Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2017 i Your Home and Garden

Painting walls white seems like an easy interior fix, but it opens up so many design options that it can be daunting. Audrey Fitzjohn, the owner of our Hamilton cover home, has harnessed a clear vision to master the art of decorating with white, white and more white. To hone her beautiful interior style Audrey simply honoured who she is – she tapped into her French heritage, took inspiration from her mother’s interior style, put beloved travel finds on display, and showcased the antiques she loves to collect. The French antique chic result shows how layers, texture and natural light can create a white interior with warmth and ambience. Thinking of going white and not sure where to start? Contrary to the norm, I recommend taking your furniture and the…

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THE MACHINE Get everyone in the kitchen with kMix Kitchen Machine. You’ll be busting out new recipes like nobody’s watching and experimenting with ingredients that’ll make the taste buds dance. Once you’re spinning the new Kenwood kMix Kitchen Machine on your benchtop, you’ll be reminded that the kitchen is for adventurers, not perfectionists! THE RANGE The Kenwood kMix range is a must-have for anyone who wants to revamp their kitchen or impress with their cookery creativity. You’ll love the clean design and bold colour trends – take your pick of Spicy Red, Rich Black, Fresh Cream and Cool White to suit your interior style. Kenwood’s eye-catching kMix toasters, sexy kettles, sleek blenders and, of course the super-cool kMix Kitchen Machine, are available at all leading electrical retailers. Visit kenwood-newzealand.com. THE…

THE BEAUTY OF AN OPEN FIRE WITHOUT THE HASSLE There is a lot to consider when installing a fireplace. Where will it go? How is it going to vent? And, most importantly, how much is it going to cost? None of that matters with the Brooklyn biofuel fire by Living Flame. You can place this sleek gas fire pretty much anywhere, which makes it perfect for apartments, small spaces or tricky areas. WHAT IS BIOFUEL? Biofuels are natural fuels derived from plants or other living matter. They are more environmentally-friendly than fossil fuels as they are clean-burning and made from renewable sources. Bioethanol, the most common biofuel, is used in the Brooklyn fireplace. It is usually made from the fermentation of plants such as sugar cane. The Brooklyn by Living…

MEET + GREET Angela Law, 44 (massage therapist), Cliff Law, 45 (specialist gym floor installer), Beau, 23, and Krissy, 14, plus cat Morrin. Sons Gregor and Wade live in the UK. OH-SO-EIGHTIES  The house was built in the early 1980s and the kitchen and bathroom were both in their original state. The home’s greatest tribute to its era, though, was clearly a centrally located glass atrium which housed a spa pool. “It was very strange as everyone would have been able to walk around the house looking at you!” says Angela. Aside from its oddity, the atrium was also a waste of precious floor space. “It definitely put buyers off purchasing the house,” recalls Angela. “We overheard several people commenting on it at the open home but, luckily for us,…

HONESTY BOX + Best lessons learned? When buying, follow your first instincts. If you love it, buy it and pay what they ask. As for decorating, an old house requires twice the time. Also, nothing is square – you have to trust your eye when hanging things. + What would you never do again? Install Pink Batts in a roof space on a 32°C day without enough skin protection. + Any DIY disasters? The very last nail went through some wiring and shorted the kitchen. The electrician who was called in discovered a lot of deficiencies and a total rewire was needed. An expensive day but a safer result. + Most memorable experience in the bach? All the family Christmases and holiday gatherings. + What would you change if you…

