A gorgeous stack

Books are an interior designer’s secret weapon, filling in the gaps on coffee, dining, and bedside tables. Kitchen nooks, entertainment units, and shelving can all become homes to them too. Utilise neutral books in spaces you don’t want to overdo and keep the fun covers for homier, cosy areas. Recent trends have spiked […]

Chic, contemporary curves

Sleek lines, traditional square coffee tables, conventional headboards, and boxy sofas are being replaced with curves, says Metropol writer Alicia Carr. All the rage in the 1970s, the curve dominated the home design scene then, and has made frequent appearances in trends since. Now curves are back again, with a sophisticated, modern touch. […]

Paving the way: Brymac Tiles

With the shortest day behind us, we start the countdown to summer. It’s chilly now, however the eternal wheel of the seasons will soon return us to alfresco living. Whether you hail from the “bring it on” generation, or are more likely to say “I’m here for it”, you’ll want to push play […]

Gifts beyond compare: French Blue

Sometimes the search for that special gift can be a frustrating experience, often resulting in a hasty and disappointing purchase. French Blue removes all such anxieties, with matchless giftware curated from Europe, the Middle East, and North America, think France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Holland, Portugal, Poland, Denmark, Israel, Morocco, and Mexico. From tableware, […]

Making house dreams come true: Dream Doors, Dream Bathrooms

Are you looking to elevate your bathroom or kitchen? Experience the joy of cooking in a gleaming new kitchen or relaxing in a stunning new bathroom. Dream Doors Christchurch focuses on creating dream kitchens, and they recently launched Dream Bathrooms to provide the perfect solutions. Owner and operator Adrian Kay says that adding […]

Outdoor wellbeing

When it comes to trends, fashion, interior design, cars, Kiwis often look to the United Kingdom and Europe to see what’s trending. One emerging summer trend in the UK is the garden sauna. London-based, award-winning interior design studio Black & Milk last year unveiled the pictured design of an outdoor banya sauna in […]

Towel treats

Trade itchy and irritable for gentle and luxurious. Those moments spent wrapped up in a lush, warm hotel towel don’t just feel great because you’re on holiday. It is because hotel-use towels are made with a higher fibre count, so they absorb water far quicker and are soft on the skin. A quality […]

Hydroponic house plants

Several times a week I visit a Mandeville Street café, memorable for great coffee, fab food, and a biophilic wall of house plant cuttings growing in test tubes. By Lynda Papesch. While travelling overseas recently, I also noticed a similar trend, with cafés, restaurants, and large multi-national hotels all growing house plants in […]

Matte black details

Labelled as the “hottest home design trend for 2024”, by Forbes, matte black is the design finish making its way into all the home spaces lately. Experts say its versatility is why it has remained such a popular finish in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Other interior designers add it has been a favourite […]

A grand transformation: Jim The Builder

What would you add to the home that has everything? One Christchurch house already possessed a premium address, an important historical pedigree, and a fabulous modernisation and refurbishment process that enhanced both its form and function. The only thing left was to recreate the outdoor living with a home gymnasium, a pavilion space […]