inspiration

An inviting living room is a pleasure and a joy to come home to. We asked interior designers for the inside scoop on how to create an enviable sitting room

Make matcha of this verdant hue

The world of second-hand furniture is a vast maze of treasures and trinkets.

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

A laundry you'll look forward to spending time in? You better believe it.

A Dunedin back garden has been turned into the ultimate fun zone for this lucky pre-schooler

How to make your home office or study nook work.

Yellow, orange, dark blue and even a burnished gold, these colourful front doors set a cheery tone before you step inside.

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

Designing your private green sanctuary is an exciting challenge – and, all going well, extremely gratifying.

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 […]

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

Kit out your baby’s room in joy and wonder

Time-tested elements are harmoniously matched with light-handed hints of modernity in this renovation of a Wellington villa.

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

A minor staircase change was the first step in a major architectural metamorphosis at this mid-century townhouse.

Meet the creator behind the luxuriously silky and sustainable bed linen brand Lisa Knowler  Renowned for its luxuriously soft and sustainable bedding, a stay at the Savoy Hotel in London sparked Lisa Knowler’s love affair with bed linen. A few years later, as Lisa struggled to become pregnant, she became increasingly aware of the products she […]

One family gives new meaning to indoor-outdoor flow with a new home, where they can see the front and back yard from the open-plan living space When the owners of an earthquake-damaged character home in Merivale, Christchurch, approached Daryl Hewitt about repairing and renovating it, he instead suggested a new-build. “I said to them, for […]

A coastal farmhouse-style renovation gave this Taranaki cottage a fresh look to suit its pasture-to-sea outlook Jane loves the textural contrast of the brick fireplace in this white-painted space, but added a new wood burner. The dining suite is from Danske Mobler. “I have always longed for a French farmhouse table and iron cross-back chairs,” […]

Denise Porter-Howland, aka Eleventeen Ceramics, pays homage to the abandoned and revered through her clay designs. Denise Porter-Howland’s world is wicked and wonderful, the underbelly of any good fairytale. From her home studio in Grey Lynn, Auckland she crafts surreal apple cores, ears and ashtrays. Highbrow fashion pieces, such as a ceramic Prada shoe that […]

The ceramicist shares his unique creative journey 

Paint and wallpaper transformed a boring beige former rental in Nelson into a true family home Meet & greet Carley (interior designer) and Bryn Lloyd (head coffee roaster and coffee company owner), and children Beau, 11, Lilou, seven, and Felix, five. The property A bach-like 1990s seaside home next to Māpua Wharf on the Tasman […]

With a passion for experimenting at home, Annelies is always changing and moving pieces of decor around Annelies Leitch of Home Lab Store When Annelies Leitch went on buying trips for the fashion industry pre-motherhood, she always gravitated to homewares stores in New York, London and Paris. As a serial furniture mover and cushion changer, […]

Keen to get colour confident? Read on for the answers to your 10 most burning questions, plus on-trend ways to update with colour Colour is like a secret language, speaking to us on a subconscious level. “Colour is the first thing anyone will remember about a space. It shapes spaces and adds more emotion than any […]

Update your space with these trending looks and easy hacks to breathe new life into tired kitchens You don’t have to break the bank to fall in love with your kitchen again. Whether it’s with a lick of paint, a terracotta tile or a new kettle, simple changes can go a long way to giving […]

Renting is no obstacle for Steve and Bobby Clark who are using art, DIY skills and styling to revamp their home Meet & greet Bobby (artist, designer and stylist) and Steve Clark (artist, designer, stonemason and sculptor) their son, Jimmy, two, and Scout, a Staffordshire terrier. the property Rented corner-block house. Steve and Bobby Clark don’t […]

Transform your space into a Barbie-inspired Dreamhouse  Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse will soon be available to book on Airbnb Barbiecore is a lifestyle and aesthetic movement that takes cues from the iconic Barbie doll, capturing her trademark pink and pastel hues, glamour, and femininity. This whimsical and chic aesthetic pays homage to the Barbie universe, stirring […]

Elegant and sophisticated, but also welcoming and family friendly – this renovated charmer in Wellington has it all. meet & greet Sean Bennett (explosives detection dog handler), Laura Bennett (financial crime analyst), son Harper, 10, and daughter Frankie, eight, plus Muffin the rabbit and Maddie the dog. the property Four-bedroom, two-bathroom renovated 1920s bungalow in […]

