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Ideas you can use at your place

CHIC TIDY

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READY, SET, SELL! + Easy ways to add value + Advice from house-flippers + Choosing the right agent + Pre-auction must-dos

GET SORTED FOR 2020 with clever storage and clutter-calming tips

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HOMES BUILT FOR LUXE LIVING A glorious garden full of rare plants

STYLE YOUR DREAM DESK (office goals!)

FRESH TAKE

+ Perfect package-free pantries + The next big thing in furniture + Herb gardens for beginners + Fruity frozen treats

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EBRUARY

Women we love: Ceramicist Wundaire

Your shopping

Fresh finds New products to love Save or splurge A bevy of baskets Women we love See inside the brand-new studio of ceramicist Felicity Donaldson aka Wundaire Trending now Luxe desk accessories Sneak peek All-new YH&G bedlinen We love Neat freaks! How to paint and style your way to clutter-free bliss Style stalker Room dividers Next big thing Curvy furniture

Shopping: A stylist’s storage secrets

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Your homes

Family tree Building their Scandiinspired home around a tree gave this family a unique connection to the world beyond their walls Fresh take Trading in their bespoke home for a group build allowed this Rangiora family to combine comfort, style and convenience Light switch A humble bach was the starting point for this colourful and contemporary Raumati Beach home

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Homes: A fun-yetminimalist family home

Your renovation Open house A tired home with some less-than-modern additions has been transformed into a model of chic urban living Workshop Three money and real estate experts reveal everything you need to know about getting your home ready to sell

Cover story PAGE 3 8 We fell in love with our cover home at first sight, and this image of the Zanchetta family’s playroom really sums up what our February issue is all about – clever, seamless storage to make family life easier, tidier, more beautiful and way more fun.

Styling by Deni Jones.

Photography by Jacqui Way.

72 Reno: A top-to-bottom

overhaul works wonders

94 102 108 110

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Your makeover

Then & now Two amazing pantry makeovers with Simplify my Home Workshop How to zone an open-plan living space Room reveal A cool creative corner Finder’s Fi Part two of our op-shop road trip around Aotearoa heads to the South Island Living well Eleanor assembles an all-natural first-aid kit Kids’ corner Black(board) magic

102 Workshop: Creating zones

within an open-plan space

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Your garden

Bloom boom A “plant addict” shows us around his fantastic garden full of weird and wonderful flora Workshop Growing your own herbs – indoors or out – is a snip with these five easy varieties Garden makeover Carol helps a Titirangi family create a versatile, easy-care garden with room for both nightcaps and howzats Outdoor diary February’s checklist

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Your food

Fresh ’n’ fruity Make the most of summer’s sweet bounty with these sorbet, granita and dessert recipes

Regulars

Resene Colour Home Awards Our fourth finalist’s colour palette started with a fab fabric swatch Subscribe and save Last look School supplies

yhg | 5

Hello

R E P L AC I N G the Aesop hand balm I bought for my desk when I started at YH&G six months ago. I slather it on it every day – impressive longevity!

ADMIRING the soothingly simple woven works of Kāpiti Coast artist Jane Denton.

E N J OY I N G the scent of tuberose.

They’ll be cut flowers at our place for now, but will be the first thing I plant in our new garden.

LOV I N G HOME magazine’s pet bowl collab with Furf and Dulux. Especially the gorgeous model here – my border terrier Billie.

I

’m fascinated by the world of professional organisers. A new but increasingly popular occupation, these magical beings swoop into people’s homes armed with storage bins and label-makers, sort out their mess (often both physical and emotional) and swoop back out again, leaving pristine shelves and happy clients in their wake. If you’re interested too, read our story about how a couple of pro pantry-sorters do their thing on page 94.

Once, when researching a different story on the same topic, I came across the next tier of professional organising, the ‘lifestyle manager’.

They don’t just sort out your pantry and your junk drawer, but your gift buying, your bill paying and your flower arranging, too. One I interviewed had been hired to look for a distraught client’s lost earring. After four hours crawling through the bushes outside a restaurant, she emerged with it, triumphant. Her client was rapt. Life was good again.

And that’s what this whole interest in tidy shelves is all about isn’t it? Feeling in control, and therefore, happy. In today’s hectic world, just looking at a neat line of labelled jars of pasta can feel like a soothing balm for the soul.

Katie Newton Editor f facebook.com/yourhomegarden

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instagram @yourhomeandgarden

yhg@bauermedia.co.nz

pinterest.com/yourhomegarden

Photography by Wendy Fenwick, Getty Images and Toaki Okano. Katie wears outfit and cuff by Karen Walker, earrings by Zoe & Morgan. Tuberose by Getty Images.

THIS MONTH I’M...

Moorea Pacific, from Warwick Fabrics

Front Wall: Dulux Undersea.

Rear Wall: Dulux Lake Camp. Styling: Bree Leech.

Photography: Lisa Cohen. Image courtesy of Dulux

Lounge, E382573

starts here

Solido Elite – Baltimore 30196, from Belgotex

Whether you are looking to decorate just one room or your entire home, we know you want top quality, real choice and inspiration, as well as expert advice so it’s done right the first time.

The team at your locally owned Guthrie Bowron store are ready to help, so pop in and let’s chat!

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FLOORING

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WALLPAPER

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CURTAINS

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BLINDS

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PAINT

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ADVICE

Social club EDITOR Katie Newton ART & EDITORIAL Art director Fiona Kerr Deputy editor Sally Conor Chief sub editor Stephanie Attwater Designer Alisha Kumar Gardens editor Carol Bucknell

Interact with Your Home and Garden any time, anywhere – we’d love to hear from you!

TRENDING ON HOMESTOLOVE.CO.NZ

T O P P O S T O N I N S TA G R A M

This sweet little caravan has been given the most stylish makeover

Anyone else stocking up the cocktail bar, ready for some festive fun?

DIGITAL Digital editor Lakshmi Krishnasamy Digital producers Bea Taylor, Olivia Day CONTRIBUTORS Amber Armitage, Anna Briggs, Holly Jean Brooker, Sarah Catherall, Andrew Duncan, Pippa Fay, Wendy Fenwick, Deborah Grant, Isabella Harrex, Claudia Hinty, Mary Holm, Mel Jenkins, Deni Jones, Eve Kennedy, Russell Kleyn, Annick Larkin, Vanessa Nouwens, Eleanor Ozich, Alice and Caleb Pearson, Fiona Ralph, Rebekah Robinson, Sarah Rowlands, Sharon Stephenson, Swell Productions, Alice Veysey, Alex Walls, Jacqui Way. PRODUCTION Production co-ordinator Lorne Kay Printer Webstar Distributor Ovato Retail Distribution ADVERTISING | MARKETING | CORPORATE Commercial director Kaylene Hurley Group sales director – directs/Australia Rachel McLean Head of brand – commercial Anna Magasiva Associate commercial brand manager Alexandra Cuadros acuadros@bauermedia.co.nz Advertising coordinator Greer Wilkinson gwilkinson@bauermedia.co.nz Advertising sales (direct) Amy Madden amadden@bauermedia.co.nz Directory advertising Kim Chapman classifieds@xtra.co.nz Brand & communications manager Katie Ward Publisher analyst Johanne Kendall

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+ Editorial office Bauer Media Group, Shed 12, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley St, Auckland. Ph 09 308 2700. Email yhg@bauermedia. co.nz. Postal address: Private Bag 92512, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141. + Subscription enquiries Auckland subscribers phone 09 308 2721 or call toll-free on 0800 MAGSHOP (0800 624 746), email magshop@magshop.co.nz or visit magshop.co.nz. Payment with order (quote credit card details or enclose a New Zealand cheque payable to Bauer Media Group). Please advise any change of address. + Advertising enquiries NEW ZEALAND Auckland: Nicola Saunders, ph (09) 366 5345, email: nsaunders@bauermedia.co.nz.

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Your Home and Garden (ISSN 1173-8642) is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication, unless initially specified otherwise. All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled “not for publication”. Opinions expressed in Your Home and Garden are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of Bauer Media Group (NZ) LP. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. Paint colours may alter in the printing process. This magazine is subject to NZ Press Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Press Council PO Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at presscouncil.org.nz.

Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

Readership 237,000 (Nielsen CMI July 2018 to July 2019). Average NZ net circulation 26,7430 (Audit Bureau of Circulation April 2018 to March 2019).

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WHEN NINE-YEAR- OLD MUFFIN ISN’T LOUNGING AROUND HER RANGIORA HOME OR SQUEEZING INTO BOXES, SHE LIKES TO STALK THE FA M I LY D O G, D O O G L E .

SEE MUFFIN IN HER NATURAL HABITAT ON PAGE 48.

E:NEWSLETTER

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Sign up to our newsletter and get a weekly dose of inspiration straight to your inbox. Visit yourhomeandgarden.co.nz/signup.

We love seeing images from our #yourhomeandgarden community. @yourhomeandgarden

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nood reward points will be doubled when an item from elements range is purchased during the promotional period. nood rewards members will also receive 60% off selected items. available to new and existing nood reward members only. discount is taken off the full retail price and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. the 60% off offer excludes clearance, seconds, elements range and pelle protection plan. furniture and large accessory items are not kept in stock in store, orders can be placed for such items and a home delivery or a hub pick up fee will apply to these items. delivery times and fees will vary, ask a staff member for more details. stock may vary from store to store. some products may require assembly. while stocks last, orders can be taken on some of our stock items. nood reserve the right to change or withdraw this offer at any time. offer runs from 24 jan – 9 feb 2020.

auckland | tauranga | hamilton | napier | palmerston north | wellington | nelson | christchurch | dunedin | queenstown | online

Shopping YOUR

New products, trends and looks we love

Shelf care When it comes to decorating the walls in your office, think about ways to add functionality as well as beauty.

Well-designed storage such as this Folded shelf keeps things organised and allows you to bring some of your personality to your workspace.

Photography courtesy of Bauhaus.

Folded shelf by Muuto, from $230, from bauhaus.co.nz.

Fresh finds Page 12 Save or splurge: baskets Page 14 Women we love Page 16 Trending now Page 20 We love: neat tricks Page 24 Style stalker: room dividers Page 32 Next big thing: curves ahead Page 34

yhg | 11

NEWS

Fresh finds What’s new in homeware from our place to yours

FAS H I O N

AR M CAN DY MADE BY WOMEN ARTISANS FROM UP CYC L E D T E XT I L E S CR A P S, T H I S TOT E M A K E S A STAT E M E N T. $ 13 9 F R O M R U BY N Z .C O M.

KID’S ROOM

NICE RACK This beautiful clothing rack by Swedish brand Kids Concept is just the ticket for getting your child’s room sorted for 2020.

Made from rubber wood, the stand ($269) is fitted with hooks and shelves as well as a clothes rail, and matching coathangers are also available ($29 for three). dappermrbear.com 12 | yhg

PETS

Pets-onality plus Give your fur baby a spring in their step with a fun new Kip & Co collar, $35-$42 each (in two sizes) from teapea.co.nz.

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TOP READS

BOOKSHELF

Simply Spaced: Clear the Clutter & Style Your Life

by Monica Leed A step-by-step guide for clearing clutter and styling a beautiful home that aligns with your passion and purpose. $34.99 from achomestore.co.nz.

STORAGE

Crate Danes Fans of clever storage solutions and Scandinavian design will adore these cool crates by Danish brand Hay, from $24 each, from amara.com.

W O R K S PA C E

Dream desk Channel a relaxed holiday vibe in your home office with the oak and rattan Palma desk, $1085, from stacksfurniture.co.nz.

S TAT I O N E R Y

JUST ADD I DE AS THIS GRAPHIC SET OF THREE ST I TC H E D N OT E B O O KS S H O U L D INSPIRE SOME CLEVER THOUGHTS, O R E V E N JU ST T H E SH O P P I N G L I ST. $ 1 9 F R O M KI KK I -K .C O M.

KIDS

Where in the world?

This colourful world map printed on canvas will help your littlies discover where their favourite animals are from and introduce them to the seven continents. The best bit? Aotearoa New Zealand is kept at the centre. $18 from thewarehouse.co.nz.

OUTDOORS

Easy cheesy With a reversible wooden lid that can also be used as a cheese board, this cooler is a picnic essential. $29 from kmart.co.nz.

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

Basket case Stock up on cute jute, seagrass and wire baskets for quick and easy storage Styling by Fiona Kerr. Photography by Rebekah Robinson.

S AV E J U T E B A S K E T, $25, FROM THE WAREHOUSE.

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S AV E S E A G R A S S TA L L B A S K E T, $ 1 6 , F R O M K M A R T.

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S SAVE 1 Floor basket, $22, from Kmart.

2 Seagrass low basket, $12, from Kmart.

Turkish towel, $45, from Thread Design.

3 Yamazaki Tower toolbox, $49, from Father Rabbit. 4 French Country oval baskets, $69 for 2, from Good Thing.

5 Mustard baskets, $79 for 3, from Good Thing. 6 Hogla basket, $23, from Good For. St Tropez napkin, $2 for 2, from Kmart. SPLURGE 1 Natural black basket with handles, $72, from Father Rabbit. Kilim Turkish towel, $59, from Thread Design. 2 Large bowl basket with handles, $99, from Father Rabbit.

3 Vitra toolbox, $79, from Citta. 4 Natural Basket, $99, from Corcovado. Linen napkin, $12.90, from Citta. 5 Rona short storage baskets, $109 for 2, from A&C Homestore. 6 Kiondo basket, $69.90 for 2, from Citta. Vaasa oak bench, $740, from Thread Design. Context tiles in amber, $125 per sqm, from Tile Space.

Wall painted in Resene Shabby Chic.

Books stylist’s own.

SPLURGE

S AV E T O S C A B A S K E T, $85, FROM PA P E R P L A N E .

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SPLURGE SEAGRASS BASKETS, $ 5 9.9 9 A N D $ 7 5, FROM SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.

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What were you doing before you started making ceramics? At uni I studied science down in Dunedin, with some papers in design, but the jobs when I graduated were mainly in the research field, which didn’t particularly interest me. I started working as a visual merchandiser, and ended up spending 10 years as a window dresser, doing store planning and creating displays. I enjoyed it; it was a creative way of making money, but I was never passionate about it. I also worked in hospitality on and off.

Later, once I started making ceramics, all the study and jobs I’d done started to make sense, and all the skills I’d acquired came in handy for running my own business and teaching workshops. I probably use my degree more now than I ever have before.

Can you tell us about your first encounter with clay? What did you love about it? I was living up in Auckland, and did a 10-week course at Auckland Studio Potters. I thought it would be more instructive, like: ‘Today we’re going to make a cup’ but it was a lot more casual than that, more like: ‘What do you want to know?’

I wanted to make big pots for my plants because I couldn’t find any I liked in retail. So I started with that and ended up learning a whole lot of different techniques that I wouldn’t have learned in a more directed class. Clay and ceramics just made sense to me and I realised, ‘Oh, this is it. This is my medium.’

WOMEN WE LOVE

Clay queen Felicity Donaldson, aka Wundaire, has built a thriving ceramics brand through the power of persistence and creative collaboration Interview by Sally Conor. Photography by Anna Briggs.

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How did you go from those first pots to making ceramics your main gig? It just sort of took over.

I started making quite a bit and also started an Instagram account quite early on, with the name ‘Wundaire’, which I already had in my head.

That branding came from my retail experience; I wanted it to be separate from my own name so that it could be scalable further down the track.

I was contacted by Unna Burch of The Forest Cantina about making some dinnerware for her first book, then I was featured in a magazine, even though I had only been making pots for about six months. Suddenly I needed to free up some time (and space – pots were taking over my house!) to make work. This place in Bethells Beach really called to me, so I moved out there, to a one-bedroom house with a garage attached, got a kiln, dropped back my VM work, went all in on the pottery and started making work for shops and cafes. But even then, I wasn’t making a real living.

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FAR FROM GREY Felicity’s new studio at her home in Greytown has been designed to give her the space she needs to further build her business and experiment with new ideas.

It wasn’t until I moved back down to Wellington that things started to click. My friend, the designer Georgia Jay, told me that at some point you have to quit your part-time jobs, cut the apron strings and just commit to it.

That was really good advice. Freeing up mental space and time is extremely liberating.

You’ve done some really cool collaborations – what have been some memorable ones? I’ve been really lucky. My favourite was the one I did with clothing label Kowtow. It’s a brand I really admire and respect, and they started out of Wellington, too. The work I did for them, with coloured inlay, was the first design I’d done in that style. I had all the pieces made but unfired, standing on the shelves, when the Kaikoura earthquake struck. I went up to the studio the

next day and… nothing had even moved. I was so lucky. I fired all this work and got it off to Kowtow and it all sold and people still message me about it. Unfortunately it was a limited edition; you can’t buy it any more and even I only have one piece.

What’s it really like being a ceramicist? What are the things no one tells you? Working with clay takes a real toll on your body. Sore back, sore wrists, dry hands, bad nails… it’s not glamorous. My hands are starting to look ancient. I know people who got out of pottery because it’s such hard labour. It’s also expensive – the raw materials and machinery are really expensive, or to hire the facilities for firing work. It’s really difficult to make enough to get a business off the ground that way.

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What are the best and worst things about being a creative working in New Zealand? The best is that it’s quite a small community and people on the whole are really supportive. I’m in a private chat group with other relatively new potters where we share experiences, advice and glaze recipes, and it’s really lovely. I try not to dwell on any negative stuff, but I wish there was a place that curated different, quirky work – something in between a homeware store and a gallery, like Modern Times in Melbourne. It would also be great if we could encourage people to start collecting interesting pottery, as well as just buying one tasteful mug!

Which other creatives inspire you? I was lucky enough to meet Bari Ziperstein (@bzippy) last year when she came out here. Her LA-based studio is very aspirational; such a perfect mix of art and function. I love Australian painter Ken Done and have done since I was a child.

Locally, I admire Esther McDonald of Thea Ceramics; she makes such beautiful tableware with consistent quality. She is always generous with her kindness and knowledge. Also a dear old friend of mine, Marina Davis of Ovna Ovich, who is devoted to making environmentally and socially sound womenswear, all made in New Zealand and very elegant.

