Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2016 i Your Home and Garden

Have you been watching this season of The Block NZ? I’ve loved it – what an action-packed and entertaining series! The Girls vs Boys format, packed with friendly banter, has added a fresh dynamic to the show. Kiwis are a proud bunch of DIYers - we love the satisfaction of nailing a project ourselves and proudly showing it off to our mates. We have practical minds and, if something needs doing, many of us like to think we can figure it out ourselves (even if that means having a DIY disaster and having to call in the pros). New Zealanders also love a good laugh, and the antics, challenges and dress-ups on The Block NZ make it a great family-friendly watch. I wish I could congratulate the winning team, but…

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Any nature-loving interiors addict will be enjoying the variety of cane furniture and homeware on offer right now. Made from the peeled-off bark of vine-like rattan palms, cane is used for a variety of purposes around the world, including weaving chair seats and backs and binding furniture arms and legs. Whether it’s a furniture set, a feature pendant light or simply a basket to keep your firewood in, cane will give your home a touch of bohemia and Balinese retreat!…

“I’m constantly on the move so this space fits me to a tee. Whether I’m running out to have lunch with my wife or heading off to a meeting, I’ll always stop in the hallway to get myself organised. The black, white and soft colours create a relaxing environment before the day’s commotion begins.”Tim Webber, furniture designer The minimalist Wall painted in Resene ‘Half Opal’ (top) and Resene ‘Eskimo’, floor in Resene ‘Black White’. Dome Ampel pendant, $1250, Notch wall hooks, $190 set of three, Floating bench seat, $1089, Menu Chunk of Black Marble candleholder, $165 large, Menu Chunk of White Marble candleholder, $129 small, all from Tim Webber Design. Olio stoneware mug, $25, from Everyday Needs. Scent of Home Mr Moss candle, $115, Penguin book, $13.99, Rains Breaker jacket…

MEET + GREET Steve Galbraith, 50 (owner and director of Galbraith Engineering), Shelly Galbraith, 47 (homemaker and casual ANZ customer-service representative), Millie, 17, and Gus, 15, plus Archie their ancient dog and Suki the cat. THE EARTHQUAKE After the 2011 earthquake, their fully renovated cottage was so damaged it became one of the first in the region to be demolished. The pair rented for the next 18 months and began working on plans to build a new home on the site. But, in a surprising twist, just two weeks before their land was deemed unsuitable for a rebuild, the hill home Steve had always fancied came back on the market. “Steve wanted me to revisit it,” Shelly says. “I was reluctant at first; I’m not a believer in going back.…

FINISHES 1 Fireplace wall Pre-cast concrete panels from Concrete Structures, hand coloured with oxide stain. 2 Flooring Recycled kauri from Abstract Floors. 3 Pendant light in dining area Buster + Punch light from ECC. HONESTY BOX + Most memorable moment? Adam: Coming back from a month in Thailand at Christmas and finding Katie and builder Dave had moved me in – they’d even made my bed. Unfortunately, the first kitchen company let us down but seeing the pool filled and the house pretty much finished was such a relief and a sense of accomplishment. Katie: Watching the pre-cast concrete fireplace being craned over the roof – I was scared and excited all in one. + Worst renovation moment? Adam: Finding out the concrete wall being craned in had damaged the…

“I loved that my skin didn’t feel thirsty afterwards – the NIVEA Micellar Water took care of everything!”Amy from Oamaru “Easy and no need to rinse – Micellar Water streamlines my beauty routine.”Jeena from Auckland “It left my skin moisturised and hydrated. I felt fresher after taking the day’s make-up off.”Kasey from Upper Hutt “My current make-up remover needs a bit of rubbing. NIVEA Micellar Water works easily – no rubbing, no harsh ingredients and skin feels hydrated after use”Jade from Birkenhead “My favourite thing about this product is its gentle but highly effective way of removing my makeup, even stubborn waterproof make-up. The proof is on the cotton pad after a gentle swipe of your face, the makeup is on the pad, no longer on your face!”Tanya from Auckland…

