Homes to Love

Have a spare few million? These luxury estates may be fit for the rich and famous, but we can still have a peek inside.

From neutral and understated to bright and bold, these ideas will make you feel confident about using a green colour palette in your home.

Save time and money with these useful hacks for our most dreaded cleaning tasks Moving house is always a hassle. While a landlord can’t withhold your bond on the grounds that your house has not been cleaned, it is important that you leave the property reasonably clean and tidy. If you’ve got a few problem spots you’d like […]

If you’re thinking of redecorating or you’re just in the mood for some arts and crafts, this list of fun projects is sure to inspire your creativity 1. Repurpose your old jam jars Save yourself a trip to the recycling bin and reuse your jam jars to decorate your home. Jars can make wonderful planters […]

Here’s how we’ve been finding little moments of joy and ways to make our new home offices feel special during this sudden Covid-19 lockdown Since the lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19 began in New Zealand we’ve all started adjusting to our new normal. If you’ve made the sudden switch to working from home […]

Stay home and get stuck in with a full clean; these simple jobs will make you feel productive without ever leaving the house If a weekend-in is on the cards but you’re still wanting to be productive, you can never go wrong with a quick spruce-up! Whether it’s the simple task of de-cluttering your wardrobe […]

Self-care is important when you’re social distancing and staying at home. Try these lighthearted ideas to boost your mood As Coronavirus continues to sweep the world people are being encouraged to stay at home in a bid to flatten the curve of it spreading. Spending time at home is usually something we look forward to […]

Add some bright and bold inspo to your Instagram feed with this fearless collection of creatives who our team is loving right now In a sea of creamy palettes and dreamy interiors every so often you need some loud, clashing colours to punch through the tranquility and make a statement. To get you started on […]

We’re celebrating International Women’s Day by highlighting six inspiring New Zealand architects who continue to push the boundaries of design To mark the date for International Women’s Day and champion the #eachforequal theme this year, we’re celebrating six of New Zealand’s most successful female architects. These six women from five practices are just a handful […]

These dreamy Insta accounts have our team swooning on the daily. Check out why we’re loving these accounts and fill your own feed with some serious inspiration Instagram is a treasure trove for creative people and inspiring interiors. After spending countless hours scrolling under the guise of ‘research’, our team has stumbled upon some inspiring […]

Want the secret formula everyone is using to create a stylish interior? We round up the best home decor pieces to help you get that Insta-worthy style Whether you need some inspiration for a reno or you’re just obsessed with interiors, Instagram is an incredible source of stylish homes and products to shop. At Homes […]

Before you surrender to your regular wash-dry-fold cycle, try some of these smart laundry solutions. They may just save you time and effort The battle of the washing pile is a war that is being waged in households across the country. Although these never-ending loads of laundry may feel like an evitable part of being […]

Planning a new build or renovation and think your project could inspire others in their dream home journey? You could be the star of our next My New Home series We’re on the hunt for a new-build or renovation to follow in our series My New Home. Featuring in Your Home and Garden magazine and […]

This round-up of easy-care lawn alternatives is your answer to ditching the mower They’re innocent and ubiquitous; a symbol of domestic space to run around and relax to be seen on every Kiwi street from Cape Reinga to Bluff. We don’t really ever question if we need them – they’re just something we have. But […]

Lisa and Ribz are named the 2019 winners of The Block NZ in an anticlimactic season finale Auction night on The Block NZ is always unpredictable and often contentious but nothing could have prepared the viewers and contestants for this season’s final results. In a shocking turn of events which resulted in one team making […]

Busy households and bathrooms don’t usually mix well, so if you’re dreaming of a major makeover here are a couple of things that could make life a bit easier The battle for the bathroom, especially in the mornings, is a never-ending saga in most busy households. The constant queueing, lack of privacy and general mess […]

After a decade-long planning process, this sustainably-minded couple finally built their dream family home amid the rolling hills of the Waikato Meet + Greet Rachael and Kip Matterson, sons Seb, William and Nate, plus Winston the dog and Arty the cat. After completing a traditional villa renovation in Auckland in 2001, Rachael and Kip Matterson […]

