How to

It's surprisingly easy and a great way to get kids interested in plants.

Barren spot? Hideous shed? Steep slope? Our expert Carol Bucknell diagnoses common garden problems and offers fast, easy cures.

Elf on the Shelf is an entertaining way to count down to Christmas (and keep the kids behaving).

Take decorating inspo from a cute print for a modern vintage look.

Here's the best spring cleaning tips to give your house a thorough refresh to usher in a new season.

Cladding sets the tone for your house as well as protecting it from the elements. We’ve rounded up the top options to consider before you dive in When planning a home renovation or new-build, many of us will spend hours umming and aahing over different shades of white paint or selecting the perfect kitchen benchtop […]

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 you’re decorating spaces in your home. And you can’t just pull things out of cupboards, throw them together haphazardly and hope […]

Are pantry moths plaguing your home or office? These expert tips will help you to banish them for good Up there with flies and mosquitoes, pantry moths (or Indian meal moths) have to be some of the peskiest insects of all time. Unfortunately, they are also the most common. These little creatures are like Newman […]

Texture is an important element of interior design that is often forgotten. When it comes to making your home cosy and contemporary this winter, it’s all about soft furnishings. They’re the key to making your home look cool, while feeling snug. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? “Not only do […]

Choosing 'white' paint is the first step. Finding the 'right white' paint is another task altogether. 

It can’t just be us who take to our bedrooms in winter. Make it a space full of creature comforts

Upgrade your home by installing a refurbished backyard caravan to use as a retreat, sleep-out, office space or party-ready cocktail bar.

If you’ve already got a tree or are planning on getting one soon, here’s how to keep your Christmas tree fresh for longer, from the team at Misa Christmas Tree Farms

Why does there never seem to be enough time? Here’s how to find more time for the things you love.  Each week, we have 168 hours. And once you take away eight hours’ sleep each night and the average 40-hour work week, there are still 72 hours of free time left over. So why does […]

Clean tile grout with these natural methods that will eliminate even the most stubborn stains Cleaning tile grout is not exactly a fashionable subject, but it’s an essential cleaning task that is not only important for your health but can also dramatically improve the look and feel of your home. There are many reasons why […]

Turn your kitchen window sill into a mini hydroponic patch Vegetable scrap gardening is a thing. With little effort and a dose of creativity, you can build a window-sill garden using all kinds of vegetable odds and ends that would have otherwise ended up on the compost heap. This fun project is fantastic for getting […]

Easy-drinking thirst quenchers to beat the heat This summer I want to create plenty of flavourful drinks that are as beautiful as they are thirst-quenching. Ripe berries, fragrant herbs and freshly sliced citrus act as my inspiration, with a decadent iced coffee to balance out all the sparkle when you feel like something a little […]

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 • […]

We lay down the ground rules on how to pick the perfect rug for every room in your home A rug can make or break a room, but getting it right isn’t always easy, especially when you’re shopping for a rug online. If you can’t try before you buy, it’s essential to get the exact […]

Bowl everyone over with your creativity and keep things tidy with these hand-crafted clay containers These sweet, little rustic pinch bowls are easy to make and come in handy for holding all kinds of things. I love their forgiving, imperfect form and the many possibilities for creativity. I also find the making process to be […]

A few simple ways to be kinder on the planet this festive season with sustainable Christmas gifting  Rethink your wrapping It’s hard not to fall for wonderful Christmas wrap, but if the mountains of glossy paper left over after the giftgiving extravaganza leaves you wincing, why not wrap your gifts in fabric this year? Either […]

Our DIY expert Nikki Kettle shows us three clever ways to make your own DIY bedside table How to make your DIY side table What you will need: • Bedside table • Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer • Paint brush • Roller • Dowel 8mm • Handsaw • Caulking gun • Construction glue • Ruler […]

