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the cover

This month I’m…

HelloRight now, I hope the most important decision you have to make is whether to use a wine or highball glass for your holiday G&T Anything else is too hard The reno plans and sofa purchase can wait a while, or at least until the January sales gear up.

But if you want to summer over in your backyard and have it looking like a boutique Mediterranean hotel’s cabana, such as the one on the cover and on page 24, you will need to start thinking about it soonish Homeowners Angelique and Joseph Gloistein decided to build a family home in Gisborne and figured investing in a pool and cabana would be returned tenfold Now the exotic plastered cabana with wood fire is like their very own backyard resort – and they don’t even have to close their eyes to imagine they’re in Marbella Once I’m back in work mode, transforming my courtyard into something similar is my 2023 goal

But if you’re less ambitious, there’s some great looking outdoor furniture on page 99, which is a far less labour-intensive pursuit and one that will definitely upgrade your outdoor room look considerably Plus, you’ll get to enjoy them immediately Have a wonderful, relaxing break in some equally wonderful outdoor loungers

Feeling smug the flies buzzing round my kitchen can’ t get under this very cool mesh food cover. $33.99 (medium), from A&C Homestore

Using As a long-time lover of Emma Lewisham’s skincare, the Essential Mini Gift Set Box is perfect for a quick weekend away – it’s all you need to take skincare-wise. The Skin Reset Serum and Illuminating Day Face Creme are desert-island necessities $150, from emmalewisham com Not without these Izipizi Outer Space collection sunglasses right now. Very ’50s movie star $90, from Smith & Caughey’s

Fiona Hawtin, Editor

S o c i a l c l u b

Take a seat and lean into summer colour

Kiwi business

Backhouse stocks some of the cutest stools around Made of 100 percent recycled plastic, the Bit stool is a bit of a delight @backhouse1948

UK interior designer Lizzie Green crafts colourful tableaux wherever she goes Worth a follow – if you can deal with the waves of house env y @lizziegreen co

P O D C A S T O F T H E M O N T H

A funny, smart and an introspective look at domesticity, “Nice Try!” explores the household products and promises we’re sold again and again.

EDITOR

Fiona Hawtin

ART & EDITORIAL

Deputy editor Caroline Moratti

Art director Nicola Feeney

Chief sub - editor Michelle Joe

Garden editor Mary Lovell-Smith

Senior designer Béla Trussell- Cullen

Designers Alice Bush, Anna Petursdottir, Hayley Pearce

CONTRIBUTORS

Kate Battersby Anna Briggs Florence Charvin Debbie Harrison, Jen Jones, Nikki Kettle, Living Inside, Babiche Martens Julie O Reilly, Eleanor Ozich, Catherine Steel

ADVERTISING | CORPORATE

Sales director Claire Chisholm

Commercial brand manager Bridget Hewitt , bridget hewitt@aremedia co nz, 021 1591265

Sales manager Mae Kelly, mae kelly@aremedia co nz 0212460276

Senior account manager Chloe Jordan chloe jordan@aremedia co nz

Campaign manager Angela Wei, angela wei@aremedia co nz

Classified sales Kim Chapman, classifieds@xtra co nz

EXECUTIVE

Chief executive officer Jane Huxley General manager Stuart Dick

Editorial director Sarah Henry Distributor

and to keep you informed of other Are Media publications products services and events Our Privacy Pol cy is located at www aremedia co nz / privacy/ It also sets out on how you can access or correct your persona nformat on and lodge a complaint Are Media may disc ose your personal nformation offshore to its service providers and agents located throughout the wor d ncluding n Australia USA the Philippines and the European Union In addition th s issue may contain Reader Offers being offers compet tions or surveys Reader Offers may require you to prov de persona nformation to enter or to take part Personal information collected for Reader Offers may be disclosed by us to serv ce providers ass sting Are Media in the conduct of the Reader Offer and to other organisations providing spec a prizes or offers that are part of the Reader Offer An opt- out choice is provided w th a Reader Offer Un ess you exercise that optout choice personal information co ected for Reader Offers may a so be disclosed by us to other organisations for use by them to inform you about other products services or events or to give to other organisations that may use this information for this purpose If you require further information please contact Are Media s Privacy Officer either by ema l privacyoff cer@aremedia

PITCH UP

How do you blow those little igloo-style beach tents out of the water? Erect one of Business & Pleasure’s glorious beach tents, complete with wooden poles and UV and water-resistant canvas, then stay sun safe all day $349, from Paper Plane

w i n d o w s h o p p i n g

T A K E A P E E K A T T H E L A T E S T F I N D S

T H E S M E L L O F S U M M E R

A gentle nod to our native Christmas tree that hits all the right notes

Neve summer pōhutukawa large candle, $62, neve co nz

A D D A M B I E N C E

Handcrafted in Matakana, these Everyday Self candles bring lightness to any space, from mantelpiece to a bathtub Artisanal soy and beeswax candles, from $10, from everydayself co nz

A PLACE IN THE SUN

Follow the yellow brick road all the way to these sunshine-inspired seats from Early Settler for long, leisurely breakfasts. Outdoor furniture should be as colourful as your garden, and then some. Jesi dining chair, $149, from earlysettler.co.nz

I N H A L E S E R E N I T Y

Breathe in, then out Repeat Star lights waxed perfume, $80 (set of three), from shop.ashleyandco.co

TERRIFIC TERRAZZO

Forget single-use cups, being sustainable has never looked so stylish. Whether brewing a tea at your desk or on the run, the protective silicone cover makes life easy for drinks of all temperatures. Porter blush confetti glass bottle, $69.90, and ceramic mug, $49.90, from floandfrankie.com

Charging stations

There’s more to this lamp than meets the eye The base features a wireless charging pad so you can power up your phone with ease. No more fumbling around with plugs in the dark Alva faux wood black LED Qi desk lamp, $139, from lightingplus.co.nz

N E S T E G G

Your kitchen deserves a bit of fun With a design as beautiful as this, you’ll be putting all your eggs in one basket Egg basket, $50, from kindredroad co nz

Sweet dreams

Luxury linen brand House of March is New Zealand’s first certified organic and Fairtrade bedding company. Get a good night’s sleep with cotton that will become softer after each wash Pillowcase, $95 (pair), from houseofmarch.co.nz

Hard pressed

This French press is all about elegance, modernity and just a touch of romance Really, the only thing we want to wake up to on a Sunday morning. Plus, it’s doubled-walled to keep your coffee toasty for longer Stelton French press coffee maker, $149, from sundayhomestore co nz

O U T D O O R C O R E

Settle into this Living & Co Corsica Swivel Chair and enjoy a full 360 degrees to catch the sun all day $249, from thewarehouse co nz

F U L L O F B E A N S

Relax and sink into summer – this stripey number is a good place to start. Kip & Co fun stripe beanbag, $219, from superette co nz

Count on me

Become the env y of your office with this sleek, minimalist design. Desk Tribe Monthly Refillable Desk Calendar, $14 99, from warehousestationery.co.nz

A SILVER LINING

It’s all smoke and mirrors with Freedom’s latest drop and we couldn’t be happier. This chrome masterpiece has us checking out our reflection every time we walk past and admiring the good-looking lamp, of course. Dome table lamp, $349, from freedomfurniture.co.nz

R A C K ’ N ’ R E A D

If your copies of Your Home and Garden keep piling up, why not display them with pizzazz? We love this cotton rope holder that oozes luxe sophistication. Hubsch string magazine holder, $389, from kayustudio co nz

Glass works

D rink up these pops of colour SAVE: Colour pop martini glasses, $22 (set of four), from kmart co nz

SPLURGE: Wine glass tulipe, $76 (set of two), from tutuhome shop

Summer Sanctuary

Discover a new collection designed for relaxed living, easy entertaining and blissful slumber Inspired by summer deck chairs and vintage beach tents, Hurstmere bedding in natural and white stripes will evoke a modern beach house feeling, wherever you call home.

Discover hundreds of local and international brands at the height of st yle and design.

Pet peeves

othing puts a damper on cuddles with your feline fur baby quite like the appearance of a flea – or the realisation Fluffy is battling a case of worms Unfortunately, where cats go, pet parasites often follow, causing discomfort for your kitty, and creating a health risk for the whole family Happily, it’s a problem that has a quick and easy solution The experts at NEXGARD SPECTRA are fiercely protective of your cat’s wellbeing, and have the know-how and tools to stop meddlesome pests invading your space They are also keen to dispel common myths about fleas, ticks, ear mites and worms…

MYTH 1: I keep my house clean, and the cat cleans itself, so fleas won’t be an issue.

Unfortunately, there’s no escaping fleas, they are extremely prolific, lurking on wild and domestic animals, and easily hitching a ride into your home on your cat (or any pet!) The best course of action for your cat’s and your family’s health is to kill the fleas fast, before they can lay eggs, by using a preventative treatment given to your pet

MYTH 2: If I treat fleas when I see them, my cat will be fine.

This is one of the most common reasons flea infestations develop Treating fleas once they’re visible is too late because more will hatch from all the eggs and pupae in the environment. Killing a flea within 24 hours of it landing on a pet is key to breaking the lifecycle and ensuring it doesn’t lay eggs Treatment with NEXGARD SPECTRA for Cats kills fleas fast, constantly and for a whole month

MYTH 3: My kids can’t catch worms from the cat

Cats can be infected by lots of different worms, and most won’t affect your family But roundworms can be a real danger to humans These pests enter the environment from infected cat poo and can quickly spread Infection in humans has been associated with lots of different health issues, including asthma and epilepsy, and has been linked to reduced learning ability in children So protection is key for both your cat and your whānau

MYTH 4: Only the dog ever gets fleas, the cat never does so I don’t need to treat him.

We wish that were true, but even though it may seem like one of your pets never has fleas, it’s normally just a case of one pet being more sensitive to fleas than the other

And any pet that has access to the outdoors at all is very likely to pick up a flea on their adventures. Treat all pets in the household with a suitable product for optimal parasite control

MYTH 5: I can use the same treatment for both my cat and dog. While it’s important to treat all pets in the house at once, and most brands, including NEXGARD SPECTRA, have both dog and cat options, they are not interchangeable. Cats can be particularly sensitive to chemicals intended for dogs, so ensure you use the correct product for both size and type of animal. Read the instructions carefully so its administered correctly

NEXGARD SPECTRA for Cats is the one-and-done solution for treating pet parasites Given monthly, the no-fuss, spot-on treatment for cats protects against fleas, ticks, ear mites and worms – including tapeworm

A DARK PL ACE For one couple, the chance to have a dramatic black kitchen in an open-plan space was too good to pass up. It’s a masterclass in using black but warming it with the liberal use of timber veneer joinery. For more of this Mangawhai house, turn to page 36.

s we ep

Building a house on your own isn’t for the faint of heart, but this eight-month project resulted in a home made with love for a young Gisborne family

Tex t Debbie Harrison P h o t o g ra p hy Florence Charvin

L E V E L L I N G U P

Joseph and Angelique Gloistein’s spacious barn-style house features a high vaulted ceiling and mezzanine floor overlooking the main living area

hen walking around Angelique and Joseph Gloistein’s Gisborne home, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re at a chic Byron Bay resort, complete with poolside cabana However, the relaxing vibe belies the hard work it took to get to this point. Builder Joseph (Jo e) sp ent eight months working full-time on building this dream home for his family

At the time, five years ago, the couple had two to ddlers, so life was busy and living on a dusty, dir ty building site wasn’ t really an option “We were sup er lucky with the timing – my mum had just downsized so we were able to live in my family home,” Angelique says

“This really to ok the stress off and is what made it p ossible for Jo e to work on the house We initially thought Jo e would work on the build on weekends and after work, but we so on realised it was going to b e a mammoth job and we would have zero family time. We made the call to bite the bullet and commit ”

Family members came to the rescue with child-minding so Angelique could go back to work as a hairdresser at a lo cal salon, allowing Jo e to fo cus solely on the build.

“Building a house on your own is not for the fainthear ted, par ticularly if you have a young growing family

h o m e p r o f i l e

M E E T & G R E E T

Joseph (construction company owner/director) and Angelique Gloistein (hair salon owner and entrepreneur), Dublin, eight , Atlas, seven, and Texas, three

T H E P R O P E R T Y

Three -bedroom, barn-style home in Gisborne

P L A C E S T O D R E A M

The large communal open-plan space is perfect for busy family life and entertaining The hanging chair, kitchen island stools and dining chairs are all from Boheme Home, and the rattan pendants hanging over the kitchen island came from Ora Day Spa In the pool cabana (opposite, top), the round table and stools are from The WorkShop

The

” Steel framing was used on the build and helped to achieve the high ceilings the

E A S Y L I V I N G

cloche lampshade was plastered by Untamed by Michelle Haynes and the round coffee table and pouffes are from The WorkShop. Dulux Ōkārito paint was used throughout the house For the exterior, Joe says, “ The Colorsteel cladding was the best way to get the black barn look we wanted without the inevitable fading other products experience

family wanted for the house

h o m e t r u t h s

Anything you’d do differently? “ We wish we had done a little mud room for all the raincoats, muddy boots and school bags,” says Joe “ We have a future plan for how we can make one fit . And Angelique could do with a bigger walk-in wardrobe, too ” What were your must-haves? “A beautiful wide hallway and decentsized bedrooms for growing children,” says Angelique “I wanted space, with a great flow for a busy little household ”

Best thing you did? The big openplan space makes having friends over so easy For us it was about big living spaces with great indoor- outdoor flow,” says Angelique “Installing the pool and cabana area has enriched our indoor- outdoor living dramatically ”

Best purchase? “ The pool And I’m also a sucker for good quality linen for our beds,” says Angelique. “ The big stone composite bathtub was also a win – it fits the whole family ”

Joe says, “Investing in our outdoor space to maximise living. Seeing the enjoyment our children get out of the pool over the warmer months is priceless ”

Do you prefer high- end or bargain buys? “I love mixing a few finer things with a lot of thrifted goodies and treasures,” says Angelique “My mum is so house proud – it’s where my love for interiors comes from – and she has the best eye for op -shop goodies We work within budget , balancing finer things with some bargains.”

added to the mix,” says Jo e. “Installing the Gib on the 5 4m-high vaulted ceilings was a hugely daunting task for a one-man band Thankfully, a few close friends stepp ed up so that I didn’ t have to deal with it alone It’s amazing the motivation that comes with b eer and barb ecues.”

Two other b-words come to mind when you lo ok at the Gloistein’s home: b ohemian and barn “We decided on a barn-style house early on – it was our b est option to get the size and span we wanted, as well as the high-vaulted ceilings we had our hear ts set on,” says Angelique “We loved b eing able to design our own home and sp ent hours lo oking for inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram ”

What they settled on was a three-b edro om barn-style home with two living spaces downstairs and a mezzanine upstairs, which will in time b ecome two more b edro oms and an office space

“The mezzanine flo or overlo oking the main living area was always at the back of my mind when I was planning the build Even now, I often pause and lo ok down at our b oys playing in the lounge It’s almost surreal how lucky I feel in those moments,” says Jo e

The lo cation

Angelique and Jo e weren’ t constrained by space when it came to designing their home Their section is a little over 2100sqm “We absolutely fell in love with this section when we found it,” Angelique says “It has the most b eautiful country views and we feel like we live rurally, but we’re just a five-minute walk to the b each and surf We get the b est of b oth worlds ”

The large section also gave them enough space to build home workspaces: a workshop for Jo e and a holistic hair salon for Angelique, b oth of which are housed in a white barn at the rear of their section

M A I N B A T H R O O M

The stone composite bathtub is a favourite with the family – and is so big it fits them all. The bath and tapware came from Mico Plumbing, and the tiles from Tile Warehouse E N T R A N C E W A Y (opposite) The bench storage under the coat hooks is a Kmart cabinet with the legs removed B E D R O O M (opposite) The bear side table is a thrift shop find by Angelique’s mum, the bedding is from Adair ’s and Home Lab Store, and the lampshade is from The WorkShop. The plush carpet in the bedroom is Silk Road 04 from Harrison’s

The vib e

Angelique drew inspiration from Bali, Byron Bay and the Mediterranean when deciding on the interior style. “I wanted our home to feel like a sanctuary, with that calm, always-on-holiday feel I love ear thy elements and colour palettes,” she says “My style used to be a lot more eclectic but now I’m enjoying more of a minimalist vibe to bring a sense of calm to our busy household – my three boys are the big, shiny vibrant pieces I’d say that I ended up with a look that’s a little earthy with a touch of Morocco ”

Angelique’s need for calm spreads to the bedrooms. She kept the decor in the rooms to a minimum, creating soothing spaces conducive to sleep “I’ve realised that how my home feels is how I feel, so I’ve purp osely made the b edro oms calm and restful. The b oys have the usual amount of toys but I keep most of them in the other lounge and use baskets and storage

in their b edro oms so the ro om do esn’ t feel cluttered ”

Angelique says she enjoys using her home to tell a story, showing mo o ds and emotions through her interior choices. “I’m mindful with what I bring into this home Where p ossible, I try to supp or t lo cal ar tists and small stores who don’ t mass pro duce I also love up cycling and recycling things to give them a longer life.”