Getting smart with your washing will help you look after your clothes better. The Homes to Love team share their favourite items and expert laundry tips Our clothes are a reflection of who we are and if you take care when washing signature pieces they will look good for years to come. Different fabrics call […]

Best mates Ethan and Sam share the story behind how they became friends and offer a sneak peek of their homes Mates who build together, stay together – at least that’s the case for The Block NZ‘s Ethan Ordish and Sam Whatarangi! The hilarious duo have been friends since they met at Te Kuiti High […]

Open plan living has come of age – changing the dynamics of family life and how we entertain. Here’s how to design your space to be truly flexible As our living spaces become truly multifunctional, we are presented with another set of design challenges – making sure they work as a traditional living room as […]

Bring some calm to your kitchen chaos with the help of these simple (and satisfyingly stylish) tips Kitchen drawers and countertops can be a recipe for cluttered chaos. But, it doesn’t matter if you have a tiny corner kitchen or a space fit for a chef, with the help of clever storage you can keep […]

Tactical game playing and a costly mistake turned this week’s master bedroom room reveal into an absolute nightmare for one team Following a disastrous bathroom week, The Block NZ teams started week four ready to fight tooth and nail to win the battle for their master bedroom and ensuite. With three of the teams not […]

Start your day feeling calm and comfortable with the help of these smart home appliances The demands of a busy life can sometimes feel like we’re on an endless treadmill. But if you set the tone of your morning you’ll find you’re ready to face the rest of your day more calmly and efficiently. The […]

Having your very own ensuite doesn’t have to be a pipe dream, here are the three key ways to design a bathroom on a budget 3 ways to design an ensuite you can actually afford When it comes to the number one thing people would add to their homes, having an ensuite is at the […]

Week three of The Block NZ resulted in some of the worst results in Block history, we round up why it all went so terribly wrong Bathroom week on The Block NZ is known as one of the toughest room reveals to pull off, but this year the teams certainly seemed to crumble under the […]

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, […]

Dreams do come true in the real-life fairytale of Oliver and Ella’s journey to homeownership. See the My New Home build from start to finish Once upon a time there was a family who yearned for a home of their own. But they lived in Auckland at the height of the housing boom, and every […]

This is exactly how to style your living room so that it’s a place to entertain guests, as well as a space you can relax and put your feet up A living room should be a place to entertain guests, as well as a space where you can relax and put your feet up. Creating […]

Each unique in style, these six sanctuaries will not only inspire, but they’ll also have you wanting to stay awhile When it comes to kitting out your dream bathroom there’s a number of different elements to think about: from functionality, to use of space, and of course, your bathroom decor. To help inspire your bathroom […]

How can you make your family home stylish but comfortable, durable but not daggy? Shannon Vos has some ideas… Kid friendly home design tips from Shannon Vos Trust me when I say this: Kids. Destroy. Homes. So how do we go from the ‘double income, no kids’ sleek, curated home to a safe but stylish […]

Some may surprise you, others will not Most of us clean everyday just by doing the dishes, wiping down the benches or taking the bins out. But the reason these things are done so frequently, is because they’re visible. So what about the things that are less obvious? Here are 11 dirty places you might […]

A hidden oasis that blurs the border between in and out Concealed by dense bushland and a mirage facade, Outhouse bathroom is precisely as Madeleine Blanchfield Architects intended; a space with minimal impact on the surrounding landscape that creates the illusion of being outdoors. Located in Kangaroo Valley, Outhouse bathroom services a small, nearby cabin […]

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite New Zealand females who are currently crushing it in the home and interior sphere right now Holly Tong and Runa Kuru Kristjónsdóttir, Holly + Runa What happens when a talented Gisborne florist meets an artistic Icelandic photographer? Pure magic, that’s what. The duo […]

Marie Kondo’s unique method of tidying and organising is taking the world by storm Marie Kondo’s new Netflix series Tidying Up has finally hit our screens and, like the rest of the world, I’m hooked! I don’t know what I love more: seeing how messy some homes are and feeling better about my own home or knowing […]