Designer Mary-Ellen Hinton from Hello Saturday has some hot tips for beautiful bedroom design Bedrooms equal sleep. It follows that they should be a place of tranquility, somewhere to calm yourself after a day of sensory overload. Except it’s not always so cut and dried, particularly because many of us also use our bedroom as […]

Designer Amber Armitage from Amber Armitage has some golden rules for entranceways First impressions count. So, like a good handshake, it’s important to start strong. You want your entryway to set the tone for the rest of your home – and leave your guests wanting more. Unfortunately, entrances often become a dumping zone for, well, […]

If you’ve ever broken a tumbler and thought nothing of it, think again. The business of crafting a bespoke glass is a lot like playing with fire There was one thing I was wary of going into this glass blowing experience – breathing in when I should be blowing out. This of course, I could […]

Learn how to layer lighting in your home for a brighter outlook Design, furniture, paint colours – these are all important aspects of successful interior design. However, they all rely on one thing to pull them together – lighting. And it’s not just the style of your lighting, but how much and what types of […]

Looking for more contentment? Here are four simple and easy ways to start your day Sometimes, I get stuck in old habits and forget that I can change things around if I want to. It’s a liberating feeling when you permit yourself to shift old ways that no longer serve you. You’re in charge of […]

A beautiful bed look isn’t complete without a statement bedhead to back it up. Nikkie Kettle demonstrates how to make your own DIY headboard Before you start, measure the width of your bed to help you determine what size the base of your headboard needs to be. If you want the headboard to overhang the bedframe, […]

Whilst it can be tempting to paint all your walls in various hues, sometimes small and simple dahses of colour are just as effective. Here’s how 1. Art Rather than buying a piece of art to fill a space, Stacey recommends finding something you truly love, then working the rest of your interior, including your […]

This cleaning checklist will make spring cleaning a breeze. The beginning of spring is the perfect time to refresh our homes and reset our minds before we descend into the busiest time of year, aptly named the ‘silly season’, where entertaining, visitors and celebrations are a common occurrence. While we all want our homes to […]

Make WFH a joy with our 30 tips to creating the ultimate home office, no matter what space you’re working with There are three letters that have become increasingly familiar to everyone over the last year – WFH. Whether it’s a little corner of the dining table, a nook under the stairs or an entire […]

Happy, healthy and natural ways of improving the air quality in your home When it comes to living a healthy, natural lifestyle, one of the best ways we can start our journey is by tackling the air quality in our home. After all, we spend plenty of time indoors, and particularly as the winter season […]

Get the most out of your expensive candles with these expert tips Nothing sets the scene like candlelight at home to provide a welcoming fragrance or to encourage relaxation. Aficionados know that you get what you pay for when buying candles. The best candles are often the priciest, reflecting the raw materials, time and skill […]

Sleep easy in a room that’s designed with rest and relaxation in mind Apparently, we spend a third of our lives in bed. This alone makes the bedroom a contender for ‘the most used room in the house’ title. But we don’t just use the bedroom to sleep. It’s also where we get ready in […]

Gear up with embroidery thread and a vintage lampshade to create your own rendition of the popular Hay Bonbon light

White is a safe option but it can easily become sterile. Get expert advice on creating a dynamic interior with this popular neutral When selecting finishes and furnishings for your home it is easy to opt for white. This neutral colour is incredibly versatile and adds instant freshness; but are white interiors always right? Too […]

Find out how to work this seasons hottest colours into your home interior If you’re looking for decorating inspiration, then colour is always a good place to start. One of the biggest colour trends of late, is earthy, muted ochre and terracotta tones found in the desert landscape. It’s all about dulled-down shades that blend […]

Walls looking a bit bare? Take a leaf out of Nikki Kettle’s colourful book and paint a show-stopping mural Out with the old The wall in Nikki’s living room has been an ever-evolving project, originally with just the one palm tree painted in the corner. She was inspired by the retro patterns she found on […]

Invest in a few key pieces and choose a colour palette that will see them through from toddler to teen When it comes to kids rooms, the goal is to create a space where their imaginations can run wild but also where they feel happy and comfortable. By investing in some key furniture pieces and […]