BUDGET > Total renovation cost: approx $250,000 PAINT SHOP Interior paint colours: > Walls Resene ‘Half Thorndon Cream’ and Resene ‘Quarter Thorndon Cream’ > Skirtings and ceilings Resene ‘Alabaster’ > Feature walls Resene ‘Woodburn’ > Bedroom Resene ‘Lemon Grass’ > Wallpaper in master bedroom Sanderson Parchment Flowers ‘Frampton’ Exterior paint colours: > Walls Guthrie Bowron ‘Gards Green’ – a tint made especially for the family > Window surrounds ‘Eighth Gards Green’ CONTACTS > Native Architecture nativearchitecture.co.nz, info@nativearchitecture.co.nz, (09) 816 8958 > Sugarbush Vintage Planters vintagesugarbush@gmail.com > Belinda Foreman Interior Designer belinda.4man@gmail.com > Elite Kitchens, New Plymouth elitekitchens.net > Blindz Direct blindzdirect.co.nz > Michael Wimsett Plumbing 027 450 4323 > Resene ColorShop, New Plymouth resene.co.nz TIMELINE 2002 Bought the land. 2003 Relocated the bungalow onto the site. 2008 Started renovation. 2010…

“ If you’re thinking of getting a split system heat pump, design and“comfort are paramount. Daikin offers the best of both worlds. Your house should be a haven where you feel comfortable and at ease. One way to create this is with a sophisticated Daikin heat pump. Reliable and whisper-quiet, they’re one of the most efficient forms of heating that embody the best in engineering and design. Daikin was even voted number one for overall customer satisfaction in the heat pump category, so you can be sure you’re making the right choice. This winter, whether you’re in an existing home, renovating or building new, look at installing a Daikin heat pump. Before choosing which model will work for you and your family, think about the space and layout of your…

A monochromatic room never seems to date and it is an easy palette to live with for both adults and children. Splashes of colour can easily be added and altered as you wish, meaning this space can grow and change as your child does. This cute girl’s room has a feature wall painted in Resene Blackboard Paint, which allows for both kids and adults to have some fun and get creative with chalk. When it is time for a change simply wipe away and start again with a blank canvas. A few fun ideas: > Write your child’s name on the wall using cool lettering and drawings of their favourite sports or animals to personalise the space. > You don’t have to limit yourself to black. While black is the…

My favourite season of the year is winter because fashion and interiors are always so much more fun with layers of cosy knits and texture. I just love hopping into bed in the middle of winter with my linen sheets and layers of blankets pulled up to my chin and a feather pillow beneath my head, knowing I can spend a good eight hours resting in my little nest of luxury (if the baby permits). With this bedroom I have finally had the chance to use my favourite winter colour, a dark and sensuous green, which I’ve grounded with a floor of deepest, darkest blue. This palette creates a mysterious, intriguing feel and has allowed me to use a contrasting tone of terracotta on the bed which offers a surprising…

TRY IT  Rather than placing paving stones flush with one another, leave small gaps for mosses and groundcovers to grow through. A steep site covered with invasive weeds and heavy clay soil is not an ideal place to make a garden. Fortunately Auckland landscape designer Steve Dodds of Lanzscapes is unperturbed by such horticultural and topographical challenges. When his clients first bought this cliff-edge property a decade ago, Steve relished the idea of creating a garden that combined his love of Asian landscape traditions with New Zealand native species. Both Steve and his clients were happy to overlook the site’s gradient, weeds and unkempt state given the property’s stunning views of the Manukau Harbour and its large stands of regenerating kauri and other native trees. They knew it had the…

Every garden has its tricky spots: a dry area under the eaves where nothing seems to grow, a skinny space between the house and fence that’s become a no-man’s land of weeds, or an almost un-mowable sloping lawn. We’ve all got problem areas of one kind or another no matter how small our patch of paradise. So how do we deal with them without breaking the bank? 1 PROBLEM: UGLY SHED  SOLUTION: Sheds are essential in the garden but how do you make them look attractive? If you’re starting a new garden there are some quite presentable-looking sheds on the market now, but there are also plenty of options for screening or titivating the standard types most of us have. Building or planting a screen in front of the shed…

