 3 Blue-grey bathroom wallpaper imported from UK.

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DINING The dining chairs are from Cult Auckland and are super practical when you have young grandchildren. The recycled matai dining table was made by a former neighbour in Cambridge and holds many cherished memories for Gaelene and Howard Falconer. The replica Moooi Heracleum round series suspension light looks stunning above the table.

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An elevated section in the Bay of Plenty’s Te Puna hills, with its distant views to the sea, was the perfect spot for a spacious new build

FALCONERS’ NEST Text Holly Jean Brooker Photography Alice Veysey

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Meet & greet Gaelene (facilitator for Look Good Feel Better), and Howard Falconer (commercial property developer).

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or ex-farmers, Gaelene and Howard Falconer, a move to Tauranga in 2014 was a lifestyle change the hard-working couple was ready for. After many years farming, then more recently owning a large lifestyle block and property in Cambridge, they were ready to downsize and refocus their energies on building something new.

Their priorities for a section were clear. “We weren’t used to having neighbours close to our home, so having space and elevation with a good view was important. We were used to seeing cows, not houses,” says Gaelene.

The hunt begins While the hunt was on for the perfect piece of land, the adventurous couple took a few months off to go sightseeing and skiing in Europe, which offered plenty of time to gain perspective about this next phase of life. It took six months to find the magic spot – an elevated section in the Te Puna hills looking out over Tauranga with views to Whakaari/White Island and Slipper Island, while being close enough to their four children and eight grandchildren. The steep section had enough land for gardens, without being too much space to maintain.

But first, a tiny home While they built this new home, Howard turned his hand to transforming a couple of 12 metre shipping containers into a two-bedroom semi-permanent home to live in.

“We’d been renting while land hunting and decided to save rental costs during the build by living in a tiny house on the site. We planned to live there for a year, but it turned into three,” Gaelene explains.

While the best-laid plans don’t always pan out, there’s always a silver lining. Howard reflects: “The area is prone to slips, and the geotech (ground engineering) was a lengthy process. It took a good year to get started on the build due to the consent process, then a further two years to build.”

“The mud and dirt and mess was pretty crazy,” chips in Gaelene. “But we both loved this season in our life, it was genuinely a learning experience. We’d always lived in lovely, comfortable homes, and during this build we were

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ENTERTAINER’S DREAM The walk-in pantry features open shelving to display Gaelene’s crockery collection and cookbooks.

LIGHT AND EASY (opposite) The dowel pendant lights above the kitchen island are by Tim Webber. The benchtop is Silestone Calacatta Gold engineered stone.

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MADE BY HAND Large concrete blocks feature throughout the house and look particularly striking in the main entrance with the antique storage box, which was bought 30 years ago. “Howard made one block each day, then we rusticated them to get them a little rougher to suit our style,” says Gaelene. TV ROOM (opposite) This cosy area off the main family room was built with the grandchildren in mind, but it has become a space the couple also enjoy using in the evenings to unwind.

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H jumping around living in different rental properties, and then a tiny little space. It was hard at times, especially when we were looking after grandkids in a small space.

But we all got to love it. Our kids always say, ‘Home is where Mum and Dad are’.”

The design The vision for the design was for a Black Barn-like, family-friendly contemporary home, focused around four gabled pod sections. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom house is connected with flat sections, with cedar cladding and shingles used on the exterior. Facing north towards the distant ocean views, an elevated driveway would create a dramatic entrance and outlook.

With architectural plans by designer Tane Cox from Red Architecture and motivation in spades, the Falconers got stuck in

using Howard’s practical skills to build the house himself. Having trained as an aircraft electrical engineer before moving into farming when the couple got married, his practical, get-it-done mentality meant he was ideally suited to the project.

“I remember him at 22, building the dairy shed on his dad’s farm,” recalls Gaelene. “He has always renovated our houses, and lately, he’s developed commercial properties.

Howard has to make everything.

In fact, it’s a running joke in our family that whenever the kids want something, they say, ‘Dad will make it’.”

But it certainly wasn’t a solo effort.

Gaelene was just as much on the tools as Howard. “Yes, I was his lackey. I would be on the roof with him lifting the iron into place and helping carry Gib board. Admittedly, I would get very sore shoulders from the hard labour,” she says.

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FAMILY ROOM The social couple like to entertain and the open-plan space flows easily to the outdoor living area. The Escea gas fireplace keeps everyone warm in this large area on cooler nights.

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The layout The main bedroom and bathroom, kitchen and dining is to the right of the home and the hallway in the central section connects the two gabled sections. The left side of the home contains the guest wing, with the TV room at the back.

The open-plan kitchen, dining and family room is located at the back of the property and overlooks Te Puna, with extensive views of the coastal region of Tauranga harbour and Mount Maunganui. In this entertaining space, the flooring features French oak, contrasted above with cathedral-like height in the white tongue-andgroove ceilings. “The large triangle-shaped window wasn’t in the plans, the architect had designed a flat ceiling. But Howard wanted expanse and I wanted big beams, so we compromised and got a coved ceiling,” says Gaelene.

The kitchen features black oak timber panelling for the cabinetry, which is a stunning contrast to the white-panelled ceilings above and the timber floor below. In this space, Gaelene worked closely with The Kitchen Business to design a functional space in a simple, classic style that was built to last.

The adjoining family living area features an Escea gas fireplace, nestled into rough concrete block work. Every block was made by Howard prior to the floor going down. “Howard made one block each day, then we rusticated them to get them little rougher to suit our style.” The block work also features in the entrance at the front.

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Tip When mixing metals in the bathroom stick to two types – and use each metal more than once.

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BEDROOMS Much of the artwork in the house, such as these skateboards made by graphic designer daughter Sally for a final exam, was created by the Falconer children. The bunk beds were built in the office, near the main bedroom, and each of the guest rooms has its own ensuite.

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“We wanted our home to feel homely, and although the house is new, we wanted our past to be honoured.”

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EXTERIOR Concrete blocks to match the interior were also used outside. The front door is made of mill steel panels, an old timber door covered in steel in three places.

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FINAL FLOURISHES Beautiful interiors are a passion for homemaker Gaelene and her attention to detail can be seen in every room, such as this fruit bowl arrangement. The couple splurged on cedar cladding and shingles, with Gaelene oiling every piece used on the couple’s pretty garden shed (below).

space to sneak away to when there are lots of people.

“We built this TV room off the main family room with the children in mind. But it’s a room we use ourselves in the evenings to unwind. If we have a big family dinner here someone will end up lying on the couch in the TV room because it’s so relaxing,” says Gaelene.

“We built bunks for the younger children in the office next to our main bedroom for when they stay, so they’re close to us,” she says.

Green fingers Living on site during the build meant keen gardener Gaelene had time to establish the landscaping. “I love formal gardens, structure and repeat planting. Now they are established, it’s not too much work.”

With the house positioned on a hill to optimise the views, the couple also invested in a lot of native planting. At the front of the house, Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’ hedging helps to screen the new neighbouring house below them.

The styling For Gaelene, homemaking and beautiful interiors is a passion that flows into her volunteer work at the Look Good, Feel Better charity. She’s been involved for nearly 30 years facilitating the workshops, which offers a free makeover for cancer patients dealing with the visual side effects of treatment.

Many of Gaelene’s pieces hold special meaning and history, her sentimental nature flowing through her home, along with a minimalist approach. “We wanted our home to feel homely, and although the house is new, we wanted our past to be honoured. We sold a lot

of our antique furniture as it didn’t suit our new home, but kept a few special pieces.”

Sofas and chairs were recovered, apart from the couches in the family room because Gaelene likes the lived-in look. “I love the memories many of our older pieces hold, like our dining table, which our neighbour in Cambridge built. The kids did their school assignments on that table and I remember [son] Sean reloading his rifle bullets on it. It’s made from recycled matai, which was popular 35 years ago. Sean’s a clever craftsman and is about to build us a replica-sized table.”

Dream team With 40-plus years of marriage under the belt, the couple know how to keep fun at the centre of everything they do. “It was a fabulous journey and a fun project to do together. Living on site was great, we both got stuck in, We’d be exhausted after a hard day’s labour, but it was great for our relationship. It’s been a wonderful whirlwind time.”

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SHOP THEIR STYLE Misty greys and soft rusts prove a winning combination for this luxe build 3 1

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1 Dreamtime rectangle cushion in mist, $69.90, from Wallace Cotton. 2 Mellor weave throw in terracotta, $49, from Nood. 3 Tait canvas, $899, from Freedom. 4 Full bloom dried flower wreath, $160, from Jane Smith. 5 Pylon candle, $18 each, from Deliberately Plain. 6 Raphael pear trivet, $23, from Leopold Hall. 7 Sketch tam bar stool, $545, from Bauhaus. 8 Bowen table lamp, $338, from Inspiry. 9 Acacia rectangle chopping board, $44.90, from Citta. 10 Resene Ashanti paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops.

11 Resene Monkey paint, $4.90 (testpot) from ColorShops.

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Honesty box What areas of your renovation did you save on? We saved so much by doing a lof of things ourselves.

Obviously, Howard built the home but we worked together. I oiled every piece of cedar cladding before it went up and Howard did the roofing, internal fit-out and painting, which saved thousands.

Splurge on? Engaging an architect to get a great design, as well as cedar shingles and cedar vertical cladding. We loved the texture and the concept of what had been specified.

Best lessons learned? Make a plan and stay on track with decisions, overthought too many things.

What’s the one thing you’d change about your home if you could? There are always things you’d do differently. I wanted a rustic concrete bench but opted for the stone. It’s beautiful but not really me.

What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? Having all the family here for our first Christmas together – that’s what I missed in the container house.

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PERFECTLY PLACED A couple finds the joy in indoor-outdoor living with a new build framed amongst rolling farm hills Photography Swell Productions

1 THE DESIGN With the kids all grown up, it was time for a change of scene for Greta Martin and Andrew Morgan. The pair wanted a home for their cats and dogs to roam freely, as well as a base for their whānau to reconnect come holiday season. After seven years commuting between Cambridge and Auckland, the couple found a perfect middle ground in the idyllic village of Te Kauwhata. “Greta loved the site and the township straight away so the decision to buy was simple. It’s allowed us to have a native bush outlook on the living side of the house and the indoor-outdoor

area facing out across the farmland and hills,” says Andrew. A rural outlook was the number one priority for the two, a sight that is framed by sliding stacker doors throughout the living areas.

Having two new builds already under their belt, the couple chose a plan based on a Nixon Homes show home, allowing them to relish in the flexibility of adapting the design and features to their lifestyle.

The result is a four-bedroom masterpiece centred around two living spaces that open to the outdoors.

MEET & GREET Greta Martin and Andrew Morgan (co-owners of Cafe Coffee & Bakery Systems) and their four cats and dogs.

2 THE MATERIALS The country abode is clad in Linea Oblique Weatherboard by James Hardie, laid vertically and alternating between 200mm and 300mm panels for a stunning visual effect, finished in Resene All Black. “We had seen the weatherboard used in a variety of different houses around Cambridge and in magazines,” the pair explain. “We loved the clean lines and contemporary look that allowed us to complement the cedar shiplap panels we had previously decided we wanted as part of the overall look of the house.” Thanks to

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an automated louvre system, the couple can admire their sleek weatherboard finishing year-round, regardless of weather.

3 THE INTERIOR Modern contemporary decor inspired Greta and Andrew throughout the build. “We have always been influenced by the use of space rather than cluttered areas,” they say.

“We like the subtle but sophisticated finish of the natural wood finishes coupled with the clean lines of the Linea Oblique Weatherboards.”

The kitchen and the butler’s pantry is awash with matte black and oak cabinetry, celebrating a feature battened oak wall that comes complete with integrated fridges, a wine rack and drinks bar. The finished look is rounded off by a Dekton benchtop, which according to Greta and Andrew, “balanced the whole kitchen equally so each element had its own statement”.

The bathroom and ensuite boast Italian wall and floor tiles, having first spotted them in a display window on an Arrowtown holiday and promptly fell in love. “The oversized wall and floor tiles add a level of luxury in addition to the patterned designer tiles of each room.”

4 CONTEMPORARY BLISS The road appeal is the couple’s favourite part of the house, who say, “while there’s lots to love about the living areas inside, the house is exactly how we imagined it, with the mix of cedar and Linea Oblique Weatherboards and the shaped driveway from the gates. It’s a nice feeling to know we compromised on the total house size for the additional exterior finishes and features that we get to enjoy daily.”

The couple now spend their evenings sitting on the deck with a bottle of wine, watching the sun hit the top of the trees around the surrounding hills. There are no plans to leave and plenty of landscaping to keep idle hands busy.

RURAL RETREAT Linea Oblique Weatherboard

by James Hardie were placed vertically and painted in Resene All Black. Complemented by cedar shiplap panelling, the homeowners love “the clean lines and contemporary look”.

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LINEA™ OBLIQUE™ WEATHERBOARD Easy to install and engineered to withstand harsh conditions, Linea Oblique Weatherboard by James Hardie can be painted any colour including dark shades and is cost-effective and long-lasting. Designed to complement classic and modern designs, the weatherboard can be used vertically and horizontally, even on internal walls.