Some of her favourite purchases include the cabinet in the entranceway and the striking entrance do ors, which were a secondhand find “I love that they would tell a thousand stories if they could.”

Op en-plan living

The large, op en communal living space also lends itself to the holiday vib e, with its touches of rattan in the lighting and furnishings The couple often entertain here, fitting up to 20-plus guests comfor tably inside

M A I N B E D R O O M

The mirror is from The WorkShop The wardrobe is a combination of Flexi Storage from Bunnings and bamboo sourced from a neighbour The wall sconces are from Boheme Home

“It’s so nice having so much space,” says Angelique “When it’s just us, it’s great b eing able to organise meals in the kitchen and still feeling connected with the family in the living space. The kids even get inspired to help out with co oking sometimes ”

It didn’ t take the Gloisteins long to realise that while they loved their large living area, they needed a separate space for the children at times. They turned what was a four th b edro om downstairs into a second living ro om

The decision to use concrete for the flo oring in the op en-plan area was driven as much by practicality as it was by aesthetics “It’s hard wearing and fairly indestructible, which is awesome with young boys,” says Angelique “The floor also holds the heat from the day right through into the night; I have often got up to get a drink during the night and the concrete is still warm People will ask what heating we have on, but it’s just warmed from the sun hitting the concrete We built the house to be north-facing to take advantage of the sun for a more energy-efficient home ”

Fut ure plans

After all their hard work, the Gloisteins celebrated – by getting married at home earlier this year It was the perfect way to share their special day – and dream home – with their loved ones

But that’s not to say they’re done – in fact, they’re already planning their next projects “The old saying that a builder’s house is never finished is so true Nothing is ever static for long; we have plans to create a studio space above the workshop and salon as well as completing the boys’ bedrooms on the mezzanine. In the meantime, it is so good to sit back, relax, take it all in, and enjoy this sanctuary we’ve created ”

Made for enter taining

The Byron Bay resor t vib e really comes to the fore when you step outside. The lush green lawn and sparkling turquoise pool, with the beautiful white cabana tucked away at one end complete with outdoor fire, is a wonderful space for lounging and dining with family and friends. The white plastered walls of the cabana cannily double as a movie projector wall, a feature popular with the children and their friends

“My favourite space would have to b e the cabana area, overlo oking the p o ol. The sun hits it first thing in the morning, making it the p erfect coffee sp ot, and then in the afterno on, we can relax there with a wine, watching the kids in the p o ol while we stay co ol in the shade of the louvres,” says Jo e

“I love the cabana to o,” says Angelique “The most magical thing is seeing the b oys and their friends playing on our massive lawn and using the p o ol It makes my hear t truly happy seeing our home lived in and loved We are truly lucky to have the b est b each community for our b oys to grow up in ”

S P L A S H I N G O U T

The pool loungers are from Boheme Home and the outdoor couch in the cabana is from Big Save Furniture The shelving and fireplace benches were made by Joe The couple say installing the pool and cabana has enriched their indoor- outdoor living dramatically and the covered area is Joe’s favourite spot to enjoy his morning coffee

L e s s o n s l e a r n e d

Try not to undervalue your vision If your vision has a large kitchen island or massive deck area, make them large – don’t downsize your dreams Be patient with everyone Tradies are always under pressure, as are families during a build; extra stress just isn’t needed

o

p l a

P O T “ We are pretty lucky to have a 180 - degree northern vista and had a large house site to work with,” says homeowner Bevan Thomas Bevan and his wife Tori worked to maximise the indoor- outdoor flow with large sliding doors that open to a portico deck

Tex t Caroline Moratti P h o t o g ra p hy B abiche Mar tens

T H E L E A T H E R L O O K The coffee table is a Noguchi replica from Nood The leather armchairs from Freedom enhance the space, as does the Farmers side table and a Derlook magazine rack A rug from iRugs helps tie the look together.

h o m e p r o f i l e

M E E T & G R E E T

Bevan (industrial designer and company director of Walkspace Street Furniture) and Tori Thomas (interior designer and artist at Tori Thomas Creative), Indie Rose, nine, Siena Belle, six, and Hungarian vizsla Pixie and Benji the cat

T H E P R O P E R T Y

The lounge suite was chosen with the picturesque vista in mind “ The use of timber and glass was our main design aspect in this area and we wanted furniture that complemented this and didn’t draw your eye away too much from the views,” Tori says

t almost sounds like a punchline to a joke –what do you get when two interior designers design a house? In Bevan and Tori Thomas’ case, the result is a sweeping, magnificent family home that’s all about mid-century modern design and outdoor entertaining The couple’s influence is felt throughout the house, as if hand-pressed into the very foundations, from the concept and house plan to smaller details, such as the bespoke dining room table created by Bevan, or the leopard print wall painted by Tori The house is a culmination of their efforts and passions and a love letter to the family life they share together.

The build

Tori and Bevan met and lived in Auckland for 18 years, but with a young family, they longed for a more rural environment to raise their daughters, Indie Rose and Siena Belle Bevan grew up in Paparoa and the choice of Mangawhai seemed an obvious choice to be connected with whānau and friends in the township.

The pair worked on the house plan and concept themselves with a detailed design, then had it drawn

up by a draughtsman from Macfie Architecture. The plot has great views but is exposed to the wind, so it was important that the house took in the vistas while also offering sheltered areas for day-to-day life

The 15-month build went smoothly and without any surprises, aided by Tori and Bevan’s project manager experience in their respective fields In addition, Bevan worked from a home office located on site, enabling him to make any on-the-spot decisions alongside assisting with the build

Mid-cent ury details

Although the home may be a new build, vintage silhouettes are referenced time and time again throughout the bespoke space, reinforcing the family’s mid-century aesthetic “I always get a strong sense of nostalgia whenever I see anything designed or influenced by mid-century design,” says Tori “I am a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and used him as a reference a lot at design school When it came to designing the house, I was huge on his idea behind the compression and release of spaces ” Before entering the living room, where one is released into the big open

D R A W N T O I T

A four-bedroom, mid- century modern new build in Mangawhai.

T O R I T H O M A S

“I always get a strong sense of nostalgia whenever I see anything designed or influenced by mid-century design.”

P R I N T P E R F E C T Tori’s favourite purchase is from American photographer Slim Aarons “I have been a huge fan of his work for a long time I would love to purchase more,” she says Slim Aarons’ prints from Green with Envy hang above the dining table, alongside a light shade from Mr Ralph

P

(opposite) “If there was a room I

push the boundaries when it came to design it was the powder room,” says Tori “I didn’t want the wallpaper to be repetitive, so I searched high and low for a more mural-based wallpaper and eventually found one from an amazing artist on Etsy.”

space, visitors must go through the narrow, compressed area of the hallway, creating a temporary sense of tension before catharsis In tune with the timeless character of the house, the interior design duo also love Palm Springs style, which pops up in unexpected ways through prints and fabric choices. “I love colour and am happy to introduce it where I can,” Tori says

D ream kitchen

Tori, who designed the kitchen, says a scullery was the number-one priority on her culinary wishlist “I wanted a kitchen that was easy for entertaining and a space I could hide all the kitchen mess,” she says.

The black granite benchtop from Guyco Kitchens works well with the kitchen barstools from Zuca, creating a moody, striking tone to the light that floods in from the large sliding doors. The black tiled splashback from Tile Space was a stroke of genius by adding depth and vitality to the mid-century modern space “I wanted something that gave texture to the kitchen without making it too much of a feature. The timber and windows are the main feature in this room,” says Tori

The b edro oms

At first glance, Siena Belle’s bedroom looks to consist of a fabulous swathe of leopard print wallpaper It’s only upon closer inspection that the feature wall is revealed to be hand painted by Tori. “It took a week and she got vertigo by the end of it,” Bevan says

Tori laughs, “It was one of those things I started 15

C H I L D R E N ’ S R O O M S (top right) Indie Rose’s bunk bed is from Magic of Wood Above: Tori painted the feature wall in Siena Belle’s room

O W D E R R O O M

could

GO ALL OUT

Maximalist wallpaper is perfect for a powder room.

TOWEL OFF

Warm-toned colours add to the mid-century vibe.

T O R I T H O M A S

minutes in, and then thought, ‘What have I done?’” The couple also hand-painted the b edframe, from The Warehouse, b efore adorning the ro om with Ad a i r s b e d d i n g

Meanwhile, Indie Rose’s b edro om is a ro om fi t fo r a princess. A bunkb ed from Magic of Wo o d captures the magic of childho o d in the sweet space, with a scallop trim of Resene Scrumptious around the ro om ties it off in a neat flourish “O ur eldest is very ar tistic so I would run past what I designed for her, and she would make a few decisions,” says Tori A pare nt ’s job is never done, howeve r, with the girls now asking for a redesign of b oth spaces Lu ckily, Tori do esn’ t b egrudge the tough critics – children’s ro oms are one of her favourite spaces to design

In the main b edro om, the couple wa nted “ a space that we could retreat to get away from the kids and e n j oy t h e v i e w, h e n ce t h e b i g p i c t u re w i n d ow.” T h e s t y l i n g o f t h e s p a ce i s i n co nt i n u a l fl u x , a s B e va n a n d To r i c a n’ t g e t e n o u g h o f t h e wo n d e r f u l o f fe r i n g s f ro m S a g e a n d C l a re , K i p & C o , a n d B e d T h rea d s “ T h e co l o u r s o n t h e b e d c h a n g e co n s t a nt ly, m a k i n g s u re they complement the cedar wall ”

The great outdo ors

T h e T h o m a s fa m i ly e n j oy e nt e r ta i n i n g s o a p r i o r i t y wa s e n o u g h s p a ce a n d a cove re d a rea fo r s h a d e, w h i c h t h e p o r t i co a rea d e l ive r s i n sp a d e s “ Wi n d p ro t e c t i o n h a s a l s o b e e n co n s i d e re d , howeve r fo r t h e most par t will come in our planting, which is an ongoing project,” says Bevan The couple, unsure of w h a t t o d o w i t h t h e i r “ b l a n k ca nva s ” g a rd en , e nd e d u p e n g a g i n g a l a n d s ca p e d e s i g ne r t o p rov i d e a su bt ro p i c a l p l a nt i n g p l a n , i nt e n d e d t o s u r v ive t h e b r i sk e l e m e nt s a n d p rov i d e s h e l t e r fo r t h o s e w i nd y d ays

W h i l e t h e fa m i ly wa i t s fo r t h e g a rd e n t o g row around them, they love to “chill out, enter tain and sw i m w i t h t h e k i d s , ” i n t h e ho m e t h a t s e em s a l mo s t rea d y m a d e fo r t h e s u m m e r m o nt h s “ T h e g i rl s love t h e p o o l , ” B e va n s ays “ We i nve s t e d i n a hea t p um p fo r it when we had it put in and it has b een wo r th every ce nt a s t h e k i d s w i l l s p e n d m o st o f t h e d ay i n t h e p o ol, when they can, from Octob er through to April ”

Bevan and Tori both love the house, but they admit that they are always dreaming of building another home For now, they’re more than content to enjoy the views and the pool in the dreamy, humid days of summer

M A I N B E D R O O M

Kohi table lamps from Lighting Direct frame either side of the main bedroom The bedding is from Bed Threads, Kip & Co, and Sage and Clare, which Bevan and Tori like to swap out often to change up the colours and patterns

“A space that we could retreat to get away from the kids and enjoy the view, hence the big picture window.”

H o m e t r u t h s

What was your budget? The house build was $800,000 (excluding land and pool). The pool was $100,000 and the landscaping is ongoing Any saves? Concrete floors instead of timber.

What about splurges? The built-in speaker system Lesson learned? Do as much as you can while you still have the builders and tradies onsite during the build Otherwise, those little projects drag out and will never happen.

Anything you’d change if you could? Better wind protection and alignment Fewer sliding doors around the living area on the driveway side We’d alter that and put in a large, built-in bench seat and windows because people walk into the house through those doors instead of the front door

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? Overseeing the build, I enjoyed the process and being involved Moving in before the kitchen and main bathroom was finished and living out of the garage for a couple months, plus the first swim with the kids Do you have any interior tips? Trust your intuition At the end of the day it’s your home and it’s the space you come home to retreat Try not to get too overwhelmed with trends and think about how you live and use the space It can be easy to get swept away with trends, think if you would like those feature tiles in 10 years’ time Things like tiles, lighting and plumbing, which all require tradespeople to come in and swap, can be very costly

O U T S I D E F U N

White beanbags from EziBuy dot the lawn, adding to the family’s summer fun Shelter from the wind was a big landscaping priority for the family of four, who are currently in the first stage of planting and hardscaping.

O U T D O O R S The bach is painted Resene Pitch Black and the rustic couches are built in “Outdoors is where we spend most of our time – reading, drinking, using the barbecue or just hanging out as a family,” says homeowner Susannah Matheson

Tex t Debbie Harrison P h o t o g ra p hy B abiche Mar tens

h o m e p r o f i l e

M E E T & G R E E T

Susannah (interior designer at Island Interiors) and Paul Matheson (financial controller), River, 12 , Sunday, eight , Violet , six, and Domino the dog

T H E P R O P E R T Y

A ’50s bach on Waiheke Island that has been variously added onto over the years.

t doesn’ t take much to work out what drew Susannah and Paul Matheson to their slice of paradise on Waiheke Island – the view from their elevated ’50s bach is like an ever-changing painting The stunning lofty outlook allows them to take in all the action on popular Palm Beach, without needing to be amongst it or compromising on privacy

“We love to be up high, away from all of the madness of a summer’s day at the beach but close enough to feel part of it From here, we can see the sand and the waves breaking, and then the view of the ocean out towards Great Barrier goes on forever,” Susannah says. “There is always something going on out there: cargo ships, people sailing, car ferries, jet skis, paddleboarders Hearing the sounds of people enjoying themselves on the sand and in the water is what sold this place to us ”

The couple had raised their kids on Waiheke but moved to the city once River, their eldest, started school. Years later, they still missed the island’s weather, nature, wine and friends they’d made there so they decided what they’d really love was a holiday home on the island where they could escape everyday life and spend time as a family They acted fast when they saw the charming bach advertised for sale online, making an offer the day after their first viewing. Susannah says she knew immediately it was the house for them “It was so cute – I fell in love the moment I stepped foot inside The view, the peace, the easy access to the beach and Palm Beach Store makes the location second to none ”

The location and view might have been perfect, but the house itself ?

“D ue to how old it is, there are many idiosyncrasies with this house The floor slopes in areas and rises in others When storms from the Pacific roll in, we have the wind come directly off the ocean to us. Sometimes, it feels like the house could take off at any moment ”

Like the numerous previous homeowners,

the Mathesons knew this slightly quirky bach would be the perfect place to gather together as a family and make special memories

“We are often in different places – work, school, sports, travelling – but being together in a small, cosy place means we are forced to be together,” says Susannah “O ur weekends here consist of dinners and picnics with wine on the beach, morning walks, eating well, looking at the view and sleeping in the sun on the balcony We just love it ”

Adding their p ersonal stamp

When the family moved in, the house was a hotchpotch due to previous owners dabbling in a bit of DIY and renovation.