What advice do you have for an aspiring ceramicist? Practise, practise, practise. And find your own style. It’s good to trawl through Insta and be inspired, but if you’ve seen it before – don’t make it. Find your own voice.

Any exciting future projects you can tell us about? I’ve just had my second baby so it’s hard to think about taking on any ambitious new projects at the moment! But I’m taking January to play on the wheel and try out some new ideas I’ve been thinking about for a while, some more art-focused work.

We bought a house and moved to Greytown last February, where we’ve built a homebased studio so I can work and be here for my children. I’m really excited to have such a beautiful, purpose-built space to try out new ideas. The next stage is to build another shed for the giant gas kiln and a slip-casting area.• wundaire.com @wundaire

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1 2020 diary in chalk green, $55, from Father Rabbit.

2 Brass ball incense holder, $25, from Everyday Needs.

3 Hexagon tiles in mint #3, $429.77 per sqm, from Middle Earth Tiles.

4 Wooden mug, $89, 5 Phil Cuttance herringbone tray in sage green, $132, from Everyday Needs. 6 Delfonics mechanical pencil in natural, $15.90, from Father Rabbit.

7 Brass plates, $35.90 and $22.50, from Indie Home Collective. 8 Penco tape dispenser, $69.90, from Father Rabbit. 9 Brass tray, $95, 10 Phil Cuttance herringbone desk tidy in forest green, $105, 11 Hay scissors, $42, from Everyday Needs. Background painted in Resene Unwind.

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Work perks The return to the office looks pretty good with these luxe desk accessories Styling by Fiona Kerr. Photography by Wendy Fenwick.

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DESIGNED FOR LIFE AND STYLE We custom-make curtains and blinds to suit your needs.

Whether you want to create the perfect look, or you need your curtains and blinds to serve a purpose, we can help. Our experienced consultants come to your home with expert advice and a huge range of samples to help you find the perfect solution. Your curtains and blinds are then custom crafted in our workroom and professionally installed by our experts to guarantee a perfect fit to help create a home you love.

Book your free in-home consultation 0800 808 300 russellscurtains.co.nz Featured fabric –Scion Kazue

RANGE LIFE Farmers Home Buyer West Senior and YH&G editor Katie Newton preview the new range of bedlinen, designed to bring bold colour and contrasting texture to the bedroom.

NEW SEASON

Bedside story Style your bed in bold prints, plush textures and luxe details with the new Your Home and Garden bedding range, available exclusively at Farmers Text by Katie Newton. Photography by Rebekah Robinson.

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STYLE TIP CONSIDER SCALE WHEN MIXING TEXTURES. COMBINING BOTH L A R G E - A N D S M A L L- S C A L E TEXTURES GIVES A SENSE OF BALANCE. INTRODUCING SMALL HINTS OF CONTRASTING COLOURS WILL BREAK THINGS UP BUT WON’T OVERPOWER THE LOOK.

Channel your inner magazine stylist – the new season’s Your Home and Garden bedding range is all about mixing, matching and experimentation. Hitting Farmers stores from 15 January with the full range available from March, it marks a move away from neutrals and towards the world of rich colour.

“This season is bold,” says West Senior, Farmers Home Buyer. “Many of the most current colour trends are realised in this collection. There are earthy tones, and textures and patterns that talk to the idea of getting back to nature, like foliage and safari animals. We also have retro colourways that can really make your bed a statement.”

Aimed at the bedlinen lover who doesn’t mind taking a few risks, the collection works best when it’s layered up in unexpected ways.

“It is an eclectic mix of designs with colour being the hero running through it,” West explains. “It’s really unique.”

While the colours do appear to contrast at first, they have been chosen for their ability to work together, with rich clay matched with teal and navy or soft pale greens enhancing mustard or blue. Fans of the pared-back look shouldn’t totally despair either, as there are some more subdued colours available, too.

And if you’re not up for overhauling your entire bedroom look, West suggests updating your colour palette with pillows or accessories.

“Oversized euros will stand out, or standard pillows in an accent colour are a good option.”

LAYER IT UP The range celebrates texture in unexpected ways, such as the fringed detail on the Evergreen Stonewashed sheets and pillowcases (opposite).

TOP PICKS + Saffron duvet set (above) This set features chenille tufting on a crinkle cotton base and has a perfectly ‘undone’ vibe. + Velvet quilting (left, on bed) Featured on quilts and euro cushions this contemporary quilted design adds a luxurious lustre to the bed. + Soft fur blankets (arriving March) Generously sized and great for layering on the bed or snuggling up with on the couch and watching movies.

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WE LOVE

Keep it neat The best storage is practical, beautiful and makes the most of otherwise unused spaces Styling by Amber Armitage. Photography by Mel Jenkins.

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Turn storage into art Freestanding shelves are brilliant for both storing and displaying treasured items. They work particularly well in open-plan areas.

Chester throw, $249, Chester linen cushion cover, $89.90, Moon floor lamp, $540, from Citta. Originals Studio daybed, $7145, Ercol Von magazine table, $1295, Warm Nordic Orange chair, $2750, from Good Form. On table: Karit hand cream, $39.90, from Citta. Sun tray, $149, Knurl Sun candlesticks, $319 for 3, from Powersurge. #7 vessel, $735, from An Astute Assembly. Mulberi Adeline rug, $1025, see Furtex for stockists. La Tribe pool slides, $229, from Father Rabbit. Skulk artwork (far left) by Emily Wolfe, POA, from Melanie Roger Gallery. Paint: Vase (on tray) Resene Periglacial Blue. Wall, cabinets Resene Conch. Floor Resene Rock Salt wood stain. Other items credited elsewhere or stylist’s own.

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ALDEN ORLEANS ARMCHAIR, $ 6 9 9, F R O M F R E E D O M .

MAGAZINE RACK, $250, FROM GOOD FORM.

Fold ledges, $139 each, Fold hook, $25, from Made of Tomorrow. Warm Nordic Repeat shelf (middle), $350, prints by Gidon Bing, $395 (top) and $975, from Good Form. Chess pieces, $12.50 each, art glass, $95, from Flotsam & Jetsam. Scent of Home candle, $99, from Father Rabbit. Brass Angle bookend, $139 for 2, from Powersurge. Soapstone tumbler, $51, from Asili. Bolster cover, $59.90, Dixon leather handbag, $159, from Citta. Vessel on top shelf, as before. Paint: Vases Resene Grain Brown, Resene Robin Egg Blue. Boxes (from Spotlight) Resene Blanched Pink, Resene Smoky Green. Wall Resene Blanched Pink. Other items stylist’s own.

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Use wall space Look for ways to create useful storage on bare walls such as in the hallway or entrance, or above or beside the bed.

Rather than just hanging an artwork, you can mix up shelving, hooks, racks and art to get real utility out of any vertical space.

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Get on a roll A trolley is handy for items you need to move from room to room or that you need to use temporarily before they’re stored away in a cupboard or pantry.

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1 Ceramic hooks, $29, from Sunday Homestore. 2 Folded shelves, $295, from Bauhaus. 3 Natural-look shelf, $22, from Kmart. 4 Marble hooks, $39.99 each, from Shut The Front Door.

5 Kitchen trolley, $35, from Kmart. 6 Kitchen trolley, $79.99, from Storage Box. ABOVE Halo brass vase, from $129, from Powersurge. Bird ornament, $25, terracotta vase, $65, from Flotsam & Jetsam. Tumbler, box, as before. Paint: Trolley, jug Resene Periglacial Blue. Vases Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue, Resene Grain Brown. Other items stylist’s own.

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Hide it away Paint cupboards and walls the same colour so the storage recedes into the background.

Your eye will focus on the decorative elements rather than the storage itself.

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1 Basket, $49.99, from H&M. 2 Mustard baskets, $89 for 3, from Dapper Mr Bear. 3 Living & Co Pandi toy box, $59, from The Warehouse. 4 Skinny locker, $399, from Shut The Front Door. 5 Woodwall 2 cubes, $179, from Target. 6 Locka console, $179.95, from Mocka. ABOVEÂ Kanehen mobile, $830, from An Astute Assembly. MacDiarmid Landscape Redux tapestry

by Erica van Zon, POA, Untitled 3 oil by Robin Neate, POA, Ida Rubinstein with Cotton and Felt in the Walkway print by Emma Fitts, POA, from Melanie Roger Gallery. Ikea Brimnes cabinets, $279 each, from Swedish Furniture. Halo vases, from $129, Knurl triple bud vase, $149, from Powersurge. Jewel box, $279, from Citta. Leaf dish, $55, from Flotsam & Jetsam.

Oblure Balance lamp, $1995, from Good Form. Paint: Wall, cabinets Resene Conch. OPPOSITE Mulberi Elise rug, $1025, see Furtex for stockists. Tosca basket, $95, Our Spaces book, $70, HĂ´tel Magique print, $95, from Father Rabbit. Mini paint-by-numbers, $12.50 each, from Flotsam & Jetsam. Shelf, throw, as before. Paint: Vase Resene Weathered Orange.

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Learn to love containers Trays, boxes and baskets are great for making sure all your bits and bobs are organised and tidy yet still within easy reach. They also create opportunities to add a little texture or colour to your spaces.

YA M A Z A K I L A U N D R Y B A S K E T, $ 1 1 9 , F R O M F AT H E R R A B B I T.

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Ercol Pero shelf, $4095, from Good Form. On shelf: Soapstone vase (near top), $189, soapstone Roll vessel (curvy), $59.90, Asili. The Flower Expert book, $55, from Father Rabbit. Knurl Sun candlestick, $319 for 3, from Powersurge. #11 half-circle vessel, $550, from An Astute Assembly. Bookend, tumbler, as before. Paint: Pots (below plant) Resene Sorrell Brown, Resene Clouded Blue, Resene Jetsam Brown. Boxes, as before. Other items credited elsewhere or stylist’s own.

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Keep a lid on it Choose boxes, canisters and even small tables with lids so you can hide away miscellaneous objects that might otherwise create a cluttered look.

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Both sides now Use more of your vertical space with an open shelving unit that doubles as a room divider. Items can be accessed from both sides of the room, making the space more functional.

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1 Bamboo drawer organiser, $9.99, from Storage Box. 2 Mojoo lacquered box, $109, from Citta. 3 Living & Co Alyssa coffee table, $59, from The Warehouse. 4 Linear shelf, $2490, from Citta. 5 Living & Co Valencia 8 cube, $69, from The Warehouse. 6 Donata bookcase, $999, from Target. TOP Alps coffee table, $599, from Freedom. Zip pouch (under laptop), $59, Sundays nail polish, $29, pencil case, $29, notepad, $16, from Father Rabbit. Model S22 candleholders, from $70, from Good Form. Oku office boxes (on table), from $29.90, cushion cover, $79.90, Austen linen throw, $169, from Citta. Handbag in mustard, hand cream, as before. Paint: Storage boxes Resene Periglacial Blue. Other items stylist’s own. •

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S T Y L E S TA L K E R

Long division Room dividers are a versatile tool when it comes to zoning a space, but they can also make a glam style statement

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1 Arch room divider, $1499, from Made of Tomorrow. 2 Woodwall room divider with shelves, $449, from Target. 3 Bangalow screen, $349, from Freedom. 4 TissĂŠ cane room divider, $679, from Cane Collective. 5 Ombre Home Mediterranean Summer bamboo divider, $120, from Spotlight. 6 Capiz screen, $319, from Freedom. 7 Chester screen, $489.90, from Bed Bath & Beyond. 8 Woodwall louvre divider, $349, from Target. 9 Living & Co room divider, $69, from The Warehouse.

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Compiled by Vanessa Nouwens.

8

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1 Replica Noguchi sofa, $3499, from Nood. 2 Bow sofa, $1599, from Freedom. 3 HK rug, AU$1599, from House of Orange. 4 Theodore Scoop chair in camel velvet, RRP $2686, from Soren Liv. 5Â Pond mirror, $685, from Slow Store. 6 Crescent table 850, from $1580, from King Living. 7 Rico chair, $3800, from Slow Store. 8 Theodore daybed in bouclĂŠ fleece, RRP $5785, from Soren Liv. 9 Ferm Living velvet ottoman, AU$1499, from Designstuff.

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Compiled by Vanessa Nouwens.

9

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Homes YOUR

Creative and inspiring New Zealand homes with heart

A catchy hook

Photography by Jacqui Way.

Beautiful bench seats are standard in entryways (this Ercol number comes from the unique Nordic-style home on page 38) but how much thought have you put into your hooks? A beautifully crafted hook (like this version by Muuto) can be a feature in its own right, and will help keep your entrance clutter-free.

Family tree: a super-smart family home inspired by Scandi design Page 38 Fresh take: a group build with oodles of personality in Rangiora Page 48 Light switch: from humble bach to colourful coastal home in Kapiti Page 58

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Family tree Building their home around an existing tree helped this family create a warm, welcoming home inspired by nature Text by Deborah Grant. Styling by Deni Jones. Photography by Jacqui Way.

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MEET + GREET Emma Zanchetta, (interior designer), Richard Zanchetta, (construction company managing director), Oliver, 6, Willow, 5, Ivy, 3, and Finn, 1.

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sk most homeowners about the inspiration for their renovation and they’ll often nominate established styles or abstract concepts.

Not this couple. Their starting point was a huge lilly pilly tree in the backyard, and some other established trees on their 1115-squaremetre property. Once the future of these was assured, the design process began.

Emma and Richard Zanchetta bought their Adelaide property in February 2011. Ideally located between the city and the hills, it included a 1930s Tudor-style home with a 1990s extension, which was liveable but in desperate need of a costly renovation. Richard, a partner at a large building firm, felt that knocking down

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and starting again was probably the way to go.

“We obviously chose the latter,” says Emma.

The pair decided to base the design of their new home around the lilly pilly, and have views of it from inside the house through strategically placed windows. They opted for the simplicity of a Nordic-style, timber-clad home, influenced by their love of Scandinavian cabins and barns.

“Richard knew Norwegian architect Kåre Krokene, of JPE Design Studio, through his business,” says Emma. “We felt comfortable with Kåre’s knowledge and experience and, much to his delight, we ran with his first concept: a clear visual line from the front to the back of the house.

This was achieved with an infinity window at the front and a full-height rear window, plus a conceptual boardwalk from the front gate to the pool at the back.” With four children aged under 7 running around, good sight lines were a must.

LIVING Pitched ceilings create a generous sense of space and the family have resisted filling it with furnishings, instead displaying just a few beautiful objects. Natural textures and finishes – such as the oak stairs, baskets and a wicker chair from IKEA – tie the look together.

The plywood cabinetry in the living room and adjacent playroom is made from Russian birch, a sustainable timber.

H KITCHEN This area has a practical concrete floor and lots of built-in seating and storage. Around the dining table by Chris Colwell Design are Børge Mogensen J39 chairs (from Great Dane) and a Stokke Tripp Trapp oak highchair. The fig artwork is by South Australian artist Bron Kelly.

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LIVING White-painted brick walls form the bones of this huge space, which has a glass-walled ‘bridge’ leading to the study (seen in the background). The handmade Nala rug is from Armadillo & Co.

“A mezzanine above the living room provides height and light”

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PLAYROOM Oliver and Willow in the kids’ domain, which is equipped with ample built-in storage. Warm plywood and tongue-and-groove wall linings are a practical choice for this hard-working space.

The artwork is by Belynda Henry.

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BEDROOMS In Oliver’s room, Emma had her own childhood bed repainted for her son. The Heico rabbit lamp is from Big Dreams and the rug from Armadillo & Co. Above right In the main bedroom, a Little Nest storage cabinet from Plyroom is just the right size for the cabin-inspired dividing wall.

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Construction began in April 2015 and the four-bedroom home was finished 18 months later. Built over three levels (including a basement and mezzanine) in brick veneer, it’s clad in distinctive, fire-treated western red cedar.

“This was a challenge as we couldn’t find anyone experienced in shou sugi ban [a Japanese wood-charring technique for weatherproofing],” says Emma. “But we worked closely with our painter and achieved it through trial and error.”

Inside, the home was fitted out by interior designer Emma, who cites using every inch of space and keeping the set-up flexible as top priorities. Inspired by Nordic and, to a lesser extent, Shaker design, she chose a melange of natural materials, including European oak and lots of other warm timbers plus wool, linen, cotton and hides.

The internal temperature is regulated with hydronic underfloor heating and reversecycle air-conditioning. While Emma says she wouldn’t change a thing about her home, she admits that having so much non-standard and bespoke detailing did pose a few challenges.

“It was a daily task to ensure the details were clearly understood by all on site,” she says.

Once the house was complete, the family took a break before renovating the pool, which was swim-ready by Christmas 2017.

They planned the back garden and selected the plants themselves, with the lilly pilly tree – which shades the back deck and pool boardwalk – naturally taking a starring role. • Find more homes with an effortless Nordic style on

H WILLOW’S ROOM Painting the 2.9m walls to just above the height of the bed has made this room feel cosier, and a vintage table and chairs gives it a sweet, old-fashioned look.

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SHOP THEIR STYLE Tranquil blues, white tongue-and-groove walls and Scandi-style furniture create a calm vibe in this family home

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FAVOURITE BITS THE LIVING SPACE “Our family room is used the most as the kids are still little so they like to play fairly close by. The floor is constantly covered in block towers and fortresses they’ve built,” says Emma.

“Richard and I also love the living area, mainly for its connection to the outdoors. Even on a grey, rainy day, we can look out and watch the weather through the glass. On warm, sunny days you’ll find us out on the deck, shaded by the tree.”

THE POOL

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Emma and Richard spent a couple of years building their home and rewarded themselves with a new pool. “It was a renovation of the existing pool, which was originally a Roman shape,” says Emma.

“We squared it off and introduced steps and a ledge for the kids. Trying to find a pool tile that we loved and thought would complement our house took a while, but we are really happy with the end result.”

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THE OUTSIDE The home’s exterior cladding was treated with shou sugi ban, the Japanese method of using fire to blacken and seal timber.

“We splurged on things like the cladding and the large glass sliding doors at the rear,” says Emma, “but we saved money by cutting back on the front fence, which is brush rather than bluestone, and by refurbishing the pool instead of putting in a new one.”

