Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i Your Home and Garden

An accidental theme in this issue of YH&G is the idea of serendipity. In our monthly Finder’s Fi column (page 116), Fi talks about the art of being open to letting things find you: family heirlooms, that special something spotted in your local op-shop, or an item offered to you by someone who no longer finds joy in it. This idea doesn’t just apply to homeware and furniture, she says – the same can be said for big things like jobs, homes or even pets. Indeed, three out of four of this month’s homeowners hadn’t intended on buying, moving in or staying in the homes they’ve found themselves in, but the universe had other plans and it all worked out beautifully. See below for a little bit of inspiration from…

What is your work background? My career has been a mixed bag. After only a year of art training, I decided to be an artist full time. I then took a job as a textile designer, designing textiles and helping to buy ranges of curtain fabric. This amazing opportunity allowed me to travel and gave me the skills to design textiles when I lived in London. Somewhere along the line, I switched from fabrics to clothing and spent several years working in the fashion industry, which in turn led me to buying and dealing more and more with overseas factories. What was the inspiration behind Ico Traders? What made you take the leap and start your own business? The Christchurch earthquakes were the kicker for me. I was travelling overseas…

This summer’s Resene Colour Home Awards have drawn to a close and we have our winners – Alison and Andrew Palairet of Hawke’s Bay. In the process of gradually restoring their beautiful mid-century modern home to its former glory (with a few contemporary updates), this couple made some bold colour choices that could have risked looking garish but instead feel vibrant and age-appropriate for their 1965 house. The couple are delighted with their win and the prize of $5000 towards their next colourful project. Here we catch up with Alison to find out more about their technicolour home. When did you move to Hawke’s Bay and why? We were living in Bayswater on Auckland’s North Shore and moved to Hawke’s Bay in 2015. We were outgrowing our beloved cottage and…

NATALIE & MYLES’ NEW-BUILD TIPS + Go with the process and be open-minded as often the things you end up loving weren’t planned for and can end up being the things you enjoy the most. + Trust your gut and don’t overthink a decision. + Buying good quality pays dividends in the long term. Also, buy less but buy right. + Make it your style, not someone else’s. CONTACTS + Vintage and industrial furniture Vitrine, vitrine.co.nz. + Builder MWH Construction; mwhconstruction.co.nz. + Kitchen Wedgerwood Joinery, Alexandra; wedgerwood.co.nz. + Electrics Alpine Electric; alpineelectric.co.nz. + Paint Resene Queenstown; resene.co.nz. + Furnishings North of Here, Queenstown; northofhere.nz. HONESTY BOX + What areas of your home did you save on? Splurge on? Glazing was essential, as was underfloor heating. + Do you tend to…

The Bannisters are no strangers to lifestyle changes – this is their third time in the pages of Your Home and Garden in three years! We first met them in West Auckland at a bright and colourful new-build. However, with work commitments in the east of the city, they then took advantage of an opportunity to live in a small cottage on the grounds of Adam’s work. “We were loving living in the eastern suburbs; it was a whole new side of the city to explore and we really enjoyed the proximity to central Auckland,” remembers Dawn. While there, the Bannisters often explored the beautiful Pōhutukawa Coast southeast of the city centre. Swimming, walks and visits to local markets reconnected the family with the Beachlands area, where Dawn’s parents used…

It’s the room we spend most of our time in, and it should feel tranquil, peaceful and private. Bedrooms are hugely important in terms of styling, and when it comes to bringing different trends into your room, it pays to start with the big items. Your bed should always be the focal point of the room design. Pay attention to the materials of your bedhead and surrounding furniture, and select soft furnishings to complement the colour and texture of the hard items. Pick two or three coordinating colours, or different shades of one colour, to mix and match. Creating a mood board with your favourite colours, materials and patterns can be a great way to kickstart your makeover – remember soft colours will inspire calm, and brights will bring energy.…

1 BACKGROUND You might have heard that saying: life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. For Jess and Sanjay Singh, this could be tweaked a little – they found the home of their dreams while they were busy looking for… well, the home of their dreams. Having sold their previous New Plymouth home more quickly than expected, and with nowhere to live in the meantime, the couple chanced upon a two-storey house that had barely been touched since it was built in the 1980s. “We didn’t want to be homeless so we bought this house, thinking it would be okay until we found one we liked,” says Jess. That was nearly three years ago and, since then, the couple have not only transformed the 210-square-metre…