How did you interpret the client’s brief? The client’s wish was for a light, bright space. He’s a progressive thinker and a successful businessman with a contemporary outlook. I sensed he wanted an understated home, not flashy but imaginative, without being extreme. Not a bland, colourless, safe environment. I chose feature colours of Resene ‘Fire’ (a burnt brick orange), Resene ‘Moroccan Spice’ (a rich bitter brown) and Resene ‘Himalaya’ (a spicy green-bronze) along with Resene ‘Mongoose’ (a warm pale brown). I hope the colours depict his personality and vision in both his personal and business life. He was the perfect client who wanted me to push the boundaries a little and ultimately trusted my judgment. I suggested he also invest in some mid-century furniture – both old and new –…

DO INVEST IN QUALITY WINDOW TREATMENTS Try to buy quality rails and curtains. Although it can be tempting to cut costs by buying more affordable options, I know first hand how frustrating it can be when cheap versions break easily. You will usually end up replacing them not long after installation, so it’s best to choose good quality in the first place. DO PLAN before going ahead and ripping walls out or spending half your budget on the wrong paint colour. Put pen to paper and write down some important points about the project. Take inspiration from homes that you love and do some rough drawings of what you want the final outcome to look like. You want all the areas to tie in with one another, rather than looking…

“The home already had a neutral colour scheme, so for me it was about adding personal touches such as hanging family photos and furnishing the home with new furniture to make it feel like ours” 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. Where is it? Epsom, Auckland. Lived here for? Eight months. The project Hayley, why did you decide to purchase your home? We loved that the house was completely finished and we didn’t have to do any major work – we just had to add the finishing touches. Both my husband and I had thought we wanted a project, but we decided that buying something already…

Hi Alex We are currently doing up our kitchen and are a little stuck for ideas when it comes to lighting up our kitchen island area. We have searched high and low on the internet for inspiration but then get stuck when it comes to sourcing what we like. We are not that keen on three pendants in a line, which is what so many people have. We want to do something different but still effective for its task. Rich and Amber, Christchurch (via Facebook) Lighting can make or break a space, especially in a kitchen where there are both practical and decorative needs. Finding a lighting solution that covers both bases is tricky, but well worth putting in the effort to get a look that works for you and…

+ Despite what the skies may tell you, it’s officially the start of spring this month. As the weather warms, plant growth speeds up so plants will need an extra boost of nutrition to keep them going. Giving ornamental shrubs and trees a healthy sprinkle of sheep pellets and blood and bone around their root zones, followed by an all-purpose fertiliser, will set them up for the growing season. + If it’s still cold and miserable outside but you need a garden fix, find a sheltered spot to sow seed for spring- and summer-flowering annuals. Sowing seed is slower but way cheaper than buying seedlings and the process is very satisfying. Plus, growing flowers will help keep the bees happy. Keep pots and punnets in a sheltered spot or under…

Southern Hospitality’s interior design team had their work cut out for them on the renovation project for the Adina hotel. They revamped the hotel first and then cut a hole through the lobby wall to connect it to the Yard Bar and Eatery. Ryan from Outside In was brought on board to add that bit of life that only plants can bring. The first part of the brief was to add some greenery to the entrance lobby. Being a tall space, it needed plants that would be large enough to make an impact. They also wanted greenery outside the entrance to soften the space. “For outside the entrance we created some lovely pot groupings with lush, deep greens that could tolerate the low light levels on the south side of…

OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN RISOTTO SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 1 tbs olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 100g bacon, sliced 500g chicken thigh fillets, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tsp lemon rind 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped ½ tsp dried chilli flakes (optional) 2 cups Arborio rice 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 litre (4 cups) Campbell’s Real Stock – Chicken Grated Parmesan to serve METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Heat oil in a large, flame-proof, oven-proof dish over medium heat. Cook onion and bacon for 2 minutes. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes, then add garlic, lemon rind, rosemary and chilli. Cook for a further 2 minutes. 2. Add rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Mix tomato paste and Campbell’s Real Stock in a jug, stirring…

“When we saw the houses for the first time it was hard to see any character. But we had no doubt we could achieve what we had in mind” A homely, restful atmosphere is what Dunedinites Emma, 27, and Courtney, 25, wanted to create in their home on The Block NZ. “We wanted to give potential buyers the chance to bring their style into the house,” Emma says. “We didn’t want to limit our buyer to one couple; we want it to be anyone.” To do this the duo brought in soft, earthy colours. “This allows anyone to bring in what furniture or decor they have, and would suit whatever style they like,” Courtney says. Their first impression of the house they were presented with at the start of the…

