Home Tours

Boutique owner Marilyn McLaughlan swapped her large designer home for a compact inner-city apartment – and she couldn’t be happier with her metropolitan move. Marilyn McLaughlan has a work schedule that would leave many a 25-year-old gasping for downtime. Dividing her life between Auckland, Christchurch, Hong Kong, the US, Europe and Bali might sound fabulously […]

A home in the Bay of Plenty hills offers the lifestyle change this once inner-city family was craving Who lives here? Maree Wilkinson (wedding, fashion and portrait photographer), Matt Swanberg (company director), Jett, Milly, and Frankie the dog. Maree, how would you describe your interiors style? Industrial, but with a feminine touch and featuring a diverse […]

A tired ex-rental flourishes under the expert touch of its uniquely creative owner Who lives here?  Erena Te Paa (personal fashion stylist), Joe Te Paa (operations manager for a hospitality group in Hamilton), soon to be joined by Te Paa junior, and dogs Luca and Ziggy. What is your favourite room in the house? We […]

The owners of this Greytown home didn’t have an ultimate plan for their property, but in 10 years it has evolved from a cottage to a five-bedroom house Who lives here? Jo Lysaght (graphic designer and co-owner with sister Sharon of Caravan Homewares), Dave Murray (owner of 3D illustration and web design company Satellite Design), […]

Richard Naish gets back to basics with a rustic red getaway shed With land becoming more expensive, are you getting more proposals for utilitarian houses on tight budgets? Not too many, actually. We tend to say no if the budget’s too small, but there was just something about this one. It wasn’t about profitability, it […]

A residential development north of Auckland provided this family with the ideal blank canvas on which to build new Nestled between Silverdale and Orewa, just north of Auckland, is a relatively new residential development and the location of this new-build owned by Joe and Lisa Byrne. The once-rural land, formerly known for its farms, orchards, […]

An old bach and a new home live in harmony, all set up for family gatherings and a laid-back lifestyle Nestled in a rural outpost on the Tauranga Harbour, Rae and John Buchanan’s Ongare Point home is flanked by a pohutukawa-lined reserve and a row of modest baches, with grandstand views of Matakana Island. In […]

A newly renovated city high-rise makes a glamorous setting for a family gathering this festive season Who lives here? Marian Tolich (real estate auctioneer). Marian, how do you spend Christmas day? We usually attend mass on Christmas Eve and have a fairly relaxed Christmas Day. My three children and their families have lunch with their […]

An old sea freight container becomes the ultimate family hangout compete with deck and Spacies machine Words by: Johanna Thornton Photography by: Angela Keoghan

When a little state house is kitted out with a modern addition, it’s a yin and yang arrangement that suits this young family perfectly Who lives here?  Gus Roberts (executive creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi), Victoria Roberts (marketing mum), Louie, Isla, Izzy and Tiggy the cat. What did they do? Doubled the size of […]

When Jodelle Clark and husband Geoff were about to move into the homestead of their Southland dairy farm they were unsure whether to demolish the house and build new, or extend the original building and modernise it. Geoff had grown up in this house built by his grandparents in Hokonui, near Winton, and surrounded by […]

A residential development north of Auckland provided this family with the ideal blank canvas on which to build new Who lives here? Joe Byrne (property developer at Byrne Homes), Lisa Byrne (graphic designer at Bright Creative), Sophie, Jack and Molly the dog. Lisa, what advice do you have when it comes to being colour confident? […]

This 1910 Wellington home underwent a total renovation and now has a brand new front facade with major street appeal Snapshot Who lives here? Janet Hunt (manager Wesley Gardens Boutique Bed and Breakfast) and Dennis Hunt (engineer). Where is it? Kelburn, Wellington. Lived here for… Five years. Janet, Which rooms have you renovated? All rooms. […]

Christmas at this stylish family home is about a fresh, clean, natural look – and plenty of little traditions to keep Santa happy Who lives here? Mel Holt (co-founder and floral stylist at Bloom Social and social media manager for Freedom), Darryl Holt (business sales manager at OI Glass and jack-of-all-trades at Bloom Social) and […]

This quirky, colour-drenched home is the perfect backdrop for a fabulously festive Christmas From the street this home is fairly unremarkable. The pretty, turn-of-the-century villa painted in Resene ‘Half Villa White’ isn’t too dissimilar to many other homes on the street. However, it’s the front door, painted bright pink (Porter’s Paints ‘Carnevale’) and bearing a […]

