Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i Your Home and Garden

I’m fascinated by the world of professional organisers. A new but increasingly popular occupation, these magical beings swoop into people’s homes armed with storage bins and label-makers, sort out their mess (often both physical and emotional) and swoop back out again, leaving pristine shelves and happy clients in their wake. If you’re interested too, read our story about how a couple of pro pantry-sorters do their thing on page 94. Once, when researching a different story on the same topic, I came across the next tier of professional organising, the ‘lifestyle manager’. They don’t just sort out your pantry and your junk drawer, but your gift buying, your bill paying and your flower arranging, too. One I interviewed had been hired to look for a distraught client’s lost earring. After…

SAVE 1 Floor basket, $22, from Kmart. 2 Seagrass low basket, $12, from Kmart. Turkish towel, $45, from Thread Design. 3 Yamazaki Tower toolbox, $49, from Father Rabbit. 4 French Country oval baskets, $69 for 2, from Good Thing. 5 Mustard baskets, $79 for 3, from Good Thing. 6 Hogla basket, $23, from Good For. St Tropez napkin, $2 for 2, from Kmart. SPLURGE 1 Natural black basket with handles, $72, from Father Rabbit. Kilim Turkish towel, $59, from Thread Design. 2 Large bowl basket with handles, $99, from Father Rabbit. 3 Vitra toolbox, $79, from Citta. 4 Natural Basket, $99, from Corcovado. Linen napkin, $12.90, from Citta. 5 Rona short storage baskets, $109 for 2, from A&C Homestore. 6 Kiondo basket, $69.90 for 2, from Citta. Vaasa oak bench,…

Sometimes, opportunity presents itself when you least expect it. Just ask Jecasta South and her husband, Pat. The couple moved to Rangiora seven years ago, after their Christchurch home was ruined in the 2011 quakes. They eventually built a house there, designing it themselves and spending months scouring salvage yards and Trade Me for demolition building materials. “We wanted an industrial, eclectic look,” says Jecasta of the 260-square-metre design. But it turned out that the project chewed up most of their time and energy. “We were spending every evening and weekend finishing it. We loved it but it was high-maintenance and took for ever to clean!” Then Pat landed a job as a sales manager for New Style Homes and suggested they downsize to one of the company’s new-builds. “I…

DEANNA’S TOP TIPS + Paint the pool a dark grey to give it a more natural effect. + Incorporate demolition wood into your new home (eg for doors and tables) and recycle weatherboards for the exterior. + Landscape as you go. + Be clear about your vision and ensure the design reflects that. + Don’t presume the architect and builder know all the costs. The renovation took longer and cost more than we expected. Luckily, our builder kept a monthly account of the budget and line items. + Built-in ply cabinetry means less money spent on furniture. HONESTY BOX + What wouldn’t you do again? We will live here forever so we won’t be renovating again. + Any DIY disasters? Not one! + One thing you would change? We may…

FINISHES Exterior Dulux Lyttelton Quarter Roof Colorsteel Sandstone Interior Dulux Mt Aspiring Interior Flamingo Parket oak rustic single smoked chalk FLOOR PLAN TIMELINE APRIL 2014 Moved in. APRIL 2015 Started renovation. AUGUST 2016 Landscaping finished (interior completed earlier). HONESTY BOX + Where have you splurged? Renay: In the dining room we didn’t want a mullion where the two sliding doors meet; we didn’t want the flow interrupted. Achieving this added considerable cost – so this was a splurge. So was the feature lighting; we chose a Fog pendant in the entrance and marble pendants beside the bed in the master. + Best memory in your home? Crisp, still autumn evenings rugged up in front of the outdoor fire with a hearty red wine. RENAY’S STYLE TIPS + Don’t overthink purchases…