“OF THIS YEAR’S TRENDING COLOURS, EARTHY TONES SUCH AS FOREST GREEN AND PALE GREY ARE THE EASIEST TO WORK WITH, ALTHOUGH ALL SHADES OF BLUE – FROM INDIGO AND DENIM TO TURQUOISE – ARE ALSO TAKING THEIR TURN IN THE SPOTLIGHT” “WHILE RUSTIC STONE VESSEL SINKS HAVE BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD, IN 2019 METALLIC BASINS ARE EMERGING AS A FAVOURITE, WITH SOFT GOLD A PARTICULAR STANDOUT” “AS BOUNDARIES WITHIN THE HOME BLUR, AND BATHROOM FIXTURES BECOME AKIN TO FURNITURE, THESE PIECES NO LONGER NEED TO BE TUCKED AWAY OUT OF SIGHT” “BEWARE OF OVERFILLING OPEN SHELVES WITH PILES OF PLUSH TOWELS, SCENTED CANDLES AND BEAUTY BOTTLES; THIS IS MORE ABOUT THE AESTHETIC THAN THE STORAGE. WHEN IT COMES TO PLACES TO TUCK AWAY ESSENTIALS, FLOATING CUPBOARDS – IDEALLY WITH INTERNAL LIGHTING…

Make me over Giving a room a new look can be as simple as choosing a few key items, and this month’s makeover section is a masterclass in how to do this. Over the page, three stylists were challenged to create a blank-canvas bathroom and produced three dramatically different results. On page 106, the amazing Vanessa Nouwens shows how to use bedding and decor items to overhaul your sleep space for under $1000. Get painting, planning and shopping and show us your room makeovers at #yourhomeandgarden.…

utumn is a great to time to refresh A your bedroom for the season of staying-in. To help you create a bedroom that feels serene, safe and stylish, we’ve designed three inspiring bed spaces, each for under $1000. 1. PANELLED LUXE Wall detail Creating a panelled effect on your bedroom wall can make it feel just a little bit luxe. We used simple pine battens cut to size and nailed to the wall, then painted the whole wall (for instructions turn to page 145). The total cost of the battens was $140. Bedlinen As this room lends itself to a minimalist feel, the bedding and decor are pared back. We teamed a white linen duvet set with black stonewash and pale striped pillows, then added textured cushions for a layered…

Usually in this column I write about actively hunting out secondhand items by visiting vintage shops and searching online. But I’m also open to things finding me. Some of the best finds have come that way, from street-side furniture (free to a good home) to hand-me-downs from friends and items spotted while idly window shopping. Once people know you like to reuse things, they often offer you their cast-offs. I’ve received some wonderful homeware and artworks this way. Obviously you don’t have to take everything offered, but often friends, colleagues and family members will know your style, and give you things you’ll like. I’ve got a whole gallery wall of gifted art in my hallway from a friend who needed to declutter, a comfy couch passed on by family, and…

Tulips have a gorgeous old-world feel and there are so many varieties to pick from (double-bloomed ‘Flashpoint’ is pictured here). When buying, look for tight buds that are barely showing any colour and remove excess leaves. Cut stems on an angle and remember that cut tulips continue to grow towards the light, so keep this in mind if arranging them with other flowers. Change water daily and keep out of direct light to help them last up to a week.…

TOP POSTS THIS MONTH ON FACEBOOK.COM/YOURHOMEGARDEN TRENDING ON HOMESTOLOVE.CO.NZ INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS WE’RE LOVING PET OF THE MONTH E:NEWSLETTER Sign up to our newsletter and get a weekly dose of inspiration straight to your inbox! Visit yourhomeandgarden.co.nz/signup. Bunbuns is a free-range, one-and-a-half-year-old mini lop rabbit who loves to eat. “I planted bromeliads thinking their jagged edges would prevent him from eating them,” says owner Lily Richards. “He ate six.” See Bunbuns in his natural habitat on page 58. INSTAGRAM We love seeing images from our #yourhomeandgarden community. @yourhomeandgarden…

1 BOWLED OVER Dig three holes in the sand and have the kids roll their ball towards the hole, the first person to get the ball in wins. Make the holes various widths or distances away for an added challenge! 2 MAKE A FORT Find sticks on the beach and use rope or string to create a roof with a sheet or Turkish towel, then decorate with seaweed or shells. A fort will also keep your family sun safe! 3 BEACH JOURNAL Each kid gets a notebook to record their day at the beach. Draw a landscape picture of the beach, describe what they see in the rock pools or they can take photos of any wildlife and write about them. 4 SHELL BE RIGHT Using…