> Radiators throughout from Central Heating New Zealand. HOUSE 1 NIKI & TIFF > KID’S BEDROOM Ceiling topcoat Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene ‘Double Alabaster’; walls in Resene Zylone Sheen VOC Free in Resene ‘Double Alabaster’; woodwork topcoat Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in Resene ‘Double Alabaster’; Luxaflex Blockout Duette blinds, large natural basket, rattan basket, coat hangers, wire wall hanging, desk (coffee), handmade rug, vase (grey), fish bowl, vessel vase, and wall lights, all from Freedom; hardwood flooring in Regal Oak from Godfrey Hirst; brick wall detail from Muros; door handles on wardrobe from Knobs N Knockers; duvet and pillowcases from Atlas Living; framed print on wall by Mish O’Neill in frame from Factory Frames; futon from Futon NZ. MAIN BATHROOM Ceiling topcoat Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen and…

During a renovation or re-styling of a house – or even a new build – the entryway and hallway are often given little thought. A random piece of art or a hall table may be added to fill the space, but that is frequently all the attention these areas receive. However, this careless approach flies in the face of common sense: after all, we all know how important it is to make a good first impression. Personally, I think the entrance to a home should impart a feeling of comfort and safety. When you cross the threshold you want to be able to leave all the stresses of work and the busy-ness of life at the door, take off your shoes, hang up your bag, and relax. For this entranceway,…

You’ve probably seen some of Paul Roest’s wood creations without realising it. He’s crafted tables, chairs, bar leaners, entertainment units, shelving, bedside tables and office furniture for many supermarkets, cafes, retail stores, beauty salons and individual clients. He’s built conference tables for SkyCity, lunchroom cafe-style tables for Air NZ and stunning rustic store counters for franchise Habitual Fix. That chunky table John Campbell records his Checkpoint show from? Yep, that was Paul, too. Paul Roest’s business was unwittingly started by an old pallet. Well, that and Instagram, that glorious rabbit-hole of design and inspiration. Paul spied the pallet at his dad’s farm and, spurred on by other creations he’d seen on his overseas travels and during nights scrolling social media, he decided he could do something with it. He whipped…

FINISHES 1 Ceilings are original 50mm rimu planks. 2 Outdoor roof cover made from pine slats stained with Forestwood wood stain in Redwood from Mitre 10 MEGA. 3 Bathroom floor tiles are Rockrete black tiles from Midas Tiles. HONESTY BOX + Any DIY or reno disasters? Our original plan was to have dark brown wallpaper in the dining area. When it was finished, all you could see were the join lines so we had to take it all down and replace it with a lighter wallpaper. + What was the biggest mistake you made during the makeover? Underestimating the amount of rock and the amount of time it would take to dig the hole for the pool. + What would you never do again? Buy a house that needed a…

Who knew radiators could be so cute! Central Heating New Zealand supplied all the radiators for the homes in this year’s The Block NZ ‘Girls vs Boys’ and we were tickled pink by this little number when we saw their range. While most homeowners prefer their heating to blend into the background, others like to make a design statement and Central Heating New Zealand’s general manager, Tony Vine, tells us there are many design options on offer now. The Schema Cat radiator pictured here is part of the Schema Collection from Ridea – and we think it would make the purrfect addition to any cat-lover’s home!…

BUDGET > Andrew’s initial budget was $60,000 for the upstairs living space but he quickly realised $120,000 was more realistic. “Once we got started, I kept increasing the scope and deciding I wanted more things done,” he says. The office reno came in at around $40,000. TOTAL approx $160,000 CONTACTS Interior designer – James Peters Interior Solutions 021 438 178 Builder – Earlswood, 021 0220 8649 Electrician – Eleca, 021 056 6136 Paint – Resene ColorShop, resene.co.nz Painter – Peter Witton, 021 117 9155 Floor sanding – Wood Floor Solutions, woodfloorsolutions.co.nz Wall insulation – Insultech, insultech.co.nz Ceiling insulation – Smart Energy, smartenergysolutions.co.nz Lighting – LED downlights by Decor Bellini Lighting, lumenworks.co.nz Shutters – Sante Fé, santafeshutters.co.nz SUPPLY SHOP LOUNGE Flooring – European oak from timberfloorsdirect.co.nz Lounge chairs and lamp –…

