Look forward to the chilly winter mornings with these tips As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisper, coaxing yourself out of bed in the morning can feel like a daunting task. When it’s dark, gloomy and raining outside, it certainly seems that winter mornings are designed to keep us snuggled up under […]

Nothing beats jumping into a pool on a hot summer’s day. Here’s what you need to know about installing your own before making the leap While there are many appealing factors to owning a pool it’s not all plain sailing. Pools allow you to have that resort-at-home vibe without the need for travel and becomes […]

A new build can be a daunting task. We’ve pulled together five essential tips for a stress-free start  5 essential first steps to getting a new build off the ground 1. Set your budget. There’s no point buying an expensive piece of land if you can’t afford to build on it. Talk to your bank […]

It can be hard to get access to good-quality fabric and wallpapers that you see in magazines. Alex Fulton helps us track down where to go for the designer goods The best online fabric and wallpaper suppliers in New Zealand Where designers get all their fabric goodies from can seem like a mystery – and […]

Alex Fulton finds a way to integrate a troublesome TV nook and helps a reader track down some designer goods that will fix this ‘dead space’ How to fix the dead space around your TV with clever styling The problem is that the nook the TV and unit occupy is smaller than the sofa. That’s […]

Interior expert Alex Fulton says this is the only rule you need to remember when styling your home’s interior This one easy style hack will transform your interior I think styling comes down to equal parts instinct and knowledge. Quite often I listen to that instinct when I’m trying to work out why something works […]

Your collection of treasured knick-knacks can easily slip into the realm of clutter. Here are some quick tips to help you showcase your special pieces How to stop your collections looking like clutter Look for iconic, locally made pieces and everyday items that can easily be upcycled to add vintage flair to your home. Use […]

Vintage enthusiast Fiona Ralph give us three fail-safe items to shop for, that can easily be upcycled to give your home a unique edge New to secondhand shopping and unsure what to look for? Keep your eyes peeled for quality, New Zealand-made items that will stand the test of time. Look for iconic, locally made pieces […]

Interior design expert James Treble serves up his top 8 tips and considerations to help you create the perfect kitchen design Kitchens sell houses! It’s an old saying, and one that every real-estate agent will agree with. Whatever the size of your home, the kitchen is a room you spend heaps of time in. It’s […]

If you want to update a dark kitchen on a budget or if you’re looking for something with a bit of a wow factor to heat your home, Alex has the answers Do you have any suggestions for a dark and old kitchen that don’t involve spending heaps of money? Working out how you live […]

Builder Michael Namo discusses the 9 things you need to consider if you want to optimise existing storage space or install a dream wardrobe 9 things you need to know if you’re building a new wardrobe In the modern world, we see wardrobes as more than just storage spaces. A good wardrobe is a must-have […]

Toying with the idea of turning your interior design hobby into a career? Interior expert Alex Fulton gives some sound advice from her own experience Which provider should I use to get a qualification in interior design? What are your thoughts on the diploma course offered by the Interior Design Institute? In New Zealand we […]

Opening your doors to holidaymakers is an easy way to make some extra money and meet interesting new people. Here’s our how-to guide Need some extra cash? Here’s how to rent your home to holidayers Could your home be a holiday rental? Who hasn’t heard of someone letting out their spare room for a week […]

From organisation to budget to design, interior designer Alex Fulton dishes up some expert advice on how to make your new-build feel like home Hi Alex, We moved into our ‘off-the-plan’ spec home about three months ago. To put it plainly, we are stuck! We have all our old furniture, we are too scared to […]

Interior designer Alex Fulton dishes up some expert advice on how to inject character in your home during the building stage Hi Alex,  My husband and I are building our first home which is very exciting. But after living in old houses, we are a little scared by the prospect of ‘new’. Old means full […]

Whether you’re after a dramatic effect or a soft and subtle glow, clever use of lighting can take your garden to the next level. Not sure where to begin? Let our 10-point checklist be your guiding light 1 Where to start Most outdoor lighting is 12 volt, which means you’ll need a transformer to connect it […]

Mould growing on curtains is a common problem in damp homes. We chat to curtain specialists Harvey Furnishings about how to prevent mould growing in the first place and how to protect and clean soft furnishings How to prevent mouldy curtains Why does mould appear in the first place? Mould grows in damp areas where there […]

For a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gesture on a budget, we suggest a picnic basket filled with some simple favourites, and prepared with love You will need A basket A tea towel or piece of fabric A flower – any stem will do Milk Homemade cookies. Try ones of these recipes for Butter Choc Chip cookies, White and […]