Myspace Tauranga - May 2018 by Sun Media

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Welcome to MySpace, a free magazine to capture, captivate and motivate the energetic and increasingly growing local design, build and renovation market. When searching for ideas for your dream home or how to improve existing property with the latest styles and trends, look no further than MySpace!

A modern take on 70s vintage

Industrial Bohemian

Sunshine haven

The calming sound of water

Dream team for the dream home - part 2

Heart and Soul

Retirees renovation project

Making the most of small spaces

When classic meets contemporary

Professional Services

For all advertising enquiries contact: Kathy Sellars on 07 928 3053 or 027 211 9193 kathy@sunmedia.co.nz

www.myspacemagazine.co.nz myspacemagazine Editorial: Rosalie Liddle-Crawford, Maddi Brown Photography: Bruce Barnard, Nikki South, supplied

Advertising: Sharon Eyres, Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon, Kathy Sellars Graphic Design: Kym Johnson, Kathy Sellers

MySpace is a SunMedia Ltd publication ÂŠ All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

myspace Issue 4

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fentonbuilding.co.nz 4

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| 022 639 0893 | @fentonbuilding

A modern take on

70s vintage

Fenton Building have completed a major and unique two-year construction project, after director Hayden Burke renovated a 40-year-old Te Puna home.

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Set on spacious grounds, and graced by a sweeping tree-lined entrance with post and rail fencing, the renovation, which included the addition of a large wing, has transformed the agrestic home, giving it a contemporary, sophisticated quality. Located in Oliver Road, the 600m2 country house from the 1970s was originally designed by New Zealand architect Harry Turbott, and had a sense of warm humanity and intimacy that is often apparent in Turbott’s work. Constructed from brick and fibre cement, with a concrete tile roof and timber and aluminium joinery, the five-bedroom house had four living areas, two bathrooms, a 68m2 attic storage space and decking. It also boasted polished timber floors, exposed beam ceilings and French doors opening out onto a panoramic, rural view. The house’s lived-in feeling, however, had wearied, and owners Tracey and Jason Smith decided it was time to tastefully renovate. “We wanted a modern take on the 70s vintage look,” says Tracey, “while keeping some of the features that give the house its uniqueness.” “I started some internal work,” says Hayden. “While I was doing that, Tracey and Jason were having plans drawn up for the large addition. They said to me ‘if you do a good job, we’ll give you a shot at doing the addition as well’. “I did a good job, so they gave me the addition and the full renovation downstairs, and over the two years we’ve been back to do smaller jobs like the pergolas.” Fenton Building, named after Hayden’s grandfather Fenton Burke, has teams of two or three builders on each of their construction sites, with eight staff in total. Hayden, who grew up on a Katikati farm, has benefitted from having a carpenter for a father, adopting a practical approach from early on. In Sixth Form he was doing building work experience one day a week, and left college to begin his building apprenticeship, becoming a Registered Master Builder. Current jobs include large renovations and additions at Mount Maunganui and Whakamarama. 6

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“We love the quirkiness of the house. It has an amazing homely feel, and so much character and soul”

“We mainly do high-end, architecturally-designed renovations,” says Hayden. “We’re lucky in that we can choose our clients. “We build a strong relationship with the owners. As we work, we try to keep in regular contact with them, conducting site meetings and walk-throughs. Our guys know that good communication with our clients is absolutely key. “Renovations can be quite intrusive - especially if the client is living on site. It helps to keep a very high level of respect.” Hayden gets on the tools, but also manages the jobs and coordinates subcontractors like Dean Bartlett from Electech, Tasman Plumbing, Ready Roofing and Smith Painters. Over the last three years, Fenton Building has completed around nine renovations, all of which have roughly taken fourto-nine months. “They’re all extensive jobs,” says Hayden. “The Oliver Road house was our first big renovation. It was an awesome build.” Architectural designer Mike Fergus, from Insignia Design, kept much of the original brick in his design for Jason and Tracey, with some painted or plastered. The original kauri beams were re-planed and painted, while upstairs some of the exposed rafters were replaced, with a new roof, balustrades, flooring, tiles and windows. Hayden sourced recycled roofing tiles to match the existing ones. The large wing extension includes an upstairs en-suite, opening out onto a deck with spa. The north-facing pastoral view out to sea also overlooks the new swimming pool. Below, the extended kitchen and dining al fresco area is sheltered by the deck. The front entrance features new joinery but retains the

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original brick pillars, now roughly rendered and plastered white on either side of the door. The tawa flooring has also been retained, while the carpet also gives a warm, homely and relaxed feel. The double-sided fireplace, barn slide doors and mix of blacktrimmed white-on-white with wood and brick not only lift the house into a contemporary era, but evoke memories of the past. “Tracey has an amazing eye for detail,” says Hayden. Both Tracey and Jason are kitchen designers with HK Kitchens. “It’s awesome working with clients who can visualise stuff. They knew exactly what they wanted.” “Hayden was really great when it came down to working with us,” says Tracey. “It probably wasn’t that easy dealing with us, as we’re also designers and think about all the little details. “He understood us and came up with ideas like the staircase capping. He was also really good at interpreting the design features that we were trying to achieve. “It was an architecturally-designed showpiece house in its day, and as we went through, we unearthed interesting features like the fireplace. It wasn’t a clean-cut renovation and required a lot of problem solving.” “You don’t find many houses around like this,” agrees Hayden. “Every room is different.” There were no gardens in place, so Tracey applied her design skills to the swimming pool area and surrounds. “We reclaimed the brick from the paths and used them as feature walls, as well as walled fences around the garden and pool.” The couple are delighted with the finished home. “We have no intention of leaving it. We love that, for the first time ever, we have a home,” says Tracey. “We love the quirkiness of the house. It has an amazing homely feel, and so much character and soul.” 8

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55 Ninth Ave, Tauranga 07 281 1409

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Where to go for property matters When it comes to property matters, making sure you’ve got all of the legalities sorted is a must. And if you’re sorting through a property matter, it is best to seek professional legal advice. Seaview Law is a small firm based in Tauranga that is able to assist on a large range of legal matters including everything property. The team at Seaview Law is a small team made up of solicitors, Chris Fotheringhame and Mikail Steens, three legal executives, Neil Blackstock, Kaylee Firmin and Satinder Sohal, and law clerk

Liz Moli. Neil is also an accredited Mortgage Advisor giving that extra background assistance when required. With nearly a decade and a half behind her, Chris has earned the reputation of being a hard-working and compassionate lawyer. She has a wide knowledge of different kinds of law, but her career has been based on property and trust law so far and the majority of our clients are now property developers and investors. Chris prides herself on her ability to solve problems and help people, be it someone purchasing their first home or business, or someone adding a commercial building to their portfolio. “There is always the opportunity to add value and make this process as easy as possible for the client,” she says.

Most of her clients come from referrals and word of mouth. “I have helped three generations of a family for each of their separate legal issues.” The more recent additions to the team are legal executive Neil Blackstock. Neil is well-known to many, with more than 30 years’ legal experience behind him with clients varying from major development and subdivisions to the first home buyer. Mikail Steens, our Court lawyer, accepts civil (contract) and family cases (care of children and separation), and employment issues (redundancy and personal grievances). Mikail can also assist with residential and business sales and purchases, construction contracts (new builds) and other property transactions. Chris and her staff work together as a team to ensure a more personal service and will visit local elderly and unwell clients at no additional cost. The team has the added advantage of Liz being fluent in Samoan and Satinder being fluent in Punjabi. Seaview Law offers a free 15-minute initial consultation so you can make sure you’re comfortable with Chris before making your decision. So for all your legal queries and issues, talk to the team at Seaview Law. They are approachable, friendly, client-focused, and promise to provide excellent customer service.

Seaview Law Ltd 235a State Highway 2 Bethlehem Tauranga

07 579 2343 10

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www.seaviewlaw.co.nz

myspace Issue 4

Smart living in the country

When you work from home, creating a smart and energy-efficient home is a top priority. Architectural designer Jamie Merriman’s new-build home has been designed especially to suit his needs, doubling as his office too. Jamie and his wife built the 315m2, situated on a small lifestyle block, from Jamie’s own plans. The brief was simple; the home needed to be designed to make the most of the natural light and it had to cater for both living and working. The home’s layout was a key part of this, with the office located down the hall from the living area. “It purposefully feels disjointed from the main part of the house so that I can psychologically divide work and home life,” explains Jamie. A clean, white palette gives the home a sense of spaciousness, amplified even further in the dining area with its high-stud ceiling featuring tongue and groove detailing. Statement David Trubridge pendants draw even more attention to the ceiling and throw off interesting shadows in the right light. To add contrast and interest to the all-white kitchen, Jamie chose a large format Italian tile called ‘Industry Raw’ for a weathered concrete-look splashback. 12

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Less is More. Escea’s latest release, the DS1150 gas fireplace, gives you less of everything, to give you more than ever before. Find out how at escea.com/DS1150

“We wanted to create a focal point of interest that contrasted well with the monochrome kitchen scheme,” explains Jamie. Being tile it’s also easier to clean than glass.” Creating a smart and energy efficient home was a top priority for Jamie, who included photovoltaic panels to generate power. The 4kW grid-tied system returns excess electricity into the power grid. “Working from home I make sure I use as much ‘free power’ as possible during the day,” Jamie says. “It certainly helps with the power bill.” The system was a considerable investment – one that Jamie says will take about eight to 10 years to recover – but when you’re living the good life in the country, time is most definitely on your side.

Double the impact The living area in this home is divided by an Escea DX1000 multiroom gas fireplace, which is double-sided and see-through for both sides of the space. This separation of spaces has the benefit of open-plan flow while giving a sense of cosiness and division of space. As well as its sleek design, Jamie chose an Escea gas fireplace for the efficiency and heat output that made it powerful enough to heat the large 60sqm room. “The ducting technology was also a selling point as it meant we could also heat the family room”, says Jamie. Escea’s DX Series Heat Ducting technology captures up to 90% of the available heat and carries it throughout the large space via ceiling and floor vents. Allowing for consistent heat that is distributed evenly and efficiently. Another attraction is its convenience. Escea Smart Heat connects your fireplace to your home network, letting you control the fire remotely with your smartphone. Whether you’re driving home from work on a cold winter’s night, or just relaxing on the couch, the perfect temperature is only a swipe away. New Zealand company Escea has been designing and manufacturing gas fireplaces from Dunedin for over 15 years. The brand is known for its sleek and innovative fireplaces, which have won numerous design awards and feature in high-end homes around the world. myspace Issue 4

Building Dreams

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Stuart Robertson

Creating distinctive decks and landscaping The Carine Landscaping and Garden Centre has introduced new decking and landscaping features into its already extensive range. Locally owned and operated for more than 30 years, the garden design company, located north of Te Puna, has grown to be one of the largest in the Bay of Plenty. The company website, now smartphone-friendly, is bursting with a wide variety of information and photos of landscaping, earthworks, water features and the plants, products and tools available at the garden centre. Landscaping is Carine’s speciality, offering a service covering retaining wall construction; landscaping plans; house site excavation and levelling; post-hole boring, pipe trenching and rotary hoeing; concrete, cobble and stone driveways; drainage construction and slope stabilisation; swimming pool, dam and pond construction; and tree felling, pruning, transplanting, plot cleaning and mulching, to name a few. With the imaginative use of atmospheric lighting, well-placed river stones and wrapping steps in macrocarpa, it’s easy to see how fluid and at ease the Carine Landscaping division is with bringing a distinctive

flavour to each individual property. To complete an outdoor entertaining area for a client who wanted a swimming pool with diving rock and fountains, Carine added a new deck and outdoor oven. “We love clients who think big,” says Carine’s Stuart Robertson. The company also utilises new deck materials. “We’ve been using Eco Timber,” says Stuart. “It’s H4 micronisedcopper treated. It’s not arsenic-treated, so you can use it for play equipment and raised vegetable gardens. It’s eco-friendly and great for children.” The areas created are about and for people, whether its wheelchair ramps seamlessly incorporated into a wooden deck and trimmed with salvia, begonias, and lilly pillies, or large shaded areas for those who want to relax in spacious comfort. Back at Carine Garden Centre, birds and tropical fish are for sale; cats and dogs well-catered for with food and supplies, and an expert team on hand to help customers get the most from their aquariums and ponds. And of course, the ‘world famous in Te Puna’ selection of more than 65 working water features showing what’s possible with cascades, waterfalls, ponds and pools using artificial stone, slate, stainless steel and copper.

