Distinctive Designs Otago - Issue #2

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Bringing designs to life

Welcome to Distinctive Designs, the architectural design magazine with a very simple aim – to bring ideas to life.

This issue kicks off with a tour through an ultra-modern waterfront dwelling in Wanaka we’ve labelled ‘Lakeside luxury’ which features all the must-haves of modern design.

Staying with the waterside vibe, we also feature a haven in Akaroa positively soaking in ocean views. We look at how splashing colour around a kitchen can bring any design to life, enhancing any home’s most lived-in space.

There are pieces on the art and craft of bathroom design, how to make large spaces sing, creating a look that really does reflect you, as well as casting an eye over the top interior design styles of 2023.

Also included are design cues for always in fashion walk-in wardrobes, how using the right fabrics can transform any interior, and how to make a statement with the way you furnish your space… plus lots more.

DISCLAIMER: This publication is provided on the basis that The Job Agency Ltd T|A Markat is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error oromission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services. The Job Agency Ltd T|A Markat expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice. Contents Copyright 2022 by The Job Agency Ltd T|A Markat. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

Enjoy

Table of contents

12. Haven by the harbour

An Akaroa home soaking in ocean views

16. Pacific edge

A distinctive Dunedin design

22. Lakeside luxury

Stepping inside a luxurious waterfront wonder in Wanaka

28. Cooking in colour

Splashing colour around the kitchen

30. Private attire

The art and craft of bathroom design

36. Open plan essentials

Making large spaces sing

40. Making a statement

Creating a look that’s all about you

42. The latest look

Interior design styles trending in 2023

Items of desire

1. Armadillo Paragon Rug

This soft and aesthetic-looking rug has natural hues and quirky patterns. This range gives a vintage feel with a modern twist. The natural, sustainable, and well-made rug was hand-knotted from opulent wool, which portrays a textural uniqueness with hints of light shining through. The rug would fit nicely in any home, either in the living room, dining room, or bedroom. The rug can come in four different colours such as birch, primrose, shadow, and flint – great for those who like lighter or darker colours.

RRP: $8,395.00 - $14,255.00

www.theivyhouse.co.nz

02. Lure Ceiling lights

These crystal ceiling lights by Sans Souci are elegant and classy. They bring a lot of light into the room and the exterior of each light has either gold, white, or silver amber. The vibrant decor creates a lively effect with different elements lighting up the room. It’s a unique decoration to have in the house as it has clear glass with a golden mica effect, including a shiny effect and clear golden nano-coating.

RRP: $117,576

www.projectlighting.nz

03. Heroidas Floral Oil Painting Mural

This stunning mural has lovely painted waterlilies. The mural is from the Aracne collection of wallcoverings. In a way, it represents love and poems through an expressive background, which portrays plant motifs and gorgeous waterlilies. The best thing about it is it comes in three different sizes. Toughened glass showcases the beauty of nature shown in each unique one-of-a-kind piece.

RRP: $1,280 - $1,920

www.theinside.co.nz

04. Orbital Dinning Table

The ORBITAL dining table is a high-tech, modern table that would stand out in a dining room. The table has a technologically advanced mechanical extending set-up. The effortless movement of the metal arms, two extension leaves sliding out from under the ceramic top and placing themselves at the same level, keeps the table’s oval-like shape. When lengthened out the table can fit up to 10 people.

The top finish comes in transparent glass (with the matt optic white frame finish) or bronze ceramic (with the matt black frame finish).

RRP: $16,489.00

www.dawsonandco.nz

05. In situ Corner Sofa

This cool couch has a great grey clay colour, which means it can fit nicely in the house and go with almost any colour in the living room. The funky sofa can sit seven people, so it’s great for big families or for having guests over. The adaptable design with sculptural lines can enhance someone’s unique flair in their home. Its modular aspects are hidden through the subtle detailing of its exterior. Who wouldn’t want a very comfortable and soft sofa!

RRP: $23,599.00

www.bauhaus.co.nz

DISCLAIMER: Please note prices listed here are recommended retail pricing. Prices are subject to change at the discretion of the seller. The information on this page is for information purposes only. The Job Agency Ltd assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Haven by the harbour

Delivering bespoke architectural homes is what Christchurch-based Southen Builders is all about and they certainly achieved their goal with this stunning property in Glen Bay, Akaroa.

The bespoke design won a gold award at the Master Builders’ House of the Year Awards 2021 – a reflection of what Southen Builders owner Tom Southen says his company is all about - providing attention to detail, great communication, craftsmanship and organisation skills.

