Meet Matt Watkins, the talent behind the 3D-printed stools we're seeing everywhere 

Writer and rental queen Katherine Ormerod shares the seven questions to ask yourself and the landlord when entering the rental minefield What to look for when viewing a rental home: 1. As much square footage as possible I look for undervalued pockets of my chosen area and cheaper properties close to transport channels and other […]

Art is a fantastic way to add life and personality to your home. Use these easy tips to create a gallery wall that will uplift and inspire Creating a gallery wall has become one of the most popular home decor trends over the past several years. It is the perfect solution for the indecisive among […]

Enter the bright and blooming beautiful world of Wānaka-based artist Agate Rubene Latvian-born Agate Rubene was destined to be an artist. Her mother is an art school teacher and, from the age of three, she went to various art schools, including the Riga School of Design and Art in Latvia, where she majored in fashion […]

Yes, you can have a beautiful, low-maintenance garden with all the bells and whistles and still be environmentally sustainable Landscape designer Bayley LuuTomes started his garden design business more than a decade ago and is renowned for transforming urban plots into eco-friendly and creative wonderlands My Dream Green Home’s urban landscape designer Bayley LuuTomes used […]

Known for its sunny clime, the Taranaki city is a mecca for art lovers, foodies and adventure seekers New Plymouth is a very well-endowed city. It has amazing public gardens as well as private ones to visit, international festivals (that would be Womad), a world-class art gallery and public sculptures, a brilliantly long coastal walk […]

In an extract from her book A Handmade Cottage, thrifty Brit decorator Jodie May Seymour shares a crafty DIY project Rather than buying brand new ready-made lampshades, it can be cheaper to make your own using a DIY lampshade kit, which also means you can choose your own fabric and make something bespoke. All the […]

Ensure your home always smells fresh and clean There’s something deeply comforting about stepping into a home that smells wonderful. Just like the way you carefully choose to style your home, the way your home smells can also be a means to communicate your own personal style and evoke powerful emotion. A fresh, inviting aroma […]

Celebrate the appearance of the Matariki star cluster, traditionally a time to plan for the upcoming growing season Pikopiko is a New Zealand native fern. 1. Paydirt On arrival in Aotearoa in the 13th century, one of the first things Māori would have realised was that the plants and seeds they had brought from east […]

It may be cold and frosty in your neck of the woods but there’s still plenty to harvest, sow, prune, mulch and plant July gardening chores Above, Matariki has arisen, and all is well in the skies. Below, there might not be many signs of activity above the ground, but rest assured it is happening. […]

The utterly charming Hampton’s house was snapped up in less than 30 days. She’s basically walking sunshine, so we’d expect nothing less than a sprawling lavender-covered estate for Drew Barrymore. The talk show host and long-time actor who shot to fame as a child star in the 1980s has found a buyer for her heavenly Hamptons home less […]

Take your sweet dreams to the next level with this soothing and easy-to-make lavender sleep spray Photography: Alana Landsberry We spend a significant portion of our lives asleep, so there’s no denying how important it is to ensure you achieve a quality rest. To help you improve your sweet dreams, we share how to create […]

Ninja’s “World of Woodfire” proved to be a real smoke-show On one of those rare, beautiful days in Auckland’s autumn, I was lucky enough to be invited to Ninja’s ‘World of Woodfire’ event at Waiheke’s picturesque Mudbrick winery. I am famously one of the worst people to invite to a barbecue. Rather than help in […]

Have you used Resene paint at your place? Enter the 2024/2025 Resene Colour Home Awards

Bypass the city centre and explore an area peppered with boutique shopping, niche retailers and fun eateries A Whole Different East The east side of Christchurch changed forever in the 2011 quakes. The land cracked and liquified, buildings collapsed, and whole subdivisions were erased almost as if they never existed. But now the red-zoned land […]

Make your home memorable - for all the right reasons.