Take comfort in your surroundings as the chill arrives with seasonal winter updates to your favourite rooms. Front walls painted in Resene Leather. Back wall in Resene Quarter Linen. Floor stained in Resene Colorwood Dark Ebony. Vase painted in Resene Calico. Rug from Nodi, chair and vase from Domo, shelf from Citta, armchair and coffee […]

Clutterbugs be gone! Here are our top 30 storage hacks for organising your home Ever wondered how some people manage to keep on top of the mess in their homes without looking like they’re trying? “A place for everything and everything in its place” is a great rule of thumb for staying tidy. But if […]

Create a standout dried flower arrangement you’ll enjoy evermore.  When designing your dried floral arrangement think about colour, texture and height. Select flowers and foliage in various sizes and colours for visual interest and remember if something isn’t looking right, gently pull it out and place it somewhere else. Flowers that dry well: Roses, hydrangeas, […]

From heat pumps to insulation and the toastiest gas fires, here’s how to make sure your home is nice and cosy when the temperature drops Before you start blasting heaters, be aware heating your home for winter starts with two important steps – insulation and ventilation. Insulation “A house with good ceiling and underfloor insulation […]

We all know marinade can take a simple dish to the next level, and we’re going crazy for this Delmaine marinade.  Using pantry staples you can create this crowd-pleaser in next to no time. If you’re like us and you love to host family and friends during bbq season, try this quick and easy marinade […]

The perfect frosty craft project for little ones! Fact: the festive season is more fun when you drape your home with Christmas decorations – and never more so than when they’re homemade!  To lend a frosty, traditional Christmas feel to your home, why not make some paper snowflake decorations. There are plenty of ways to […]

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 […]

A busy space like your pantry is a magnet for clutter and chaos. Follow these expert ideas and turn your pantry into an organised dream Ultra-organised pantries have been gaining popularity recently and for good reason. A well-organised space not only looks good but it functions better too. You’ll save time and effort unpacking your […]

Every home is different and will have its own challenges to address. Here are 10 tasks and techniques that are likely to help you be more successful for resale on auction day. Renovating a home can be a very rewarding experience. However, when you’re doing it quickly and selling the property on for profit, the […]

Whether you’re selling the family home or renovating for resale, our expert has got you covered. Here are 11 unexpected things you can do to add value to your home 1. Carpet your garage: This is a great way to lift the feel of your home, especially if you have an older house with a separate […]

Stuck with what to give your friends and family this year? Save the time scouring the shops and spend it making your own DIY Christmas gifts  1. Tile planter box Got a plant lover in the family? Make them a chic planter box using contemporary, stylish tiles and if you’re feeling particularly generous, gift them […]

Soft gold and burnt orange Christmas decorations are a sophisticated pairing. Alex Walls shows us how to give this retro colour combination a modern take A Kiwi Christmas has no sleighbells ringing, chestnuts roasting on an open fire or Jack Frost nipping at your nose. However, there is a warm glow from our summer sun […]

Picking an architectural style is a choice informed by how you live as well as your personal taste. Signature Homes round up some popular options and what to consider before you choose What’s important: Size: What size will best suit your family? Consider storage, bedrooms, bathrooms, room sizes and living areas. Function: Think about what you like […]

Your deck is a unique haven, the one space in your home that doesn’t need pruning, weeding, dusting or vacuuming. Get your deck ready for the summer entertaining season by using Cabot’s products to create a low-maintenance timber finish you’ll love If you want to enhance the colour of your deck while keeping the natural […]

Stop noise from entering your house while minimising the sounds within No matter where you live, life can be noisy. If it’s not planes, trains or cars assaulting your ears, it could be the neighbours, a barking dog or the demanding blips of technology. Soundwaves are able to enter the home through windows, doors, floors, […]