The Glen Bay project shows off the stunning view of the Akaroa Harbour. Despite being so successful, the home was quite a challenging build, as the area is quite steep. The previous owners thought the section was too difficult to build on, and sat dormant for 18 years.

“The build process was very straightforward. The client took me to the site before purchasing to see my thoughts on if the land could be built on with its steep aspect and next to no access. From there we engaged an architect, priced the build, and began on-site a short time later,” Tom says.

The build process was very straightforward. The client took me to the site before purchasing to see my thoughts on if the land could be built on with its steep aspect and next to no access. From there we engaged an architect, priced the build, and began on-site a short time later

Trying to access the steep and narrow area was hard, but it was even harder when a pool was added in halfway through the build, he says. The pool is 4.8 metres by 2.5 metres wide and has an electric hardcover lid.

The sun-shining, north-facing house is 180 square metres and has quite a distinctive design. It has a big triangular roof sticking out, which allows enough sun to enter, but simultaneously protects parts of the house from the sun too.

The roof is made out of steel and the steel beams support the deck and suspended polished concrete in the middle of the floor. The large concrete-block walls create a structural firmness, which was needed as the section previously had too much excavation.

The two-storey building with light-ply ceilings was meant to be a batch for the current owners. After completing the three-bedroom two-bathroom house the homeowners fell in love and made it their home.

Managing director of Weir Architecture, Robert Weir, is the man behind the architectural design of the home.

The inspiration behind designing the home came from making sure the design “maximised the views out onto the Akaroa Harbour while borrowing from the hills surrounding it,” Robert says.

He also says the stylised angled roof and deck forms were used to create interest, challenge people’s perception and dress up what was a very simple floor plan layout.

The house was designed to capture the harbour views (full height glazing) while maintaining privacy by having a projecting deck.

Tom Southen: tom@southen.co.nz

www.southen.co.nz

Robert Weir: robert@weirarchitecture.nz

www.weirarchitecture.nz

Pacific edge

- A distinctive Dunedin design

The proposed development of the residential site at 19D Highgrove, Dunedin, incorporates a new 300m2 dwelling and associated landscaping.

The Site adjoins a protected stand of macrocarpa trees, neighbouring “Cargill’s Castle” ruin to the east, existing residential properties to the north and west, and the cliff faced coastline to the south.

The dwelling is centrally located on the site and comprises a single level structure with a twostorey central core.

Flat roofs, parapets and simple forms follow the modern architectural style and reflect the visual characteristics of the neighbouring castle.

The L shaped plan and flat roofed forms help to reduce the visual bulk of the building and blends with character and scale of the neighbouring houses.

Exterior walls and parapets are predominantly a painted plaster finish, with contrasting horizontal fibrecement panel cladding to the central core.

Powder coated aluminium window joinery and low pitch pre-painted metal roofs complete the exterior envelope.

Landscaping will consist of expansive lawn areas surrounded by native grasses and shrubs.

A selection of native trees will be incorporated and a sloping stone wall, formed from rock removed during site excavation, will meander along the southern yard.

The colour scheme reflects the pale whites and greys found in the surrounding environment including the local volcanic rock, historic stone walls, sandstone cliffs below and the neighbouring ruin of Cargill’s Castle.

Lakeside luxury

Boasting unmatched views across Lake Wanaka, the design and build brief for this stunning property was luxury, and that’s exactly what this house delivers.

This four-bedroom 337sqm home really lives up to its billing… and then some Although it was designed to blend into the neighbourhood in terms of style, size and plaster-and-schist finish, there’s much more here than there seems.

It’s obvious as soon as you walk through the front door where you’re greeted with architectural design and build craftsmanship that could be regarded as art.

It’s no more apparent than in the kitchen, dining and living space, which stretches from one end of the upstairs floor to the other and out to the balcony.

At first glance, and from a certain angle, the white kitchen island looks standard, but move slightly and its sculpted form comes into focus. Behind it is a splashback of gold tiles that appear organic in form and texture.

All this just happens to be a small sample of what’s on offer here.

You’ll find a kitchen scullery with more of those eye-catching tiles, feature walls in bedrooms, and designer tiles and fixtures in the four bathrooms, including ensuites.

As well as having a striking presence, the tall schist-clad chimney visually anchors the home to its site.

This ultra-modern waterfront dwelling features all the must-haves of modern design to deliver unmatched luxury living.

Contact details: 027 465 7025

constructionwanaka@gmail.com www.bcw.co.nz

Cooking in colour

There’s more than one way to splash colour around any kitchen.

It can be via having more than one light/neutral colour on display, brightly painted benches, colourful wall tiles, patterned wallpaper, bright-coloured utensils, vibrant looking bar stools and so on – and all of it will make any house stand out from the crowd.

