Featured Articles
A winning window combination: Officine Voluptas has you covered
The right window dressing can change the look of even the simplest of homes, making it beautiful and sophisticated. Textured materials, fabric coverings and blinds come in a myriad of different styles and colours, giving you the opportunity to choose those that match your home’s theme. A relative newcomer on the Christchurch curtain […]
Lovely lavender: colour of the moment
It’s been touted as ‘the new millennial pink’. We’re not sure if it’s going to be able to knock this ruling hue right off its perch, but lavender is certainly not shy about what it has to offer our abodes this season. It may not have been in the running to steal the […]
The feature wall
The feature wall, also known as the ‘statement wall’ is the pièce de résistance in modern homes, and a welcome saviour for spaces missing that certain je ne se quois. A concept that goes hand-in-hand with many pros – helping to divide a space, adding flair, giving the illusion of depth when there […]
One size doesn’t fit all: Columnist Cymon Allfrey on compact homes
With compact homes in the spotlight as a solution to housing, Architect Cymon Allfrey questions whether small really is better. It has been wonderful to see such a celebration of architecture in the media recently, in particular that of small or compact homes: homes that are providing innovative solutions to living within a […]
Soak it in: Dream Bathrooms
A beautiful bathroom tailored to you – that’s what dreams are made of. Cantabrian Adrian Kay is behind the best of local bathroom renovations, streamlining them to your specifications. “We are experts in bathroom facelifts and full renovations – we deliver beautiful and functional bathrooms, on time and on budget,” says Adrian, founder […]
Saddle up: By Chris Korako, Inspire Me Women
This Year of the Horse arrives at full gallop. Late December left me with great sadness with the passing of a loved family member, then swept me away to sea-blue horizons. January followed with white-sand beaches and forests where the noise of the world faded to a hum. By late January, I had […]
Off the leash
Got a dog with some energy to burn? Here’s our pick of the 10 best places in Christchurch to take your dog for a good untethered, free run-around. Christchurch and Canterbury offer great dog spots, with Bottle Lake Forest Park being a top pick for off-leash running (on trails), while The Groynes has […]
Laura Frankenschmidt behind Lyttelton Lights
Meet Lyttelton Lights founder Laura Frankenschmidt. In 2026, the mother of three (plus a brand you could liken to a fourth child) marks 10 years of business and a whole hoard of hurdles jumped. Metropol editor Nina Tucker finds out how Laura’s first candle crafted over the stove in her cosy Lyttelton cottage […]
Tattoo takeover: Auckland Tattoo Convention
Almost 200 world-class national and international tattoo artists will meet under one roof in March at Auckland’s first-ever international tattoo convention. Whether it’s a dream piece or just curiosity that beckons, don’t miss this opportunity. Auckland’s cultural calendar is set to become striking with the launch of the city’s first-ever international tattoo convention, […]
Are you ready to ride the fire horse?
Saddle up because the Chinese New Year welcomes the Year of the Horse, symbolising vibrant and fiery energy, adventure, vitality, and momentum. I’m manifesting all that and more in 2026, alongside the spirit of my Chinese zodiac (the horse, of course). Also known as the Lunar New Year, this celebration is a time […]
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