“The house records show it was built in the early ’50s as a traditional bach, but since then every owner seems to have done some sort of work to improve the house and extend it. O ver time, bedrooms have been added, bathrooms brought inside, sleepouts added, then connected

to the main house,” says Susannah “A couple of owners ago was a builder who updated everything for modern living including the bathrooms and kitchen, which is a dream to work in now.”

The most recent owners had done the non-glamorous but essential work of adding a good driveway and retaining, as well as upgrading the septic and water systems. All that was left for the Mathesons to do was sort out the lighting and fine tune the interior design to create more of a cohesive look – something interior designer Susannah jumped at.

A coastal vib e

“When we moved in, the house had no ceiling lights and limited lighting and power overall, so we spent quite a bit of time and money trying to get it up to modern standards with lighting, heating and the internet Then we got stuck in and added new carpet and window treatments, and painted the existing wooden floorboards white for a coastal look ”

D I N I N G A N D L I V I N G The sofa, white cabinet and chair are from wholesale retailer RFA and the rug is Weave from Warwick The cushions are designed by Island Interiors and the artwork is by local photographer Rachel Mataira The dining table and chairs are vintage finds or from Trade Me. Eating breakfast from the covered deck is a favourite family activity

K I T C H E N (opposite) This modern space was renovated by a previous owner, a builder The walls are painted in Resene Black White

Susannah wanted the bach’s interior to reflect the relaxed seaside vibes of the house and location. She kept to a pared-back colour scheme of whites, black, greys and soft blues to reflect the ocean out front and natural tones for all the furniture and decor and shopped for easy-care furniture that was as relaxed as the house was

“We often have a full house here and I want people to feel relaxed and at peace, not worried about breaking anything, so nothing here is too precious I chose fabrics and furniture that can be used and easily taken care of – there are slipcovers on all of the chairs and sofas for easy cleaning, and I found wooden tables and chairs that are vintage so a few more knocks will just add to the character ” Art by Rachel Mataira hangs in the living room and a bedroom – her spectacular drone imagery won her Young New Zealand Photographer of the Year and, even better, she’s a Waiheke local “New Zealand design is amazing so I always try to support local artisans and manufacturers

“I want people to feel relaxed and at peace, not worried about breaking anything, so nothing here is precious.”

S U S A N N A H M A T H E S O N

first They have so much to offer and produce truly beautiful items ”

Susannah also went international for some items, sourcing pieces from Indonesia to add character – such as the art piece that hangs above the dining room table

“I had envisaged a large piece on the wall without distracting from the view and this was it I also found the vintage TV unit in Indonesia, on a sourcing trip for clients – as soon as I laid eyes on it I knew it was for us. Getting it into the house wasn’ t easy but I don’ t think it will ever leave that spot now ”

Susannah enjoys hunting for pre-loved furniture to add depth to a space, rather than everything being brand new A favourite holiday pastime is looking for treasures she can take home with her Between this bach and their home in Auckland, the couple have bought items from Bali, Byron Bay, Canada and the US The only caveat: it needs to fit into Susannah’s suitcase for the return trip home

O utdo or living

With holiday homes, the outdoor living is often more important than what’s happening inside, and that’s true for this Palm Beach bach Susannah says they only time they really spend inside is when sleeping

“Even when it’s raining, we sit in the covered deck areas with the doors open, looking out to the ocean and watching nature do its thing

“We spend all of our time outside so this year’s summer project is to upgrade the decking and extend it to give us more outside living I’m going to source outdoor sofas and dining pieces that can handle the harsh New Zealand weather but that feel like an indoor piece The range of outdoor products is amazing these days and I plan to use them out here – I’m thinking outdoor velvets, outdoor linens, Coast bean bags, plus there are plans for a big outdoor kitchen and a spa to warm up in after post-ocean dips ”

Now they’ve found their little slice of paradise, the Mathesons are determined to hold onto it as long as they can, says Susannah

“We see this house in our lives for a very long time. We love the location and hope the house still has a few more years in her We’ve discussed the future and what we could do to make it more liveable, beyond adding the outdoor kitchen and living. Our section goes way back, so maybe one day we’ll add some proper visitors’ accommodation at the back but at the moment it is perfect Palm Beach is the most amazing place and we love spending any spare time we have here ”

B E D R O O M S In the main bedroom, the Warwick Fabric was made into cushions by Waiheke Cushions and Covers The bunk beds and under-bed storage is from Farmers (below) B A T H R O O M The tiles were all installed by a previous owner and the round mirror is from Freedom

h o m e t r u t h s

What’s the best spot in the house?

Looking out the window from the sofa is definitely the hot spot The view is of the very beautiful, well- established pōhutukawa through to the ocean beyond It gets the most gorgeous sun streaming in during the late afternoon. The other sought-after spot is the outdoor sofa We spend most our time out here under the umbrella –having coffee in the morning, entertaining friends and family, and enjoying drinks in the afternoon for some sundowners

Best memory here?

Summertime We have so many great memories of long lunches, friends over, snoozing in the sun on the outdoor sofa Wines on the deck during sunset is always amazing As the sky turns pink , the entire valley becomes quiet as most people have left the beach for the day. The birdlife is insane and you really do feel like you are the only ones there

What are the must- dos on Waiheke?

The beaches and nature walks are incredible The wine and food is world class and we’re often at Arcadia in Palm Beach, The Oyster Inn for dinner or The Courtyard for their amazing food

F I N I S H E S

Walls and floors Resene Black White House exterior Resene Pitch Black Wool carpet Carpet Court Linen curtains Kyoto in Willow from James Dunlop

h o p t h e i r s t y l e

COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED There are many ways to keep your cool over the summer months, including ceiling fans and air con. We contemplate the options on page 68.

Tapestry of life

A designer’s home of craft and colour

Past and present, plus travels far and wide, are all interwoven in the exquisitely detailed home of textile designer Tigger Hall

h o m e p r o f i l e

elf-described ‘textile maverick’ Tigger Hall is a passionate collector, gathering objects and ideas from her life, past and present, and weaving them together into a richly layered tapestry.

O n a recent trip to Paris, Tigger squeezed two zinc finials into her bag and they now grace her roofline, the final flourish on her renovated home. “I have collections from all over the world,” she says “These objects are imbued with the memories and connections to people and places. I also love a sense of surprise in a home, some little thing to make you smile and look again ”

This repurposed home, a once-modest 1970s bungalow, makes everyone “look again” It stirred strong emotions when the design doyenne first saw it in 2020 “O n a

rainy day, my daughter and I inspected five places and this was the last,” says Tigger “As we walked up the stairs, the house felt kind, like we’d known each other forever.”

In its scale and its sense of the bohemian, it evoked homes of her youth Most striking was the spacious living area, boasting a five-metre pitched ceiling with exposed beams “I like high ceilings, because they make the spirit soar,” explains Tigger “I grew up in homes with huge scale and I remember visiting my cousins’ grand homes in England and France This lofty room also echoes the trees outside ”

And, with its deep veranda draped in wisteria, the house recalled avant-garde family homes, with their steady flow of visitors “Homes of my childhood were full of craft and colour, where we sewed, embroidered and painted, and shared music and stories,” she says “I love entertaining, with live music and poetry

M E E T & G R E E T Tigger Hall (interior designer), daughter Beatrice Lewis (musician), and Juno and Max the spaniels.

T H E P R O P E R T Y Renovated four-bedroom ’ 70s bungalow

K I T C H E N

Recycled 1880s parquetry from Argentina and ornate joinery gives this room a vintage ambience, which was designed around the Aga stove The Queen Anne -style pedestal table is matched with Dutch chairs The walls and joinery are painted in Dulux Natural White OPPOSITE Between the living and kitchen/dining area sit Max (left) and Juno by the antique Argentinian doors Two new balconies off the living room look out towards the bush canopy The house is painted a Murobond custom colour

L I V I N G R O O M

The sofa, with its antique embroidered Suzani, was found at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul The armchair features a pagoda fabric by Spanish textile company Gaston y Daniela The salvaged round window is from Argentina

readings, for which I thought this space would be perfect ”

But the house needed her deft interior designer touch to make it home Strangely, there were no doors connecting that huge open plan to the garden, while other rooms felt poky and the tired decor needed a pick-me-up Tigger retained the existing T-shaped floor plan, with the living area at the top of the ‘T’ and a wing consisting of four bedrooms enclosed by a veranda on three sides

In the living room, she repainted the exposed beams white and installed two salvaged round windows, “ very old, from Argentina, to draw the eye up into the pitch and to bring in more light”

She also added an ornate limestone mantel and extended the room by adding two balconies, with French doors and railings, again from Argentina, “which arrived in various states of disrepair”

She remodelled her kitchen around a new Aga. “I love how delicious everything tastes when cooked by radiant heat in the old-fashioned way,” says Tigger

Beside the kitchen, in what had been the laundry, she extended out onto the veranda to create a library or snug A pair of French doors, literally from Paris, sit at one end, while a sense of cosiness and familiarity is created by her own custom wallpaper and 1880s parquetry, rebirthed from a bank in Buenos Aires “It has a

S T U D Y A N D S T U D I O

In the study, a round antique table, exotic vases, artworks and old family pieces feature The lampshade is covered in a vibrant malachite fabric that somehow works with the paisley curtains The textile designer ’s aesthetic is classical, playful and artistic A huge fan of colour in her home, Tigger enjoys mixing and layering texture and patterns

The metal folding bed, which serves as seating in the studio, was bought in L Isle -sur-la-Sorgue, one of Tigger ’s favourite antique shopping spots in France

wonderful sense of age and beautiful oak patina,” she says “It arrived in tubs, black with age – a friend and I laid it ourselves.”

Leading off the living area, the hallway to the bedrooms felt low in comparison, so Tigger asked her ever-resourceful builders for a lightwell in the ceiling with an oval detail in the pitch “I love natural materials and am a fan of sustainability, giving salvaged materials a new home,” she says “Their magic hands made everything, both new and recycled, fit just beautifully ”

In the garage, she created a studio with a coffered ceiling and panelling, where she works on her signature fabric range, Nine Muses Textiles, for which she draws inspiration from her travels and from

F I N E D E T A I L S

(From above, clockwise) In the entry, Tigger paints a tree The rococo console and G eorgian mirror are both antiques The headboard in this bedroom is upholstered in Riband fabric and the cushions in Joseph’s Floral material and Kilim fabric by Maison de Vacances The walls are painted in Porter ’s Paints Chintz Gray In the main bathroom, the mirror is an antique find and the Washington basin and tapware sourced from a heritage restoration company The living room sofa was found at Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and the armchairs are covered in Pagoda fabric by Gaston y Daniela OPPOSITE The wallpaper was created by Tigger for Nine Muses

mentors such as designers Nina Campbell and Kit Kemp In time, she plans to run workshops on the property so others can share her passion.

Tigger’s distinctive textiles are peppered around the interiors of her home, creating an in-situ showroom “I have created a house for my textiles, in a mix and match of colours and patterns,” she says “It proves you can blend any number of patterns, as long as they are in a similar hue, so nothing jars.” Her favourite hues, calming sea-glass blue and vibrant red, are instantly apparent

“My homes are full of textures,” says Tigger “Everything is tactile, with a sense of history I have curated furniture from previous houses, including items bought at auction, items from my travels, heirlooms and new pieces I love being the keeper of these treasures ” They include art by her great-grandfather, Lindsay Bernard Hall, gracing the walls

But while inspiration comes from far and wide, this home remains firmly rooted to its location. “Those finials look so striking against the trees,” she says

E Y E F O R D E S I G N

Juno greets guests on the veranda off the living room The outdoor table on the back terrace displays a tablecloth collab between Tigger Hall Homewares and Collette Dinnigan The large pavers are salvaged

S h o p t h e i r s t y l e

K EEP IT COOL

Is the hot weather getting to you? Check out these fan-tastic solutions to b eat the summer heat Tex t Caroline Moratti

It’s another hot summer in Aotearoa, but if you can’ t hit the beach or pool, then keeping your house cool is essential Choosing a cost-effective, energy-efficient cooling system can be a difficult decision, but thankfully there are quite a few ways to prevent hitting boiling point at home.

1 R

Ceiling and standing fans

A pedestal fan is the most budget-friendly solution to your overheating woes, although it’s not always the most efficient option Two fans should do the trick – one facing out the window to blow the hot air out, and one facing inward to circulate the cool air inside A ceiling fan cuts down on the bulky downsides of a fan, and is cheaper to run over air-conditioning, but can be noisy and won’ t reduce a room’s overall temperature

Tip Don’ t let a noisy fan disturb your chill time Check the decibels level on the ceiling fan prior to purchase to see how loud the unit runs

1 Noumea indoor DC ceiling fan with remote, $699, from Early Settler 2 Nouveau pedestal fan 40cm, $99 98, from Mitre 10

Por table co oling units

The beauty of these cooling units is their easy-to-use portability and budget-conscious price tag, making them a prime option for renters In summer, move them around the house as you go, whether you’re in the kitchen during the day or the bedroom at night A wheeled option will make this all the easier. Some units can be noisy, however, and some even require external ducting, so make sure to try before you buy with a demo in-store Look for R290 refrigerant varieties over R410a types, the former is much more energy efficient and better for the planet too

ven mak de refr th ef

2 3

Heat pumps and air conditioners

Often forgotten in the summer months, don’ t overlook the magic of a heat pump for its air-conditioning ability When selecting a model, it’s important it has enough capacity to work quickly and effectively, which often means a higher capacity than needed for heating However, installation costs can be pricey, ranging between $650 and $3500, depending on the unit capacity and difficulty of installation O nce installed, heat pumps are capable of cooling single rooms, multiple rooms or ducted throughout the house. If it’s only mildly humid, consider using the fan setting instead of the cooling setting for a refreshingly cost-efficient option

New

PENN Y FUSSELL

INTERIOR DESIGNER AT M.INT INTERIORS, NAPIER

It’s an occupational hazard that I’m always finding pieces I’d love in our home, but with so many beautiful fabrics and furniture on offer, it’s hard to decide

However, for my next project I’ll refresh the cushions in our lounges We’ve been in our new home for four years and it’s time to freshen things up The neutral colour palette on our walls makes it easier to add new colours and changing cushion covers doesn’t have to be a big expense I look for off-cuts from curtainmakers or interior designers; op-shops sometimes sell fabric people never get around to using It also works well to mix a high-end cushion with a cheaper one. I’ll be using a combination of off-cuts I can’t get rid of, plus new fabric

I want to paper a wall in the bathroom for a second project. After we moved into our newly built home, I found that it takes a while to add ‘layers’ and make it feel lived in The current trend of grey-based neutrals can mean new homes are a little soulless, and we have to work harder to inject our personality

I’ve been eyeing up an English wallpaper; I only need one roll to inject vibrancy and colour, cheering me up each day archint co nz

new room

Tex t Catherine Steel

Interiors stars from around Aotearoa share what will b e changing in their own homes

year,

PIPPA FAY ILLUSTRATOR, AUCKLAND

I have to finish the stuffed animals and floor cushions

I started making from my huge stash of silk kimono fabric These were projects I started in 2020 and haven’ t had the time to finish I love the colour combinations, patterns and weaves of Japanese kimonos; every time I see them, I impulse buy with no plan and now I have a mountain of secondhand kimonos in my wardrobe

My illustrations inspired me to make toys, and the cushions were initially something I made for my home Hopefully, next year, they’ll make great gifts, reuse recycled materials and free some space in my wardrobe ” @pippa fay

AMBER WALL ACE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT MADISONS, NAPIER

My next project is converting my garage into a studio I’m going to lighten it up and remove the roller door. I’ve been on the hunt for some French doors that will open out into my soon-to-be lush, tropical garden I’d like to create a little sanctuary; a place to slow down, be free from the noise and be surrounded by my favourite treasures. Also, I want to have fun with making and sourcing, surrounding myself with humans and spaces that feed the soul and let this reflect in the product and projects we complete I’m keen to learn from and work alongside some of the amazing local artists and makers we have in Hawke’s Bay, and work towards creating a few bespoke pieces/ranges for our store madisons co nz

AMANDA HOLL AND OWNER AT SMALL ACORNS, WELLINGTON

My home is a work in progress as I change things around, repaint and reupholster I recently repurposed a bedroom as my home office, and other than move a desk into the space, nothing has changed yet I plan to decorate it with patterned wallpaper, a striped Roman blind and artwork. I’d also like to feature a memorabilia wall using nice cards and images I’ve collected I’m excited to make the space into a ‘ room of one’s own’; a room that feels fresh, creative and inspirational smallacorns co nz

“I’d like to create a little sanctuary; a place to slow down.”