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BUDGET

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? A budget is a goal rather than a fixed target when you’re building a home around your new lifestyle. We had plenty of advice as the build went on about small but critical options and changes that improved the overall quality and presentation of certain areas.

What are a couple of tips you’d give to anyone planning to build?

Spend the time on the little things in the plans and don’t be afraid to add the extras at the start especially with the electrician and external lighting and power. Services are the hardest and most expensive to change after starting.

What’s the one thing you’d change about your home if you could? We now wish we had gone with floor-to-ceiling cavity stacking doors to the outdoors, even though the opening is amazing. Having that additional finish to the ceiling would have balanced the view.

How much did the build cost?

Just over $1,000,000 with the addition of landscaping but excluding land.

How did you keep track of costs during the build? Nixon Homes uses the Buildertrend app, which we found excellent in managing the progress payments, variations, sign-offs and final costing.

How did your budget forecast compare to your actual spend?

We had a budget of $949,000 and we came in at $985,682 before outside landscaping, excluding land.

CONTACTS Builder Nixon Homes, nixonhomes.co.nz Electrical Laser Electrical Te Rapa, laserelectrical.co.nz Garden Indetail Garden design James Hardie jameshardie.co.nz Plumbing Astro Plumbing, astroplumbing.co.nz Tiles Casa Italiana Tiles, casaitaliana.co.nz

CALL TO

(BUT BIG IN IMPACT)

2022

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ave you done something bold or interesting with paint or wallpaper in a small room in your house?

It could be an office, nursery, laundry or powder room – the only criteria is it’s small in space but big in impact. We’d love to see your efforts. Send us some images of your chosen room and be in to win $1000 in our inaugural Small Room Awards.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: • Fearless use of colour and/or pattern • Exciting use of wallpaper • Imaginative decoration and finishing.

HOW TO ENTER Get your entry in

by June 16, 2022 and you could be one of our first finalists.

Email photos and a 200-word description of your space to yhg@aremedia.co.nz with your last name and ‘Resene Small Room’ in the subject line. Please include your name, home address, email address, daytime phone number, the names of the Resene colours used, and details of when your space was painted and/or wallpapered. Please credit anyone who assisted you in choosing your colours.

The five finalists will each appear in Your Home and Garden. Every finalist will receive a $250 Resene ColorShop voucher and a feature in the magazine, with the winner taking out the Resene Small Room Awards and $1000 cash, plus a story on the winning home will feature in the January 2023 issue.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Instructions on how to enter are part of the conditions of entry. This competition is open to New Zealand residents, except employees of Are Media, Resene and their immediate families and agencies. The five finalists and overall winner will be notified by telephone and/ or email. All entries are eligible for consideration for the Resene website. Any non-finalists selected for the Resene website will receive a free gift from Resene.

ENTER

SMALL ROOM AWARDS

PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

HOT TOPIC There are so many options to heat your home. What’s right for you comes down to the size and age of your house and personal preference. Turn to page 82 for the lowdown.

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RENOVATION 74

Welcome back New meets old in this ’60s state house.

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The heat is on Warm thoughts to beat the big chill.

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Welcome back From the outside, new meets old at this ’60s state house in Auckland, but it’s an entirely different matter on the inside Text Debbie Harrison Photography Babiche Martens

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R OUTDOOR ROOM Rebecca and Matt Saunders are both keen gardeners and have achieved a lot in a small space. Matt built the deck and the seating. The squabs on the built-in seating and Acapulco chairs are from Bunnings Warehouse.

BEFORE

BEFORE

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hen Rebecca and Matt Saunders found their first home nine years ago, they couldn’t believe their luck. They’d been searching for months for a home they could call their own and had settled on Auckland’s Te Atatū Peninsula as an area where they wanted to live. For them, the peninsula had the smalltown vibe they were used to when growing up in rural New Zealand, but it was just a short commute to the city.

“Te Atatū really resonated with us because it’s got that real community feel, schools are within walking distance, and the local shops have everything you need so you don’t need to leave the suburb if you don’t want to. It’s a destination place, not a throughway for people

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Meet & greet Matt (brand and creative consultant and co-founder of RAAD) and Rebecca Saunders (marketing contractor and co-founder of RAAD), Zoe, seven, and Issy, three. trying to get to other suburbs, but it’s also close enough to Auckland city, where Matt and I have always worked,” explains Rebecca.

Finding their dream home in their preferred suburb, however, wasn’t quite so simple. At the time, most houses on the market were do-ups and Rebecca and Matt didn’t have the capacity to oversee a renovation.

Luckily, Rebecca’s brother came through with the jackpot when he mentioned that his friend Simon had just finished work on a ’60s former state house.

Simon had gutted and fully renovated the 82sqm house, complete with polished floors and a new bathroom and kitchen. With 2.5 bedrooms and a 405sqm section, it was just what the couple had been looking for.

“It was the dream house for us. It was a proper house, after years of apartment living, with enough land for us to enjoy and start our own garden. Then, in 2014, we had our first daughter Zoe. While the house was still great for our small family of three, we started to feel like we needed something bigger. In true ’60s style, the house had small windows and no indoor-outdoor flow. You were either inside or you were out; for Zoe to play outdoors, we had to be out there too, otherwise we couldn’t keep an eye on her. It just didn’t work for family life.”

The couple started searching for a larger home in the area but soon came to the conclusion that a renovation

R CASUAL LIVING The dining chairs are from Kmart and the dried floral wreath was made by Rebecca, who used to be a florist.

The wooden platter on the table is a gift from Rebecca’s mother. The Saunders agree removing the back wall to the garden was their best decision, saying, “We absolutely love the sliding doors onto the deck.”

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BEFORE

BEFORE

STUDY IN CONTRASTS Resene Double White Pointer was used on the house exterior. The modern extension features Colorsteel roofing that goes up one side of the house and over the roof, with a few panels of weatherboard to subtly connect it with the original home.

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would be cheaper and would give them the opportunity to create a home that really worked for them.

The reno plans Matt originally trained as an architect and Rebecca has always been creative, so from day one they brainstormed ideas of what they’d do with the space if they renovated.

“We’re pleased we lived in it for a few years first because it meant we got to really understand the house and how it might work better for us as a family,” says Rebecca. “In Zoe’s early years she was an incredibly light sleeper – and because there was no buffer between our living area and the bedrooms, Matt and I would spend our nights whispering with the TV volume turned down low. That was something we wanted to address with the renovation.”

An architect friend turned the couple’s concepts

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into plans and they started work in 2017. The renovation included building a new extension, which included a two-car garage, a hallway connecting new with old, a new bedroom downstairs, and a main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite upstairs.

A new laundry was incorporated into the garage, removing it from its previous home in the kitchen.

The couple gently rejigged the layout of the original home without touching the structure too much. They didn’t change the kitchen or bathroom, which would have pushed the cost up – instead, they got a lot more bang for buck by keeping it simple. By removing the smallest existing bedroom from the centre of the house, they suddenly had space for a dining room, which also created better flow between the kitchen and lounge.

“That small room had been Zoe’s and it received so much sun in summer that it would be roasting in there. Removing those walls and using that space as a dining room meant we suddenly had all that gorgeous sunshine flooding into our open-plan area,” Rebecca says. Previously, a bank of kitchen cabinets had sat along the exterior wall of Zoe’s bedroom – when they went, it turned the narrow galley kitchen into a more open L-shape.

The couple agree that their best move was replacing the back wall to the garden with a massive four-metre stacking slider that leads out onto a new deck.

“When the sliding door went in, it was a transformational moment. It opened up the house so much and gave us that indoor-outdoor flow we were desperate for. Now, our backyard courtyard is another room and a great social space in summer. In winter, when the doors are shut, there’s so much glass that you still feel like you’re connected with outside – when it’s raining, you can be indoors feeling cosy but not completely shut off from the garden.”

The new addition There was a lot of debate about whether to have the new extension blend in with the original white state house or to go big and bold instead.

“We decided we weren’t going to try to match it or pretend it wasn’t an extension. Instead, it was a deliberate move to make a distinction between “this is new, this is old”, juxtaposing the two styles of modern and traditional, black and white. We have some black weatherboards at the entrance as a nod to the

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LOUNGE The artwork above the fireplace was made by Rebecca and rug from Onehunga Carpets. The leather pouffe is a gift from Rebecca’s brother while travelling in Morocco, the coolie chair was bought off Trade Me and white planter with fig plant from Palmers Garden Centre. MAIN BEDROOM Rebecca loves the high ceilings in this room. The table is from Kmart and bedside table lamps from Freedom.

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insulated, it’s used as a second lounge/playroom.

While the parents are entertaining guests on the deck outside, Zoe, Issy and their friends love to pull up bean bags and watch a movie on the big screen using their projector. It’s also where Rebecca and Matt have set up their home office, for contract marketing work and to work on their business, RAAD – a range of scented plant-based cleaning products they launched in 2020.

The outdoors

ENSUITE Adding a second bathroom has been a boon for the family, but they have had reason to regret not adding a double shower.

ZOE’S BEDROOM The desk is from Freedom and the artwork of the little girl praying was made by Rebecca’s Granny Clarke.

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weatherboard on the original house, but otherwise they are two very different styles,” she says.

The original house was built on piles and the steps that led to the original front door are now in the hallway that joins the new extension to the existing house. All three bedrooms downstairs are stacked to one side of the hallway and a new sliding door separates the living zone from the open-plan living, giving them that much-needed ability to close off the areas at night, in time for the arrival of second daughter, Issy.

Externally, it’s obvious which part is new and which part is original, but inside it’s seamless due to their design choices. The couple used the same carpet, paint, lighting and flooring throughout to create a cohesive feel.

An unexpected bonus has been the functionality of their new garage. Laid with marine carpet and fully

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With Rebecca and Matt coming from families of keen gardeners, they knew they wanted a garden and set about transforming the initial bare section into a serene space. They’ve achieved a lot within their small footprint, with clever planting choices and hard landscaping. A gate and Photinia ‘Red Robin’ hedge they planted early on their roadside boundary has quickly grown to give them privacy from passers-by as well as enclosing their property completely to allow their girls to safely play on bikes on the driveway.

A row of olive trees has been added along the side of the new extension, providing both softness and a feature as you walk up the path to the front door.

But it’s out the back that has the real wow factor, thanks to the couple’s creativity and Matt’s hard labour.

While the building renovation was left to the experts, Matt got stuck in and DIYed most of the outdoor landscaping, including building a retaining wall along the side of the house, adding built-in seating to the deck, and laying astroturf out the back.

“Having artificial grass was a contentious choice – especially with our dads who both take pride in their lawns. But because the backyard is small, it’s often shaded by the house and olive trees, which made it hard to grow grass. Matt laid it himself using YouTube tutorials and a swathe of hired tools. It’s always green and lush and feels like carpet, which was great when our kids were toddlers,” Rebecca says.

A concrete pad was replaced with a deck that flows

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“Our home is still quite small, but because you can open it right up to this courtyard it’s like another room.”

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off the new dining area and gets lots of use as an entertaining area. Above the built-in deck seating they’ve planted star jasmine, which smells amazing on summer evenings.

Privacy from neighbours is achieved with a row of espaliered olive trees, which the couple planted within months of moving in – the olives were hand-medowns from a friend, and traded for a bottle of whisky.

“We’re so grateful we planted those early on because it gives us a beautiful green outlook from inside, rather than looking at a fence. The whole courtyard is a dream for us – our home is still quite small, but because you can open it right up to this courtyard it’s like another room. When we have kids’ birthday parties or entertain here, I can be in the kitchen without being separated from the guests.

It’s a great social area,” Rebecca says.

Future plans After briefly toying with a move to another town to be closer to their family, Rebecca and Matt decided they weren’t ready to leave their home – and community – just yet.

“We feel so lucky to be bringing our kids up here, in this house and in this community. Our home truly feels like a sanctuary to us, especially through Covid and lockdowns. We’re in no hurry to say goodbye to it just yet.”

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Lessons learned What did you learn from this renovation? That it was worth doing – it allowed us to make the house work for the next step up, rather than looking for something else. We valued being able to make it suit us, bespoke to our lifestyle. As a result, we enjoy spending a lot of time at home.

How would you describe your decor style? We went for a white background so we could add colour through decor items. We don’t like too much colour, but it has definitely crept in over the years. We don’t try to match everything or conform to a style – instead, we buy stuff that we like.

Honesty box What were your best decisions regarding this reno? Just doing it in the first place. It added so much lifestyle value and enabled us to stay here for so much longer. We also gained storage. In typical 1960s style, the house had no storage – just some strange 40cm-deep cupboards. Now we have so much storage behind the main bedroom, under the stairs and in the big linen cupboard.

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Is there anything you regret or wish you’d done differently? Not really. We do joke that the architect suggested we put a double shower in the ensuite because we had the space for it, but it was an extra $150. At that point, with all the costs, we thought it seemed extravagant but it would have really come in handy.

