Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2022 i Your Home and Garden

I’ve always admired people who move to the country on a whim and get a herd of goats to set up a cheese-making enterprise without blinking. Life changes take courage. I’m so indecisive it takes me far too long to choose between rye or sourdough, so I doubt I’ll ever be looking into the price of angoras. Being bold yields big results. While changing your bedroom walls from plain white to a graphic black and white pastoral mural doesn’t require as much guts as selling up and moving to Bali, in decorating terms it’s out there. But the pay-off for doing exactly that for Gina Fabish, one of our contributing photographers, was huge. Instead of having a bedroom that was perfectly nice, she and her husband now have a sanctuary…

In a screen-driven world, Tallulah Farrar loves working with her hands. As if by magic, creations unfurl from miniature tiles and a mosaic masterpiece blossoms. The 23-year-old artist, who is based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, says she finds the creative process meditative. “There’s a real state of flow when you’re so focused on what’s in front of you.” Her juice box creations are her latest achievements, a playful assortment of designs that look almost good enough to drink. Tallulah also paints murals and illustrates alongside her mosaic work, but she’s the first to admit that she wasn’t always so creative. “I remember my sister and I being dragged around art galleries as kids and wondering when it would be time go home,” she laughs. Despite her initial reluctance, she soon inherited…

1 “Be brave and make choices based on how you want to feel in the space, and don’t take notice of the dos and don’ts of design,” Gina says. 2 Juxtapose various period pieces with modern silhouettes. “I like the contrast of mixing different styles and eras,” Gina says. Sometimes the most timeless rooms are those that play with time. 3 Life is short, so spend it well by buying fabulous wallpaper. 4 Travel is a state of mind. If you want to feel like you’re in the south of France, look around your home. Statement rooms act as an escape from domestic fatigue, so have fun with creating a vibe that may not align with the rest of your day-to-day routine. “We wanted to make the room feel like…

Update your appliances (or hide them away) Appliances like a toaster or kettle see a lot of daily wear and tear, which can drag down the look of your kitchen. Updating these gadgets for newer models acts like an instant facelift, everything is a bit newer and shinier. Plus, it’s your chance to insert more colour into your culinary space by opting for bright, bold kitchen accessories. There’s just something about a yellow kettle that makes our heart sing. If you want to save your money, consider making space for old appliances in your pantry rather than on the countertop. You can still love your 20-year-old toaster, but sometimes a secret romance is the best kind. “Swapping out your cabinetry hardware is an easy, inexpensive hack.” SWAP OUT YOUR HARDWARE…

DIY expert You will need • 90mm x 45mm H1.2 framing timber (I used 30 lineal metres) • 1 pack nails or screws • Skillsaw • Chisel • 6 x joist hangers (optional) • 5 x 12mm MDF sheets, plus a partial one to build the optional face for the trundler) • Sandpaper • Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer • Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Indian Ink • Resene Colorwood in Resene Bark • Resene EzyFill Quick • 40mm x 40mm dressed pine (I used 3 x 1.8m lengths – one for each upright and the third for the step rungs on the ladder) • Curtain rod • Curtain (I used 6m corduroy) • 4 large bolts and screws (8 gauge, 75mm) • Trundler bed • 18mm…

Mushroom & spinach gnocchi SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 625g fresh potato gnocchi2 Tbsp olive oil375g assorted mushrooms, sliced thinly2 cloves garlic, crushed300ml cream90g baby spinach leaves½ cup finely grated parmesan 1 Cook gnocchi in a large saucepan of boiling water, according to the instructions on packet, until tender; drain. 2 Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook mushrooms and garlic, stirring, until softened. Add cream and spinach; bring to the boil. Reduce heat, simmer until spinach wilts and sauce thickens. Stir in half the parmesan, then season to taste. 3 Add gnocchi to pan, stir gently. Serve gnocchi topped with the remaining parmesan. Tip Try using a variety of mushrooms such as flat, cup, button and portobello. Nasi goreng with pork SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp…

Garden editor Pot to pot Potato planting time is upon us, and with it the thrill and incomparable flavour of homegrown spuds in early summer. Often, when space is an issue, potatoes are the first vegetable to get the chop, but no need if you grow them in containers which can be tucked into any sunny corner. As a rough guide you need one potato per 10 litres of soil – a typical bucket is just under 10 litres. Ensure the container has drainage holes. First chit or sprout the potatoes by placing in a single layer on newspaper or egg carton in a dry place until the sprouts are about 1cm long. Half-fill the container with soil, place sprouted potatoes on top, then cover with more soil – either…