This DIY kid’s kitchen struck a chord with a reader who wrote to us after seeing it in the Donaldsons’ house, published in the July issue. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!” wrote Heather. “The kitchen unit was my father-in-law’s old TV cabinet, which he made – now upcycled! I sold the unit on Trade Me for $12 and the man who picked it up told me he was going to make a kitchen for the kids. My father-in-law is no longer with us but would be so thrilled with what has been done to it – he loved kids.”…

STEP 1 Assemble the flat-packed cabinet without attaching the hinges, door or handle. Insert one shelf or more if desired. Do not put the backing on yet. Lie cabinet on its back. STEP 2 Trim the pine top from 1800mm x 600mm to 1800mm x 400mm. STEP 3 Now fit the edging to three sides of the pine top (the long side which will go against the wall does not need edging). Start with a short side, gluing and pinning the edging with pin nails, and keeping it flush with the top. Continue the edging along the other two sides, mitring the corners of the edging (use a square to mark a 45° angle and cut with a saw). STEP 4 Give everything a good sand once the glue is…

The courtyard garden has been around for thousands of years, its basic enclosed form adapted through the centuries to suit the lifestyles of different generations. So it is with this contemporary courtyard garden that Claire and Nye O’Shannessy have developed for their recently built Mt Albert home. Enclosed on three sides by the house and on the fourth by a boundary fence, their sunny courtyard is an oasis of sheltered private outdoor living. There’s no hint of the noise and bustle of the streets outside and there’s little wind to disturb the serenity. Just as the inhabitants of the first walled gardens did, the couple and their two daughters, Isla and Neve, spend a lot of time in their courtyard sanctuary. “In the summer the big sliding doors are open…

BENEFITS OF THE DOUBT PAGE 54 LIVING Walls in ply – stained in rimu; sofa from Casual and Country; blue cushions from Farmers; brown and white cushion from Citta Design; coffee table from Casual and Country; surfboard from Hawaii surf shop; shutters original; cross unknown; pendant light from Early Settler; stand light from Lighting Plus; fireplace from Mitre 10; concrete blocks painted in Dulux ‘Bethells Beach’; ‘Life’ artwork from Australia; wood baskets from unknown. MEZZANINE LOUNGE Striped chair from Hunters Furniture; pouf from Corcovado; black coffee table from Casual and Country; tall black floor-standing vase from Acquistions; vintage art from unknown. STUDY Walls in Dulux ‘Bethells Beach’; trestle desk from Freedom; chair from Asko Design; mat from Nordic Chill; stand light from Lighting Plus; wire basket from Tea Pea. DINING…

Bargain of the month Got a spot in your home that could do with a stylish but not too lofty table lamp? Then look no further than this on-trend concrete and glass creation from Kmart. At 30cm tall, this fabulous lamp could make itself at home in your living room, bedroom or study. It comes at a great price, too – just $22. Around the world Suited to many spaces in the home office, bedroom or living area, this ‘Let’s see it all’ world map hand-drawn by Jessica Wells is presented in Tasmanian oak slats and will have everyone in the house dreaming of all the places they’ve seen or are yet to explore. The 100cm-by-76cm map is interactive and can be painted, dressed with sticker art, drawn on and…

Shopping tips > Establish the use for the chair. Is it going to be used daily as extra seating, or only a couple of times a week as a reading chair, or will it be purely decorative? > Ideally, an armchair should last for many years but the choice of fabric will determine its longevity. > If you have the space, armchairs look fabulous teamed with a good side table and floor lamp – and don’t forget to add a nice cushion, too.…

Glenn, tell us about your journey with Glenn Jones Art... The business is just over two years old. After my wife Julia and I had our second child, we wanted to create a business that would allow us both to work from home. I was already working from home and Julia was on leave from her project management role. I’d recently started working on some Kiwiana art print ideas so creating a business where I got to do the art, and Julia could apply her skills running the business (all the stuff I hate doing), seemed like a good direction. We now have a four, two and one-year-old, so although this was just supposed to be a part-time project, it’s grown much bigger than expected. Lots of long, busy days!…

