Featured Expert Projects

Whether you’re looking to sell now or later down the track, it pays to keep your home up-to-date

If you’re looking to flip a house, but unsure about the steps, you’ve come to the right place How hard can it be? We’ve all heard of people buying a home in need of some TLC at the right price, renovating it to a suitable standard before selling it three or six months later for […]

Bring your tired wicker furniture back to its former glory with not much more than a lick of paint. Compared to other furniture materials, cane and rattan furniture is much easier to source, whether first or second-hand, thanks to its popularity in the 1970s and ’80s. The material is also generally inexpensive, reassuringly sturdy and […]

Encourage your kids to get outside and enjoy the spring sunshine by putting together a playground favourite. To build your own swing, you will need: 290mm x 45mm timber seat, pre-cut to 700mm long by timber merchant 6mm drill bit 18mm drill bit Drill 18mm sisal rope, cut into 2 x 5m lengths 2 hammock […]

Your definitive guide on how to style a bedside table like a pro Photographer: Derek Swalwell. Despite good intentions, a bedside table can all too easily become a dumping ground for life’s little bits and pieces. With clutter comes stress or, even worse, resignation. It’s time to make your bedside table something worth waking up […]

Hide unsightly clutter and stash those out-of-season items by adding some beautiful built-in storage Even for minimalists some amount of storage is still required in the home – especially if your home is built before 1940 and has an absence of wardrobes. The trick is to look for areas storage could be added and integrate […]

Venetian plaster finishes are on-trend at the moment, so why not recreate this look at home and cover that unsightly rangehood at the same time? Hiding a dated rangehood is a cheaper option than replacing a perfectly functioning unit that may be ruining the look of your kitchen. Rangehood covers are also having a moment. […]

Dress your windows to impress with the latest trends in curtains and blinds Whether we’re hibernating through winter or hiding from the harshest rays of the summer sun, window treatments are a necessary element of New Zealand interiors. As well as being a practical essential, they also offer an opportunity to play with colour and […]

Give a warm glow to your child’s bedroom with a bed nook in soft hues

Consider these 10 essential tips if you want to makeover your bathroom for under $10,000 There are a few reasons why you might give your bathroom a facelift. Maybe a big reno will cost too much and you simply want a short-term fix, or perhaps you need to give it a spruce up for sale […]

Thinking of adding an island or updating your existing one? We ask kitchen designers the burning questions about what’s hot and what to consider when installing one A kitchen island is the hub of any kitchen, offering both work and entertaining space in one multi-functional area. It’s a place to chat to the kids after […]

Lighting is an important element in home design and can transform a space, but there are a number of factors to consider when looking to amp up your interior Lighting design should never be an afterthought, although that’s often the case. The position of your lights, the type of fitting, the colour and temperature of […]

Set the scene to retreat, relax and recharge in a sweet spot that’s been decorated just for you One of the most beautiful gifts you can give yourself is a sacred place to retreat to whenever you feel the need for some quiet time. In these photos, you’ll see the sweet, cosy space that I’ve […]

Set a playful scene in a child’s bedroom by framing focal points with bright murals Painting murals in your child’s bedroom is a fun and relatively quick way to make their space unique, while highlighting certain features of the room. In this case, the mural makes the bed the room’s natural focus, and the shelves […]

Transform your TV into a work of art by building a frame for it You will need • 40mm x 20mm pine cut into 4 x 1.2m lengths • Picture framing timber cut into 4 x 1.2m lengths • 3mm drill bit • Timber screws • Drill • Tape measure • Small shelf brackets • […]

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 […]

Changes to the Building Code are coming. Here’s how they’ll impact you if you’re planning a new build Every year the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) works alongside those working in the building and construction sector, as well as the public, to review proposed changes to the Building Code with one common goal […]

Great art will add colour and personality to a room – so long as you get it right, says interior designer James Treble. Whether it’s a large mirror, a collection of prints or that ‘Picasso’ you picked up for a bargain, artworks are an integral part of any interior and can make or break a […]

How to beat product shortages, unstable pricing and supply chain problems in your home reno If you’re thinking about making some changes to your home, you might be wondering how on earth you’re going to navigate the long lead times and constant price increases you keep reading about. Ultimately, it all comes down to careful […]

Redecorating your home? Follow these 10 interior design rules to create a functional and stylish space you’ll love (without needing an interior designer) Just like an outfit, the right accessories tie everything together when your decorating spaces in your home. And you can’t just pull things out of cupboards, throw them together haphazardly and hope […]

How to hide messy electronic clutter without breaking the bank Our electronics may make living easier, but they don’t necessarily make it easy on the eyes. From plugs to chargers and cords, electronic clutter is taking over our homes at an alarming speed. Thankfully, new technology and a bit of DIY innovation is helping to […]

A kitchen renovation can take months and thousands of dollars, but a quick revamp is low-cost and near effortless. It’s the “I just woke up like this” of makeovers that will transform this busy space overnight Update your appliances (or hide them away) Appliances like a toaster or kettle see a lot of daily wear […]

Come and go as you please with these entryway solutions Entryways provide the important first impression of your home, a glimpse into the world you’ve created. A welcoming entry should greet people, enveloping them warmly into the household. They’re also practical spaces, a place for rushed comings and goings, and where keys and shoes and […]

The kitchen is the heart of the home and the centre of the party. Here’s how to design a space that’s made for food, friends and fun. Whether you’re channelling Nigella Lawson or serving a few steaks and sausages off the barbeque, the kitchen is where it all starts and ends. Therefore, it needs to […]

An artist plus a builder equals a perfect creative partnership to construct this cosmopolitan-meets-rural retreat from scratch Meet & greet Rae (artist) and Nick Prentis (builder) and their dogs, Dougal, Huckleberry and Beauregard. When people wax lyrical about their dream home, what they usually mean is a house that ticks all the practical boxes for […]

An architecturally significant post-war home was the design inspiration and sentimental impetus behind this coastal abode Meet & greet Sally (town planner and project manager) and Matt McGarry (electrician and solar power installation company director), Jasper, 11, Duke, nine, Sonny, five, and samoyed retriever cross Shelby. The options are endless when you build from scratch, […]

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 […]

How to beat product shortages, unstable pricing and supply chain problems in your home remodelling If you’re thinking about renovating your home, you may be wondering how you’re going to navigate the long lead times and constant price increases you keep reading about. Ultimately, it all comes down to planning – which is the 101 […]