Aucklander Hollie Ryan’s pretty creations will bloom forever After graduating from law school, it didn’t take long for Hollie Ryan to feel the pull of creative pursuits. I should’ve figured that out before incurring five years of student debt,” she jokes. In an old Grey Lynn villa in Auckland, which she shares with her flatmates […]

A 1950s caretaker’s cottage renovated in a minimal, contemporary style was designed to enjoy the stunning views from the windows Meet & greet Susie Whyte (architect and interior designer) and John Burke (pharmaceutical services director). The property A renovated 1950s four-bedroom prefabricated bungalow in Aberfeldy, Scotland. Clad in wood, surrounded by green fields, colourful wild […]

Autumn is harvesting and nature’s planting time in the garden. Here’s what to gather, sow and grow this month Chores “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,” wrote Keats in his sumptuous ode to the glories of autumn. For the gardener, it is a time of harvest, when the fruit filled “with ripeness to the core” […]

Despite renovations that never end, a creative couple have built themselves a sweet life in a charming old stone house nestled in the Tuscan countryside meet & greet Britta Herrmann (ceramic designer) and Marco Frediani (yoga teacher and university professor). the property A four-bedroom stone house in the Tuscan countryside, built as a peasant’s home […]

Having interiors wanderlust means paying homage to other cultures and cherry-picking what works for where you are and your lifestyle. It’s called global style and it’s proudly eclectic If you’ve ever schlepped home a suitcase full of mementoes from your travels, such as a rug from Morocco or a Balinese wood carving and proudly displayed […]

10 ways to vamp up the fabulosity of your garden, relatively quickly 1 Floral pick-me-up One of the prettiest ways to lift the mood of a garden is with flowers. Too many, mind, may overpower the greenery – a rule of thumb for a winning ratio of flowers to foliage is one to five. The […]

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 […]

Find out what’s cooking in the world of kitchen design with these sizzling kitchen trends for 2023 and beyond We’ve seen the future, and it is fabulous. With a mix of trendspotting and crystal-ball gazing, we’ve pinned down the 10 top trends likely to influence Kiwi kitchen design in the coming year, from fresh colours, […]

In windswept Mangawhai, two interior designers crafted a contemporary home with timeless attention to detail meet & greet Bevan (industrial designer and company director of Walkspace Street Furniture) and Tori Thomas (interior designer and artist at Tori Thomas Creative), Indie Rose, nine, Siena Belle, six, and Hungarian vizsla Pixie and Benji the cat. the property […]

Building a house on your own isn’t for the faint of heart, but this eight-month project resulted in a home made with love for a young Gisborne family meet & greet Joseph (construction company owner/director) and Angelique Gloistein (hair salon owner and entrepreneur), Dublin, eight, Atlas, seven, and Texas, three. the property Three-bedroom, barn-style home […]

Part-time Waiheke Islanders created the perfect family home away from home meet & greet Susannah (interior designer at Island Interiors) and Paul Matheson (financial controller), River, 12, Sunday, eight, Violet, six, and Domino the dog. the property A ’50s bach on Waiheke Island that has been variously added onto over the years. It doesn’t take […]

The winner of the Resene Small Room Awards harnesses the great outdoors through a love of colour Andrea Kurth’s decision to paint a punchy and playful mural on a white wall in her “plain” laundry turned out to be a winning move. The judges of the Resene Small Room Awards 2022 loved Andrea’s ingenious use […]

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 • […]

With its white palette, open-plan spaces and materials inspired by the ocean, this new home is a beautiful reflection of the family who live here and the perfect backdrop for a colourful ’70s-style Christmas Meet & Greet Rhiannon Swan (wedding and events planner), her husband Cameron Swan (managing director of a commercial innovation company), and […]

Turn a brown paper package into something special Whether you’re making or buying your presents this year, jazzing up the wrapping with adornments and handmade tags will send your gift giving into a whole other stratosphere. Craft central here we come. Make it 3d Think outside the box with your surplus Christmas tree ornaments This […]

Christmas is a time when all the family get together to celebrate the festive season. Here’s what to plant, sow and grow before the masses descend Your checklist for getting the garden in shape for the festive season: Step-up deadheading of flowers. This removal of fading blooms means the energy that the plants would have […]

Get set for Christmas with a setting to impress for less Tap into new style this holiday season, whether you’ll be gathering around the dining table or in the sun by the barbecue, the picnic table, or the pool. Dazzle with colourful tableware No matter how the roast potatoes turn out, your Christmas feast will […]