What the Sutram co-founder can't live without

Kiwis’ adoration of mid-century design shows no sign of slowing down Photography: Brigid Arnott It’s on TV commercials where it instantly signals universally acceptable good taste; it’s in your doctor’s office and your dentist’s waiting room, silently exuding reassuring stability; it’s in furniture chain stores where it’s popular for its easy-to-assemble, pick-and-mix aesthetic. Yet it […]

Refresh your living space with this nifty no-sew number – no expertise required! This no-sew cushion is a great beginner’s project as it requires no sewing at all as the two sides of the cover are knotted together to make decorative tassels. This is an ideal technique for making sofa or bed cushions, large floor […]

The Goop founder still owns her Montecito home, as well as her beach house in the Hamptons Photo: Anthony Barcelo Actress turned business mogul Gwyneth Paltrow is streamlining her impressive portfolio of gorgeous real estate, according to the Wall Street Journal. Since the completion of her custom-built Montecito home after six years of renovations, and […]

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 […]

Find out how these feng shui tips can change the energy flow in your home Do you feel tired and lack energy regularly? Your home’s feng shui (or lack thereof) could be to blame. Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of balancing the flow of energy in spaces like the home, to encourage a […]

We speak to the experts to find out how to best tackle household mould and mildew Not all mould is bad. After all, it helps convert grapes to wine, milk curd to blue cheese and has even contributed to medical breakthroughs like penicillin. But that’s very cold comfort when this living organism invades clothes, ruins […]

Opera costume and set designer Tracy Grant Lord is setting the scene for her best show yet Tracy Grant Lord was only 23 when she designed the costumes and set for her first opera, an experience she recalls as terrifying. “When you are young, with such opportunities, each step of the way is a completely […]

Insta gardener and Garden Hacks author Filip Johansson shares a fast and fun way to grow some delicious edibles Garden Hacks: 70 Smart, Sustainable Tips for Gardeners by Filip Johansson, is available at Paper Plus Microgreens have become very trendy. The word may sound high-tech, but they’re nothing more than delicate seedlings of regular plants. […]

The 10 best winter garden tasks you can do for your garden and plants 1. Take stock of your climate and act accordingly In regions with dry summers, you may want to consider building a water tank or at least installing a rainwater butt. Areas with a high water table will need you to think […]

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

They call it The Can House – a compact family home built inside a ’can’ or shipping container lined with warm plywood, clever storage and ingenious ideas

Kristine Crabb shares the inspiration behind her green thumb As head-turning as her clothing designs, Kristine Crabb’s garden features hibiscus, banana palms, bougainvillea and a giant bird of paradise given to her by a friend. After closing her eponymous fashion brand known for its dreamy silk designs in 2019, Kristine Crabb is back from hiatus […]

It’s time to plant new fruit trees, pop in some leafy green seedlings and plan spring crops Chores for your early winter gardening Winter has come. Activity in the garden is slowing. In cooler parts of the country, growth has all but stopped. With the plants needing less attention, more time can be paid to […]

Follow these home privacy tips to avoid over-sharing with your next-door neighbours Your home is a sanctuary where you can completely relax, free from public view. But with sections getting smaller, home privacy is at more of a premium than ever. Without living in the dark, with permanently drawn curtains, how can we protect our […]

Look forward to the chilly winter mornings with these tips As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisper, coaxing yourself out of bed in the morning can feel like a daunting task. When it’s dark, gloomy and raining outside, it certainly seems that winter mornings are designed to keep us snuggled up under […]

Future-proof your home with this year’s biggest exterior house paint trends

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

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner couldn’t fit in with their neighbours — so they went all out instead

Stay for three nights on Waiheke Island and only pay for two? Sign us up.Matapana House on Waiheke Island available to book via Airbnb When the wintery bite of late autumn kicks in and summer begins to feel like a distant memory, there is only one option: start planning your next holiday. We’re almost reluctant […]

Enhance your home improvement game with this list of toolbox essentials – whether you’re a budding builder or DIY dab-hand Whether you’re renovating the guest bathroom, installing floating shelves of just making minor repairs around the house, having the right tools makes all the difference. A well-stocked toolbox can save you time and frustration and […]