MATERIALS & COLOURS

1 Concrete Dewey pendant, $99, from Noozi. 2 Wooden toy camera, $29.99, from White Fox & Co. 3 Round velvet cushion, $44.99, from Adairs. 4 Windsor gold-look cushion, $12, from Kmart. 5 Nesting seagrass basket, $12, from Kmart. 6 Green glass vase, $8.50, from Kmart. 7 Stripe organic cotton duvet cover, $159, from Citta. 8 Kenza rug, $829, from Freedom.

9 Bedside robot, from $600, from Make Furniture. 10 Thea sofa, $1499, from Freedom.

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PORTER’S PAINTS Provence Blue

Russian birch ply

RESENE Eskimo

DULUX Vivid White

Keep your DRAWERS on!

FLOOR PLAN

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Mezzanine CHESTYboy 1 Bay 3 High

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Level two

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CHESTYboy 1 Bay 6 High

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Level one

KEY 1 Mezzanine 2 Bedroom 3 Ensuite 4 Main bedroom 5 Entry 6 Bathroom 7 Laundry/mudroom

8 Playroom/family 9 Living 10 Dining 11 Kitchen 12 Study 13 Pool 14 Garage 15 Cellar

TH R E E KI NG S N O RTH S HO RE AL BAN Y BOTAN Y DO WN S H AM I LTON TAU RA N G A TAU PO H AS TI N GS PALM E R S TON NT H LOWE R H UT T

meluka.co.nz

9 83 M T ED EN RD 1 3 A L I NK D R 2 60 OTEH A VA L L EY RD 5 0 1 TI RA K AU DR 1 5 M AUI S T 1 5 6 C HA D W I C K RD 2 9 TOTARA S T 8 1 0 HE RETAU NGA S T 6 99 MA I N S T 2 8 RUT HERFO RD S T

DES IG N ED AN D M A DE IN N Z

KITCHEN, DINING Jecasta’s eye for a Trade Me bargain has almost entirely furnished this space, with the table, chairs, pendants and bar stools all found on the site.

The kitchen was crafted by Sockburn Joinery and the benchtop is granite.

MEET + GREET Jecasta South, 41 (homemaker), Pat South, 44 (sales manager at New Style Homes), Onika, 22, Jak, 18, Larkin, 12, and Mika, 10, plus Muffin the cat and Doogle the dog.

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Fresh take

After downsizing from a high-maintenance home to a sunny new-build across town, this Rangiora family have no regrets Text by Sharon Stephenson. Photography by Sarah Rowlands.

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ometimes, opportunity presents itself when you least expect it. Just ask Jecasta South and her husband, Pat. The couple moved to Rangiora seven years ago, after their Christchurch home was ruined in the 2011 quakes. They eventually built a house there, designing it themselves and spending months scouring salvage yards and Trade Me for demolition building materials.

“We wanted an industrial, eclectic look,” says Jecasta of the 260-square-metre design.

But it turned out that the project chewed up most of their time and energy. “We were spending every evening and weekend finishing it. We loved it but it was high-maintenance and took for ever to clean!”

Then Pat landed a job as a sales manager for New Style Homes and suggested they downsize to one of the company’s new-builds.

“I wasn’t convinced because we’d put so much energy into building our house,” says Jecasta.

“But when I saw the plans, I knew a lowmaintenance, minimalist space built by someone else would not only provide financial freedom, it would also give us back precious family time.”

CHANGE OF PLAN The couple opted for a 219-square-metre home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a media room in a new subdivision across town.

Pat was able to project-manage the build, which started in December 2018 and finished five months later. The Souths made a few minor tweaks to the plans, including getting rid of a study nook (which increased the size of their butler’s pantry), adding oodles more storage and a built-in laundry.

“When you have four children and two pets, you need to do a lot of laundry,” Jecasta says.

“Having a dedicated laundry space, rather than just a washing machine plonked in the garage, makes my life so much easier.”

OPPOSITE A leather sofa from Farmers and a mustard one from Nood add colour and texture to the living room, while a set of String shelves snapped up on Trade Me, Crown Lynn and some of Jecasta’s smaller plants create a pretty mid-century modern display.

Cushions from Citta and a pouf from Insta store Drifters and Dreamers complete the look.

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INTERIOR DESIGN This is the third house Jecasta and Pat have built together, but in the past they’d been hands-on with painting and tiling, whereas this time their only responsibility was choosing the colours and fittings.

This left Jecasta with more time to tackle the fun task of designing the interiors. In a departure from their previous homes, she went for a neutral palette of grey, black and white, which was repeated on the exterior too.

“We also opted for grey carpet and tiles, because they’re really forgiving with kids and animals,” she says.

Because of the high stud and larger scale of their previous house, most of the Souths’ furniture was too large for their new home, which meant Jecasta got to pull out her wallet for the brown and black leather sofas in the sun-splashed family room. True to form, she chose sofas that were both on sale.

“I’m really conscious of saving as much as I can and tend to only buy things secondhand or on sale. The brown sofa, for example, was down from $10,000 to $1900 at Nood, and even that was more than I’d normally spend.”

Evidence of Jecasta’s keen eye and bargainhunting instincts is evident throughout, from the vintage school stools she found on Trade Me (now clustered around the kitchen island) to the $18 picture frame from The Warehouse that makes the poster on the kitchen wall look as though it was professionally framed.

Jecasta’s style runs the gamut of midcentury modern to industrial, stopping off at vintage on the way. You’ll find 1960s rattan headboards and Crown Lynn swans mingling with sleek black lighting and A&C Homestore concrete stools that she has repurposed as bedside tables.

FAMILY ROOM Two huge leather sofas facing each other, sheepskins, poufs and even a hanging chair make the family room a popular hangout. “This is probably my favourite room. There’s no TV but it’s light and comfortable so great for relaxing and socialising with the family,” says Jecasta.

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MASTER BEDROOM While Jecasta was happy to keep the walls in the children’s three bedrooms neutral (eldest daughter Onika doesn’t live at home), when it came to the generous master bedroom, she was keen to include more texture.

One way to do that was by installing sheets of tongue-and-groove-look plywood behind the bed. “The plan was to paint them white, but then I decided I quite liked the grain so we ended up whitewashing them,” Jecasta says.

In the adjacent walk-in wardrobe, she also added a wall of open shelves, where bins hold items such as T-shirts and jeans. “It looks so much better than a cupboard and you can find everything more easily.”

BEDROOMS A whitewashed feature wall of grooved ply in the main bedroom has been combined with a bamboo bedhead from The Foxes Den, brass and copper to create a natural feel with plenty of textural interest. The IKEA bunk bed in Mika’s room was found on Trade Me.

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GET ORGANISED Jecasta says the key to wrangling a husband, four kids and two pets is to have a place for everything – and to make sure all family members know where that place is.

“Using jars and baskets helps in the pantry, while in the laundry it’s all about maximising storage space. It helps that we haven’t been in this house long, so we haven’t had a chance to accumulate too much clutter!”

THE GARDEN Green-fingered Jecasta was unhappy she couldn’t bring a lot of the larger indoor plants from her previous house (“they were just too big for this space”) so she’s turned her

attention to the garden, planting olive and feijoa trees around the edge of the lawn.

She’s also in the process of levelling a space in the far corner of the section for a crafting studio. “I do a lot of upcycling and crafting and currently my stuff is scattered all over the place.

It will be great to have a dedicated space where I can make as much of a mess as I want.”

THE END This house has proved such a hit with family and friends that Jecasta’s sister is building a home in the same style in Christchurch.

“She loved the flow and practical aspects of our house so she’s going down the same route, with a few tweaks, such as a higher stud in the

entrance and more sliding doors to maximise space, which we probably should’ve done too.”

Not one to sit still, Jecasta has now turned her attention to the interior of the bach they are building at nearby Waikuku Beach.

“It’s just about finished so I’m starting to plan the interiors and scouring Trade Me and secondhand shops for bargains to furnish it with. That’s the bit I really love.” • BATHROOM A variety of plants adds lushness to the bathroom which has been furnished with a careful eye on the budget. The vanity is from Mitre 10 and the mirror from The Warehouse. LAUNDRY Adding a laundry nook was one of the changes the couple made to the standard house plans. Custom-made cabinetry

by Sockburn Joinery has made the most of every inch.

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JECASTA’S TOP TIPS FOR GROUP BUILDING

SHOP THEIR STYLE Basketwork, rattan pieces and plants in every room lend a soft boho touch to the no-fuss surfaces in this super-practical home 3 1

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+ Our experience with New Style Homes was unique because Pat was project and sales manager for the company at the time. That aside, everyone was great to deal with every step of the way. + Make little adjustments to the house plans to best suit your daily life. For example, we built the kitchen and laundry cabinetry right up to the ceiling to make maximum use of the space; it also stops dust bunnies and clutter from accumulating. + Lighting makes such a difference to the feel of any home.

We added LED strip lighting to the underside of the cabinetry in the kitchen and laundry, and added good-quality outdoor lighting. + Really good extractor fans are a must – we upgraded to 500 cubic metres per hour, which means we have steam-free bathroom mirrors and no condensation. We also put mild extraction in the laundry and pantry (no more burnt-toast smell). + We added additional storage to the ceiling space including lighting and a solid pull-down ladder. + Plan your walk-in wardrobe to suit your needs. We requested a couple of rows of smaller shelving up high for my shoes; it’s such a great use of space. + Plan your outdoor living area as early as you can so you can get as much done as possible before you move in – eg pavers, lighting (or at least lay the conduit), garden taps at full mains pressure etc.

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BUDGET Land $186,000 Build $394,600 Landscaping $15,000 Total $595,600

CONTACTS & SHOPS 10

1 Design Republique Wispa rattan mirror, $99.90, from Bed Bath & Beyond. 2 Lego storage head, $34.99, from Toyco.

3 ‘Close Noir’ print by Quibe, $49, from The Market. 4 Albion rug, $169, from Freedom. 5 Living & Co locker, $59, from The Warehouse. 6 Wonboyn dome pendant, $319, from Freedom. 7 Rogue Zanzibar gem plant, $109, from Freedom.

8 Brass-look planter, $8.50, from Kmart. 9 Raffles II headboard, $499, from Freedom. 10 Villa cushion, $44.90, from Wallace Cotton. 11 School bar stool, $149, from Cintesi.

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Building company New Style Homes, Christchurch, newstylehomes.net.nz.

Painting TJG Elite, 027 529 7427.

Cabinetry Sockburn Joinery.

Appliances Mitre 10 Rangiora.

Citta outlet store, 752 Main North Road, Christchurch.

Instagram @niche_gifts, @drifters.and.dreamers, @treasurehuntressnz.

Lighting Lighting Plus, Lighting Direct, Bunnings, Freedom.

H FLOOR PLAN

COLOUR PALETTE DULUX Okarito

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DULUX Franz Josef

DULUX Ebony

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KEY 1 Entry 2 Family 3 Dining 4 Kitchen 5 Nook 6 Pantry 7 Storage

8 Living 9 Bedroom 10 Ensuite 11 Walk-in robe 12 Toilet 13 Bathroom 14 Laundry nook 15 Garage

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Light switch Swimming in sun and colour, this seaside sanctuary was built around an existing bach and now provides an art-filled environment for everyday living Text by Sarah Catherall. Photography by Russell Kleyn.

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H HALLWAY A long, light atrium was designed to house the couple’s extensive art collection, which includes pieces by Sue Syme (left) and Paul Vincent (right).

MEET + GREET Deanna Eisenhofer, 59 (dress designer), and Marcel van den Assum, 62 (professional director).

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KITCHEN, LIVING Designed

by Deanna and Marcel’s architects, Bonnifait & Giesen, this unique kitchen was built

by Ross Craft using MDF coated in the vivid blue of Resene Allports. In contrast, a bright orange Pyroclassic fire draws the eye in the living space, along with a colourful chair from The Design Store.

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eanna Eisenhofer and Marcel van den Assum don’t need to go away on holiday. As soon as they get home to their renovated house at Raumati Beach on the Kapiti Coast, they gaze out at the sweeping coastal vista and instantly feel relaxed.

The couple’s three-bedroom home used to be a tiny, rundown 1940s weatherboard bach, which was in the perfect spot amid a stand of pohutukawa trees. It had, as Marcel says, good bones. After they bought it in 2015, they asked Wellington architects Cecile Bonnifait and William Giesen to give it a new look.

“We wanted to take the simple bach and throw it into the 21st century,’’ says Deanna.

Until 2015, the couple were living in a colonial-style house on the Kapiti Coast where Marcel had raised his three children. With a tennis court and rambling rooms, the place was too big for the couple once the kids (Deanna also has an adult son) moved out.

They had spent many hours at the home of a friend who lived five kilometres up the road.

Spread over two titles, the friend’s bach had a pool and was in a stunning location. When the decision was made to sell it, Deanna and Marcel jumped at the chance to own it themselves.

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H OUTDOORS A generous deck, accessed through huge sliding doors, looks over the pool, which was there when Deanna and Marcel moved in but has since been refurbished by Paremata Spa & Pool. To keep the spirit of the old bach alive, the original matai weatherboards have been reused on the front of the house, painted in Resene Half Tapa.

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MASTER SUITE This private sanctuary at the top of the home’s ‘tower’ is accessed by one of Marcel and Deanna’s favourite features: a staircase of kwila blocks (opposite).

Stretching the length of the stairwell is an artwork by Vaughan and Dianne Otto made of real feathers dipped in copper. The painting in the bedroom (opposite) is by Collin Hope.

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H BATHROOM The couple’s bathroom is also decorated entirely in blue, to tie in with the kitchen. Tiles from Artedomus, including Vixel glass mosaics in turquoise, glitter and shine in the natural light that floods through the large skylight.

BLENDING OLD & NEW When planning their new home, Marcel and Deanna wanted to respect the history of the existing house and the land, which had been owned by their friend’s family for more than 80 years. The tiny bach wasn’t big enough to do much with, so they built their new home around it, retaining some of its materials such as the exterior weatherboards and incorporating them into the renovation.

The original 80-square-metre cottage is now an open-plan living and kitchen area.

By stretching the facade, the couple have turned it into a long, single-storey room that takes in the sea views and also overlooks the renovated pool area.

The old weatherboards have been reused at the front of the house, while the bach’s rimu studs were turned into the home’s front door.

Marcel says, “The cottage had the best site on the property as the pohutukawa had grown up around it. The section had evolved around the location of the cottage, and it also has a westerly aspect.’’

Keen gardeners, the couple lived next door while the renovation took place, clearing the section and planting natives, a vege garden and an orchard. In addition to the work on the house, the concrete pool had to be strengthened, which was more expensive than they thought it would be.

At the back of the old bach structure, a new two-storey wing reaches up towards the pohutukawa, clad in cedar to highlight its separateness. Following the contours of the land, this area houses the couple’s bedroom upstairs and a bunk room on the ground floor for their seven grandchildren. To reach the bedroom wing, the couple climb a beautiful kwila staircase made from individual blocks of wood – one of their favourite features of their new home. A gallery space and entrance connect the old and new buildings.

“Really this is a new house that retains the bones of the original cottage and pool and uses these as the nucleus of a much larger development,’’ says architect William.

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PLAYING THE BLUES The interior has been painted off-white, apart from the occasional wall in Italian poplar ply.

This gives it a contemporary look without being ostentatious.

Deanna, a fashion designer, was keen to include splashes of blue in her new home as it’s a colour that reminds her of the sky and the sea, and makes her feel calm and happy.

The kitchen cabinetry is a vibrant blue, while

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the doors throughout the house are teal. Many items in the home are different shades of blue, from the duvet covers to the kitchen crockery and outdoor chairs.

Marcel’s favourite colour, orange, hasn’t been forgotten either – a tangerine Pyroclassic woodburner stands proudly in the middle of the living room, and there is the occasional carroty pop in a chair or cushion.

“We’re not afraid of colour,’’ Deanna laughs.

H

THE BUILD & BEYOND Throughout the 14-month renovation, the couple used local tradespeople wherever possible. Their builder, Duncan Construction, and all the tradies were from the Kapiti Coast. Deanna and Marcel stayed close to the renovation, visiting the site most days from their cottage next door. “We were very much hands-on,’’ says Marcel.

The renovation went almost without a hitch.

However, their lead builder became ill halfway through the job and had to leave. “That was tough for him and for all of us; he was very much invested in the build. He came back right at the end to help,’’ says Marcel, who adds that the builder is now in remission.

One of the features of the new home is a gallery to showcase the art collection the couple have amassed over the years. Many pieces are by New Zealand artists, including Kapiti local Collin Hope. Outside, an 18thcentury Dutch still life printed onto tiles is displayed near the front door.

Marcel and Deanna love their new home – he relishes the privacy of the setting, nestled among trees and a street back from the beach, while she calls it her happy place. “Every day is memorable,” she says. “We love listening to music and looking out at the ever-changing sea, the trees and the horizon.” • OPPOSITE The top floor enjoys stunning views of Kapiti Island and beyond to the Tasman Sea. THIS PAGE The covered entryway features a tiled reproduction of a Jan van Huysum still life. On the deck, Marcel and Deanna stand on either side of their architects, Cecile Bonnifait and William Giesen.

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DEANNA’S TOP TIPS

SHOP THEIR STYLE A backdrop of off-white and pale wood allowed this couple to go bold with brilliant blues of every shade

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2

3 1

+ Paint the pool a dark grey to give it a more natural effect. + Incorporate demolition wood into your new home (eg for doors and tables) and recycle weatherboards for the exterior. + Landscape as you go. + Be clear about your vision and ensure the design reflects that. + Don’t presume the architect and builder know all the costs. The renovation took longer and cost more than we expected. Luckily, our builder kept a monthly account of the budget and line items. + Built-in ply cabinetry means less money spent on furniture.

HONESTY BOX

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5 6 7

10 9

+ What wouldn’t you do again?

We will live here forever so we won’t be renovating again. + Any DIY disasters? Not one! + One thing you would change?

