Design News

Attention, book lovers!

The key to styling your home to give you that dopamine hit everytime you open your front door.

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner’s work on her holiday house proves that a shoestring budget is no obstacle to true creativity

A couple of keen renovators have used bold colours to personalise their new home

Let your eyes drink in the bold, beautiful colour choices in this couple’s kitchen and wine cellar

The Shark MessMaster vacuum is making Shelley Ferguson’s life easier

A shed on the garden’s edge became a healing renovation project

A perfectly composed cheeseboard is the perfect finish to any meal these holidays. Or, skip the main and go straight to the cheese

We’re dreaming of a long, hot summer. Here’s how we’re gearing up for dining, drinking and relaxing this season

A living room painted top-to-toe in this verdant shade has the ideal ambience

These three smart appliances combine functionality with modern design

A murky green-black shade adds a chic touch to this Taranaki rental

Did someone say soy latte? Coming right up.

Ninja’s “World of Woodfire” proved to be a real smoke-show On one of those rare, beautiful days in Auckland’s autumn, I was lucky enough to be invited to Ninja’s ‘World of Woodfire’ event at Waiheke’s picturesque Mudbrick winery. I am famously one of the worst people to invite to a barbecue. Rather than help in […]

Have you used Resene paint at your place? Enter the 2024/2025 Resene Colour Home Awards

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner couldn’t fit in with their neighbours — so they went all out instead

A Whanganui villa enjoys a colourful revival using maximalist magic A few years ago, Danny Breaker bought his century-old villa in the beautiful city of Whanganui. For the past 20-odd years, the house was used as a student rental, and he says, “There had been little love given to the house in those years and […]

In terms of design, laundries used to be way down on the list of priorities after the kitchen, bathroom and living space. Until recently. Now, we’re all about creating a great-looking space that can be admired in the same way as a bathroom upgrade. At the heart though, laundries are still the workhorse of the […]

When it comes to your garage, selecting the right door is paramount

Introducing New Zealand’s first and only* refrigerator with an 8-star energy rating These days, just about every decision we make – whether it’s being an enthusiastic recycler to using your reusable cup religiously – comes back to our individual desire to lessen our impact on the environment. We all want to play our part in treading […]

Wall-to-wall wood is given a modern makeover Lydia and Richard Rayner dreamed of renovating their Lockwood home in Auckland for many years, but the thought of the effort required was enough to keep the pair putting off their plans. However, with the arrival of their newborn baby, they finally decided to tackle the project and […]

A New Plymouth home serves up a stylish array of delightful pastel tones Bridget Rook’s house is a pastel wonderland, like something whipped up and displayed in a Parisian macaron shop window. But it took hard work and effort to make the home such a delight, with Bridget doing all the painting herself at her […]

Brush up your painting skills and brighten your wash days There’s no two ways about it, doing laundry is a chore so why not inject a sense of fun into it with a quick refresh? I painted a striped ceiling, used blackboard paint to make a blackboard, stencilled a word onto the wall, then added […]

Our 2023 Resene Small Room Awards winner had some fantastical fun with tropical wallpaper This year’s Resene Small Room Awards grand winner is something straight out of Harry Potter: a hidden bathroom-turned-library, accessed only via living room cavity sliders. Inside this magical world, a fantastical feature of Resene Wallpaper Collections 36630-1 leaps out at visitors […]

An iconic Wellington house shines just as bright, years on Designed by iconic Aotearoa architect Roger Walker, Mary and Michael Donn’s 1977 Wellington home is a burst of sunshine in the often-cloudy city. When it came time to paint the exterior, the couple initially planned a white facade with a contrasting trim. However, Roger strongly […]

A hidden library nook becomes a leafy refuge Purchased during 2020, Lisa Foote spent several months last year extensively renovating her “special gem” of a Christchurch home. “Our goal was to lighten and brighten our once dark home and to include some unexpected pops and surprises,” she says. Her library, which was once a bathroom, […]