Using Resene wallpapers or murals as a framed print is a fantastic way to add drama Transforming a space into a personalised oasis often requires a touch of creativity and resourcefulness. In this project, we are taking wallpaper and reimagining it as a stunning framed print, adding a unique flair to any room. With just […]

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

Laundry designs you’ll love, plus washing hacks for all sorts of spaces  The laundry has undergone a radical transformation over the past few years. A space of design and utility, once forgotten and hidden, is now celebrated as it is. Whatever your needs are, whether it’s small space living, or having to hose down a dog […]

We asked the experts for their reno-free tricks to stash our bathroom stuff Is your lippy collection littering the window ledge? Leaning tower of toilet paper forming an unsightly centrepiece? From bath toys to bog rolls, we expect our bathrooms to work incredibly hard in the storage department – but many of them fall woefully […]

Two Kiwis are changing the nursery game with their made with aroha baby products Dayna Tavendale and Amy Barratt first met more than eight years ago, introduced to one another by their husbands over a get-together to watch the UFC. At the time, their husbands had no idea their wives would soon become great friends, […]

The Tulip table and dining chairs still look like they’re from the future. Imagine what they would have looked like when they debuted last century Who first created the tulip table? Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in 1958. Who was Eero Saarinen when he was home? He was an unapologetic modernist, who was almost pre-ordained to […]

What’s growing on with Insta home gardener Annabel Sandison Christchurch nurse, wife and mum-of-two, Annabel Sandison shares what she’s growing with handy tips and hacks in her little slice of paradise on Instagram. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed in her neighbourhood either – her garden received a Christchurch Street and Community Pride Garden Award. […]

This May gardening to-do list is packed full of the best winter blooms, tips for Mother’s Day, and how to protect your plants in frosty temps Autumn bliss: The gardening chores to tackle in May There is a certain urgency in the air. As the last month of Autumn, May signals your last chance to […]

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 […]

Sometimes the greatest discovery is that we can all create a better future by embracing change Last year I stood at a crossroads, faced with a decision that seemed to challenge every fibre of my being. I was given the opportunity to move to the picturesque surf town of Raglan. However, this meant leaving behind […]

In terms of design, laundries used to be way down on the list of priorities after the kitchen, bathroom and living space. Until recently. Now, we’re all about creating a great-looking space that can be admired in the same way as a bathroom upgrade. At the heart though, laundries are still the workhorse of the […]

When it comes to your garage, selecting the right door is paramount

Just as people judge a book by its cover, they also judge a home by its entry Photography by Alana Landsberry Science has proven it takes seven seconds to form a first impression of someone, so we’d imagine they wouldn’t spend much more time summing up your home from its entryway. Make sure they get […]

It’s not always about the price tag, so try these affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas Since becoming a mother, I’ve learned how complex, messy and relentless raising children can be. Chances are, if you’re a mum, you’re nodding your head while reading this. Despite its beauty and life-giving experience, being a mum requires us to […]

Janeen Page is a true rock star, making gorgeous ceramic glazes from her explorations of the earthVisitors to Janeen’s coastal studio and garden are welcome. She’ll also be opening her doors for the Taranaki Arts Trail and holding a workshop on rock glazes during Nelson Clay Week. Janeen Page has always been a maker, happiest […]

Discover the home decor obsessions of lifestyle editors Fiona Hawtin and Sarah HenryFinishing touches can make all the difference to a room’s aesthetic, and according to their picks, our editors tend to agree. Photo: Nic Gossage Magazine editors Fiona Hawtin and Sarah Henry know a thing or two about great interior style. Their top tip? A […]

Level up your laundry with this eco-friendly filtration device The Samsung Less Microfiber Filter Have you heard about the tiny troublemakers lurking in our laundry? Each year, we collectively wash around 500 million kilograms of microplastics into our ocean. Less than five millimetres in size, these miniscule particles come from our everyday washing of synthetic fabrics […]