Renovating a home can be a very rewarding experience. However, when you’re doing it quickly and selling the property on for profit, the whole equation changes. Rather than being about what you like and want, the reno is about managing every cent of your budget to maximise your profit. Every home is different and will have its own challenges to address. Here are 10 tasks and techniques that are likely to help you be more successful on auction day. 1 MAKE A PLAN One of our key pieces of advice for any project is: ‘Plan your work; work your plan’. By knowing what you are trying to achieve, you can understand what a successful outcome looks like for you and work towards that goal. Take time at the start of…

Amanda Stickland (pictured, left) and Hannah Sullivan (right) are the founders of pantry organising service and online store, Simplify My Home. Here, they share their advice on how to get the clutter-free pantry of your dreams. Where did the idea for Simplify My Home come from and what made you start the business? Amanda: We were both home with kids at a similar time and it became obvious that better organisation allowed a more seamless flow at home. From just organising a pantry we saw major benefits – the whole family accessed food more easily, it was clearer what was needed at shopping time so there was less waste, and it made meal times, which tend to be pretty stressful with young families, less chaotic. We are sisters-in-law, so bonded…

What are the basic principles of an organised pantry? Amanda: "A place for everything, and everything in its place" is what my mum has always said. It certainly underpins everything we do to create a beautiful and functional pantry space. This idea feeds into this specific process that can be used to organise any pantry or storage space: 1 REMOVE Take everything out. 2 DISCARD Get rid of food that has gone off or is well past its use-by date. 3 REGROUP Separate foods into groups of like items, eg baking supplies, spices, spreads, snacks, etc. 4 LABEL Labelling your containers not only looks good, it also makes it easier to see what you have at a glance. 5 REHOME Put your food items back into the pantry, keeping in…

Office spaces don’t have to be stark, impersonal and uninspiring. In fact, colour needs to be considered carefully in work spaces to encourage productivity and a positive working environment. At A&C headquarters, we have a team of creatives, book-keepers and spreadsheet lovers, and not all of us feel the need for a ‘creative corner’ as such. But for me, I love just a touch of colour to keep me energised and inspired. To kick off a new year, I always like to have my new diary ready to go – this year I’ve chosen a lovely design by Milligram, and decided to use its cover as the starting point for this workspace. For the walls, I picked Dulux Waihi for its warmth and energy and applied it as a playful…

lackboard paint can add a creative B element to a kid’s bedroom, whether it’s a full wall or just a portion. It also makes a great background for accent colours. Here we’ve teamed muted greens with a burst of rust to create a fun and whimsical space with lots of room for kids to let loose with a pack of chalks whenever inspiration strikes. USE YOUR HEAD This ‘headboard’ is made from 3 pieces of pine – 2 long and 1 short for the top. Apply 2 coats of Resene Lustacryl paint to the pine then screw them into the wall to create a simple yet effective headboard frame. Adding a cute garland and the name of your child is an easy way to personalise the space, but the beauty…

If you haven’t gardened before but are keen to give it a try, herbs are a great place to start. They are incredibly easy to grow and packed with antioxidants and nutrients – plus you’ll always have fresh leaves on hand to add to your salads and cooking. Herbs are pretty resilient; give them a decent patch of soil, some water and lots of sunshine and they’ll stick around for quite some time. Growing herbs from seed is easy and affordable, but if you’re new to this, it might be less intimidating to start with seedlings. Pop into your local garden centre to grab the selection you’re after, and buy a couple of seed packets too. Once you’ve got the soil ready by digging in organic matter such as compost…

TRENDING ON HOMESTOLOVE.CO.NZ This sweet little caravan has been given the most stylish makeover TOP POST ON INSTAGRAM Anyone else stocking up the cocktail bar, ready for some festive fun? INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS WE’RE LOVING PET OF THE MONTH WHEN NINE-YEAR-OLD MUFFIN ISN’T LOUNGING AROUND HER RANGIORA HOME OR SQUEEZING INTO BOXES, SHE LIKES TO STALK THE FAMILY DOG, DOOGLE. SEE MUFFIN IN HER NATURAL HABITAT ON PAGE 48. E:NEWSLETTER Sign up to our newsletter and get a weekly dose of inspiration straight to your inbox. Visit yourhomeandgarden.co.nz/signup. INSTAGRAM We love seeing images from our #yourhomeandgarden community. @yourhomeandgarden…