A M B E R W A L L A C E

MAREE HENRY

OWNER, HENRY TRADING STORE, LYTTELTON

By the end of summer, I’d like to have all of my plants off the windowsill and hanging on their own I plan to commission a blacksmith and ceramic artist to fabricate metal baskets to hang new plant pots from; the plants will form a green ceiling, framing the view This comes from me needing to re-pot a 20-year-old hoya plant; it’s quite old and beautiful It was simply an old cutting I took years ago All of my plants are in a nine-metre-long porch at the front of my Lyttelton home. It’s an old villa that has been reworked over time I like to sit out there among the plants, read a book and look out the window over the harbour henrytrading co nz

CAITLIN DOW PRODUCT DESIGNER AT NIGHTWORKS STUDIO, CHRISTCHURCH

I plan to diversify my skill set by learning how to weld I have always loved being hands-on and design best when I immerse myself fully in the process Being capable of designing and making my own creations is very motivating to me I plan to make my own furniture, products and art pieces

I grew up surrounded by homemade furniture, homewares, toys and artwork made by my parents and family. I think it is a really beautiful process to be capable of creating your own things nightworksstudio com

JOSKA EASTERBROOK

DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF JOSKA & SONS, LYTTELTON

I plan on renovating a classic 1970s Sprite pop-top caravan. We bought it at the end of last summer, needing to upgrade our camping set-up When I took the kids away for the first night in it, I realised I was a little too tall to lay in the bed as it is – it’s quite narrow. This means a full strip out and reconfiguration is on the cards, including making a bunk bed for our seven- and three-year-olds I’d like to keep the outside retro and modernise the inside. We love being in nature and want to spend a lot of time adventuring around New Zealand as a family joskaandsons com

“I’d like to have all my plants off the windowsill and hanging on their own.”

M A R E E H E N R Y

MICHAEL NATION

FOUNDER AND HEAD POTTER AT WESTCOAST STONEWARE, RAGLAN

I look forward to diving deeper into the art side of the ceramic craft, starting with making a personal dinner set for my home This will be something my partner and I can keep in our kitchen and use on a daily basis as the main dinner set It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while Taking inspiration from the Raglan landscape, this would be reflected in the shape and colourway, using techniques like free-form to bring an earthy aspect to it Experimenting with creating glazes is where we bring the pieces to life

I also look forward to working with alternate firings such as raku and sagger, which allows natural material and fire combustion to really paint the piece in a unique way westcoaststoneware com

KATIE SCOTT

DIRECTOR OF STICKS + STONES DESIGN, AUCKLAND

After this crazy year in the building industry, with all its ups and downs and sideways curveballs, I’d like to create a no-work or phone zone for relaxing and a small library to enjoy with my toddler. Somewhere to let life slow a little and chill It’s important to have this when work is all go, go, go and time flies when you’re busy I love my job, so relaxing can be dreaming of projects and potential designs

Sometimes the noise of running a company doesn’ t leave a lot of brain space for these creative ideas so making a space in my home that will be the relaxation zone is my 2023 resolution I’m thinking of a window seat with comfy cushions, a small library and a record player sticksstonesdesign co nz

KATHRINE MCDONALD

INTERIOR DESIGNER AT KATHRINE MCDONALD DESIGN, MOUNT MAUNGANUI

I want to bring our family bach at Rainbow Point in Taupō back to life It has a neck-breaking spiral staircase leading up to a space with old lino, an awkward green sink, clunky cupboard and metal bunks. But we always congregate in this space – the ‘sunset lounge’ – as it has views over Lake Taupō and the evening sun is gorgeous I’ll follow a strict budget, but with new carpet and curtains, paint, wide-blade venetian blinds and two beautiful fold-out Lola sofas from Bauhaus, I’ll turn this ugly duckling into something special kminteriordesign co nz

“I’d like to create a no-work or phone zone for relaxing and a small library.”

K A T I E S C O T T

Renophobia and realit y

Why you don’ t need to b e scared of a do-up right now

J E N J O N E S Renovations expert

hrough a combination of tracking the property sales in my area and chatting to local realtors, it’s become clear that homeowners are not looking to buy do-ups right now

In fact, one agent said to me that naive buyers who thought a renovation might cost $100k a year ago are assuming it costs $500k today thanks to what they’re seeing in the news about the construction industry (hint: prices haven’ t really increased five times)

Here are a few reasons why you don’ t need to be scared to buy a do-up right now

YOU SHOULD LIVE IN IT FIRST

This advice is as old as time –always live in the house for at least six to 12 months before making any drastic alterations –things succh as layout changees (removing or repositioniing walls), shape and orieientation of kitchen and living, layout of bathroom and so on Every

house is different and it will take a while for you to adjust to the new layout and figure out what is and isn’ t working for you

By time you’ve done this, the cost of construction might be starting to stabilise Buyinng a do-up doesn’ t mean you have to renovate it right now

J E N J O N E S

CONSEN TING TAKES

A WHILE

If you are planning to renovate, the design and consenting process takes quite a while Registered architects are under the pump right now so you could easily wait up to three months just to get the design underway By the time the concept is approved and developed to a consentable level, including waiting for engineering if required, it could be six to eight months before you’re ready to lodge the building consent with Council, and if you need a resource consent too (hello, heritage homeowners), then you need to go through that process twice. O nce into Council, the approval process can take anything from one to three months Taking that into consideration, by the time you’re ready to renovate, the cost of construction might be stabilising and the beauty is, you’ll be able to hit the ground running with your stamped consent documents.

“Always live in the house for at least six to 12 months b efore making any drastic alterations such as layout changes.”

DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE

Yes, the cost of construction has increased, but not by five times

Like anything, costs are dictated by supply and demand There was an increase in demand as a result of a series of lockdowns in which homeowners identified all the things they hatted about their property after being stuck in it for long periods of time isolated from the world – and they identified things they immediately wanted to change

Couple that with supply issues because companies clossed d down

for months at a time, including manufacturing; and you’re definitely going to be paying a premium.

Gib is a perfect example of this, but 12 months or so on they’ve just about caught up and the wait isn’ t too unreasonable.

The good news is, if you’re organised enough to know all of your fixtures and finishes, then these can be ordered well ahead of time. This means you aren’ t paying a premium for something you needed yesterday that now has a six-month lead time

YOU’VE GOT LESS COMPETITION

Think about it, if the majority of buyers in the market right now are put off buying do-ups because they think renovation is extraordinarily expensive, then who are you going to be competing with on auction day? Yes, auction day Despite so many properties being passed in and moving to price by negotiation, most vendors are still trying auction first because cash unconditional is the goal If you’ve done your due diligence and have finance lined up, then you’re good to go on auction day when others might be waiting to negotiate a conditional purchase

That is, if your bank will lend on the property – sometimes that’s actually the reason do-ups suddenly stop selling on the market. Buyers think it’ll be too hard, and banks won’t lend on them anyway

THE MARKET WILL STABILISE

“This too shall pass ” There was definitely a period of time in 2021 where it seemed like I was literally receiving weekly emails from a well-known building materials suppliers listing all of the price increases in the pipeline This has definitely faded away and, like anything, it will eventually stabilise

The last graph I looked at suggested that early fourth-quarter 2024 would see us almost back where we began, plus inflation. Can you rough it out in your unrenovated home until then?

OUTDOORS

POLICY

The covered

porch of this Italian holiday house may be rustic in the extreme but, for one couple, it’s the simplicity that has captivated them. We can only dream. For more of this house, turn the page.

CA BA NE

Ancient history blends with modern design and natural materials at a rustic Italian holiday house near the Adriatic Sea

h

M E E T & G R E E T

Olenka Airasca (singer and interior designer), her partner Andrea (interior design) and their son Noah.

T H E P R O P E R T Y

Two -bedroom historic Salento farmhouse -turned-holiday house near Ostuni, Puglia, Italy

T H I S W A Y U P Interior designer and homeowner Olenka Airasca on the stairs leading up to the terrace In the foreground is a capsone, a large vase that once contained oil Opposite: The antique cementine tiles in the main bedroom came from a baroque palace in Lecce

o m e p r o f i l e

s t y l e l e s s o n s

+ Rustic doesn’t have to mean cluttered This house is a lesson in easy minimalism

+ Repurpose regional finds Olenka turned local fishermen’s traps into lamps

+ Everyone needs an Acapulco chair They work with almost every decorating style

n the Salento countryside, with the blue sea in the background, the stillness interrupted only by the sound of cicadas, Olenka Airasca likes nothing better than taking a few days off at La Cabane Ostuni A few kilometres from the centre of Ostuni, in Italy’s Puglia region, her holiday home is 80sqm of pure relaxation with a solarium on the roof that has panoramic views of the coast and rows of ancient olive trees, grapevines and fruit trees.

D uring the year, Olenka lives between Bordighera in Liguria and nearby Monaco with her partner Andrea and their son Noah She is a singer, art director of a well-known club and also works on interior design projects between France and Liguria with Andrea from their studio, Olenkainteriors

“We needed to return to a rustic life, a home away from the bling-bling of the French Riviera,” she says. “When I’m not working, I prefer silence, above all ”

They found this post-war lamia (a typical local country house) after stopping in Ostuni during one of their many property searches for old, abandoned structures to buy, renovate and transform into holiday homes

W E L C O M E I N

The entrance to Olenka and Andrea’s estate Opposite: In the living room, the Ikea sofa is decorated with H&M Home velvet cushions and a Maisons du Monde wool blanket; a wooden table from Nice was turned into a coffee table and the ornate door to the bedroom comes from Rajasthan

O U T D O O R I D Y L L

The wooden and bamboo pergola on the front of the tuff stone and plaster home offers welcome shelter on warmer days The hammock or the Acapulco chairs are perfect for soaking up the sun and relaxing after a light meal The view from the custom-made kitchen windows looks off to the ancient olive trees

C A S U A L D I N I N G

An outdoor dining area under the pergola is set up in front of the house Pottery from nearby Cutrofiano is on the table

“However, the Cabane has effectively become our home, we only rent it when we can’ t come here We fell in love with this location and the breathtaking view of the Ostuni coast, which is about 10 minutes away, and isn’ t far from the villages of Polignano and Alberobello Andrea is half Puglian and used to spend the summer months here during his childhood.”

It is a typical small rural cottage made of tuff stone (a construction stone common in Italy) and white lime “When we bought it, in 2019, just before the lockdown, it had been abandoned for decades,” she says. “The structure was healthy, but it took time to restore it ”

In order to keep the budget under control, Olenka and Andrea worked on the restoration project themselves, helped by a team of local craftsmen skilled in tuff stone processing techniques “The walls are just the same as in the past, so the windows and the

external sheet metal frames We only added a staircase to connect the room with the oven, where the old owners used to bake bread, to the house.”

The layout is simple A parallelepiped structure with a central living room and two bedrooms facing it from the right and the left The kitchen is small but perfect, with everything necessary positioned nearby. “We eat lunch outdoors under the pergola in front of the entrance,” says Olenka

Q uartz dust mixed with cement replaced the old grit flooring. “It was a farmhouse, we wanted to preserve its peculiar rustic style by interpreting it our own way,” she says, achieving this with a mix of tradition and contemporary Mediterranean style

Olenka used cement tiles from an old building in Lecce as flooring in the main bedroom and replaced a door in the living room with a large, ornate door from

K I T C H E N

The kitchen cabinets are custom-made and the countertop is made of Leccese stone The cement tiles are from an old baroque building in Lecce and the hob is by Renzo Piano for Smeg The wooden shelf is made from a beam found on the beach, the table is made of reused mango wood and the rattan pendants are from Ikea

C O S Y C O R N E R

The living room features an antique wooden cupboard purchased in Nice, an antique milking stool and the original fireplace, which was restored

P E N D O O R

The iron doors are original to the house On the table are antique vases bought at a flea market in L’Isle -sur-la-Sorgue and medlars from the garden

O

Rajasthan “I found it some time ago in an ad It is the most important piece in the house I have a passion for old doors of all kinds ”

In the bedroom, there is also a sliding door from a San Remo chicken coop “Randomly chosen pieces have found a home and their place inside the house ”

The space is cosy, with the furnishings – almost all repurposed or designed and made by Olenka and Andrea – fit for purpose in regards to materials and colours In fact, new or old, everything seems to have always been there, from the lamps made from old fishermen’s creels to the Acapulco armchairs on the roof terrace overlooking the countryside and the sea

“Randomly chosen pieces have found a home and their place inside the house.”

O L E N K A A I R A S C A

F A N T A S T I C F I N D S

A collection of antique wooden shoemaker ’s forms hang on the wall in the main bedroom, the sliding wooden door, which is from an old chicken coop, was restored by the homeowner In the bathroom, the brass taps were bought in London and the ceramics from Carovigno

“We needed a return to rustic life, a home away from the bling-bling of the French Riviera.”

O L E N K A A I R A S C A

G A R D E N I N T H E M E D

The lush, verdant view of olive trees and heat-loving cactus from the terrace

S h o p t h e i r s t y l e

I N N E R

Force of nature

ndrea Kurth’s decision to paint a punchy and playful mural on a white wall in her “plain” laundry turned out to be a winning move The judges of the Resene Small Room Awards 2022 loved Andrea’s ingenious use of Resene testpots, proving a little paint colour can go a long way

Her mural, created using Resene Rock Spray, Resene Gondwana, Resene Paper Doll, Resene Fuel Yellow and Resene Half Escape, evokes a naturalistic dreamscape of fauna and flora, bursting with pops of colour on top of her existing coat of Resene Black White “It’s a masterclass in packing personality into a room,” says editor Fiona Hawtin. “The mural hits all the right notes of whimsy and fun in what’s often an overlooked space ”

Andrea is excited about winning the award, saying, “It’s kind of cool to know that it’s not just me that likes it, and maybe others might be inspired to do something different in their home ”

For others who want to experiment with colour and pattern in a small room, she recommends platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok as places to find inspiration “Think about what suits you and feels right in your house, then just go for it If you don’ t like it, you can always paint over it,” Andrea says

The keen DIYer has a few new projects up her sleeve already, adding that she’s contributing to her husband’s “ evergrowing list of things to build” But for now, Andrea’s going to enjoy her picture-perfect laundry, even adding a rug and homemade hampers to enhance the colourful space

RESENE Valentine RESENE Wabi Sabi

More Resene colours to try:

The winner of the Resene Small Ro om Awards harnesses the great outdo ors through a love of colour

P h o t o g ra p hy Kate B attersby

T A K I N G

S H A P E

Andrea Kurth’s winning laundry is adorned with painted designs using Resene testpots

SW EET AS W A

Kiwiana style is all about embracing simple moments with friends and family It’s kitsch with a heart of gold and elicits a strong sense of nostalgia for mid-century iconography. If your house or bach is in need of a lift, consider adding a little Kiwiana flair for a boost of personality

1Cosy it up

A crochet patchwork blanket has long been a staple for Kiwiana fans with good reason The colourful knit is perfect to keep you warm in winter, yet is light and summery enough to add texture to a room, even in the heat of January Cover up shabby sofas or add to the end of a bed for a cute, cosy vibe Adding texture in general always helps to make a house a home Make it a crafts afternoon by creating DIY bunting for a children’s bedroom or sew a curtain for your kitchen cabinet if you’re feeling particularly creative.