What was your best furniture purchase? A black and white cane coolie chair, which I found on Trade Me years ago.

What is your favourite room or spot in the house now? We absolutely love the sliding doors on to the deck. And our bedroom – I love the high ceiling and the feeling I get as I walk into the room and see the sun streaming in through the big high windows.

What do most visitors comment on? Asking what the new bit and old bits were.

Best memories in your home? There have been so many. A mixture of just the four of us having family pizza night outside on the deck, or our social moments, when friends come round and Matt gets on the Heston barbecue.

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THE HEAT IS ON Gas, electricity, solar, wood or bio fuel?

Your guide to staying warm at home when the big chill sets in Text Catherine Steel

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R Also great for villas, the Gazco Riva2 600 Gas Fire, from $5445, from The Fireplace, is designed to fit into existing chimneys with a mantel for a traditional look or opt for a clean-edge finish.

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hen it comes to heating a home there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What suits a big family who like to socialise together in an open-plan space may not work for a smaller one that spreads itself out into different rooms.

Your choice of heating should reflect your family’s lifestyle and your home’s aesthetic. Ideally, it effortlessly segues into your interior, without being noticed, or it’s a style statement – either way, it should tie in with the look of your interior.

The World Health Organisation advises that the minimum indoor temperature should be 18°C in living areas and 16°C in bedrooms. Recommendations for babies and elderly people are higher. Here’s how to meet those needs in a way that suits your home.

BEST heating for an old villa: heat pump

If highwall styles are not for you, the Panasonic Z35 Floor Console Heat Pump/Air Conditioner, $2501, from Harvey Norman, features the nanoeX air purification system. .

Heat pumps are ideal for old villas because they take the heat from outside your home and bring it inside, circulating clean fresh air. They’re perfect for heating bigger or less well-insulated spaces, which is common in older houses, and the purchase cost will be more than offset by cheaper running costs. Easily installed without tampering with your home’s structure, they can heat multiple rooms and come in floor consoles, highwall or ducted systems.

The wrong-sized heat pump for your room will mean it won’t heat your space adequately, so ensure you buy the right size for the space you want to heat, using the energy rating label. The higher the number of stars, the more energy-efficient and low-cost the heat pump will be to run.

If you use a heat pump with four stars on the energy rating label it will output 55 percent fewer emissions than a similar heat pump with only one star.

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Smile-S6-HV Battery System from The Solar Group.

BEST eco-friendly heating: solar power Do you want to see your monthly power bill reduced? Solar panels and an accompanying battery system are perfect for enabling this while adding value to your home. Because energy is sourced naturally from the sun, there is less or no grid dependence.

Ideally, you’d place your panels on the roof in a north-facing direction to capture the most sunlight. If you do not want them on the roof, or your roof is facing south where there is less sunlight, you could have panels on a groundmount. This option is ideal for those living in areas out of the city with more space.

During the day your house will run on live solar power generated by your panels. While this happens, your battery system will charge

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from the excess generated energy to be used at night when the sun is down.

A percentage of your power will still sometimes come from the grid for days that are not sunny enough to supply all your electricity demands. This applies to grid-tied and hybrid systems. But if you want to go off-grid, you can depend on a generator for back-up energy.

You’ll reduce your power bill, pay a one-time payment (from $10,000 up) with little to no maintenance or grid dependence and avoid rising utility costs.

As all projects are customised according to each property, costs will vary. Ongoing costs are little to none.

The Gazco Reflex 105 Edge with Echo Flame Black Glass lining is designed with a frameless edge so it easily fits into a modern interior.

The optional smartphone or tablet control gives ease of use.. From $10,252, from The Fireplace.

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BEST aesthetically pleasing heating: gas fireplace Love the look of a traditional fire but could do without the mess and labour involved? A gas fire is the answer. Quick and easy to use, with no need to worry about chopping, ordering or storing wood, current styles are sleek and chic, adding not only warmth to your room but a stylish feature too.

BEST Budget--friendly with instant gratification: convection heater Quick to heat your room and make life more comfortable, the convection heater is quiet to run. “For a budget-friendly option with instant gratification, go for a portable convection heater,” says Evan Claxton, general manager of small appliances, Harvey Norman. “They will heat a relatively large space without costing a huge amount to run. Generally, they are free-standing and can be moved from room to room if you don’t want multiple heaters running.”

“We have seen a lift towards the premium panel heater, which is completely silent, very economical to run and has a life-time warranty.

So, you’re buying a heater you know you will own it forever. Long-term that’s the best way to buy a heater, it’s the cheapest way to run, but you’re buying premium initially. We have people coming back to buy more of these for their second and third rooms.”

“If you have a small heater in a massive room it has to run full bore the whole time, which can be expensive. So, size the heater to the room, get a larger heater for a large room so you won’t spend more running it, and make sure it has a good thermostat to save you money. Bear in mind you might spend a bit more for the heater itself initially.”

De’Longhi 2000-watt portable convection heater, from $89, from Harvey Norman.

Dimplex Micathermic Heater with Electronic Climate Control 2.4kW Black, $399, from Mitre 10, offers both radiant and convective heat so you will still feel the warmth from the heater as the room heats up.

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SPLURGE

AURORA AETHER SUSPENDED FIREPLACE, $10,95 3.80, FROM H E AT R I T E . F O R T H E B I O F U E L O PT I O N , YO U N E E D TO TO P U P T H E F U E L A S YO U G O.

BEST heating for an ultra--modern house: suspended fireplace Picture yourself sitting back and warming yourself as you watch the flames flicker in a fireplace that is almost floating. Perfect for a contemporary home, the suspended fireplace celebrates curves that are easy on the eye, its unique aesthetic using space efficiently while keeping you warm.

What is so appealing about these fires is that you’re owning something unique; rather than just a fireplace it’s also a coveted design. A big talking point for any home, whether used as an indoor or outdoor fire, it’s available in wood-fired, bio fuel or hybrid wood/bio fuel versions.

The bio fuel option can be capped off in the ceiling, eliminating a need for a flue inserted through the roof. The fuel is plant-based and eco-friendly, hence no need for a fully open flue system. The wood-fired option also creates the opportunity to cook a pizza.

Also good: modern woodburner Ideal for passive homes, modern wood fires offer high heat with low emissions. Modern designs allow you to heat different areas with a rotating ability, and can be used as open fires or closed with glass doors.

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PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION, PANASONIC, THE SOLAR GROUP, THE FIREPLACE, MITRE 10, HARVEY NORMAN, AURORA SUSPENDED FIRES

Woodsman Serene Petite wood fire, $2599, from Mitre 10.

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Perfect match Serial renovators Alice and Caleb Pearson update a former state house by selecting high-performance Haier appliances

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hen Alice and Caleb Pearson won season two of The Block NZ in 2013, renovating went from being a passion project to business venture.

Not counting the two renovations they did for The Block and The Ultimate Reno, they’re onto their 11th home renovation now and counting.

The couple’s latest project is a four-bedroom former state house in Panmure with good bones, built with quality materials, solid and dependable.

Priorities for the young Auckland couple and their four children were tackling the kitchen and laundry, which needed to be highly functional given they are

such heavy use areas. Alice and Caleb chose to open the kitchen up to the living area so it could be the focal point of the space. Deciding to go with a soft colour scheme and natural textures, the kitchen features handmade tiles, wooden floorboards, and a soft elderflower and gentle blush colour scheme.

“We decided to create a scullery and laundry, which houses the pantry, fridge, washing machine, heat pump dryer, extra sink and cleaning storage.

This meant that our main kitchen has clean lines and a generous bench,” says Alice.

They also made sure the brushed nickel tapware, kitchen handles and stainless-steel sinks worked

YH&G + HAIER

Alice and Caleb chose to open the kitchen up to the living area so it could be the focal point of the space.

A COOK’S KITCHEN Alice was surprised how well her roasts retained moisture with the Rotisserie feature of their Haier oven, which slowly rotates the meat as the vegetables cook below.

COHESIVE DETAILS The Haier induction cooktop in black ceramic glass offers a minimal profile and matches the oven.

Haier’s front loader washing machine and heat pump dryer are designed to look great together, with complementary functions for ideal fabric care.

LAUNDRY STARS The Haier washing machine includes UV Protect technology for hygienic washing and Refresh, which uses steam to gently remove odours.

For energy efficient and gentle drying, the Haier heat pump dryer is a standout. INSTANT REFRESHMENT The Haier fridge offers convenient access to chilled water with a door water dispenser that doesn’t need to be plumbed in.

with the complementary colour ranges on the Haier quad door refrigerator freezer and Haier dishwasher.

These appliances helped to create clean lines in the kitchen, as did the Haier induction cooktop. Alice is a fan of the new-to-her technology with “instantresponse heat as soon as a pot or pan is placed on the surface”. She also appreciates the added safety of the technology, describing how “the induction cooktop stays cool around your cookware, preventing those annoying baked-on spills”.

The speed of induction comes in handy for Taco Tuesdays when Caleb whips up the Mexican family favourite. If Alice is hosting, a roast is her go-to meal in the spacious oven. “I love that you can put everything in the oven and cook while you entertain,” she says.

When it came to the “highly visible laundry” they wanted to make it as pleasing as possible. To do this they incorporated the design elements of the kitchen and chose Haier laundry appliances that were made to match. Haier’s front loader washing machine and heat

pump dryer are designed to look great together, with complementary functions for ideal fabric care.

The large capacity 10kg washing machine and 9kg heat pump dryer are perfect for the Pearson family.

“They both have a Speed Up function if you need your clothes clean and dry fast and Eco wash cycles to save energy and water,” says Alice.

Alice and Caleb are happy with every aspect of their renovation from the colour scheme to the tiles, soft-toned furnishings and Haier appliances, which in their words: “all works together to create a memorable kitchen”.

Inspired Living

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Shop their style Innovative kitchen and laundry appliances give this space a contemporary look

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10 9 11 1 Haier self-cleaning wall oven, $1649. 2 Bellambi ceiling pendant, $549, from Freedom. 3 Garcia deep dish bowl, $32.99, from Shut the Front Door. 4 Living & Co Naturals glass canister, $8 (1.4L), from The Warehouse. 5 Moka express 6-cup coffee maker, $98, from Bialetti. 6 Haier 10kg front loader washing machine, $1999.

7 Haier 9kg heat pump dryer, $2599. 8 Kochi jute rug, $179 (medium), from Nood. 9 Haier freestanding dishwasher, $1299. 10 Radial stool, $640 (75cm), from Citta.

11 Haier quad door refrigerator freezer, $2999.

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ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES Talk about making an entry. The anticipation must build on the approach to the front door of this New Plymouth house when taking this dead-straight boardwalk bordered by two rows of clivia. For more of this house, turn the page.

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PHOTOGRAPHY GINA FABISH

Past & present Finding the beauty in a charmless ’70s beast.

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New lease on life Easy home rental decorating hacks.

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PAST & A New Plymouth couple rewrote history to give a charmless ’70s house a large dose of right-on retro appeal

PRESENT Text Shelley Tustin Photography Gina Fabish

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LIVING ROOM In the newly open-plan living area, Blair and Karen Prichard’s prized furnishings have room to breathe. A low sofa from BoConcept frames a Le Corbusier chaise and a USM sideboard from ECC. KITCHEN (opposite) The dark veneer was chosen in a hurry for the first renovation and Karen says it never really looked right against the other finishes in the house. But with the new neutrals – travertinestyle floors, grasscloth wallpaper – “All of a sudden, it felt like it belonged,” she says.

In the latest renovation, the room was transformed from family kitchen to entertainer’s space; kitchen designer Annika Rowson created a bar set-up, reusing a lot of the original cabinetry and adding features like a wine fridge and fluted glass cabinets for glassware.

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“It was very original but it wasn’t charming at all.

It was a ’70s house, but not a cool ’70s house.”

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G DINING AREA A replica Tulip table from Homage sits lightly in the dining zone. A Kartell Kabuki floor lamp – Blair’s 50th birthday present to Karen – forms a sculptural statement in the corner next to a replica Eames lounge chair. Though they are avid collectors who appreciate an original treasure when they can get it, Karen says, “We’re not purists.”

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ood bones. It’s the carrot that lures would-be renovators, motivating them to pour all their passion, time and money into uncovering the beauty beneath the beast. But what if there are no good bones to be revealed? With little to redeem this 1970s house at first glance, New Plymouth couple Karen and Blair Prichard were wooed, not by x-ray vision, but by the imaginative vision of close friend and “genius” Michael Mansvelt.

“He said, ‘If you don’t buy it, I’m going to. And this is what I’m going to do to it’,” says Karen. Michael then explained how he could renovate this aged ugly duckling into a retro-inspired swan, enhancing the home with some of the ’70s-style architectural gems – from a glass-panelled entryway to lush tropical landscaping – that it had missed out on the first time around.

Here’s a story…

Karen jokes, “We’re the Brady Bunch” – an appropriate comparison, given the retro flavour of their home.