It’s only weeks from moving day and our My New Home homeowners Oliver Driver and Ella Mizrahi are waking up at night panicking that their new build isn’t going to be ready in time for them to move in. “It’s fun seeing it all come together like a proper house.” They’ve given notice at their rental and booked the moving truck, so their deadline is non-negotiable. But less than a month out, the David Ponting-designed home in the Auckland suburb of Te Atatu Peninsula looks more like a bomb site than a building site. “It just doesn’t look like it’s going to come together,” says Oliver. “We may be living with the builders.” After months of painstaking work as the team from JR Hosking Carpenters & Co established the foundations,…

Colour viewed under a store’s artificial lighting may look completely different when you get it home, so always try it out in the room you’re painting. Resene colour consultant Sarah Gregory suggests shortlisting a few colours, then taking Resene testpots home to try them out in the room. “But don’t paint them on the wall, paint them onto a large piece of card. That way you can move it around the room, because colour will look different where the light hits it.” When painting the test card, Sarah suggests leaving a white border around the edge of it. “That’s so you don’t get total colour combination going on with the wall colour that’s already there. When you put colours together they change each other.” Test cardboard for painting is available…

Building a new home offers a unique opportunity to create a consistent and coherent design theme throughout, anchored by smart flooring choices. Carpet Court design ambassador Jane Carolan shares the hottest trends. NATURE Bring the outside in with gentle and unusual colour combinations and an exploration of textures. Mix muddied, soft neutral shades with crisp pops of mint, watermelon, green, cocoa, terracotta and klein blue. Wooden floors form a timeless foundation, offering that feeling of something natural underfoot. The trend at the moment is leaning towards matte finishes rather than high gloss, giving you a more natural look and feel. THE NEW NEUTRAL Navy makes way for the new neutral sage, a soft, restful colour that’s perfect paired with other dusty neutrals in lounges and bedrooms. Dark wood has returned,…

Take a seat Buying dining chairs can be a significant cost, particularly if you like the matching look. But a dining set can also be like a box of chocolates – each with a distinct flavour. Lily Richards chose three neutral chairs (two of them an inexpensive Trade Me find) plus one in electric yellow for her Auckland home, and the effect is fun, functional and utterly unique. See inside Lily’s inspiring home on page 58.…

Looking at Lily Richards and Mat Iliohan’s Devonport, Auckland, unit, you’d never guess what lies within. The humble 1960s brick building could be one of thousands around New Zealand. In fact, it was so ordinary that at first Lily and Mat didn’t think much of it, either. “We were living in a rental on the side of [Devonport’s] Mt Victoria,” says Lily. “This unit happened to come up for sale around the corner from my parents’ house. We went along to the open home but didn’t think anything of it. The next thing I knew, Mum and Dad had bought it for us to live in.” The couple moved in with their baby son, Osis, soon after and set about making it their own with colourful furnishings, art and copious…

1 Don’t get sucked into believing bigger is always better. Living in a smaller house is easier, more affordable and better for the environment. 2 Use your garage space. With Auckland land prices, that’s a whole lot of cash for a car park. Ours acts as a laundry, storage area and play space, plus it holds all our out-of-season clothing. 3 If you can accommodate a central vacuum system in your home, do it. They’re so easy and never lose suction. 4 In a two-storey home with kids, find places for toy storage on the ground floor and future-proof by adding a study area for homework.…

SMALL CHANGE, BIG DIFFRENCE The right colour in the bedroom can really make a difference and bedlinen is an inexpensive way to make a big change. Soft hues like sage and white create a calming space, while mixing and matching bold prints and patterns can really make your bedroom pop, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready for the day. These can easily be swapped out depending on new colours and trends. MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE You don’t have to break the bank to do this — pick furniture and décor pieces that make the bedroom feel more airy and open. Bedside tables and lamps on either side of the bed create great balance. Use a large floor mirror against the wall to bounce light around and if you’re light on storage,…

