Outdoor art gallery

Art lovers often extend their collections from inside to outside, with gorgeous one-off sculptures the leading choice. Metal, wooden and stone garden ornaments, fountains and sculptures stand proud and tall in gardens large and small. As with all art, when buying you should choose pieces that speak to you, that resonate or add to your […]

Food for the soul

Whether it’s a few pots on the balcony, a small patch or an extensive garden, everyone can experience the joy of gardening. The benefits of digging deep in the dirt are well documented and many Kiwis have moved back to growing not just beautiful flowers, but also their own vegetable patches. Last month’s National Gardening […]

Outdoor chic

Setting the scene outdoors is just as important now as interior design, especially during the warmer months. Outdoor living adds a whole new dimension to a home and choosing the right pieces will mean both comfort and function. Here are some tips from Metropol: Function – Think about how you want each outdoor space to […]

Bird-pleasing plants: Lushingtons

At this time of year the birds have a little more chirp in their voices and if you’d like to make the most of this free entertainment, plant some bird-friendly plants and they’ll come flocking. The song of the bellbird and tui is something special and even though they’re native birds, you don’t necessarily need […]

Productive and pretty: Terra Viva

These days, the word ‘containers’ conjures up the big steel rectangles stuck either in the Suez Canal or the wrong ports. But gardeners know that there’s another whole world of containers that can always be in the right place. Short of space or sunshine? Containers are your answer because of their flexibility; most food-producing plants […]

Make an entrance

The first aspect of a home many people notice is the front door. In real estate terms it is called kerb appeal, and there is nothing easier if you want to make a statement than to freshen a front door with a new coat of paint, or by installing a custom wood or steel door. […]