RASPBERRY & RHUBARB PIE WITH CINNAMON CRUST SERVES 6-8 I’ve always had a penchant for sour – give me a tart-tasting tart and I’m blissfully happy, no face puckering at all. But don’t worry, this crimson-hearted pie won’t have you shuddering as the sweet-and-sharp fruit is beautifully balanced by the sugar-laced, crisp cinnamon crust. INGREDIENTS 500g rhubarb, chopped into 6cm lengths 1 tsp grated lemon zest 1 cup caster sugar 2 Tbsp water 6 Tbsp cornflour 3 cups frozen raspberries 1 egg white, gently whisked 2 Tbsp raw sugar CINNAMON PASTRY 2 cups flour 1 Tbsp caster sugar ½ tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 175g butter, chilled and cut into small pieces 6-8 Tbsp iced water 1 For the cinnamon pastry – place the flour, caster sugar, salt and cinnamon…

Top tips Define a space. Rugs are the perfect design element to define or separate open-plan areas such as your living and dining room. In the dining area, the rug should accommodate your table plus chairs when they are pulled out. A similar rule applies in the living room – your rug should define the conversation area, ground your furniture, and be large enough to at least fit the front legs of your lounge furniture onto it. Make it stay. Always use a rug liner to keep your rug from slipping or creeping. Check that the liner is appropriate for your floor type and the right size for the rug you’ve chosen.…

MEET + GREET Audrey Fitzjohn, 30 (photographer and stylist), Elliot Fitzjohn, 35 (arborist), and Charles, 3. STYLE IT Audrey groups her collections of objects such as trays, books, coral and candles to add visual interest and a personal touch. “I knew that I wanted to give the house its grandeur back, but in a quiet way – it had to be subtle and comfortable” A clear vision Audrey Fitzjohn attributes her love for pale interiors to her mother, Dominique. “White homes are my thing,” Audrey says. “They always have been. My mum is probably the inspiration behind this. Growing up, our home was always decorated in white tones, although I may be taking it a step further with the white floors in our home!” When the French-born photographer and stylist…

HONESTY BOX + Where have you saved money in your home? Angela: Upcycling old pieces of furniture and picking up some big ticket items for a song on Trade Me. + Any splurges? I’m not big on splurges unless I think I can’t live without it, but one thing I will spend money on is good-quality linen. I love my linen sheets and bedspread. I also love my large print in the lounge which I had framed. + Best buy? The brand-new vanity and basin from Trade Me ($13). It had a ceramic bowl and a $1 reserve. We had no idea if it would be any good or would need to go straight in the skip, but it was fantastic and our best bargain buy. + Any DIY disasters?…

It all started with a sleepout/garage/office being built at the top of the driveway… With a growing business and the need for more space, Andrew and Tanya Wood had upsized to a spacious home on Auckland’s fringes and were busy adding a smaller standalone office-come-accomodation block. Like so many properties outside the heart of the city, the first thing you notice is the space. The grounds give the feeling of tranquillity and separation from the stresses of a busy workday. It’s the kind of place where you can arrive and heave a sigh of relief – you’re home. On entering the house, it’s impossible not to notice the wonderful floor-to-ceiling windows. As you look out at the views, it’s clear this house encapsulates the notion of bringing the outside in.…

Snapshot Who lives here? Jen Hayes, 25 (engineering student and construction manager). The project Most people complain that home renovation is a long, drawn-out process, but not Jen Hayes. She had her apartment reno banged out in six months (including a break for ankle surgery) and even that seemed like a drag! Her high expectations make sense when you know she works as a construction manager heading up $200 million-plus projects. But the game is very different when it’s your own pad – and your own money. Budget TOTAL $45,000 How would you describe your style? I’m not sure if there’s a name for my style. It’s a real mix of new and old but everything is usable and comfortable – I don’t like furniture that’s just for show; it…

STEP 1 Lay a 150cm square piece of fabric on a large work surface. Place a 50cm cushion insert in the centre of the fabric. STEP 2 Fold lower third of fabric over cushion insert. STEP 3 Fold over the top third of the fabric. STEP 4 At each end, fold in both corners to make a narrow triangle shape. STEP 5 Carefully turn over cushion. Pull ends of fabric over the cushion and tie in a knot. STEP 6 Tuck fabric ends into knot to complete the look. TOP TIPS > Fabrics such as velvet or linen would work well for this project, or a patterned fabric would be effective, too. > You could experiment with various sizes, such as a lumbar cushion or euro option. Just adjust your…