WE LOVE Live inside a cartoon with sculpturist Lane Walkup’s fantastical metal wire creations. @earthtolane Kiwi business Fang & Fur is serving up purr-fect treats with these fruity cat beds. Is there room for two? @fangandfur PODCAST OF THE MONTH Interior designer Gail M Davis unravels the mystery behind the industry curtain in “Design Perspectives”. CONNECT WITH US We love seeing images from our #yourhomeandgarden community. @yourhomeandgarden TRENDING ONLINE We couldn’t get enough of this new build set amongst rolling farm hills. yourhomeandgarden.co.nz TOP INSTAGRAM POST Our Haier laundry giveaway resulted in smiles all round. @yourhomeandgarden Instagram @yourhomeandgarden Facebook facebook.com/yourhomegarden Website yourhomeandgarden.co.nz…

Home wellness expert When it comes to creative pursuits, this is something we usually get to once we’ve ticked off all the essential tasks first. But let me tell you, the winding trail of to-dos is a never-ending one. If we tell ourselves we need to do all the important things first, we’ll probably never begin. Creativity is something that fills the soul like no other activity. It’s a messy, beautiful and satisfying affair that has the ability to help us to unwind and reset our priorities. It’s a graceful reminder that setting our hearts to doing something slow and tactile is an important one. I encourage you to start today. Put aside all the mundane, boring tasks and start on a small yet lovely journey of unravelling yourself from…

A homeowner’s love story usually follows the same formula: meet an almost perfect home, fall in love, then make it one’s own by erasing and replacing the most distinctive decor choices of the previous owners. But Mary-Liz and Richard Amor chose to play things a little differently. Despite going in with a very defined personal style, which absolutely did not marry with this bijou bungalow’s existing decor, Mary-Liz decided to holster her paintbrush for a bit, and in the process, something unexpected happened. Instead of changing the house to suit her tastes, the home changed her. Age and grace This is a house with a strong sense of history. A beautifully preserved 100-year-old charmer surrounded by Ponsonby’s wealth of gracefully aged heritage homes, this sweet little bungalow had prettiness in…

Renovations expert A side from what it’s all going to cost, one of the most burning questions you’ll want answered when preparing for a renovation is whether or not it’s going to trigger a building consent. Ensuring your project is compliant is important, but there does seem to be a lot of grey areas. In fact, it’s not unheard of to call local councils twice in the same week and get a different answer to your question. This is frustrating for homeowners and means what’s shared here can only be used as a starting point for your renovation. It is accurate now, but as the rules are constantly evolving, it’s always recommended you start by seeking current advice that is specific for your project. It’s always best to start by…

Our electronics may make living easier, but they don’t necessarily make it easy on the eyes. From plugs to chargers and cords, electronic clutter is taking over our homes at an alarming speed. Thankfully, new technology and a bit of DIY innovation is helping to turn the tide on the sea of cables. “People do not want to see cords everywhere so we are getting clever at hiding them,” Julie Rees, lead designer at Sojo Design says. “As they vary in colours and lengths, they’re also tripping hazards.” Here’s how to avoid any accidents and save your space with a few quick and easy changes. Power planning If you’re about to undertake a renovation or new build, it’s best to plan ahead around what electronics you’ll need and where. Julie…

Mirrors aren’t just for applying make-up or checking your appearance, they’re invaluable for decorating your home and are celebrated by interior designers for giving the impression of a brighter, more spacious room. Since the late 17th century, mirrors have played an increasingly important role in decor. In fact, Louis XIV commissioned 357 mirrors for the 73m-long Hall of Mirrors to showcase his wealth and to demonstrate his country was able to manufacture mirrors that could rival the artistry of the Venetians. Owning lots of mirrors may no longer be the indicator of political success, but they are still a design statement and make a great alternative to art. Dressing room There’s no getting around it, when dressing you need a full-length view. A dressing room mirror serves a purpose, you…

Kara-age (fried chicken with sweet chilli sauce) SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 600g boneless chicken legs or thighs3 Tbsp plain flour3 Tbsp cornflourOil, for frying MARINADE 6 Tbsp sake1 garlic clove, grated5g fresh ginger, grated1 tsp sea salt1 tsp raw sugar1 tsp toasted sesame oilPepper, to season SWEET CHILLI SAUCE 2 Tbsp soy sauce1 Tbsp apricot jam or marmalade1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil½ Tbsp miso paste (brown or red)1 Tbsp mirin½ garlic clove, chopped1–2 tsp chilli powder1 Tbsp rice vinegar2cm leek (white part), finely chopped 1 If using chicken legs, cut into about 6 pieces (the top into 4 pieces and the drumstick into 2 pieces). 2 Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Add the chicken and massage the marinade in. Marinate for 1 hour. 3 For the sauce,…