Garden Centre

Landscapes

Earthworks

Water Features

Corner of SH2 & Te Karaka Drive, Te Puna | Phone: 07 552 4949 www.carine.co.nz | Open 7 days 8:30am - 5pm myspace Issue 4

myspace Issue 4

Superior sound systems Local expert and one of New Zealand’s premier Hi Fi retailers is here to help with all your sound system and custom installation needs. Servicing the Bay of Plenty since 1985, Eastern Hi Fi is the primary stockist of world-renowned quality brands. Cutting-edge technology for indoor and outdoor sound combined with service from an initial layout design through to complete installation and training, no job is too big or small for Eastern Hi Fi. Eastern Hi Fi is a premium dealer of the full Bose range, including the Lifestyle 650 system, with showroom display models that allow you to test the sound for yourself. The complete customer experience is second to none. Eastern Hi Fi is a privately-owned business that has the customers’ needs in mind – you are assured to be looked after past the checkout. From wireless speakers to fully fledged surround sound systems, Bose has an answer for everything. The line-up of Bose Lifestyle systems includes five speakers, a control unit with remote and a wireless Acoustimass unit. The Lifestyle systems retail from $6599, with individual SoundTouch wireless speakers starting from $359. Eastern Hi Fi is sure to have something to fill your needs, no matter what they are. With the tagline ‘Beauty’s in the eye – and the ear – of the beholder’, the Bose Lifestyle System considers the user’s need for flexibility, aesthetics and simplicity around the home. A beautifully crafted system with ‘sound touch’ technology that works similarly to a WIFI network, you can add on as many rooms and accessories as you want. The Lifestyle 650 system offers full 360-degree sound. The minimalistic speaker can fit in the palm of your hand and comes in either black or white. It connects wirelessly through your home to your other Bose devices, allowing you to have music throughout

Bruce Devlin and Graham Whitaker serious about sound

your home. Sound distortion is virtually eliminated with quiet port technology and an advanced DSP, creating a remarkably clean and deep bass. Offering a space-saving home cinema solution, Eastern Hi Fi also stocks the Bose SoundTouch 300 Soundbar, a simplistic bar speaker that fits seamlessly with your TV. It is effectively five surround sound speakers built into a bar and optional wireless Acoustimass, improving sound quality for your TV watching needs. The Soundbar 300 starts from only $1199. Eastern Hi Fi is a champion of the Bose brand, offering ‘better sound through research’. The team can help you with all your sound system needs from garden speakers, to full house sound systems. For more information call into the showroom at 159 Durham St, Tauranga, or visit: www.easternhifi.com myspace Issue 4

The industrial Bohemian Jannine Bishop with husband Mike, and children Isaac, 12, Jack, 10, and Pearl, 8, have been living in a house truck for the last two years. “I was really tired of paying rent,” says Jannine. Their business operates from part of the building next to the housetruck and has been customised to provide for Jannine’s office, and storage. “There are people living across the road, in industrial places. A lot of the new industrial units have a little apartment up the top. So it just makes sense.” The 15m housetruck was once a traveling zoo. “I found it on Trademe. We gave our notice to our landlord at the last rent rise. We told him ‘no’ to a rent increase, and that we’d find somewhere else to live. We went looking and this came up.” The house-truck previously belonged to the sister of someone Jannine and Mike knew. “They lived in it for a couple of years,” says Jannine. “Then they had a child and bought their own place. A lot of people were after it as it was right on the cusp of that tiny house movement starting.” Now sitting on chocks, Mike spins the wheels every three months to keep them from rusting, and turns other businesses’ discarded pallets into decking and planter boxes for vegetables and bromeliads. “I love the fact that there’s no rent to pay,” he says, smiling. The green exterior is board and batten, with two main entrances, featuring French doors at the back, painted decorative attachments, and leadlight windows. Evoking a sense of Bohemian gypsy and yesteryear, Jannine plans to turn it into B&B accommodation. 18

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“Fully off the grid, and you’ll get a fully organic breakfast. Eventually we’ll get a bit of land and move this house truck on to it. We’ll set it up to be eco-friendly.” In a previous chapter of life, Jannine worked in the art department for Pacific Renaissance Pictures, which produced the ‘Xena’ and ‘Hercules’ television series. She’s been bringing her production design skills to the Bay of Plenty, creating stunning film sets for BOP Film, and recently helped create the ‘wow’ factor for Zoetica. She’s now the project manager for the International Youth Silent Film Festival, runs workshops, and encourages creativity. “Because I’m a collector, downsizing and figuring out what I really need to live with was interesting. I discovered we don’t actually need a lot, but it was hard having to compact down.” She uses designated space in their business building to store film props, art tools, and all the supplies an artist and creative person needs. Jannine’s art and design work is often influenced by images of oriental and colonial styles, and the Catalan modernism reflected in her Pinterest collection of Antoni Gaudi architectural photos. She’s also drawn to natural textiles. The family enjoys eating outdoors, having created a private dining area with picnic table and umbrella outside the truck. “We may have breakfast inside but most of the time if we can, we’ll eat outside. It’s not cold by any means, and we find ourselves opening the windows. The truck doesn’t take much to heat. Everyone goes to bed warm, so it’s quite different from going to bed at the end of a freezing house.” The kitchen has four power points, rimu panelling, and a macrocarpa benchtop. Although there’s an oven inside, the family often cook outdoors too. “We use the barbecue and electric fry pan to do most of the cooking. That’s been another challenge – going from a full-size kitchen and a lot of bench space, to a different style of cooking.” Jannine has done up the fire place, painted the French doors, and is planning to paint the inside white. Pearl’s bedroom has been painted, and with downsizing, the children learned to respect each other’s spaces. There’s no water supply into the truck, as the family use the bathroom inside the building. They also use a solar shower and enjoy a weekly soak in the nearby hot pools. “I have a lot of stuff in storage still. One day we’ll build a house or find something. We always have our radar out, waiting for that right thing to turn up, whether it’s a piece of land, or a house and land. But it hasn’t turned up yet.” With a small creek running through the back of the industrial

property, the boys have improved their ball-handling skills, as they got tired of continually retrieving their football from the muddy water. By 4.30pm most afternoons, the other businesses in their street have closed down. “Everyone goes, and then we have the area to ourselves. The kids can ride their bikes out there, and Isaac can play his drum kit without any neighbours asking him to stop. “I couldn’t live in the house truck with three children if we didn’t have our industrial building,” says Jannine. “Ideally I’d like to live in a barn. I have a vision of a half-round barn, a bit of bush, chooks, fruit trees, organic garden, a little studio down the back for me, and a B&B. That’s me, that’s all I want.” myspace Issue 4

Building or renovating?

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For information, ideas or advice about our exceptional windows & doors call Tasman Aluminium on 0800 20 10 20 stop by our showroom at 98 Whakakake St, The Lakes, Tauranga, or visit us online. tasmanaluminium.co.nz

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Sunshine haven Relocating from Auckland to the Bay of Plenty for a more relaxed lifestyle, Murray and Joyce Patten found a perfect section in The Lakes to build their retirement home. Choosing a design-and-build package with Classic Builders, the retirees set about designing their ideal home on a good-sized section, positioned to make the most of the sun. The end result has great indoor-outdoor flow, and all the features on the couple’s wish list. “We built it so we could live here for a long time” says Murray. The 708sqm section became available when the previous sale fell through. The spacious 233sqm brick and tile home features three large bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two separate living areas, including an open plan kitchen-dining area that opens out into a curved patio with beautifully manicured garden and lawn. There is also an extra-large garage and separate laundry. A short entrance hall leads past a high-tech multi-media room into the main living area. This is cleverly crafted so that whoever is cooking is still able to socialise with others in the casual lounge or dining area. A huge kitchen designed by HK Kitchens features handle-less cupboards and drawers with a high-gloss white finish. A designer splashback with metallic tiles shimmers magnificently under the LED strip lighting, and is enhanced by engineered stone bench

tops which sparkle with paua-like flecks through it. “We upgraded everything. Classic Builders didn’t mind. Whatever we wanted they were happy to do for us,” says Murray. The bedrooms are separated from the living area by a hallway. Two spacious guest bedrooms with a modern tiled main bathroom and separate toilet are situated at the front end of the house, while the spacious master bedroom sits separately at the opposite end. Complete with a fully-tiled en suite and walk-in wardrobe, this area features a sliding door allowing Murray and Joyce to view their beautiful garden from their bedroom. The outside garden feature is a covered pergola – a tranquil setting for outdoor relaxation and entertaining friends. It is positioned under palm trees and surrounded by beautiful raised gardens. The decking floors are stained white to match the house exterior and the garden furniture is protected from rain. “This is a wonderful feature of the property. We wanted it easy care, with grandeur palms, azaleas, vireyas, cycads, along with flowering pots for seasonal colour changes” says Joyce.

Murray building their pergola.

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Peter Cramond Papamoa artist Peter Cramond has been painting and sculpting for more than four decades. Quietly renowned, his unique work resides in private collections across Europe, Canada, Hong Kong, Britain, Singapore, the USA and New Zealand. After leaving school he studied graphic art at Auckland Technical Institute, worked in advertising and then returned to the Bay of Plenty. After breaking his neck in an accident in 1982, he decided to develop his art further, going on to a series of solo exhibitions, winning many awards, and receiving public and private commissions. Back at home in his Papamoa studio, his favourite space is in front of his easel, surrounded by collections of memorabilia from childhood, people and his art-related travels. Behind the easel is a metal framed window from an old railway shed in Auckland. “I passed it every day commuting to work,” says Peter. “It was leaning up against the side of the building and one day I asked if I could have it for $10.” He inserted the coloured glass and it faces high windows that capture sunlight through coloured glass bottles. The desk came from his student flat in Auckland. “I’d grown up in Te Puke and couldn’t wait to return. Auckland just wasn’t the place to bring up a family. I bought this section because I used to

surf in the area, so I built a house and had a good life. Eventually I built this studio. I knew that window was going to go in it, as I’d collected it before this space happened.” Now living in the extended studio, he paints among his loved collected memories of people and travels. In the corner are masks from Bali. Nearby a blue bowl his mother made. Five minutes is spent discussing the story behind a sepia drawing of an old Auckland house. There are photos of surfing, a black sculpture his son bought for 50 cents, and an amusing sculpture titled ‘Weather Vain’. “Is that too clever?” Peter laughs. Pinned on the opposite wall is a portrait of Peter by his daughter Zoe, taking pride of place next to a Van Gogh print. His tea trolley holds brushes and paints, and there’s paper and pencils for when the grandkids come over. Peter paints mostly in oils, his work a soft impressionistic pointillism. Stacked tidily on a shelf are years of diaries, a disarray of tins, and in the background, mellow St Germaine music playing. Lost in a corner is a masquerade mask. “I belonged to a group called Art Waves back in the 80s. We all made masks. Our mask was the ticket to the masquerade ball.” Postcards, shells, toys, photographs of a seagull, surf, and an actress’s back. “They all remind me of wonderful places and things I’ve seen,” he reflects. myspace Issue 4

