Villa

Saving a crumbling Palmerston North villa was a labour of love for this pair of professional renovators who had a clear vision for their heritage home.

Meticulous organisation and attention to the small details paid off with this home extension

Villas for sale from across New Zealand that perfectly balance heritage charm with the comforts of modern living.

The lines between work and home life blur beautifully in this creative family’s 100-year-old Oamaru villa.

Connection was the goal of this Wellington renovation, which now has room for the whole tribe.

A Whanganui villa enjoys a colourful revival using maximalist magic A few years ago, Danny Breaker bought his century-old villa in the beautiful city of Whanganui. For the past 20-odd years, the house was used as a student rental, and he says, “There had been little love given to the house in those years and […]

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

A downsizing move became a more ambitious project than anticipated for a retired Auckland couple and their wider family.

We reveal the results of Olympic rower Eric Murray's year-long DIY transformation of a grand old villa in Cambridge

Leaving a tiny apartment in Auckland for a big house in Blenheim came with so many blessings.

An Auckland restored villa has blossomed over the past three years and is now the merriest of places to be for the Goddard family. For Josh and Fiona Goddard, Christmas this year will be their most exciting yet. For the first time, they get to celebrate as a family of four, including adorable toddler Billie […]

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, […]

Footwear designer Kathryn Wilson had to tear herself away from her beloved little townhouse, but she has found a forever home in this grand old dame Kathryn Wilson is not afraid of colour. Colourful footwear is the gregarious shoe designer’s calling card and her must-see fashion shows are a playful parade of models clad in […]

Magpie finds, timeless cane and classic furniture have been mixed with graphic art to create an interior full of interest and meaning at this Napier villa Meet and Greet Hannah Feltham, 45 (designer; runs Good Space home organising and styling), and Grace, 8, plus Peggy the Staffy Hannah’s Top tips Paint your walls white and […]

This mum-of-one with an eye for eclectic design never planned to live in her grandparents’ old Napier villa, but fate had other ideas Meet and Greet Hannah Feltham, 45 (designer; runs Good Space home organising and styling), and Grace, 8, plus Peggy the Staffy Hannah Feltham never intended to buy the house her father grew […]

Taking care of both the big picture and the small details while transforming their home was a winning formula for this clever couple, who take home the $10,000 cash prize for COLORSTEEL®  Reno of the Year 2019 From the reworked floor plan to the addition of heritage features, Emma and Josh Smaller’s New Plymouth villa […]

With French wallpaper and matching curtains bringing every room to life, this stately Remuera villa is an ode to sumptuous European design Gliding through a black sea by the light of the golden moon, sampans of a fishing village sail past traditional pagodas and floating gardens, full of oriental flora. While it seems an idyllic […]

During the extensive renovation of their Wellington villa, this family won some hard-earned lessons. They share their budget tips and what they’d never do again Meet + greet Kristin Carden (lawyer), Lucas, 13, Maya, 11, and Blake, 8, plus Smudge the cat. Best lessons learned? Kristin: Concrete and poly-block additions take much longer than wooden […]

An extensive five-year renovation of this 1908 Wellington villa has produced a modern family home complete with sauna and its own flying fox Nestled amidst thick native bush and hidden down a 200m driveway, it’s hard to believe this sprawling family home is only a 10-minute drive from Wellington’s CBD. It feels gloriously isolated, like […]

This immaculate Devonport home for sale is filled with personality. Enjoy the four living rooms, well-designed kitchen and a beautifully landscaped exterior Details Address: 12 Mays Street, Devonport, Auckland Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Living rooms: 4 Parking: 1 Garage Contact details Contact: Victoria Bidwell, 021 947 080 Auction: 1.30pm Thursday 04 April 2019, (unless sold prior) […]

Desirably located in Double Grammar zone, this beautifully designed home offers an abundance in space, a convenient address and exceptional amenities Details Address: 37 Ranfurly Road, Epsom, Auckland Land Size: 663sqm Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Parking: 2 Garage Contact details Contact: Tony Keegan, 021 980 201 Auction: 1.30pm Tuesday 10th April 2019 at 34 Shortland Street, City […]

Capturing the very best of the Birkenhead Point lifestyle, this renovated villa has heritage charm reimagined for contemporary living and beautiful views Details Address: 7 Palmerston Road, Birkenhead Point, Auckland Land Size: 769sqm Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Parking: 2 Garage Contact details Contact: Nic Ebert, 021 366 288 and Misaki Oshiro, 022 300 8004 Auction: 31st March 2019 […]