Yucca YUCCA ELEPHANTIPES The yucca plant delivers on all fronts – it’s sturdy, resilient and striking. Native to Mexico, the yucca has distinctive sword-like leaves and grows strong, with no need for stakes or support. Although this is a slow-growing plant, stick with it, as it can eventually reach a height of three metres indoors. There are about 40 species in the yucca family. This yucca is one of the few plants that can cope with direct sunlight, which helps it to grow taller. Try not to overwater it – if the roots are soggy, hold off before watering again and ensure there is adequate drainage. This plant can withstand a little unintentional neglect; however, its leaves need an occasional dusting with a damp cloth to unblock its pores so…

It looks like it’s made from cardboard. Surely not? It certainly is. Seriously? Deadly. Okay, how did it come about then? Well, it was designed by none other than Frank Gehry, only one of the most famous and prolific architects alive today. His commissions include the mind-blowing Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Chiat/Day “binoculars” building because that’s what it looks like. One day in the late ’60s, Frank found a pile of corrugated cardboard outside his LA office and started playing with it. He’d already been building architectural models with it and realised how strong it was when glued together. He began to produce his cardboard Easy Edge furniture range in 1972, which at one time consisted of tables, consoles, ottomans, bookshelves, a rocking chair,…

Transforming a white bedroom into a dusky, opulent boudoir could be considered a gamble to some, but to Gina Fabish it was a risk that has paid off. The New Plymouth artist is a lover of all things timeless and it can be seen in her decor, which looks like a page ripped out of the most bone-achingly, glamorous history book. “I’m super passionate about all things vintage and maximising the spaces we have while being resourceful,” she says. The resulting space is dark in all the right ways, allowing for a sense of calm to ripple through the rich linens. Your bedroom before was very much a white blank canvas. What inspired the change to moody, luxurious dark tones? We’d originally painted the bedroom all white around eight years…

The idea behind Atelier Absalon is to present art in home spaces so potential buyers can more easily relate to the works and imagine how they can be a part of a home. Visual artist Cecilie Hertz has always painted, it has always been a part of her being. However, the organic forms she loves to paint come from her research studies, specialising in the immune system. Through this, Cecilie has looked at countless micro-organisms under a microscope and these forms have inspired the works she makes today. While on maternity leave, Cecilie took the plunge and opened Atelier Absalon, a decision that balances the role of motherhood and businesswoman in the best possible way. It’s a way of life that is working perfectly right now, with a daughter who…

Honesty box What area did you save on? Buying products online: tapware, sinks, toilets, shower units. There are some great products, you just have to spend time finding them. And, of course, my labour was free. Where did you splurge? On some of the tapware, rain-shower heads, the kitchenware (bar fridge), also the finish on the cabinets and some of the electrical work – being able to dim lights is nice, but it does come at an extra cost. Definitely on the plants as buying more established plants helps. And large cavity sliders; they do cost a lot more than doors, but for the space they save – I’ve got six in my house now but they’re worth every penny. Best lessons learned? Having the right tools makes the job…

Early each morning before her family rises, artist Lottie Consalvo walks her dog along the beach close to her home. It’s a daily ritual that never loses its allure: she loves the sea mist, the ocean’s many tones of blue, and the “sense of infinity” found in that wide horizon, where the silvery sky spills into the sea. “It definitely shifts something in me, being in nature each day, in a place that is beautiful,” she says. “I feel very lucky.” The beach is a magnet for the rest of the family, too – Lottie’s husband James Drinkwater, also an artist, and their children Vincenzo and Hester. In fact, the desire to live as close as possible to the water was the key reason Lottie and James purchased this two-storey…

When it came to the walls in her laundry, Selese Rowe knew what she wanted but had to convince her partner, Michael. “He didn’t take much convincing, though,” she says. The couple had gone to a party at a character Timaru home, which had a wallpapered bathroom and it was a light-bulb moment. “We thought we could do that at home,” says Selese. Selese and Michael had seen the peacock wallpaper (E378006) from the Resene Wallpaper Collection before and had their hearts set on the vibrant design. “We wanted something fun and stylish but not over the top as our laundry is seen by everyone who comes into our house,” Selese says. Through sliding doors, a pop of bold blue peeks out. Inside, you’re enveloped in a sea of peacock…

SOUPER CHARITABLE Naked Locals’ latest soup Pumpkin & Kumara Soup, $5.99, includes turmeric in its ingredients list and a surprising but welcome hit of cinnamon. For every pouch of this soup sold, 20 cents goes to original food rescue charity Fair Food. Last year, it distributed 2.2 million meals to those in need and rescued more than 753,000kg of food. nakedcuisine.co.nz Fruits you Australian Peel & Tonic’s handcrafted dehydrated fruit is now available here. Use the lemon, lime and orange slices or the strawberry, pear, apple and pineapple combo for either baking or adding to a cheeseboard, but it’s as cocktail garnishes we think they’ll be most gainfully employed. From $13.99 for 25g. cookandnelson.com TWO IN ONE At the end of a long day at work, sometimes the thought of…