FINISHES Dining/kitchen flooring Vinyl plank from Flooring Xtra. Interior paint Dulux ‘Mt Aspiring Quarter’. Laundry splashback Subway tiles from Tile Warehouse. Exterior bricks Painted in Dulux ‘Lion Rock’. FLOOR PLAN KEY 1 Entry 2 Garage 3 Toilet 4 Hard ground 5 Living 6 Dining 7 Kitchen 8 Laundry 9 Storage 10 Bathroom 11 Bedroom 12 Deck STYLE TIPS + Choose a colour and style theme before starting so that each room feels like it belongs to part of a bigger story. + Double check before going ahead with a colour or style that you love because it’s a lot easier to change your mind then than later. + Painting one colour throughout the house gives a sense of continuity between rooms. It also creates a light and bright canvas, which…

+ If you’re looking for something a little different, consider installing a skylight over the bath so you can soak, relax and watch the clouds and stars. + Keep costs down by eliminating tiles. Keep the walls simple with paint and opt for vinyl or laminate flooring. + A heat-pump hot water cylinder collects energy from the air at three times the efficiency of a standard electric hot water cylinder. As electricity for hot water is one of the biggest household costs, a heat-pump hot water system is a smart way to go (though not suitable for very cold climates).  + Planning your bathroom layout is everything. It’s a good idea to get your builder in early to discuss the options. Simple things like a cavity slider door can make…

What didn’t you like about your old bathroom? It was so grotty! It had years of baked-on grime that wouldn’t budge, the bath was all rusty, the mirror was hung so you had to bend down to see your face and the space was a mudroom, laundry and bathroom all in one, but separated by walls and doors – so a very strange space. What was the inspiration behind your new design? We knew we wanted to knock out the walls and create one big room, but were nervous because we’d never done a bathroom reno. We got our friend Lily Thompson from Ewing & Co Interior Design to draw up some concepts and show us some tile samples, which helped us decide on the palette. We chose stone-look floor…

1 PALM SPRINGS GLAMOUR Retro brights and mid-century cocktail culture rule in this ‘Desert House Party’ print by Slim Aarons from nz.fineprintco.com. 2 SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING Caring for the environment is easier and more stylish with a coconut string bag from rogershomewares.com. 3 COMFORTING TEXTURE Layers of soft, natural materials create a cocooning effect in the home. Weave Home oatmeal throw from weavehome.co.nz. 4 ABSTRACT HOMEWARE Tableware and objects featuring graphic shapes in primary colours. Sand Abstract Blue Red Vase from urbanproducts.co.nz. 5 HOTEL AT HOME Bring the indulgence of a hotel stay into your home with Gold Series Diffusers from Surmanti. info@surmanti.co.nz 6 WABI-SABI FURNITURE The subtle beauty of imperfection is on display in the natural materials of the Finn Chair by Rembrandt. rfa.co.nz 7 GRAPHIC ACCESSORIES Boldly shaped, brightly…

“Windows on the street side allow a view right through part of the house to the rear garden, which we love” Borrowing views of the surrounding landscape is an age-old design trick traditionally used in Japanese gardens that is now a feature of many contemporary outdoor spaces. The idea is to incorporate views of neighbouring features, such as beautiful trees, a mountain or beach, into the garden design, making it feel larger and, of course, more interesting. Unattractive features are cleverly screened out. In Marianne and Terry Kayes’ Mt Eden garden, this technique has been used so successfully the outdoor spaces feel more like part of a country garden than an inner-city Auckland plot. Rather than boundary fences, strategically placed planting has been used for screening, allowing the garden to…

TWIN PEAKS PAINT Interior in Resene ‘Quarter Parchment’, sliding doors in Resene Karen Walker ‘Robin’s Egg Blue’. DINING/LIVING Table made by Myles. Dining chairs from Vitrine. Rug a gift. Brass Gubi pendant from North of Here. Concrete pot on table from amazing ceramic artist in Tauranga. Carpet in living area from Harrisons. Beanbag from Citta. Furry blanket on beanbag a gift. Red chair an heirloom. Woodburner by Bosca. Brass candlestick on loan from Natalie’s mum. KITCHEN Cabinetry in French Oak melamine and granite benchtop from Wedgerwood Joinery. Rustic subway tiles from Tile Warehouse. Appliances from Harvey Norman. Tap from Edward Gibbon. Gubi pendants from North of Here. Bar stools from Vitrine. OUTDOORS Table and bench seats from Vitrine. KNOX’S ROOM Bedding from Citta. Pillowcases and throw from Kip & Co.…