Five ways to incorporate Kiwiana into your life –and how to elevate the timeless look

S t i c k t o ’ 7 0 s s i l h

o u e t t e s

Kiwiana Danish-style armchairs, with their mid-century charm, are a staple here. You can mix and match time periods, of course, that’s the beauty of Kiwiana, but sticking to one decade will help elevate your overall look. Chairs with mustard yellow and faded green upholstery are always a big thumbs up, make sure to look around your local thrift shop for these must-have gems

Whether it’s a Warholesque homage to the iconic Four Square man, or a classic retro tiki, there’s a world of Kiwi iconography to explore on your walls If you don’ t feel like splurging on a print, you can always make your own using your every-day pantry staples. Frame a cover of an Edmonds Cooker y Book or get your little ones to DIY a collage from Marmite and L&P labels for that same sense of summer fun.

S a y y e s t o b u n k b e d s

If your kids are always on your back about getting bunk beds, it might be time to finally give in Bunk beds are a great way to add retro flair to a space, as well opening up your house to any summer visitors who may be passing through The more the merrier, as they say – as long as they bring a good board game and a few punnets of fruit.

O p t f o r o l d

v i n t a g e p r i n t s

G e t t h e p a i n t t i n s o u t

Move over whites, creamy yellows help add a sunshine-tinted haze to any space that’s looking a touch clinical If you’re after a more 2023 approach to Kiwiana, consider mixing things up with a minty green or a pastel pink on your living room walls for a colourful, cosy space. When in doubt, just use up any old paint tins you have lying around the garage; waste not, want not is a Kiwi motto

G e t t h e b e a u t b a c h l o o k

H o w t o e l e v a t e

K i w i a n a s t y l e

+ Crown Lynn vases are a blast from the past, but in all the best ways Invest in a swan or two for a table centrepiece that’s all about timeless elegance

+ Make nature your backdrop with outdoor chairs and furniture designed for lounging and a great summer book Kiwiana is very much a relaxed style, so channel that attitude through long summer days in a rattan lounger

+ Pair those vintage blankets and retro pillows with strong, solid silhouettes Wooden tables and high-back chairs will help add a sense of formality to those laidback Kiwi sensibilities

Prize catch art print, from $49, from Glenn Jones Art

Sloan velvet armchair, $1599, from Early Settler

Rainbows throw, $ 349, from G orman

Kiwiana alphabet, from $25, from Nest Wraps

Casey king single/ king single bunk bed frame, $799, from Target

Dick Frizzell Red Haring cushion cover, $48, from 100% NZ

N I K K I K E T T L E DIY expert

Good on paper

Get on a roll and make your powder room pop with personality using our DIY expert’s step-by-step guide

P h o t o g ra p hy Anna Briggs

You will need

• Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner

• Sandpaper – I used 80 grit

• Bucket

• Ladder

• Layout brush

• Paper smoother

• Paste brush

• Plumb bob

• Scissors

• Size

• Knife

• Sponge

• Trim guide

• Wallpaper paste, if using unpasted paper

• Wallpaper trough

• Wallpaper – I used Resene Wallpaper Collection 91272

1There’s a bit of prep to be done before wallpapering, such as painting your ceiling and trims This means there is far less cutting in and no chance of getting any paint on your fresh wallpaper. I used Resene Lustacryl in Resene Alabaster for trims, Resene Lustacryl in Resene Black for the door and Resene Foundry for the bottom half of the walls I also prepared the walls by washing with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner and rinsing with water When dry, sand the surface to give a good grip for the size and paste to stick to D ust the surface, then brush the wall with size.

Measure the distance from the skirting to ceiling and add 5cm to the top and bottom for trimming. D raw a level line approximately 20cm from a corner to line the edge of your first drop of wallpaper up with Cut the first drop and use this as a template for the rest of the wallpaper to be matched and cut to, make sure you identify the top using a pencil This should be the way the wallpaper unrolls from the uncut roll Use your first strip to match and cut the second strip and don’ t forget to number it Pre-cut all your wallpaper this way

2

the wallpaper glue as per the instructions on the box I used a pre-mixed one so I only had to add water Using a paste brush, apply the paste to the back of the wallpaper on the first length of wallpaper laid out on a flat surface I pasted one drop at time, plus an extra 50mm so I didn’ t have to come too close to my wallpaper on the next drop. Leave to relax for about 10 minutes before hanging

hang your Resene wallpaper, use a plumbline to ensure the drop is straight and I’d suggest starting near the main source of light and working away to finish in the least conspicuous corner O nce you’re happy with the hang, use the wallpaper smoother and/or sponge to get it as smooth and well-adhered as possible

a cutting tool and knife to push up to the ceiling first, then cut off the excess wallpaper Smooth on the way down and repeat with the cutting tool and knife at the bottom, making sure you push the wallpaper in tight to the bottom edge

the first drop is complete, repeat with the next drop. Remember to be careful to line up the pattern on each drop This wallpaper has a 26cm pattern repeat so you end up having to cut at least 26cm off the top on each drop.

For more tips on wallpaper, see the habitat plus – wallpaper book at your Resene ColorShop or online at resene.co.nz/wallpaper.

3Mix

4To

5Use

6After

Tip Always allow your Resene wallpaper to dry naturally after hanging. Don’ t hurry the process by using a heater, as force drying can cause the joins to open during the drying process. In cold, damp, unventilated conditions, this could take up to a week.

B U Y E R ’ S G U I D E

TA K E I T

O U T S I D E

Make the most of longer days and balmy evenings with furniture that can cop e with anything the seasons throw at them

Outdoor furniture has to do more than look pretty It needs a frame strong enough to withstand the harsh weather we experience in New Zealand and durable, life-proof upholstery Here’s how to pick a winning outdoor selection that’ll be with you for many years to come

C R I T E R I A

Furniture can be expensive so invest in a style that won’ t date. As our backyards are getting smaller there’s a preference for modern, space-conscious and durable materials with wicker and reclaimed timber becoming increasingly complemented by aluminium and concrete designs

P R OT E C T I O N

Keeping outdoor furniture protected with a vented outdoor cover will extend its life and mean you’re not having to scrub it down ahead of a long lunch To get more out of the fabric and shield it from the elements, consider using a fabric protector that will help to repel dirt, water and moisture But you still need to clean the furniture, including aluminium styles, regularly using warm, soapy water or an approved outdoor furniture cleaner. Most outdoor fabrics can be cleaned in a washing machine on a cold-water cycle with a moderate amount of detergent Spot cleaning is recommended as soon as possible for spills and, if you use fabric protector, reapply a coat after an intense clean.

M AT E R I A L S

The materials from which your outdoor furniture is constructed play a key role in the longevity of the design so buy once, buy well Ensure it is made from corrosion-resistant metals or is protected with corrosion-resistant coatings Hardwood is a good option and it’s hard to go past full aluminium settings Aluminium frames are key for anything outdoors, especially in coastal regions. Even wicker furniture has a frame and, if made from steel, may not last as long as you’d hoped Hardwood timbers have been used for years and are well-suited to our environment When it comes to upholstery, Olefin and Sunbrella fabrics are the way to go for colourfastness and ease of maintenance

S E L E C T I O N

Price point is not always indicative of quality so check for three things: a good frame, good fabric and a good warranty.

O n t h e e x t e r i o r

MUR A L AT TR AC TION

A state house is given a p op of colour, and then some

Tex t Caroline Moratti P h o t o g ra p hy Gina Fabish

Main bedroom

areen D urbin is smitten with her “simple, stereotypical state house” in New Plymouth, she can’ t deny it

“We love the blank canvas this humble home has offered us as we experiment with colour theory at scale via Resene paints,” she says After entering the front door, guests are submerged into a world of violet, with the walls and ceiling drenched in Resene Deep Koamaru Kareen describes it as an “immersive colour experience”, with the white living space in Resene Q uarter Iron acting as “the light at the end of this tunnel

guiding you into the heart of the home”.

The choice to use such a bold blue in the entrance was an obvious one “The dark, but warm and vibrant tone creates a sense of contraction,” Kareen says. It also makes the rooms painted in light Resene Q uarter Iron feel larger by a trick of the eye

Perhaps the most show-stopping moment belongs to Kareen’s hand-painted mural in the living room, a swirling, intoxicating dreamscape “While almost all the rest of the interior is in Resene Q uarter Iron, the wall surrounding the fireplace has been painted in a joyful, abstract manner incorporating all the colours in the house,” Kareen says. The eye-catching wall features Resene Cinnamon and Resene Glorious

The main bedroom is a “ cosy cave” painted in Resene Jambalaya, layering brown tones in the room on top of the statement native timber floorboards, yet kept crisp and modern with a white trim and ceiling Kareen’s daughter’s bedroom was approached with a similar mentality, but using Resene Half Raven as the dominating colour instead. “It’s a lovely neutral so all her bright images and toys can pop against it ”

In their sunny garden, a granny flat used as an Airbnb serves up a treat, with the bedroom decorated in Resene Glorious, a sorbet shade that looks good enough to eat “This has been a satisfying project as we transformed a grotty old flat, room by room, into a home full of surprising colours that we love to live in,” Kareen says

Entranceway.

C O L O U R H O M E AWA R D S 2 0 2 3

• Clever interior colours

• Inventive paint projects

• Exciting exterior paint

HOW TO ENTER

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

The six finalists will each appear in Your Home and Garden Every finalist will receive a $250 Resene voucher and a feature in the magazine, with the winner taking out the Resene Colour Home Awards and $5000 cash An extended story on the winning home will feature in the May 2023 issue

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

W H AT W E A R E L O O K I N G F O R :

RESENE Rulebreaker

More Resene colours to try:

RESENE Tropical

RESENE Yogi

Homeowner Kareen Durbin used the pretty watermelon tones of Resene Glorious in the bedroom of her granny flat

FRUITS OF YOUR L ABOUR If you count yourself among the many who fronted up to the garden shop to buy your tomato plants over Labour weekend, then you should be reaping the benefits about now. Show these hard-working heav y feeders some love by applying a side dressing of compost and keep up the fertilising and watering regime for a bountiful crop. A sun-ripened tomato sliced on toasted Vogel’s is hard to beat.

The const ant gardener

Get picking on the daily – it’s summer harvest time in the garden

Chore time

M A R Y

L O V E L L - S M I T H Garden editor

y

January is a traditional time for holidays in Aotearoa. That it coincides with peak harvest can be annoying if you’re planning on heading off for a sunny sojourn at the beach or river. Unless you get someone to come and pick them for you, you may come back to a garden of marrows and seedheads. It’s the price to pay.

If you are planning on staying at home, you’ll happily be reaping the benefits of your earlier hard work. Many vegetables, the likes of courgettes, the other smaller cucurbits, peas and beans, demand daily picking if the weather is warm. Otherwise, they’re too mature and lose their sweet succulence. Regular

picking also encourages more produce. Similarly, dead-heading flowers will prompt more blooms. Keeping the actual pumpkins, courgettes and cucumbers off the ground with a piece of wood will stop them getting damaged, or even rotting, from contact with damp earth.

Pumpkin plants can seemingly scramble forever at a great pace over the warmer months. Immensely rewarding, but it usually pays to nip out the growing tips at some stage so the plant’s energy can go into helping the actual pumpkins reach a decent size. This is especially important with larger varieties.

Peas

Pro tips

the experts at Kings Plant Barn

How to: propagate hydrangeas

Now is the time to take cuttings of your favourite hydrangeas It is so easy Preferably in the cool of early morning, cut 10cm lengths of current year shoots that have not flowered These are lighter coloured than older stems Remove all the leaves except for the top pair and dip the bottoms in hormone rooting powder and insert about 5cm deep into a pot filled with damp potting mix diluted with small gravel Create a hole with a pencil first to avoid rubbing off the hormone powder Remembering the old adage “cuttings love company,” a number of these shoots can be poked in together Form a mini greenhouse by putting the container in a plastic bag to seal in the moisture and store in a cool spot – under the actual hydrangea bush is fine – until roots form Then gently remove the shoots from pot , separating the tangled roots and either plant in individual pots till plants are bigger, or plant directly into the garden

My neighbour has said that I cut my lawn too short and that this is not good for it. Is this correct?

Many people cut their lawns too short, which is called scalping. This is not good for the lawn for several reasons Shorter lawns will dry out more quickly in hot weather, and weeds will fight for space more on shorter lawns as well. The best way to cut your lawn is to make sure that you have sharp blades on your mower, as blunt blades will tear the grass rather than cut the grass.

Most grass grows best when it is cut to a height of 40-50mm, depending on the type of grass. Mow your lawn higher in summer and lower in winter.

S T E A L T H I S L O O K

A clipped macrocarpa hedge, an unruly lawn and a white chair equals an exquisite simplicity and a rare calm. It offers a brief reprieve from the hurly-burly of daily life, a quiet spot away from everyone and their demands It may be the perfect spot to read a book , compose a poem, or somewhere to escape, hide, dally, reflect The lack of visual distractions – no gaudy colours, busy

patterns, jarring forms – makes it a perfect and easy place to meditate One of its charms is its unhurried casualness. The hedge is not clipped to within an inch of its life, rather it maintains a casual flowing stance Likewise, the lawn, rather than repressed by human hand, seems to grow at its own rate and in its own way This is holiday perfection

I have a lot of dead flowers on my daisy bushes, what do I do about it?

Deadheading (removing old flowers) is an essential part of gardening.

Deadheading allows the plant to put its energy into producing more flowers rather than trying to put its energy into flowers that are already dying. To deadhead, use a sharp pair of scissors, then follow the flower stalk down to the end and snip it off at the base.

From

C O N S I D E R T H I S : G A R D E N J O U R N A L

If you can remember to fill it in regularly, a garden diary or journal is a tool that grows more useful and interesting each year A good one will help you record what and when you’ve sown, planted, harvested, clipped, fed, sprayed and so on It will give space for recording the weather as well as your reflections, and advise and remind you the best times for the many chores The ones we like also have a Māori lunar calendar and lunar planting guide

It is fascinating looking back and a great resource, comparing years, remembering favourite plants, when certain ones bloomed and how well and so forth

P R E T T Y G O O D

Those brilliantly coloured, heat-loving zinnias may be sown now directly into the garden In cooler districts, it would pay to sow them under shelter and planted out when bigger The downside of this transplanting is that it checks zinnia growth Native to Mexico and southern areas of the US, these annuals are sun lovers and like fertile, well- drained soil

Once established they have a certain drought tolerance Plant autumn-flowering bulbs such as the under-rated but so reliable nerines, belladonna (naked ladies) and colchicum (autumn crocus)

Landscaping

101: topiary

Topiary is undergoing a quiet revolution. The tightly clipped geometric shapes and easily recognisable creatures of traditional topiary are being outnumbered by the new generation of looser forms and imaginations. The uneven crenelations along the suburban pittosporum hedge in Ōamaru combine the homeowner ’s love of role play and computer games with the creative side of gardening. Billowing blobs of dark buxus across the back of a Wairarapa countrywoman’s perfectly ordered perennial border add a certain frisson of danger that all gardens need to protect them from the bland

In the fabulous garden of Lyttelton Harbour ’s Ōhinetahi, former home of preeminent architect Sir Miles Warren, topiary goes avant- garde with flat-topped blocks of shrubs tightly interlocking Once massive

topiary balls are being half-pruned in weird but powerful statements and whole trees are being clipped into flowing organic shapes Deciduous shrubs are becoming more popular in topiary, the shapes their bare branches form in winter can be alluringly prehistoric All that is needed to join the happy throng of passionate topiarists is string, sharp secateurs, shears for the biannual trim in late November and March, a large dose of imagination and some plants of course With the advent of buxus blight , box is losing popularity, being replaced by the likes of yew, bay, holm oak , rosemary, tiny-leafed hebes, pittosporum, olearia macrocarpa and Juniperus chinensis ‘Kaizuka’ aka Hollywood cypress is particularly good for the Japanese art of cloud pruning For deciduous topiary, hornbeam and beech Fagus sylvatica

My Gardening Handbook, $59 90 (Suck UK), from alliuminteriors co nz

Ōhinetahi garden.

Belladonna

N Z ’s m o s t s u s t a i n a b l e g a r d e n c e n t r e

Our new concept store is c h a n g i n g t h e l a n d s c a p e of garden centres with a number of g ro u n d - b re a k i n g a n d i n t e ra c t i ve features that are a must-see!

S u s ta i n a b i l i t y i s a t t h e h e a r t o f t h e d e s i g n of our store with locally made fixtures that use sustainable timber, solar panels which provide the entiret y of the store’s day time energ y, irrigation systems that incorporate water reuse and new plastic recycling initiatives.