Saving a crumbling Palmerston North villa was a labour of love for this pair of professional renovators who had a clear vision for their heritage home The McDonald family’s house dream started with a simple walk around the neighbourhood – and the courage to be a little bit cheeky. Professional renovators Rebecca (Becs) and Blair […]

This traditional villa boasts spacious, light-filled living areas, views of the Waitakere Ranges and is Grammar zoned – making it truly the ultimate urban address Details Address: 3 Mt Pleasant Road, Mt Eden Land Size: 505 sqm Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Lounges: 2 Parking: 2 garage + 3 off street Dreams of owning a stunning character villa just came […]

With its thoughtful, painterly interior scheme and dreamy, almost untouchable, elegance, this heritage villa transcends time This villa’s dreamy restoration will make you reconsider colour The light constantly changes, and that alters the atmosphere and beauty of things every minute,” once penned painter Claude Monet, the leading figure of French Impressionism. While distant in time […]

This couple have crafted their own slice of la dolce vita in Havelock North by building a country home with villa values and more than a little Italian DNA. Meet and greet Aaron Dodd, builder and owner of Dodd Builders, Bridget Dodd, stay-at-home mum, Maria, 8, Franco, 6, and Joseph, 4. Meet the couple who […]

Inspired by character features found in villas, this creative couple built a new country home that’s generous in size and style Meet and greet Aaron Dodd, builder and owner of Dodd Builders, Bridget Dodd, stay-at-home mum, Maria, 8, Franco, 6, and Joseph, 4. This family home in Havelock North proves new-builds can have character Take […]

Take a look at how heritage craft and furniture complemented by contemporary design has transformed this Wellington villa Meet and greet Catherine Baird (emergency department doctor), Duncan Baird (GP), Gemma 14, Eva, 8, and Greta, 4, plus Hector the deaf and blind rabbit. This Wellington villa is the definition of old-meets-new What’s the best lesson […]

Behind its traditional frontage, this Wellington villa provides a model for contemporary living Meet and greet Catherine Baird (emergency department doctor), Duncan Baird (GP), Gemma 14, Eva, 8, and Greta, 4, plus Hector the deaf and blind rabbit. This Wellington villa renovation is a model for contemporary living From the street, the Baird family home […]

With a light touch and a pared-back approach, David and Lea Eaton have breathed new life and luxury into their cosy Devonport villa Meet and greet  Lea Eaton, museum guide host, David Eaton, firefighter and karate instructor, Laura, 25 (human rights lawyer and masters student), and Daniel, 17, plus beloved pooch Frankie (she rules the […]

After living in this exact villa a decade ago David and Lea Eaton jumped at the chance to buy it again and transform it into their forever home Meet and greet  Lea Eaton, museum guide host, David Eaton, firefighter and karate instructor, Laura, 25 (human rights lawyer and masters student), and Daniel, 17, plus beloved […]

A major kitchen renovation helped this disjointed villa transform into a space that makes living easy. Discover how they achieved such seamless style A heritage villa in Wellington is reconfigured to suit modern family life Anji Foster, real estate salesperson and co-owner, Jason Lowe, business consultant, Bella, 15, and James, 12, plus Jock the miniature […]

Opulent blues and greens, quirky art and ingeniously repurposed salvage fill this quake-damaged Christchurch home with warmth and joie de vivre Meet and greet  Kiri Penfold, interior stylist, Skot Penfold, senior project manager, Inovo Project Management, Tane, 20, Gabe, 18, and Milan, 14, plus German shepherd-ridgeback cross Theo. DIY decor and statement colours give this […]

Faced with a major budget crunch, this resourceful couple needed all their ingenuity to turn a quake-damaged villa into a beloved home Meet and greet  Kiri Penfold, interior stylist, Skot Penfold, senior project manager, Inovo Project Management, Tane, 20, Gabe, 18, and Milan, 14, plus German shepherd-ridgeback cross Theo. How a creative couple repaired their […]

Moving the kitchen from one end of the house to the other is no small feat but it turned this beautiful Wellington villa into a fabulous family home Meet and greet Anji Foster, real estate salesperson and co-owner, Jason Lowe, business consultant, Bella, 15, and James, 12, plus Jock the miniature schnauzer. A major kitchen […]

This Auckland couple gave their designer free rein to overhaul a run-down heritage villa and make it ready for modern living Meet and greet Eden Houlihan, company director, Lisa Houlihan, 38 owner of Tattoo Removals Ponsonby, Daniel, 29 (now flatting), Brooklyn, 14, and Harrison, 4, plus dog Hugo and cats Barbie and Louie. A rundown […]