KEY HOLDER With luck, you will never lose your keys again with this simple key hanger. Take a round wooden placemat and drill 3 small holes, evenly spaced, across the top third of the mat; take into account the length of your key rings (plus tassels etc) as it looks neater if these do not hang below the bottom edge. Screw a hook into each hole by hand and then hang on the wall using 2 flat picture hooks to keep it nice and steady. Add your keys and – voilà! – no more lost keys. CAKE STAND Take a round wooden placemat and match it to a pen cup or similar, which will act as the base of your cake stand. Apply some Liquid Nails glue around the top…

EDITOR Kristina Rapley ART & EDITORIAL Deputy editor Sally Conor Chief sub editor Stephanie Attwater Art director Fiona Kerr Style director Catherine Wilkinson LIFESTYLE Gardens editor Carol Bucknell DIGITAL Digital editor Lakshmi Krishnasamy Digital producers Bea Taylor, Olivia Day CONTRIBUTORS Carme Aguayo, Helen Bankers, Bayly & Moore, Florence Charvin, Kate Claridge, Daniel Craig, Pippa Fay, Wendy Fenwick, Matt Genefaas, Donna Hay, Angie Humphreys, Melanie Jenkins, Eve Kennedy, Eden Kersten, Vanessa Lewis, Vanessa Nouwens, Fiona Ralph, Sarah Rowlands, Tina Stephen, Sharon Stephenson, The Virtue, Alice Veysey, Alex Walls PRODUCTION Production co-ordinator Lorne Kay Printer Webstar Distributor Gordon & Gotch ADVERTISING | MARKETING | CORPORATE Commercial director Kaylene Hurley Group sales director premium lifestyle titles Stuart Dick Commercial brand manager Nat Davis 027 5925 423 Associate commercial brand manager Amelia Murray 09…

Let’s be honest: Mum – with all her nurturing, selfless, and unconditionally loving ways – would no doubt adore any gift you gave her, simply by virtue of it coming from you. And for some reason that seems to make the process of choosing something special even more daunting! While chocolates and flowers are classic picks for a reason, sometimes it’s nice to surprise her with something a little unexpected – think an on-trend object to brighten up her home, luxe skincare to pamper herself with, or even a new signature fragrance. Whether you’re shopping for your own mum, a mum-in-law, a special mum you know… or maybe just throwing out some subtle hints for yourself, here are our top picks for gifts less ordinary. Get Mother’s Day sorted at…

1 CONSENT AND FINANCE The all-important legwork of figuring out what’s possible, sizing up a budget and deciding to take the plunge! 2 DESIGN AND PLANNING The couple get their dreams on paper and put a team together to make them happen 3 BUILD START Ready, steady, go! Site clearance, foundations, sub-floor, framing and the roof shout 4 BUILD MIDWAY The build is taking shape. Cladding, joinery, insulation and wall linings, plastering and painting 5 FITTINGS AND INSTALLATION Tradies descend on the home to install flooring, appliances, bathroomware and the custom kitchen 6 FURNISHINGS AND TECH The fun part! Window treatments, furniture and personal touches make a house feel like a home…

When you know what Natalie Newlands does for a living, it’s no surprise that one of the must-haves for her new Queenstown home was a large walk-in wardrobe. Fashion designer Natalie not only owns Queenstown boutique Angel Divine, she also operates her own clothing label, New Lands. This combination of creativity and business nous informed the design of the Jack’s Point home Natalie shares with her builder husband Myles Herschell and their two young sons, Knox and Hawk. The house is both stylish and practical, accommodating that capacious walk-in wardrobe as well as home offices for Myles and Natalie, lots of storage to hide clutter and oodles of living space for their young family. “Prior to building this place, we rented the tiniest house possible,” says Myles. “So we wanted…

HONESTY BOX + How do you maximise space in your small home? Lily: Have a few big things rather than lots of little ones – it makes the space feel more substantial. Avoid clutter; don’t have too many things or too many patterns. Only have what you need. Don’t feel like you must have everything for all occasions. Play with height – it can be a clever way to find more storage and make a room look and feel more expansive. Plant edibles; it might not make an outdoor space look bigger but it gives purpose and meaning to a garden, which is a different kind of bigness. + What’s one thing you would change about your home if you could? I’d get a new kitchen that was easier to…

HONESTY BOX + Best lessons learned? Dawn: Not to be trend driven (that lesson took a long time and a lot of money!). + What would you never do again? Use coloured tiles; they just weren’t for me. I tried them in an earlier home and never felt at peace with them. + One thing you’d change about your home if you could? Have a door into the snug instead of it being open to the hall. TV sounds travel and Bonnie the dog loves to sneak onto the sofa at night. + Most memorable experience you have had in your home? Eliza had a sleepover party and we went quite overboard and filled the living room with tepees and flowers. It was the perfect size to accommodate a tribe…