We may have recessed the LED light strips into the ceiling. + Which areas did you save or splurge on? We saved on Uashmama paper lampshades, which look stylish but are reasonably cheap. We splurged on the mosaic tiles in the bathroom. + Any advice on where to spend or save? Be clear why you are spending money. We’re happy with splurging on some things because we want to enjoy the house for ever. + How did you approach the interior design? We kept the colour palette simple and used art and objects to highlight, rather than distract from, the design. An efficient use of space draws the eye to interesting objects. + Favourite thing about your home? It’s a joy spending our days in such a glorious space.

We love the expansive glass and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

CONTACTS

1 Topo teapot, $85, from Smith & Caughey’s. 2 Wooden board, $24.99, from H&M. 3 Blue Skies cushion, $115, from Bolt of Cloth. 4 Magma matte tile in sea blue, $119.99 per sqm, from Tile Space. 5 Outdoor hanging chair, $849, from Green With Envy. 6 Chevron Max throw, $119.99, from Nood. 7 Buddy kitchen mixer, $499, from Plumbline. 8 Muskhane France felt lampshade, $95, from Tea Pea. 9 Luca Hudson sideboard, $1199, from Farmers. 10 Sai chair, $125, from Cintesi.

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Builder Duncan Construction, Raumati South, search ‘Duncan Construction Limited’ on Facebook.

Roof Auld Roofing, auldroofing.com.

Joiner Ross Craft, 04 298 7480.

Windows Omega Aluminium Kapiti, omegawindows.co.nz.

Plumber Andy Magee Plumbing, andymageeplumbing.co.nz.

Electrician Tone Electrical, 027 2255 949.

FLOOR PLAN 1

6 3

2

4

5 7

8

9

10

11

12 13

Level one 15

KEY 1 Living room 2 Pool 3 Dining 4 Kitchen 5 Gallery space 6 Spa 7 Lounge/bunkroom

8 Office 9 Laundry 10 Entry 11 Toilet 12 Guest room 13 Bathroom 14 Main bedroom 15 Ensuite

14

Level two

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NEW BUILD

O UT SID E T HE BOX By building a home divided into a series of boxes, this couple maximised their opportunities to connect with the beautiful landscape beyond Text by Bea Taylor. Photography by Swell Productions.

EXTERIOR The Wilsons chose discreet Matt Black APL Architectural Series sliding doors from Vantage Windows & Doors for their open-plan living area.

T

ucked into the side of a hill in the quiet community of Takahoa Bay in Kaipara, Deb and Tony Wilson’s home cuts a striking form.

The Wilsons spend their week in Auckland where they both work as hairdressers at their salon, Raven Haircutters.

But come the weekend, they make the hourand-a-half drive up to their “good place”.

“We love the serenity,” says Deb. “Auckland has become work and the Kaipara has become the relaxing part of our life.”

Their luxurious weekend retreat boasts panoramic views and, with just one neighbour on the hill behind them and another hidden down in front, there’s a feeling of total isolation.

T HE D E SI GN The couple knew exactly what they wanted for the build; space for their big family to come and visit, but a home that didn’t feel empty when it was just the two of them.

The answer was to break the home up into pods. There’s a bedroom pod, a kitchen and dining pod and a guest wing. These pods, or boxes, create hubs in the house, but also frame the decks and provide breaks from the weather.

Therefore, no matter which way the wind is blowing, there is always an outdoor area to relax, dine and observe the view from.

“We wanted to have a view from every room in the house,” says Deb. “We basically wanted a big glass box.”

In fact, there aren’t many solid walls in the house at all. Instead, Deb and Tony installed high-performance sliding doors in Matt Black

by Vantage Windows & Doors in every room.

These square-edged, floor-to-ceiling doors sit flush and provide a seamless transition from the inside to the outside.

In the living and dining room, the sliding doors frame views on both sides “so you can see right through,” says Deb. “We love that we can just open everything up.”

“We cop the wind a lot,” adds Tony. “So the joinery had to be highly wind rated. It’s got a beautiful solidity about it, and works with the boxiness of the house. And the fact we could get it in Matt Black was a decider, too.”

YH&G + VANTAGE

MEET + GREET Deb and Tony Wilson (owners of Raven Haircutters)

T H E ST YL E Frequent visitors to Bali, Deb and Tony had the relaxed, luxury resort aesthetic of Balinese villas in mind when designing their home’s interior.

“Contemporary but earthy,” says Deb. “Which is a really hard combination.”

A palette of matte black textures and neutral colours create that relaxing resort feel for the Wilsons. “We tried to get everything as low-sheen as we could,” Tony says.

Because a luxurious outdoor bath wasn’t possible on their windy hill, Deb and Tony compromised by installing a full-height sliding glass door in their bathroom. The door can be pushed back completely to create that outdoor feeling, or kept closed while still allowing a seamless view of the landscape.

T H E F UT URE One day, this house will become Deb and Tony’s permanent home after they retire. But for now, it’s their weekend getaway, a place where they can put away their phones and settle in for a relaxing 48 hours far from the hustle and bustle of city life – no matter the weather.

“Call us weird, but we love it as much in the winter as we do in summer,” says Deb. “Especially when there’s a storm brewing, because we can put on the fire, snuggle down and watch it roll in.” •

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Renovation YOUR

Expert advice on home alterations, extensions and updates

Light work

Photography by Wendy Fenwick.

Butler’s pantries are becoming standard for many renovators but they’re usually somewhat dark and enclosed. We love the way this pantry has its own skylight so anyone working away on dishes or food prep can still enjoy the day outside. See the rest of this chic, airy reno over the page.

Open house: a dated 1950s home is rescued and revived for modern living Page 72 Workshop: our bumper guide to prepping your home for the real-estate market Page 82

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Open house This couple made it their mission to rescue their home from dated ‘improvements’ and connect it to the world outside Text by Annick Larkin. Photography by Wendy Fenwick.

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R MEET + GREET Renay Robertson, 44 (founder and owner of Haven Skin Spa), and Stuart Robertson, 41 (owner of Mean Business).

PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS

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Cramped layout > Rooms opened up and ceilings raised.

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View of neighbours > Windows moved for light and privacy.

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Poor outdoor living > Large pavilion added for seamless indoor/ outdoor flow.

PAVILION At the back, the roof was extended beyond the dining room to create a sheltered outdoor living room with built-in seating, barbecue and fireplace. The dining room walls were engineered so that there is no mullion separating the two sliding doors – this was costly but worth it for the seamless transition between inside and out, say the owners.

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BACKGROUND

Renay and Stuart Robertson had been living in Wellington for almost five years when, in 2012, they decided to return to their home city of Auckland. The couple owned an investment property in Remuera, and when the tenants decided to move on, it solved the immediate problem of where they would live in the short term.

Rather than rushing to buy somewhere, they were keen to take their time and refamiliarise themselves with the city first.

“We spent a couple of years living in Remuera before deciding on what our next move would be,” recalls Renay.

“Once we’d decided that we would be staying put in Auckland, we knew we wanted to put down roots in the Ponsonby or Herne Bay area – not only for the convenience of being near work, but for the energy and lifestyle these suburbs offer.”

Renay and Stuart seem to like change; they move house more often than most and tend not to overthink it or shy away from renovations and the disruption they entail.

In 2014, the couple came across a 1950s weatherboard house in Herne Bay. Set back from the road, it was solid and well built but had been scarred by several cosmetic ‘improvements’ over the years, including bluepainted faux shutters and plaster columns built around the carport posts.

They were unsure whether the Mediterranean look was intentional or not but, either way, it hadn’t dated well and the whole house required some serious modifications.

Renay was busy at work on the day of the auction, meaning Stuart had to go on his own.

“Poor Stu was recovering from a nasty accident and showed up wearing a neck brace and with his arm in a sling – he looked quite a sight in the auction room,” says Renay. “He had one good arm, though, so he was able to put that up and we bought the house.”

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R

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KITCHEN The kitchen has a cosy feel with its grooved cabinets, pitched ceiling and simple pairing of white and stainless steel, but it conceals a secret weapon: to the right of this picture is a stainlesssteel fridge, then an opening into a long, light-filled scullery (pictured left and bottom right) equipped with plenty of extra bench space, cupboards and open shelves. The bar stools are from Dawson & Co and the flooring is Flamingo Parket oak rustic in single smoked chalk from Vienna Woods.

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WHAT NEXT?

The pair took ownership of the tired bungalow and, with some renovation experience already under their belts, readied themselves for the next big challenge. The previous owners had painted the interior white and laid new carpet in preparation for the sale, so the place was perfectly liveable while Renay and Stuart got to work planning the renovation.

The two-level home – which looked like an ex-state house with its weatherboards, roof tiles and similar footprint – sat on a slightly tricky, compact and narrow site. This meant the couple had to be clever with the new design to ensure it made the most of the sun while also complying with height-to-boundary restrictions.

Given that the house was set back from the road, it was well suited for an extension at the front, including a new double garage with internal access.

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THE PROBLEMS

A major flaw with the existing house was that all the windows looked straight at the neighbouring properties, resulting in a lack of both privacy and a sense of homeliness. A key part of the couple’s design was to change the window placement to let in more light and achieve an outlook onto greenery rather than into their neighbours’ homes.

In addition, there was no easy flow between rooms and the poky spaces did not suit modern living. Low-hanging beams and a reduced ceiling height meant the rooms seemed smaller than they actually were. “It felt like the house was closing in on you; it was screaming to be opened up and made to feel airy and light,” says Renay.

The couple enjoys al fresco living but there wasn’t an outdoor area where they could see themselves entertaining guests. “There were remnants of an old patio but it felt a bit ‘student flat’-esque when you sat out there,” says Renay.

It was really the desire to create better outdoor living that spurred the couple to get on with their renovation.

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LIVING One wall of the main living room opens up onto a large concrete slab which connects to the outdoor entertaining area. At the other end of the room, a bay window features a floating concrete seat for curling up on. The sofa is from Simon James and the undyed pure-wool carpet is Natural Velvet in palomino.

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THE PLAN

With the plans finally finished and the consents granted, work began in 2015.

The final layout met the couple’s design brief to create a contemporary, light-filled and airy home. The new floorplan left the kitchen, dining and lounge roughly in their original spots, but added a scullery and created an open-plan configuration.

The original master bedroom became a second living area and the old upstairs bathroom was turned into a laundry and guest bathroom. A modern master suite was added above the new garage extension, and all signs of the Mediterranean aesthetic were removed.

To help keep their budget in check, Stuart and Renay did a lot of the initial demolition themselves, and also went to the site regularly to do clean-ups. However, due to a breakdown in communication with their architect, Stuart ended up project-managing the build as well as working full time.

R BEDROOMS Soft greys, black and white give a cohesive look to the bedrooms where art and statement lighting share the spotlight. Stuart bought the print of the little girl for about $10 in a Beijing street market. The blinds throughout the home are made from Textilia’s Pietro fabric in the colourway stone wall.

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BATHROOMS Designer Hayley Brown helped Renay and Stuart plan their three bathrooms, including the family version downstairs (left and below) and the luxurious guest bathroom (below right), where grey Blendstone tiles have been teamed with wood-look Nature Bisque tiles for just the right amount of contrasting texture; all the tiles are from Tile Space.

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FINISHING TOUCHES

Renay and Stuart engaged two interior designers: Tomi Williams, from Indigo Design, for guidance with interior and exterior paint colours, flooring and lighting choices; and Hayley Brown, who helped them design and plan the bathrooms. “Hayley isn’t your traditional interior designer – she’s more of a creative with amazing ideas. She just ‘got’ us as a couple and managed to create something truly special,” says Renay.

Art plays a significant role in the couple’s life and they have a large selection of works displayed around their home. “We love collecting art and generally buy art for any significant celebrations, such as our wedding, significant birthdays and when travelling. We don’t buy art with a particular space in mind; we buy what we love and figure out where it’s going to go later,” says Renay.

It was important that the wall colour allowed their artworks to make a statement in any room, so a palette of refined neutrals was put together.

Warm timber accents, a clever use of textures and plenty of indoor greenery together create elegant and inviting spaces throughout.

One of Renay’s favourite areas is the ultra-simple entryway. To the custom-made steel handrail and minimalist Fog pendant

by Swedish company Zero, Renay has added a single adornment: a Frida Kahlo collage by Emma Gale, which cleverly ties all the design elements together.

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THE END

Although the bustling lifestyle and culture of Herne Bay and Ponsonby remain a big draw, Renay and Stuart have decided they aren’t quite ready to call this beautiful home their last project, and have recently sold up and moved on.

But are they keen to renovate again? “Never say never,” says Renay. •

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R

RENOVATI ON WORK SHEE T FINISHES BEFORE

Exterior Dulux Lyttelton Quarter

Roof Colorsteel Sandstone

Interior Dulux Mt Aspiring

Interior Flamingo Parket oak rustic single smoked chalk

FLOOR PLAN HONESTY BOX 8 6

7

7

10 9

17

16

15

9

14 11 13

KEY 1 Subfloor 2 Bathroom 3 Office 4 Garage 5 Bedroom 6 Patio 7 Living 8 Ensuite 9 Walk-in robe 10 Master bedroom 11 Laundry 12 Entry 13 Scullery 14 Kitchen 15 Dining 16 Outdoor living 17 Outdoor fire

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Level two 12

2

RENAY’S STYLE TIPS + Don’t overthink purchases – buy what you love, not faddish trends. + Invest in features that will draw the eye, such as linen for bedrooms, sofas in lounges. + Don’t always make decisions based on practicality. It’s important to have fun and be a little reckless with some things.

3 4

1

BUDGET The budget was $1m but we went over that with little tweaks along the way, and we up-spec’d the landscaping design.

5

CONTACTS Level one

TIMELINE

Moved in.

+ Where have you splurged? Renay: In the dining room we didn’t want a mullion where the two sliding doors meet; we didn’t want the flow interrupted. Achieving this added considerable cost – so this was a splurge.

So was the feature lighting; we chose a Fog pendant in the entrance and marble pendants beside the bed in the master. + Best memory in your home? Crisp, still autumn evenings rugged up in front of the outdoor fire with a hearty red wine.

A P R IL 20 1 5 Started renovation.

AUGUST 2016 Landscaping finished (interior completed earlier).

Main building contractor Carl Lund, lundbuilding.co.nz.

Bathroom designer Hayley Brown, The Art Dept, nyartdept.co.nz Plants and trees Rainbow Park Nurseries, rainbowpark.co.nz.

Timber flooring Vienna Woods, viennawoods.co.nz.

Electrician Matt from Dynamic Electrical Solutions, 021 133 0020.

Landscape Design Fiona Webster Landscape Design, fiona@ fionawebsterdesign.co.nz.

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WORKSHOP

Ready, set, sell!

Whether you’re selling the family home or renovating for resale, our experts have got you covered

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R

Before you sell your home

BY ANDREW DUNCAN R E A L E S TAT E B L O G G E R A N D LICENSED AGENT

“Paint your front doorway (and front door if required) to improve a buyer’s first impression.

Go for a bold colour that fits the exterior colour scheme of your property”

S

elling a home is a tricky business, especially in today’s unpredictable market. But there are a few straightforward things you can do to prepare for the moment when your home hits the market. When I meet with prospective sellers, I usually recommend a four-step plan: painting, gardening, cleaning and de-cluttering. In my opinion, these are the most cost-effective ways to maximise the sale price of any home.

More extensive renovations such as upgrading kitchens and bathrooms take time and energy, and you will be doing well to simply get your money back on settlement day. If you have the skills to complete this work yourself or have family/friends who can do it on the cheap, lucky you! Just make sure you stick to a simple plan to keep a limit on costs.

Photography by Bauer Syndication.

PAINTING You should paint bathroom ceilings if they need it, and paint kitchen cupboards if the colours are dated. Consider changing the handles as well – this is a very inexpensive way to modernise your kitchen and most cupboard handles are a standard size so they are easy to change (all you need is a screwdriver).

Consider painting hallways and rooms if the existing colours are very dark. Use light, neutral colours at all times.

Paint your front doorway (and front door if required) to improve a buyer’s first impression.

Go for a bold colour that fits the exterior colour scheme of your property – a dark red front door looks great next to grey weatherboards.

Re-staining decks can also be a fairly simple job with not too much prep work involved and can also make a big difference to the overall appeal of your home.

Be aware that re-painting entire exteriors can be expensive, especially when scaffolding is involved so think carefully before going ahead with a total re-paint. Often small touch-ups or just painting window sills will be sufficient.

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TIP BUY FRESH FLOWERS TO D I S P L AY I N Y O U R H O U S E D U R I N G OPEN HOMES, OR ARRANGE S O M E AT T R A C T I V E G R E E N E R Y I N A VA S E F O R A L O N G E R L A S T I N G A R R A N G E M E N T.

GARDENING You want your garden to appear as lowmaintenance as possible to potential buyers. If you present a section that is well maintained, it will give buyers confidence that you have taken care of your property. Make sure no trees or hedges are touching the house itself, and ensure paths are clear from overhanging branches. But above all – trim anything that is blocking the sun! Be ruthless.

CLEANING When you are just about to sell, you need to clean as if the local health and safety inspector is coming for a visit. Buyers will poke around and inspect every nook and cranny so your usual Sunday afternoon whip-around really will

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not do. Hire some help if you need to and clean all those surfaces you don’t normally bother with – like the top of the rangehood, inside your pantry, behind toilets, in high corners were the cobwebs live and inside wardrobes. Wash curtains if required, or have them dry-cleaned – buyers love looking behind curtains to see if they can find spots of mould (and owners always forget to look there).

Sometimes all that’s required to make a massive difference to the presentation of your property is a good, thorough exterior house wash. When this is done professionally it can cost a bit more than you might think, but it’s worth every penny. Be sure to also wash gutters, paths and driveways.

R DE-CLUTTERING Firstly, take out everything you don’t need for daily life. Now, take out some more. When you visit a show-home, the first thing you’ll notice is that they have a ridiculously small amount of furniture – that’s no accident. The more you take out of a room, the bigger it will feel to a prospective buyer.

Leave prints and paintings on the wall (and a few personal photos to make it feel homely), but clear any surfaces like the tops of bookcases, the front of your fridge, the entire kitchen bench and any tables or desks. Hire a storage unit if you need to, and feel free to use your garage for storage. As long as buyers can walk into your garage and see how big it is, it’s okay to fill it with boxes and furniture.

STORAGE Make sure any open storage has been decluttered and looks as tidy as possible.