With a c a re f u l l y c u ra t e d ra n g e of seasonal plants, inspirational display zones, a potting up area and plant exper ts on hand to help you e ve r y s t e p o f t h e way , Kings Plant Barn Stonefields is ever y thing you love about Kings, plus s o m u c h m o re .

The top 10 garden and outdo or space ideas that will blossom this year

Tex t Mary Lovell-Smith

Laissez-faire love

Maybe it’s to counter all the external stresses in the world today. Whatever the reason, there’s a flourishing vibe of relaxed tolerance in the garden This laissez-faire attitude can be seen in almost every aspect of outdoor design and garden practices Paths are curving, topiary flowing, luxuriance is in and control is out Rather than an all-out assault on weeds with the herbicide, they are observed and sometimes admired before being removed manually, if need be Likewise, as many as tolerable garden creatures – birds, insects (grass grubs and blowflies included, not just the cutest little ladybird or shimmering dragonfly) – are welcome

Sensory thrills

The garden is becoming more valued as a place of relaxation but not so much as an outdoor room with all the latest mod cons and comforts Now it is where the wind, sky, sun, trees, birds, sun and stars, flowers – light and dark – and dirt can be appreciated That is not to say that cooking, dining and partying outside are no longer fun and desirable activities, it is more that they are now being undertaken with an awareness of actually being outside, with less of the comforts but more of the sensory thrill than indoors can ever contain

Flowers are shedding the yoke of 20th-century hybridisation and breeding programmes More delicate, less show y and less highly bred flowers are returning to the garden. Big is no longer always better, nor is bold best, as gardeners’ perceptions become more finely tuned In part, this is due to nostalgia for simpler days and is related to the rise in popularity of Victorian cottage gardens and their wild abundance of flowering plants It is also due to more refined aesthetics Those cultivars of flowering plants bred for big blooms on dwarf stems were starting to look ridiculous Similarly, more is less, with the days of breeding plants for maximum blooms fading The most desirable ratio of flower to foliage is finally being considered –and it isn’ t a plant smothered in flowers.

Terracotta frenzy

Terracotta as a material (think pots and bricks) is riding high, alongside a demand for apricot, rust and terracotta-coloured flowers In a winning combination, these are often accompanied by blue blooms and splashes of dark foliage (the likes of black aeonium and purple heuchera). Excellent candidates in the orange shades are: Salvia africana-lutea, Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ and some of the new ochre and mustard osteospermums (African daisies); for those can’ t-go-past blues, look for love-in-a-mist, linum and anchusa Of course, there are dozens more

Victoriana vib es

Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’

Grape hyacinths from top (clockwise): Muscari ‘Latifolium’, Muscari ‘Valerie Finnis’, Muscari ‘ White Magic’ and Muscari ‘Mount Hood’.

Rusty Cor ten steel

Rusty Corten steel was a big hit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 and its popularity can be seen in raised beds, ponds, fences, screens and seating Strong, durable, relatively cheap and versatile, it can be cut, bent, twisted and stamped We’re predicting this garden trend won’ t be falling from favour soon. FYI, the layer of rust that forms on certain steel alloys protects the metal instead of corroding it, as might be expected

Multiple trunks

Another fabulous Chelsea Flower Show trend is the multitrunked tree Instead of one trunk and a crown, multiple trunks start at just above ground level, presenting a more natural and interesting form than the single solid trunk, which is often the product of grafting or cultivation Some trees multi-trunk more easily than others but most can be trained when young by cutting the trunk to about 45cm high Maybe this new popularity will see off some of the uglier grafted trees, such as cherries which are often grafted on rootstock 1 5 metres or so high The end product is ill-proportioned, with a trunk resembling a shortened telegraph pole topped with a cloud of blossom

Nat uralistic lawns

They’re the stalwart of Kiwi back and front gardens – and what’s childhood without that soft expanse of clipped green lawn on which to do a handstand or lie and look at the clouds? Luckily, lawns are no longer the symbol of the end of the world as we know it These pin-ups of climate change are being rehabilitated with the advent of rechargeable (and relatively sustainable) mowers and a recognition that a lawn need not comprise entirely of grasses; nor need it be trimmed to within a centimetre of the ground The new polycultural incarnations comprise many and varied plants, some often denounced as weeds To achieve the new look in existing lawns, simply do not use herbicides, do not water and mow less frequently In new lawns, just let what grows grow. Chances are, you will be pleasantly surprised by all the charming biodiversity

Travel insp o

Instead of travelling to exotic places for their holidays, sav v y gardeners are using them as inspiration In the US and Europe, the ancient, arid and rustic beauty of Greece and its myriad islands is behind rising numbers of stone, statuary, walls, arches and fountains in domestic gardens While there is an abundance of greenery, not many other colours can be found – just the occasional white bloom or bold blazes of bougainvillea For despite being a South American native, it is closely associated with the likes of Santorini and Mykonos Many in Aotearoa are looking closer to home for inspiration – to the Pacific Islands, the likes of New Caledonia and Samoa where the prickly aforementioned climber is also popular – alongside a host of other exotic flowers and, naturally, palms

Tropical colour.

Fan palm trees

Meadows as lawn are a version of what was described in the previous trend, with hosts of flowers friendly to bees, butterflies and other insects However pretty they may look, they are not always child-friendly unless mown, which defeats their purpose The best way to get around this is to mow parts of it, creating patterns and thoroughfares, be they spiralling

paths, chequerboards, whatever takes your fancy It’s also a good way of achieving the best of both worlds Children will love following a magical route through flowers or hiding in the long grass, all the while sharing it with a host of small and microscopic “beasties”, who will also appreciate the variety of habitats and food sources

Grow what grows

Right plant, right place is the cry No more trying to keep the bog primroses in that hot bed at the front of the house moist, or elaborate windcloth constructions to protect tender alpines from salt-laden coastal winds. No more trying to grow apricots in Northland or taro in Q ueenstown, it’s the surest route to frustration and failure And it isn’ t doing the planet any favours either. Choose the plants for a site, rather than find a site for a plant

Meadowscap e

Hebes thrive in coastal areas.

Tomahawk steaks with burger butter

1 Stand steaks at room temperature for 20 minutes

2 Meanwhile, make Burger Butter. Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl; season to taste Using plastic wrap, roll into a 4cm-thick log Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

3 Brush steaks with oil; season well Cook steaks on a heated barbecue (or grill plate) over high heat for 6 minutes on each side or until an even brown crust forms Reduce heat to medium; cook, covered with barbecue hood (or cover with foil and roast in a 180°C oven), for a further 15 minutes, for medium-rare, or until cooked to your liking Transfer to an oven tray Cut half of the Burger Butter into 1cm-thick slices; place evenly on top of steaks Cover loosely with foil; rest for 10 minutes

4 Serve steaks with remaining sliced butter. Butter can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months

Tips

Tomahawk steaks are large rib-eye steaks with the entire length of the rib left intact Substitute regular rib-eye or your favourite steak cut, if preferred. Cornichons are small pickled gherkins, avai1able in jars in the pickle section of major supermarkets.

Summer is the p erfect time to par ty Mexican style. Carne asada, smoky calamari and spicy chicken tacos meet zingy co cktails for go o d times galore

Prawn and avocado with lime

Calamari and corn tacos with salsa verde

Carne asada tacos with arbol chilli salsa

I

Prawn and avo cado with lime

SERVES 8

N G R E D I E N T S

1 3kg medium uncooked king prawns, peeled and deveined Juice of 3-4 limes

2 avocados, diced

½ telegraph cucumber, cut into 1cm dice

1 jalapeno, seeds removed and finely chopped

1⁄3 cup coriander, coarsely chopped Corn chips, to serve

1 Par-cook prawns in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until colour changes and they become opaque (1-2 minutes) D rain, reserving 60ml cooking water Coarsely chop prawns, place in a bowl with reserved cooking water and cool completely

2 Add lime juice to prawns, toss to combine and season to taste Prawns can be prepared a day ahead and kept chilled

3 Toss remaining ingredients through the prawn mixture, season to taste, and serve with corn chips

Corn tor tillas

MAKES 16

I N G R E D I E N T S 250g white masa flour 375ml water ¼ tsp salt

1 Combine flour, water and salt in a bowl and mix with your hands to a soft pliable dough (2 minutes), adding more water or flour if necessary Form dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap or a

damp tea towel and rest for 30 minutes at room temperature

2 Divide dough into 16 pieces and roll each in a walnut-sized ball Heat a heav y castiron or non-stick pan over high heat. Line a tortilla press (see Note) with plastic wrap

3 Working with one ball of dough at a time, place in the press, top with another piece of plastic wrap and press to flatten into a disc Remove top piece of plastic, then carefully hold tortilla flat to remove the other piece and gently place tortilla in pan

4 Cook tortilla, turning once, until it starts to turn golden and puffs up a little (1-2 minutes each side, depending on the pan)

Transfer cooked tortillas to a warm dish and cover with a damp tea towel while you press and cook remaining tortillas Tortillas are best served straight from the pan, but can be reheated, wrapped in a damp tea towel, in a very low oven

Note: Tortilla presses are sold at kitchenware stores

Calamari and corn tacos with salsa verde

MAKES 16

I N G R E D I E N T S

3 corn cobs, husks and silks removed Neutral-flavoured oil, such as olive oil or grapeseed oil, for brushing

6 calamari (about 150g each), cleaned, hoods halved lengthways and patted dry with paper towels

16 tortillas, to serve Edible flowers (optional), sour cream and hot sauce, to serve S A L S A V E R D E

1 spring onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeno, finely chopped Juice of 1 lime

½ cup coriander, coarsely chopped ¼ cup neutral-flavoured oil, such as grapeseed

1 Preheat a barbecue, preferably charcoal, or a char-grill pan to high Brush corn with oil and cook, turning occasionally, until slightly charred and kernels are tender (15-20 minutes). Cool briefly, then slice off kernels with a sharp knife

2 For the Salsa Verde, combine ingredients in a bowl and season to taste

3 Brush calamari with oil and grill, turning occasionally until charred, opaque and just cooked through (3-4 minutes) Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve in tortillas with corn, sour cream, hot sauce, Salsa Verde and edible flowers

Carne asada tacos with arb ol chilli salsa

MAKES 16

I N G R E D I E N T S

3 rib-eye steaks, pounded to 2cm thick, at room temperature

Olive oil or grapeseed oil, for brushing

16 corn tortillas, to serve Crumbled feta, coarsely chopped coriander and shredded white cabbage, to serve

Coarsely mashed avocado, seasoned with lime juice and salt, to serve Lime wedges, to serve A R B O L C H I L L I S A L S A

10 dried arbol chillies (see Tip), cut coarsely with scissors

2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

4 large ripe tomatoes, diced ½ onion, finely chopped Juice of 1 lime ¼ cup coriander, coarsely chopped

Tip

D ried arbol chillies are small, hot Mexican chillies available from supermarkets and specialty Mexican stores

1 For the Arbol Chilli Salsa, dry-roast chillies until fragrant (20-40 seconds) and transfer to a small food processor Add garlic to pan and stir until it starts to turn golden (1 minute), then add to food processor with chilli and blend until finely chopped Add remaining ingredients and pulse once or twice until just combined but still coarse

2 Preheat a barbecue to high. Brush steaks with oil, season to taste and grill, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked to your liking (10-12 minutes for medium-rare) Rest in a warm place (5-10 minutes), slice and serve with tortillas, salsa, feta, coriander, cabbage, avocado and lime wedges

Chicken tinga tacos

MAKES 16

I N G R E D I E N T S

1 whole chicken (about 1 4kg), quartered

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 tsp cumin seeds, dry-roasted and finely ground

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 400g tomatoes, finely chopped

3 chipotle chillies in adobo, finely chopped

16 tortillas, to serve Sour cream, thinly sliced radish, finely chopped onion, shredded coriander and lime halves to serve

1 Preheat oven to 240°C Toss chicken in half the oil in a roasting pan, season with salt and roast until golden and juices run clear when a thigh is pierced with a skewer (45-50 minutes) Cool briefly

2 Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat Add onion and cumin and stir until onion is softened and starting to turn golden (7-8 minutes) Add garlic, stir until fragrant (20-30 seconds), then add tomato and chipotle chilli and simmer until slightly thickened (4-5 minutes)

3 Shred chicken (discard bones) and add to sauce Deglaze roasting pan with 50ml water, scraping base of pan, and pour pan juices into sauce Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens a little (5-6 minutes) Season to taste

4 Serve chicken tinga in warm tortillas with sour cream, radish, onion, coriander and lime

1 Preheat oven to 175°C and butter a 20cm x 30cm baking dish Sift flour, baking powder and ¼ tsp salt into a bowl Whisk eggs and sugar in an electric mixer until thick and pale (7-8 minutes) Fold in flour mixture in batches, then vanilla and 50ml milk until smooth Spoon batter into prepared dish and bake until golden and a skewer inserted withdraws clean (25-30 minutes) Prick cake all over with a skewer

2 Whisk condensed milk, evaporated milk and remaining milk in a jug to combine well, then pour evenly over cake Cool cake to room temperature (1-1½ hours), then cover and

refrigerate to soak (4 hours or overnight)

3 For the Roasted Peaches, preheat oven to 200°C. Spread peach wedges on a baking tray lined with baking paper, add vanilla, sprinkle with sugar and squeeze over lime juice Toss to coat and roast until golden and caramelised (20-25 minutes). Cool.

4 Cut cake into squares, top each square with whipped cream and a cherry, then serve with Roasted Peaches

Tip

The success of a michelada is all in the balance Taste and go until it’s spot on.

Michelada

MAKES 2

What can be more refreshing than a cold beer on a hot day?

Answer: a cold beer with a splash of lime juice and a dash of hot sauce

Like most things, the success of a michelada is all in the balance Taste and go until the mix is spot on

I N G R E D I E N T S

Sea salt flakes

Juice of 1 lime (reserve one squeezed lime half ), plus lime slices to serve 1 x 330ml pilsner or pale lager, preferably Mexican, chilled Pinch of cayenne pepper Hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, to serve

1 Pour salt into a small bowl to the depth of about 1cm Rub reserved lime half around the rim of two chilled beer glasses, then dip rims in salt flakes to lightly coat.

2 Half-fill glasses with beer, add lime juice and top with ice Add remaining ingredients to taste, stir with a swizzle stick and serve topped with a slice of lime

Pink margarita

MAKES 1

Margaritas are a true party starter, and while we love a classic, a jigger of grapefruit juice in the mix adds another layer to the sharpness of lime, and turns these blushing pink

I N G R E D I E N T S

Sea salt flakes

30ml lime juice (reserve one squeezed lime half ) 45ml tequila

30ml pink grapefruit juice 15ml Cointreau

Thinly sliced pink grapefruit or lime wedges, to serve

1 Pour salt into a small bowl to the depth of about 1cm Rub reserved lime half around the rim of a chilled coupe or margarita glass, then dip rim in salt to lightly coat

2 Combine tequila, grapefruit and lime juices and Cointreau in a cocktail shaker and add ice to three-quarters full Shake until well chilled, then strain into glass and serve with a slice of grapefruit or lime wedge.

Michelada

Pink margarita

Preheat oven to 200°C.

Place flour, yeast, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse for a

few seconds until combined With the motor operating, pour in oil and the water, processing until ingredients come together Process for a further minute or until smooth and elastic Place dough in a large oiled stainless steel bowl; cover with a tea towel.

3 Turn the oven off; place the bowl of dough in the turned-off oven for 15 minutes or until dough doubles in size. Remove the bowl from oven. Use dough to make one of the pizzas on the following page

Tip

To mimic a traditional pizza oven invest in a pizza stone. The heated stone draws moisture away from the pizza dough and helps to make the crust crispy.