A beautiful riot of bright hues and playful patterns takes command in this busy Hamilton home Who lives here? Angie Millar (general/accounts manager), Ryan Millar (builder), Matilda, Mack, Lulu and Poppy. Angie, what influenced the new decor? I’m drawn to fresh, modern pops of colour and pattern. I also love jewel tones especially navy, emerald, […]

This small house purchased in 2002 has been quadrupled in size and transformed into a dream home full of relaxed beach house decor. When Bernadette Cross and husband Connor purchased this property in 2002, it was a tiny brick cottage with remnants of a 1970s renovation. As their family has grown, the home has too […]

Beauty mogul Rowena Roberts’ villa is a monument to art, cosmetics and colour. What is your day job? I have a partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies and own and operate free-standing MAC stores in Britomart, Ponsonby, St Lukes and Botany, the Jo Malone London boutique in Britomart and the only free-standing Bobbi Brown store […]

Beauty mogul Rowena Roberts’ Herne Bay, Auckland villa is a monument to art, cosmetics and colour They say your home is a reflection of yourself and that saying has never been more true than in reference to Rowena Roberts. They also say home is where the heart is – another phrase that is just as […]

Despite being a new-build, this home is a nod to tradition with timeless Californian bungalow features Who lives here? Victoria Richardson (mother and interior designer), Craig Richardson (CEO), Will, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Reilly, 7. Victoria, what was your favourite room to decorate and why? The master bedroom. We’ve created a cosy sanctuary with a […]

Here is a home that blends so seamlessly into its tree-lined suburban surroundings it’s as if it has always been here.

Boutique owner Marilyn McLaughlan swapped her large designer home for a compact inner-city Auckland apartment – and she couldn’t be happier with her metropolitan move Marilyn, what is your day job? I am the designer of fashion brands Marilyn Seyb and Episode, and co-owner of Kimberleys boutiques. Describe your personal style… Dressy casual, a little […]

What to do when you have an original state-house kitchen with loads of cupboards? Make a feature of them with colour like Deb and Brian! Snapshot Who lives here? Brian Hanson (chef) and Deb Hanson (accountant), baby Max and Ajmer the cat. Where is it? Kensington, Whangarei. How long have you lived here for? Two […]

San Francisco’s most expensive new listing has hit the market, on sale for US $28,000,000 Located in the coveted area of Pacific Heights, the property has recently been restored. Built in 1901 by noted architect James Frances Dunn, the house has been transformed for the 21st century with luxury finishes and fittings. The home’s grand exterior […]

Bright colour and plenty of pattern are welcome in this Hamilton family home Angie Millar has always had a thing for colour – but despite knowing what she liked, when it came to applying it to her newly renovated Hamilton home, she needed a little guidance. Angie and husband Ryan initially rented their home, which was […]

Fiona Hugues creates a magical Kiwi Christmas at her Whitford farmhouse, surrounded by family, friends, and a collection of loveable animals.

Renowned rugby union player Israel Dagg and his wife, The Rugby Pantry co-author Daisy, have settled in Christchurch in a Golden Homes house that’s anything but cookie-cutter Who Lives Here? Daisy Dagg (interior designer, Daisy Chain Interiors, founder and contributor to food blog The Rugby Pantry), Israel Dagg (plays for the Canterbury Crusaders) with Melo, their […]

Christmas at this gorgeous Dunedin villa is a cool, crisp, pine-scented affair like a Norwegian wood in winter In a nutshell Who lives here? Sandy Cubitt (interior designer and owner of Moi on George), Allan Cubitt (consultant), Annabelle, 16, and Judge the Scottish terrier. Sandy, what’s on your Christmas Day menu? I always bake a […]

With ANZ, Homes to Love is exploring the ways we live now, under the theme of ‘Smart homes’ – and how this trend allows us to live and build today Smart modern homes are more than just clever – they’re beautiful too. Like Wendy Shacklock’s Te Kohanga, these international examples are intelligent responses to difficult […]

With ANZ, Homes to Love is exploring the ways we live now, under the theme of ‘Eco-friendly’ – and how this trend allows us to live and build today If you’re thinking about building, buying or renovating use the ANZ home loan calculator to work out how you can achieve it. Visit anz.co.nz/homeloans for more information.