The calming sound of

water

When Judy and Wayne Hill built their new lifestyle home they were on the lookout for a special water feature to complete their landscaping. After hunting high and low for several months, a Google search brought them to the website of 3G Teak in Te Kuiti. “We’ve always had water features on our properties,” explains Judy, “This time we needed to find something that fitted with the English-style grounds.” After seeing videos on the company’s website, the couple decided to meet with Kim Fagan at 3G Teak to discuss their unique requirements. These discussions led to the choice of their ‘Embrace Life’ water feature. This curvy, rounded structure offered height and contrast to their very linear gardens. ‘Embrace Life’ is designed to capitalise on the reflective qualities water offers. “Not only does water pour from one height to another,” says Kim, “it also backfills and runs down all surfaces, creating a beautiful shimmering effect as it runs. This makes for a magnificent feature both day and night.” Kim’s father, Robin Fagan, is the engineering mind

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behind most of the designs. As the only way to control water is using different levels, it is important to determine the basic plumbing system early. Robin’s skills have been invaluable for developing new designs while also maintaining quality control standards. Fully self-contained and with low maintenance, the water feature offers simple do-it-yourself installation that does not require connection to a mains utility. The water feature is handmade in Indonesia using natural stone and steel-reinforced concrete. The fountain pump is powered by electricity and can be illuminated at night. This feature is certainly a favourite with the Hills. “After dark we turn on the lights by remote control,” says Wayne, “We spend a lot of time watching the colours changing, and the water glistening as it runs down.” “It’s quite magical,” adds Judy. The Hills leave the fountain running during the night and enjoy the sound in the background. “Some people switch them off at night,” says Kim, “but others very much enjoy the relaxing sound and ambience these water features offer. The calming sound and meditative qualities of running water has even been proven to improve psychological wellbeing. Our range of water features have been designed to offer a simple and affordable way to incorporate water into outdoor living areas. The focus is on delivering high-quality products which are durable and affordable. We proudly stock one of the largest collections of outdoor water features in New Zealand.” Judy and Wayne are fascinated with their water feature and can’t speak highly enough of the personal service they received from 3G Teak. For more information visit: www.3gteak.co.nz myspace Issue 4

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Velvet is contemporary, classic and timeless – it’s for that reason velvet is currently very on trend worldwide. Interior velvets feature in curtaining, upholstered furniture, bed heads, cushions and lampshades. The dense three dimension of velvet is it’s uniqueness, gives it luxurious appeal and depth of colour and a complexity that cannot be achieved with any other fabric. Velvet is interactive - engaging the senses, encouraging touch to reveal the light reflection, colour complexity and soft feel. Sitting on a velvet piece is immersing oneself in pure pleasure and comfort! Velvet has been in production for 4000 years and over time has become a highly technical, highly desirable, high quality fabric. It is produced to out perform any other fabric. Because of its pile construction it stacks up excellently in abrasion testing but also like any good leather, the patina of velvet also looks better with age. The stain resistant and pile resilient finishes all add to the easy care and durability of velvet. It can be made from natural fibres or synthetics, allowing the use of velvet to become a viable, hard wearing fabric for every environment from royalty to domestic to high use commercial and outdoor use – its limitless! Martha’s Furnishing Fabrics

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Colin Davis and Kane de Raat designing quality homes in the Bay of Plenty for over 30 years

davista architecture ltd

83 durham st tauranga | po box 884 tauranga 3140 | ph 07 578 3792

www.davista.biz 28

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Dream team for the dream home PART 2

A follow up from our last issue of MySpace Magazine on Rob and Hayley Larmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new build

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From the moment Rob and Hayley Larman moved into their architecturally-designed house it felt like home. “I think it’s because we’ve been so invested right from the design phase through the build. It’s awesome,” says Rob. “It’s a really personal thing,” says Hayley. “You want to make sure the money you are investing is right.” During the design process they asked Kane DeRaat, their architectural designer from Davista, to make some changes. “We took Rob and Hayley’s feedback, went back to the site and skewed the wings to face the views better,” says Kane. “Repositioned it, made subtle changes, gave it a slight trim in area and lowered the stud height slightly.” “We had to re-evaluate what we wanted,” says Hayley. “Our frustration was that it was going to cost more than what we were prepared to spend but this was more to do with us, as we realised we had been a little bit unrealistic.” They continually reassessed their finances through the build, with Justin Horler, their builder from JBH Building, helping Hayley set up a spreadsheet to track everything. “I knew what costs were coming in,” says Hayley. “We shopped around for the best prices. “Justin has been really open with us about costs, which really helped in terms of figuring out what we could spend. Obviously we didn’t want to put ourselves in a huge lot of debt and not be able to enjoy the house.” From the start their owner-builder relationship was one of mutual trust and respect. “Having a good working relationship is really important,” says Justin. “Hayley and Rob put a lot of trust in me; this is their future and mortgage. Being able to communicate directly with clients on 30

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“Since the moment we moved in, it’s felt like home” the spot means that prompt decisions will save a lot of time. With a running budget throughout the build, if a client wants to make a change on material we can get figures together, quickly communicate and make those changes.” One of the elements that Rob had liked about JBH Building was the company’s use of Ambionse ICF building blocks. These provide the framework for concrete walls, as well as providing the wall insulation. “Ambionse allows you to create homes that are more energy-efficient, stronger, more sound-resistant, and more environmentally-sustainable than if you use timber framing,” says Justin. “Also Ambionse is faster, lighter, cheaper and warmer than conventional masonry.” The concrete was poured into the polystyrene, which was first boxed and braced. Left in place, the polystyrene becomes the insulation and cladding. “It’s strong and robust,” says Justin. “It’s more than double the insulation value of the standard conventional build but it’s efficient. It takes a week, to a week and a half to get the walls up, but in that time we do all the fixings, framing, cladding and insulation. So there’s four weeks’ worth done in a week and a half. This added efficiency in the build saves on labour, and that saving gets passed on to the client.” The results speak for themselves. It was a cold day when we arrived to view Rob and Hayley’s completed home. Hayley came to the door barefoot, wearing a sleeveless mini, clearly enjoying the internal warmth. “If you’ve got the right site orientation to maximise the solar gain, the home will heat itself,” says Justin. “With ICF the temperature will only fluctuate a few degrees, rather than more than 10 degrees fluctuation experienced in timber homes.” “Kane got it perfectly right with how he placed the house on the site,” says Hayley. “As the winter sun comes across, the whole house captures it.” We’re led through the entrance hall into the main living area which

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opens up to a stunning view of the Tauranga harbour. The kitchen, by Prestige Benchtops, continues the black and wood theme, simple and sleek and designed for easy flow. Hayley’s upcycled bar stools, with legs painted black complement the new dining table and chairs. The concrete floor, polished by Grind King, perfectly underpins the overall white-on-white theme, with black highlights picked up in the floor’s pebble flecks. The concrete slab base and edge has also been completely insulated, generating a high-performing thermal envelope underfoot. Justin calls it “solar gain on the thermal mass”. “You can lose 60 per cent of your heat through the floor,” says Justin. “So we wrap the whole house with a warm blanket.” The up-scaled large windows use low E glass filled with argon gas, capturing and hold the sun’s warmth. This double glazing, along with the wrapped concrete flooring, helps lift the performance of this energy-efficient home. Timber trim was removed from around the windows with plaster board returned into the window reveal. This keeps a sharp, clean line around the view capture. High attention to detail is reflected in the builder’s oak stud features. “We set up a mitre jig to drill the holes in the stud in the perfect position every time so when it was plugged they’re all consistent,” says Justin. “It makes the overall finish a lot better.” Outside the front door the builders also perfectly aligned the cedar battens from corner to corner, with the cedar’s knot feature creating added interest, setting the modern, industrial-looking house alive. The deck, made of garapa – king of hardwood decking timbers and an all-round performer – has a golden to brown colour which will weather nicely to a silver patina. Well-protected from the wind, it is flush with the lawn, and overlooks the newly planted 200 native plants along the east flanking bank. 32

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CAESARSTONE FRESH CONCRETE

Silestone Negro Tebas Suede finish

QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST AT PRESTIGE BENCHTOPS, OUR KNOWLEDGABLE FRIENDLY OWNERS AND STAFF WILL GO THAT EXTRA MILE TO MAKE SURE THE END RESULT IS SPECTACULAR.

ur new showroom at 18 Glenlyon Ave is t he biggest in Tauranga and Hamilton, with a massive range of large 1200 x 600 samples from all the major suppliers – as well as the likes of Caesarstone, Trendstone, Primestone, Granite, Uni Quartz and Smartstone. Our impressive turnaround time means clients, builders and designers that are building or

renovating are not held up by long wait periods. We take pride in delivering our tops on time and on budget. If you’re interested in getting a new benchtop fitted for your kitchen, but you’re not based in Tauranga, it doesn’t matter. We’ll travel to you to fit your kitchen benchtops anywhere in the North Island. By the time we’re finished, you’ll be the envy of your friends.

www.prestigebenchtops.co.nz | 18 Glenlyon Avenue, Tauranga, Greerton | P. 07 929 7149 | E. office@prestigebenchtops.co.nz

NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN AT 18 GLENLYON AVE

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56B4 FIFTEENTH myspace Issue

AVENUE, TAURANGA, T. 07 571 8456 THEARTOFFIRE.CO.NZ

Garden & Outdoor dreams do come true! Brooks Landscapes is all about making an impact on gardens and outdoor spaces. The team at Brooks Landscapes are your complete outdoor design, build and garden specialists. “With more than 20 years’ experience in the agriculture and landscaping industry we really know how to make house and garden dreams come true,” says owner Hamish Brooks. Hamish will meet with you on-site and discuss your ideas, requirements and budget and will then interpret this into a landscape reality, involving you in the process throughout. When you choose Brooks Landscapes be assured the company is passionate about landscaping and will add value and impact to your property. Be it a small or larger project the team is experienced in various garden styles including formal gardens, contemporary-designed outdoor areas, small gardens, tropical design, new residential, decks and fencing, pathways, pergolas and so much more. Services include design and plans, construction/hardscaping, planting and sourcing, and general maintenance. “We are honest, affordable and we create outdoor living spaces that our clients enjoy and are proud of,” says Hamish. “We are about making peoples’ outdoor dreams come true and we love that.” Contact Brooks Landscapes today for a free no-obligation quote.