Add shelving to old-fashioned cupboards and wardrobes and ensure they’re clean and tidy.

Then borrow nice furniture from friends and family if you can, invest in new curtains if needed, and buy a new shower curtain.

New duvet covers are essential – keep it simple and neutral.

TIP If your property is empty, home staging can be a worthwhile investment. Nicely presented furniture makes it easier for buyers to picture themselves living in your home, meaning they are more likely to develop an emotional connection to it, which can only be a good thing on auction day. If staging gets you just one extra offer, that added competition should help you recoup your investment and a whole lot more.

Visit andrewduncan.co.nz for more real estate advice.

11 UNEXPECTED WAYS TO ADD VALUE

1

CARPET YOUR GARAGE This is a great way to lift the feel of your home, especially if you have an older house with a separate garage downstairs.

HANG CURTAINS THAT REACH THE FLOOR Stop those draughts and warm the hearts of potential buyers while you’re at it. Choose a neutral tone and nothing with too much of a pattern.

PAINT OLD DOORS You know the ones – those dark brown 1970s doors with the old handles.

Paint ‘em bright white and it will lighten up your entire home.

INSTALL A BATHROOM HEATER A wall-mounted heater is only a few hundred dollars to install but feels ultra-luxurious.

INSTALL A FILTER TAP In this health-conscious age, these touches can help buyers fall in love with your home that little bit more.

INSTALL A WASTE DISPOSAL Once you’ve had one of these you will never want to go back. They aren’t ridiculously expensive but in terms of adding value to buyers, they are almost on par with having a dishwasher.

ADD WARDROBE SHELVING Old wardrobes are often full of wasted space. You can proactively solve this issue for your potential buyers and add value in the process.

FIT A NEW SHOWER HEAD Smart buyers will test the shower during open homes. What will they think when they see your shower head?

SWAP OUT THE TOILET SEAT You would be surprised how often this is overlooked but it makes a big difference.

NEW DOOR MATS First impressions count! What will your potential buyers be looking at while they take off their shoes outside your home?

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How to renovate for resale

BY ALICE & CALEB PEARSON P R O F E S S I O N A L R E N O VAT O R S

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enovating a home can be a very rewarding experience. However, when you’re doing it quickly and selling the property on for profit, the whole equation changes. Rather than being about what you like and want, the reno is about managing every cent of your budget to maximise your profit.

Every home is different and will have its own challenges to address. Here are 10 tasks and techniques that are likely to help you be more successful on auction day.

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MAKE A PLAN

One of our key pieces of advice for any project is: ‘Plan your work; work your plan’. By knowing what you are trying to achieve, you can understand what a successful outcome looks like for you and work towards that goal. Take time at the start of your project to think about this and write it down.

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HAVE A BUDGET

The budget is key when you are renovating to sell as you must aim to maximise your return for every dollar spent. When used as a tool, your budget will help you make decisions, stay on track, and ensure the best possible return on your investment. At the start of your project, itemise all expected costs, and track them as your renovation progresses.

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WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Photography by Helen Bankers.

Not every change to the house will add more value than what you spend.

You need to be aware of the cost vs. valueadded equation when choosing which tasks to undertake. When you make structural changes that require lots of tradespeople and consents, costs quickly add up. Evaluate your house and look for clever ways to work with what you have.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First impressions really do make a difference. If you can get this bit right, you’ll put prospective buyers in the right frame of mind when they arrive to view your property. Most homes are unique and rarely tick every box a buyer might have on their list. You won’t be able to please everyone, but the entry is a great place to create some positive associations. The street frontage, the approach to your front door, planting and the entryway itself are important areas to focus on.

TIP PA I N T I N G I S O N E O F T H E E A S I E S T W AY S T O REFRESH A PROPERTY – AS W E L L AS WA L L S , TRIMS AND CEILINGS, THE EFFECTIVENESS O F PA I N T C A N A L S O EXTEND TO FURNITURE. PA I N T I N G A N O L D C H E ST O F D R AW E R S , C H A I R O R TA B L E C A N C R E AT E A N AT T R A C T I V E AC C E S S O RY I N YO U R R E N O VAT E D H O M E .

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ENTRYWAY EXTRAS Anything you can do to create a good impression at the front door will help potential buyers fall in love with your property. Use accessories and furniture to create a sense of arrival and welcome, and make sure everything on display feels fresh, clean and well looked after.

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PAINT & PAPER

Fresh paint can completely transform a property from drab and dated to fresh and modern.

Refreshing the painted surfaces both inside and outside your property is perhaps the easiest and best-value task you can undertake to add value. An alternative to paint, and one we love, is wallpaper. Modern wallpapers are easy to install, and are generally quicker than paint. Whether for a feature wall or an entire room, wallpaper is just another useful trick to keep up your sleeve.

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OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Having an outdoor living space is a valuable addition to any property and, when done well, it can feel like a whole extra room. If your property doesn’t have a defined outdoor living area, have a serious look at how you could add one. There are many options available, with decks and paved courtyards among the most common. Work with your existing area and its constraints to plan a space. Consider how the space will connect both to the house and to other external areas. Pay attention to the weather and think about adding shelter and protection from the elements. A pergola or awning might be worth the investment if it will help you create an outdoor space that could be used all year round.

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IMPROVE THE FLOW

The default response to changing the layout of a house is to make it open plan, and there are sound reasons for that. We are drawn to living in connected environments that allow better living options and flow between spaces. But there is more to good flow than removing all the walls. If the layout in your house isn’t working, look at the easiest ways to make it more appealing.

Consider ways you could make a room feel larger, improve connections between spaces and add focal points such as a fireplace.

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Image opposite page (bottom right) by Helen Bankers.

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MAINTENANCE ISSUES

A loose tap or flaking paint on its own might not put off a prospective buyer, but a list of maintenance projects or touch-ups may be enough to put someone off your property. Deal with the maintenance items and ‘small stuff’ so a new owner won’t have to worry about a to-do list when they first move in. This list is wide and property specific, but could include anything from a dripping hose tap to loose handles, doors catching in their frames, missing fence palings, rust, cracked windows, or gaps in window putty.

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UP TO STANDARD

The Healthy Homes Standards became law in July 2019, and were designed to improve the quality of rental properties. These are now well known to investors and landlords and, if you are not familiar with the standards, it’s a good idea to ensure your property meets them as it will

make your home more attractive to investors.

However, the standards also provide useful guidelines for what makes a home warmer and drier, and meeting the criteria will make your property more appealing for any prospective buyer. The standards cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draughts – you can read more at raisethestandard.nz.

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LANDSCAPING

The exterior of your house is an area that typically yields a high return on your investment. It’s also an area where you can put in a bit of ‘sweat equity’ and get some great results. Start by dealing with any overgrown trees, hedging and weeds. Or if you are lacking in vegetation, look for areas where you can add some colour or greenery through planting.

Create areas within your property which are functional and useful, whether for play, dining, food production, or practical tasks such as car parking, bin storage or a potting shed.

“The exterior of your house is an area which typically yields a high return on your investment.

It’s also an area where you can put in a bit of ‘sweat equity’ and get some great results” — CA L E B P E A R S O N

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Tips for choosing a real estate agent WITH MARY HOLM PERSONAL FINANCE JOURNALIST + Before you even talk to agents, pay for a professional valuation of your property. That gives you power when negotiating with agents or buyers if they’re talking too low a price. It also signals when an agent may be suggesting too high a price when they first meet you. + Ask your friends and neighbours for recommendations. + Ask prospective agents for written info on recent houses they have sold, including their price expectations and what they sold the properties for. + Get details on how they plan to market your property and how much that will cost. Apparently most house buyers these days first spot a property online, so make sure the online marketing is done well. + Check the public register on the Real Estate Authority website (rea.govt.nz) to make sure the agent is licensed. The register will also tell you if there is any disciplinary history over the past three years for that agent. + Usually agents’ contracts are for 60 or 90 days. Go for 60 or perhaps less. If the property hasn’t sold at the end of the contract period, you might want to try a different agent. Take note, though, of a warning from Consumer NZ. Some contracts say you have to pay the first agent if a buyer who saw the property while that agent was listing it comes back and makes an offer via a second agent. You could find yourself paying commissions to both. Don’t sign any contract that requires you to pay a commission once the contract has expired.

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+ While agents are supposed to be getting you the best price, they have a big incentive to sell fast and move on to the next property, especially under the usual commission structure. Don’t be pressured to accept a low offer, especially early on. + You can renegotiate the agent’s commission at any time. Let’s say a buyer’s final offer is less than you are willing to take.

Ask the agent if they will reduce their commission, so you end up with a bit more.

They might agree, just to get the sale. + Just remember: you don’t have to use an agent to sell your home. It’s getting easier, with the internet, to get the word out about your wonderful property, and you can find online support for selling on your own, often called ‘selling privately’. Start with the Citizens Advice Bureau website, which lists pros and cons of private sales. •

These tips are extracted from: Rich Enough? A laid-back guide for every Kiwi

By Mary Holm Published by HarperCollins

YH&G + MICO

The perfect bathroom

PART THREE: RENOVATION

Pull off a flawless bathroom renovation with Mico’s top 10 tips

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CO N S I D E R TH E LI G HTS

Poor lighting in a bathroom could spoil all your hard work by casting shadows or making the space feel too cold and clinical.

Talk to your Mico consultant about what lights would suit your budget and needs.

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PL AN PLE NT Y O F STO R AG E

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SAVE M O N E Y BY UTI LI S I N G PAI NT

Bathrooms can quickly become cluttered as each member of the family accumulates beauty products and accessories.

Even if planning extra storage feels excessive, you’ll probably find you need every inch of shelf space. Browse the options online in the Mico Bathroom Book – an amazing source of modern designs and decor ideas.

Tiling is beautiful but expensive. With good planning, you could avoid tiling altogether and simply use paint to beautify your space, possibly saving you thousands. Other options include glass – which can feature painted imagery – and bold patterned wallpaper.

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TH I N K CAR E FU LLY ABO UT G RO UT

Talk to your tiler about your options and explore the pros and cons of each. White grout looks great to start with but can become discoloured – is there another option that would look good with your tiles?

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KE E P IT S I M PLE

CS25383 12/19 ADVT2019

Avoid curves, steps, decorative mouldings and non-essential details or ornamentation in your bathroom. The simpler the design, the more cost-effective it will be to build.

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VE NTI L ATE !

Even if you have a good-sized window, installing a bathroom extractor fan will make your bathroom last longer and prevent moisture from seeping into your home. Browse the range at Mico.

A large, carefully placed mirror will make your bathroom feel bigger.

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G ET C LEVE R WITH M I R RO R S

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C H OOS E A STATE M E NT F EATU R E

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I N STALL EAS I LY ACC E S S I B LE POWE R PO I NTS

A larger mirror will make your bathroom feel bigger, as will the right placement. Talk to your Mico consultant about the best option for your space.

If you’re on a budget, investing in one statement piece will draw the eye away from lower-cost features. A beautiful tap, light fitting or feature tile is a great way to add a sense of luxury. Visit mico.co.nz for inspiration.

Think about the small appliances you use in your bathroom and plan power points to suit.

A double outlet above your vanity for hair styling tools and another inside a cupboard for charging toothbrushes and shavers is a good starting point.

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CO M M U N I CATE

When you choose builders and plumbers, establish good communication from the start. Tell them exactly what you want, but also ask them what they need for a smooth and problem-free renovation.

Then check in throughout the process to make sure all parties are happy.

A beautiful tap, light fitting or feature tile is a great way to add a sense of luxury.

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

TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT MICO.CO.NZ

real homes. interior inspo. diy tips.

Makeover YOUR

Design, colour and styling advice for simple and affordable transformations

Work-life balance

Styling by Alex Walls. Photography by Claudia Hinty.

Setting up a work area that functions well means creating a place where you can easily slip into a productive mindset.

Banishing clutter, displaying inspirational photos or objects and adding a natural touch will all aid a healthy outlook.

Greenery, flowers and even seedpods or small branches can make us feel calmer and more connected, allowing ideas to flow freely. See how Alex Walls styled her creative space on page 108.

Then & now: two perfect pantry makeovers Page 94 Resene Colour Home Awards Page 100 Workshop: zoning an open-plan space Page 102 Room reveal Page 108 Finder’s Fi Page 110 Living well Page 112 Kids’ corner Page 114

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THEN & NOW SPECIAL

Super sorters Want the perfect package-free pantry? Two professional organisers share their sorting secrets and show us two of their real-life makeovers Interview by Sally Conor. Photography by Wendy Fenwick.

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manda Stickland (pictured, left) and Hannah Sullivan (right) are the founders of pantry organising service and online store, Simplify My Home. Here, they share their advice on how to get the clutter-free pantry of your dreams.

Where did the idea for Simplify My Home come from and what made you start the business?

Amanda: We were both home with kids at a similar time and it became obvious that better organisation allowed a more seamless flow at home. From just organising a pantry we saw major benefits – the whole family accessed food more easily, it was clearer what was needed at shopping time so there was less waste, and it made meal times, which tend to be pretty stressful with young families, less chaotic. We are sisters-in-law, so bonded over weekends spent together in the kitchen with family. Our shared passion became a business idea from there.

What are your respective work backgrounds?

Hannah: We’ve both had a complete career change, but the skills we learnt from previous roles are what makes us a strong team now.

Amanda was a school teacher and I worked in corporate sales, so these backgrounds, combined with juggling our own families, are what have taught us the value of preparation, organisation, relationships and a strong work ethic. Establishing Simplify My Home has been exciting, because our passion project has become our job.

Photography on opposite page by Bauer Syndication.

What are the most common pantry problems your customers are facing? Amanda: A lot of people feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, and many feel they don’t have enough space. But reorganising everything and regrouping carefully is the key to a more functional space.

What are your top tips for making sure a pantry stays organised? Hannah: Our process means everything has a place. If all your food is accessible and easy to see, there will be less waste and it will be easier to keep tidy. We suggest having a basket for ‘unopened extras’ and another for ‘opened extras’ so even things that you’re not too sure what to do with at the time have a place.

How did you go about finding the perfect organisation products to sell in your store?

Amanda: A huge amount of research! We sourced samples internationally and tested extensively to ensure the best-quality product.

We love and use all our products ourselves. The Luxe glass and bamboo range is our absolute favourite and we feel like it aligns beautifully with clean, green and sustainable Kiwi living.

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CA S E S T U DY 0 1

Sweet scullery These clients are a busy family with one young daughter and a baby on the way. Their scullery is a feature of their new kitchen, so they want it to be aesthetically pleasing but also functional so can they easily access everything they need.

One is also a keen cook, so part of the brief was to create a space that was easy for her to work in and would allow a stress-free experience while cooking and baking.

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PROBLEM

As the scullery is a focal point of this new kitchen, it needs to look good while also remaining practical and functional.

BEFORE

SOLUTION

We used our five-step process to group all products into separate categories. We then decanted and labelled each container to create a clean yet functional look.

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TIP T O C R E AT E A F R E S H , GREEN ACCENT IN Y O U R P A N T R Y, A D D A POT OF FRESH HERBS OR A HOUSE PLANT T H AT D O E S N ’ T M I N D L O W L I G H T. P O T H O S O R D E V I L’ S I V Y I S A G R E AT C H O I C E A S

1 Mini canisters, $4.50 for 2, from Kmart. 2 Spice jar, $9.50, from Father Rabbit. 3 Weck mold jar, from $11.50, from Father Rabbit. 4 Spicy spice jar set, $34.95, from Freedom. 5 Weck cylinder glass jar, $11.50, from Father Rabbit. 6 Large glass canister, $6.50, from Kmart.

7 Small glass canister, $4.50, from Kmart. 8 Tosca toolbox (small), $45, from Paper Plane. 9 Small modular basket, $3, from Kmart. 10 Expandable bamboo cutlery tray, $22, from The Warehouse. 11 Tosca storage basket (double handle), $65, from Paper Plane. 12 Bamboo drawer organisers, from $11.99, from Storage Box.

I T H A S A L O V E LY TRAILING HABIT AND WILL CASCADE OVER Y O U R S H E LV E S .

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BEFORE

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Fresh & clean These clients are busy parents of two children, and Mum travels a lot for work.

They wanted functional kitchen storage that would be durable for young children and make it easier for Dad to find things, as he is home a lot with the kids.

This family felt their space was too cluttered and as a result, they were overpurchasing at the supermarket because they couldn’t see what they had to hand.

They wanted help to keep their pantry tidier and cleaner to ensure easy access and less clutter.

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PROBLEM

This pantry was cluttered, meaning the busy clients couldn’t see what they had and were over-purchasing at the supermarket as a result.

SOLUTION

By sorting and placing all food into clearly labelled containers, we made everything clearly visible so this family can more easily access and replenish their pantry supplies.

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Top tips What are the basic principles of an organised pantry? Amanda: "A place for everything, and everything in its place" is what my mum has always said.

It certainly underpins everything we do to create a beautiful and functional pantry space. This idea feeds into this specific process that can be used to organise any pantry or storage space:

1 Yamazaki Tosca seasoning rack, $44, from Crisp Home.

2 Bamboo tray, $8, from Kmart.

3 Yamazaki Tosca magnetic storage rack, $75, from Crisp Home. 4 Canister with cork lid, from $12.90, from Citta. 5 3L storage jar, $9.34, from Briscoes.

6 Riley canisters, from $13.95, from Freedom. 7 Yamazaki tower tool box (small), $39, from Father Rabbit.

1 REMOVE Take everything out.

2 DISCARD Get rid of food that has gone off or is well past its use-by date.

3 REGROUP Separate foods into groups of like items, eg baking supplies, spices, spreads, snacks, etc.

4 LABEL Labelling your containers not only looks good, it also makes it easier to see what you have at a glance.

5 REHOME Put your food items back into the pantry, keeping in mind that the foods you use the most need to be the most accessible. Eg If you don’t bake regularly, put your flour, sugar and baking powder on the top shelf.

Spreads, cereals and everyday items should be easy to access.

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6 TIP PLACE SHORT C O N TA I N E R S I N F R O N T O F TA L L O N E S , ENSURING LABELS A R E C L E A R LY V I S I B L E , T O C R E AT E M O R E EFFICIENT STORAGE. ALSO, KEEP SIMILAR ITEMS GROUPED TO GETHER.