A Wellington apartment gets a maximalist makeover From clothes to interiors, the maximalist trend has been sweeping the board. For a fine example of this aesthetic, look no further than the cosy ’60s Wellington apartment owned by Carrie Lagerstedt. “My choices were inspired by the maximalist trend and my own love of bold, quirky choices,” […]

A colourful Nelson home stands out on a character-filled street When Bonnie Slade and Jason Callister moved into their “1980s fibre cement board box” home on a heritage street in Nelson, they knew they couldn’t match the character features of the other homes in their neighbourhood. “So, we went with an architecturally designed ‘complete opposite’ […]

A Milton hallway evokes daffodils and pine trees Ahallway is a much-used, often neglected space when it comes to care and colour. For Alice Blake, it was a wonderful chance to brighten up her Milton family home, with bursts of green and yellow using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. “Looking out our hallway window we see […]

A hexagonal home office gets the tropical treatment Adrienne Morgan’s home office is not your usual working-from-home set-up. It’s located next to a unique ’70s pole house; a stand-alone hexagonal room off the deck that resembles more treehouse than workplace. “Initially, this area had a cold and uninviting atmosphere, with maroon-painted walls and worn sisal […]

A short-stay rental for visitors from home and abroad gets brightened up with some bold, beautiful shades Transforming her one-bedroom property to a short-term rental “opened up a world of possibilities” for Alisha Roff. “I wanted to create a fun, uplifting, creative, restorative place for all kinds of people to come and stay,” she says. […]

Farewell your tired furniture and give yourself a stylish upgrade with timeless, comfortable pieces that will stand the test of time With the kids growing up and leaving the nest, it’s time to treat yourself to some new furniture that reflects your new way of life. Ditch your tired couch for luxe leather or a […]

A Nelson nursery uses paint and native trees to welcome a new member of the family Before the birth of her grandson, Jeana Freeman was asked by her daughter Brittany to paint “a little something to brighten up a wall” in what was to be the new baby’s bedroom. “As our family all love the […]

A moody powder room gets a facelift thanks to whimsical wallpaper Maureen Baird’s friends have always said that she’s got a good eye for design. Last year, the Timaru resident had a chance to prove it with the completion of her home, picking out Resene colours, designs and Resene wallpapers to bring her vision to […]

Elegant and durable, the ubiquitous Duralex Picardie glass can be found in cafes and homes all around the world Who designed the Picardie glass? No one knows but Duralex was founded in 1945 in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin on the banks of the Loire River just outside of Orleans. And it’s the Picardie glass, designed in 1954, […]

Have you used Resene paint at your place? Enter the 2023/2024 Resene Colour Home Awards What we’re looking for: • 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 [email protected] with your last name and ‘Resene Colour Home’ […]

Best known as @mrcigar on Instagram, Ron Goh has a penchant for charming interiors Hidden away in Auckland’s bustling Victoria Precinct, Ron Goh has created a home away from home; a character study in cosiness and charm. A converted 1920s factory with original Kauri polished floors and exposed brick, his loft is too good not […]

From serene bush retreats to idyllic beachfront properties, these are the best New Zealand Airbnb homes to enhance your next getaway. Whiritoa beach, Coromandel. Photo: Mark Meredith. When you’re yearning for a refreshing escape, the right accommodation can make all the difference. An abode with a beautiful view or an architecturally designed place to rest […]

Show who you really are and elevate your space with Samsung’s Bespoke Home range Your home is a reflection of who you are, so if a stainless steel refrigerator feels a little run of the mill, Samsung’s Bespoke range of home appliances gives you options. For example, customise your Samsung fridge exterior with colour panels […]

With warmer months ahead, we’re dreaming of firing up the outdoor pizza oven for an al fresco dinner. Below, we share our insights into the new Ooni pizza oven.  What’s under the microscope? The Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven. What’s the elevator pitch, please? It’s an outdoor pizza oven that cooks either wood-fired or […]