Call Hamish Brooks today for a free no obligation quote

www.brookslandscapes.co.nz

hamish@brookslandscapes.co.nz

Phone 07 571 1103 or 027 215 6717 myspace Issue 4

OPEN THIS WEEK. TUESDAY TILL SUNDAY, 12-4PM 36

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Locally Owned and Operated

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Heart and soul Dave and Paeata Cotter moved into their Grace Road home in 2016, with son Mikey age 11, and their pug dog Spencer. They knew the 1940s home had already been half-renovated, but needed the southern wing and landscaping to be completed. The 280m2 house on the 1280m2 section has three levels, with the bedroom wing a split-level from the rest of the house. The main living areas, comprising kitchen, scullery, dining, lounge, bathroom, laundry, and television den; had already undergone a tasteful renovation by the previous owners. The pleasing aesthetics retain some of the old look, such as the original rimu floorboards, as well as new features like the doubleglazed slider doors that open out to the pool area. Brad Jones from Jones Builders was contracted to complete the remaining internal renovation. Featuring unusual triangular shapes, the wing has now been transformed into five bedrooms, an office nook and a bathroom. “We had to put in some walls, and think about angles,” says Paeata. “It wasn’t a square so you weren’t dealing with a box room.” A new vanity and shower went into the downstairs bathroom, complemented by blue patterned lino. Nearby, an old wooden writing desk is well-lit by the surface mount lights overhead. On removing the ceiling, exposed dark rimu beams were discovered. Now painted white, with inset ply, the featured holes from the original wiring continue to tell the story of the house. The three downstairs bedrooms had their triangular space myspace Issue 4

resolved by adding wardrobes. Light and airy, the rooms feature furniture both new and old, op-shop buys, family heirlooms, and some upcycled and retro. The white and black theme has quirky fun elements with delightful colour shots of mandarin, golds, and greens. Upstairs, again - the interesting angles. “It was previously a large games room,” says Paeata. “We’ve created the master bedroom, our son’s bedroom, and an office nook.” Mikey’s room has new white sliding doors, defining a walk-in wardrobe while resolving the triangle shape. The master bedroom features stunning dark floral mural, a design inspired by the Dutch Golden Age, adds a touch of drama to the master bedroom. Tucked behind is the walk-thru wardrobe from NZ Wardrobes, cleverly concealing ample space. Above the bed, a brass chandelier is charming, adding to the whimsy that captures the relaxed soul of these rooms. There’s a sustained flow of colour from the bedroom wing back to the formal heart of the home. The daubs of orange dissolve into the muted colours that characterise the lounge, where Paeata has painted one wall a restrained brown. Her favourite piece is the ladder in the corner. “It was under our last house – a 1854 pioneer’s cottage in Devonport. I saw it and thought ‘perfect!’” Large windows perfectly frame the outdoor view onto the front garden, which the couple have also landscaped. The driveway, once tarseal, is now exposed aggregate, giving a decorative finish. Extending through the white gates to the front entrance steps, the driveway provides a pleasant path verged by lawn and pebbles. The three-pillared white wooden veranda feature, repeated in the poolside house renovation, is again cleverly hinted at in the white powder-coated aluminium furniture that Paeata has placed near the outdoor fireplace. Her garden, softly sculptured, formal and relaxed, is a casual elegance of subtropical, box hedging, pavers, and palms. “It doesn’t have to be a completely formal or completely subtropical garden, you can mix it up,” says Paeata. “It’s taken me a few gardens to get it right.” 40

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The impressive and welcoming front entrance has steps edged with well-selected plants and topped with two grey pots. Nearby a previously deadened area has received a dramatic uplift with paving and low planting. There are fairy magnolias – a new hybrid; gardenias, corokia hedging, mini hydrangeas, camellias, broad-leafed strelitzia, and a variety of hibiscus. The karaka beak is a white one, not as common as the native red, and still to flower in its new setting. The high-yielding fig tree nearby rises above the roadside fence and bark mulch garden, which is bordered by ponga logs. Long enough for a cricket pitch or petanque, the well-tended lawn magnificently enhances the overall frontage. The brilliant mandevilla vine advancing across the wall adds tropical flair, with a door leading through to the pool area. The kwila hardwood deck, graced with tall fluted black pots of frangipani and pink flamingos, extends around the house. This beautifully defined space has a sense of quiet seclusion, enhanced by the subtropical flavour, with palms, hibiscus, and an outdoor shower. The pool, an original 1980s concrete pool, needed upgrading. Andrew Newitt from The Pool Company, based in Tauranga, applied ecoFINISH (a high performance thermal plastic coating), eliminating the traditional plaster and paint coating shortcomings. A corner garden has been lushly planted with a tall Brazilian fern tree, a banana, and a multi-trunk bungalow palm. Complemented by adjacent black and white seating, the tall palms add to the sense of privacy. “It’s been a lot of work over the two years,” says Paeata. “The front landscaping, the driveway, sealing the pool, and the rock wall all done by hand. The under-planting and trees.” The outstanding results speak for themselves.

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Bring your pool back to life Tauranga pool specialists The Pool Company is an exclusive provider of Aqua Bright, an EcoFinish pool surface that can be applied to your existing pool. Aqua Bright is chemical-resistant and manufactured from the same polymer resin as the containers that store pool chemicals. It leaves a soft feel and non-abrasive surface, described as an orange peel texture to swimmers’ feet, with the added bonus of being slip-resistant. It is also stain-resistant. The powder particles are propelled through a flame gun and liquified, creating a chemical bond as they hit the pools surface leaving no pores for algae, calcium or rust to embed into. Aqua Bright is crack-resistant – the durable and highly-flexible material will stretch 200 per cent before it ruptures – and will even cover over small cracks in your existing pool finish. There is no chip, flake or peel with Aqua Bright. It has been engineered to withstand exterior exposure for many years. It is approved for use in swimming pools and spas up to 40°C and is resistant to blistering, chalking and deterioration, unlike vinyl and fibreglass that deteriorate over time.

Andrew Newitt & Caleb Smith.

Pigments are encapsulated within the Aqua Bright polymer resin, meaning they will not react with the pool chemistry and, as a result, not noticeably change colour or mottle over time. It is formulated to provide outstanding UV protection and colour stability. Aqua Bright requires less energy resources to manufacture, transport and install than cementitious materials. Only 45kg of Aqua Bright material is typically required to finish a pool. It outlasts other finishes

and completely seals the pool, reducing problems with water loss. No waste product is left over that needs to be disposed of in landfill, unlike cementitious products. The Aqua Bright product is inert, so it doesn’t react with water chemistry and offers a pH-neutral surface. This also means less chemicals are required to keep your pool at the right pH level than other pool surfaces that create a constant shift in pH. There is no need to pre-dilute acids, making application safer and easier.

For more information about Aqua Bright or any other services contact Andrew today!

Ph 027 210 2361 or 07 544 9028 www.cascade.co.nz/Tauranga/ www.ecopoolfinish.com 42

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Judy Alvos Judy Alvos won a NZ Trade and Enterprise export award as a teenager in 1981, and now lives in Otumoetai. Her company, Expozay, was one of New Zealand’s most iconic and successful international fashion businesses. Her Tauranga home evokes an island beach retreat. Swing seats hanging amongst palms, magical fairy lights, a bursting vegetable garden, with pots and sculptures peeking out from behind the lush growth. Inside is a cork curtain, tapa cloth hangings, tiger-themed cushions, a couple of Kristian Lomath paintings, and a wall covered with award certificates. Numerous Benson & Hedges Fashion Awards from the 1980s and 90s for swimwear, lingerie, and sportswear, carrying the slogan ‘Where Dreams Turn to Gold’. Judy’s favourite space is undoubtedly the opened-up dining kitchen area, where she can now look out on a view that stretches to the Papamoa Hills. This vista was originally blocked, with what Judy calls ‘a rickety old cupboard’, a concrete brick wall, a set of drawers, and a broken dishwasher that was taking up room. The transformed space now has plenty of light and positive energy flowing.

At age 14 Judy was hawking off hand-made boardshorts and bikinis to Australian surfies on Mount Main Beach. Now, over 50 years ago later, she is that same dreamer and opportunist, adept at applying her brain and creative imagination. However, a severe life shock threatened to shut down that brilliant mind. Seventeen years ago, her brother and his partner were brutally murdered in Fiji. The turmoil of emotions was massive. “I lost 15kgs, my boobs and my butt, and couldn’t sleep or work. Because it was so dramatic, I had to study something to take my mind off it.” She researched nutrition, light frequency, colour therapy, cannabinoids, nutraceuticals, oils, and neuropsychology, and even tested her brain out doing a seven-hour brain-a-thon. “You grow up with negative mindsets, but you can change them. A lot of our health problems are related to being stuck in a mindset, and not changing our environment. Get away from negativity and toxicity, be positive, and bring more abundance in to your life.” Unsurprisingly, her favourite space at home mirrors this fresh attitude; the bamboo, thatching, and tapa cloths reflecting the island feel that she so loved when visiting her brother. myspace Issue 4

Create Something Extraordinary

Real Estate Ltd MREINZ Licensed under the REAA 2008 Real Estate Ltd MREINZ Licensed under the REAA 2008Ltd MREINZ Real Estate

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0800 4 IDEAS

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Peace of mind. Guaranteed Peace of mind. Guaranteed

For most people, building a new home or taking on a renovation is a major event. We recognise the level of trust our customers place in us and we’ll do everything we can to make it a rewarding experience. We have also strengthened our offer through partnering with Lloyd’s of London to provide further support in the form of enhanced independent home guarantee insurance.

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TO FIND A NZCB MEMBER CALL

0800 CERTIFIED ( 0800 237 843 )

OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

nzcb.nz

Building or Renovating? Our homes are typically our biggest investment

Top tips from NZCB Builders

– both financially and emotionally – so it’s critical

• Build trust before you build anything – Check your builder’s qualifications and references. Establish good lines of communication with your builder from the outset. • Plan in as much detail as possible – Once underway, a change of plan often means delays and costs. Fine if you’ve changed your mind – frustrating if it’s due to something you never thought of. Make the most of your builder’s expertise and advice, before it’s too late. • Plan for strength and warmth – remember that first and foremost a home is a shelter. Investment in seismic resilience is preventative insurance, and energy efficiency is mostly about heat absorption and retention. • Ask for a fixed price, but have funds in reserve – always keep some contingency in your budget. You’ll sleep better. • Beware of fads in design and materials – What’s more important; wowing your friends at the housewarming, or looking good and working well in 20 years? • Get the paperwork sorted – always ask for a written contact and ideally a building guarantee. Check the fine print on both – make sure your building guarantee is worth the paper it’s written on.

to get any new build or renovation right, from the outset. What surprises many NZCB members is the number of clients who are still not ensuring they have a written contract in place. Written contracts are best practice for work of any value, are mandatory for work valued over $30k, and ensure both parties have clear expectations and accountabilities. It appears that kiwis are also pretty passive when it comes to ensuring there’s a good residential guarantee in place. NZCB introduced Halo to the market in 2016, and we believe it to be the most comprehensive building guarantee currently available in New Zealand. Halo is exclusive to NZCB, and is mandatory for NZCB members to take out, for work valued at over $30k. Halo is underwritten by Lloyd’s of London, which gives it strong financial backing, and is independently managed, ensuring no conflict of interest in the management of any subsequent claims.