Banksia are typically found during the colder months in New Zealand. Stems can last for a long time when dried, and stay true to their cut form – only the leaves crisp and change to a paler colour. We have styled banksia with toetoe and wheat to add texture and height to the arrangement. It is best to keep cut banksia away from direct sunlight to preserve it.…

WHITE LADY PAGE 40 LIVING Walls throughout in British Paints ‘Star White’, door painted in Dulux ‘Ace of Spades’; chateau shutters from a French antique store; mirrors, table (under window), coffee table and chandelier all from a French flea market; sofa from Forma Design; ottoman from a souk in Marrakesh; rug from Freedom; curtains from Ikea; Acapulco chair from Bunnings. DINING Table and candle sticks from French flea market; chairs from Derlook; sheepskin from The Warehouse; rag cushion from Marrakesh; vase from Kmart; cane trays from an op shop; pendant light from Ikea; homemade shelving. KITCHEN ‘re’ letters, lights above bench and wooden stool all from France; pendant light from Ikea; cabinetry homemade; table from an op shop; blue chair from The Vitrine; metal stool from The Warehouse. ENTRY Floors…

CRAFT CORNER Sunshine Spaces is all about bringing a little of the outdoors into your home. Inspired by the beauty of nature, Australian designer and artist Beci Orpin offers easy instructions for fun projects such as macramé, flower pressing and collage, for big and little kids alike. AU$40 from beciorpinbooks.com. Art on the beach Blending classic design with the fun of the tropics, the Deco District Collection by Sunday Minx is a vibrant new range of bath towels. Each towel is named after an iconic façade in South Miami Beach, one of the world’s centres of art deco architecture. These towels are perfect for bringing a touch of sun-kissed glamour to your bathroom. Available from AU$32 at sundayminx.com.au. Bargain of the month Embrace the cosiness of good old-fashioned flannelette with…

Friluftsliv Friluftsliv (‘free air life’, pronounced free-loofts-liv) is an ancient Norwegian philosophy that exploring and appreciating nature is the way to a happy, healthy and fulfilled life. The Norwegians believe returning to nature is returning home, and we tend to agree! PUT IT TOGETHER > Modern hunter-gatherers can do anything, from chopping wood for the fire to gathering sustenance for a winter’s day in. We have created a setting inspired by this idea, and the Norwegian appreciation for the great outdoors. > Wooden elements are a key theme of the look, with firewood a decorative – and practical – feature, along with a log-style side table and wooden flooring. Strong, sturdy furniture provides a base for earthy textures and fabrics. Layering these adds to the cosy atmosphere. > A shaggy…

BUDGET: $40,000 + Roofing – $11,000; exterior painting – $16,500; kitchen – $1000; interior – $9000; pizza oven, top terrace and garden – $1000; miscellaneous – $1500. + How did your budget forecast compare to your actual spend? We didn’t plan a budget. We knew there would be bigger jobs, such as the roofing and exterior painting, that would need a budget, but the other jobs were quite minimal and we knew we’d just pay as we went. We didn’t get any nasty surprises, so it never felt like our budget was stretched. + What areas of your home do you save or splurge on? I love a good bargain yet I love quality, too, so I usually splurge (to a reasonable extent) on pure linen bedding. We also splurge…

MEET + GREET Gael Pilkington 45 (full-time mother), Wade Pilkington 48 (airline pilot), Georgia, 5, and Alexis, 4. a small wooden sign hanging on the gate of the Pilkingtons’ holiday bach reads ‘Beware of the mouse’. When Gael Pilkington and her husband, Wade, first spied the house five years ago, the sign said ‘Beware of the dog’. A tenant with a sense of humour – and no dog – changed the wording and the sign has been there ever since. This quirky amendment is one of just a few small changes made since the Pilkingtons took ownership, and they’ve been careful to ensure each renovation decision, like the sign, is in keeping with their bach’s idiosyncratic character. Wade, a keen surfer and kite-surfer, had been coming to the small coastal…