Light and balance work with nature and a slow lifestyle at this idyllic holiday house in Denmark meet & greet Rikke Moldrup Rasmussen (Slow fashion and home textile company owner), Flemming Moldrup (writer and TV presenter), his daughter Yoko, 14, and her son Gilbert, 25, and daughter Molly, 18. the property Three-bedroom ’50s holiday cottage, […]

The Grey Lynn family home of Hej Hej co-founder Alice Isles is as upbeat and playful as her fashion brand, but on a grander canvas meet & greet Alice Isles (co-owner of clothing brand Hej Hej), Mike Isles (corporate finance advisor), and their twin daughters, Madeleine and Matilda, both six, and Chewy the cat. the […]

A spontaneous purchase of a weatherboard house provides a melting pot of coastal inspiration

What to consider when you’ve outgrown your house and can’t decide to extend or sell There are a number of reasons why you might outgrow your home, for example, you’ve had children, you’re working from home more, or another member of the family has moved in. Whatever the reason, you have a couple of choices: […]

After searching endlessly for the perfect nursery cushion, Jen Calorme decided to make her own, kick-starting a business in the process If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen one of Jen Calorme’s creations peeking through a cradle or nestled in a rocking chair. She’s the founder of online home decor store Lune & […]

From London to the beach bliss of Devonport, Auckland, a returning family discover the reality of their Kiwi life is even better than their rosy memories

A rundown cottage, which was discovered online, has been renovated into a spacious home after a lot of hard graft and help from family Meet & greet  Thom (airline pilot) and Elysia Shanks (stay-at-home mum), and James, eight, Josh, four, and Isaac, 16 months. A tiny workman’s cottage built in the 1800s and in original […]

Alice Toomer has found her artistic groove by capturing some of New Zealand’s favourite lollies and desserts on canvas   Working from her sunny studio nestled in Wellington’s coastal suburb of Island Bay, Alice Toomer brings confectionery to life on canvas. Her work is painstakingly intricate, the results nothing short of sugar-coated, photorealistic illusions. The […]

A timeless approach to design led to a dark, dreamy bedroom for a New Plymouth couple. It’s a true exercise in smoke and mirrors, with wallpaper to match Meet & greet Gina (photographer, designer and vintage shop owner) and Rick Fabish (builder) and their four daughters. Transforming a white bedroom into a dusky, opulent boudoir […]

A couple in the building industry liked a semi-rural location so much, they bought and built in the area twice Meet & greet Hayden (builder) and Ashleigh Dam (nurse educator), George, three, and Dani the cat. 1 The Design Given Hayden and Ashleigh Dam own a building company, they have a tendency to spend only […]

A love affair with colour has transformed this coastal home into a blushing beauty Craving open space in the midst of lockdown, Amber Armitage purchased a small bach in beachy Mangawhai. Her “let it be” approach to paint has paid off by the bucketload, letting the small rooms remain dark and moody while the light-filled […]

From ivory to cream, add some light, bright touches indoors Winter whites are making a comeback this frosty season, even though it’s dark by 5pm, inside you’re just getting started. Consider winter a time to inject some much-needed light into your home through the monochrome magic of white. Don’t get left out in the cold […]

A New Plymouth couple rewrote history to give a charmless ’70s house a large dose of right-on retro appeal Home Profile: Meet & greet: Blair (operator off-shore oil and gas) and Karen Prichard (owner/manager of Social Kitchen and Monica’s Eatery). Good bones. It’s the carrot that lures would-be renovators, motivating them to pour all their […]

A heritage home’s contemporary update was shows how to perfectly juxtapose classic black and white Meet & greet Jess and Sam Hunter, and their daughters ranging from six to 13: Bea, Lily, Olive and Ellie, plus Willow the Labrador. After living in a 1950s weatherboard cottage for some time, interior designer Jess Hunter and her […]

Serial renovators Alice and Caleb Pearson updated a former state house by selecting high-performance Haier appliances

Life is looking rosy for an apartment-dwelling couple who have an eye for colour and design Meet & greet Chantal Assinck (location agency owner) and Tom Klomberg (HR consultancy owner). Chantal Assinck and her partner Tom Klomberg live on the third floor of an apartment building located in the heart of a busy city situated […]

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner had some sleepless nights about her edgy paint colour choice, but it was a champion decision The 2022 Resene Colour Awards winne r rewrote the rule book when it came to using bold, unapologetic colour without compromise. Awash in a world of white kitchens, Arna Marshall’s fearless use […]