Dive into the hype of maximalist interior vibes—where it’s all about splashing your space with a kaleidoscope of colours, daring patterns, and a dash of bold glam Ready to pull off an ‘organized chaos’ look that’s everything but cluttered? Here’s the lowdown. Minimalism had its moment—props to Marie Kondo—but real homes have heart and are […]

Known for being minimal, considered and serene, bring the soft, lush elements of Japanese style to your urban haven When we think of a Japanese garden, tranquil visions of raked shingle, bonsai, mossy rocks and lone pines float past. While there are many such beautiful and serene gardens to be found, usually around temples and […]

Renovations expert Jen Jones talks about eco-friendly design and sustainable materials for your next build or reno In a perfect world, all homeowners undertaking a new-build or renovation would like the project to be as sustainable as possible. But for most of us, cost is a real factor. Will it be more expensive than a […]

This southern city bustles with beautiful shops and eateries Dunedin is cool both in temperature and style. The gothic little city, perched on a sweeping peninsula, feels the same as the city might have done 20 or 30 years ago. That is to say, it’s near timeless, smattered with cafes where students loiter over a […]

Skirting boards often sit quietly at the periphery of our interior design, it’s easy to overlook the need to clean themPhotographer: Mini Cooke When tidying up your home, it’s easy to focus on the more prominent areas, such as countertops and floors, and overlook the less visible but equally essential components, like skirting boards. Cleaning […]

Create a bespoke bedroom that’s as unique as you are, with Harvey Norman’s fully customisable range of New Zealand-made furniture Just as no two people are completely alike, one of the most personal rooms in your home – the bedroom – should be a unique reflection of you. Harvey Norman’s huge range of bespoke bedroom […]

No money? No worries. Try these 10 hot tips for refreshing your home for zero dollars Photographer: Will Horner Everyone deserves a beautiful home, no matter what their budget is, but sometimes there’s simply not a cent to spare. Put your wallet back in your pocket and rejoice. We’ve got 10 totally doable tips for […]

Create your own oasis by colouring up an outdoor area with a punchy mural Add some fun and a sense of playfulness to your outdoor area by painting a colourful mural. All you need now is a cooling cocktail to sit back and appreciate your artistry. You will need: Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer Resene […]

Introducing New Zealand’s first and only* refrigerator with an 8-star energy rating These days, just about every decision we make – whether it’s being an enthusiastic recycler to using your reusable cup religiously – comes back to our individual desire to lessen our impact on the environment. We all want to play our part in treading […]

Wall-to-wall wood is given a modern makeover Lydia and Richard Rayner dreamed of renovating their Lockwood home in Auckland for many years, but the thought of the effort required was enough to keep the pair putting off their plans. However, with the arrival of their newborn baby, they finally decided to tackle the project and […]

The elegant potted olive tree will take your home to the Aegean Sea Our recent infatuation with Mediterranean-style interiors shows no signs of slowing down. We all want to replicate that casual, laid-back rustic vibe that is synonymous with holidays. Warm tones and white linen will get you so far, but if you truly want […]

Jess Anderson had never used a jigsaw in her life, and now she’s churning out bold, brilliant mirrors and shelving with Get Wavey Creator Jess Anderson produces her wooden pieces from a home-based studio in Mount Maunganui. In the heart of Mount Maunganui, you can be sure that Jess Anderson is always working on something. […]

How to unlock global spa style in your bathroom designPhotography: Nic Gossage We all love a good retreat. From saunas to bathhouses, there’s nothing better than treating yourself to a place to lie back, relax and feel the stress slowly ebb out of your body (made even more perfect if it’s timed as a glass […]

Renovation expert Jen Jones shares how to integrate sustainable finishes into your home Photography by Nic Gossage When it comes to a makeover or renovation, you need to consider decorative wall claddings, floor coverings, windows, doors and tapware. Think about including sustainable choices here when you tackle your kitchen or bathroom. The kitchen finishes that’ll […]