Salami, ricotta & kale

SERVES 4

I N G R E D I E N T S

1⁄3 cup pizza sauce with herbs and garlic

150g shaved mild Danish salami, 500g cherry truss tomatoes

½ small red onion, thinly sliced

½ cup crumbled ricotta 60g baby kale leaves, to serve

1 Make pizza dough Oil two oven or pizza trays; place in oven, then preheat to 240°C

2 Divide dough into two portions; roll each portion on a floured surface into a 15cm x 30cm oval Place dough on trays. Spread with pizza sauce, salami, cherry tomatoes, red onion and ricotta

3 Bake for 15 minutes or until bases are browned and crisp Top with baby kale leaves to serve

Kūmara & rosemary

SERVES 4

I N G R E D I E N T S

1⁄3 cup olive oil

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

1 small orange kūmara 100g crumbled feta 50g rocket leaves, to serve

1 Tbsp olive oil, to serve

1 Make pizza dough Oil two oven or pizza trays; place in oven, then preheat to 240°C

2 Divide dough into two portions; roll each portion on a floured surface into a 15cm x 30cm oval Place dough on trays

3 Combine olive oil, crushed garlic and rosemary and spread on bases Using a vegetable peeler, mandoline or V-slicer, slice kūmara into

paper-thin strips and put on pizza Sprinkle with crumbled feta

4 Bake pizzas for 15 minutes or until bases are browned and crisp Serve topped with rocket leaves and olive oil

Teriyaki chicken & pineapple

SERVES 4

I N G R E D I E N T S

227g can pineapple pieces, drained

1⁄3 cup barbecue sauce

2 Tbsp teriyaki sauce

1½ cups shredded barbecued chicken

1 small red capsicum, thinly sliced

1 large flat mushroom, sliced

2 spring onions, thinly sliced

1 Make pizza dough Oil two oven or pizza trays; place in oven, then preheat to 240°C Divide dough into two portions; roll each portion on a floured surface into a 15cm x 30cm oval

2 Place dough on trays Blot the pineapple pieces with paper towel. Combine the barbecue sauce with teriyaki sauce in a small jug Spread two-thirds of the sauce mixture on bases; top with shredded chicken, capsicum, mushroom and pineapple pieces

3 Bake pizzas for 15 minutes or until bases are browned and crisp Serve drizzled with remaining sauce mixture and sprinkle with spring onions

Fresh tomato & mozzarella

SERVES 4

I N G R E D I E N T S

½ cup tomato passata 400g baby heirloom tomatoes, thickly sliced 150g buffalo mozzarella, torn

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp balsamic glaze

1 Tbsp roasted pine nuts ¼ cup small fresh basil leaves ¼ cup shaved parmesan

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 Make pizza dough Oil two oven or pizza trays; place in oven, then preheat to 240°C. Divide dough into two portions; roll each portion on a floured surface into a 15cm x 30cm oval Place dough on trays; spread with tomato passata

2 Bake pizzas for 15 minutes or until bases are browned and crisp.

3 Top pizza bases with tomato slices and buffalo mozzarella

D rizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze Sprinkle with roasted pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, shaved parmesan and extra olive oil

O W N S W E E T T I M E

Claire Saffitz’s What’s for Dessert is subtitled simple recipes for dessert people and it really sums it up There’s baked frangipane apples, filo cardamom pinwheels, coffee Stracciatella semifreddo and sticky pumpkin-chestnut gingerbread pudding among other delights Perhaps the best thing about this book is the ’50s-style photography $59 99, Murdoch Books

Waste not, want not

The Wonky Box is a fresh fruit and vegetable subscription service that offers up imperfectly shaped produce that have small blemishes and are the wrong size When they don’t make the cut, they often end up going to landfill. Angus Simms and Katie Jackson’s Wonky Box means they get the surplus from growers that other retailers would reject and packed it into boxes and delivered throughout Wellington and West Auckland. Everyone’s thrifty grannies would most certainly approve. From $32 a box, wonkybox.nz

Uncommonly good

The Uncommon is a new local bubbly wine brand that’s launching in cans rather than bottles The carbon footprint is 75 percent lighter than a traditional glass bottle and chills faster to boot. Both wines – the Leonard Bubbly White Wine and Twiggy, Bubbly Rose Wine hail from Marlborough. The white is a single vineyard sauvignon blanc and the rosé is a dry, French-style pinot noir rosé, if you’re interested We couldn’t get past the awesome can art. $29.99 for a four-pack, wearetheuncommon co nz

s o u n d b i t e s

All the ingredients for kitchen and enter taining success

A L C O H O L- F R E E Z O N E

The crew behind the Curious AF range of alcohol-free mixed cocktails has opened a bottle shop in Ponsonby After a pop-up in July, the reaction was so great, founder Lisa King thought it high time she made it permanent It stocks the insanely good Curious AF drinks (the Cuba Libre, Apero Spritz and Cucumber G&T are almost better than the real thing), as well as select alcohol-free wines and spirits and the relaxing nightcap Kin Euphorics launched by Bella Hadid 5 Crummer Road, Ponsonby, Auckland, af-drinks com

CUT AND PASTE

Rutherford & Meyer’s latest fruit paste is a good ’un – Pinot & Plum. It’s recommended to pair with hard cheeses such as an aged cheddar, parmesan or gouda $6 50, rutherfordandmeyer co nz

F O O D & D R I N K N E W S

Former Māori Television

presenter Naomi Toilalo shares recip es from her new bilingual co okb ook full of tried-and-tested Kiwi classics – no fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients required

Keke Pārū | Tropical Cake

Kia 200 karamu pata kūteretere (200g softened butter)

Kia kotahi me te hauwhā kapu huka one (1¼ cups caster sugar)

Kia haurua kokoiti tote (½ tsp salt)

Kia kotahi kokonui iho hūperei (1 Tbsp vanilla essence)

Kia toru hēki (3 eggs)

Kia kotahi me te toru hauwhā kapu puehu parāoa (1¾ cups plain flour)

Kia kotahi me te haurua kokoiti pēkana paura (1½ tsp baking powder)

Kia haurua kokoiti pēkana houra (½ tsp baking soda)

Kia kotahi kapu kokonati pūtī (1 cup desiccated coconut)

Kia kotahi me te hauwhā kapu miraka tepe Kiriki (1¼ cup Greek yoghurt)

Kiri rēmana pīrahirahi (Finely grated zest of 2 lemons)

Kiri raima pīrahirahi (Finely grated zest of 3 limes)

Kia rua hautoru kapu ranu kōhia, kahitete kōhia rānei (2⁄3 cup store-bought passionfruit sauce or curd with seeds)

Kia hautoru kapu wai raima māota, wai rēmana rānei (1⁄3 cup freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice)

1 Whakamahantia te umu kia 160 te pāmahana Heat the oven to 160°C

Grease two 19cm or 20cm baking tins and set aside

2 Using a stand mixer (with a whisk attachment) or electric beaters, beat the pata kūteretere and huka one for 5 minutes until light and fluffy Add the tote and iho hūperei and beat again for 2 minutes Add 1 hēki at a time, beating for 20 seconds after each addition.

3 Sift the puehu parāoa, pēkana paura and pēkana houra over the butter mixture Raua atu te kokonati, miraka tepe, kiri rēmana me te kiri raima. Add the coconut, yoghurt, lemon zest and lime zest Whakawhenumia katoatia ngā mea whakauru kia māene Mix the ingredients together until smooth.

4 Weheruatia te ranunga ki ngā ipu keke Divide the mixture evenly between the cake tins

5 Kōroriroria te ranu/kahitete kōhia me te wai raima, wai rēmana rānei Mix together the passionfruit sauce/curd and lime or lemon juice and spoon 1/3 cup over each cake and reserve the rest for decorating the cake

6 Bake the cakes for 35 minutes Leave in the tins for 5 minutes then, keeping the cakes upright, transfer them onto a wire rack to cool This helps the passionfruit topping stay intact

T E W H A K A R Ā K E I | T H E D E C O R AT I O N

Kia 250 karamu tīhi mascarpone (250g mascarpone, chilled)

Kia kotahi kapu kirīmi mātao (1 cup chilled cream)

Kia toru kokonui puehu huka (3 Tbsp icing sugar)

Kia kotahi mango māota, kua pīhorea (1 fresh mango, peeled)

Kia haurua hua tarākona māota (½ fresh dragon fruit)

Kia 10 parakipere (10 blackberries)

Kia 10 putiputi waireti (10 viola flowers)

Te toenga o te ranu kōhia (The remaining passionfruit sauce)

1 Wepua te mascarpone mō tētahi miniti Whisk the mascarpone for 1 minute

A koe e kaurori tonu ana, āta riringihia atu te kirīmi me te puehu huka kia tāhungahunga As you continue to whisk, slowly add the cream and icing sugar until light and fluffy

2 Put one cake on a serving plate and spread half the cream mixture on top Cut half the mango into thin slices and arrange them on top of the cream Drizzle over a couple of tablespoons of passionfruit sauce.

3 Gently place the second cake on top and spread with the remaining cream (I reserve a little of the cream to pipe on anchor points for the fruit to sit on). Cut the hua tarākona into strips and arrange them on top Cut the remaining mango into cubes and arrange these around the dragon fruit with some sliced parakipere. Tuck the putiputi waireti around the fruit, then drizzle over the remaining passionfruit sauce so it drips down the sides

4 This cake is at its best within one or two days of making it Store it in a well-sealed cake container in a cool place I prefer not to store my cakes in the refrigerator as it tends to dry them out but if made in the warmer months, this cake will survive one day in the fridge

Tip

Buttery rough puff pastry is ideal for pies, sausage rolls and my custard slice. It’s ready to go in just over an hour and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week

Keke Kahitete | Custard slice

MAKES 16 pieces

T E P Ō H Ā | T H E PA S T R Y

1 x quantity Rough Puff Pastry or 2 sheets of store-bought pre-rolled puff pastry

1 Heat the oven to 200°C Line two trays with baking paper.

2 If using homemade rough puff pastry, remove the chilled pastry from the fridge and cut in half Roll each piece out to a square measuring 24cm x 24cm Place a pastry square on each prepared tray Cover with a heavy baking tray that fits snugly on top If you have them, set a cast iron frying pan on top of each tray to weigh the trays down Bake for 25 minutes until golden, rotating the trays halfway through the cooking time for even baking.

3 Remove from the oven and lift off the trays Allow the pastry to cool completely on cooling racks, then trim each piece to a 23cm square

4 If using store-bought pastry sheets, follow the instructions as above, omitting the initial rolling out

T E K A H I T E T E H Ā H Ā | T H E

L U S C I O U S C U S TA R D

Kia rua kapu miraka (2 cups milk)

Kia rua kapu kirīmi (2 cups cream)

Kia haurua kokoiti tote (1 tsp salt)

Kia hautoru kapu puehu kānga (1⁄3 cup cornflour)

Kia hautoru kapu paura kahitete (1⁄3 cup custard powder)

Kia toru hauwhā kapu huka one (3 cup caster sugar)

Kia rua hēki (2 eggs)

Kia rua tōhua hēki (2 egg yolks)

Kia 60 karamu pata (60g butter)

Kia kotahi kokonui iho hūperei (1 Tbsp vanilla essence)

1 Āta whakamahanahia te miraka me te kirīmi ki tētahi kōhua. Gently heat the milk and cream in a pot Heat until nearly boiling, then remove from heat

2 Place the tote, puehu kānga, paura kahitete and huka one in a medium bowl Add the hēki and tōhua hēki Tāwhiuwhiua mō te rua miniti kia kōmā ai te āhua Whisk together for 2 minutes, until pale Keep whisking and slowly pour the hot milk and cream into the egg mixture

3 Pour the mixture back into the same pot and return it to the heat Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.

4 When the mixture is thick, add the butter and stir until it melts Remove from the heat and stir in the iho hūperei. Let cool for 10 minutes

5 Line a 24cm square, high-sided tray with baking paper. Place a piece of pastry on the base of the tin

6 Pour over the custard and place the second piece of pastry on top. Chill in the refrigerator as you make the pani reka – icing

T E PA N I R E K A | T H E I C I N G Kia 150 karamu tiakarete mā kua tapahia (50g white chocolate, chopped) Kia hautoru kapu kirīmi (1⁄3 cup cream)

1 Whakarewaina te tiakarete mā me te kirīmi. Melt the white chocolate and the cream Do this in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water – don’ t let the water touch the bowl When the chocolate has nearly all melted, remove from the heat and stir until smooth Leave on the bench to thicken for about 30 minutes

2 Pania te pani reka tiakarete ki

runga i te keke kahitete Spread the chocolate icing over the custard slice. Chill for at least another 2 hours before cutting into 16 pieces I prefer to leave the slice in the fridge overnight to allow the flavours to develop (it also makes it easier to slice) This slice keeps well in the fridge for up to a week

Pōhā Kōpuku P uf f pastry | rough puf f

T E P Ō H Ā K Ō P U K U |

T H E P U F F PA S T R Y

Kia 190 karamu pata mātao (190g chilled butter)

Kia rua kapu puehu parāoa (2 cups flour)

He kini tote (pinch of salt)

Kia hautoru kapu wai mātao (1⁄3 cup chilled water)

1 Tapahia te pata mātao hai tapawhā iti Cut the chilled butter into small cubes Place them on a plate and refrigerate for 5 minutes

2 Place the puehu parāoa, pata and tote in a bowl Using your fingertips, rub the pata into the puehu parāoa, leaving visible bits of pata Add the wai and work it through to form a dough.

3 Roll the dough to a 15cm x 30cm rectangle on a lightly floured bench Fold the top third of the pastry down and the bottom third of the pastry on top, like you’re folding a letter Rotate the pastry 90 degrees. Roll it out again to 15cm x 30cm and repeat the folds

4 Chill for 30 minutes, then repeat the rolling and folding process twice more (so you will have rolled out and folded the dough four times in all)

5 Wrap the dough in baking paper and chill for 30 minutes The pastry is now ready to use

Pihikete Aramona

Wherihoa Me Te Raima | Feijoa & lime macarons

N G Ā P I H I K E T E A R A M O N A | T H E M A C A R O N S

Kia rua kahu hēki (2 egg whites)

Kia kotahi kokoiti wai raima (1 tsp lime juice)

Kia toru kokonui huka one (3 Tbsp caster sugar)

Kia toru kōpata tae kai hīoi (3 drops mint-coloured food colouring – I only use gel)

Kia kotahi kokoiti kiri raima pīrahirahi (1 tsp finely grated lime zest)

Kia toru hauwhā kapu peru oneone (¾ cup ground almonds)

Kia toru hauwhā kapu puehu huka (¾ cup icing sugar)

1 Line two trays with baking paper and set aside, or you can use a macaron mat

2 Place the kahu hēki and wai raima in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment Beat it on medium speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add in the huka one and continue beating on mediumhigh speed for 6 minutes

3 Add 3 drops of the tae kai and the kiri raima Kaurori anō mō tētahi miniti Beat for 1 minute

4 Sift the peru oneone and puehu huka into a bowl. Tātaritia anō ki roto i te ranunga kahu hēki Then sift it all again into the egg white mixture

Fold the mixture 65-75 times. This is the trick to the success of these macarons so take the time to count out each fold I know it sounds a bit weird but it works

5 Trace 15cm x 3cm circles onto each piece of baking paper with a 2cm gap between each one to allow for spreading Flip the baking paper over onto the baking trays and pipe on the mixture inside the traced circles (it will spread slightly) When all the macarons are piped, tap the

tray on the bench four times to help release any bubbles inside the mixture Pop any visible air bubbles with a toothpick (this helps to keep the tops smooth and stops the macarons from exploding in the oven)

6 Set aside on the bench, uncovered, for 1–1.5 hours. The macarons are ready to bake when they look dull, rather than shiny, and they don’ t stick to your fingertip when touched.