MEET & GREET Adam Thomson, 32 (real estate director). 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 concrete-slab wall, and even a clandestine chute in the bedroom to send socks and jocks direct to the laundry below. Masculine tones of grey, black and marble clothe the interior – with not a skerrick of pink or paisley anywhere. This incredible home is so manly that it’s almost a surprise to learn it was designed by a woman, interior designer Katie Scott. “Adam rang me when it was a shell of a villa, literally stripped out like a carcass, and said, ‘I’m struggling, I need some help,’” Katie says with…

FINISHES 1 Kitchen cabinetry White tongue-and-groove kitchen cupboards by Modern Kitchens. 2 Dining room curtains White linen curtains from The Importer. 3 Living-room shutters White wooden shutters by Window Treatments. HONESTY BOX + Best bits? I love living in this town. It’s not big but it has everything you need and the beach is world class, beautiful. Now I have the shop, I have less time but I still ride my bike on a Sunday. + Worst bits? Not having a large kitchen to play in and not having enough room for my family to stay. + DIY disasters? None. I turn them into features! + Best memory? Quiet times and no TV. + Best lesson learnt? You can make a small space a very beautiful, intimate and welcoming home.…

MEET + GREET Andrew Barron, 41 (managing director and owner of The Timber Barron, a global timber exporter). THE ORIGINAL HOME A unique property in Freemans Bay became the ideal work-from-home space for Aucklander Andrew Barron. The weatherboard villa had always been set up as an office downstairs, with the upper level serving as a potential living space. Due to the villa’s unusual configuration there were a lot of interior windows – “There was even a window looking into the bathroom and shower from the top of the stairs, which was pretty inappropriate,” laughs Andrew. Also, the kitchen and bathrooms were tired and in dire need of an upgrade. 1 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Andrew first moved into the building in 2009. Initially, he only rented the upstairs level to live in,…

The garage is often a poorly organised receptacle for the unwanted, the unloved and the unused. Furthermore, the family car tends to jostle for space amid Christmas decorations, gardening paraphernalia, sports equipment and power tools. But with our expert advice, even the most uninspired of spaces can be readily transformed. PLANNING Natalie Jane, owner/director of professional organising service Be Organised, has some great advice when it comes to planning your garage space. She suggests that before decluttering we get a clear vision of how we want the space to be organised, and recommends having a decent clear-out each season. CLEAR OUT: “Once you have a vision for your garage space, put a date in your diary and stick to it,” Natalie says. She also recommends having banana boxes as well…

We all know it’s important that your home reflects the people who live in it, but it can be frustrating when you realise you and your partner’s interior design preferences and styles don’t quite match up as well as your personalities. If you are reading this and nodding, you’re not alone! Couples won’t always see eye-to-eye on every design decision, but there is a happy balance that can be achieved with a little compromise. 1 COMPROMISE WITH A CAPITAL ‘C’ Just like in your relationship, you both bring unique things to the decor party. When it comes to creating a home that reflects both you and your partner, compromise is the absolute key. Blending styles, tastes and needs can be tricky, however, so you need to make decisions with love…

CLIENT Jo Lee PROJECT Lounge Dear YH&G We have just finished a substantial renovation on a house that was literally falling down in Mt Eden – nightmare! The problem is our lounge. I am unsure whether the room will take a coffee table and, even if it did, I can’t find one I like (I see a lot of designs online that I like but none available in New Zealand). Also, I have looked high and low for a rug with no success. We are unsure how big it needs to be and what shape – we are quite keen on a round one due to the placement of the door from the hallway. The brief would be ‘Scandi-modern hotel’ style (it used to be retro but I think I’ve…

These beautifully scented bulb blooms last for around seven days when cut and should be purchased when still in tight bud and showing little colour. The stems don’t usually come very long so when re-cutting them (which you should always do with bought flowers), make sure it’s only a couple of centimetres. There might be dirt hiding under the leaves, so give the stems a rinse before placing in water if displaying them in a clear vase. Once the flower looks like it’s past its use-by date, you can pick off the individual blooms and thread them onto fishing line to create a head garland or necklace which will please any little fairy you have at your house!…

Grilled cheese sandwiches are right up there with omelettes and bacon sarnies, I reckon, when it comes to hunger-busting, ready-in-a-flash meals. Whether your preferred means to melt is a sandwich grill, panini press or the good old frying pan, in mere minutes you are guaranteed a crisp, toasty package oozing with something hot and tasty. On these pages you’ll find my picks for grilled-sandwich greatness, inspired by childhood memories of mouthwatering toasties filled with piping hot cheese and tinned spaghetti. Most of these recipes are in the form of a guide to allow you to add or subtract ingredients, or vary the amounts, so you can custom-make your own magnificent melts. (For speed and minimal clean-up, I usually spray a little vegetable oil onto the outside of the bread but…