It’s the great Kiwi dream to build your own home, designed to suit your life and personal style. Use our free step-by-step booklet to guide your dream home journey In this first-of-its-kind guide, we follow the story of a real-life home build from dream to reality. If you’ve ever harboured a secret desire to build […]

Need a living room makeover but having trouble picking a palette? We created five different looks using the same key furniture pieces to show how a single space can be transformed through confident use of colour The three key pieces of furniture: Hugo velvet sofa, $2695, from Me & My Trend. Tilt coffee table, $1290, […]

When space is tight, a compact laundry that utilises every nook and cranny is key. Here are our top tips to help make small laundries feel bigger Mudrooms and large laundry areas may be all the rage, but not all of us have the space for such luxuries. Compact laundries get the job done in […]

Build a functional, beautiful wardrobe that will make getting dressed a joy Anyone who’s seen Clueless will know what the ideal wardrobe looks like: a hidden rail of endlessly gorgeous clothes and accessories, all accessed by touchscreen and curated by a digital styling assistant. But sadly, this vision from 1995 hasn’t yet come to pass. […]

Creating a room that looks and feels like ‘you’ can seem a little daunting. Stylist Amber Armitage shows how a simple step-by-step approach can produce the ideal balance of style and personality 1. Start with a neutral foundation + Many of us dream of a clean, minimal aesthetic and this look can certainly feel like a […]

Think wallpaper is just for the walls? Think again. Here are four creative, and unexpected ways, you can use your favourite wallpaper designs around your home Drawers To spruce up an old chest of drawers, measure the drawer fronts and cut wallpaper to fit (this works best on drawers with a recessed handle running along […]

Avoid overloading your household bins this holiday season by trying these quick and easy gift wrap alternatives  1. Recycled newspaper Reusing newspapers is a great way to do something a little different with your wrapping as well as being kinder to the planet. Plus, if you don’t like what’s going on in the world, give […]

Unsure what to get friends or family this year? These DIY gift ideas will ensure your present has a memorable personal touch 1. Flower frame  Framing dried flowers into a simple frame is a great budget-friendly gift idea. Method: + Pick flowers in the morning when they have just opened. Immediately after cutting, plunge stems […]

A simple length of velvet-look fabric can be the starting point for an array of Christmas projects. Try your hand at one of these easy yet luxe-looking decorations 4 creative ways to use luxe orange velvet as Christmas decor Santa Stocking This simple project can be whipped up with a sewing machine in around 30 […]

Christmas can be a wasteful time of the year, but these ideas for gifts and some sustainable shopping tips will help you achieve eco-friendly Christmas gift-giving this year Here’s how to do eco-friendly Christmas gift giving this December When shopping: Simplify the season. Buy fewer presents and less food, and opt to travel as little […]

Seeking some Christmas decoration inspiration? Take a tour of this simple peach Scandi Christmas living room – complete with easy styling hacks to try at your place Here’s how you can shop the peach Scandi Christmas style A neutral scheme promotes ease of living and gives you the freedom to add a few hints of […]

Tinsel doesn’t just have to hang on a tree, these four DIY projects will convince you to use it in all parts of your festive set-up Here are 4 different ways to decorate with tinsel this Christmas Napkin Rings Save a few pennies with tinsel napkin rings. Cut a length of tinsel (about 25cm long) […]

Keep the kids entertained while creating some festive buzz by making your own DIY advent calendar. The best part is you can wear the socks when you’re done How to create a cute DIY advent calendar with socks If you’re looking for a fun and easy activity to get you and the kids in a […]

Don’t throw out last season’s knitwear. Here’s how you can DIY a cushion cover out of that cosy woollen jumper in six easy steps Here’s how to make a DIY cushion cover out of your old jumper You don’t have to be a knitter to enjoy cuddly woollen cushions when you can repurpose surplus knitwear […]

These top tips for how to keep your Christmas tree alive will ensure it looks just as good on Christmas day than it did when you first put it up Here’s how to keep your Christmas tree alive and looking good until Christmas day If properly cared for, a tree will keep reasonably fresh and […]