7 Whakamahanatia te umu kia 140 te pāmahana Heat the oven to 140°C

8 Bake the macarons for 18 minutes – they are baked when the shell is hard and the bottom (flat side) no longer moves when touched Remove from the oven and set aside to cool on the tray for 10 minutes while you prepare the buttercream

PA N I R E K A PATA W H E R I H O A |

F E I J O A B U T T E R C R E A M

Kia rua kahu hēki (2 egg whites)

Kia haurua kapu huka one (½ cup caster sugar)

Kia 150 karamu pata, ōrite te mahana ki te rūma (150g butter, at room temperature)

Kia 30 karamu wherihoa tauraki-tio (30g freeze-dried feijoas)

1 Place the kahu hēki and huka one in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water – make sure the bowl isn’ t touching the water. Slowly stir as the mixture warms up and the sugar dissolves Test this by rubbing the mixture between your fingers – if it is smooth, it is ready

2 Remove from the heat Beat for 8 minutes with electric beaters until it forms stiff peaks and is super glossy

3 Cut up the butter into pieces Continue beating and add a quarter of the butter at a time, beating until incorporated Repeat until all the butter is in and you have a smooth, thick buttercream. Sift the wherihoa taurakitio into the buttercream

Whakaranuhia – mix to combine

4 Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag Pipe a swirl of buttercream onto the bottom of every second macaron Top with the remaining macarons. If desired, decorate them with candied lime zest (see below)

5 Store the finished macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days

H E R A R E R A I M I |

C A N D I E D L I M E Z E S T

He kiri raima (Peel of 2 limes)

Kia haurua kapu huka (½ cup sugar)

Kia haurua kapu wai (½ cup water)

Lavender flowers, optional

1 Line a small tray with baking paper

2 Cut the kiri raima into thin strips, place them in a small pot and cover with cold water. Set over medium heat and bring to the boil While the water is heating up, fill a small bowl with iced water.

3 When the water is boiling, remove the zest with a small sieve and plunge it into the iced water. Return the zest to the pot and bring to the boil again, then drop it into the iced water

Tip

For best

results,

use a stand mixer

The macarons don’ t turn out as well if you use electric beaters.

Repeat this process once more, then leave the zest to drain.

4 Place the huka and wai in another pot set over medium heat Bring to a simmer, then add the kiri raima. Simmer for about 8 minutes, until the zest is translucent Place the zest on the baking paper and set aside

5 To decorate the macarons, arrange two pieces of kiri raima on top of each macaron and add tiny lavender flowers if desired. Te mutunga mai o te ātaahua – how beautiful!

WhānauKai by Naomi Toilalo ($50, HarperCollins NZ)

Photography by Sarah Henderson Recipes and styling by Naomi Toilalo

L AVENDER SNIFFING Spend a day in a field of fragrant blossoms, picking and picnicking at Carterton’s Lavender Abbey The Pick Your Own Lavender days, held on December 31, January 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15, are bound to be some of the most calming of the holidays lavenderabbey co nz

d o w n t i m e

A D M I R E P O R TA G E 2 2

Stop by Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery in Titirangi, Auckland to marvel at the Portage Ceramic Awards 2022 exhibition See the winners and finalists of established and emerging contemporary clay artists in a showcase of talent in Aotearoa Chances are, you’ll feel inspired to work on your own masterpiece Exhibition on until 5 March

TAKE IN CORNWALL PARK

Cornwall Park is one of Auckland’s best-kept secrets, from its gorgeous pastoral setting to abundance of garden life. Join a guided walk with the park ’s horticulture manager for a lesson in all things green, growing and gorgeous A Friday stroll has never looked so good, or so educational 27 January, 10am-11am, eventbrite.co.nz to register

L E A R N

T H E A R T O F

I N T E R I O R D E S I G N

Auckland’s Nanette Cameron School of Interior Design is back after a two-year break Gain a grounding in colour, history and textiles, and how to apply them From foundation courses to graduate courses, there’s a range of classes on offer nanettecameronschool com

Face to face with Frida

It’s a face that launched a thousand decorative cushions, check out the new Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico exhibition Featuring more than 150 lush, colourful paintings capturing the artist and the life around her and her husband, Diego Rivera, in this must-see display at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki Don’t miss out on visiting the gift shop afterwards to get your very own slice of Frida fabulousness Exhibition on until 22 January

R E A D

LIFE AND DEATH IN BIRKENHEAD

January is the perfect time for getting through that pile of books that’s been building up, and what better place to start than a thriller set in a sleepy Auckland suburb? Life and Death in Birkenhead by KM Tarrant ($35, Mary Egan Publishing), borrows from the author’s years as an embalmer to craft a debut novel that’s as bone-chilling as it is captivating

I N S P I R I N G W A Y S T O R E S T , R E C H A R G E A N D G E T M O R E Y O U - T I M E

S A M H A R T N E T T

Mangawhai’s town slogan is: “A little out of the way A lot out of the ordinary ” Find out if it delivers on this promise

T H E B U S M A N ’ S G U I D E T O :

M a n g aw h a i

Visitors come to this Nor thland town for its surf b each and safe harb our swimming, but there’s also an unexp ected b onus – the shops

4

5 M O I R S T R E E T

It all happens on Moir Street Across from the Bennetts complex, this standalone art gallery is community minded and run by a committee of volunteers who range from hobby painter to professional artist. The day we visited, a limited series of 100 eye linocuts were lined up at eye-level across the walls They were a very reasonable $25 each

T H E P I P I

1 M O L E S W O R T H S T R E E T

This gallery-cum-shop is laden with pottery, ceramics, glass, garden art, jewellery and flowers It stocks the work of locals as well as more recognised names, such as Whanganui potter Aaron Scythe, Northland ceramicist Richard Parker and glass pieces by Auckland’s Lukeke Design studio If you can’ t find a gift here there’s no hope

M A N G A W H A I A R T I S T S G A L L E R Y

T R U E N O R T H Sun, sea and sand

Threadb ox

U N I T 4 , 5 2 M O I R S T R E E T

Just above Bennetts is Threadbox and, quite frankly, it’s got the best Byron Bay surf shop vibe Not only can you pick up surf wax and skateboards but there’s an in-house screen-printing sideline There’s also great fashion for the beach and fantastic homewares, not least the Smoked Lavender Amberjack candle, rattan-covered glassware and Bali lights for you to kit your surf shack out in

Bennetts of Mangawhai

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2 M O I R S T R E E T

5

Kākāriki

2 M O I R S T R E E T

Turn left at Bennetts of Mangawhai’s courtyard fountain and you’ll be in a lovely health and wellbeing store with deli touches There’s plenty of interesting Greek food, as well as seaweed salt alongside plenty of herbal potions And for the fleet-footed, there’s Greek-made winged leather gladiator sandals

of roa choco

Anyone who’s ever been to Mangawhai will rave about this chocolate shop in a complex accessed by a covered courtyard, complete with Italian village-style fountain and cobblestones. It’s been around since 1998 and the chocolate, made from sustainably sourced cocoa, is made on site. During the week you can watch as they make it hygienically – no chocolate river as per Willy Wonka. If you can resist the boxes of roasted hazelnut and crispy praline chocolates, the plum crumble bar will get you. You’ll also want to have a hot chocolate at the cafe, if not brunch. A stick of chocolate in frothy milk slowly melts in front of your eyes – and it’s so good.

Mangawhai Tavern Market on Saturdays from 8 30am-1pm for amazing gyoza, cool beeswax candles, jewellery, pottery and everything in between. Spoiled for market choice, there’s also Mangawhai Community Market on the school grounds on Saturdays from 8 30am-1pm for good food, fresh produce, crafts and artisanal wares Locals are also very excited by Gringas, a Mexican food joint on Mangawhai Heads Road

Keeping up w ith KOK EDA M A

Tex t Caroline Moratti P h o t o g ra p hy Kate B attersby

Caroline Yelavic is getting her hands dir ty with an ancient form of gardening

W O M E N W E L O V E

riginally from sunny Sao Paulo in Brazil, Caroline Yelavic was exposed to Japanese culture from a young age, despite being thousand of miles away from the land of the rising sun “My godmother was a Buddhist and enjoyed the practice of ikebana and the peace it brought her. I remember seeing her art around her house and the joy she felt when we attended her exhibitions,” she says Now a Hibiscus Coast local, Caroline spends her time engaged in the art of kokedama Kokedama, a Japanese style of potting plants in a ball of moss that forms a living planter using the plant’s roots, is a centuries-old practice that’s making a comeback after years of relative obscurity “Personally, I’ve found the practice to be meditative It’s a way for me to express myself creatively through a living medium I love and enjoy – soil and plants,” she says

When Caroline’s not making new creations for her website you’ll find her selling her hand-crafted pot plants at markets across Auckland “I want to keep experimenting with the art of kokedama I’m constantly trying new wrap designs, colour combinations and plant varieties.”

How and when did you first learn about the art of kokedama? I’ve always loved all things plant related and was interested in finding an ikebana course here in Auckland Unfortunately, the classes

I found were held during work hours, so I started searching for an alternative practice that would connect with nature and give me the same meditative feel my godmother spoke about That’s when I stumbled upon kokedama I watched YouTube videos, found books and just started researching the materials After I wrapped my first plant, I haven’ t been able to stop

How did Koju Kokedama get started as a business and what was the vision?

My wonderful friend Nicky loved one of my creations and wanted one for herself. Then a friend of hers asked about it, so I made her one too At that stage, I was experimenting wrapping all types of plant varieties I could get hold of. My husband suggested the idea of selling some of my creations at a market, which I thought was

R O L L I N G W I T H I T

Kokedama is an ancient Japanese style of pot planting Caroline learned more about through YouTube videos and reading books “It’s a way for me to express myself creatively through a living medium,” she says

exciting and scary at the same time I basically needed to sell some of my creations to service my increased plant purchasing as my propagating project wasn’ t fast enough to keep up with me

Why do you prefer kokedama over more traditional potting methods?

I like the simplicity and the integrity of the natural materials, soil, moss and twine I found the concept of the kokedama to be clever – a self-contained vessel for a plant to grow that could also be displayed as a living sculpture

C A R O L I N E Y E L A V I C

How long does it take you to create a kokedama and what does the process look like? Plant selection is key to the start of the process, and through a large amount of trial and error, I have a great selection of go-to plants that I know will last a long time in a kokedama and thrive. My time creating each kokedama varies depending on the size of the plant and the root system, some root systems are more challenging to be contained in the mud ball stage. The smallest diameter kokedamas can take less than an hour to make, but I do enjoy the challenge of wrapping larger moss balls The wrapping of the mud ball and moss in the final twine wrap is my favourite part, and that’s where I experiment the most with patterns and colours I like to use coloured twine to accent the plant variety on display

What are some of your favourite plants to work with and why? I am really into trailing plants at the moment such as Epipremnum species – N’Joy, Jade and Neon My all-time favourite is still the jade plant – Crassula ovata The jade plant has strong symbolism of friendship, prosperity and positive energy, which I love This succulent is an easy-care plant that thrives with minimum effort while bringing positive energy and looking great in the kokedama.

“Perseverance is vital in any business, constantly learning from your successes and mistakes.”

It’s not a technique a lot of Kiwis know about. What do people tend to say to you when they encounter your stall or workshop? A lot of people are intrigued by how the “ moss ball” is made, and whether it is an actual pot you can remove and add another plant to it Most Kiwis have not seen a kokedama before and find it to be a lovely and clever gift

What’s your advice to anyone wanting to start up their own business? Just start. Bounce the ideas off friends and do your research If it brings you joy, I say you are on the right track I also have a very supportive husband who has been a driving force in me finding my confidence in sharing my work with others

What’s been one of the highlights of your journey so far? Seeing people enjoy my creations and discovering plant varieties that suit their style I am a true believer that no one is a “plant killer” – it’s a term I often hear from people who avoid purchasing plants due to having killed the odd species It’s a trial-and-error process, one where you need to find a variety that fits with your nurturing needs, your home and the aesthetic you are looking for

What’s been an important lesson you’ve learnt? Patience in the practice and finding joy in the process Perseverance is vital in any business, constantly learning from your successes and mistakes, then pivoting to try something different Kokedama is messy work and I love it

How can people best care for their kokedama after buying or making one? Knowing the plant species is key, as

every plant has their particular needs

O verwatering is a common mistake some can encounter, so following the care instructions I provide with each kokedama is key Like most living plants, light, air and water is key, along with a nice dose of liquid fertiliser during spring and summer months to keep them pumped up.

Do you have any exciting developments coming up? The holiday season was a busy time of the year and I was kept busy with orders leading up to the holiday season Discussions are in the pipeline

for a major New Zealand-wide stockist and I would love to get underway an official atelier based at my home I want it to be somewhere customers can visit and choose the plant they wish to have made into a kokedama, an official shop would be amazing I’m also hoping to have more opportunities in 2023 to offer kokedama classes throughout New Zealand I was lucky enough to run a series of classes this year but would love to share the experience with more people in the future kojukokedama com

G R O W I N G P L A N S

Many New Zealanders aren’t familiar with a kokedama but Caroline wants to change that by offering classes in the practice throughout Aotearoa

some

E L E A N O R O Z I C H Home wellness expert

Kombucha

This summer I want to create plenty of flavourful drinks that are as beautiful as they are thirst-quenching Ripe berries, fragrant herbs and freshly sliced citrus act as my inspiration, with a decadent iced coffee to balance out all the sparkle when you feel like something a little creamy

These easy-drinking options are lovely for daytime refreshment while still feeling fancy enough to be an alcohol-free option for a summertime barbecue O nce you’ve read through the recipes, there’s only one thing left to do and that’s to get mixing

Kombucha sparkler with rosemary and blueb erry

What is a sparkler, you might ask? Typically, it’s a sparkling celebration drink that’s usually made with vodka, cranberry juice, and soda In this virgin variation, I’m highlighting kombucha instead It’s refreshingly tart, incredibly sippable, and lightly fragrant with a touch of rosemary Thyme or basil is another lovely option

INGREDIENTS

Cranberry juice

Kombucha of your choice

Fresh or frozen blueberries Sprigs of rosemary, to garnish

1 Start by filling each glass with one-third cranberry juice

2 Add a small handful of blueberries, then top with the kombucha

3 Garnish with a sprig of rosemary

SERVES 4

This concoction of fresh ingredients results in the most bright and sweet summer drink Cucumber and infused mint complement the green tea beautifully, while honey rounds everything out. Fresh lime works well instead of lemon; feel free to dial the ingredients up or down depending on how sweet or strong you like it.

INGREDIENTS

3 tea bags

4 cups water

4 Tbsp honey

½ cucumber, finely sliced

1 lemon, cut into half moons

A large handful of fresh mint Ice cubes, to serve

1 Place the tea bags, water and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until steaming, stir to ensure the honey is dissolved, then allow to cool Pour into a large jug, and add the cucumber, lemon, and mint. Place in the fridge to infuse.

2 O nce you’re ready to serve, add a few handfuls of ice cubes and stir well

Tip

For the coffee, I prepared it in a stovetop percolator and divided it between two cups Espresso would also work well. I recommend 2 shots per serve

Spiced co conut iced cof fee

SERVES 2

Intense and decadent, this robust coffee is served on ice and cut with cinnamon-spiced condensed milk for a creamy, decadent treat I used coconut condensed milk for this variation, which you can find in the health food section in most supermarkets. Regular condensed milk is also delicious

INGREDIENTS

1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled (see Tip)

¼ cup coconut condensed milk

1 tsp cinnamon Ice, to serve

1 Add the cinnamon to the condensed milk and stir until well combined

2 Divide the condensed milk between two glasses, top with ice, then pour over the cooled coffee

Iced green tea with honey, cucumber & mint

Spiced coconut iced coffee

Iced green tea with honey, cucumb er & mint

I never feel I have enough books to rifle through and I always use them to style my shelves. Home by Victoria Alexander is on my to-buy list

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F I N A L S A Y

C a n’ t l i ve w i t h o u t

The five things accessories and dinnerware mogul Alyce Tran adores

Alyce Tran was a corporate law yer until she founded The Daily Edited, a monogrammable leather accessories business that really flew Now the Sydney-based creative has turned her hand to bold and colourful dinner plates, co-founding In the Roundhouse, producing tableware we simply can’ t live without.

An artwork by Jonny Niesche I love colour and an artwork by Jonny has been on my wishlist for too long I never get sick of looking at these

A set of personalised napkins from the In the Roundhouse range I love personalisation and these add immediate colour to the table 0 3

I really need this Buchanana Studio armchair for one of my spare rooms It looks comfortable and is available in my favourite colour – pink

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I always love updating my vases

I never seem to have the right colour or size, even though I have so many I’m into this small stem raspberry vase at the moment from Curio