When they spotted the house in 2009, she and Blair

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were living separately – she with her two girls and he with his two boys – and looking for a home that could hold their blended family comfortably. “We needed a home we could compartmentalise,” she explains. It was also private, sunny and perfectly located, ticking every box on their list except the aesthetic ones.

Having had only two owners in its history, the home was chock-full of original features: internal rimu and glass sliding doors, a built-in bar and “one of those old ’70s kitchens with a thousand tiny cupboards”. But while it sounds fascinating on paper, Karen asserts, “It was very original, but it wasn’t charming at all. It was a ’70s house, but not cool ’70s.” It needed a practical renovation, plus a sprinkle of inspiration to drag it back from the brink of dagginess.

Diving in The home needed a renovation, quick-smart, to make it workable for Blair and Karen’s family; practical projects, like a main bedroom ensuite and a new, modern kitchen, were top of the list. But the couple also took the opportunity to introduce Michael’s retro-style ideas, turning the home from grungy to groovy. The entrance received the most dramatic

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Meet & greet Blair (operator off-shore oil and gas) and Karen Prichard (owner/ manager of Social Kitchen and Monica’s Eatery).

BLAIR’S COCKTAILS RUM NEGRONI INGREDIENTS

30ml Campari 30ml Cocchi Vermouth 30ml Diplomatico Rum Half slice of orange or cleaned orange peel 1 Combine spirits in a mixing glass with ice and stir for

about 1 minute.

2 Strain into chilled rocks glass over a large block of ice. Garnish with orange slice or cleaned orange peel.

GIN SOUR INGREDIENTS

60ml Strange Nature Gin 30ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed 15ml simple syrup 1 egg white Angostura bitters 1 Pour ingredients, apart from the Angostura bitters

into a Boston shaker and dry shake vigorously.

2 Add ice and shake again.

3 Double strain into a chilled coupe glass, garnishing with a few drops of Angostura bitters.

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ENTRANCE The lightbox is a custom piece, made from Perspex signs from a fashion store Blair once owned. The renovated entrance is a work of art in itself – the wall of glass and the stained cedar cladding loudly proclaim the era of the house and, though brand new, look like they’ve always been part of the building.

overhaul – the external wall became an internal one with the addition of a long wall of glass, creating a light-filled hallway down one side of the house. “When Mike said, ‘You’re going to build an entranceway of glass on the south side of the house,’ I said, ‘You’re mad’,” says Karen. “But it made sense and it looks like it’s always been like that.”

Outside, a new carport rounded out the home’s distinctly mid-century look, while landscaping took the exterior from a nondescript nana-style block of lawn and wire fences to a lush paradise of paved patios, layered foliage and even a fully-plumbed outdoor bath.

Renovation II, the sequel Fast-forward a decade or so and the kids no longer at home, Karen and Blair questioned whether to stay or to move on from their family nest. “We had discussed downsizing and buying an apartment, and we thought, why don’t we turn this into an apartment? Because we don’t want to move,” says Karen. The home’s ‘compartments’ – including a separate grown- ups’ lounge and kids’ lounge – had been exactly the right layout for a big family, but what they were searching for now was open-plan living, a clear line of sight and a sense of connection between the kitchen, dining, living and outdoor spaces. The solution was to knock through a load-bearing wall – an engineering challenge requiring huge metal beams to be craned in – to create 98

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“We thought, why don’t we turn this into an apartment?

Because we don’t want to move.”

K ARE N P R I CH A RD

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one huge kitchen and living space, connected to the sun-drenched outdoors via massive sliding glass doors.

It was also an opportunity to fix things that hadn’t made the priority list on the first renovation, like replacing the perforated ceiling tiles, and to redo bits they had cut corners on, such as the glass walkway.

“We did it in the first renovation, but could only afford cheap glazing,” says Karen. “With the second renovation, we double-glazed it and it’s made a big difference in warmth.”

Just for themselves “For both of us, our vision was to come home to our own peaceful place, which was calm and just for us,” says Karen. To create a space that was easy on the eye and soothing to the soul, the couple called on another family friend, interior designer Alisha Barnes of Plantation Design Store. Out went the old familyfriendly (and budget-wise) finishes, such as the timber-look vinyl floors, in favour of stunning travertine-style porcelain. The dated orange rimu timber was painted white and the walls covered in beautifully textured synthetic grasscloth wallpaper.

“I’ve always been obsessed with it. I always said when I grow up, when I’ve arrived, I really want grasscloth wallpaper,” Karen jokes.

The latest renovation also gave them room to indulge their passions, including converting their 10 0

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“Our vision was to come home to our own peaceful place, which was calm and just for us.”

KA RE N P R IC H AR D

GUEST BEDROOM “We’ve gone a bit Kartell crazy down one end of the house,” says Karen. Little green Kartell lamps sit on Componibili side tables and a Masters chair stands in one corner. The photographic artworks are by Blair’s son, Taylor Prichard.

GUEST BATHROOM (opposite) This bathroom had a light makeover to tie in with the nearby kitchen.

This was achieved by adding a timber veneer vanity and lozenge-shaped mirror from Freedom.

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OUTDOORS Investing in landscaping early was one of the smartest decisions Karen and Blair made and, aside from new kentia palms at the entrance to replace the bamboo that went rogue, everything in the garden was planted 12 years ago and has grown up around them.

Bathed by sun from the west, the garden is private and warm, and a major reason why the couple decided to renovate again rather than moving.

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family-sized kitchen pantry into a miniature bar, with racks and a fridge for wine, fluted glass cabinets for their glassware, and bench space for Blair to mix and muddle his own delicious cocktail creations.

“In the past few years, he’s done a deep dive into the peculiar world of cocktails. He’s so passionate about the knowledge and the history behind them,” Karen explains.

Eye of a collector Blair’s other obvious passion is for mid-century furniture, with his collection dating back to well before this home purchase. “When I first met Blair, he had the Le Corbusier (chaise longue) and all these beautiful pieces,” says Karen. “While we were fumbling around with growing children, they

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were all part of our home. But they got lost because of all the stuff that you put up with when you’ve got kids in a house.”

Despite competing for real estate with familyfriendly furnishings, the couple’s collection of prized pieces has quietly grown over the years – a Kartell Kabuki lamp here, a Magis Puppy there – and the clean lines and calm palette of the post-renovation house is finally giving them room to shine. “Blair’s beautiful pieces, like his lovely chairs, are coming into their own because they fit now. They were lost before, but now you walk in and notice how beautiful they are,” says Karen.

“We’ve reinvented our lives so many times, both of us. Life throws curveballs and you think, ‘How did I survive that?’ So there’s no guilt in this,” Karen says of their ‘just for themselves’ renovation. From her contented sigh, it’s clear the home has delivered this busy couple a well-earned dose of tranquillity. But is it their forever home? “We’ve worked out how to get wheelchairs into the house, so that’s a yes.”

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KEY 1 Entry 2 Laundry 3 Powder room 4 Bar 5 Bathroom

6 Bedroom 7 Kitchen 8 Dining 9 Living 10 Media room

11 Main bedroom 12 Walk-in wardrobe 13 Ensuite 14 Utility shed 15 Car port

Honesty box What area did you save on? None – renovating is expensive. But, if I am being honest, we would have saved a lot in designer fees thanks to some very talented friends.

Where did you splurge? Our biggest splurge over the two major renovations would have been landscaping and heating. Initially we had a ‘nana’ garden with a wire fence around the property, so hard landscaping in the initial renovation was big.

Best lessons learnt? There is no such thing as ornamental bamboo. Also, designers are worth their weight in gold. They can prevent very expensive mistakes, their industry experience and long-term thinking is priceless.

What would you never do again? Plant bamboo.

Any disasters? We had great project managers with both renovations that prevented actual disasters. In the current Covid climate we experienced long delays with product, but that could be said with the entire country. A first world problem.

Most memorable experience in the home? We have two memorable experiences that come to mind. The day after our wedding enjoying an open day with all our guests having a barbecue outside in a weather bomb (such a great day despite the weather). And my daughter’s 21st – a perfect evening when our outdoor space really came to life. With the fire lit and lots of outdoor fairy lights, it looked amazing.

+ Make room for your passions The ‘when I grow up, I want to have…’ aspects of the house include our bar; this is an absolute guilty pleasure. Blair, in particular, loves the history and science behind mixology and making exceptional cocktails. For me, the ‘I just love wine’ part of being a restaurateur is a constantly developing beverage list, therefore I’m obliged to do market research.

Budget $100,000 for the second renovation.

Karen’s design tips

Finishes

+ Choose art you love We love art and a lot of the pieces we have chosen are personal. We have also accumulated these pieces over decades. Some of our favourite pieces are by people we know and love. Blair’s son Taylor Prichard (taylorprichard.com) is a professional photographer and the pieces we have of his are special.

Hallway Resene Rice Cake Guest bedrooms Resene Quarter Foggy Grey Living room walls Arte Marsh wallpaper Floor tiles Mariner Imperium tile in cotton, Independent Ceramics, independentceramics.co.nz Kitchen cabinets Bestwood melamine in dark oak

Powder room wallpaper Holden Decor Kieder Oriental wallpaper in teal Exterior timber stain Sikkens woodcare in dark oak

Contacts Architect Michael Mansvelt Design, michaelmansvelt.com Builder Clelands Construction, clelands.net.nz Interior designer Alisha Barnes, Plantation Design Store, plantationdesignstore.co.nz Kitchen Rowson Kitchens, rowsonkitchens.co.nz Tiler Company of Tiles, companyoftilesltd.co.nz Plumber Plumb It, plumbit.co.nz Electrician NPE-Tech, npe-tech.co.nz Glazier DB’s Glass & Glazing, dbglass.co.nz

Suppliers BoConcept boconcept.com ECC ecc.co.nz Homage homage.co.nz

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YOUR FRIDGE, YOUR WAY

Samsung’s new bespoke French Door Fridge gives you creative control over the colour and finish to suit your kitchen

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ou’ve got your kitchen to the point of perfection, having created the ideal interior after spending hours contemplating every design decision from benchtop to joinery, lighting and tapware. So why limit yourself to choosing a fridge in conventional white or stainless steel, which so often doesn’t work with the rest of your carefully considered choices?

Fortunately, Samsung has launched the new Bespoke French Door Fridge. Aside from having a minimal, modern handlefree profile thanks to the interchangeable panels, you get to customise the colour and finish of the French Door Fridge to blend with your kitchen – or not – if you want to make a stand-out statement.

With either a Cotta Metal or Glam Glass Finish, you can also select your colour – how does Charcoal, White, Navy or Pink sound? There’s also nothing stopping you from going Glam Pink on the top and Cotta Charcoal on the bottom.

While the Samsung Bespoke French Door Fridge is a winner in the looks department, the cutting-edge Samsung technology is also everything you’d expect from this world-renowned electronics company. The Triple cooling system

PERFECT MATCH Forget being limited to standard white or stainless steel, the Samsung Bespoke French Door Fridge can be customised with coloured glass or steel panels to blend in or stand out.

ensures precise cooling environments in the top half of the fridge, as well as separate temperatures in the bottom two parts of the fridge. There’s also a powerful UV deodorising filter to keep the air in your fridge smelling fresh.

Exceptional performance aside, having creative licence to change how your fridge looks is one of the most exciting developments in fridges in a long time. And if you tire of the panels you’ve chosen, or update your kitchen, change your panels for a new-look fridge.

Samsung Bespoke French Door Refrigerator, $6899; panels, $129 each, sold separately.

Head for bed Short on space? Why not make a slatted headboard and incorporate shelves that can be moved into position as a side table between the slats Photography Anna Briggs

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RESENE Colorwood Wash Becalm

NIKKI KETTLE DIY expert

RESENE Colorwood Wash Rising Tide

You will need • Measuring tape • Pencil • 30mm x 30mm timber for the slats.

I used dressed pine • 40mm x 19mm timber for the uprights • 250mm x 19mm timber for the shelves • Dropsaw or skillsaw • Stain. I used Resene Colorwood Whitewash in Resene Bask • Wood filler, if desired • Screws • Drill bit • Drill • Soft paint brush and small paint roller • Sandpaper/sander • Paint (for shelves). I used Resene Quick Coat Primer and Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Alabaster

RESENE Colorwood Wash Shore Thing

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Measure the bedhead space to work out what size timber you will need. While planning, find some studs for fixing as this is where your upright timber will go. I did this under a window, as I know there is a stud either side of the window. I also added a third upright in the middle for support but this doesn’t need to be on a stud.

Measure and cut slats to length.

Measure the length of shelf you want and cut to length. It will be best if these can slide all the way to the wall so I made these short enough to miss the upright support timbers. I left the uprights long as I didn’t know exactly where the slats would end. The uprights can be cut off once all the slats and gaps are placed and fixed in.

Give all the timber a light sand.

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Lay out the slats on a clean surface with the good face or finished face down. Pre-drill and screw your top slat or horizontal piece flush with the top of all three uprights.