With ANZ, Homes to Love is exploring the ways we live now, under the theme of ‘Small Homes’ – and how this trend allows us to live and build today. For a house to be considered ‘luxurious’ it often needs to have a sizeable floor plan, square metres to spare and a hefty price tag. […]

An interior designer who cleverly combines colour in creative and contrasting ways is transforming the world around her An interior designer and stylist, Alex Weston often buys pieces for customers but concedes she is her own best client. Prior to moving into their 1940s brick bungalow, Alex and Connell chose to paint the interior white, […]

With ANZ, Homes to Love is exploring the ways we live under the theme of ‘Personalisation’ – and how this trend allows us to live and build today Personalising a house is about more than switching up the furniture and going in for a new coat of new paint. It’s about shaping your home around the things […]

Take a tour of the ultimate party pad in Epsom, Auckland, where styling guru Alanna ‘the Planner’ Haysmith has set the scene for a festive celebration Style secrets Who styled this home? Alanna ‘the Planner’ Haysmith, who owns Entertaining, an event management, design and hire company, and Lisa Courtney, who owns The Pretty Baker, an […]

With just one glance out of the living room window, every day feels like a holiday for Annette Fraser. Perched high upon a hill overlooking the Noosa Heads on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, Fraser’s home has a view that stretches across a canopy of rainforest out to the headlands and ocean beyond. A change was exactly […]

When it came to renovating her own home, New Zealand-born London-based interior designer Ana Foster-Adams embraced England’s past. Interior designer Ana Foster-Adams whetted her appetite for colour and pattern at her first job, on the showroom floor of Mokum Textiles in Auckland. She spent every spare cent on European interiors magazines, pouring over the creative […]

A flair for Scandinavian design and a love of white are behind this stunningly modern villa renovation. From the outside, Tony and Agge Burt’s 1908 villa bears the ornate hallmarks of its Colonial design. But step beyond the heritage-protected façade and you’re transported to modern-day Sweden. Through the wide hallway with its whitewashed American oak […]

An innovative bungalow redesign results in a modern home that’s light on energy but big on family. There’s nothing like a challenge to motivate innovative architects, but when it’s your mum throwing down the gauntlet the project takes on a whole new dimension. Two years ago Wellington architect William Giesen of Bonnifait + Giesen, was […]

A flair for Scandinavian design and a love of white are behind this stunningly modern villa renovation Scandinavian-inspired villa renovation in Parnell From the outside, Tony and Agge Burt’s 1908 villa bears the ornate hallmarks of its Colonial design. But step beyond the heritage-protected façade and you’re transported to modern-day Sweden. Through the wide hallway […]

This fun, colourful family bach shows how you can create a great summer space at home. 8 secrets to creating a fun summer entertaining space 1 Inside out When colour and style from inside is carried outdoors your entire living space will look cohesive. Continue the same style of furniture and accessories from indoors onto […]

A couple give a stylish edge to their family home near the beach. Words by: Catherine Steel Photography by: Todd Eyre

An interior designer who cleverly combines colour in creative and contrasting ways is transforming the world around her. In an alcove at the end of the hall, chairs by Scandinavian designer Hans Wegner are covered in a geometric Orla Kiely print. Cushion covers are reinvented Japanese napkins. The artwork is by Australian artist Miranda Skoczek. […]

A change of circumstances led this island holiday home to become a permanent retreat. The boat house: Holiday home turned permanent retreat By rights, the Captain’s Cabin should have been out of Louise Pollard’s life years ago. It was never intended as a holiday house and certainly never as a permanent residence. “We thought we would […]

A 1940s-built Swedish summerhouse is elegantly updated with a bold Frida Kahlo colour palette. After aeons spent dreaming about their future home, Jessica Folcker and Daniel Heckscher finally found it in Algo in the Stockholm archipelago, a cluster of 30,000 islands in Sweden’s Baltic Sea. The house was designed by Swedish architect Tore Axén in […]

In this thoughtfully planned Manawatu home built for a large family, every inch is used every day – yet there’s space for all Many designers use their own homes and gardens as places to try out new ideas, materials and products. Interior designer Belinda Woolford is no exception. The Palmerston North house she shares with […]

A design-savvy homeowner reinvented a rundown property into a family home in a six-week intensive makeover Tom Williams is used to working to tight deadlines to create cool interiors. It’s what he does as part of his job for Juicy Design. When it came to creating a home that would one day be suitable for […]