A step-by-step guide to propagating rosemary for all your cooking needs Rosemary is an easy-to-grow, woody herb plant that, once established, will thrive on neglect. It is versatile on the plate, in a mocktail, and in the garden. Clip it into a tidy hedge for a manicured garden, or for a more cottage-style look, leave it to […]

This small Wairarapa town is as pretty as a picture, with shops to match Greytown’s reputation for being really good-looking is well deserved. Why, if you drive down the main street, the restored Victorian buildings make you feel as though you’re on a Peter Jackson film set – if hobbits lived in a bucolic colonial […]

Eleanor Cripps shares the art of winging it and embracing the freedom of spontaneity  Many people believe that spontaneity is something you either have or you don’t – that it’s a personality trait we’re born with. However, much like everything in life, it’s a practice. The more you weave improvisation into your daily life, the […]

You may not realise the true value of these common op shop findsPhotographer: Will Horner It can be hard to see the wood for the trees when you’re browsing your local thrift store. We all scour them in the hope of unearthing a prize for a bargain. But what are we really looking for? Armed […]

Escaping to the south? Book these utterly unique, Instagram-worthy Dunedin accommodation picks Korimako Suite and Kaimata at Cape Saunders, Dunedin, from $443 at Airbnb There’s something undeniably alluring about spending the night in a hotel or luxurious Airbnb, and Dunedin, a city rich in heritage and culture, offers plenty of beautiful boutique accommodation. We’ve compiled […]

Get arty and turn your green space into an outdoor gallery with the use of fun garden sculptures We’re spending more and more time in our gardens, and it’s not necessarily gardening. Now, as an extension of our living spaces, gardens are increasingly becoming home to art. Embracing many forms, from the highbrow to DIY, […]

As summer flowers and veggies fade, and even though there’s still much to harvest, it’s time to prep your garden for autumn Red rowan berries are often too bitter for people to eat raw, but they make a beautiful Rowan berry jam.  Chores to prepare your garden for autumn And just like that, autumn is […]

The dressing room puts Carrie Bradshaw’s to shamePhoto: Realtor Australian model and entrepreneur Miranda Kerr has listed her ocean-views Malibu home with price hopes of $4.5 million (NZ$7.25m). Miranda has owned the four-structure compound overlooking the Pacific Ocean for 10 years, when she paid $2.15 million for the 0.73-acre property fresh from her divorce from actor […]

Childhood road trips inspire an award-winning design for artist Alice Berry.

Make each day a sweet one for your child with these gentle, dreamy colours

A New Plymouth home serves up a stylish array of delightful pastel tones Bridget Rook’s house is a pastel wonderland, like something whipped up and displayed in a Parisian macaron shop window. But it took hard work and effort to make the home such a delight, with Bridget doing all the painting herself at her […]

Dreaming of a Hamptons kitchen? Here are the 7 key elements you’ll need to master the effortless East Coast stylePhotographer: Dave Wheeler Your checklist to creating a classic Hamptons style kitchen Laid-back but polished Hamptons-inspired interiors are one of the most timeless decorating styles in homes and there are few more quintessential aspects of a […]

Support local artisans and watch your interiors thank you for it Shannon Courtenay of Shannon Courtenay Ceramics. Photo: Luisa Apanui If your table is missing that certain je ne sais quoi, or perhaps you’re woefully underprepared for receiving flowers on your birthday, it’s time to invest in some ceramics. Ceramics help ground any room, providing a focal […]

The Australian actor originally purchased the pad in 2006 for $745,000Cate Blanchett’s Victorian property has been transformed into a stunning contemporary home. Photo: Domain She is known for her elegance, sense of style and, of course, an esteemed career in Hollywood, but it seems Australian sweetheart Cate Blanchett has an equally discerning eye when it comes […]

Whatever you love should be reflected in your interiors, and made brighter for it.