Put the shelf hard under it and place the next piece tightly under that. This needs to be firm so the shelves don’t slip around when inserted (but not so tight you

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Tip Use a finer grit of sandpaper on the timber to achieve a nice smooth finish prior to painting.

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can’t get them out). Pre-drill and screw the second slat.

Repeat these steps until you have used all your slats. Cut off the excess upright.

Stain the slats and uprights. I used Resene Colorwood Whitewash in Resene Bask and recommend applying with a soft brush.

Prime and paint the shelves. I used Resene Quick Dry Primer with Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Alabaster as a top coat.

Fix the headboard to the wall using at least four large screws. Fill holes with wood filler.

Place the shelves and style as desired.

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WORKSHOP

A new lease on LIFE Everything you need to know about refurbishing your rental Text Caroline Moratti

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s the housing market spirals to near unattainable heights for many Kiwis, renting is fast becoming the new way of life. While renting has its perks, such as being able to live in beautiful, old villas without worrying about money-pit surprises — the practice can be restrictive if you want to adapt your home to suit your personal tastes. However, thanks to a change in tenancy law regarding minor changes and fittings to rental properties, there are some nifty ways to upgrade your space.

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“Each time you put something back in the room, think about whether it sparks any joy.”

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1 Cotton chindi rug, $59.99, from Trade Aid. 2 Maison Levy Cafe Creme cushion, $259, from Madder & Rouge. 3 Brass drawer knob coral floret, $17.90, from Folklore Store.

Know your rights In the past year, tenancy law changes have come into effect that provide improved rights for tenants, especially for those that are DIY dreamers or interior lovers. Tenants can now ask to make small alterations to a property and a landlord cannot decline if the change is minor. A minor change is defined as any fixture, renovation, alteration or addition to the property that has a low risk of damage, can be easily reversed, and doesn’t require regulatory consent. So, while you can’t knock down that pesky extra wall, you can paint walls or put up some shelves.

Before you get too ahead of yourself, you need to write to your landlord about the changes you plan on making and they must respond to you in 21 days. You’ll likely have to foot the bill yourself, and you’ll have to remove any minor fixtures you’ve fitted when you move out, unless agreed otherwise. All in all, it’s a big win for renters and a step in the right direction for helping make a house a home.

Marie Kondo your space For any house, decluttering is one of the simplest (and cheapest) steps you can take to revamp your home. Interior designer Carley Lloyd from Colourbolt Interior Design says one of the silver linings of being a renter is knowing exactly how

much “stuff” you have because of regularly boxing it all up and moving between properties. She advises picking a weekend, choosing a room and removing all furniture and accessories back to the bare bones.

After cleaning the room, put one piece back in at a time and see how you feel, starting with the biggest pieces.

“Each time you put something back in the room, think about whether it sparks any joy, holds any special memories, or functions in a way that makes your life easier, if it doesn’t, get rid of it. Not into the garage, the boot of the car, the junk drawer, or the spare room, but actually get it off the property,” says Carley. “Whether you sell it

or donate it, I promise you’ll never think about it again – and it will make you feel instantly lighter and ready to continue tackling the interior of your rental, room by room.”

Quick swaps Refreshing your kitchen hardware can be done in the time it takes to boil a kettle.

Unscrew old knobs and replacing them with vintage-inspired finds will help add character to your kitchen. From brass handles to ceramic flowers, there’s a world of fun to be had with your cupboard doors.

It’s also a low-cost solution to all your scullery decorating woes.

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Don’t let your drapes drag you down – a switch is easier than you think. Give the old curtains a quick clean and store away from direct sunlight, be wary of creating any creases when folding them into containers. When looking for replacements, there are a tonne of ready-made curtains out there, Carley says, that will make an instant impact and often provide better warmth and insulation. Best of all, you can take them with you when you move. If you don’t feel like splashing out, look for fabric remnants in op-shops and sew your own. For those less craft-oriented, check out bamboo blinds for a cheap-yet-chic inspired look. Don’t forget, in kitchens and laundries you can simply remove any curtains and leave your windows au natural.

If your rental came with furniture, fear not.

Just because your landlord has bad taste in lounge suites doesn’t mean you’re doomed to spend a Saturday night on sub-standard seating. Sofa and chair covers are small godsends for inserting serenity into a space.

Add a throw and a couple of cushions, and away you go.

Hit the ground running Whether you’re stuck with scratched-up vinyl or thread-bare carpet, flooring can often feel like a renter’s nightmare. Sometimes the most obvious answer is the best answer: rugs.

Maximalist floors are having a moment so make sure to capitalise on the hot trend. Quite simply, you can never have enough rugs. Layer classic oriental prints over earthy textiles or consider an eye-catching tufted piece from a

Tip Removable wallpaper is reusable and designed not to damage walls upon removal. Save the planet – and your bond. local artist. Before you panic about the price, Carley says, “This sounds expensive, but there is such a great range of price points out there.

You can always find carpet offcuts for sale on Trade Me, Marketplace and garage sales as well.

Finding a bargain or getting offcuts bound will provide a comfortable new aesthetic.”

If you don’t want to invest in flooring, consider diverting the eye upwards. A gallery wall full of fun and funky art is easy to hang and sure to distract from any less-thandesirable linoleum or carpet.

STICK ’EM UP Self-adhesive wall tiles can be applied to painted plasterboard – after a 21-day curing time for fresh paint – as well as acrylic wall panels, wallpaper and smooth ceramic tiles.

Stick it out Penny Davy wall tiles, $49 (four-pack), from Vinyl Home.

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Kitchen countertops can be easily remedied with the marvellous invention of peel-andstick vinyl paper. The application requires a steady hand, but the results can transform formerly dark, dingy spaces. To apply, simply clean your surface with household cleaner and

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Eight-piece wall photo frame set black, $17, from Kmart.

rubbing alcohol. Slowly peel back the contact paper and apply, using a smoothing tool or squeegee to flatten out any creases or air bubbles. Make sure to smooth from the centre to the edges, pushing the air out of the vinyl sheet. If the material starts to stretch, feel free to use a hairdryer on a low setting to revert to normal shape. For the best results, opt for thick stickers that are able to withstand wear and tear from everyday life. If you’ve ever had to apply contact paper to children’s school exercise books, you’ll be an expert at this easy life hack.

A quick tip before application is to spray lots of water on your counter; this will get pushed out when you squeegee down the paper, but will enable a slick, glossy finish for your dream kitchen bench. Caulking chalk is another great hack to finish off your edges when applying to particularly tricky corners.

Any leftover vinyl paper can be applied to cabinet doors, or even to toe-kicks, for an unexpected pop of colour.

Peel-and-stick decorating doesn’t stop at countertops. Removable wallpaper is budget-

friendly and, thanks to rising attention over the past decade, comes in a variety of chic patterns and colours. There’s no messy paste or primer, just wipe your walls down with a damp sponge and you’ll be ready for application the next day. If you encounter a DIY mishap, peel the strip off and reapply.

Make sure there’s no chipped paint or uneven texture, otherwise this will show through your wallpaper. When in doubt, a quick primer can add certainty to any undertaking. Best of all, removable wallpaper is reusable and designed not to damage walls upon removal. Save the planet – and your bond – all in one go.

1 Metro ball lampshade, $189.99. from AC Homestore. 2 Homelux peel & stick wall tiles $54.98 (pack of four), from Mitre 10.

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Lights up Swapping out light fixtures can add new life to old spaces. Whether you’re changing out a lampshade or a lightbulb, every little bit helps.

A fabulous pendant can be the talking point of any room, designed to catch the eye and your attention. “Think of pendants as 3D pieces of art that you’re investing in for the future,” Carley advises. “As with pendants, invest in good bulbs.

Warm lighting just makes a space feel better.”

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Tip Painted shapes such as arches, swirls and stripes are popular with millennial DIYers.

Off the wall A good coat of paint can fix almost any problem, or at very least, hide it. Carley says, “If you’re handy with a paint brush, approach the landlord and see if they’d mind you doing some DIY. If you’re willing to do the work and they’re willing to supply the paint, you’re one step closer to creating a house that’s in line with your style.” While a full-room project might be daunting for any renter, a feature wall is a low-cost, low-hassle project designed to scratch your colour itch. Painted shapes such as arches, swirls and stripes are popular with millennial DIYers and with good reason. But with whatever painting adventure you decide to embark on, make sure to save a paint chip of the old colour. This will save you a lot of time when repainting prior to your departure.

If you’re still hesitant about bringing out the paint cans, consider washi tape to add strips of personality to your walls when covering the more unforgiving spots and patches that can blight older houses. Don’t be afraid to hang shelving and art; this is considered a minor change and any holes are easy to fix with Washi tape, $11.99 (five-pack), from Typo.

THE 48-HOUR FIX

S AT U R D AY

9:00am

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Brew the coffee while cleaning and sorting.

Move furniture away from walls and remove clutter from surfaces for the frenzy to come.

Vegepod, $209 (small), Kings Plant Barn.

5:00pm

11:00am Unscrew old light fittings and install new bulbs and shades.

It’s best to see how your wallpaper and new colour choices look under this new and improved light before any big installation process.

Screw a shelf in your bathroom to help eliminate clutter on your vanity. While you’re on a shelving kick, add some to a kitchen or bedroom to showcase all your best knick-knacks.

1:00pm Wipe down your kitchen countertops with household cleaner, cut your vinyl contact paper to size and apply.

10:30am

12:00pm

4:30pm

Take a quick break to enjoy the sun and plant some veggie seedlings outside in some old pallets filled with soil, compost and fertiliser. Container gardening is easy, delicious and easy to move in the future.

Prep the living room walls for wallpapering by wiping them down with a microfibre cloth, isopropyl alcohol and water.

Remove old curtains.

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Katherine Quinn vintage floral wallpaper, $10, from Sticky Tiki.

M spackling paste. Shelving also helps break up a bare wall and draw the eye upwards to appreciate the height of a room.

If you’d prefer to leave the walls untouched Carley suggests buying a plant. “In a beautiful pot or basket they will hide a multitude of sins. It’s amazing how a beige wall will just disappear when a large, lush plant is put in front of it.”

It only takes a few simple solutions to help touch up your washroom. Upgrade your flimsy plastic toilet seat to a solid wood stunner, or at least to something that’s less mildewed.

Replace your shower curtain for a fresh floral pattern or some eye-catching stripes. Peel-andstick fixes can extend a helping hand with vinyl tiles. Designed for floors or sink splashbacks, these charmers will help lift your wet area into the 21st century.

With whatever modifications you end up making, be aware of both the cost of installation and the cost of removal. “Keep in mind that the landlord owns the property and could sell at any time,” Carley warns. “Regardless, if you’re prepared to put in the hard work, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the time you have, in the new spaces you have created.”

Remember, there’s no need to live in an uninspiring home. You deserve to live in a house that you consider is yours, regardless of whose name is on the deed.

1 Fluted polished brass drawer pull, $12, from Early Settler. 2 Tilda cabinet knob green, $7.24 (pack of two), from Mitre 10.

Cane arch mirror, $299, from Freedom.

1

9:00am Wallpaper time.

Having prepped yesterday, hanging removable wallpaper is as easy as pie.

2

5:00pm

2:30pm

Place some house plants on the floor, books to your shelves and any last finishing touches to complete your dreamy interior.

Hang mirrors and artwork in bedrooms to introduce colour, space and warmth into favourite nooks.

1:00pm Replace old hardware and kitchen handles with dazzling new finds.

S U N D AY

PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

Bathroom beautification

12:00pm

2:00pm

Refresh the outside of your fridge with any leftover removable wallpaper to create consistency between the living and dining spaces.

Invest in a new shower head. You’ll only need a shifting spanner, utility knife and wire brush for a 10-minute job that promises to revitalise your morning routine.

4:00pm m Attach your ur new Oxford shower set curtains. Leaving eaving this process towards wards the PVD, $409, from Early Settler. end helps to avoid any decorating splatters on them and puts the cherry on top of a busy weekend.

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Freeform beetroot & hazelnut tart SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS

2 x 250g packets vacuum-packed cooked beetroot 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar 2½ Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 700g orange kūmara, chopped coarsely 1½ cups hazelnut meal 1 egg, beaten lightly ½ cup grated gruyere cheese 1 large red onion, cut into thin wedges 40g baby spinach leaves 1⁄3 cup skinless roasted hazelnuts, chopped coarsely RICOTTA CREAM

1½ cups soft ricotta 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind 1 Tbsp lemon juice 2 cloves garlic, crushed

oven tray and a small oven tray with baking paper.

2 Cut beetroot into wedges; toss in a bowl with thyme, vinegar and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season.

3 Boil or steam kūmara for 10 minutes or until soft; drain well. Place kūmara in a large bowl; mash until smooth. Stir in hazelnut meal, egg and cheese; season.

Spread mixture on the large tray into a 28cm x 36cm rectangle, about 1cm thick.

4 Bake tart base for 30 minutes or until set and edges are golden.

5 Meanwhile, place onion on the small tray; drizzle with remaining oil.

Roast in oven for the last 15 minutes of tart base baking time or until onion is tender and golden.