Do you have a small room in your home that is big on impact? Have you done something bold or interesting with paint or wallpaper in a small room in your house? It could be an office, nursery, laundry or powder room – the only criteria is it’s small in space but big in impact. […]

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner uses colour theory to knock a win out of the park Meet & greet Will (sustainability manager) and Kareen Durbin, (florist and hat maker), and daughter Nina, four. Our 2023 Resene Colour Home Awards winner lives and breathes colour, pushing the envelope on bold shades and a jaw-dropping […]

Shop amazing, hand-selected homewares every hour of every day on our new online store Your Home and Garden now has an online shop and is pleased to announce the virtual doors are open at shop.yourhomeandgarden.co.nz. Shopping has always been part of the lifeblood of the magazine. In every issue, the editorial team has tracked down […]

A house gets a new lease of life with some bold colours Zoe Hallahan admits, “I was always terrified of colour.” But when she and her husband bought their home in Auckland, it was in serious need of a do-up, which only several cans of Resene paint could provide. The first room the pair painted […]

A hallway gets ‘tattooed’ with some punchy blue paint If you’re in two minds about getting a tattoo, why not paint one on your walls? That’s what Janeen Page did in her 1950s former state house in New Plymouth. Her hallway is now adorned with mermaids, marine creatures and other fantastical images, which look as […]

Joinery plays a big role in how your house feels. This step-by-step guide will make it easy to choose the right windows and doors for your new home A step-by-step guide to selecting joinery The joinery you choose for your new home will have a huge impact not only on how your finished spaces look, […]

A front porch plays with shapes and punchy pops of pink Martine Connor’s front porch, previously an “aged, unsightly plain concrete”, is now unrecognisable from its former self. The exterior of her Whangārei home has been transformed into a Mediterranean-like beauty, complete with patterned flooring and a bright, bold front door. Martine had previously done […]

A state house is given a pop of colour, and then some Kareen Durbin 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 winner of the Resene Small Room Awards harnesses the great outdoors through a love of colour Andrea 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 […]

A sunny nursery receives the golden touch A nursery is always a tricky interior to decorate, but Alysia Simkin’s honey-toned mural masterpiece adds the perfect note of sweetness to a small space. Alysia’s vision for her young son’s bedroom was something “fun and creative for a kid’s room but not too out there that we […]

A family home creates waves with a colour palette that’s as evocative as the ocean itself Drawing inspiration from nature is nothing new but in Marie and Matt Weavers’ case, taking their design cues from native fauna and flora to inform their oceanic blue colour scheme proved irresistible. Their Upper Hutt 1940s build was slowly […]

A Whangārei porch earns its stripes through a striking approach to pattern and colour When Yvette Parker first purchased her home, she struggled to be inspired with the existing “beige on beige” colour scheme. The Whangārei local started out by painting the exterior in Resene Enamacryl in Resene Double Cod Grey, with a dash of […]

A blank canvas hallway is given the cosy makeover treatment When Jen Boyce and her family moved into their Hobsonville new build in Auckland, they loved how much of a blank canvas the space was, allowing them the opportunity to decorate the space with colour and style. Their first port of call was finding a […]

Have you used Resene paints at your place? You could win $5000 Entries are open! Get your entry in by 21 October 2022 and you could be one of our first finalists. How to enter: Email photos and a 200-word-or-more description of your space to [email protected] with your last name and ‘Resene Colour Home’ in the subject line. Please […]

A white laundry wall is transformed with playful motifs from nature A white wall in Andrea Kurth’s laundry had always bugged her, calling the space “so plain”. The Taupiri local wanted to do something that could be painted on top of the existing coat of Resene Black White, rather than repainting the wall entirely. A […]

Bring a sense of lightness to your home with fresh accents With spring well and truly upon us, it’s time to put away the heavyweight duvets and jewel-toned throws and lighten the mood of your home. Bed Bath & Beyond has an extensive range of bedding, bathware, furniture and homewares to help you transform your […]