The kitset or modular bach is not a new concept in New Zealand but in recent years we’ve garnered international acclaim for our innovative work in this area Bachkit In 2000 Architect André Hodgskin came up with his pioneering Bachkit contemporary prefab pavilions. His latest take on the idea is iPAD, a minimalist kitset holiday […]

A classic state house is re-worked for contemporary family life Who lives here? Mary Stokes (founder of baby and children-related market Mary’s Market), Mike Stokes (sales director), Tom, 10, and Ivy, 7. Mary, how would you describe your interiors style? A mix and match of modern and industrial. What is one thing you learned from […]

Carefully selected furnishings and a considered renovation have created a modern family home that exudes elegance and glamour. When Mark Lewis and Tracy Strudley spotted a rambling Arts and Crafts house in Remuera, Auckland, they knew it would be the ideal home for their blended family of nine (the couple and their seven children). Built […]

Contemporary chic bungalow transformation What was once a demure beige bungalow that looked no different to those around it, has now been transformed into a contemporary home with street appeal. Words by: Annick Larkin Photography by: Emma MacDonald

There’s no need to check the weather forecast in this energy-efficient Waikanae new build where temperatures are tropical all year round. In a nutshell Who lives here? Chris and Leonie Beggs (owners of North Face Construction), Jack, 13, Fraser, 11, cat Ruby and chickens. What would you do differently with this house if you could? […]

“It’s a highly crafted interior, lined in plywood that gives it a very solid feeling, but still with a lovely connection to the environment” Why a Port-a-bach Portability was a key factor in the design of Port-A-Bach, a prototype for up-cycling shipping containers by Wellington architects Bonnifait + Giesen. William Giesen says the idea first […]

One step inside Philippa Atkinson’s Herne Bay villa and it’s crystal clear how much art means to her. Paintings by New Zealand artists Tony de Lautour and Heather Straka greet you at the entrance and works by other artists, both celebrated and less well known, line the walls throughout the rest of the home – […]

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?I am really stimulated by patterns and colour. I’m never worried about throwing things together and challenging things to work.I enjoy being around things that are visually lively – gardens, artwork, fabric shops, galleries, cities, clothing stores. I am also inspired by my travel experiences and try to bring […]

Tucked away up a long drive in suburban Havelock North is a house as flamboyant as its owner. Designed by renowned architects John Scott and Raiford Gardiner in the 1970s, the home is now occupied by Suzanne Beaumont, her husband John and their beloved Maltese poodle cross, Molly. As you walk through the garden to […]

A well-honed art collection is right at home in this elegant two-storey villa. Photographer: Rebekah Robinson.

This brand new home wasn't exactly love at first sight for the owner

Wendy Hart’s sensitive renovation of her classic 1960s family home gave it a modern edge, while retaining its retro glam appeal Hidden from the street in Auckland’s Remuera stands a striking 1960s home, which has been a haven for just two families in its 50-year lifespan. Owners Wendy and Richard Hart, their son Thomas, 14, […]

Meet and Greet Kate Gardham (stylist, tutor and interior designer) and friends Grace and Linn, as well as Oatis the dog. Budget-friendly bliss in a 1950s bungalow After purchasing her bungalow on Auckland’s North Shore, Kate Gardham looked her fear of heights square in the eye, purchased a ladder, erected a scaffold system and began […]

This Auckland artist’s work is about capturing memories. She decorates her own home with objects that inspire this reflective process.

A Cape Cod-style home in Taranaki embraces a striking monochromatic palette. Tracey Chilcott smiles to herself when people admire the beautiful renovation job she and husband Alastair have done on their New Plymouth home. The three-storey house was actually built only two years ago, but its traditional appearance has many fooled, says the passionate home […]

“When I have my breakfast,” wrote artist Bill Sutton in his journal in 1992, “I cut off a slice of bread for myself and one for the birds. We are all in it together.” It would have been a simple task for Sutton to throw the bread outside to the birds from the house designed […]

Architect Pam Ingram collaborated with graphic designer Peter Roband to renovate the Arch Hill apartment he shares with his partner Lindsay Spedding. The apartment now has a completely fresh feel without any changes to the existing footprint. “He could visualise what I was talking about,” says Ingram, “and he wanted something that was well-designed. We […]