6 Meanwhile, make Ricotta Cream. Whisk ingredients in a large bowl until smooth and well combined; season to taste.

7 Spread ricotta cream over base. Top with beetroot, roasted onion, spinach leaves and chopped hazelnuts; drizzle with remaining dressing from beetroot mixture. Season.

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RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a large

FOOD 118 Liquid assets Souper-duper winter bowls.

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Pick up the beet Alice Hart’s vegetarian magic.

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Cookbook club Feast and make merry with friends.

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FOOD

Liquid assets Loving spoonfuls that will bowl everyone over on a cold winter’s day

Spiced pumpkin and kūmara soup

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Roasted tomato soup with broccoli pesto

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Spiced pumpkin and kūmara soup

Roasted tomato soup with broccoli pesto

Meatball and risoni soup SERVES 4

SERVES 4

SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 onions, chopped coarsely 600g peeled pumpkin, chopped coarsely 3 small orange kūmara, chopped coarsely 1 Tbsp ground coriander 2 tsp cumin seeds ¼ tsp dried chilli flakes 1 litre vegetable stock Greek-style yoghurt and coriander sprigs, to serve (optional)

1kg vine-ripened tomatoes, quartered 1 onion, chopped coarsely 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled 3 sprigs thyme ½ tsp sea salt flakes ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock 1 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted (optional) Baby basil leaves, to serve (optional)

TRAIL MIX CRUNCH

100g broccoli, chopped coarsely 1 clove garlic, crushed 1½ Tbsp pine nuts, toasted 1½ Tbsp finely grated parmesan 1½ Tbsp coarsely chopped basil ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil

½ cup pecans ¼ cup (50g) pumpkin seeds 1 Tbsp sunflower seeds ¼ cup moist coconut flakes 2 tsp pure maple syrup ½ tsp sea salt flakes Pinch cayenne pepper (optional) 1 Make Trail Mix Crunch. Preheat oven to

180°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.

Place ingredients in a bowl; toss to coat well. Spread mixture evenly, in a single layer, across tray. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time, or until nut mixture is golden. Cool.

Makes 1¼ cups.

2 Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook onion, pumpkin and kūmara, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion softens. Add ground coriander, cumin and chilli; cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant.

3 Add stock and 2 cups water to pan; bring to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Cool soup for 10 minutes.

4 Blend soup, in batches, until smooth.

Return to pan; stir over medium-high heat until heated through.

5 Serve soup topped with Trail Mix Crunch, yoghurt and coriander. Season with pepper.

To make this nut-free, omit the pecans, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and use ¾ cup purchased seed mix (pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds) instead.

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BROCCOLI PESTO

1 Preheat oven to 220°C. 2 Place tomato, onion, garlic and thyme

in a roasting pan; sprinkle with salt and season with pepper. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat tomato. Roast for 30 minutes or until tomato is very soft and coloured around the edges.

3 Meanwhile, make Broccoli Pesto. Add broccoli to a small saucepan of boiling water. Return to the boil; simmer for 2 minutes. Drain, then refresh in cold water; drain well. Process broccoli, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan and basil until finely chopped. With motor operating, gradually pour in oil; process until combined. Season to taste.

4 Transfer roasted tomato mixture to a medium saucepan. Squeeze garlic out of skins; add to tomato mixture.

Remove and discard thyme stalks. Add stock to pan and bring to the boil; remove from heat and stand for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Blend or process mixture until smooth. Return soup to pan; stir over low heat until hot. Season.

5 Scatter pine nuts and basil over soup. Serve topped with spoonfuls of Broccoli Pesto.

Time saver Skip making the pesto and serve soup with your favourite storebought pesto.

500g pork and fennel sausages ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1⁄3 cup finely grated parmesan ¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 small onion, chopped finely 1 bunch cavolo nero, leaves picked, torn coarsely 2 litres chicken stock 1 cup risoni 1 Tbsp chopped dill 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease and line

a large oven tray.

2 Remove sausage meat from casings; discard casings. Place sausage meat, breadcrumbs, garlic, parmesan and half the parsley in a large bowl; season.

Using clean hands, mix until sausage meat is broken down and ingredients are well combined. Roll heaped tablespoons of mixture to make 16 balls in total; spread across prepared tray. Bake meatballs for 25 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.

3 Meanwhile, heat oil in a large heavybased saucepan over medium heat.

Cook onion, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add cavolo nero; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add chicken stock; bring to the boil.

4 Add risoni to pan; cook for 5 minutes or until just tender. Add meatballs, remaining parsley and dill. Season to taste.

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Tip The pasta may absorb some of the stock on standing; add a little boiling water to thin, if you like.

Meatball and risoni soup

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Hearty chicken soup with last-minute add-ins SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS

3 trimmed celery stalks, quartered 1 large carrot, quartered 1 small red capsicum, quartered, seeded 2 cloves garlic 1 Tbsp lemon thyme leaves 1 tsp dried oregano 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1kg chicken thigh fillets, trimmed of excess fat 1 litre chicken stock ¼ cup pearl couscous OPTIONAL ADD-INS PER SERVE

125g can corn kernels, drained 100g green beans, chopped ½ small courgette, diced finely 1 Pulse celery, carrot, capsicum, garlic

and herbs in a food processor until chopped coarsely.

2 Heat oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Cook vegetable mixture, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until softened slightly.

3 Add chicken carefully to pan. Add stock and stir gently; bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium. Cook, covered, for 45 minutes or until chicken is tender and almost falling apart. Transfer chicken to a plate. Skim and discard fat from surface of soup. Using two forks, shred chicken; return to soup.

4 Remove soup from heat; stir in couscous.

Stand, covered, for 10 minutes or until couscous is tender. Season to taste.

5 Add your chosen add-in to the soup; heat. Season to taste.

Carrot and hazelnut soup with lunch box crunch SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 large onion, chopped coarsely 2 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely 800g carrots, chopped coarsely ½ cup skinless roasted hazelnuts 2 Tbsp thyme leaves 1.5 litres vegetable stock 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar 122

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LUNCH BOX CRUNCH

1⁄3 cup skinless roasted hazelnuts, chopped coarsely ¼ cup (50g) pumpkin seeds 70g crushed tortilla chips ½ tsp smoked paprika Olive oil spray 1 Heat oil in a large heavy-based saucepan

over low heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened.

2 Stir in carrot, hazelnuts and thyme; cook for 1 minute or until thyme is fragrant.

Add stock and increase heat to medium; bring to a simmer. Cook, covered, for 15 minutes or until carrot is tender. Stand for 10 minutes.

3 Meanwhile, make Lunch Box Crunch.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. Combine ingredients, except oil spray, in a small bowl; spread on lined tray and spray with oil. Bake for 8 minutes; cool.

4 Add vinegar to soup; blend or process, in batches if necessary, until a smooth puree forms. Season to taste.

5 Top soup with Lunch Box Crunch just before serving.

Curried lentil veggie soup

softened. Add turmeric, cumin, garam masala and bay leaves; cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant.

3 Add lentils, pumpkin, tomato, stock and 2 cups water to pan; bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, for 25 minutes or until lentils and pumpkin are very tender. Remove lid; cook for a further 10 minutes or until thickened, adding spinach for the last 2 minutes of cooking time.

Chilli con carne soup SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS

1 bunch coriander 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, crushed 35g sachet fajita seasoning mix 500g lean minced beef 400g bottled tomato and chilli pasta sauce 1.5 litres (6 cups) beef stock 400g can red kidney beans, drained, rinsed Tortilla chips and sour cream, to serve (optional) 1 Separate coriander roots, stems and

SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

½ bunch coriander 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 onion, chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 fresh long red chilli, seeded, chopped finely 4cm piece fresh ginger, grated finely 1 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp garam masala 2 fresh bay leaves 1 cup red lentils 300g pumpkin, chopped coarsely 4 medium tomatoes, seeded, diced finely 1 litre salt-reduced vegetable stock 60g baby spinach leaves, trimmed 1 Separate coriander roots, stems and

leaves. Wash and finely chop roots and stems (reserve leaves for another use).

2 Heat oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped coriander, onion, garlic, chilli and ginger; cook, stirring, for 4 minutes or until

leaves. Wash and finely chop roots, stems and half the leaves; reserve remaining leaves to serve.

2 Heat oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat; cook onion, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in chopped coriander, garlic and seasoning mix; cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

3 Increase heat to high and add mince; cook, stirring to break up any clumps, for 5 minutes or until well browned.

Add pasta sauce, stock and beans; bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Skim and discard fat from surface. Season to taste.

4 Serve soup with tortilla chips, sour cream and topped with reserved coriander leaves.

F

Carrot and hazelnut soup with lunch box crunch

Hearty chicken soup with last-minute add-ins

Curried lentil veggie soup

Tip Serve soup with chargrilled plain or garlic naan bread and Greek-style yoghurt.

Chilli con carne soup

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Creamy broccoli soup with quinoa crunch SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

½ cup white quinoa, rinsed well 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds 2 Tbsp coarsely chopped roasted almonds or pumpkin seeds 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional) 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 Tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 Heat oil in a large heavy-based saucepan

over medium-high heat. Cook leek and celery, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

2 Add broccoli, courgettes, potato, stock

and 2 cups water; bring to the boil.

Reduce heat to low-medium; simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Remove soup from heat; cool slightly.

3 Meanwhile, make Quinoa Crunch.

Cook rinsed quinoa following packet directions; drain. Heat oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat; add quinoa, sunflower seeds, almonds and chilli flakes.

Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until quinoa becomes golden. Add garlic and parsley; cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool; it will crisp as it cools.

4 Blend or process soup until smooth.

Season to taste.

5 Serve soup topped with Quinoa Crunch.

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 leek, white part only, sliced thinly 2 trimmed sticks celery, chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets 2 courgettes, chopped coarsely 1 large potato, chopped coarsely 750ml vegetable stock

QUINOA CRUNCH

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EASY AS

When you’re not in the mood to bake, don’t have the time or can’t be bothered cleaning the kitchen afterwards, FreshLife’s Raw Slice Mixes are a godsend. These no-bake slices serve up cafe-quality treats in no time – and the packaging doubles as the slice tray. Choose from Fudgy Cacao Brownie Mix, Smooth Caramel Slice Mix or Zesty Lemon Slice Mix, which consists of an almond and coconut base topped with a cashew lemon layer and finished with coconut shards – can you tell our favourite yet? They’re plant-based and are under 200 calories per serve. $7.50. freshlifefood.co.nz

Oats to float your boat Local oat milk-makers Otis have added a chocolate version to the range. Otis Choc Oat Milk is made with 100 percent Kiwi oats and Fairtrade certified cocoa so you can rest assured the growers receive fair pay and working conditions. It’s high in calcium, fortified with vitamins D2, B2 and B12. What’s more it is Otis’ mission to lead a plant-based revolution that creates positive change for people and the planet. All in favour of that. $6, otisoatmilk.co.nz

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

Sound bites All the ingredients for kitchen and entertaining success

Come clean Haier’s sleek black dishwasher incorporates Thermo Dry technology, so even hard-to-dry plastic containers come out super dry. And the five-star water rating is good news for the environment. $1499, haier.co.nz

HOST WITH THE MOST Pick up sticks REST YOUR CHOPSTICKS IN STYLE BETWEEN BITES WITH THIS JAPANESE NAIBU PEBBLE-SHAPED CHOPSTICK REST. $9 FROM SMITH & CAUGHEY’S.

Cloudy Bay knows a thing or two about entertaining. To that end, the winery has come up with a Wonderscape At Home package that’s based around a tailored long lunch experience. The At Home package comes with two bottles of Cloudy Bay wine, a set of four bespoke plates by In The Roundhouse, menu and place card templates for four and a limited edition Art of Entertaining guide, which is full of tips and tricks. $240, cloudybaycurated.co.nz

CAFE SOCIETY Two new coffee machine shout-outs The Breville Barista Express Impress, $1299.95, is a no-fail machine that does a lot of the hard work for you including automatically calculating, measuring and adjusting the precise amount of beans (and remembering what that is), grinding, then tamping – taking much of the guesswork out of the equation. breville.com

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Plus, $1449.99, is a new entry level coffee maker that, with one touch, gives you a coffee tailored to your personal choice. The MyLatte function means you can select your preferred milk quantity. delonghi.com

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Pick

up

FOOD EXTRACT

Sweet, earthy and delicious, British food writer Alice Hart takes the humble beetroot beyond the great Kiwi burger

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the b

Baby beets with yoghurt and herbs

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Beetroot, lentil and coconut soup

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Beetroot risotto with crisp sage and creme fraiche

Recipes and images extracted from The Magnificent Book of Vegetables: How to eat a rainbow every day

by Alice Hart (Wellbeck, $65).

Photography by Emma Lee.

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F Baby beets with yoghurt and herbs SERVES 4 (as a starter) Any beetroot colour will do in this prettiest and simplest of spring starters; it doesn’t matter much if you can’t find chioggia, the candy-striped varieties. Small beetroots are sweetest, but if you do use larger, older ones, cook four of them for an hour or so, as below, before slicing into wedges.