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Retirees’ renovation project When Neil and Susan Alexander decided it was time to retire from their busy Melbourne lives, they chose to make the sunny Bay of Plenty home. With plenty of time on their hands, a home renovation seemed like a great way to truly make a home their own. Neil and Susan purchased their 1960s Judea home and rented it out for three years before they finally retired and moved to back to New Zealand in May 2017. They got stuck into work right away with their “fastidious” builder Ken from Mainly Maintenance. “We were looking to come back to New Zealand and retire. I have a sister in Tauranga and we have grandchildren in New Zealand, so it was an obvious place for us to come and live. The climate suited us and we came across this property, so I flew across to look at it,” says Neil. “It was a 1960s Huntly brick house. Nothing had really been done to it. The house needed a re-work, but we were prepared to do that because we needed to make a home our own anyway.” Having pre-planned where they wanted to settle, Neil and Susan had plenty of time while still living in Melbourne to decide how they wanted the house laid out and to purchase things such as tapware. They visited countless showhomes and read magazines to get an idea of what they liked and how they wanted the finished product to look. “We spent 18 months in Melbourne planning how we wanted it. This was a three-bedroom home and we knew that we wanted to turn it into a two-bedroom,” explains Susan. “We knew what configuration we wanted. We arrived May 18 last year and then on the Monday morning we met our builder friend, and two hours later he was starting to strip the place. We were the subbies. We basically stripped the inside of the whole house, 46

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re-wired and had all the windows replaced.” Alongside their builder Ken and other contractors, the renovation took a total of five months, with the pair moving in during September 2017. All but two of the internal walls of the house were changed, all joinery was replaced, and the roof and entire exterior of the property were repainted. Insulation was added to even the internal walls to increase warmth and soundproofing. “So really, we kept the same footprint, but juggled a few things.” says Susan. The new, compact, yet surprisingly spacious, kitchen now stands where the old back porch would have been. Complete with top-of-the-line Neff appliances, soft close drawers and Franke sinkware and tapware from Europe, Neil and Susan have invested in quality. Art deco-inspired tiles provide a focal point for the splashback, breaking up the white walls. A wellplanned walk-in pantry has been cleverly added to the side of the kitchen, giving additional storage space. The kitchen flows into the open plan dining and living area. Original Matai floors have been sanded back and re-varnished, complementing the self-proclaimed ‘eclectic mix’ of furniture that provides a touch of the art deco era. The walls are neutral colours. “We like plain, and then you can add colour with your accessories,” says Susan. “That way you can change them in a few years. We like clean-cut and fresh.” Large French doors open out from the living area into a private garden and decking area, perfect for al fresco dining. The outdoor area has been sculptured into somewhat of a haven, with a soothing steel blue tone being carried through the high fence and multi-level deck that was formerly a brown colour. The blueish tone contrasts impeccably with the carefully myspace Issue 4

selected greenery in the raised garden that surrounds the whole area. A winding flower and vegetable garden has been added where it used to be a lawn, giving Neil, who is fond of cooking, easy access to fresh herbs right outside the kitchen door. “We’ve certainly learned that everything in Tauranga grows instantly – its gone berserk!” says Susan. The bedroom and bathroom area are tidily concealed from the living room by a hallway. A compact European-style laundry has been added for ease of access so the pair don’t have to walk up and down the stairs to access the washing, complete with a condenser drier which extracts all the water so that steam isn’t an issue in the small room. A quaint, spacious guest bedroom features both a wardrobe and an extra-deep linen cupboard. “Storage space is really important. I like to have everything stowed away,” says Susan. Across the hallway is a modern bathroom, which has been designed for access and to maximise the space. The bathroom features a walk-in rain shower and is decorated with a tile that has a raw concrete aesthetic that complements the oak-coloured cabinetry. At the end of the hall is a spacious French-inspired master bedroom, complete with a huge walk-in wardrobe. The room has windows on all three external walls, giving plenty of natural light and all-day sunshine. The walk-in wardrobe provides ample space for all their personal belongings. While they had a budget they extended three times, Neil and Susan are extremely pleased with the home they have created. “We’ve future-proofed it and made it ours”. 48

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RE DY Exposed

RE DY Colour

Pop in and see the team for all your Flooring needs Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re your local award winning Floorcovering experts

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Looking for something Unique?

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Soaking secrets Buying new bathware can be a daunting prospect, with a huge variety out there to choose from, but if you’re looking for durability, good heat retention and easy cleaning you can’t go past stone composite bathware. The beauty of stone is that it will last for years. It’s extremely strong and durable, meaning that it won’t crack like a cheap acrylic bath might. Baths made from natural materials such as reconstituted stone composite, marble and quartz will hold water temperature for longer than acrylic baths, allowing you to soak in the bath for just that little bit longer.

The special blend of resin and polymers mixed with natural marble creates a material which is warmer to touch and lighter than natural stone. It also helps to form an impenetrable barrier to liquids, making it resistant to staining, heat and chemicals. You can use anything from water and soap, to Jif, to Epsom salts, or any chemicals – whatever your lifestyle and requirements. And of course there’s nothing like the sensational feel of bathing in stone. Remember that baths and sinks become the focal point of your bathroom. You use these pieces every day, so make them special. Unique Importing

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Your totally dependable plumber since 1989

Offering Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty complete plumbing expertise, Laser Plumbing Tauranga Central truly is your ‘totally dependable’ plumbing contractor. It all began in 1989 when local Clyde Andrews started his own plumbing company ‘Clyde Andrews Plumbing Ltd’. In the plumbing game since he was 15 years old, Clyde knows Tauranga like the back of his hand. In 2006, Clyde and wife Linda were invited to take on the local Laser Plumbing franchise with a customer experience focus in mind; they truly go the extra mile. Combining forces with other companies such as Laser Electrical means that Laser Plumbing Tauranga Central is your one-stop-shop for all your plumbing, gasfitting and drainage needs. Services include installation and servicing of underfloor heating hydronic schemes; gas ducted heating systems; water filtration; residential septic tanks and advanced water treatment plants and servicing; solar hot water and solar PV systems, through to any plumbing needs in your home such as dripping taps, toilets and full new home plumbing, gasfitting and drainage. They also offer a programmable maintenance service for residential and commercial jobs as well as for property managers.

42A Koromiko Street, Judea, Tauranga • Phone: 07 576 5666 www. taurangacentral.laserplumbing.co.nz

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With a highly-skilled and dedicated maintenance team of three plumbers, Laser Plumbing Tauranga Central can help with both residential and commercial needs, including water mains repairs, tap washers and toilet washers through to bathroom renovations and alterations. The team pride themselves on ‘playing honestly and fairly’, and offering service beyond ‘just getting the job done’. Every job is left clean and the customer informed. Utilising technology such as GPS tracking and onsite billing for efficiency, the company strives to exceed customer expectations with each job, offering excellent communication and, most importantly, quality work that you can trust. Offering eco-friendly solutions, Laser Plumbing Tauranga Central is committed to helping you save water and reduce the costs of your water bill. It is also dedicated to the community it serves, going out of its way to help organisations such as Homes of Hope and the Tauranga Housing Trust. Laser Plumbing Tauranga Central has core values of integrity, communication and trust. Combined with winning Laser Plumber of the Year in 2016, you can be assured of quality service with customers’ interest in mind. To get in touch call the team on: 07 576 5666, or visit: www.taurangacentral.laserplumbing.co.nz

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myspace Issue 4

Athenree Homestead

Heritage rebuild After 30 years of refurbishments, the next project being undertaken at the historic Athenree Homestead is a rebuild of the back of the house. Downstairs will be a kitchen, scullery, and bathroom, and upstairs a bedroom and school room. This will finally bring back the layout of the house as it was in the late nineteenth century. It’s hard to visualise the house as once-derelict remains, overgrown and fallen into decay. Over the time of the property’s restoration, including some very tough-going years, members of the Athenree Homestead Trust sometimes had to stay overnight during Guy Fawkes to prevent the building being burnt down, such was the negativity from some that it could ever be returned to its original glory. The extension on the south wall is a rebuild rather than a restore, as that part of the house had been smashed or ruined. Now, walking up the driveway, the chimneys, roof and finally the full house itself appears, stunningly set amongst the spectacular pink and purple hydrangeas, hollyhocks, box hedging and established

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trees. There’s also petunias, salvia, impatiens, fuchsias, hollyhocks, pelagonias, lavender, cosmos and dahlias. “We’re trying to create what Adela had,” says trust secretary Marion Robertson. “No modern plants here.” The homestead plays an important part in reflecting the early history of Ulster settlement in Katikati and Athenree. Built and lived in by Irish settlers Adela and Hugh Stewart from 1878 to 1906, the property had a significant role in the developing community. Hugh Stewart was the brother of George Vesey Stewart, founder of Katikati and Te Puke, and elected Tauranga’s Mayor in 1882. It is believed that George Vesey Stewart enticed more than 4000 people to settle in New Zealand. This property tells the story of the Athenree settlement, and also part of the story of Tauranga Moana. The aim of the trust is to present the whole property as an authentic picture of what life was like in the 1870s and 1880s when Hugh and Adela Stewart arrived and established 500 acres. “This was the staging post for carriages travelling from Waihi to Tauranga,” says Marion’s husband Peter Robertson. “They stopped here, there was a post office, and a lot of visitors.” The roof line has an unusual gable. “Nothing was measured in the early days,” says Peter, “they just added on where it was required. That roof line allowed light into the changing room which was added on for Adela.” “She used it to get away from the busyness of the house,” says Marion. “Adela wrote of up to 70 people being here for functions. They would stay very late and still be here at breakfast time, so she had to provide food for them.” Although the rebuild includes a kitchen and scullery, visitors to the homestead will continue to enjoy scones and tea at the railway station, which was moved from the Athenree Gorge about seven or eight years ago, now functioning as refreshment rooms. Inside the homestead, the room that is the dining room used to be the stables. “You’ll see that it was never quite flush and is wider at one end than the other,” says Peter.

Upstairs, when the rebuild is completed, a door will eventually lead to a room that was used as a school room for farm cadets who lived with Hugh and Adela. “After 28 years here, Adela and Hugh moved back to the UK in 1906,” says Peter. “Then the Rapley family came in 1918 and reroofed and restored it. They were also here for 28 years. After they left in 1946, it slowly disintegrated.” The trust placed a sign in the house that reads “We used to be a hayshed before our 20-year restoration. This is an eight-bedroom homestead and we are only half way through! Please support us with your donation to complete this unique pioneer farm house in your family’s lifetime. THANK YOU!” They found Adela’s journals helpful in restoring the property. She wrote a book based on the journals, returning to New Zealand after Hugh died to promote it, but died the day after she arrived. Above the ceiling in the end bedroom is what Peter calls “bits and pieces of tongue and groove”. “If you look at it carefully, some of it is original, whereas some of it has been simulated,” says Peter. “Some was done during a rebuild, mostly using kauri. There has been a lot of kauri donated which we will use for finishing.” Peter has also sourced other pieces that fit with the historical aspect of the house. “I purchased about eight or nine colonial windows, and old colonial doors. Stripped them and resurrected them for the new extension. Otherwise we’d have to get them made and the cost would be horrendous.” Also purchased or donated are an Orion wood-burning stove, a fireplace, an old tin bath, a porcelain hand basin and a pair of original kauri wash tubs. Opposite the gallery is a gable window which lets in a lot of light over the dining room. A ‘door to nowhere’ on the other side will eventually lead people through to the rebuilt kitchen which will highlight where food was once prepared, and to the scullery where the washing up was done.

The trust wanted to complete the extension years ago. “The original plans were done 30 years ago by a heritage architect,” says Peter. “And we’ve got Kyle Anaru, a local architect, to bring them up to 2018 requirements.” It’s already taken many exhausting hours of voluntary work by trust members, ensuring that regulations and requirements involving architect, archeologist and engineers were met. They now have funding. A local builder is ready to commence work as soon as the building permit has been received. In the winter members of the trust open the homestead to the public on the first Sunday of every month, lighting the fires, as both chimneys work. Soon visitors will be exploring more rooms. myspace Issue 4

Making the most of

small spaces

A dreamy paint effect with a wash of Resene Half Raven, Resene Grey Chateau, Resene Double Concrete and Resene Half Concrete gives a cloudlike effect and a sense of space. Photo by Flash Studios. 56

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A paint effect of roughly rolled stripes using a mini roller against a light blue Resene Breathless wall makes this room feel more spacious. The rolled stripes are Resene Escape, Resene Galliano, Resene Sandbar, Resene Coast and Resene Dark Side. Photo by Flash Studios.

