Award-winning contemporary cabin

Accolades continue to roll in for Christchurch architectural designer Barry Connor and his Skylark Cabin project. During the recent 2021 Canterbury/Westland ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards, his design for the cabin was highly commended in the Residential New Home up to 150m2 Category. Skylark Cabin (pictured), nestled among the foothills of the Ben Ohau Range, […]

Savour the flavours of Greece: Athens Yacht Club

A trip to Greece or anywhere in the Mediterranean may be off the cards in the immediate future, or is it? Pack your handbag and man bag, round up family or friends and head along to The Athens Yacht Club in central Christchurch. Relaxing in the fresh yacht club-inspired ambience, you can experience the distinct […]

Pear & chai loaf: Magnolia Kitchen

Ingredients 4 ripe pears 2 eggs 250g brown sugar 350g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 150g butter 100g Chai syrup 100g milk Toppings 2 Tbsp brown sugar 75ml maple syrup Method Preheat your oven to 170°C. Grease your loaf tin (standard size) with a little butter and line it with baking paper. Peel one […]

Alpine wonders

The beauty of Hanmer Springs is pretty spectacular. For locals and visitors alike, the alpine setting is a playground for nature lovers. Whatever the season, there are so many stunning views to seek and trails to explore. We have gathered a few of the best walking tracks in the area so that next time you […]

Supreme construction: Clive Barrington

Six houses entered; six gold awards won, including the 2021 Registered Master Builders’ Canterbury Supreme House of the Year Award. Winning six awards, two category awards, the lifestyle award and the overall Supreme Award has never been achieved before. It’s well known that quality and perfection are hallmarks of the work of the Clive Barrington […]

Bringing home the gold: M&S Construction

And the gold goes to… M & S Construction of Queenstown for a home in the over $2million category. Builder Marty Hulsman is over the moon at his company’s success in the Southern House of the Year awards. “This is only the second time we have entered one of our homes in the awards and […]

Take a deep breath

Star of TVNZ 1 show The Apprentice Aotearoa, Mike Wilson knows the importance of mental health, having battled with it for the past two decades. Now a fully certified Rebirthing Breathwork facilitator and life transformation specialist, he explains to Metropol readers how breathwork can help others. “Lockdown, isolation, social distancing, quarantine are all terms that […]

All in for spring

Hard to believe that in a couple of weeks spring will arrive, and along with it, lighter mornings, longer evenings, and (hopefully) some warmer weather. To welcome the new season, fashion labels are preparing their latest and greatest new designs to spruce up your wardrobe. No better time to dive into colour, with lots of […]

Architecture Awards winners

Winners of the recent 2021 Canterbury/Westland ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards range from commercial and industrial to residential. Craig South of South Architects won four categories, including the Multi-Unit Dwelling Award for his work on the ‘Peterborough Housing Co-operative’ in Christchurch’s central city. Based around the co-housing philosophies from Europe and America, the ‘Peterborough Housing […]

Magical, elegant pieces

Formerly a top New Zealand fashion designer, Takaaki Sakaguchi now creates in clay instead of cloth. He explains why to Lynda Papesch. Older generations may well remember the Sakaguchi fashion label and its talented designer. Some may even wonder what happened to him. Ponder no more; Takaaki Sakaguchi is back creating, only now his hands […]