Curate your perfect space with the King Dining Collection Choosing the right dining table for your home can be challenging, if not completely overwhelming. Thankfully, the King Dining Collection offers quality dining furniture to suit your space, as well as last a lifetime. Whether you prefer the sleek geometrical profile of the Aspen Dining Table, […]

Enjoy more time for the things you love most with the help of the Wertheim Evolution Stick Vacuum  There’s no doubt that having a tidy and organised home is the first step towards living a more energised and enjoyable life. The Wertheim Evolution Stick Vacuum advances vacuuming with its highly manoeuvrable functionality and easy-to-use features […]

A dollhouse inspired a starry, whimsical makeover for this sweet space When Laura Bunea’s daughter, Sophie, requested a pink dollhouse for her room, what followed was a makeover of mythic proportions. “It’s such a gorgeous piece of furniture, I knew I wanted to create a whimsical space for her and this was the perfect base […]

A love-at-first-sight feeling helped transform this bathroom and laundry When it came to the walls in her laundry, Selese Rowe knew what she wanted but had to convince her partner, Michael. “He didn’t take much convincing, though,” she says. The couple had gone to a party at a character Timaru home, which had a wallpapered […]

Gas, electricity, solar, wood or bio fuel? Your guide to staying warm at home when the big chill sets in When it comes to heating a home there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What suits a big family who like to socialise together in an open-plan space may not work for a smaller one that spreads […]

Do you have a small room in your home that is big on impact?   Have you done something bold or interesting with paint or wallpaper in a small room in your house? It could be an office, nursery, laundry or powder room – the only criteria is it’s small in space but big in impact. […]

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

Samsung’s new bespoke French Door Fridge gives you creative control over the colour and finish to suit your kitchen You’ve got your kitchen to the point of perfection, having created the ideal interior after spending hours contemplating every design decision from benchtop to joinery, lighting and tapware. So why limit yourself to choosing a fridge […]

A wallpaper renaissance is flourishing and there’s no better time to spruce up your space. Whether you’re a playful maximalist or a contemporary connoisseur, get ready to roll To the uninitiated, wallpaper can be intimidating. Where do you start? What are the options and how do you install it? Why choose it over paint? But […]

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner had some sleepless nights about her edgy paint colour choice, but it was a champion decision The 2022 Resene Colour Awards winne r rewrote the rule book when it came to using bold, unapologetic colour without compromise. Awash in a world of white kitchens, Arna Marshall’s fearless use […]

Fly through the vacuuming with the light, stylish and powerful cordless Samsung Bespoke Jet, which practically cleans itself When it comes to housecleaning who doesn’t want to do the best job possible with the least amount of effort? World-renowned electronics company Samsung has just released their Bespoke Jet cordless stick vacuum featuring game-changer technology and […]

Creating the kitchen of your dreams can be easier than you think! As we spend more and more time at home, it’s becoming far more important that we create a space that is both inspiring and rejuvenating.  Updating your kitchen cabinetry can be a fantastic way to give your kitchen an entirely new look and […]

This historic commercial building is now an asset to Waipu with a refreshed colour palette Lindy Davis and her family bought the former Bank of New Zealand and bank manager’s home a year ago with the idea of returning it to its former  “grand old lady” status. Established in 1924, the heritage-listed building in Waipu, […]

The winner of the Resene Powder Room Awards 2021 revels in effortless glam and deep sultry blues. Homeowner Mel Spooner’s (right) decision to heed interior designer Clare Kitching’s advice to embrace the lack of the light in her Remuera powder room and create a dark and moody space has turned out to be a winning […]

There are no white walls in this power powder room – even the ceiling called for colour. When dreaming up the look for her Christchurch powder room, Rebecca Taylor knew she wanted it to be “surprising and a bit fun.” She found Resene Tropic Exotic Wallpaper 220122 fit the bill for the ‘fun’ aspect, but […]

A chic little powder room leaves a lasting impression on guests, with some saying it’s too pretty to use. What happens when you combine an old hallway cupboard and a seldom used wardrobe? For Kate Alcock, it was a sweet little powder room that most guests almost can’t bring themselves to use because it’s too […]