A • ABSTRACT FLOORS abstractfloorsanding.co.nz • ACQUISITIONS acquisitions.co.nz • AFD STORE afdstore.co.nz • ALEX & CORBAN alexandcorban.co.nz • ALEX FULTON DESIGN alexfultondesign.com • ALLIUM alliuminteriors.co.nz • AMBER ARMITAGE amberarmitage.com • ANTIQUES OF EPSOM 09 630 1440 • ARTEDOMUS artedomus.co.nz • ARTISAN FLOORING artisanflooring.co.nz • ASKO DESIGN askodesign.co.nz B • BAUHAUS bauhaus.co.nz • BLENDSTORE blendstore.co.nz • BLUM blum.com • BOCONCEPT boconcept.com/en-nz • BROTHERS BREWERY brothersbrewery.co.nz C • CACTUS RACK cactusrack.com.au • CASUAL & COUNTRY casualandcountry.co.nz • CC INTERIORS ccinteriors.co.nz • CITTA cittadesign.com • CONCRETE STRUCTURES concretestructures.co.nz • CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS contemporaryclassics.co.nz • CORCOVADO corcovado.co.nz • CORIAN evolutionofsurfaces.com/corian • COUNTRY RD countryroad.com.au • CRANE BROTHERS crane-brothers.com • CRESTA cresta.co.nz • CUSHIONS UNLIMITED cushionsunlimited.co.nz D • DAWSON & CO dawsonandco.nz • DECOR BELLINI LIGHTING lumenworks.co.nz • DESIGN DENMARK designdenmark.co.nz • DESIGNERS GUILD designersguild.com • DOUGLAS & BEC douglasandbec.com • DSM CONSTRUCTION dsmconstruction.co.nz • DULUX dulux.co.nz • DUSK GALLERY + STORE duskgalleryandstore.co.nz E • EARLY SETTLER earlysettler.co.nz • ECC ecc.co.nz • ELITE BATHROOMWARE elitebathroomware.co.nz • ENDEMIC WORLD endemicworld.com • ESSENZE essenze.co.nz • EVERYDAY NEEDS everyday-needs.com • EVOLUTION OF…

In their kids bedroom, Niki and Tiff followed their instinct and moved away from the brief, creating a cohesive look in their home instead Niki, 29, and Tiff, 35, shone in The Block NZ, embracing their creative eye which led them to several room reveal wins. Their signature look is a fresh and clean aesthetic, blended with an earthy palette and ethnic influence. At times their instinct was to follow this more so than the brief. “We separated ourselves from the other houses with our designer style and unique boho style,” Tiff says. “We aimed to fit out the home with more high-end furnishings than the other teams, maximising character in the home.” Originating from Wanaka, Tiff is based in Melbourne, where she works as a set dresser and buyer…

A double vanity and double showerhead mean more than one person can easily use the bathroom at one time A macrocarpa headboard mirrors the wooden bathroom vanity and barn doors throughout the home Tradies Dyls, 27, and Dylz, 25, were keen to create an inner-city escape with their home on The Block NZ. “We wanted to build something comfortable in a contemporary and sleek style, where people can simply kick off their shoes,” Dyls says. Practicality was also important to the pair, who both work in Mount Maunganui – Dyls is a qualified builder for Jennian Homes and Dylz works as his apprentice – and they were able to bring their relevant skills to the competition. They met at the gym where Dylz was working as a personal…

“In the guest bedroom we invested heavily in big items and wanted to take the brief to a new level with the woven leather headboard” A home with a modern aesthetic is what Sam, 29, and Emmett, 29, wanted to achieve with their time on The Block NZ. They had every type of potential buyer in mind when they renovated the house, from professional couples to families, and chose to stamp their style with a palette of mainly grey, white and brown. “We arrived on The Block NZ with no design or building experience, so it was a challenge to show that we could do it,” Sam says. “We made sure we were competitive, played to our strengths and were quick learners.” Their biggest success was winning more room reveals…