Beetroot risotto with crisp sage and creme fraiche

Beetroot, lentil and coconut soup

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

A supper classic to emphasise that simple, vegetarian food can be sophisticated. Be delicate when cooking the rice, stirring in one direction as the Italians do and aiming for the just-tender rice to ‘flow’ across the plate, rather than sitting in a sticky clag.

INGREDIENTS

12 small, candy-striped beetroot, scrubbed, and any tender, young leaves reserved 2 garlic cloves 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 4 Tbsp red wine vinegar 6 lemon thyme sprigs, plus extra leaves to serve Small handful of spring herb and salad leaves, such as dill, mint, pea shoots and thyme 300g goats’ milk Greek yoghurt (or standard Greek yoghurt) Salt and freshly ground black pepper

INGREDIENTS

1.1 litres vegetable stock 25g unsalted butter 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 small red onion, finely chopped 150ml red wine 275g Arborio or other risotto rice 2 medium beetroot, peeled and coarsely grated 50g parmesan-style cheese, finely grated 1 handful of sage leaves 4 Tbsp creme fraiche Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Put the stock in a medium saucepan

1 Preheat oven to 190°C. 2 Put the beets in the middle of a large

square of foil with the garlic cloves. Bring the foil up slightly to create a bowl and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, half the vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water.

3 Tuck the thyme sprigs in, scrunching the edges of the foil together to form a loose, but tightly sealed parcel. Place on a baking tray and cook for about 50 minutes until the beets are tender to the point of a knife.

4 Open, being careful not to lose any pink-red liquid sitting in the package.

Strain the liquid into a small bowl and add the roast garlic, crushing it into the dressing. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons each of olive oil and vinegar, taste and adjust the seasoning, as needed. It should be delightfully pink.

5 Gently rub or pare the skins away from the roast beets, halving or quartering them according to size.

6 Stir a good pinch of salt into the yoghurt to season and divide between small serving bowls. Spoon the warm, candy beets over the tender herb or salad leaves and any reserved, young beet leaves. Spoon the garish vinegar dressing over to finish, with an extra drizzle of good olive oil.

and bring to the boil. Cover the stock pan with a lid and return to a low heat to simmer gently.

2 Melt the butter and 1 tablespoon of oil in a deep-sided frying pan and add the onion. Cook over a low heat for 10 minutes, stirring often until soft but not coloured.

3 Increase the heat slightly and add the rice, stirring to coat it in the butter for about a minute. Pour the wine into the pan, allowing it to evaporate away to almost nothing. Stir in the grated beets and 1 ladleful of the simmering stock.

Simmer, stirring until the stock has all but disappeared before adding a second ladleful. Keep stirring, simmering and adding stock in this way for about 18 minutes until the rice is tender, but retains a bit of bite. The mixture should be loose and flowing in texture. Remove from the heat, stir in half of the parmesan and season to taste with salt and pepper.

4 Meanwhile, in a frying pan set over a medium heat, gently fry the sage leaves in the remaining olive oil for a minute or two until fizzing but not coloured (they will crisp upon cooling). Season with salt and pepper and drain on paper towel.

5 Divide the risotto between bowls and dot scant teaspoonfuls of creme fraiche over, scattering with the sage leaves and remaining parmesan to finish.

SERVES 4

2 Tbsp coconut oil or peanut oil Large red onion, chopped 3 large thumbs of fresh ginger root, peeled 1 tsp fennel seeds 5 green cardamom pods, seeds only 1 large pinch of dried chilli flakes 150g red lentils, rinsed 500g beetroot, peeled and roughly chopped 800ml vegetable stock 400ml tin of thick coconut milk, well-shaken 2 tsp garam masala 1 red chilli, sliced About 20 fresh curry leaves Juice of 1 large lemon Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Put 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large

saucepan set over a low heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes until translucent.

Roughly chop 2 of the ginger thumbs and add to the pan. Turn the heat up a notch and continue to cook for 5 minutes.

2 Stir in the fennel seeds, cardamom seeds, chilli flakes and lentils, giving the spices a minute to warm through and toast.

Add the beetroot, stock and 250ml of the coconut milk, stir well, turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Now reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 25–30 minutes until the beetroot and lentils are tender, stirring now and then to prevent the lentils sticking to the base of the pan.

Stir in the garam masala and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Blend the soup in batches until velvet-smooth (preferably using an upright blender for best results).

Return to the pan, gently heat through.

3 Slice the remaining ginger into fine matchsticks. Put the remaining tablespoon of oil in a frying pan set over a medium heat and add the ginger and sliced chilli.

Season with salt and pepper and sizzle, stirring for 1–2 minutes until the ginger begins to frazzle. Throw in the curry leaves and stir to coat in the oil. After a few seconds they will begin to darken and look shiny. Remove the pan from the heat.

4 Stir the lemon juice into the hot soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. Divide between warmed bowls and finish with a swirl of the remaining coconut milk and the sizzled ginger mixture.

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A cookbook club is the perfect way to bring life and fresh ideas back to your kitchen.

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F conversation and inspiration back to dinnertime. The task of cooking dinner can certainly feel strenuous or mundane in the depths of winter. A cookbook club is the perfect way to bring fresh ideas back to your kitchen.

Top finds this month 01

Setting it up

LIVING WELL

Cookbook club ELEANOR OZICH Home wellness expert

Are you looking for a way to liven up those long winter evenings? Hold a friendly kitchen get-together

I PHOTOGRAPHY ELEANOR OZICH

’ve recently moved to a new home and this winter, I’m looking forward to hosting a monthly cookbook club for my friends who love to cook. The evening will be a glorious jumble of all my favourite things: great company, lovely music, a pot-luck dinner and, of course, lots of cookbooks to flick through. These gettogethers filled with connection, laughter and cosiness are what turn a house into a home. I can’t imagine a more heart-warming way to make the most of the coldest season.

What is it?

The concept behind cookbook club is a straightforward one – a group of friends who come together to discuss and make recipes from a chosen cookbook, or in other words, a crowd-sourced feast to enjoy. I love this idea because it’s more than just a casual dinner party. It’s a relaxed and fun way to bring community,

Start by reaching out to a group of friends who will be interested in joining. I find six or so people is a great place to start, as you’ll all be able to gather around a table and keep things intimate.

Each month (or even fortnight), you can have a set date where you gather together.

You might like to take turns hosting the evening, with each host choosing the cookbook everyone will cook from. This is the perfect opportunity to try new recipes and make sure you pick something outside of your comfort zone. This is where the magic happens.

What I love most is that by cooking one chosen dish to take along to the evening, you get to taste and try out many others. This is the most in-depth way to experience a new cookbook if you ask me.

A S I A AT H O M E

Making noodles and dumplings is something I’ve yet to try, which is why this cookbook by Pippa Middlehurst (Quadrille, $39.99) is enticing. The flavour combinations look mouth-watering. @achomestore

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How to be a fantastic host When it’s your turn to host, you can choose the cookbook you’d like to highlight for the evening. Before the date, let each guest flick through the book and pick a recipe. Alternatively, you can nominate recipes and send them in advance to ensure a balanced menu of dishes. Don’t forget dessert.

Next, you’ll want to set the scene for the evening. Light some candles, create or find a lovely music playlist, make some delicious drinks and decorate the table according to the theme of the cookbook.

Each guest will arrive with the dish they made, and then it’s time to dine together, discussing and laughing at your kitchen failures or successes, the recipes you love the most, and those you will make again.

Before wrapping up the night, I recommend choosing the cookbook and recipes for the next cookbook club. This ensures plenty of time for everyone to plan and prepare.

Maintaining excitement Set up a Messenger, WhatsApp or group text message where you can stay in touch throughout the month and share photos of your kitchen adventures. This is the perfect space to chit-chat and hang out like old cooking pals. You cook the recipes, they cook the recipes, you all cook the recipes and have one big cooking party together. eleanorozich.com

C O O L W AV E

Handcrafted in a traditional Italian shape, the L’Ocean water jug from Stevie Michaels has a fun hand-painted wave pattern. I’m also a major fan of the lovely Italian-inspired serving platters. @_steviemichaels

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L I G H T D I S P L AY

Create ambience for your cookbook club with these premium beeswax candles. There’s quite an array to choose from. Mix and match to create a pleasing display on your dining table. @kayustudio_t

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I SEE RED A versatile evergreen perennial, camellias can be relied on to display masses of blooms over the cooler months – and hungry bees, honey-eating bellbirds and tūī adore feasting on the open-form flowers. Best grown in well-drained soil, feed with an annual application of controlled-release fertiliser for acid-loving plants.

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GARDENS 134 Constant gardener Mary LovellSmith’s tips for June.

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Hedge your bets Landscape architect Marian Boswall’s eco-friendly outdoor spaces.

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The constant gardener Winter is upon us, and just as we may feel the cold and need some extra fortifying and protection, so does our garden

It’s a wrap

MARY

June

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

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As a rule, it is best to grow plants suited to your particular climate.

However, there are always some plants we feel we just have to have – for a variety of reasons – and which will need protection from frosts. In my book, this includes black passionfruit and young citrus trees, which are easily saved by a timely throwing over of frost cloth. Even a sheet or blanket will do on those nights frost threatens – just remember to remove in the morning. But if that daily chore and afternoon angst of worrying whether there will be a frost is too much of a drag there is a solution – microclima, a cloth that can be left on all winter.

In areas prone to frosts, many perennials are best cut back to just above ground level and covered

with a blanket of pea straw or compost. These are those that die right back in winter, such as monarda, daylily and peony. Alternatively, let them die back naturally, then cover.

Cardboard toilet paper rolls slipped over leek plants will help prevent soil getting into the inner leaves while they grow.

Tying the upper leaves of cauliflowers together over the white heads will protect them from rain, hail and even possums and rats.

Old pieces of carpet, coffee sacks or even a tarpaulin can be thrown over compost heaps to keep them warmer over winter and aid decomposition.

They will also allow rain in – whereas plastic lids can keep them too dry to break down speedily.

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Landscape 101 He certainly didn’t invent jewel gardens but English gardening personality Monty Don coined its catchy name, linking him and it in gardeners’ minds forever. A jewel garden, as its name may suggest, is a garden, patch, bed or border containing pretty much only flowers of intense, heavily saturated colours, like the precious gems themselves.

There are no rules as to what colours and plants or to the foliage to flower ratio, only guidelines. The

blooms’ colours need be rich (whites and pastels banished); and can be in any combination.

Though it pays to note that opposite colours on the colour wheel intensify each other – think purple and orange, or turquoise and Schiaperelli pink, while similar shades can add depth.

Only very seldomly can there be too much foliage, but in most cases the foliage needs to be green – of whatever shade.

However, too little foliage gets a

giant thumbs down. Thus, for example, no matter how lustrous, a bedding display with densely packed vivid orange calendulas, hot pink celosias and the deep velvety hues of annual purple salvia would not qualify due to its lack of greenery.

When choosing plants – and there really are so very many to choose from – do try to plan to have something blooming from sparkling spring right through to golden autumn.

NEED TO FEED

Feed brassicas with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser or compost, and side-dress leeks with fertiliser.

Weed and feed asparagus beds with vegetable fertiliser.

Feed citrus with proprietary fertiliser. Lime any bare ground at roughly a handful per square metre.

EXCELLENT CHOICES ALMIGHTY AMETHYST Hollyhock ‘Midnight’; Salvia ‘Black Knight’; Aquilegia ‘Black Barlow’ and ‘Bordeaux Barlow’.

RICH RUBY Achillea ‘Cerise Queen’; Lobelia cardinalis; Ratibida ‘Midget’; Salvia ‘Blue Angel’; Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’.

STUNNING SAPPHIRES Annual and perennial cornflower; ‘Sky Blue’ linum; Salvia ‘Blue Angel’.

BLOOD REDS Lychnis ‘Vesuvius’; Potentilla Atro Scarlet Starlit; Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff ’.

POPPING PINKS Linum grandiflorum; Dahlia ‘Mystic Wizard’; Rosa ‘Berry Nice’.

EMERALD GREEN ‘Limelight’ hydrangea; Chartreuse gladiolus; Dianthus ‘Green ball’.

TRUE TURQUOISE Ixia viridiflora; Lachenalia viridiflora.

Put it in Plant broccoli, cauliflower, cavolo nero, kale, savoy cabbages, silverbeet and spinach and celery. And garlic and raspberries.

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CONSIDER THIS No more cuts, scratches, prickles, broken nails and rough hands (and that deliciously sensual sensation of soft crumbly dirt at your fingertips) when you wear gardening gloves. That’s only the half of it, for gloves also give their wearers something akin to superpower, making them strong, invincible even, allowing them to plunge their hand fearlessly into a bush or around a prickle; no weed is too firmly attached to the earth, nor rose thorn too sharp when the gloves are on. Open-weave cotton ones with the palm side dipped in rubber or nitrile do most jobs. Close enough fit to be dexterous, soft enough for maximum pliability, they are also thick and tough enough to withstand much.