Your flooring sets the tone for your entire house – these expert tips prove why you should design your home from the floor up Research, research, research. When you’re planning a home build or major renovation, you sometimes feel like you’re spending your life online and in showrooms, looking up different options so you can […]

It’s never too early in the home design process to start planning your dream kitchen and laundry – and choosing your appliances should be at the top of your to-do list Whether building or renovating, selecting your appliances should be one of the first steps when designing your kitchen and laundry. This ensures you get […]

Here’s a round-up of style ideas and clever software that will help you work smarter, not harder. These are the four S’s of home office design How to create a home office space that helps to increase your productivity If you wear a lot of hats throughout your day thanks to a demanding business, having […]

Whether it’s a complete kitchen makeover or simply painting your front door, these interior tips will make you happy and boost your home’s value in the process How to spruce up your interior (and increase your home’s value) While the thought of completely transforming your home is pretty exciting the reality of the cost, time […]

From structural and architectural to a dash of Moroccan inspo, here is how to shop the looks from “the best kitchens on The Block NZ so far” Shop the looks from The Block NZ kitchen and dining rooms “Kitchens sell houses” were the words ingrained into The Block NZ teams’ heads by host Mark Richardson […]

Budget restrictions, ongoing drama and sneaky tactics kept the teams busy during outdoor week on The Block NZ. Get a closer look at all the room reveals and watch the judges’ comments below The Block NZ teams reveal the first part of their outdoor areas This week on The Block NZ, it was crucial for the […]

Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Arden and Clarke Gayford offer a glimpse into their family home in Sandringham, Auckland.

Get inspired and get shopping! Where to shop for everything from The Block NZ’s living rooms This week’s room reveal on The Block NZ saw the contestants battle it out to complete a comfortable family living room. The teams worked hard to win the judges over and prove their interior prowess by using bold colour, […]

 We round up all the looks from blank canvas week and explain the disappointing reason why this week’s winner is yet to be announced The Block NZ: Inside this week’s dramatic blank canvas room reveal For such a plain room reveal theme, ‘blank canvas week’ has been surprisingly dramatic on The Block NZ. From unsafe […]

It’s safe to say Bathroom Week on The Block NZ lived up to it’s stressful reputation. Catch up on the judges’ scores and discover how you can shop the look The Block NZ: Week Two family bathroom room reveal Bathroom week is always stressful on The Block NZ and this week proved to be an […]

It was a hasty “tools down” moment as the teams finished up their first room reveal challenge. We take a closer look at their guest bedrooms. The Block NZ: Week one guest bedroom reveal Teams went pedal to the metal in the final hours of their first room reveal challenge with a looming incentive at […]

This incredible treehouse in Atlanta, United States, is what dreams are made of. It’s easy to see why it was named Airbnb’s most wish-for listing This stunning treehouse is the most wished-for Airbnb listing in the world Set amongst the trees on a secluded property just outside of central Atlanta is the most stunning treehouse […]

7 baches for sale where you can live the Kiwi dream There is naught more quintessentially ‘Kiwi’ than the humble New Zealand bach. The Kiwiana bach is one filled with mismatched furniture, board games, and rowdiness – here are a few of our favourite picks that fit the bill currently on the market around the country. […]

  Building your own home is an exciting journey. To get you started, Signature Homes has created this guide to make those important design decisions easy 5 important things to consider before building your own home  So you’ve decided to build new – great! But you’re unsure where to begin. The secret to designing a home […]

What’s the right heating option for your home and family? We look at five cosy solutions that will keep you comfortable this winter 5 fail-safe ways to heat your home this winter While the thought of cuddling up on the couch under a cosy blanket is quite dreamy, the reality of a chilly home in […]

Freshen up your décor and discover how easy it is to create your own relaxed retreat with Freedom’s new Coastal Cool collection 5 ways to make your home feel like a coastal retreat Whether you want your home to feel like a dreamy beach resort or you’re looking for just a subtle nod to the […]