Dark paint or light paint for a small room? That’s the ultimate question for small-space dwellers. After all, we’re frequently told that smaller rooms should be painted with light colours. But Resene colour consultant Nikki Morris says you needn’t be afraid of embracing either. “No matter what colour you choose, there are several design concepts that can make your room appear visually bigger.” Using colours with a high light reflectance value, for example, can help reflect and bounce the natural light around the space and give it the illusion of being larger, brighter and more spacious, she says. While white might be the ultimate space creator, certain colours and colour combinations can fool the eye and make interiors seem much more spacious than they are. Pale blues and greens create a calming atmosphere that simultaneously enlarge and brighten a space. They also combine well with other colours. Combinations like creams and icy blues are some of the best for making a space appear bigger. Try creamy shades like Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta and Resene Rice Cake alongside icy blues such as Resene Breathless and Resene

Cut Glass. Sea-foam greens are equally versatile and work well with creams, yellows and greys. Soft tones of yellow can also create a feeling of space, but don’t go too bright or too dark. Lemon and creamy yellows work best (think Resene Gin Fizz). Darker shades can work well in smaller spaces too, says Nikki, but stick to neutral darks like blacks, charcoals, navy blues, chocolate browns and plums. Reds, greens and mid-tone blues can call too much attention to the walls, making a room feel smaller. “Bold and brighter colours work best as accents or small statements,” says Nikki. But she does encourage people to consider dark hues. “Embrace that the space is small and go darker with a bold statement wall or room for a cocooning and moody vibe and use some brighter and happier colours as accents,” she says. “Blankets, artwork, rugs, couches, etc, could all be in similar colour tones or families but with textural differences, and then use cushions, lamps and candles for colour pops in bright colours.” Glossy surfaces, which reflect light, are ideal for small rooms, particularly when using darker paint colours. “Use a higher gloss Resene Enamacryl finish on darker elements such as kitchen cabinetry, built-in shelving and fireplace surrounds, but keep the walls in a low sheen finish to offset the gloss differences.” For small homes and apartments you could utilise two to three myspace Issue 4

Soothing neutrals in Resene Tasman, Resene Half Rice Cake and Resene Quarter Rice Cake help this open plan area feel larger. Project by Emma Morris & Lucy McGillivray.

A large mirror will help any room feel bigger and works especially well in bathrooms, like this one finished in Resene Half Fuscous Grey and Resene Double Black White. Photo by Bryce Carleton.

Painting shelves to match the surrounding wall colour helps them to blend in, like these ones painted in Resene Silver Chalice. Project by Audrey Fitzjohn.

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Resene paint colours, says Nikki: “Two lighter shades and one darker accent colour to keep the space feeling airy but anchored with a darker statement for interest.” Another trick to visually expand a space is to paint the walls and trims the same colour. Where there are no breaks in the trim, your ceilings will appear taller. As well, place your curtain rods close to the ceiling to make it look higher, and extend the rod about 10cm on either side of the window to make the window look bigger and allow more light into the room, which opens it up. If there is not a lot of natural light in the room, add more lighting fixtures. Mirrors can also help reflect both natural and artificial light. Placing a mirror near a window to reflect the outdoors is especially effective at visually expanding a room. Or angle a mirror towards a certain area or focal point to give the illusion of more space. Mirrored wardrobe doors or cabinets are perfect for small spaces, as are glass tables and acrylic chairs, which open up a space. Sofas and armchairs with open or no arms and exposed legs allow light to filter under the furniture, which, again, makes a space appear larger. A monochromatic colour scheme works extremely well in small spaces too – it allows the eye to move easily around the room without obvious interruption by other colours. This can alter your perception of dimension and can make an interior seem more spacious. “Use subtle contrasting colour to define the areas within an open plan space,” says Nikki. “Use the same Resene colour family in varying strengths for different areas.”

A half wall in Resene Bokara Grey with Resene Half Silver Chalice brings colour into this dining room without overpowering it. Photo by Audrey Fitzjohn.

The Resene whites and neutrals collection has up to six strength variations of each colour so you can easily combine lighter and darker options. Various textures can also help enhance the single-colour scheme. Or consider stripes, which can help alter the perception of space. Just picture the way horizontal stripes make a person appear bigger. The same goes for rooms. Horizontal stripes visually widen a narrow room, while vertical stripes make a low ceiling seem taller. In a small space, where everything counts, clutter should be hidden away. Too many knick-knacks and pieces of furniture can make it seem like the room is closing in on you. Keep tabletops clear and use multifunctional furniture, such as ottomans that double as coffee tables and extra seating as well as provide hidden storage. If you are lucky enough to have a high stud height, use that height for storage. Alternatively, floating shelves are ideal when there is no room for storage, or no floor space. Keep window treatments to a minimum. Small rooms can become overwhelmed with billowing curtains or drapes with lots of pattern. Pick simple window treatments that let in as much light as possible. A window treatment that is the same colour as the walls will blend in and open up the space. And opt for dining tables that can be made smaller – like a dropleaf table, or an extendable one. When it comes to decorating small spaces, design trickery is your best friend. Clever design and slick paint colours play a big part in creating the illusion of space. Choose the right colours – light or dark – and you’ll go a long way to ensuring your home, however small, feels light and airy and spacious. Happy decorating!

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Good things come in small packages

Small in size doesn’t mean small in stature, and with great design even the smallest home can make a big impression. Fowler Homes’ new Hathaway show home in Golden Sands is only 160sqm, but it packs a punch when it comes to clever design. “It’s not a big home, but we’ve added a bit of flair and design that is quite different to your standard 160sqm three-bedroom home,” says Fowler Homes owner Tony O’Brien. The house is built from shot-blast brick, giving it a stone-like look, as well as vertical oblique weatherboards in an off-white. Inside, volume has been added by lifting the ceiling height to 2.55m and lifting some of the feature doors to 2.2m to line up with the height of the windows. The stylish living areas have stacking slider doors that open onto a north-facing covered deck and concrete patio. “It’s a very easy, liveable plan that incorporates indoor-outdoor access to the sunny side of the house,” says Tony. Hallway space has been kept to a minimum and the master bedroom and en-suite are separated for extra privacy. Other clever uses of space include a separate computer nook off the kitchen, a walk-in pantry and separate laundry. Tony says many people are now looking for smaller homes but don’t want a standard layout. “They’re looking for something different,” he says, “and that’s what we have achieved here. Good design isn’t expensive.” Every house built by Fowler Homes is designed to fit the site. “We don’t do ‘cut and paste’ plans,” says Tony. “We look at where the sun rises and sets, where the access is and how you want the rooms laid out. We design around those parameters and design to price.” 62

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Design is the key Good homes start with good design – it’s a favourite saying at Fowler Homes and a concept you can see for yourself at the company’s new showhome at the Lakes. This home is an entertainer’s dream, with large indoor and outdoor living spaces and an open layout. Dark grey shot-blasted brick and oblique weatherboard cladding give this home a trendy but sturdy look. Step inside the covered front entry, past the shot-blasted brick feature wall and you will find a space which boasts all the features of a contemporary home. Its clever U-shaped design ensures space is maximised by cutting down on hallways. Its layout further ensures the home is open, light and has a natural source of heating throughout the year. At the heart of the home is the central living spaces – kitchen, dining and family area – in one room. Thanks to its raked ceiling, the room features bright natural lighting. “We’ve raked the ceiling towards the north-facing courtyard so there is maximum sun into the living areas,” says master builder and Fowler Homes director Tony O’Brien. In the kitchen is a breakfast bar with drop-down lights above it to further highlight the area and complement the room’s crisp white bench tops. A separate laundry leads to a carpeted double garage, perfect for extra space if needed. All living spaces open out into a spacious courtyard, which makes for fantastic indoor-outdoor living. Gorgeous wooden decking surrounds the low-maintenance concreted outdoor area and an outdoor fire makes the area a perfect spot for hosting those cooler late-night gatherings. The 208sqm home offers three sizeable bedrooms including a main bedroom, an en suite, two double bedrooms and a main bathroom.

For more information, call us or check out our website

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When classic meets contemporary

Before When the land that housed Vanessa Harmen’s grandmother’s farmhouse was to be developed, Vanessa and partner Sasho jumped at the opportunity to relocate the home to Matapihi where it will become their family home for generations to come. The house, built in 1914 and then purchased by Vanessa’s grandparents, holds a special place in her heart. Growing up with fond memories of the then Greerton-based home, Vanessa couldn’t let the house be burned down to make way for new developments. “We were here every second weekend. We were really close with our nana, and my dad grew up in it, so it’s been in our family forever, and it will be because we will pass it on to our children,” says Vanessa. It took just one year to find the perfect piece of land with no covenants for the home to be relocated to – a picturesque flat section in Matapihi with views of Mount Maunganui. myspace Issue 4

Before The 214sqm house was relocated in two pieces, sustaining minimal damage during the move. They then set about renovating the home before their second child was born, completing a lot of the work themselves. “We started renovating in March 2015 and moved in during September 2015. I was pregnant with Lola. My partner did a lot of the work himself with the help of our friends and then we got painters in to finish it when we realised we weren’t going to finish it in time on our own,” says Vanessa. Facing northwest, the house fits perfectly into its new surroundings; the lush green lawns contrasting beautifully with the Mount Hikurangi exterior colour of the home. A large, welcoming porch leads to an original door with stained glass, opening out into a wide re-carpeted hallway that accesses all living and bedroom areas. “We placed it the same way as it was placed at Nana’s and it still sometimes feels like we are at Nana’s house in Greerton,” says Vanessa. Vanessa wanted to maintain the classic charm and integrity of the home, so nothing structural was changed. The bathroomware has been left in its former glory, alongside tasteful modern elements of colour and stripped-back flooring. “I wanted to keep everything original and let the features speak for themselves –you just can’t get that kind of thing anymore. The black was to modernise it a wee bit more to my taste,” says Vanessa. There is no shortage of living space in the home, with two separate lounges and a sunroom which is destined to be a dining room. Large original windows let plenty of light into the crisp, white room, contrasted by the original timber floors and subtle black window frames. The sunroom features some of the home’s original furniture, such as Vanessa’s grandmother’s piano that was shipped from England, and a rustic armchair that blends beautifully into the space. “I really love old pieces because I love the history and stories that go with them,” says Vanessa. Before the renovation, the sunroom featured “a hideous lino 66

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“We placed it the same way as it was placed at Nana’s and it still sometimes feels like we are at Nana’s house in Greerton”

colour. We’ve stripped it back and re-gibbed the walls,” says Vanessa. Vanessa boldly chose black as the colour for the doors and window frames which contrasts tastefully with the Okapito White walls and accentuates the natural woodgrain tones, in keeping with the original character of the home. “We had a painter do that [the window frames] and at first he wouldn’t paint them or the doors black but, in the end, reluctantly agreed and actually surprised himself by liking it,” says Vanessa. Soft furnishings with hints of mustard yellow add pops of colour that can be easily changed in future and matched with the timeless monochromatic colour palette. Vanessa is a firm believer in “following your gut” with style and has opened a home decor store with her sister Dana called Kowhai Interiors after struggling to find “something a little different” for her home. The store stocks one-off furniture pieces, original art and a range of beautiful homewares that are exclusive to Kowhai. Insulation has been added in the ceiling of this home, with the addition of a heat transfer system that takes excess heat from the new fireplace to the four bedrooms. The rooms have been left in their original glory with a new coat of white paint on the walls and black doors added to modernise. “The room where I grew up with my sister is now my son and daughter’s room – we have just painted it,” says Vanessa. The master bedroom features original farmhouse double doors which allow half of the wall to be opened to maximise airflow. They offer the choice of just the top half being opened, much like a stable door. Sasho and Vanessa believe they were lucky the bones of their home were so solid, meaning they had no major issues. An unexpected bonus was finding some cigarette packets and old newspaper clippings, which will be framed and put up in the house. The next projects include the kitchen, which has only had a new benchtop and tapware added, and some more landscaping which will include some kiwifruit bin vegetable gardens.