Le Creuset’s new Toughened Non-Stick Sauteuse is an all-rounder French brand Le Creuset is feted in kitchens the world over for its commitment to making cookware that stands the test of time, as well as producing some of the most coveted kitchenware. The Sauteuse is a new addition to the Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick collection […]

A dramatic powder room that was designed to provoke discussion from those who visit it. Helen Sheppard wanted guests visiting her powder room to feel as though they’d stepped into another world. And her choice of swirly-patterned wallpaper paired with a dark blue ceiling does just that. The dramatic room, painted with Resene Tangaroa to […]

All eyes are on this glam powder room, which embraces its dark and moody setting. Not much light filtered into Mel Spooner’s (left) Remuera powder room, so interior designer Clare Kitching of PeachHaus Design and Development decided to embrace the lack of light to create a dark and moody space with a nod to Hollywood […]

A small powder room with an exotic rainforest vibe. In a home filled with neutral hues, Charlotte Woolston’s powder room is a standout. “It was the perfect place to create a ‘wow’ moment for guests,” she says. She’s certainly achieved that, the room is a popular talking point. “We get such differing opinions,” says Charlotte. […]

This home’s Cape Cod-style and its sweeping sea views made choosing a colour palette easy Meet & greet Keryn (planner) and Jeffrey Broughton (consultant), Rosie, eight, Bill, six, and Izzy, three. Keryn and Jeffrey Broughton spent a year poring over every design decision for the renovation of their Cape Cod-style Dunedin residence. They had many […]

Variously known as the Senat chair and Paris garden chair, it’s as much a symbol of Paris as the Eiffel Tower Where will I see one? Jardin du Luxembourg is its natural habitat, as is the Tuilleries and Palais-Royal gardens in Paris. But also the Amsterdam Zoo, Brooklyn Bridge Park and domestic gardens across the […]

This determined homeowner didn’t rest until she found the perfect nautical hue Meet & greet Holly Spooner (upholsterer and soft furnishing designer), Brett Cameron (owner of Coverup Upholstery) and Skeeter the French bulldog. In pursuit of a shade of blue that seamlessly fit into the ’50s nautical bach vibe for her Taupō home, Holly Spooner […]

After one daring decision, there were no more qualms about colour in this home – only how much of it to use There were a few sleepless nights for Arna Marshall after she forged ahead with her decision to paint her kitchen in Resene Black. But she needn’t have worried. Despite warnings that it would […]

It’s a necessary feature, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be design-conscious and stylish too. Here’s how this undermount sink can elevate your kitchen look When it comes to the kitchen, every element should work in unison to ensure a beautiful cohesive design. Your granite or marble benchtop should be a stand-out feature in the busiest […]

With its tall, curvy and pink-illuminated frame, it’s not hard to see why this delightful mirror is a favourite among A-listers, design lovers and fashion influencers alike What is it? It’s a 1.8 metres tall, curvaceous, pink mirror with a neon-illuminated frame. It’s technically also a lamp. What does the name mean? ‘Ultrafragola’ means ‘ultimate […]

If you’re looking to build your knowledge about the renovation process and hear from leading industry experts, make attending the online Home Renovation Summit 2021 a top priority New Zealand and Australia’s first ever online Home Renovation Summit 2021 is going live from August 24 to August 26, and it’s a must-attend for would-be renovators. […]

Fun fact: people spend up to 60 percent of their time in the kitchen at the sink. Which is why having a highly performing sink that adds to the aesthetics of your kitchen makes complete sense. SILGRANIT® sinks from BLANCO are admired globally for their exclusive styles and designer colour palette. The German-engineered designs incorporate […]

Prepare to see versions of this humble chair, also known as the Committee chair and Pierre Jeanneret chair, at a shop near you A brief history of… the Capitol Complex office chair Who designed it? It all starts with Le Corbusier, the legendary 20th-century Swiss-born architect. In the 1950s, he was tasked with creating the […]