Steal this Two’s company, but three’s more fun, especially in garden design where it’s venerated as the golden rule. Objects and plants are grouped in threes, sometimes fives, occasionally in pairs but never in fours. According to researchers in New York, even numbers create symmetry while odd numbers create interest. They say that, for a variety of reasons, brains take longer to process odd numbers than even ones, and that odd numbers stick in our brain longer and are harder to digest. These three trees are a case in point, and also illustrate delightfully that silver rule – less is more (often but not always!), and the bronze consolation rule of KISS, keep it simple, stupid, which may be interpreted as the more skilled you get the more complicated your design may be. Limbing up the trees by removing lower branches also highlights their form and colour. Thus an ordinary tree can attain extraordinary status, especially when its beauty isn’t compromised by fussy or busy surroundings.

HOW TO SHARPEN TOOLS With gardening chores slowing down, there should be some time to get those tools in order, notably sharpening all those blades – from spades to secateurs.

Remove grime and rust from the blades with soapy water, give a light scrub with a wire brush or steel wool (rust will dull the file) and wipe dry with a rag. Next, using a mill file, sharpen the cutting edge by moving the file at a slight angle across the blade, from the back to the cutting edge, rather than back and forward. Hoes are sharpened on their backsides, that is the side facing away from you when in use. Spades usually have about 6mm of blade filed at a 45-degree angle and are best done either in a clamp or with someone else holding it for you so as to maintain the angle. All tools benefit from a wipe down after sharpening and a rub over with oil.

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Showa 370 Nitrile gardening gloves, $23.99, from Kings Plant Barn.

G Tips + Gathering around a fire pit is not only a lovely communal activity, it’s a good source of heat on cool evenings. It’s also wonderfully low-tech – all you need is the bowl, kindling, wood and a bag of marshmallows. It’s best to place low seating a safe distance from the bowl to discourage people from getting too close to the fire. + Set the pit up on level ground – a bed of stones or sand makes a natural base. + Ensure it’s at least three metres from a building and not directly under a tree or in a partially enclosed space. + To minimise smoke getting in your eyes use only dry wood.

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Fire starter

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Staring into the flickering flames is one of the perks of winter

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1 Townsend fire pit, $299, from Early Settler. 2 Ivyline Windermere fire bowl, $344, from Amara.com. 3 Ponti large outdoor fire pit, $995, from Coco Republic.

4 Jumbuck rustic fire bowl, $189, from Bunnings. 5 Meteor Sierra fire bowl, $399, from Mitre 10. 6 Mimosa low smoke fire pit, $179, from Bunnings.

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GARDEN

Hedge your bets ON THE CURVE This growing tunnel was created from intertwined trees and prunings, then underplanted with nasturtiums, which can be trained to grow upwards.

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In her latest book, British landscape architect Marian Boswall goes back to gardening basics and tells how to create a sustainable, eco-friendly outdoor space

Plant a dead hedge

In deep shade under trees where the roots are close to the surface and only the smallest holly seedlings can be planted, a dead hedge will protect the plants as they get going.

In the UK it can also be a legal requirement to lay one on construction sites where live hedgerows have been taken out, until a new hedge is established.

These features also provide excellent wildlife corridors between territories for small mammals – you will also find birds of prey perching on them to hunt.

As dead hedges decompose, the wood becomes the perfect host for invertebrates and fungi. These hedges also make great barriers and free alternatives to a fence, using cuttings from tree pruning and any woody material that can be laid in rows.

Materials & tools • String, a hose pipe or small pegs • Timber posts about 150cm long • Post driver • An axe • Mallet or monkey wrench • Prunings etc

Step-by-step guide To begin, mark out the line of the hedge with string or a hose pipe or small pegs. A good location would be between the compost area and the main garden, at the edge of the garden, or in a woodland area where you would like to encourage wildlife. Drive some vertical posts about 30cm into the ground to create a frame – using an axe sharpen the posts to create pointed ends to make this job easier. Using a mallet, or borrow or hire a monkey wrench if you want to cover a large area and save your shoulders from injury, position the posts in pairs, 90–120cm apart at 150cm spacings.

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1 Collect together small branches and twigs, either dead windfall or prunings from trees, live hedge clippings, dried ornamental grasses, or reeds from ponds. If you don’t have enough material your neighbours may be happy to give you their garden waste.

Pile the brush into the gaps, using the largest pieces at the bottom.

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2 Try to overlap the piles, as though you were laying bricks in a staggered arrangement, to knit them together.

3 As the woody material breaks down the hedge will sink, so you can add to it each year, or grow ivy over it and allow it to gently break down.

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G Materials Choosing from the many materials available on the market to build a garden, before we even get to plants, can be overwhelming.

Decisions need to be made based on budget, durability and looks, as well as sustainability, with some greenwashing to wade through along the way, so it’s good to have some guidelines to help you choose materials that are ecologically sound and offer value-for-money.

Hard landscape materials You may feel that you are less qualified to choose your materials than your builders, but as these decisions can affect both your own health and the health of the planet it’s worth spending time assessing and discussing the options.

Hard landscape materials include stone; aggregates such as gravel, sand and cement; metals; woods; clay products, including bricks, tiles and ceramics; plastics and fabrics. The ideal materials are those that use few resources, have a low environmental impact and present a low health risk to humans and wildlife. They should also help to create a sustainable site and support companies with sustainable practices.

Consider the durability of the material and its fitness for purpose, checking where it will be placed and how it will weather. Clay bricks are very adaptable small building blocks and so minimise waste and resources.

They are useful for walls if protected from water penetration, but you will need a harder engineering brick on the ground to prevent ‘blowing’, which is when products crack after water penetrates the porous clay and expands as it freezes.

By selecting the right materials you can also avoid the waste of repairs and redesign. If you choose a local material, such as bricks in an area of clay soil, they will eventually disintegrate back into the land without trace and so have minimal environmental impact. Wood is a very adaptable material for building, and it is also biodegradable, but if it’s stained or painted with a toxic product it can leach contaminants, so choose timber that will last without being treated.

Once you’ve chosen the design layout for your garden you can specify combinations of materials to help to create a sustainable site. For example, in a typical terrace construction stone can be laid either rigid or loose. Loose means laid on sand over a naturally quarried or recycled aggregate, which allows

water to drain and plants to grow in the gaps.

The stones can be lifted and recycled and the aggregate below the flagstones can be dug into the soil if the design changes, minimising waste.

Solid construction would include flagstones laid on solid concrete so that they do not move. This impermeable surface may look neat and even, but it will also cause rainwater to run into drains faster, exacerbating the risk of localised flooding, and the cement secured stones will be difficult to lift without breaking them if the design changes. Plants will not be able grow between the cracks, reducing biodiversity and contributing more to urban heat islands (when built environments such as cities retain heat), in turn adding to global warming. In addition, the concrete base beneath gives off carbon dioxide when it cures and prevents the soil below from breathing after it’s laid. If the design changes, the concrete will need to be broken up and the stones will often break too when it is removed, making them more difficult to recycle. The untrained eye may see little visual difference between these two terraces, but they have widely different effects on the environment.

RECYCLE, REUSE (clockwise from top) Gabion walls, made from stainless steel wire and rocks or bricks, are durable, sustainable and eco friendly; upcycle a concrete drain as a plant container; sculptor Alison Crowther made this beautiful oak bench for a garden in Kent.

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Sustainable ethical sourcing and reuse As the construction industry has grown and centralised, building has become less about local materials and craftsmanship and more about mass production, standardisation and convenience.

The drive to ensure a low price to the end user does not count the real cost of the products we buy and use to build.

Highly engineered and complex composites and the liberal use of chemicals to manufacture, preserve and clean materials all have a high cost to the environment. The more complex the material, the more energy is usually needed in its manufacture and the less easy it becomes to disassemble and reuse.

The distance a material travels also increases the transport fuel needed, which often accounts for the greatest use of energy in a heavy product’s life cycle.

Transportation depends on finite resources of fossil fuels, and increases greenhouse gases and pollution, which is why buying local is one of the simplest things we can do to make a difference, especially with heavy construction materials such as stone.

As consumers, we should question where stone is from and how it was extracted from the land. Indian or Chinese sandstone may seem a cheap option, but if you factor in the distance travelled by container ship (with occasionally disastrous oil spills) it may seem a less attractive choice.

Also ask suppliers how it was quarried: child labour and harsh conditions have historically been rife. While no equivalent to the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for wood exists for stone yet, check whether your suppliers belong to the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) , which inspect and work with some quarries to improve conditions.

The durability of concrete, like stone, makes it an attractive building material, but to avoid the high level of greenhouse gases emitted during its manufacture, we can reduce the proportion of Portland cement used by replacing it with fly ash, for example, a waste product of the coal industry.

Whole life use is important, too, and choosing a product that has been recycled and can be recycled again is the most sustainable option.

Even concrete can be reused: hiring a crusher will turn it into aggregate that can be used as a sub-base for a drive or terrace, reducing landfill and transport costs. Plastic is a durable product, although highly reliant on fossil fuels in its manufacture. Composite decking may seem an attractive option because it mixes recycled plastic with wood, but is not as feasible to reuse as wood or plastic in their simple state as it may end up in landfill.

Aluminium uses a large number of resources to make and may travel between several continents during the various stages of its manufacture before being finished as handrails or light fittings, but it can also be recycled many times at low cost.

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Plant an edible hedge Planting an edible hedge brings joy into your garden and offers a great way to connect to and notice the seasons for both children and adults. It differs from a normal garden hedge only in the choice of plants and timing of the care. You cut it less often to allow the plants to flower and fruit, something which we can all do anyway to help feed the wild birds as they migrate on their way to and from warmer climes.

Choose a mixture of berries and structural plants and buy bare root young trees, known as whips, in winter. Hawthorn and blackthorn are the classic base plants that knit the hedge together. Blackthorn has long sharp thorns, so be careful if you have small children. Hazels are delicious raw or will keep for ages when dried. Sea buckthorn is a good choice for cold and coastal sites, its fiery red berries ideal for jams and pies; crab apples can be made into jellies and will feed the birds when all else is eaten in the coldest winter garden; and you can make cordials from elderflowers and a powerful vitamin syrup or wine from the berries.

Materials & plants • Bare root whips • Cardboard • Compost – home-made, ideally • Rabbit guards, optional

Method 1 To allow berries to develop, the hedge needs a little bit more space than a formal hedge to grow comfortably. Leave 50cm from the edge of the hedge to a boundary or path to allow you access to it for pruning and picking each side.

Apply a layer of thick cardboard, with a 5cm layer of compost mulch on top, over the area where you plan to plant the hedge. Leave through several rains or water in to soak the cardboard.

2 When your bare-root whips arrive, soak them in water for a few hours.

Then move the mulch aside and make holes in the soggy card so that you can plant each whip at a spacing of 50cm in a staggered row.

3 If you have rabbits, protect the whips with rabbit guards or wire netting until it is established.

4 Water for the first year during dry spells only. Harvest leaves in spring and berries in autumn.

Note: Some berries such as elder are toxic when raw and many need preparation and cooking before eating, so always consult a good hedgerow cookbook before eating.

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SUSTAINABLE GARDEN Extracted from Sustainable Garden: Projects, tips and advice for the eco-friendly gardener by Marian Boswall and photographs by Jason Ingram (Quarto, $32.99).

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02 My basket collection. Instead of being a tote girl, I’m a basket girl.

I have always collected baskets – my mum did and so did my granny.

I have several for different uses. I often have one “on person” – with books and all the jazz I carry around with me. Rattan basket with handle, $59.99, from Trade Aid

01 My CamelBak Eddy+ drink bottle, I’m obsessed with cold water. I heard a good time to hydrate is while waiting for things, for example, while something loads on the computer or at the traffic lights. This drink bottle with the sipper is the ultimate. Also, it is perfect in my hot yoga classes. CamelBak Eddy+ drink bottle, $34.99, from Torpedo 7

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Can’t live without Furniture designer Bec Snelling is a sucker for a woollen blanket and, no surprises, good design

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ec Snelling was part of the Douglas and Bec studio with her father Douglas.

When the studio was destroyed by fire and her father retired, Bec rebranded as Snelling.

The studio specialises in innovative and sculptural furniture, lighting and objects that are all handmade to order. snellingstudio.com

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My collection of prototypes and artworks. I have a lot of prototypes in my home, as well as artworks at various stages, and usually in rotation. I currently have a Trio Floor Lamp in my home – lamp light is very beautiful and soothing. Trio Floor Lamp, $1680, from Snelling Studio

My blanket collection. Comfort and healing – woollen blankets are my thing – always have been. I adore winter and fires, and I always laugh because I’m like Linus in Charlie Brown. Lambswool herringbone blanket, $260, from Mt Somers

05 My Fort Standard pieces. I love them equally. Fort Standard are the pioneers of beautiful considered objects that are exceptional. We brought them to New Zealand about 15 years ago. I’m fortunate to have a lot of them in my home. Stone shelf, around $300 (black granite), from Fort Standard

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