Contemporary gardens are all about comfort, style and clean, minimal finishes. Think a stylish pool for parties and playtime How to create a contemporary garden at your place Cabana cues Poolside fun in contemporary gardens is all about keeping things simple and organised. As their pool area is not on the same level as the […]

If you’ve got a feline-obsessed child whose bedroom is in need of a refresh, consider this cute, kitty-inspired makeover The ‘Purrfect’ Room A child’s room is one space in the home where both you and your son or daughter can indulge in a sense of fun with the decor – or in this case, go […]

Got a fresh bunch of blooms? These flower arranging tips will help to make your blooms last longer and look better Flower arranging tips you need to know to keep your blooms fresh Best flowers to choose A great flower arrangement starts with the right choice of blooms, more specifically, how fresh those flowers are. […]

Think meandering paths and curved flower beds, and allow plants to cascade over the edges of paths, walls and fences How to create a cute cottage garden brimming with flowers Originating three centuries ago in rural England, cottage gardens are typified by a profusion of flowers planted in an informal, uncontrived way. Think meandering paths and […]

Bring the colours and textures of the coast into your home and create a relaxing lounge area where summer is always just around the corner Alex Walls creates a coastal inspired lounge just in time for summer Warm, balmy days will soon be with us, which means we can start looking forward to coastal getaways […]

These Halloween decoration ideas are for those who prefer to host a haunted party in style Classy painted pumpkins for stylish Halloween decorators Floating witch hats, ghosts in the garden and disturbing spider egg sacs are great for making your house the scariest on the street, but sometimes Halloween needs to class it up a […]

Urban gardens are typically small and underutilised. Here’s how, with a little savvy planning, you can create a number of different spaces, from outdoor dining to growing your own vegetables.  Here’s how to make the most of your small urban garden Shade  There’s a big difference in the quality of an open space like an […]

Planning for a haunted party? Here are Pinterest’s top DIY  Halloween decor projects to give your house the scary-factor  DIY Halloween decor to make your house the spookiest on the street Pinterest has picked out the top DIY Halloween projects to give your house the maximum scary factor. Whether your place is big or small, […]

With property prices more competitive than ever, a relocatable house can be a very cost effective way of getting a toehold on the property ladder. Use these tips as a guideline before you begin a relocation project 5 essential points to know if you’re considering a relocatable house Second-hand shopping is not just for clothes […]

Not the usual clipboard basic, these bulldog clips are designed to be part of the decor. Here’s how you can make it happen Clipboard To make this simple clipboard, take a small piece of MDF and cut it into a 21cm x 30cm rectangle. Give it a coat of paint using a small testpot in […]

Having spent a fair bit of time at The Block NZ Hobsonville townhouses this year, co-host Shelley Ferguson has some top tips on how to style these high-density homes Shelley’s top 5 tips for townhouse styling Townhouses often have multiple storeys with elongated floor layouts. To make the space feel expansive it helps to use […]

Grab your DIY gloves and get ready to Charleston, here are four ways to update your homeware with fringing 1. Vases Give some plain vases or glass votives a new look by adding on-trend fringing. + For each vase or votive, wrap the fringing around the neck to work out how much you need, allow […]

Perfect your party colour palette with pretty pastel pinks and hints of luxe gold This is how to style your home to make your party the talk of the town Tone up For a truly celebratory vibe, fill your home with soft-coloured balloons. A more neutral hue finished with gold string will ensure you’re evoking […]

We love vintage and New Zealand-made items, so naturally vintage locally made pieces are twice as nice! Here are some local ceramics brands to look for at secondhand shops 3 best New Zealand-made ceramic brands to look out for in a vintage store In 1964, Helen Mason, editor of The New Zealand Potter magazine, wrote […]

These four easy DIY projects with floral paper are a fun way to add a stylish statement to your home’s interior without breaking the bank 4 ways to use floral paper to make stylish decor for your home 1. Side table This is an easy way to give an old or cheap side table a […]