Fate played its hand when an Auckland couple chanced upon the home of their dreams while out walking one Sunday. Discover how they’ve brought modern family living to French provincial style  Meet and greet  Reuben Lamont, Fiona Lamont, Harriet, 4, and Teddy, 2. This Auckland villa expertly mixes French style with modern family living How do […]

This creative family have dressed their 100-year-old Oamaru villa in contemporary Christmas style. Discover the serendipitous story behind their dream home Meet and greet  Michael Duddin, stock market analyst), Helen Riley-Duddin, designer and owner of Tinch and curator of Guild in Dunedin, Jemima, 8, Rowan, 3, and Sylvie, 10 months, plus Miffy the pup, Minnie […]

There was no buying and flicking on for these first-home buyers who instead chose to lavish some longterm love on an old Christchurch villa Meet and Greet Gail Harris, graphic designer at Platform Design, Cory Harris, personal trainer at Peak Training, Tilly, 11, and Lola, 7, plus treasured cat Holly. Renovating this Christchurch villa has […]

Redesigning their Remuera villa for modern family life ignited new creative passions for this couple, who are now celebrating in classic Christmas style  Meet and greet  Reuben Lamont, Fiona Lamont, Harriet, 4, and Teddy, 2. A grand Remuera villa is decked in traditional Christmas decor After a fruitless search that seemed to go on for […]

After many setbacks, u-turns and surprises, the owners of this Wellington villa share how their initial renovation idea didn’t quite go to plan Meet and greet Jessica Godfrey, general manager of Acme Cups, Sven Wiig, freelance art director, and Otto, 9. The renovation of this Wellington villa didn’t go completely to plan They say good […]

A year-long renovation transformed this traditional Mt Eden villa into a contemporary and luxurious bachelor pad. Story by Debbie Harrison  Q&A with homeowner Adam Thomson and interior designer Katie Scott How did your budget compare to your actual spend? Adam: It blew out and cost double what I’d initially expected. Katie: Villas can be the […]

Thanks to extensive planning and considered material choices, this Auckland villa welcomes a new kitchen addition in a seamless merger   This Auckland villa’s kitchen blends modern style with a heritage feel Architect: Jane Priest Location: Herne Bay, Auckland Brief: A functional kitchen for a growing family, with an island that faces the pool and deck to enable children […]

After a long stint overseas, a pair of clever renovators landed in Herne Bay and transformed an historic villa into a home fit for the modern family This freshly renovated Herne Bay villa is an oasis in the city Fraser Wallace, builder, Anna Reinstein, freelance event manager, Frankie, 6, and Jude, 2. Problem  The house […]

This remodeled Grey Lynn villa is an exercise in restraint. We find out how its minimalist aesthetic seeks to prove that less is often more This Grey Lynn villa’s facade hides a modern, monochrome secret When media executive Jackie Campbell opens the front door of her renovated 1910 villa in Grey Lynn, Auckland, a vacuum […]

A pretty-as-a-picture villa finally gets the chance to embrace its backyard in a family-centred renovation full of feel-good vibes Meet and greet Felicity Bonham, innovation and partnerships manager, healthcare, Simon Neal, telecommunications marketing, Harriet, 9, and Isabelle, 4. Family living was central to this Herne Bay villa’s makeover “Happy, homely and comfortable” was how Felicity […]

Take a tour through the grand Auckland home of Sido Kitchin, editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day and New Zealand Woman’s Weekly This Auckland villa is the perfect union of heritage features and modern style Just over a decade ago, Sido Kitchin left the Seven Network in Melbourne where she had been publicity manager to take the […]

For this Christchurch couple, their passion and knack for DIY helped to transform a forlorn villa and get their foot on the property ladder Snapshot  Who lives here: Emmett Williams, industrial electrician, Hannah Williams, stay-at-home mum and Jed, 2, plus Sadie the Labrador. A major DIY project returns a Christchurch villa to its former glory […]

A bohemian at heart, it’s no wonder Karina Macleod’s home is filled with wonderful finds from her adventures around the world Karina Macleod’s Mt Eden villa is brimming with eclectic treasures It’s not uncommon for former Treehouse furniture designer Karina MacLeod to return from holiday with her suitcases stuffed to bursting with an assortment of […]