What were you doing before you started making ceramics? At uni I studied science down in Dunedin, with some papers in design, but the jobs when I graduated were mainly in the research field, which didn’t particularly interest me. I started working as a visual merchandiser, and ended up spending 10 years as a window dresser, doing store planning and creating displays. I enjoyed it; it was a creative way of making money, but I was never passionate about it. I also worked in hospitality on and off. Later, once I started making ceramics, all the study and jobs I’d done started to make sense, and all the skills I’d acquired came in handy for running my own business and teaching workshops. I probably use my degree more now than…

Ask most homeowners about the inspiration for their renovation and they’ll often nominate established styles or abstract concepts. Not this couple. Their starting point was a huge lilly pilly tree in the backyard, and some other established trees on their 1115-square-metre property. Once the future of these was assured, the design process began. Emma and Richard Zanchetta bought their Adelaide property in February 2011. Ideally located between the city and the hills, it included a 1930s Tudor-style home with a 1990s extension, which was liveable but in desperate need of a costly renovation. Richard, a partner at a large building firm, felt that knocking down and starting again was probably the way to go. “We obviously chose the latter,” says Emma. The pair decided to base the design of their…

JECASTA’S TOP TIPS FOR GROUP BUILDING + Our experience with New Style Homes was unique because Pat was project and sales manager for the company at the time. That aside, everyone was great to deal with every step of the way. + Make little adjustments to the house plans to best suit your daily life. For example, we built the kitchen and laundry cabinetry right up to the ceiling to make maximum use of the space; it also stops dust bunnies and clutter from accumulating. + Lighting makes such a difference to the feel of any home. We added LED strip lighting to the underside of the cabinetry in the kitchen and laundry, and added good-quality outdoor lighting. + Really good extractor fans are a must – we upgraded to…

“Paint your front doorway (and front door if required) to improve a buyer’s first impression. Go for a bold colour that fits the exterior colour scheme of your property” Selling a home is a tricky business, especially in today’s unpredictable market. But there are a few straightforward things you can do to prepare for the moment when your home hits the market. When I meet with prospective sellers, I usually recommend a four-step plan: painting, gardening, cleaning and de-cluttering. In my opinion, these are the most cost-effective ways to maximise the sale price of any home. More extensive renovations such as upgrading kitchens and bathrooms take time and energy, and you will be doing well to simply get your money back on settlement day. If you have the skills to…

+ Before you even talk to agents, pay for a professional valuation of your property. That gives you power when negotiating with agents or buyers if they’re talking too low a price. It also signals when an agent may be suggesting too high a price when they first meet you. + Ask your friends and neighbours for recommendations. + Ask prospective agents for written info on recent houses they have sold, including their price expectations and what they sold the properties for. + Get details on how they plan to market your property and how much that will cost. Apparently most house buyers these days first spot a property online, so make sure the online marketing is done well. + Check the public register on the Real Estate Authority website…

In September 2019, Amy and Mark Arnold finished a complete renovation of their home in Te Awamutu. When it came time to choose colours, Amy was thinking an all-white palette would be the best solution. “We’d done the kids’ [Levi, 4, and Hazel, 1] bedrooms in Resene Sea Fog before they were both born and thought we’d continue that theme,” she says. “But then I found Lizzy Higham’s Facebook page and was inspired to be a bit more fun, brave and creative. “I must’ve bought about 50 testpots for this house – I was struggling to find a starting point. Then I discovered a piece of colourful bird-patterned fabric by Blendworth which absolutely sang to me and all of the colours were chosen from that.” A mustard hallway was the…

SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE RANGIORA My all-time favourite op-shop is our local Salvation Army Family Store here in Rangiora. It is clean and well presented, the staff are really friendly and the goods are very reasonably priced. It is especially good for furniture, homeware and collectables as well as clothing, books and toys. I seldom leave there empty-handed. It is always lovely chatting with the staff and other regular shoppers. – Jecasta South, @jecasta.south 15 Albert Street, Rangiora SHOP ON CARROLL DUNEDIN This is one of those op-shops you can’t leave without buying something. It’s run by Presbyterian Support Otago and always has a well-curated selection of ’60s and ’70s homeware and pottery, plus heaps of vintage clothing (often with a few Dunedin designer pieces on the racks, too). –…

PINEAPPLE CARPACCIO WITH MANGO SORBET SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 1 ripe pineapple, peeled 2 passionfruit Finely grated zest 1 lime Roasted macadamia nuts, chopped, to serve MANGO SORBET 3 ripe mangoes (about 650g), peeled, diced 2½ Tbsp rice malt syrup 100ml water Juice 1 lime, or to taste 1 For sorbet, purée mango with the rice malt syrup and water until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve. Transfer purée to ice-cube trays (or place ¼ cupfuls in separate snap-lock bags) and freeze overnight. 2 Transfer cubes to a food processor and process until smooth, adding lime juice to taste, then freeze in a container until just firm. Sorbet is best eaten within 2 days. 3 Working around outside of pineapple, shave off very thin slices with a knife until you…

KID’S ROOM NICE RACK This beautiful clothing rack by Swedish brand Kids Concept is just the ticket for getting your child’s room sorted for 2020. Made from rubber wood, the stand ($269) is fitted with hooks and shelves as well as a clothes rail, and matching coathangers are also available ($29 for three). dappermrbear.com FASHION ARM CANDY MADE BY WOMEN ARTISANS FROM UPCYCLED TEXTILE SCRAPS, THIS TOTE MAKES A STATEMENT. $139 FROM RUBYNZ.COM. PETS Pets-onality plus Give your fur baby a spring in their step with a fun new Kip & Co collar, $35-$42 each (in two sizes) from teapea.co.nz. BOOKSHELF Simply Spaced: Clear the Clutter & Style Your Life  by Monica Leed A step-by-step guide for clearing clutter and styling a beautiful home that aligns with your passion and…

Channel your inner magazine stylist – the new season’s Your Home and Garden bedding range is all about mixing, matching and experimentation. Hitting Farmers stores from 15 January with the full range available from March, it marks a move away from neutrals and towards the world of rich colour. “This season is bold,” says West Senior, Farmers Home Buyer. “Many of the most current colour trends are realised in this collection. There are earthy tones, and textures and patterns that talk to the idea of getting back to nature, like foliage and safari animals. We also have retro colourways that can really make your bed a statement.” Aimed at the bedlinen lover who doesn’t mind taking a few risks, the collection works best when it’s layered up in unexpected ways.…

Deanna Eisenhofer and Marcel van den Assum don’t need to go away on holiday. As soon as they get home to their renovated house at Raumati Beach on the Kapiti Coast, they gaze out at the sweeping coastal vista and instantly feel relaxed. The couple’s three-bedroom home used to be a tiny, rundown 1940s weatherboard bach, which was in the perfect spot amid a stand of pohutukawa trees. It had, as Marcel says, good bones. After they bought it in 2015, they asked Wellington architects Cecile Bonnifait and William Giesen to give it a new look. “We wanted to take the simple bach and throw it into the 21st century,’’ says Deanna. Until 2015, the couple were living in a colonial-style house on the Kapiti Coast where Marcel had raised…

1 BACKGROUND Renay and Stuart Robertson had been living in Wellington for almost five years when, in 2012, they decided to return to their home city of Auckland. The couple owned an investment property in Remuera, and when the tenants decided to move on, it solved the immediate problem of where they would live in the short term. Rather than rushing to buy somewhere, they were keen to take their time and refamiliarise themselves with the city first. “We spent a couple of years living in Remuera before deciding on what our next move would be,” recalls Renay. “Once we’d decided that we would be staying put in Auckland, we knew we wanted to put down roots in the Ponsonby or Herne Bay area – not only for the convenience…