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J006110

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Multi-use Office Kitchen Design When Chelsey Mathieson was tasked with designing a compact kitchen as part of a multi-use office fit out in a casual beach side town, what she created was a space that was modern and surprisingly spacious. With a bar leaner as the centre point of the kitchen, Chelsey needed to use all of the areas available to really make the most of the compact space that she was working with. Taking into account current trends a modern black and white colour theme was chosen and paired with timber, concrete and marble. To avoid visible joins in the main benchtop and maximise the usage of space a raised Caesarstone Raw Concrete bar leaner running into the existing bifold windows was introduced. A Laminam Bianco Statuario splashback was added above the main benchtop breaking up the starkness of simple white walls while complimenting the Caesarstone benchtops; the addition of a strip of Formica Magnetic Laminate in Matt Black also avoided the need of a join in the splashback as well as being a fun way to communicate in an office environment.

The extra depth of the sink area was utilised for a raised stainless-steel top complete with a panama fitting welded in with accessories for convenience. For an uncluttered modern feel a BLUM space tower was implemented as a pantry/ storage system with a concealed small appliance area cleverly covered by a Hafele Hawa pocket door system and BLUM HF lift systems were utilised to maximise access to the overhead cabinetry. The addition of black cabinetry with black mesh doors gives an edgy slightly industrial element to the design, the mesh doors are a great way to display items in the cabinets without using the traditional glass door option while the use of internal lighting gives an illusion of depth and space. As well as the use of cleverly considered storage solutions to make the most of this compact space, Chelseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice of Purecoat by Melteca in Ink Black and Melteca Snowdrift Satin for the cabinet exteriors enhanced the kitchen even further. The whites in the walls, cabinets and splashback reflects the natural light that pours through the bifold window opening the space up and the contrasting black cabinetry under the benchtop highlight all of the natural looking surfaces making them a real feature of the space.

Laminex New ZealandÂŽ 0800 303 606 www.laminexnewzealand.co.nz Vekart Design Studio www.vekart.co.nz myspace Issue 4

PIC TO COME CENTRE

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TINY HOMES

NO LONGER JUST FOR HIPPIES

The number of people interested in and wanting a tiny home is exploding beyond what anyone in the design and building industry could have ever expected. Froma tiny The number of people interested in and wanting being the only viable option for first home buyers home is exploding beyond what anyone in thetodesign offeringand an building easy second income a guest house, it is industry could as have ever expected. From clear that the tiny home is no longer just an alternative being the only viable option for first home buyers to lifestyleoffering for hippies. an easy second income as a guest house, it is

NO LONGER JUST FOR HIPPIES

clear that the tiny home is no longer just an alternative

The tiny home movement, as it was coined in the early 2000’s, came lifestyle for hippies. from a rebellion in the US to the disproportionately large average size 2 homes which grew to over +230mas despite family in sizes getting smaller. The tiny home movement, it was coined the early 2000’s, came The samefrom appears to have happened here in NZ with people opting tosize a rebellion in the US to the disproportionately large average live morehomes simplywhich for both environmental economic – it issmaller. 2 grew to over +230mand despite familyreasons sizes getting becoming thesame newappears aspirational lifestyle. The to have happened here in NZ with people opting to live more simply for both environmental and economic reasons – it is

As Creative Space the Architectural Design’s creative director, Andre becoming new aspirational lifestyle. Laurent, explains, “A standard NZ home is 220 square metres and we can quiteAs easily live Space in half Architectural of that area which immediately meansAndre we’re Creative Design’s creative director, Laurent, halving the costs.explains, “A standard NZ home is 220 square metres and we

can quite easily live in half of that area which immediately means we’re halving the costs. “In exploring tiny homes and moving

ANDRE LAURENT, CREATIVEANDRE DIRECTOR LAURENT,

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

PHOTO CREDIT: BUILD TINY NZ, KATIKATI

PHOTO CREDIT:

in that direction, the question is BUILD TINY NZ, KATIKATI mortgage that you’re working off until “In exploring tinyithomes and moving an $800,000 how small can we get without in that direction, question is you’re 60 years old? Or is it a $150,000 mortgage compromising how wethe live?” $800,000 mortgage that you’re working until how small can we get it without that an leaves you with a valuable asset to grow off your you’re 60 years old? Or is it a $150,000 mortgage compromising how we live?” wealth in less than half that time – and enjoy the Creative Space Architectural that leaves you with a valuable asset to grow your lifestyle you want too.” Design is joining forces with Katikati wealth in less than half that time – and enjoy the Creative Space Architectural company Build Tiny to meet the lifestyle you want too.” Design is joining forces with Katikati This sense of social responsibility and challenging growing desire for tiny homes, company Build Tiny to meet the traditional ideas what drive the Creative Space determined to redefine success This sense ofare social responsibility and challenging growing desire forwhat tiny homes, team to provide solutions for future home design, meansdetermined to a home owner. traditional ideas are what drive the Creative Space to redefine what success and team find atoway of delivering housing to provide solutions affordable for future home design, means to a home owner. people “We’re looking at the opposite andwho find aneed way it. of delivering affordable housing to end of “We’re the scale thanatwhat most people who need it. looking the opposite “Partnering with Build Tiny is a good synergistic architects endhave of thebeen scaletypically than what most partnership for with us,” says very “Partnering Build Andre. Tiny is a“They good build synergistic doing,”architects says Andre. to have“We’d been like typically us,” says “They very highpartnership quality tinyfor homes, andAndre. our skill is inbuild design doing,” Andre. “We’d challenge the says whole status quo like of to quality tiny and our skill is in design the Is whole status quo of and high maximising thehomes, space available. ‘biggerchallenge and better’. success having ‘bigger and better’. Is success having

and maximising the space available.

have next level knowledge,expertise expertise We We have thethe next level in in knowledge, experience ensure your buildingisis andand experience to to ensure your building designed to the highest possiblestandards. standards. designed to the highest possible more website creativespace.co.nz FindFind more on on ourour website creativespace.co.nz facebook.com/creativespacenz facebook.com/creativespacenz

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myspace Issue 4

Long life outdoor living secrets When you’re looking to buy wicker furniture, it’s easy to think of the ‘today’ cost and forget about how much it might cost you in the future. Grant Furniss from Contemporary Classics says there are a few things to consider when buying wicker furniture. “People need to consider how much it will cost to replace in the future if you buy cheap now. It’s worth it to pay extra for something that not only works for you in the moment, but will last a long time. It’s no good buying something that only lasts a few seasons.”

Traditional wicker is now being replaced with an extrusion of Polyethylene that has many advantages over the original. Grant says the Germans have perfected the top product. “It has the best reputation for surviving New Zealand’s extreme UV climate, thanks to the inhibitors. When exposed to our harsh light, the product retains its strength, and is easy to repair – although repairs are hardly ever needed.”

Impressive warranty There’s been over 30 years of development put into this exemplary product, with extrusion products like Hularo and Rehau fibre leading the way. The products offer an impressive warranty of up to 10-years in New New innovation Zealand. There’s a man-made fibre that mimics Grant says it’s important to check wicker storming the world right now – the quality of weaving and finish when filling gardens, resorts, and inside living selecting items for your home. “The spaces. Synthetic wicker is the design weaving should be tight which means it innovation that has Grant excited, and it’s won’t sag and start unravelling. easy to see why. It’s not just the wicker that’s being replaced with manmade substances – the traditional rattan frames of the chairs are being replaced with aluminium. Grant says it’s much lighter in weight, and lasts longer. “Plus, it’s great for the environment, as it avoids the destruction of the jungles that harvesting rattan causes.” Choosing the right aluminium is also key to a long-lasting finished product. Thickness is important for strength, and Grant suggests also tipping the furniture Turn the chair upside down and have a close look at the weaving.

up gently and checking the weld points underneath. “Make sure it’s fully welded not just spot welded.” Maintenance Any aluminium furniture intended for your outdoor living area should be powder coated to stand up to the elements.

Have a close look at the welding..

“Aluminium furniture left outside in coastal environments will develop a white crusting over time where there is exposed raw aluminium. This will need regular washing to remove the salt.” The fibre has to be attached to the aluminium frame by stainless steel pins, to ensure they don’t rust and they stay in place, so Grant says this is another thing you should check for. A final reason for purchasing a better product is that furniture featuring curved aluminium and complicated weaving requires the talents of a skilled artisan to perfect it. As to the cushions, Grant chuckles and says, “That’s another trap.” But one he can help you with! To get free advise, contact Grant on 027 432 8644. myspace Issue 4

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Outdoor leisure on display If you’re looking to liven up your outdoor entertaining area, perhaps with a spa pool or new barbecue, you may not think to visit your local garden centre.But Palmers Bethlehem, while offering the usual plants and garden supplies, also offers a wide range of outdoor leisure products. One of these products is Trueform Spa Pools, a high-quality New Zealand-made brand. “We’ve sold a lot of these during the last four years and display about six of the most popular of the 30 models they have on offer, from those ideal for a couple through to those suitable for a family,” says owner Peter Wayman. “There’s a range of sizes and styles, and we can offer the option

of an ozone sanitising system that cuts down on the amount of chemicals used.” All of the spas are clad in cedar wood but you can choose the colour of the inner shell and lid, with custom orders taking just three weeks. For those who’ve never owned a spa pool before, Peter says the benefits are wideranging. “There are health benefits for people with bad backs, or who have trouble sleeping at night. They are very relaxing.” Palmers Bethlehem also stocks the full range of Weber barbecues including the Weber Q gas range, consisting of the Baby Q, Weber Q and Family Q, and is the only specialist stockist in the Tauranga area. “The Baby and Q models are portable so you can chuck them

in the car and take them away for the day,” says Peter. “You can also grill, roast and bake in them – whatever you can do in a regular oven.” The Weber barbecues, made of aluminium with an enamel top, stand up well to the coastal conditions in the Bay, says Peter. “The framework is a heat-resistant resin, which means there is nothing there to corrode.” And if it’s a charcoal barbecue you prefer to cook on, Palmers Bethlehem also stocks the Weber kettle barbecues. Palmers Bethlehem currently holds the title of ‘New Zealand Garden Centre of the Year’ – an accolade Peter says acknowledges the team’s outstanding service and quality product range, including Trueform and Weber.

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Open 7 Days from 8.30am Ph 07 579 3925 www.palmers.co.nz myspace Issue 4

Northbeam’s key account manager Lee Thompson, right, and Katikati ITM’s general manager Charlie Roche.

Earthquake damage in Christchurch and Kaikoura is a sobering reminder that when we build, we need to remember that homes and structures are sometimes tested beyond their limit. Northpine – manufacturers of Northbeam timber beams and posts – understands that timber strength or stiffness cannot be determined just by looking at it. That’s why we have a rigorous machine stresstesting regime that is independently verified and BRANZ-Appraised. We also know that structurally tested, verified timber products are superior to the more traditional No.1 Framing, yet we still receive requests for No.1 Framing timber. When this visual grading process has been shown to be unreliable, the question has to be why?