Consider these ten helpful tips before making any big changes to your bathroom 1. Reuse the plumbing If your budget’s tight, do your best to reuse the existing plumbing locations. Try not to move the toilet or shower as this can be a costly exercise by the time the water supply and wastewater pipework is […]

We show you how to easily create more space in even the smallest of homes Smaller homes and apartments need to be more ordered than larger family homes. If your home isn’t feeling as functional as it should, there are plenty of ways to utilise every last centimetre of space. From reflective surfaces to using […]

Create a full-scale library, or even scatter piles of good reads around the home. Colour coding is optional Whether you wish for a private library filled to the brim with your favourite books, or you’re simply looking for an aesthetically pleasing storage solution, bespoke library joinery is the answer. As well as providing an opportunity […]

A novice textile designer who started learning her craft during a lockdown is making her mark and winning more than fans Frances Poff didn’t spend her days in 2020’s lockdown working her way through a Netflix series or baking sourdough bread like many of us. Instead, she taught herself how to use Adobe Illustrator. “At […]

Get playful and have some fun with waves, squiggles and curvy blotches Wall Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen and floor Resene Walk-on, both in Resene Bone, Resene Kalgoorie Sands. Headboard: Resene Kalgoories Sands. Painted wall frame: Resene Beethoven. Boucle chair from Kmart. Tobacco stripe euro pillowcase and tobacco duvet cover and pillowcase from Foxtrot Home. Cloud […]

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 […]

In artist Maiko Nagao Irvine’s newly renovated home DIY comes naturally – as do the Christmas decorations In 2018 Maiko Nagao Irvine and Mike Irvine’s Birkdale home in Auckland graced the cover of Your Home and Garden magazine. Small, cosy and filled with Maiko’s ingenious DIY projects and interior hacks, it was perfect for their […]

A dark and unwelcoming Despicable Me-type villa was reanimated into an Auckland family’s dream home The calm feeling that envelops you as you walk into Chloe and Shaun Lincoln’s home belies the hard work that went into making it the serene space it is today. The 1910s villa wasn’t always this polished – in fact, […]

A white bathroom with dated vinyl and a small showerbox simply didn’t cut it for colour-loving Nikki Kettle, who’s transformed the ensuite into an engaging new space     Nikki Kettle doesn’t mind a challenge. The builder, and DIY expert for Your Home and Garden, has already painted and then repainted a giant mural in […]

Up the quirk factor with decorations that surprise and delight. Up the quirk factor with decorations that surprise and delight. From sparkly fish to sugar-coated donuts, nothing is off limits Left to right: Home of Christmas glass chips in red and white, $11.99, from Farmers. Glass effect dark aqua bauble, $9.99, from Adairs. Kiwifruit vintage […]

Make the interior lover in your life very happy this Christmas with one of these 13 go-to gifts Clockwise from top left: Hay juice high vase, $227, from End. Goods of May Sidney checkerboard cushion in orange, $142, from End. Home Republic circle pink ring vase, $32.99, from Adairs. Dandelion Yves Klein blue tea towel, […]

Moving from a studio in a caravan to a heritage-listed central city building has given a Whanganui artist Fleur Wickes room to breathe and create

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 […]

As the weather warms in the Antipodes, a nature-loving interior designer and her family in Sussex celebrate the cosy pleasures of an English Christmas When searching for zero cost, sophisticated festive styling ideas, interior designer Maria Le Mesurier, the creative force behind WoodEdit, likes to make her home Christmas ready using nature’s best. “Dressing our […]

Nights spent under the stars inspire this new decorating trend. Shop these 11 campfire chic homewares below Clockwise from top left: Small checkers tablecloth in thyme, around $253, from Bonnie & Neil. &Tradition Setago JH27 table lamp, $220, from Finnish Design Shop. 28cm cream ceramic frypan, $17, from Kmart. Natural teak bench, $299 (medium), from […]

With its tall, curvy and pink-illuminated frame, it’s not hard to see why this delightful mirror is a favourite among A-listers, design lovers and fashion influencers alike What is it? It’s a 1.8 metres tall, curvaceous, pink mirror with a neon-illuminated frame. It’s technically also a lamp. What does the name mean? ‘Ultrafragola’ means ‘ultimate […]

Designer Lynda Gardener mixes old and new with the found and the collected to create a warm sense of whimsy in her inner-city home Lynda Gardener, an interior decorator and owner of boutique accommodation, is an avid collector. Her warehouse home is filled with countless treasures she has slowly collected throughout the years. What is […]