A rare opportunity to save big on quality tiles The Infinito Patagonia Polish tile from Tile Space Whether you’re redecorating your existing space or embarking on a new build, you should never underestimate the transformative power of tiles to add originality and value to your home. New Zealand’s premier tile distributor, Tile Space, is hosting a […]

Get swept away by the dreamy, sun-kissed creative works of Alex and SonySony Nuth and her husband Alex Hall (below) are big fans of travelling and have amassed a huge archive of photographs from their many trips overseas and around Aotearoa Every picture tells a story, and Auckland-based Alex Hall and Sony Nuth’s fine art […]

While there may be little new under the sun, there are new ways – or ways new to us – to use many of our common plantsDahlias are not only a statement piece in a summer garden, but also a delightful flavour in tea. Dahlia tubers for tea When peak dahlia has been reached and […]

How to style your home to make it feel as good as it looks, according to an expertAccording to Feng Shui principles, adding curved furniture into your living space promotes a smooth flow of energy The art of Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is an ancient Chinese practice with a history dating back 6000 years. […]

Poor soil conditions don’t necessarily mean a poor garden. Turn your wasteland of rubble into a pretty paradise Photo via Getty Images Gardeners are constantly exhorted to improve their soil conditions, to add lime, well-rotted compost and manure, to water in the evening, to do this, do that… all to give their plants their best […]

Feather your nest in style in 2024, as we share the trends the design experts are flocking to this year Photographer: Brooke Holm What interior design trends will we see in 2024? Now we’ve all heard of Quiet Luxury, maximalist decor and cottagecore. Boucle fabrics and organic shapes have flooded our Pinterest boards. But as […]

A little-known medieval mansion sets the scene for writer-director Emerald Fennell’s debaucherously divisive film, Saltburn Saltburn is the hot film on everyone’s lips right now. It’s spawned numerous bathtub-inspired candles, the babygirlification of the mesmerizingly 6 ft 5 Jacob Elordi (a fact that SNL couldn’t resist paying homage to multiple times) and a trending TikTok […]

Decorations, stickers and cake toppers are about to get a crafty upgrade with the Cricut Maker 3Dubbed the ultimate smart cutting machine, crafts are about to get a lot more fun and exciting with the Cricut Maker 3 What machine are we reviewing today? The Cricut Maker 3, a powerful craft machine that can cut, […]

Brush up your painting skills and brighten your wash days There’s no two ways about it, doing laundry is a chore so why not inject a sense of fun into it with a quick refresh? I painted a striped ceiling, used blackboard paint to make a blackboard, stencilled a word onto the wall, then added […]

If you find the word “sustainable” overwhelming, associate it with fringe living or think eco-warriors are going to come after you for doing it wrong, then rest assured because making even one change is worth doing.  Photography by Nikole Ramsay The journey to achieving a sustainable home is not an all-or-nothing situation – start small […]

Our 2023 Resene Small Room Awards winner had some fantastical fun with tropical wallpaper This year’s Resene Small Room Awards grand winner is something straight out of Harry Potter: a hidden bathroom-turned-library, accessed only via living room cavity sliders. Inside this magical world, a fantastical feature of Resene Wallpaper Collections 36630-1 leaps out at visitors […]

Have a summer staycation with inspiration from holiday hotspots — and a good old Kiwi backyard movie screening The Amalfi Coast While sitting poolside on a sunny day, your abode could echo the clear waters of Southern Italy. With sun protection front of mind, the colours and textures of the ever-so-romantic Amalfi Coast could inspire […]

An Auckland couple were inspired by the 'tiny house movement' and began a DIY journey to build a home on wheels.

As our backyards shrink, the small pool trend grows - here are five inspiring ideas if you’re contemplating putting one in

An iconic Wellington house shines just as bright, years on Designed by iconic Aotearoa architect Roger Walker, Mary and Michael Donn’s 1977 Wellington home is a burst of sunshine in the often-cloudy city. When it came time to paint the exterior, the couple initially planned a white facade with a contrasting trim. However, Roger strongly […]

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