Islands in the sun

Kitchen islands are no longer an afterthought; rather they’ve become the mainstay of the contemporary Kiwi kitchen. We look at how to make the most of these modern kitchen must-haves.     Put an unexpected twist on the classic kitchen island by choosing one with curved edges. This small difference allows for slightly more practicality […]

Heavy Metal

Rose gold is out and in its place are the shimmering sheens of copper, gold, chrome, iron and brass, blending together in a variety of ways. A little refresh or a big renovation, a touch of mixed metal magic is sure to add a sparkle to your space.     Metallic interiors will shine bright […]

Beat the Chill

Winter is knocking at the door, and there’s nothing more we’d love than to retreat to the warmth of our caves and hibernate until the sun shines again – we can only dream! Winter is the perfect time to update our interiors so that when we do arrive home from that long, cold, dreary day, […]

Tonal Triumphs

If your current downtime reading finds you poring over paint brochures trying to find that elusive complementary colour scheme that will match and not clash, then make it easy on yourself, and on the eye, by thinking tonal hues. Going tonal not only makes rooms appear larger and more defined, but keeping it in the […]

Small rooms with big impact: Armstrong Interiors

It may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, but this tiny room can have a big impact on your overall interior design scheme. Metropol catches up with award-winning interior designer Angelique Armstrong from Armstrong Interiors about how to maximise your bathroom’s potential, with or without costing a fortune.     How can […]

The ultimate wall-dressing

Once upon a time four walls painted Spanish White was the beige and boring norm in many a Kiwi home. We were terrified to express ourselves. Hallelujah for the 21st century then and the mighty sea of change that has swept away timidity, along with those abysmally bland Spanish White walls!     All the […]

Home Hygge

Do you remember that scene from The Sound of Music when Maria calms the von Trapp children on a stormy night by singing those immortal words ‘Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens’…?     The sentiments behind ‘My Favourite Things’ may well be universal, but the Danish, […]

Raising the bar

The word is out and you’d better believe it – bar carts are back!     From bespoke French cabinetry models through to art-deco Hollywood-glam and retro stainless-steel models, the bar cart is your mobile, multi-tasking must-have – something your grandmother could have told you years ago! So, wheel on in the star of the […]

Exclusive design range hits Christchurch: TRENZSEATER

Leading furniture and interior design company, TRENZSEATER, has announced it is now the exclusive New Zealand distributor for one of Europe’s largest luxury brands for home furnishings, Eichholtz.     Eichholtz is renowned for its opulent scale and grand statement pieces through its collection of designer furniture, lighting and accessories. It has provided the industry […]

Cement to be

It’s edgy, industrial and proving to be an enduring design element in the home – the concrete trend is bringing New York luxe into everyday homes.     It might not seem like an obvious choice for your home, but the grey stone is not to be ignored as interior design trends continue to focus […]