Handsome homewares: a masculine approach to interior design
American industrialist and Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford once said, “Any colour, so long as it’s black”. Renoir once described it as the “queen of all colours”, while JMW Turner once said, “If I could find anything blacker than black, I’d use it”. As physics would have it, the absence or complete […]
Architectural eco-showhome: Hybrid Homes wanted to show just how good a home can be without sacrificing the environment
Unafraid of tricky building sites, Hybrid Homes has built a new thermally broken, zero-energy showhome. “Power and rain water collection systems combined with building techniques that maximise efficiency allows us to run this home at zero energy cost,” says Hybrid Homes Director Jamie Harrington, who has been designing and building eco homes for […]
Iconic Kiwi gifts: Simply NZ celebrates kiwiana in their gorgeous gift shops
Reflecting our unique Kiwi culture and heritage, the extensive range at Simply NZ represents everything that is Aotearoa. The New Zealand-owned and operated gift stores are located in the heart of the city at the BNZ Centre and Christchurch Airport. Everything is Kiwi-themed and New Zealand-made where possible – from soft toys, bags […]
Transforming wardrobes: how to take back control of your wardrobe with HomePlus and ClosetPro
Whether planning a new build or enhancing a current bedroom, there is a large range of wardrobe styles to complement your home and personal style for any budget. With customisable design details, updated sliding wardrobe doors can even double as a contemporary room feature. The sky is the limit, with the ability to […]
An edible initiative: growing green thumbs at The Curator’s House
The greenfingers amongst us have long recognised the benefits of creating food sources in our very own backyards and, with a growing recognition of the health and happiness benefits inherent in growing your own goodies, garden to plate initiatives have been increasing in popularity. “We’ll discuss the importance of green cropping, and cover […]
Mellow yellow: interior designers are bringing the sunshine inside with yellow decor
In the past, yellow has suffered from a bit of an image problem. But it seems interior designers have launched a full-blown PR campaign advocating for its acceptance into the colour hall of fame and public perception of this sunny shade is looking up. Once treated as somewhat of an enigma, it’s now […]
Clearwater’s clever construction: we talk to Phil Benton Builders about building a dream home at one of Christchurch’s most expensive addresses
The second priciest street in Christchurch is Mayfly Lane at Clearwater, where the lake frontages make you feel a hundred miles from anywhere. Phil Benton Builders has just completed number ten. The angular street frontage is dramatic. The vast roof is sharp, while the not often seen Bluestone cladding mesmerises with its patterns. […]
Redefining lounging: Wilson & Dorset want to take people into a 21st century approach to living areas
Amanda Dorset and her husband Ben Wilson are on a mission to transform the way people live in their homes. Their business, Wilson & Dorset, aims to “redefine lounging”. “People follow this old-fashioned method of setting up their living space, with the traditional three-seater couch, two armchairs and a rug with a coffee […]
Easel-y the best: it’s never too late to start, learn to be an artist at Art Metro
Sarah Garland and Rodolfo Lopez began tutoring at Art Metro this year. We coax them from their easels to talk about why they love their jobs. “I get to look at art all day and talk with the lovely students,” says Sarah. “Seeing works progress – it’s nice to know I can positively […]
Latest looks of today: how Today Homes keeps things fresh after having built over two thousand homes
For more than 30 years, Today Homes has built in excess of 2000 homes in Canterbury, delivering a full home design and build service to the highest standard. Established in 1987, the locally owned and operated company takes pride in building quality homes that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but stand the test […]