There’s no place like home for this young family, who have breathed glorious new life into their cottage home What began as the chance to transform a dilapidated cottage into a dream home to be sold to another family, soon became so much more for builder Dale Cheesman and his wife Gemma Sampson. To the […]

In an unexpected move, bold yet petite floral homewares take our fancy this spring. Shop this season’s favourite pattern below Clockwise from top left: Anna Spiro Design Flora rug, $13,644, from Designer Rugs. Field of Dreams silk pillowcase, around $105, from Kip & Co. Rifle Paper Co spiral notebook ruled A5 in Marguerite, $42.90, from […]

Interior colour can be a minefield, but with a little know-how, you can freshen up your home for spring Is there any facet of interior style more daunting than colour? For many of us, choosing a scheme comes with indecision. I love mint-green but how will it look on all four walls? Will I regret […]

When it comes to your making a kitchen benchtop material comparison, do the research first. It’s one of the most hard-working surfaces in your home. Here’s help to choose your material wisely and get the best kitchen benchtop material for your needs. No longer shut away behind closed doors, modern kitchens not only where meals […]

Renovating to add value? Reno queen Cherie Barber shares the top mistakes to avoid Whether you’re getting ready to sell or just looking to make a couple of updates around your home make sure you’re getting your bang for your buck. So we called in property flipping queen and founder of Renovating for Profit Cherie […]

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 […]

Industrial style, a little French country and grunge luxe is mixed to perfection in this spacious family home in Masterton Building a house from scratch isn’t an easy endeavour, but after working on their first home and loving the process, Masterton locals Danielle (Dani) and Johnny Burkhart took a gamble the hot property market would […]

A Wellington couple transformed their little bungalow into a bright new home – but not without plenty of hard graft

Hidden in the Titirangi bush is a group of potters who come together to celebrate what they love to do – create with clay If there’s one trend that’s really taken off recently, it’s pottery. Eager amateurs are willing to pay upwards of $100 to get a seat at workshops that sell out in seconds. […]

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 […]

Playful and pretty, life is sweet with some pastel hues Colour is coming back into interiors, but it’s the soft, sweet kind. Pastels are hitting the stores and we’ve shopped the must-have pieces so you don’t have to. Take a look at these sweet pastel-coloured homewares below: Clockwise from top left: Home Republic hand towel […]

Sometimes a bedside table isn’t a table at all – sometimes it’s a wall shelf or headboard ledge. Here are three looks and three bedside tables to inspire your next bedroom makeover Take some creative license with what is and isn’t a bedside table. If it’s beside your bed and functions as a stand, then […]

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 […]

Renovating a home with hubby who likes to tear things apart and two tiny ‘helpers’ has its own challenges and blessings. See the before and afters of their reno below When teacher Hayley and firefighter Isaac first met they were living on opposite coasts. Hayley was based at Mt Maunganui, while Isaac was in Taranaki […]

It may be the smallest room in the house, but potentially, it’s the one with the most impact. This is the place to indulge any decorating dreams you may secretly harbour. Here’s how It’s been decades since women used to “go powder their noses”, which was a polite way of saying they needed to use […]

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 […]

After leaving their large family home, this Auckland couple found their new forever place in a smaller character home where their art could take the stage Make-up artist Lisette Cross is used to translating the wants and needs of clients, using her flair for colour and composition. Her creative background and years of experience came […]

Statement pieces, a touch of whimsy and a tactful approach to colour ensure personality reigns in this two-storey, city-fringe apartment Crafting a comfortable, stylish home out of an apartment isn’t always easy. Even if you’re the owner, you can be restricted with what you can change in terms of the structure, and space is often […]

This barn-style house in Wanaka is designed to foster golden childhood memories with its cosy nooks, easy flow and semi-rural vibe. A site close to town with a rural aspect was too good to pass up for Anna Findlay, a Wanaka real estate agent for Ray White and mum of Estelle and Jake. “I had […]

It’s time to be schooled by the old-school. Here’s how to embrace the granny chic interior trend with Grandmillennial style If you’re looking for an antidote to the stark minimalism of the Scandi-style hay day, stop looking because we’ve found it for you. Grandmillennial style is bold, punchy, patterned and colourful, and it’s here to […]

These easy updates should make doing the laundry less of a chore. There’s no reason why your laundry needs to be a lacklustre space that you dread spending time in. Even if you can’t afford renovate your existing laundry room there are plenty of simple DIY updates you can try that will dramatically enhance its […]