Expansive views and a cool Cape Cod vibe are the hallmarks of the modernised Auckland villa owned by Sido Kitchin, editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day and New Zealand Woman’s Weekly. Urban Chic: Inside the renovation of Sido Kitchin’s grand Auckland villa  Just over a decade ago, Sido Kitchin left the Seven Network in Melbourne where she […]

A villa in serious need of TLC got a second chance when the section next door opened up. See how this family used the extra space to create their dream home Meet and greet Andrea Alston, co-owner of Two Smart Cookies, and Paul Alston, CEO of Cavalier Bremworth, Jack, 14, Charlie, 12, and Amelia, 10, […]

Filled with junkyard treasures and with a design aesthetic that ‘takes some effort’, this Wellington villa is living proof that good things take time Meet and greet Jessica Godfrey, general manager of Acme Cups, Sven Wiig, freelance art director, and Otto, 9. A Wellington villa renovation 14 years in the making They say good things […]

This picture-perfect villa provides the ultimate location for Christmas celebrations with family and friends. Discover how to recreate this look at home

Having gone through the process of a lengthy villa renovation, this Auckland family decided their next home project would be on a much smaller scale In a snapshot Who lives here? Hayley Thompson, 40 (owner of Brightshine Blinds NZ), Richard Thompson, 40 (CEO of KPEX), Finn, 7, and Isla, 5, plus kittens Tiger and Bluey. […]

Work and play come together effortlessly in this 1970s inspired renovation of a Freemans Bay villa home/office space  Who lives here? Andrew Barron (managing director and owner of The Timber Barron, a global timber exporter). Experts Q&A with interior designer James Peters of Interior Solutions James, how did you interpret the client’s brief? The client’s […]

Luxury, opulence and style aren’t words you’d usually associate with a bachelor pad, but this stunning Auckland home is certainly an exception. Story by Debbie Harrison The ultimate man cave Adam Thomson’s home in Mt Eden, Auckland, would have many a man swooning. Cowhides and leather couches. A primeval-looking fireplace set into a cleft in a […]

The meticulous refurbishment of this 1920s Herne Bay villa remained faithful to the period with a subtle oriental twist From the age of six, Daniella Norling remembers accompanying her father on drives around Auckland’s picturesque Herne Bay just so she could study some of her favourite houses. So the design director of Ponsonby’s Trove Interior […]

As The Block NZ teams take on guest bedroom week, we take a look back at last seasons’ line up of guest bedrooms [related_articles post1=”48946″ post2=”47967″] Watch the judges comment on Sam and Emmett’s disastrous guest bedroom styling from week one! The Block NZ: Girls v Boys screens Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday, 7.30pm on TV3.

If you missed your chance at seeing the homes from The Block NZ: Villa wars in their entirety, here they are for your viewing pleasure House 1: Jamie & Hayden Black and white rules in this contemporary urban home that has plenty of attitude. House 2: Sarah & Minanne These reno rookies used pared-back styles […]

Beauty mogul Rowena Roberts’ villa is a monument to art, cosmetics and colour. What is your day job? I have a partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies and own and operate free-standing MAC stores in Britomart, Ponsonby, St Lukes and Botany, the Jo Malone London boutique in Britomart and the only free-standing Bobbi Brown store […]

Beauty mogul Rowena Roberts’ Herne Bay, Auckland villa is a monument to art, cosmetics and colour They say your home is a reflection of yourself and that saying has never been more true than in reference to Rowena Roberts. They also say home is where the heart is – another phrase that is just as […]

Fiona Hugues creates a magical Kiwi Christmas at her Whitford farmhouse, surrounded by family, friends, and a collection of loveable animals.

Christmas at this gorgeous Dunedin villa is a cool, crisp, pine-scented affair like a Norwegian wood in winter In a nutshell Who lives here? Sandy Cubitt (interior designer and owner of Moi on George), Allan Cubitt (consultant), Annabelle, 16, and Judge the Scottish terrier. Sandy, what’s on your Christmas Day menu? I always bake a […]

With ANZ, Homes to Love is exploring the ways we live under the theme of ‘Personalisation’ – and how this trend allows us to live and build today Personalising a house is about more than switching up the furniture and going in for a new coat of new paint. It’s about shaping your home around the things […]

Take a tour of the ultimate party pad in Epsom, Auckland, where styling guru Alanna ‘the Planner’ Haysmith has set the scene for a festive celebration Style secrets Who styled this home? Alanna ‘the Planner’ Haysmith, who owns Entertaining, an event management, design and hire company, and Lisa Courtney, who owns The Pretty Baker, an […]