The throw-zone effect As those crisp autumn evenings start to bite, we can console ourselves by busting out the throws, blankets and snuggly layers of all kinds. Don’t be afraid to play with unexpected textures – a hide rug on a sofa adds both warmth and interest. And to prevent messy piles of discarded blankets, keep your throws tidy on a freestanding rack as the Singh family have done here. See more textural styling inspo at their place over the page.…

1 Taps & hardware Black fixtures are still the popular choice, but brushed gold looks set to be the next big thing in hardware. “While black is continuing its dominance for taps, frontrunners over the coming year include soft golds and brushed brass, as well as the more unexpected gunmetal,” says Mico Bathrooms. An emerging trend is for industrial styles with exposed pipes – part of a movement towards pared-back simplicity. 2 Basins Vessel-style basins can be the hero of the bathroom in their own right. Industrial sinks are an emerging bathroom trend as are coloured concrete styles (pictured left). 3 Surfaces Stacked square tiles are taking over from subway tiles as the go-to look. And while the floor-to-ceiling effect is still popular, lower-cost options are also…

What can you afford? $2000-$5000 If you just want to freshen up your bathroom, use your budget on little things that will really pack a punch. For instance, you could update your basin mixer and shower mixer to a different finish and find some funky towels that have texture and colour. Also, try adding some greenery with an indoor plant or two, choosing coloured pots that tie in with the towels or the tapware finish. $10,000-$15,000 With this budget you can make cosmetic changes as well as updating your vanity. Choose a vanity with maximum storage and efficient use of space. If you currently have a flat mirror, consider a cabinet mirror for additional storage. If you still have a bit of budget left over, look at updating the toilet…

The guest toilet, I’m sure you will agree, is not the most glamorous spot in the house. But as insignificant as it may seem, the powder room is a space that is in regular use, so why not put some thought into it? Tucked on the ground floor close to the living areas or entrance, this room is typically teeny so I’ve turned this into a positive by creating a cosy feel with walls lined in a lovely mahogany-toned plywood. This material is always an affordable way to add character and I love this colour. If you don’t want to reline your walls, you could always use a paint colour such as Dulux ‘Ponsonby’ or Dulux ‘Cape Campbell’, which are both warm, deep colours that would match this look. The…

Take inspiration from the rich heritage of Japan and create a Zen space to unwind. Clean lines, a neutral palette and unfussy styling anchor this strong look. Simplicity is key so try not to mix too many materials and allow for plenty of storage to keep your space neat and tidy. GET STARTED WITH MICO BATHROOMS For more expert bathroom decor tips and to use the 3D Design Planner visit mico.co.nz.…

CHOCOLATE-COATED RAW COOKIES WITH RASPBERRY & COCONUT FILLING MAKES 10 INGREDIENTS 125g raspberries 1 Tbsp white chia seeds 200g 70 percent dark chocolate, melted 2 tsp melted coconut oil OAT COOKIES ¾ cup rolled oats ¾ cup almonds 2 Tbsp natural almond butter ½ cup raisins 1 Tbsp maple syrup COCONUT FILLING ¾ cup desiccated coconut ½ cup (125ml) coconut cream 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 To make the oat cookies, line a large tray with non-stick baking paper. 2 Place the oats, almonds, almond butter, raisins and maple syrup in a food processor and process for 2-3 minutes or until the mixture comes together. 3 Turn out the dough and roll out between 2 sheets of non-stick baking paper to 4mm thick. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until firm.…

A WINNING COMBINATION The Athena Contro Bath delivers the best of both worlds, combining the modern elegance of a freestanding bath with all the benefits of sitting flush against the wall. There are also left- and right-hand versions for corners, allowing you to get the most out of your space; athena.co.nz. DINNER AWAITS The Fisher & Paykel French Door Fridge Freezer will make your next dinner party a breeze. This stylish 605-litre fridge boasts French doors, smart-touch control panel, built-in ice maker, water on tap, easy-slide drawers and EZKleen stainless steel. Available at Noel Leeming, RRP $6399. HOME HAPPINESS Bring nature indoors with 100% pure essential oils. Diffuse at home or embrace them as part of your bath and body care. Single pure essential oils, blends, carrier oils, home scent…