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner started small by painting vases before going all out with eye-catching murals Soothing pools of colour that uplift and bring a sense of joy were the impetus for the home of the Your Home & Garden 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards winner. The murals were painted by Jasmin […]

Kitchen design never looked so sweet If you are looking for kitchen design inspiration, Kaboodle Kitchens are serving up contemporary kitchen looks in the hottest colourways with their new trends range, which is a celebration of organic and grounding palettes with colours from greens and greys, to subtle pinks and metallics. The range is inspired […]

From start to finish, PlaceMakers has everything you could possibly want for your new build, reno and everything in between Comprehensive. That’s one way to describe PlaceMakers amazing range of kitchen, bathroom, laundry and wardrobe products. If you’re considering a new kitchen, new home or anything in  between it’s only natural to pay your local […]

The undermount sink is a subtle showpiece, allowing the benchtop to be the star of your kitchen   When it comes to the kitchen, every element should work in unison to ensure a beautiful cohesive design. Your granite or marble benchtop should be a stand-out feature in the busiest room of the house, which means […]

Transform the look of your home from ordinary to extraordinary with ease Transforming a home doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest. In the case of Colorsteel®, this can be as easy as changing the roof. There are also many more ways this proudly New Zealand-made steel can change the […]

Bold colour choices inject personality and fun into every corner of this lively family home. See why its our sixth 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards finalist Colour choice can often be a tricky decision, but Philippa Masoe finds it intuitive. When asked why she picked the range of whites, burnt oranges, slate greys and dark […]

This Hawkes Bay home is lesson in how colour can transform a space. See why its our fifth 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards finalist below While repainting the entire interior of her home, Danelle Kendrick learnt a couple of things about colour. Firstly, how effective warm neutrals can be in turning a plain room into […]

This home has received some cool curve appeal during last year’s lockdown period. Take a tour to see why its our fourth 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards finalist  When New Zealand went into lockdown last year, event manager Jasmin Vallance found her work schedule drying up. To keep busy, she turned her attentions to the […]

This kitchen plays on form and colour to create a space ripe for entertaining. See why its our second 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards here As a designer, Emily Legget sees a lot of white kitchens. In fact, she reckons they occupy 95 percent of her work. Her own kitchen is not white. “I like […]

A centrepiece of activity that combines beauty with function – what’s not to like? Fun fact: people spend up to 60 percent of their time in the kitchen at the sink. Which is why having a highly performing sink that adds to the aesthetics of your kitchen makes complete sense. SILGRANIT® sinks from BLANCO are […]

Previously a storage room, hand-painted daisies in candy hues have transformed this space. See why it’s our first 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards finalist After trying – and failing – to find a wallpaper that suited both her daughters’ tastes, Kirsty Young took it upon herself to create something unique for their chill-out room in […]

The exterior of this colonial-style home is awash with blues. See why they’re our third 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards finalist here below Ask Kathy and Warwick Baigent why they painted their front door bright blue and the answer is a simple, “It needed a bit more oomph.” It was originally Resene Biscay Blue to […]

Whether you’re planning a reno, building new or simply giving your interiors a little update, you’ll find all the advice, inspiration, contacts and new products at the Home Improvement Expo It’s not often you get all the latest products and industry experts in one location. Showcasing everything for your kitchen, bathroom, outdoors, new build materials […]

Get inspired for your next renovation with our round-up of 2020’s bathroom trends; the best benchtops, coolest cabinets and sexiest surfaces Choosing cushions and rugs is lots of fun because it’s easy to swap them as the seasons change. But picking permanent fixtures like benchtops, tiles, taps and flooring is a more high-stakes pursuit. Choose […]

Turn your bed into a style statement this new year with bold prints, plush textures and luxe details from the latest Your Home and Garden bed linen range, available exclusively at Farmers Channel your inner magazine stylist – the new season’s Your Home and Garden bedding range is all about mixing, matching and experimentation. Hitting […]