Interior Style

For the latest in must-have interiors, here are our newfound favourites.

Fashion is transcending the runway and making its debut in our homes, says Louise Hilsz. Fun prints and flirty colours are on show.

Country style has left the farmhouse and gone luxe to create a look that exudes warmth without feeling clunky. The key here is maintaining functionality with waste-sorting systems, clever storage solutions, soft-close mechanisms on cabinets and deep sinks that are fully integrated into bench tops. Tactile materials such as timber veneers, laminates and stone maintain […]

A 1960s Tauranga state house is thoughtfully reinvented with a new layout and a lighter, fresher décor scheme. Words by: Monique Balvert-O’Connor Photography by: Angela Keoghan

Marble and granite give a classic finish to any kitchen and help create the clean lines of a modern-looking space. These luxurious surfaces work best with appliances that reflect the same strong, durable design. Keeping clutter out of sight in the hardest-working room in your home requires well thought-out storage, while sleek, handleless lines open […]

“If you have an overload of beige in an interior, a pop of colour is the fastest way to bring vibrancy,” says Louise Hilsz. “Complement fuschia with grey, sage green and aubergine. Add this shade with one dramatic piece of furniture to create a bold change.”

Our resident interiors expert solves a kitchen quandary Dear Alex, I’ve recently bought a new home and the kitchen is really basic and in need of a makeover. What are some key updates I can apply without re-mortgaging the home to pay for it (i.e. budget-friendly)? At the moment it has a lot of colourful […]

We love the look of Mason jars,  they’ve made a come back so here’s some of our favourite ways to use Mason jars, they’re no longer just for preserves.

Melanie Wilson transformed her home from beige to a colour splash with some clever geometric painted shapes How an ex-state house in New Plymouth got a colour makeover Melanie Wilson was tired of looking at beige interiors after a bout of house hunting, so when she purchased this ex-state house in New Plymouth, she set […]

Bold geometrics is the colour story theme of this Wellington home, which won the overall prize in the Resene Colour Home Awards 2014. Gemma Burrows couldn’t wait to transform the plain, impersonal white walls of her Wellington home. “I like bright colours,” says Gemma, “which you can tell by looking at my clothes and lipstick […]

New Plymouth couple Kirsty and Craig Jones transformed their once 1980s-style dining area into a botanical oasis perfect for entertaining. Snapshot Who lives here? Kirsty Jones (mum/floral designer/cake maker), Craig Jones (creative director/graphic designer), Finley, 7, William, 6, August, 3, and Marcello, 6 months. Location Frankleigh Park, New Plymouth. The goal To create a bright, […]

We use creative and bold botanical arrangements to bring three of the latest interior looks to life. GET THE LOOK: Walls and floor in Resene ‘Half rice cake’; Linear stem mimosa wallpaper by Orla Kiely, $219 per roll, Danelion mobile porcelain wallpaper by Missprint, $249 per roll, both from The Paper Room; on floor Christian […]

Find balance Follow the 80:20 rule of thumb to create the perfect colour balance – 80 per cent neutral colours, including the carpet and bed linen, and 20 per cent strong colours, such as quilts, art and other accessories. Think fabrics Floral fabrics are a growing interior trend, one borrowed from fashion, and shades of […]

Make-up artist and stylist Suzanne Beaumont’s Hawke’s Bay home is vibrant, glamorous and full of surprises. “Everywhere in the house are things we love, things we’ve collected.  It’s totally individual totally us.” Photographer: Florence Charvin.

Timber panelling Wood panelling creates instant warmth in a room and is part of a larger trend celebrating the retro-cool vibe of the ’60s and ’70s. From classic light maple to a mix of whitewash grey and blue, this natural surface should be the standout feature in your kitchen. Design the rest of the room […]

It takes more than a complementary colour scheme to design a great-looking bedroom. Follow these rules to create a comfortable, luxurious and personalised space. Clear the clutter An overcrowded bedroom full of furniture and clothing can feel chaotic and confused. Take photos of your bedroom, look at it with fresh eyes and remove excess clutter to create […]

No longer just a place to prepare meals, the kitchen has become an extra living space – and the latest design trends reflect its new role. Photography: Sharyn Cairns/Michael Wee /Nick Watt/Maree Homer/BauerSyndication.com.au

It takes more than a complementary colour scheme to design a great-looking bedroom. Photography: Maree Homer / Derek Swalwell/ BauerSyndication.com.au

What are the key components for a truly practical kitchen?Regardless of cooking style or kitchen size, there are three key features to a truly practical kitchen: workflow, space and motion. Think about your most common tasks in the kitchen and about the items you need to access, then group these items together or in close […]

No longer just a place to prepare meals, the kitchen has become an extra living space – and the latest design trends reflect its new role. Marble detail Island benches are the natural choice when it comes to incorporating marble into your kitchen, while limestone and polished concrete are the hard-working cousins of this sleek […]

By using a statement shades or hues in you kitchen, you can easily transform a space from bland and uninteresting to dramatic and eye-catching. Whether you opt for using them all over or take the more subtle approach and use them as features is up to you, but have fun with it. You might be […]

A Taupo workshop/cafe whipping up coffee as well as homeware

Spring fling: We use creative and bold botanical arrangements to bring three of the latest interior looks to life. Take a lesson in art with dreamy watercolours, wildflowers, and vivid shades. Styling by: Emily Somerville-Ryan Flowers by: Lucy Houghton of Lu Diamond Flowers Photography by: Wendy Fenwick

Stylist’s advice: “Add tartan prints to a base of browns and beige to create a room reminiscent of a traditional English country manor,” says Louise Hilsz.

We went behind the screens to talk to Sarah Hamilton, one half of popular blog Ses + Jen, which she writes with her mum, Jen. Sarah, why did you start your blog? Nearly two years ago, after my mum and I had completed a full interior makeover on my home, we started a Facebook page […]

Stylist’s advice: “If you’re coveting a look of ornate opulence, floral prints in traditional petal-inspired tones epitomise femininity,” says Louise Hilsz.

Stylist’s advice: “Earth-inspired colours, rich textures and elaborate prints evoke the look of this modern Indian city,” says Louise Hilsz.

Stylist’s advice: “Combining old and new interior looks is a great way to capture this city vibe and create an interesting, industrial feel,” says Louise Hilsz.

Stylist’s advice: “Gold features heavily in this luxurious trend. Remember to keep it modern by adding rich, inviting colour,” says Louise Hilsz.

Everything you need to know to keep your pot plants going.