Do you have any other waste-free household tips? + Donate goods you no longer need to charities and op-shops, and get your family involved in this process (especially kids) to teach them about waste and sustainability. + Swap disposables for reuseables, eg take refillable water bottles out with you wherever you go, use handkerchiefs instead of tissues, and always have a few reuseable containers at the ready. + Remember to keep reusable bags in your car for quick supermarket trips. + Start small – new habits are formed by taking the first step. • simplifymyhome.co.nz

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COLOUR HOME AWARDS FINALIST NO 4

Birds of a feather A vibrant swatch of bird-patterned fabric provided inspiration for a refreshed family home Interview by Sally Conor. Photography by Alice Veysey.

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MATERIAL THINGS This wooden armchair, one of a pair bought by Amy’s parents a half century ago, has been reupholstered in Lambourn Quincey fabric from the Library Collection

by Blendworth, which inspired the Arnolds’ new colour scheme.

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n September 2019, Amy and Mark Arnold finished a complete renovation of their home in Te Awamutu. When it came time to choose colours, Amy was thinking an all-white palette would be the best solution.

“We’d done the kids’ [Levi, 4, and Hazel, 1] bedrooms in Resene Sea Fog before they were both born and thought we’d continue that theme,” she says. “But then I found Lizzy Higham’s Facebook page and was inspired to be a bit more fun, brave and creative.

“I must’ve bought about 50 testpots for this house – I was struggling to find a starting point. Then I discovered a piece of colourful bird-patterned fabric by Blendworth which absolutely sang to me and all of the colours were chosen from that.”

A mustard hallway was the first decision to be locked in; after trying about eight testpots, the couple decided on Resene Pizza on the walls, contrasted by Resene Alabaster doors and trims. The kitchen was next on the list for a bright injection of colour.

“I wanted something striking underneath the breakfast bar and had to consider how our hot pink table would look next to it,” Amy tells.

“We tried a range of greens, teals and blues and decided on Resene Saratoga; it’s turned out to be the colour that gets the most compliments.

Both the Resene Saratoga and the Resene Rock

Spray on the kitchen drawers felt so ‘out there’ when we were choosing, but they seem quite muted and conservative now.”

The living area, master bedroom and bathroom are painted in Resene Alabaster.

“All the other colours were lovely and warm, so I went into Resene Te Awamutu and asked, ‘What’s a white that’s a little bit warm?’ and they showed me Resene Alabaster,” Amy says.

“When we had two chairs my parents bought nearly 50 years ago upholstered in my bird fabric, the colour story came together perfectly. We are so thrilled with the final result and having colour around really brings us joy.”

$5000 UP FOR GRABS

The five finalists will all appear in Your Home and Garden and receive a $250 Resene paint voucher. The overall winner will be chosen from the final five, taking the Resene Colour Home Award title and winning $5000 in cash. An extended story on the winning home will feature in our April 2020 issue.

W H AT W E ’ R E LO O K I N G F O R + Clever interior colour schemes + Exciting kids’ rooms + Amazing paint projects and features + Great use of colour in bedrooms + Interesting use of exterior colour

E N T RI E S A RE CLO S E D See the last finalist in next month’s issue of Your Home and Garden.

M O R E C O LO U R S TO T RY F R O M T H E R E S E N E FA S H I O N FA N D E C K

Resene Untamed

Resene Rice Cake

Resene Swiss Caram

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Resene Moccasin

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WORKSHOP

The great divide Successfully creating separate zones inside an open-plan area is as easy as using paint, colour and some well-chosen furnishings Styling by Amber Armitage. Photography by Wendy Fenwick.

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C O LO UR When defining zones, colour is your best friend.

Use objects and furniture from the same colour family to create visual separation, and if you’re feeling adventurous, add a feature wall in a statement hue or effect. Here we’ve used sandy shades and teal in the lounge, and a stronger terracotta/black combo in the dining area.

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Concrete pot, $325, from Mood Store, painted in Resene Vanilla Ice. Oak and brass screen, $695, Hobbs sofa, $2495, from Me & My Trend. ‘Desert Sands 1’ print, $250, from Amber Armitage. Missoni Timmy throw, $835, Broste candle, $4, from Tessuti. Angami Tin cushion, $129, from Republic Home. Pool slides, $229, from La Tribe. Kenza rug, $599, from Freedom. Ercol Svelto coffee table, $2195, from Good Form. Scent of Home candle, $99, from Father Rabbit. Pink tumbler, $89.90, dish, $229, vessel (on dish), $189, candleholder, $49.90, from Asili. Wall in Resene Rice Cake.

Page 102: Dante vase (second shelf), $135, from Republic Home. Eva bag, $529, from Father Rabbit.

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F LO O R I N G When zoning a space, it’s best to keep some elements consistent so the various areas still have good overall flow.

Wooden flooring is great for creating continuity throughout a large room, and rugs can then be laid on top to delineate smaller zones.

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1 Hotel Magique ‘Make Waves’ print, $95, from Father Rabbit. 2 Isobel vase, $119, from A&C Homestore. Marble candle pillar, $11, from Kmart.

3 Toscana bookcase, $899, from Target.

4 HardieGroove lining from James Hardie.

Rockcote Otsumigaki from Resene. Quick-Step Palazzo pure oak matte flooring from Flooring Xtra.

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TE XT URE Once you’ve worked out your colour scheme, select materials to help define your spaces further. Velvets, knits and fluffy flokati rugs are ideal for a living space, whereas smooth wood and ceramics are better suited to a dining area. This painted wall was drybrushed over the top for visual texture and depth.

Single-bay adjustable shelving unit, $453.80, from Lundia, painted in Resene Crowdpleaser. On shelves: Layers vase in amber, $249, from Citta. Pink pot, $89, from Asili.

Simone Face vase, $79, coral, $650, Contour Faces footed pot, $109, Emblem planter (bottom shelf), $89, from Republic Home. Flora vessel (second shelf), $145, Ruffage book, $69.99, Urban Sanctuary book, $80, from Father Rabbit. Jodhpur decorative urn (bottom shelf), $85, from Freedom. Natural vintage terracotta pot (on floor), $150, Pia table lamp, $205, from Republic Home. Felicia basket, $79.95, from Freedom. Compound sideboard, $2990, from Citta. Villla vessel (on sideboard, far right), $85, from Father Rabbit. Candleholders, candles, tumbler, dish, as before. Wall in Resene Crowdpleaser, dry-brushed with Resene Rice Cake. Floor in Resene Rock Salt. .

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Hotel Magique ‘Bonjour’ print, $95, from Father Rabbit. Astep 2065 pendant, $1745, Ercol Flow chair, $1195, dining table, $2250, Ercol Lara stacking chair in black satin, $595, from Good Form. Black dish, $315, horn vessel, $62, from Asili. Christian Tortu pitcher, $78, Monmouth Glass Studios handblown glass, $75, from Tessuti. Hut low stool, $320, Frank leather duffle bag, $399, from Citta. Piccolo stool (under planter), $179, from Freedom. Wall in Resene Tuscany. Screen, vase, floor, as before. Planter, stylist’s own.

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Open shelves are a wonderful way to create the effect of a wall without blocking out light or losing functionality. If this isn’t an option, a slatted screen (as we’ve used opposite) is a versatile way to zone spaces and can easily be stored when not in use.

Use shelving to signal a change in function within a large space. Books and decorative objects work well in a living space, while you may choose to store plates and glassware in a dining space. Plants or greenery will provide another element and act as a linking theme through the entire open-plan space.

FURNITURE

STO RAGE

1 Horn vessel (on book), $62, from Asili. Ercol Marino armchair, $3195, and ottoman, $1195, from Good Form. Rachel Carley Clouds cushion, $240, Rachel Carley Rose bowl (on sideboard), $95, Walk in the Park wooden vase, $165, from Tessuti. Villla vessel (with foliage), $85, from Father Rabbit. Artwork by stylist using Resene Dawn Chorus, Resene Crowdpleaser, Resene Double Ash and Resene Rice Cake. Shelving unit, stool, books, rug, sideboard, wall, floor, as before.

1 Hans Wegner replica Elbow chair, $239, from Cintesi. 2 Avalon side table, $49.95, from Mocka.

3 Valencia buffet 2 door, $1299, from Freedom. •

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ROOM REVEAL

Work the line Wavy stripes bring a little bit of zing to this home workspace Styling by Alex Walls.

Photography by Claudia Hinty.

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M C R E AT E T H E L O O K

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1 Bamboo desktop drawers, $17, from Kmart. 2 Uniti gold wire desk tray, $8, from The Warehouse.

3 Bonded leather 2020 weekly diary, $39.99, from Kikki.K. 4 Buddy table lamp, $249, from A&C Homestore.

5 Madam tier vase, $49.99, from A&C Homestore. 6 Cabins book by Philip Jodidio, $45, from Father Rabbit.

7 Mesh pouch, $24.99 for 2, from Kikki.K. 8 Folded metal bookends, $49, from Everyday Needs. 9 Hugo desk, $749, from Nood. 10 Jerry chair, $149.99, from A&C Homestore. 11 Yamazaki Tosca small basket, $39, from Good Thing.

ffice spaces don’t have to be stark, impersonal and uninspiring. In fact, colour needs to be considered carefully in work spaces to encourage productivity and a positive working environment.

At A&C headquarters, we have a team of creatives, book-keepers and spreadsheet lovers, and not all of us feel the need for a ‘creative corner’ as such. But for me, I love just a touch of colour to keep me energised and inspired. To kick off a new year, I always like to have my new diary ready to go – this year I’ve chosen a lovely design by Milligram, and decided to use its cover as the starting point for this workspace.

For the walls, I picked Dulux Waihi for its warmth and energy and applied it as a playful stripe against a background of chalky Dulux Okarito. I want my work area to feel fun and energetic, so I decided the lines didn’t need to be perfectly straight and crisp. While painting, I let my paintbrush do its thing and left the brushstrokes and crooked lines as they were.

This is how I like it, but if you prefer straight lines, just use some painter’s masking tape.

Only taking the colour halfway up the wall prevents the effect from being too overwhelming and allows some clear space to encourage all that creative thinking I’ll be doing in 2020 (I hope). Good luck for dreaming up your best ideas yet!

OPPOSITE Avocado Oslo pot, $24.99. Potted faux philo bush, $29.99. Brown glass vase, $44.99. Green bottle vase, $79.99. Madam tiered vase, $69.99. Wheat bunch, $17.99. Rose Oslo pot, $49.99. Books, from $39.99.

Milligram 2020 diary, $44.99. Beysis water bottle, $59.99. Checked bag, $24.99. Oval ramekin, $19.99.

Jerry chair, $149.99. All from A&C Homestore. Shelves, $139 each, from Made of Tomorrow. IKEA Lerberg desk, $209.99, from Urban Sales. Wall painted in Dulux Okarito and Dulux Waihi. Other items stylist’s own.

yhg | 109

SHOP SP

PA

2 OF 3: O

EC

T

P-

~ Secondhand shopping guide ~

R

IAL

Finder’s Fi In part 2 of our series, we scour the South Island in search of the country’s best op-shops, with a little help from some YH&G friends. Tune in next month, when we explore the wonderful world of recycling centres Text by Fiona Ralph. Illustration by Eve Kennedy.

SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE RANGIORA

SHINGLE CREEK COLLECTABLES ALEXANDRA

My all-time favourite op-shop is our local Salvation Army Family Store here in Rangiora. It is clean and well presented, the staff are really friendly and the goods are very reasonably priced. It is especially good for furniture, homeware and collectables as well as clothing, books and toys. I seldom leave there emptyhanded. It is always lovely chatting with the staff and other regular shoppers.

– Jecasta South, @jecasta.south 15 Albert Street, Rangiora

This is a treasure trove for anyone who loves vintage. It is a fabulous combination of bric-abrac, antique shopping and bargain hunting.

The owner sources items from all over Central Otago. It has everything from old door hardware to one-off items of furniture. It is only open during the weekend and each time there are new pieces to discover.

It’s in the middle of the Central Otago landscape (with no cellphone reception) and is a must if you are in Alexandra. It is where I got an old stove (pictured) that I repurposed for the kids’ play area in our Alexandra cottage.

– Alice Pearson, @pearsonandprojects 2320 State Highway 8, Shingle Creek, Alexandra

This is one of those op-shops you can’t leave without buying something. It’s run by Presbyterian Support Otago and always has a well-curated selection of ’60s and ’70s homeware and pottery, plus heaps of vintage clothing (often with a few Dunedin designer pieces on the racks, too).

– Georgia Rose Munn, @georgiarosemunn 10 Carroll Street, Dunedin

SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE WOOLSTON For homeware I tend to go to The Salvation Army on Ferry Road. I’ve got so many good pieces from there, including an amazing pink velour chesterfield sofa, which was in excellent condition. They also have heaps of great knickknacks which are all displayed really nicely.

– Danielle France, @themustardjumper 636 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch

HOSPICE SHOP INVERCARGILL In Invercargill I would say the best spot is the Hospice Shop on Yarrow Street. It always has the best clothes and furniture. I got the most amazing Muppets Viewmaster in its original packaging from here. Everything is so affordable; they don’t put big price tags on down here.

– Jenna-lee Shave, @snapsbyshave 117 Yarrow Street, Invercargill

110 | yhg

ALLSORTS CHRISTCHURCH Allsorts is a secondhand furniture and homeware store located on Ferry Road. You can’t miss it – just look for the building with the massive liquorice allsorts on it. Inside is a treasure trove of knick-knacks, retro mirrors, vintage clocks, dressers and vintage rugs.

If you’re lucky, you can find some amazing midcentury pieces at really affordable prices (I just picked up a dining table for only $40). I have found so many beautiful pieces at Allsorts, many of which are currently in my bedroom and will be kept for years to come.

– Danielle France, @themustardjumper 374 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch

NELSON TASMAN HOSPICE SHOP RICHMOND Nelson and Richmond have some great op-shops, and this large store, the new location for Richmond’s Hospice Shop, is a great place to start. The expanded store was opened because the charity had an overflow of furniture in its Nelson store… so there’s lots of good furniture to find here!

– Finder’s Fi, @fiona_ralph 315 Queen Street (Shop 3), Richmond

This old green stove was discovered at Shingle Creek Collectables in Alexandra and repurposed as a kid’s toy.

SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE OAMARU This store is on the way into Oamaru and stocks just homeware and furniture. It always has excellent retro glassware, kitsch prints and tapestries, and a healthy serving of mismatched Crown Lynn crockery.

– Georgia Rose Munn, @georgiarosemunn 356 Thames Highway, Oamaru

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE CHRISTCHURCH Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Wairakei Road has heaps of great furniture – you can often get some really good couch sets for affordable prices.

– Danielle France, @themustardjumper 567 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch Missed our North Island op-shop guide last month?

Visit homestolove.co.nz to find our hand-picked list.

Photography by Sarah Rowlands.

SHOP ON CARROLL DUNEDIN

nature nurtures best

aromatherapy for your skin 100% pure essential oils and nutritive plant extracts combine to gently cleanse, nourish and protect.

Skin is refreshed, healthy and happy.

Experience ‘try me’ free testers in-store. natio.com.au

ELEANOR OZICH Home wellness expert

LIVING WELL

Nature to the rescue Be ready for the sunburn and scrapes of summer with an all-natural first aid kit Text and photography by Eleanor Ozich.

s a family, we love to spend as much time outdoors as we can. However, our adventures often mean scrapes, bug bites, sunburn and the like.

For those wanting to have a go at making your own natural first-aid kit, here are some of our favourite homemade remedies that are effective and simple to make.

A

AFTER-SUN SPRAY Aloe vera and peppermint are cooling on the skin, while lavender has lovely calming properties. My daughter also likes to spray it on her tummy to relieve the motion sickness she sometimes gets on long car journeys. It’s super-soothing and acts quickly.

2 Tbsp pure aloe vera gel 10 drops peppermint essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil 1 In a 50ml glass spray bottle, add the ingredients and top up with water. Tip upside down a few times to disperse. Spray onto skin after a hot day at the beach to soothe and cool, but don’t apply to broken skin.

112 | yhg

EVERYTHING BALM We use this balm to soothe cuts and scrapes, encourage faster healing and prevent infection in minor scrapes.

I find it also comes in handy for itchy skin or insect stings. It does get rather soft in the sun so is best stored somewhere cool.

1 cup coconut oil 2 Tbsp grated beeswax 10 drops lavender essential oil 10 drops tea tree essential oil 1 Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together in a double boiler, stirring until combined. Stir in the essential oils.

2 Pour the mixture into tins or small jars and allow to set (about 20 minutes).

BUG SPRAY I always have a bottle of this spray on hand for evening barbecues or picnics at the beach. Store-bought insect repellents often contain nasty chemicals, whereas this recipe is entirely natural.

45ml almond oil or fractionated coconut oil 7 drops lemongrass essential oil 7 drops geranium essential oil 7 drops cedarwood essential oil 1 Combine all the ingredients in a 50ml glass spray bottle. Tip upside down a few times to disperse.

Note: There are a number of other essential oils that act as a natural repellent, such as peppermint, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus and citronella. Feel free to try different variations to suit your preference.

A FEW OTHER HANDY ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR KIT + Waterproof bandages will stay in place when you’re enjoying water activities. + Washable muslin wipes are essential for wiping cuts and scrapes. + Tweezers, because splinters always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times! + Mini scissors are handy for all sorts of things.

eleanorozich.com @eleanorozich

KIDS’

CORNER

Blackboard paint brings a new dimension of creativity to a child’s bedroom – and might even help them to keep things tidy!

Created and styled by Vanessa Nouwens. Photography by Melanie Jenkins.

B

lackboard paint can add a creative element to a kid’s bedroom, whether it’s a full wall or just a portion. It also makes a great background for accent colours. Here we’ve teamed muted greens with a burst of rust to create a fun and whimsical space with lots of room for kids to let loose with a pack of chalks whenever inspiration strikes.

