Waikuku’s wicker destination: Woven Veranda
From Waikuku to the world, Scandinavian-style wicker furniture from this North Canterbury boutique is a firm favourite. “You need to experience the wonders of wicker to know why it remains so popular,” WovenVeranda owner Guy Gunn explains. Think swingseats, lounge chairs, sofas, dining settings – it’s a favourite for indoor and outdoor living. […]
Book smart
Metropol editor Nina Tucker dives into coffee table-core, on a quest to understand the art of the perfect stack-and-style. A few weekends ago, I spent hours inside my living room arranging and rearranging a precious selection of books, magazines and trinkets (all while my partner ticked off a long list of house chores). […]
Māori creativity
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2026 takes place in Aotearoa from 14 to 20 September. To honour our official language and the beautiful creativity of the culture, here are seven pieces to shop locally in celebration.
Coffee table books worth collecting
Curated by Nina Tucker A (somewhat green) collection of my favourite coffee table books you can find around the city right now – from the vivacious Iris Apfel to beautiful portraits of our home in Aotearoa.
Refined outdoor living to relax in
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Take that famous (though anonymous) quote and let it inspire your outdoor living for the season ahead: refined, refreshed, and a real reset. Turn to the natural environment for inspiration; balance earthy hues like chocolate and sage with […]
Chiaroscuro
A Renaissance art technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, chiaroscuro, has been used to stunning effect in this Fendalton home, a regional winner in the recent 2026 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards. Designed by Dean Cowell of Three Sixty Architecture, Fendalton property Chiaroscuro, meaning ‘the use of contrasts between light […]
Most popular pools: Nova Space
In Canterbury’s winning homes from the latest house and architecture awards, pools proved one of the most popular lifestyle features. To find out more about the blend between indoor and outdoor living and the importance of making the right investment, Metropol sat down with business owner and passionate pool man Chris Thelin. Homes […]
Premium subdivisions, personalised living: Suburban Estates
With over 60 years of experience and a reputation built on trust, this development company creates premium neighbourhoods in locations with lifestyle appeal and long-term growth potential. For decades, residential land development company Suburban Estates has helped shape the way New Zealanders live, creating premium residential subdivisions in some of the country’s most […]
Six great reads for Dad
From outdoor adventure and rugby legends to life as a modern dad and the chance to tell his story, here’s six Father’s Day picks all available at local retailers to make gifting easy. A Bushman’s Book of Yarns From the bestselling author of Sam The Trap Man, A Bushman’s Book of Yarns takes […]
Leafy revival
Curated by Nina Tucker How did the humble cabbage end up in a Burberry campaign? Why is it the centrepiece of every elegant dinner party (edible or decorative) and the hero of a Michelin-star restaurant? Introducing CabbageCore, the vegetable-inspired homewares trend bringing the rest of the garden with it. A leafy revival from […]