1 CARPET YOUR GARAGE This is a great way to lift the feel of your home, especially if you have an older house with a separate garage downstairs. 2 HANG CURTAINS THAT REACH THE FLOOR Stop those draughts and warm the hearts of potential buyers while you’re at it. Choose a neutral tone and nothing with too much of a pattern. 3 PAINT OLD DOORS You know the ones – those dark brown 1970s doors with the old handles. Paint ‘em bright white and it will lighten up your entire home. 4 INSTALL A BATHROOM HEATER A wall-mounted heater is only a few hundred dollars to install but feels ultra-luxurious. 5 INSTALL A FILTER TAP In this health-conscious age, these touches can help buyers fall in love with your home…

Setting up a work area that functions well means creating a place where you can easily slip into a productive mindset. Banishing clutter, displaying inspirational photos or objects and adding a natural touch will all aid a healthy outlook. Greenery, flowers and even seedpods or small branches can make us feel calmer and more connected, allowing ideas to flow freely. See how Alex Walls styled her creative space on page 108.…

These clients are busy parents of two children, and Mum travels a lot for work. They wanted functional kitchen storage that would be durable for young children and make it easier for Dad to find things, as he is home a lot with the kids. This family felt their space was too cluttered and as a result, they were over-purchasing at the supermarket because they couldn’t see what they had to hand. They wanted help to keep their pantry tidier and cleaner to ensure easy access and less clutter. PROBLEM This pantry was cluttered, meaning the busy clients couldn’t see what they had and were over-purchasing at the supermarket as a result. SOLUTION By sorting and placing all food into clearly labelled containers, we made everything clearly visible so this…

As a family, we love to spend as much time outdoors as we can. However, our adventures often mean scrapes, bug bites, sunburn and the like. For those wanting to have a go at making your own natural first-aid kit, here are some of our favourite homemade remedies that are effective and simple to make. AFTER-SUN SPRAY Aloe vera and peppermint are cooling on the skin, while lavender has lovely calming properties. My daughter also likes to spray it on her tummy to relieve the motion sickness she sometimes gets on long car journeys. It’s super-soothing and acts quickly. 2 Tbsp pure aloe vera gel 10 drops peppermint essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil 1 In a 50ml glass spray bottle, add the ingredients and top up with water.…

Like many gardeners, Dylan Norfield has an addiction – an addiction to plants, that is. It’s hardly surprising, considering his parents ran a nursery and his job is managing the plant collections at Dunedin Botanic Garden. “I know I have a problem but, as addictions go, I don’t think it’s too bad,” he says wryly. “My garden is definitely a plant collector’s garden. I collect plants from all around the country that are rare and unusual. It’s for our enjoyment but also to preserve many species that are hard to find.” Luckily, Dylan, wife Jo and daughter Libby, 8, live on a large property (5000 square metres) so there’s plenty of space to indulge his cravings, and theirs too. “Jo and Libby love plants and have developed an interest in…

FLOWER OF THE MONTH Dahlia It’s been a couple of hundred years since plant hunters first brought dahlias from Mexico to Europe, and there are now hundreds of varieties of this late-summer perennial available. From cactus and orchid to waterlily and peony, double or single, giant or small, there’s a dahlia to suit the most finicky of horticultural palettes. If you have good, well-drained soil, you can grow them (from seed, seedlings or tubers) in a sunny spot out of the wind. In colder districts, grow from sprouted tubers to get them cracking during the shorter summers. Staking plants in windy areas is advised, as is regular watering, liquid feeding and deadheading. GROW THIS  Want a plant that gives you plenty of gorgeous, colourful flowers without a lot of fuss?…