USE YOUR HEAD This ‘headboard’ is made from 3 pieces of pine – 2 long and 1 short for the top. Apply 2 coats of Resene Lustacryl paint to the pine then screw them into the wall to create a simple yet effective headboard frame. Adding a cute garland and the name of your child is an easy way to personalise the space, but the beauty of the blackboard wall is that there’s no limit to what you and your child can do with your chalks – and starting afresh is as simple as a quick swipe with a duster.

KEEP IT TIDY The left-hand wall is designated for storage. We painted the lower half (up to 1.7m from the floor) in Resene Green Spring and the top in Resene FX Blackboard Paint. Use painter’s tape to get a clean line. The toy box lid is painted in Resene Secrets and the base in Resene Rivergum.

While it’s not blackboard paint, you can write on Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen paint with chalk, as we’ve done on the toy box.

PAINT Main wall: Resene FX Blackboard Paint. Storage wall: Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Green Spring.

Floor: Resene Walk-on in Resene Secrets. Pegs: Resene Lustacryl in Resene Rivergum. Toy box: Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Secrets and Resene Rivergum. Headboard outline: Resene Lustacryl in Resene Green Spring.

Pendant and chair: Resene Lustacryl in Resene Paddock. Nightstand: Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Rivergum (drawers) and Resene Paddock. CREDITS Lilu muslin star mini cushion, $38, Liewood Allan cat backpack in mustard, $98, Windslow bunny doll, $59, Muskhane France felt garland in natural, $45, Garbo & Friends floral moss pillowcase, $46, Garbo & Friends rosemary muslin pillowcase, $47, Muskhane France wall pocket, $19, Little People, Big Dreams: Jane Austen book, $22.99, Wish book, $24.99, Muskhane France mushroom in olive, $28, and mushroom in dotty olive, $20, from Little Whimsy. Small jute rug, $15, from Spotlight. Dahlia round cushion, $12, large round jute rug, $49, from Kmart. Pinstripe euro pillowcase in pepper/chalk, $44.90, Pinstripe linen double duvet cover in pepper/chalk, $269, Ray the hedgehog, $39.90, from Citta. Home Republic Malmo linen cushion in spice, $74.99, linen throw, $139.99, from Adairs. Kiwi pillowcase, $39, fantail book bag, $10, from Henry and Co. Other items stylist’s own.

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

RESENE FX BLACKBOARD PA I N T

RESENE GREEN SPRING

RESENE RIVERGUM

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Fresh ’n’ fruity

Recipes and photography by Bauer Syndication.

Summer’s finest fruits are the heroes of these refreshing plates, partnered with sorbets, granita and tropical twists

118 | yhg

F

PINEAPPLE C A R PA C C I O WITH MANGO SORBET

PINEAPPLE CARPACCIO WITH MANGO SORBET SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 1 ripe pineapple, peeled 2 passionfruit Finely grated zest 1 lime Roasted macadamia nuts, chopped, to serve MANGO SORBET 3 ripe mangoes (about 650g), peeled, diced 2½ Tbsp rice malt syrup 100ml water Juice 1 lime, or to taste

BERRY CHERRY SALAD WITH R A S P B E R R Y S O R B E T, PG 120

1 For sorbet, purée mango with the rice malt syrup and water until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve. Transfer purée to icecube trays (or place ¼ cupfuls in separate snap-lock bags) and freeze overnight.

2 Transfer cubes to a food processor and process until smooth, adding lime juice to taste, then freeze in a container until just firm. Sorbet is best eaten within 2 days.

3 Working around outside of pineapple, shave off very thin slices with a knife until you reach the core (this can be done ahead and the slices refrigerated until needed).

4 Arrange pineapple on plates, top with passionfruit pulp, lime zest and chopped nuts, and serve with scoops of sorbet.

yhg | 119

FIGS WITH CARDAMOM YOGHURT & NUT CRUMBLE

BERRY CHERRY SALAD WITH RASPBERRY SORBET

SERVES 4

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS 8 figs, trimmed and halved Raw honey, for drizzling NUT CRUMBLE 40g roasted cashews, coarsely chopped 40g roasted almonds, coarsely chopped 20g pumpkin seeds 20g rolled oats 10g sunflower seeds 30g honey CARDAMOM YOGHURT 250g Greek-style yoghurt ¼ tsp ground cardamom, or to taste ½ vanilla bean, seeds only

INGREDIENTS 250g (about 1 punnet) strawberries, sliced 125g (about 1 punnet) raspberries 12 cherries, halved and pitted 2 Tbsp rice malt syrup Juice ½ lime ½ tsp rose water, or to taste RASPBERRY SORBET 500g (about 4 punnets) fresh or frozen raspberries 150g rice malt syrup 90ml water, plus 1 Tbsp extra TO SERVE Lemon balm leaves or finely grated lemon zest

1 For nut crumble, preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2 Toss ingredients in a bowl to coat everything in honey, scatter over the tray and roast until golden (6-9 minutes). Cool, then crumble. This will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

3 For cardamom yoghurt, whisk ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until required.

4 Arrange figs on plates with a spoonful of cardamom yoghurt, scatter nut crumble on top, drizzle with raw honey and serve.

FIGS WITH CARDAMOM YO G H U R T & N U T CRUMBLE

120 | yhg

1 For raspberry sorbet, purée raspberries, 90g of the malt syrup and 90ml water in a food processor until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve. Divide among ice-cube trays (or place ¼ cupfuls in separate snap-lock bags) and freeze overnight.

2 Transfer cubes to a food processor, add remaining malt syrup and 1 Tbsp water and process until smooth, then freeze in a container until just firm. This makes about 500ml of sorbet and is best eaten within 2 days.

3 Toss salad ingredients in a bowl to combine and serve topped with a scoop of sorbet and a sprinkle of lemon balm leaves or zest.

F

MANGO, PAPAYA & CHILLED COCONUT TAPIOCA SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 100g tapioca pearls (available at Asian supermarkets and some organic shops or bulk-food stores) 400ml coconut milk ½ tsp salt 2 mangoes, peeled, cut into small wedges ½ papaya, peeled cut into small wedges Shaved fresh coconut, to serve Finely grated lime zest Coconut sugar, to taste Lime wedges (optional), to serve

1 Bring a large pot of water to the boil and sprinkle in the tapioca pearls.

Boil, topping up with extra boiling water from the kettle if necessary, until translucent (25-30 minutes).

2 Drain in sieve, rinse under cold water to remove excess starch, drain and tip into a bowl. Stir in coconut milk and salt and chill in fridge (at least 3 hours).

3 Divide tapioca between bowls, top with mango, papaya, coconut and zest, scatter with coconut sugar and, if desired, serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

Tapioca is made from cassava and is great as a gluten free dessert.

yhg | 121

MELON GAZPACHO WITH BASIL SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS ⅔ rockmelon ¼ small seedless watermelon Basil leaves, to serve MELON GAZPACHO 1kg peeled seedless watermelon, coarsely chopped 90g rice malt syrup, or to taste Juice ½ lime, or to taste

1 For melon gazpacho, process ingredients in a blender until very smooth. Transfer to a plastic container and refrigerate until well chilled (2-3 hours). It will separate with time, so stir it thoroughly before serving.

2 Scoop rockmelon and half the watermelon into balls with a melon baller, and cut the remaining watermelon into small wedges.

3 Divide balls and wedges between bowls and pour in the chilled gazpacho. Season with ground black pepper, top with basil and serve.

Make this fruit gazpacho ahead to give it time to chill thoroughly, then give it a good stir just before you serve.

122 | yhg

F

PEACHES & BERRIES WITH KOMBUCHA GRANITA SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 2 peaches, pitted and thinly sliced 60g (about ½ punnet) blackberries 60g (about ½ punnet) blueberries Shiso leaves (see note) or mint leaves, to serve – optional GINGER-KOMBUCHA GRANITA 2 peaches, coarsely chopped 400ml peach or ginger kombucha 60g rice malt syrup, or to taste 1½ tsp coarsely grated ginger

Kombucha is low in sugar so it freezes nicely. The key to this dish is to have super ripe peaches.

1 For ginger-kombucha granita, process ingredients in a blender until very smooth.

Pour into a deep tray and freeze, scraping occasionally with a fork to form crystals, until frozen (6 hours or overnight). Scrape to loosen 30 minutes before serving, and return to freezer. Chill a platter.

2 Spoon granita over the platter, top with peaches, berries and, if desired, shiso or mint leaves. Serve immediately.

TIP Shiso, a herb similar to mint, is available from some Asian food stores.

yhg | 123

ORANGES WITH DATES, NUTS, MINT & QUATRE ÉPICES SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 4 oranges, chilled then peeled and thinly sliced into rounds 4 medjool dates, chilled then pitted and sliced 20g pistachios, coarsely chopped 20g pine nuts, toasted 1 Tbsp rice malt syrup 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice Torn mint leaves, to serve QUATRE ÉPICES SPICE MIX 1 tsp black peppercorns 1 clove ½ tsp finely grated nutmeg ½ tsp ground ginger 1 For quatre épices, finely grind ingredients in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle.

2 Arrange sliced orange, dates, pistachios and pine nuts on serving plates. Combine rice malt syrup and orange juice in a jar and shake well to combine, then drizzle over fruit. Scatter with mint, add a sprinkle of quatre épices and serve. •

124 | yhg

Quatre épices, also known as French allspice, lends a Moroccan flavour to this simple orange salad.

S ’ N A D E V O L E .

S W E I R R E B E BLU WILL TOO. U O Y D N A

For Countdown buyer Estelle, sourcing the plumpest, juiciest Grower Fresh blueberries is a labour of love. One which finds her working alongside long time grower Dan Hutchins and his team at NZ Gourmet in Hastings - where the combination of fertile soil and perfect growing climate create the kind of blueberries that have had us smitten for 15 years. Of course for you, Dan’s Grower Fresh blueberries are only as far as your nearest Countdown store, and available online.

ON SALE 10 FEB

NEXT MONTH HOW TO DO WHITE RIGHT

+ FRESH HOMES + CRISP KITCHENS + 3 WAY S W I T H W H I T E

B AT H R O O M SPECIAL + Tiles, towels & taps + Vic Bibby’s ensuite reno + Design tips for small spaces

Garden YOUR

Gardening, landscaping and outdoor living

Photography by Rebekah Robinson.

Tiny but mighty No space for a vege garden? No worries, just cultivate your own microgreens on the window sill. Highly nutritious and easy to grow, microgreens are seeds harvested a few days after their germination. You can grow an enormous variety of veges as microgreens − from salad greens to herbs and beetroot. Turn to page 132 for a beginner’s guide to growing herbs, both in their micro and macro forms.

Feature garden: a ‘plant addict’ lets his passion take root Page 128 Workshop: a beginner’s guide to herbs Page 132 Garden makeover: creating a play-friendly garden in Titirangi Page 136 Outdoor diary Page 138

yhg | 127

F E AT U R E G A R D E N

Bloom Boom Flora fanatic Dylan Norfield has transformed a gorse-covered Blueskin Bay site into a wonderland of rare and interesting plants Text by Carol Bucknell. Photography by Isabella Harrex.

128 | yhg

G OPPOSITE A view back to the house takes in just a small section of the plants crammed onto this 5000-square-metre property.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP A boardwalk aids flow around the garden; Dipelta floribunda; Calycanthus x raulstonii.

L

ike many gardeners, Dylan Norfield has an addiction – an addiction to plants, that is. It’s hardly surprising, considering his parents ran a nursery and his job is managing the plant collections at Dunedin Botanic Garden.

“I know I have a problem but, as addictions go, I don’t think it’s too bad,” he says wryly. “My garden is definitely a plant collector’s garden. I collect plants from all around the country that are rare and unusual. It’s for our enjoyment but also to preserve many species that are hard to find.”

Luckily, Dylan, wife Jo and daughter Libby, 8, live on a large property (5000 square metres) so there’s plenty of space to indulge his cravings, and theirs too. “Jo and Libby love plants and have developed an interest in gardening,” says Dylan. “Libby has grown vegetables most years and loves succulents and carnivorous plants.”

Originally from the UK, Jo and Dylan moved to New Zealand in 2005 after a holiday that saw them both fall in love with Dunedin. “The climate was perfect for growing a huge range of plants.” A year later, the family bought their current property, which is 20 kilometres north of Dunedin in an area known as Blueskin Bay. There was a small dwelling on the site when they bought it, but after a year the couple realised it wasn’t worth renovating so they built a new house.

THE SITE Sheltered from all but the northwesterly winds, the site is near the coast but faces inland across Blueskin Bay towards the Silver Peaks mountain range. “It’s surrounded completely by native bush with amazing birdlife,” says Dylan.

“Orokonui Ecosanctuary isn’t far away, just over the hill, and it has helped increase bird numbers – we have resident kereru, bellbirds, tui, fantails, South Island robin, tomtits, riflemen, grey warblers. And, more recently, kaka are now frequent visitors.”

There was no garden when they arrived, as most of the sloping site was covered with gorse, and the rest in regenerating pines. “Our first five years were spent removing gorse and pine trees while still finding areas to plant trees.”

yhg | 129

THE DESIGN Before the new house was built, Dylan started planting. “I believe, if possible, the garden needs to be planted and designed early in the process, as often it is an afterthought, installed after the house construction.”

He says the sloping topography of the land largely determined how the garden evolved.

“I let the plants do the designing. From my time working in England doing displays for the Chelsea and Hampton Court garden shows, I do have an eye for the placement of plants – it helps having a good idea of plants’ growth and size, and I’m a good pruner. Also, I love Japanese maples and have planted large quantities around the garden, so these have determined to some extent what goes where.”

Luckily, no major earthworks were required to develop the garden. The only significant structures are the 80-square-metre deck that wraps around the house and a boardwalk across one of the ditches to ensure better flow around the site. “The garden still needed to be childfriendly, so space was cleared for a trampoline and a flying fox between the trees.”

THE PLANTING As most of the plants are rare and unusual they are not available in garden centres, so Dylan either propagated them himself or was given them by friends. “Each year I graft lots of trees to increase the collection and this is where most of my 70 maple species and cultivars have come from. Doing it this way means you cannot plan where things are going to go in advance as it all takes time.”

Heavy frosts in the first year killed some plants, but since then there have been few frosts and he now successfully grows coldtender plants such as banana. “I believe in ‘right plant, right place’. Like all gardeners, I have killed many plants but I never give up and keep trying them in a new spot. My Cordyline indivisa is attempt number six, but at last I got it right. I am under no illusion that fickle plants won’t die suddenly, and therefore I will have to start again,” he says philosophically.

Maples are his favourites due to their diversity, resilience and, with many, colour throughout the year. “Whatever size your garden, you can fit at least one, and maples give you interest for more than one season.

Spring leaf colour, summer leaf tones, followed by dramatic autumn colours and even branch structures in winter. They are good value.”

Dylan applies a layer of mulch annually to all his plant borders which means he has to do very little weeding. “People underestimate the importance of mulch for a low-maintenance garden. Life is very busy with full-time work and child activities. I love pottering around the garden and often do a bit of pulling and cutting as I go,” he says.

130 | yhg

G OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Echium pininana x wildpretii; Echium hybrid; Dylan is dwarfed by his many large-leaf rhododendrons, bamboo (Borinda yulongshanensis) and beloved striking red Japanese maple.

THIS PAGE View across Blueskin Bay to the Silver Peaks range.

WHAT’S NEXT? Although it may look as if the garden is fully established, Dylan considers it to be only in its early stages of development. “It will never be finished and the day I believe the garden is finished is the day I will have to move. I am a plant addict and with my love of trees I have already overplanted the section. This does not mean I am not still putting plants in!”

Not one to rest on his laurels, he’s also busily establishing a second garden, this one in Naseby in the Maniototo region where the

temperatures and low rainfall are ideal for continental-climate plants. “I am starting a new collection of plants there from central North America and central China/Asia.”

So does he ever sit back and relax in the garden? “I am not very good at relaxing; Jo would vouch for this. My way of relaxing is wandering around the garden looking at plants. Jo and I do sit at the top of the garden, under the last couple of pine trees, and enjoy looking back at the garden and Blueskin Bay over a cup of tea.” •

yhg | 131

WORKSHOP

Just grow for it Growing herbs is one of the easiest and most rewarding types of gardening, especially for beginners. Get started with these five popular varieties Text by Holly Jean Brooker. Photography by Rebekah Robinson.

I

f you haven’t gardened before but are keen to give it a try, herbs are a great place to start. They are incredibly easy to grow and packed with antioxidants and nutrients – plus you’ll always have fresh leaves on hand to add to your salads and cooking. Herbs are pretty resilient; give them a decent patch of soil, some water and lots of sunshine and they’ll stick around for quite some time.

Growing herbs from seed is easy and affordable, but if you’re new to this, it might be less intimidating to start with seedlings. Pop into your local garden centre to grab the selection you’re after, and buy a couple of seed packets too. Once you’ve got the soil ready by digging in organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets, plant the seedlings and sprinkle a few seeds around them to get the ball rolling.

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INSIDE OR OUT? Herbs grow well indoors so get creative with planters (filled with a quality potting mix) to create an indoor edible garden. If you’re short on space, jump on the microgreens trend by planting herb seeds in pots and harvesting the young shoots to add to salads. They’ll flourish on a sunny window sill.

If you’d like to establish an outdoor kitchen garden, choose a sunny patch close to the kitchen for easy access when you’re cooking; I plant tomatoes, lettuce, spinach and mesclun with my herbs so I can grab all my salad essentials in one fell swoop. Keeping superthirsty herbs such as mint, coriander and basil together makes sense, too.

For newbie gardeners, keeping it simple is a good way to go. Here, we’ve suggested five common herbs as ideal starter plants for your herb garden and, as confidence grows, you can begin experimenting with more varieties.

G Herb scissors and dibber from Good Thing. Trowel from Shut The Front Door.

Other items, stylist’s own.

BUG OFF! + Keep on top of weeds as they create a dense, damp groundcover that slugs and snails love. + Steep crushed garlic cloves in boiling water; once cool, spray onto plants to deter aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and spider mites. + Regularly pick creepy-crawlies like slugs, snails and caterpillars off plants. + If your plant gets infested with pests, it’s best to get rid of it before the bugs spread to other plants.

