Inside the eye of an interior designer. Ōtautahi interior designer Olivia Kennedy talks texture, styling small, and statement décor.
After building two homes in modern subdivisions, interior designer Olivia Kennedy was ready for something different. She found her answer amongst the leafy suburb of St Albans; a charming, previously renovated three-bedroom bungalow oozing classic old-home character. A young Olivia Kennedy was always found immersed in the idea of creating beautiful spaces. Before […]
On our radar
From the insights of local interior designers to takeaways from award-winning Canterbury homes, here are three homestyle features we can’t stop thinking about. 1. The statement sofa Vogue Living says this might be the piece of furniture to have in 2026. The statement sofa isn’t necessarily the one you sink into for a […]
Steal their style
From décor to statement details, we deciphered three key trends that came across in winning Canterbury homes from the 2026 New Zealand Architecture Awards. Award-winning homes are some of the best places to find inspiration for new ways to style or elevate your space. True to their status (each home must first be […]
Snug as a rug
There’s nothing like layering with a beautiful rug for creating warm and inviting spaces in your home during winter. While summer calls for minimalism, winter is the season for more – more colour, more texture, more layers to create cosy and nurturing interiors. Where to start? From the floor up. The right rug […]
7 reasons to invest in a wool rug: Carpet Binders
Investing in New Zealand-grown warmth underfoot is something you’ll wish you did earlier. Here’s seven reasons why. “We’re passionate about supporting New Zealand wool and the rural communities behind it,” says Michelle MacWilliam, co-owner of Carpet Binders on Hayton Road. “At the end of the day, no one ever regrets investing in quality, […]
Cosy up
As winter flicks our internal ‘hibernation’ switch and we feel the urge to hunker down, it feels good to create spaces that support that hunkering. How do you switch up your décor to make it more winter-appropriate? Through a combination of comfort (soft textiles), ambience (warm lighting), and styling (seasonal accessories). You don’t […]
Uniquely crafted furniture: Arthur Nellie
From an old shearing shed to a purpose-built facility and showroom, and with over 80 years of combined experience, the team at Ohoka-based upholstery business Arthur-Nellie design and build furniture, restore family heirlooms, and help match furniture to your space. One of the best parts of the job, says Arthur-Nellie co-owner Kent McCreanor, […]
All tied up
Is the curtain tieback still on trend? Lean into lush, rich hues and clever styling with our four tips. Remember the golden rule of thirds for curtain tiebacks. Position them roughly one-third up from the bottom of the curtain to let the fabric flow freely and craft the most visually pleasing proportions. Keep […]
Curtain call
From the pleats at the top to the floor finishes below, your curtains are as important to your home as your eyebrows are to your face. “Pleating transforms a curtain from functional to considered, adding texture, structure, and tailored elegance that defines a room’s character,” says Mavis White, head of sales – custom […]
Tile tales: Exquisite Gifts By AJ
Giving new meaning to the word ‘versatile’, collectable art wall tiles by Sid Dickens will elevate any interior style. In the 1990s, Canadian artist and sculptor Sid Dickens started making decorative wall tiles by hand. Thirty years later, these one-of-a-kind pieces of art are highly collectable and in demand across the globe. “These […]