Fit for purpose Structural timber grades that need to be confirmed for stiffness and strength were introduced in late 2004 because of concerns over the performance of the younger crop pine trees being harvested. Radiata pine from different regions and of different ages has various strength and stiffness characteristics, yet many people – including some in the timber industry – don’t understand that modern technology allows us to test each structural member and ensure it is fit for purpose. A 1997 study conducted by the Forest Research Institute showed conclusively that visual grading gave different performance characteristics depending on which region the timber came from. The result showed that out of the six regions tested at that time, only two met the actual requirements that visual grading was designed to achieve. For more on the science, go to: www.northpine.co.nz/northbeam

Beam ‘under load’.

The results are further audited by an independent third party. Grade Verified timber brand signifies that the product is licensed by Grade Right (NZ) Ltd - a company with proven performance of third party monitoring and auditing of wood quality. So why wouldn’t you use verified products and ensure you have additional protection? As part of builders’ ongoing training for LBP requirements, Northpine undertakes ‘The Strong Stuff Challenge’. We ask participants to estimate the force in kilograms required to break a piece of 90x45 (4x2) in a test machine. To make it more interesting, we often bore a few large holes in the piece to simulate large knots. We don’t really know what is going to happen – as you can only break the board once – but it is interesting to note the surprised looks when some of these take around two tonnes of pressure to break! This just goes to show that without testing and verifying the timber, it is very difficult to tell what sort of structural performance you will achieve. Choose verified timber that you know is stronger, denser and stiffer for better performance and peace of mind.

Audited results Nowadays, each timber manufacturing company creates its own grade rules allowing them to generate products that meet or exceed the criteria specified in the NZ Standards. These products are then tested to ensure they are ‘fit for purpose’. 76

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A product range of Northpine Lt d

www.northpine.co.nz/northbeam

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Iconic local design gets a makeover...

Architectural Designer Adam Taylor

Sentiments like ‘my home, my castle’ and ‘there’s no place like home’ talk to the fundamental role the family home plays in reflecting, and indeed shaping, our identity. Hence why a renovation or build project plan for a family home must be led first and foremost by the personalities, preferences and priorities of the people who will call that environment ‘home’. While a simple enough mandate at face value, it requires great sensibility – something that Architectural Designers New Zealand member Adam Taylor of Adam Taylor Architecture discovered while working on a recent project. His brief from clients Ben and Meagan was simple but specific: to take their iconic Beazley property, a hallmark of the 60s, and give the home a sense of openness with spaces to eat, play, work and bond. “The existing footprint of the house was good, but it wasn’t configured in a useful manner. Beazley houses are very common in

the Mount; I’ve previously worked on four. While they were good homes back in the day, they’ve been bashed around quite a lot during their time and while some properties, like this one, have had minor renovations, they’ve usually been undertaken without much of a holistic view about how the home could work better.” Renovations on this particular property had done little to resolve its rabbit warren nature, dead spaces and awkward traffic zones. “Its layout needed attention and it needed maintenance to address the draughtiness and to freshen things up.” Most importantly, the home needed to be compatible with the family as it is today and as it will be tomorrow. Inspired by the clients’ little girl, Molly, and any future siblings that may join her, Adam says priorities included adding a bedroom and en suite serving as a sanctuary space, separating out the laundry, combining the kitchen and dining/living areas to invite connectivity between these spaces, and to create fluidity between the house and its landscape. “We didn’t have a huge budget so there were some limitations with what we could do. We wanted to create a home that was relaxed, robust, a touch quirky and not pretentious. We introduced an unusual amalgamation of textured claddings on the front facade, so from an external point of view, we could demarcate from what is happening internally. We wanted the house and site to be integrated so we recontoured the front area so it was more attached to the lawn.” The outdoor experience offered by the intelligent design is further enriched by a ring frame pergola which also serves to define the outdoor area as its own, independent living space. The modernisation of this weathered gem was not at the expense of its priceless character, with Adam able to let the property’s history still have a place in the final result. “We wanted to ensure some elements of the old house were able to shine through. With the strict budget we weren’t in a position anyway to allow laminate flooring throughout, so we made a conscious decision to introduce a heavy-duty white wash onto the original floorboards. The outcome is that you can still see and feel the original floor underfoot – it has shadows and imperfections, which make it special.” With five years of successful designs for builds and renovations delivered by his company and a recent accolade – the LinkT Young Read Woudberg Business Owner of the Year Award for the Bay of Plenty – Adam says he looks forward to the future. “We deliver lots of exciting projects, and for us, our ongoing success is always about the architectural merit of the projects we are awarded.” from ADNZ www.adnz.org.nz myspace Issue 4

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How to spot and manage asbestos

If you’re renovating, demolishing or adding to a building you may have to deal with asbestos contamination, particularly if it was built before the year 2000. There are several ways of approaching this kind of building work. You could make a best guess following the WorkSafe Approved Code of Practice Guidance, employ a surveyor to assess the building and produce an asbestos management plan for the build, or simply assume the building contains asbestos and write a plan accordingly.

a risk to our health. So if you suspect asbestos, keep a close eye on it if it’s in good condition. However, if the condition changes or you want to do work in the area, we recommend you contact an Asbestos Surveyor to get samples taken and analysed by an IANZ-accredited lab.

walls, under flooring like lino; roofs and ceilings; hot water tanks; insulation and lagging; gutters and downpipes; fireplace surrounds and chimneys; fuse boards; internal water pipes and around windows and door frames. In commercial buildings, it’s found in many of the same places, but also in the centre of fire doors and in lift ropes and lift shafts.

What if we assume asbestos? If you assume that the entire building contains asbestos, you’ll need to include much more stringent management actions in your plan. It will also depend on the state of the asbestos. If you have walls in a poor state, then the course of action will be different to a building in good condition. The plan could state that you will employ the services of a licensed surveyor prior to starting any works and management actions will be defined in greater detail at that time. You could also choose to revisit or update the plans if your staff are trained and better equipped to identify asbestos. What to do if you suspect asbestos In a sound and contained state, asbestos is not dangerous. It is only once the fibres become airborne that asbestos becomes

If you think there’s asbestos in the building, find the Worksafe NZ management plan fact sheet online. This can help you manage your duties under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations. Where you may find asbestos Asbestos can be located in a variety of places in buildings. As it’s a fire-resistant and hard-wearing material, it’s commonly found in places that may get hot or wet. In homes this includes the walls behind stoves in kitchens; interior and exterior

What to do if asbestos found If you find asbestos, or are worried that you’ve damaged something that may contain it, stop work immediately. Keep people away from the area, and make sure you minimise the spread of contamination. Then get in touch with WorkSafe, which can advise you on what to do next.

Got questions? building.tauranga.govt.nz 07 577 7000 info@tauranga.govt.nz

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Essentials for selling your home Here are some helpful tips on the best way to approach selling your home in the current market from Tauranga consultant Brent Bastin. Check the market The market is an ever-changing beast. It can fluctuate from day-to-day and buyers are instantly reactive to changes. When considering selling, it is important to check where the market is at so that your expectation can be set at the right level. “There are a lot of properties on the market at the moment, so first impressions are most important” says Brent.

Marketing like a pro To sell your home, you must first capture your buyer and this is where a good marketing strategy kicks in. Brent describes real estate marketing as needing to be “a purple cow in a field of black cows”. He encourages sellers to take advantage of every single marketing medium available to them with an objective to capture 100 per cent of the market. Videos are becoming increasingly popular with marketing homes in the online sphere, though Brent does stress that print media is not dead. “Very rarely do people go to the movies without watching the trailer, so why would you not have a trailer for your property; it’s your biggest asset. Have as many different trigger points that are going to relate to as many different parties as possible,” says Brent.

First impressions Having good road frontage is critical for a good first impression, with simple things like making your front garden clean and tidy. “Sometimes a lick of paint can change the whole feel of the property. It’s about getting the balance of how much the vendor wants to spend and getting the house up to the best standard it can be,” says Brent. First impressions online and in print are important as well. Professional photos of your property looking its best gives you the best foot in the door with potential buyers. “Photos speak a thousand words. It’s the first thing people look at and yet it is often the first thing people skimp on,” says Brent.

Staging Dressing your home to impress can make all the difference. Getting input from an interior designer on where furniture should be placed and what colour palette should be used with accessories might be worth considering. The house needs to “have a showhome feel with

the homely knick-knacks,” says Brent. “Get rid of the clutter because people can’t see their own furniture in clutter. In saying that, try not to sell a house vacant because people can’t imagine where their furniture will go – it’s a fine balance.”

Don’t limit yourself Do not limit yourself in the market by predetermining who the buyer will be. Capturing 100 per cent of the market and triggering a variety of people to be attracted to the property is essential. “You want to showcase all the beautiful things a property has to offer because that will resonate with your potential buyer, whoever they are,” says Brent.

Agent v private sale The importance of capturing as much of the market as possible when selling your home is paramount. Brent says “in a lot of cases if you go privately you only have a small captured market. If you go with an agent they can reach realestate.co.nz which is arguably the biggest online source of inquiry”. An agent is also advantageous as a negotiator. When selling privately it can be difficult to know when to call a purchaser back, how often and how far you should chase them. These are some of the stresses that an agent can take care for you.

Method of selling When it comes to choosing your method of selling, there seems to be no right or wrong way, with each house and seller being different. Brent has a combination approach, saying, “it’s about what the vendor is comfortable with and what is happening in the market in that current state. A lot of people dictate how a house should sell, but for me it is about finding a comfort zone of what is happening on a daily basis and, of course, combining that with how the vendor is feeling”.

Flexibility The current market in Tauranga is quite up and down so houses are not always selling immediately for their ‘champagne price’. “There is a wide gap in the market now between what the purchaser is willing to pay and what the vendor is wanting,” says Brent. When selling, Brent says a lot of people worry about the ‘what ifs?’ He stresses that you need to run each scenario individually and tackle problems as they arise. myspace Issue 4

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Reflections of India The name Paisley House gives a hint of the exotic delights that await you behind the doors of this furniture and home interior store on the main drag through Tirau, in South Waikato. The nod to the timeless Asian textile pattern of paisley was inspired by many trips to India by owners Linda and Andrew Murphy. The ex- farmers and owners of Y-Not’s Furniture and Gifts in Canterbury, sold up and moved to South Waikato in 2017 to pursue other business ventures. “We soon fell in love with the beautiful little town of Tirau,” says Linda. “At the time there was a premises up for sale on the main road that was perfect for re-establishing our furniture and home decor business and also had room to expand.” Linda and Andrew travel to India around three times a year to hand pick and source stock from trade fairs, furniture manufacturers and their own contacts made over the years. Most pieces are unique, with many being high

quality, original vintage pieces that have been lovingly restored. Others are reproductions made from recycled materials or wood from sustainable forests and government-controlled fair trade. “We also source items personally for clients who are after something specific,” says Linda. “If we find something, we send a photograph to the client for approval.” Every time a container arrives from the East, the store is filled with more beautiful items with their aged patina, bringing the muted but rich hues of India direct to New Zealand homes. There could be anything from chests to old gates and sideboards to old doors - the range changes throughout the year. Linda remains mindful of current trends and colours in New Zealand. “We mix in some contemporary art and home decor items from New Zealand. This means there is a very eclectic selection available for people to mix old and new with pleasing results.” Tirau is quite the destination town, with its collection of great cafes and boutique shops attracting visitors from all over the country and providing people passing through with an interesting stopover. Paisley House certainly adds an exciting new dimension to the Tirau experience. Visit: www.paisleyhouse.co.nz

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[2017] AAproduct ofofNorthpine Appraisal No.986 [2017]No.986 Appraisal [2017] A product rangerange of Northpine Ltd Ltd product range Northpine Ltd Appraisal No.986