MINT CORIANDER This herb grows easily from seed in pots or garden beds and enjoys the shade rather than full sun. Plant in rows 30cm apart, pushing the seed carefully into the soil to about 6mm deep. Give it a light water initially, then let it go nuts. Thin the seedlings when 1.5cm high and keep it well watered as this herb thrives on fluids. It will go to seed if it dries out.

Mint prefers sunshine but will tolerate some shade and needs regular watering. This perennial is easy to grow, but prone to rust disease. When this strikes, it’s best to cut the plant down to the ground and bin the clippings – it’ll soon grow back. Planting a couple of mint plants in different parts of the garden will ensure you always have some on hand. However, once established, this herb is extremely difficult to get rid of and can spread like crazy – grow in pots or containers if you want to keep it under control.

BASIL Basil is the perfect addition to salads, on top of pizzas and in homemade pesto. Plant it in pots and position near a sunny window in early spring, or plant straight into the garden. To keep it leafy, pinch off flower buds as they appear and, as it’s a thirsty wee plant, keep it well watered. The perks?

It not only tastes great but is antioxidant rich and has anti-inflammatory properties.

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A NEW LEAF Try these ideas for adding fresh herbs to your summer dishes: + Sprinkle thyme on pizzas such as broccolini and mozzarella, mushroom and blue cheese, or a classic pizza bianca. + Add handfuls of coriander to crunchy salads and all kinds of Thai dishes. + Mint adds an amazing hit to party punch and cocktails, and loads of salads. + Add flat-leaf parsley to pasta, sauces and soups, or use as a garnish.

MORE HERB TIPS FLAT-LEAF PARSLEY This tender herb (also called Italian parsley) prefers shade and can be grown easily from seed sown directly into the soil, but be patient as germination can take a month (or 3!). If you’re big on this herb, you can start the seeds indoors for the first 2 months and transplant outside to grow larger plants. Parsley is rich in vitamins A, C and K and improves digestion and immune function.

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THYME Thyme is a perennial herb (ie it will grow back each year, for a few years at least) which does best in well-drained soil in full sun. Its tiny white, pink or red blooms provide valuable food for bees and also make this plant a really pretty groundcover option. Plant in pots or along paths for an aromatic, Mediterranean effect.

+ Keep picking herbs to encourage more growth and stop them setting seed. + If you love Asian food, plant Vietnamese mint, Thai basil and lemongrass. + Basil, rosemary, mint and lemongrass help to repel mozzies (flies also hate the smell of basil and mint). + Basil will improve the taste of tomatoes if they are planted close together. + Bees love herb flowers especially chive, mint, rosemary, lemon balm, sage and thyme. + Oregano is tasty and also repels cabbage butterflies so plant near cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. •

INSPIRING OUTDOOR LIVING • Decking • Pergolas

• Irrigation • Fencing

• Retaining • Outdoor Heating

Scan here for the latest copy of our Landscaping Catalogue placemakers.co.nz/landscaping

• Paving • Aggregates

• Translucent Roofing • Lawn Care

MAKEOVER

Eat play love Raised beds and fruit trees bring new life and order to this family garden Text and perspective drawing by Carol Bucknell. Illustration by Pippa Fay.

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1 READER LETTER

Dear Carol, We would love a revamp of our backyard. We live in Titirangi, West Auckland, so the soil is quite hard and has lots of clay. We have levelled the back section in two areas and planted grass but we have no idea what to do next.

North is the lefthand side of the photo and we get all-day sun; it’s very hot in summer but can be wet and muddy in winter.

The garden is reasonably sheltered. More privacy from our neighbours would be great, but is not essential – we can see them but they can’t see us. We would also love more fruit trees and a small vege garden if that is an option.

We have a busy life so there isn’t much time to spend on garden upkeep. We would love something simple and stylish that doesn’t break the bank and won’t need too much maintenance once it’s established.

We have two boys, 10 and 7, who both love to play cricket. We also have a black Labrador and a cat.

Thanks for considering us.

Emma Tamura, Auckland

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BED TIME

GAME PLAN

FOOD FOREST

Build raised beds around the perimeter of the back lawn, keeping the beds reasonably level.

Where the ground slopes down, make the fence side deeper than the front, and step the sides down too. Raised beds should be 1-1.2m wide so all the plants can be easily reached from the front.

The raised beds will give a more defined look and better shape to the lawn, while making it faster to mow. The plants will also be easier to maintain and better protected from the dog and ball games.

Move existing fruit trees into beds if possible and plant more, along with veges, herbs and ornamental and pollinating flowering plants.

Use taller fruit tree varieties to screen the neighbouring house on the left, close to the terrace. Smaller fruit trees will preserve the most desirable aspects of the view.

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SCREEN TIME 04

VIEWPOINT In the centre of the rear boundary, build an arbour with trellis for the back and sides.

Grow climbing plants up it and include a bench seat for watching cricket on the lawn.

For extra privacy and to soften hard surfaces in the terrace area, add another screen above the brick planter and train scented climbers onto it. This structure will help to balance the height of the adjacent barbecue and connect the terrace to the garden.

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BE SEATED Build bench seats along one edge of the terrace to give it a better sense of enclosure and provide storage below.

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SUGGESTED PLANTING PLAN

Plum

Rain lilies

Lavender

Rambling rose

(Prunus)

(Zephyranthes)

(Lavandula)

(Rosa ‘Albertine’)

E ASYCA R E OR N AM EN TA L S Try daylilies, dietes eg D. grandiflora and D. bicolor, smaller flax varieties eg ‘Surfer’ and ‘Jack Spratt’, rain lilies, non-invasive miniature agapanthus eg ‘Snowball’, Coprosma ‘Poor Knights’, Lomandra cultivars, Dianella ‘Little Jess’ or ‘Little Rev’, dwarf manuka cultivars.

FLOW E RS FO R P OL L IN ATO R S Try alyssum, echinacea, lavender, rosemary, lobelia, calendula, marigolds, daisies, hebes, renga lily (Arthropodium cirratum), salvia or rudbeckia.

CL IM B IN G PL A N TS For fruit, try grape or passionfruit; for scent, try star jasmine or a climbing rose such as ‘Albertine’; and for stunning colour, try one of the ornamental Passiflora varieties eg red passion flower (P. coccinea), Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’, wisteria or Thunbergia grandiflora.

F R UI T T R E E S Choose taller species such as avocado, plum, apricot, nectarine, peach and olive for screening. Smaller fruit trees or those easily trimmed to remain compact – eg guava, lemon, mandarin, feijoa or dwarf apple – will still allow views across the valley.

Photography by Getty Images.

Note: These plants are suitable for this site, which is warm and north-facing with clay soil. Check them out at your local nursery and ask if they’re right for your garden and climate.

TIP Raised beds are a good option for growing fruit trees and vegetables when faced with soil that is mainly clay. You can improve the soil by mixing it with a good-quality growing medium before filling the raised beds. You should also ensure there is good drainage incorporated into the base. Regularly apply compost and other organic matter to help break down the clay.

Need help with your garden?

Does an area of your garden need a revamp? Garden editor and landscape designer Carol Bucknell will come up with a plan for some lucky readers. All we need are photographs of your problem area, details of where you live, a site description (where north is, the soil type, whether your garden is exposed to wind or heat) and the

style of garden you would like. SEND TO Case Study, Your Home and Garden, Bauer Media, Private Bag 92512, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1010, or email yhg@ bauermedia.co.nz. We can’t feature everyone’s garden in the magazine, but if you’d like some personal design advice, you can contact Carol at carolbucknell.co.nz.

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OUTDOOR DIARY

February checklist Text by Carol Bucknell. Illustrations by Pippa Fay.

FLOWER OF THE MONTH

Dahlia It’s been a couple of hundred years since plant hunters first brought dahlias from Mexico to Europe, and there are now hundreds of varieties of this late-summer perennial available. From cactus and orchid to waterlily and peony, double or single, giant or small, there’s a dahlia to suit the most finicky of horticultural palettes. If you have good, well-drained soil, you can grow them (from seed, seedlings or tubers) in a sunny spot out of the wind. In colder districts, grow from sprouted tubers to get them cracking during the shorter summers.

Staking plants in windy areas is advised, as is regular watering, liquid feeding and deadheading.

Try these top tips for the month

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GROW THIS Want a plant that gives you plenty of gorgeous, colourful flowers without a lot of fuss? Then look no further than petunias. Easy to grow if planted in a sunny spot, petunias will cope with drought but do much better in moist, fertile soil. New varieties of these popular plants, both annual and perennial, keep arriving in garden centres, expanding the already extensive range of flower colours on offer. Perfect for pots, planters, hanging baskets and newbie gardeners.

SUMMER LOVE Keep your garden happy with regular watering and frequent deadheading (removing faded blooms encourages plants to keep producing new ones instead of making seed from the spent flowers). A liquid feed also helps to boost flower production.

SEED BANKS If you want to collect seed, leave a few blooms to set seed, then sprinkle the seeds around the garden where you’d like more plants next season. Or gather them on a dry day and store in a paper bag or envelope (not plastic) over winter in a cool, dry spot.

AIR FLOW To discourage pests such as passionfruit hoppers, aphids and white fly, thin the canopy or crown of shrubs and trees, taking out crossing, dead or diseased branches, and ensure there’s plenty of space between plants. Neem oil is a popular treatment, too.

WELL CUT Grow shrubs cheaply from cuttings of Chinese lantern (Abutilon), box, cistus, fuchsia, hebe, hydrangea, lavender and teucrium. Cut a 5cm piece, with no flower buds, just below a leaf node. Trim most of the leaves. Pot with coarse sand and compost.

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Harvest 01

02

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LEMONGRASS

TOMATOES

FRUIT

Lemongrass is an extremely versatile herb. The inner leaves and white stalks are delicious in Asian dishes and can also be used to make medicinal teas for soothing headaches and aiding oral health. You can also rub the leaves on your skin to repel mosquitoes.

Just having a lemongrass plant in a pot near your outdoor area will help to keep bugs at bay.

Tomatoes left on the vine to ripen will have the best flavour, but watch out for birds wanting their share.

Pick only what you need each day as tomatoes lose flavour when stored in the fridge. For good-sized fruit and to reduce the stress on plants (which means better resistance to pests and diseases), take out the top shoot once there are 4-5 flowering trusses.

While harvesting nectarines, plums and other fruit, collect rotten and damaged fruit from the ground and tree to reduce the spread of pests and diseases. This also helps to take some of the weight off tree branches. If branches are still heavily laden, pick some of the healthy fruit, too.

Don’t compost the diseased or infested plant material.

Instead, put it in a bucket of water to fully rot down.

CAROL BUCKNELL GARDEN E D I TO R

Photography by Getty Images.

TIP When the flowers and leaves on potatoes start to yellow and die down, they are ready to harvest. To check, gently remove soil at the edge of a mound; replace if your spuds need a bit longer. Digging them up with a spade can damage crops so use a fork to loosen soil, then pull spuds out by hand.

Sow

Plant

Vitamin-rich bok choy can be sown in a sunny spot into the ground, or into seed trays in cooler areas.

In warmer regions, find a partly shaded place so plants don’t flower and stop producing leaves. Thin out seedlings as they develop for final spacing of around 20cm apart. Soil needs plenty of compost and manure dug in well before sowing.

You can sow carrots where soil is not too hot, though young carrots don’t like very cold soil either, so don’t leave it too long if early frosts could hit your area. Keep soil moist and thin seedlings regularly so plants ultimately have 3-5cm between them.

New Zealand spinach (kōkihi) copes better with heat than common spinach. Sow seed into moist, rich soil in full sun or part shade. Thin out weaker seedlings so plants are about 50cm apart when mature. Water regularly and lay mulch in hot gardens.

Sow kale into seed trays or directly into the garden in warmer areas. In cooler gardens, plant seedlings.

Thin out seedlings to avoid plants becoming leggy with weak stems. Aim for 30-40cm between plants.

Leek seedlings can be planted now (or seeds sown) so they can get growing well before the weather turns cold. Soil should be well drained with plenty of compost added in advance. Apply allpurpose fertiliser as plants mature. For whiter stems, mound soil up around base of plants. If you cut leeks about 1cm above soil, the base will resprout.

Plant late-cropping potatoes into soil fertilised at least 2 weeks beforehand. Mix in compost, sheep pellets and other organic matter thoroughly as too much of this good stuff around tubers can cause potato scab and other diseases. Phosphorus is also essential for root-vegetable development.

There’s still time to pop in a courgette plant or two in warmer gardens. Space about 75-100cm apart or use a strong support to grow them vertically. They need fertile soil and regular feeding and watering.

Plant young celery seedlings in a sunny spot that doesn’t get too hot in the middle of the day. Regular moisture is essential. Space 15-20cm apart. In cooler regions wait until spring before planting.

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In store This month’s must-haves for your home

STACKS OF STYLE A minimalist take on shelving solutions, freedom’s Stacks range is designed in a chic black steel frame and features generous shelves for ample storage.

Perfect as a standalone piece or positioned with another for a style statement. Now available in two heights from only $449. Shop in-store or online at freedomfurniture.co.nz.

THE PERFECT OPTION For some people who have trouble drinking regular cow’s milk, it might be because of the A1 protein. a2 MilkTM brought to you by AnchorTM might make a difference as some people say it just feels better in their bodies. It’s perfect in smoothies, coffee, over cereal or just on its own.

Available through leading retailers throughout New Zealand.

DESIGNED FOR YOU Create a statement in your bedroom with the Rhia set by Linen House. A dark and serene ground with artistic flowers blossoming on top creates the look of an oil painting. Printed on a cotton sateen, the luxurious story is brought to life with richly saturated shades of olive and wine. Available at Farmers.

HONEY I’M HOME ecostore’s new Mint & Manuka Honey Hand Wash is made from plant and mineral-based ingredients, with soothing Manuka Honey and hydrating harakeke that leave hands clean and soft, with a refreshing mint fragrance. Available in New World, Pak’nSave and at ecostore.com in a 250ml pump, RRP$5.49, and 500ml refill, RRP$7.49.

HOLIDAY AT HOME The new Zaza Outdoor sofa by King Living features the same contemporary design and modular flexibility as the award-winning Zaza sofa. Designed by renowned Australian designer Charles Wilson, Zaza Outdoor maintains its enticing deep seats, elegant slender legs and adjustable arms and back; making it the most comfortable outdoor sofa under the sun. For more details visit kingliving.co.nz.

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

BERRY, BERRY GOOD Tucking into a punnet of plump, juicy blueberries is truly one of summer’s great pleasures – and longtime grower Dan Hutchins, of NZ Gourmet, produces the kind that have kept Countdown buyers coming back for 15 years. Taste the Grower Fresh difference for yourself this summer at your nearest Countdown store, or shop online at countdown.co.nz.

WE’RE WATCHING… NEON Even over summer, there are always those days when you just want to curl up on the couch in front of the TV, with a glass of wine and a sweet treat. Over the holidays our streaming service of choice is NEON. We need to catch up on series two of Big Little Lies, plus there is the riveting all-time classic The Wire, as well as the always entertaining Grey’s Anatomy. Get a taste with a free 14-day trial at neontv.co.nz.

MAKE IT YOURS WITH STRIA Stria cladding is an ultra-sleek cladding option that plays with definitive lines and shadows to instantly transform home designs into an extension of your own personal style. Stria delivers a look that’s distinctive and modern, while also being a clever way to achieve the appearance of masonry. Visit jameshardie.co.nz to find out more.

A STYLISH WAY TO CHERISH MEMORIES As a specialist in stylish hanging systems, we develop flexible ways to display art, photographs and other wall decorations. A picture-hanging system consists of a hanging rail with suspended wires and hooks. There are many ways to hang art and decorate your walls.

Artiteq guarantees a safe yet flexible way to hang pictures and wall decorations.

Visit artiteq.co.nz for more information or contact us at 0800 820 840.

NUTRITION FOR A VERY GOOD BOY Made fresh in New Zealand, Meat Mates is a tasty meal enhancer of pure protein which can be sprinkled on your dog’s daily food to nutritionally enhance their diet. With a choice of Beef, Lamb, Chicken and Tripe, it will be hard to pick their favourite – even for fussy eaters. RRP from $9.99. Visit meatmates.com to find your local stockist.

THE ELEGANT CHOICE The Adesso Urban vanity range from Mico will give your bathroom modern, uncomplicated style. With a premium matte white vanity top and NZ-made cabinetry, it will add the ‘wow’ factor to any bathroom. Cabinet colour options are available. Ask in store for more details, or shop our range online at mico.co.nz.

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Grace + Wild is excited to share its beautiful range of quality handmade rattan and bamboo pendant lighting.

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MULTISIZE CAKE PAN This 30cm (12�) pan breaks new ground with its versatility and practicality. The vast range of sizes and the simplicity of removing cakes, make this a firm favourite with bakers.

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LAST LOOK

Get schooled This year’s stationery list is all about geometry, graphics and colour theory Styling by Fiona Kerr. Photography by Rebekah Robinson.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Grid cork placemat, $9.99 for 4, from Shut The Front Door. Unity tape dispenser, $8, from The Warehouse. Bento box, $49, from Paper Plane. Darling Clementine Norway boxes, $24, from Tea Pea. 2020 diary, $9, from The Warehouse. Think glass bottle, $45, from Shut The Front Door.

Penco scissors, $23, from Paper Plane. Faber-Castell pencils (blue and red), $2.99 pack of 3, from Warehouse Stationery. Milligram cork pen pot and desk tray, $29.90 each, from Good Thing. Fjallraven Kanken backpack, $159, from Good Thing. Nuuna yes/no notebook, $27.90, from Good Thing. Acro grid notebook, $14, from Paper Plane.

White pencil, $16.50 for 6, from

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Everyday Needs. Super Sprinkles A5 notebook, $24, from Paper Plane. Uniti paper clips, $4 for 40, from The Warehouse. Blue brass bookmark, $26, from Paper Plane.

Pastel washi tape, $5 for 10, from Kmart. Uniti binder clips, $4 for 6, from The Warehouse. Designworks Ink Nashville no 2 pencil set, $22 for 6, from Tea Pea. Pegboard from Bunnings. Background in Resene Endeavour. Desk in Resene Casper.