She’s been dealing in antiques for over 46 years. Who better to ask than Yvonne Sanders about how to build, keep and sell a collection? A pair of golden lions from Egypt perch on the steps inside the polished front door. Protectors of Yvonne Sanders Antiques store in Auckland, they have seen many treasures come […]

See how you can incorporate crystals in your interior styling. These verstatile stones are a great way to introduce some subtle glamour to your home. 1. Jewellery hanger Keep your dresser free of clutter by creating a simple jewellery hanger. This is super-quick and easy to make; you can do it within an hour. + […]

A pop of colour can pep up tired pieces and entire rooms in a flash. From bold wallpaper to bright joinery here’s how to creatively use colour in your home How to use colour in your home to liven up dull spaces A change in season offers the chance to regroup and refresh our interiors, […]

These five principles of good interior design are the keys to creating inviting spaces that family and friends will love spending time in 1. Repetition Repeating elements such as colour, shape or texture can help to unify a space and create a consistent visual experience. Mismatching carpets, different colour schemes or pick ’n’ mix windows […]

While living with pets has many benefits, it also means mess. These handy home hacks will help with that. Our pets are our best friends; they turn our houses into homes and are proven to have hugely-positive effects on our physical and mental wellbeing. However, and we’re sure most pet owners will agree, this all […]

Want to renovate but not sure of the cost? Here’s how to work out what you can afford and whether it’s worth your while doing it 1. Start how you plan to finish Work out what you want from your home and write down what you’d need to make this a reality. If your goal […]

It might be chilly but that’s no reason to hole up indoors. Add a little heat, light and shelter to turn your outdoor living area into an open-air winter retreat 1. Night music  Listening to music on a comfortable outdoor sofa with a glass of wine must be one of the most relaxing pastimes there […]

The Japanese method of wrapping plants in moss, soil and string is easy, addictive and beautiful. In this extract from Hanging Kokedama by Coraleigh Parker, we discover how to get started Use this step-by-step guide to make Japanese inspired hanging Kokedama There is something intrinsically inviting and soothing about the form of kokedama, through the […]

Choosing a new couch can be trickier than it seems. To help you pick the sweetest seat for your space, check out these expert tips How to choose the perfect sofa for your home Buying a sofa can be a daunting task with so many options on the market. One of the largest items of […]

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 […]

Use a graphic wall, subtle super hero theme and dynamic colour palette to create a fun and funky kid’s bedroom How a graphic wall design can transform your child’s bedroom This dynamic space can be adapted to suit kids of all ages, from toddler to teen. We have used the duvet cover as the inspiration […]

A rented garden needn’t feel temporary. Here are some easy steps to making your outdoor spaces feel like home Here’s how you can make your rented garden feel like home No longer just a transitional phase before buying a place of your own, renting has now become the norm for many Kiwis. One of the […]

In case you needed another reason to stay in bed in the morning, we’ve rounded up our favourite of this season’s winter bedding trends for ultimate snuggle factor and where to shop them How to create a perfectly cosy bed for the colder months ahead Winter really is coming! And it’s never too early to […]

From plush pillows to hot water bottles, these DIY projects with faux fur will make it easy to cuddle up in the winter months 1. Cushion  + To make this open-back envelope cushion cover, take a piece of 100cm x 50cm faux fur. + Place a 50cm x 50cm cushion insert on the fluffy side […]

Alex dreams up a natural nursery inspired by the colours of some cute felted toys, and shares her tips on how to design a top spot for a teeny tot How to create a nature-inspired nursery that your baby can grow into So… you find out you’re pregnant. It’s an exciting, joyful time (although it […]

Interior designers Katie Scott and Lucy Sargent tell us their top four picks for fab bathroom flooring. Here’s how to style and shop each look 8 stylish bathroom flooring ideas chosen by interior designers Our first interior designer is Katie Scott from Caro Design. She rounds up her four favourite bathroom flooring options, which are practical, stylish and […]