We’ve rounded up our favourite cute and quirky gift ideas that will make the perfect Mother’s Day present for an animal lover 26 Mother’s Day gift ideas for animal loving mums Thank your mum for all she’s done this Mother’s Day with our selection of the best pet accessories currently on the market. From collars […]

We’ve rounded up 20 gifts that any mum with a passion for home decor and design will love, take a look 20 best Mother’s Day gift ideas for interior loving mums As we all know, there is no job more difficult than that of a mother. Let mum take some time to indulge in a bit […]

From warming accessories to budget-friendly ideas, our practical and stylish tips from Mico Bathrooms will help you to beat the bathroom blues this winter How to make your bathroom feel warmer this winter We’ve all experienced the bathroom blues. It’s that jolt you feel when your feet touch the cold bathroom floor, that sharp gasp […]

Whether you’re looking for a small on-trend update or you want to do a complete overhaul of your kitchen, we’ll help you break the process down into stages How to design a dream kitchen that you’ll love for years to come As the hardest working room in your home, your kitchen will be one of […]

Shelley Ferguson is renovating her house and knows she wants solar panels – but she’s not sure how they work. She finds out if they’re the right fit for her home and busy family life Shelley Ferguson investigates if solar power is the right fit for a busy family I reckon home renovation is a bit […]

The journey to home ownership should be an enjoyable one, which is why Shelley Ferguson has made it her mission to find out how to make the process as stress free as possible. Here are five practical reasons why building new is the way to go 5 practical reasons why you should build new Building a […]

We count down the ten most popular home features on Homes to Love for 2017. Watch to see if your favourite story made the cut 10 Best New Zealand homes of 2017 1. A modern Mount Maunganui cottage honours the 1940s bach it replaced 2. Inside Augustine designer Kelly Coe’s St Heliers home 3. This […]

When it comes to doing your bit for the environment at the end of an unfinished meal, the answer could be right in front of you – in your kitchen sink. With the help of InSinkErator, we grind down a few myths about this surprisingly eco-friendly system for dealing with unwanted food scraps. Why this […]

It’s never been easier to make scented soy candles at home thanks to Chandler & Me. Here’s why you need this genius candle making kit for Christmas Why the Chandler & Me Candle Maker kit is the ultimate Christmas gift We love how something as simple as lighting a scented candle can completely change the […]

Prince Charles hosted the Spanish Royals in his living room at Clarence House giving us a rare glimpse into his family home A rare peek inside the home of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Stepping up his official duties, heir to the throne Prince Charles hosted King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain for afternoon tea […]

Challenge Host Shelley Ferguson takes us beyond the building site to chat to Andy and Nate following an emotional auction night The Block NZ: Andy and Nate’s final chat with Shelley They may have won the most room reveal challenges this season and the People’s Choice Award but Andy and Nate’s big win on The […]

A bit of thoughtful design and clever planting can do wonders to a small garden. Horticulturalist Helen Young shows us how Small garden ideas to help you make the most of your space Having limited space does not mean your small garden ideas need to be boring. It does however present some unique landscaping challenges […]

It’s guest bedroom and bathroom week on The Block NZ so we decided to look back at the room reveals from previous seasons. How do they compare? The Block NZ: How do guest bedrooms from previous seasons compare? There are always a lot of comments bandied about comparing the style and execution between the seasons […]

High-end fashion house Gucci is infiltrating interiors with a home decor collection fit for a fashionista. Get a glimpse of the new range in our gallery Gucci is set to launch its own home décor collection Hold onto your handbags people! Gucci have just announced they will be releasing a home décor collection in September […]

We’re obsessed with interiors around here, but flowers are also top of our inspiration hit-list. Here are 10 floral-based Instagram accounts you need to know about Your pretty cute! #thebotanistnz A photo posted by The Botanist Floral Stylist (@thebotanistnz) on Aug 2, 2016 at 1:53pm PDT #1 The Botanist Who: @thebotanistnz Why we love it: […]