Choosing a heating type might be one of the most important decisions you make for your home. Not only could you end up saving money upfront and in the future, the right type of heater can make your family healthier and improve your quality of life. There are a lot of variables involved with finding the best heating for your place – including climate, housing type and your budget – so it pays to do your research. We’ve rounded up some of the main pros and cons to get you started. But first… INSULATION Effective home heating starts and ends with insulation. A little money spent on insulation now will save you thousands on bills in the years to come and will create a healthier environment for you and your…

Whether we are ready for it or not, winter is almost here and now is the ideal time to freshen up your interiors to see you through the cold nights ahead. Texture is key when it comes to creating a warm and inviting space so we’ve gathered together a host of hints and tips to help you get your home winter-ready in no time. BEDROOMS  A bedroom should feel inviting and cosy in winter, and one of the easiest ways to achieve this is by changing up your bedding. 1 SHEETS & PILLOWCASES Strip your bed of crisp cotton sheets and replace them with heavier, winter-weight fabrics. Flannelette sheets will keep you toasty at night and will also be warmer against your skin when you jump into bed. From plain…

WHERE TO SHOP Op shops and church shops – try the Hospice, Salvation Army, City Mission and SPCA stores, among others. Small towns often have the best finds, so make a few stops on your next road trip. Reuse shops – some landfills have shops that sell things deemed too good to dump. It’s worth having a hunt through these. Demolition yards – renovators will find salvaged timber and ironware, doors, windows, handles, sinks and even entire kitchens. Vintage, antique and retro shops – when you don’t have time to search or want a specific piece, visit a store where the goods are curated for you. The prices will be slightly higher, but usually the quality of items will be, too. Just be aware that some stores sell a mix…

+ Don’t forget about the bees. Although they hibernate in colder areas, bees will often forage for food in winter. Many bee-attracting flowering annuals such as alyssum, lobelia and calendula will flower during winter if they’re grown in sheltered spots. + Winter is here and usually brings plenty of wind, rain and frost, depending on where you live in New Zealand. Wind can shred soft foliage, dry out the soil and tip over newly planted trees and shrubs. The long-term way to guard against wind is to grow groups of trees to create shelter belts, but for short-term protection, build a shelter of wind cloth, driftwood, recycled timber or whatever you can grab that will help to reduce the impact of fierce winter gales. Always stake newly planted trees and…

The CAB (formerly the Civic Administration Building) is a new character apartment block in Auckland’s Civic Quarter, a fast-developing, culturally rich precinct that includes the Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall and the city’s theatre district. Developers Love & Co specialise in breathing new life into existing buildings, so bringing plants inside was a natural fit for the apartment showroom. The CAB’s modernist heritage is evident in the foyer’s luxuriously high ceilings – they’re so high that Ryan decided to highlight them in a unique way. His design team played with the idea of ‘luxury with a modern twist’ by creating three ‘chandeliers’ composed of spectacular foliage (pictured opposite). They made use of air plants (Tillandsia), which don’t require soil, therefore keeping these gorgeous features lightweight – unlike traditional crystal chandeliers.…

To make pom poms like these, buy thick, chunky wool. Then simply wind it around the palm of your hand. The more times you wind it, the fatter the pom pom will be – we suggest 30-35 times. Slide the wool off your hand and lie it on a flat surface. Cut a small length of wool and tie it tightly around the middle so you end up with a big loop at each end. Secure with a knot, then cut the loops. Fluff out the pom pom and trim off any straggly ends. Have a look online at a video tutorial for some more ideas and tips. POM POM ARTWORK  You will need 3 balls of wool (to make about 29 pom poms) and an A3 piece of foam…