This can be a fun project for homeowners to work on. The question is how can to go about bringing colour into the kitchen?

Hello Home Interiors specialises in residential, commercial and workspace interior designs throughout Aotearoa to accommodate their clients’ desires.

The company’s designer/director Hannah Ferens advises homeowners that colour depicts a homeowner’s personality and makes a home look unique, so it’s best to create spaces that match their lifestyle.

“Colour can be used in many different ways – through a beautifully veined benchtop, or a tiled splashback, high-pressure laminate cabinetry, or displayed items on open shelving.

“A carefully selected colour palette can bring a simple kitchen design to life – a beautiful space you live in every day.”

Much more than waterproofing.

A carefully selected colour palette can bring a simple kitchen design to life – a beautiful space you live in every day.

Hannah Ferens hannah@hellohome.co.nz www.hellohome.co.nz

IMAGES: Hello Home Interiors’

Talking to a designer at the start of someone’s project is a smart idea as it can save them lots of time, stress and money in the long run, Hannah suggests.

“Committing some time and thought to the layout, overall look and palette will bring together a cohesive design and an interior designer can ensure all the information is on paper to communicate to your builder, joiner or electrician.

“A designer may often think of an option you would never have thought of on your own.”

Now that homeowners know where to start and to get professional help when starting out, it’s also beneficial for them to know where they can find inspiration for bringing colour into their kitchen.

Private attire

- The art and craft of bathroom design

Bathrooms don’t all have their own flair. So, when people do see a unique bathroom, it’s very eye-catching and cool.

They’re a great feature in the house because residents can spend a lot of time in their bathroom, and bathrooms are a place that often guests will see when they visit someone else’s home.

This is why it’s a great idea to build or renovate a bathroom to make it look stylistic and different compared to your average-looking bathroom. Hopefully, these unique bathrooms can motivate

homeowners to add their own flair to their bathrooms.

Art of Bathroom specialises in designing, building, and renovating bathrooms. Business development manager, Oliver Phillips, shares his take on what homeowners can do to create their own unique bathroom.

Firstly, most people can get inspired by going to a showroom.

“However, if you’re a novice to renovating or without knowing what’s possible and most practical for your space, large showrooms with their hundreds of options can be overwhelming and you can leave feeling less confident about your ideas than when you went in.

“Bathrooms are often a reflection of their owners and creating a mood board early on in the design process is a great

way to make sure that your ideas are incorporated into the finished product.”

Another important thing to consider is ensuring the colours and themes work well together, Oliver says. Getting professional advice is worth it, he adds. For instance, Oliver has personally worked on more than 650 bathroom renovations.

“With that kind of experience, you tend to learn what works and what doesn’t work. So, by engaging a professional, homeowners can benefit from this experience and avoid making costly mistakes or poor design choices.”

Everyone has different ideas of what they want their bathroom to look like, so how long a unique bathroom will take to make or renovate depends on various things, Oliver says.

The process of renovating a bathroom for art of Bathroom involves:

• Planning a meeting

• Quotation and follow-up

• Work begins

• Work finishes and follow-up.

The wonder of walk-in wardrobes

Walk-in wardrobes have always been a popular bedroom feature… and for good reason.

Simply Wardrobes is basically a one-stop walk in wardrobe shop offering ready-made or custom-designed wardrobes.

Amy Hammond, a designer from the company’s Christchurch office, gives advice on why she thinks walk-in-wardrobes have always been a must-have for many people.

Walk-in wardrobes are popular because it’s more convenient having a separate room for clothes and not having to have the wardrobe in the bedroom provides more space, Amy says.

“I would say it can help some people organise better.”

Amy believes walk-in wardrobes have always been popular and are in a most new builds, as everyone enjoys the benefits of having clothes that are easily accessible, tidy, well-organised, and spaced out.

In terms of setting up a walk-in wardrobe, the size, shape, and how much is going into the wardrobe will determine how long it will take to set up.

Installing a walk-in-wardrobe is not too difficult, so customers at Simply Wardrobes can install it themselves, or get help from the team if they need it, Amy says.

The price to pay for a walk-in-wardrobe also depends on the size and shape, but the company has a three-step system.

Each system accommodates a range of budgets depending on the space of the wardrobe and any accessories included, such as a shoe rack or drawers, Amy says.

Primevue provide expert Construction and Project Management services in the Queenstown area for projects big and small.

From residential renovations and extensions to complete home construction, the team has the experience to ensure your project runs smoothly, to budget and on time.

Primevue is a family owned and run business by a young kiwi couple, Blair and Jess who are excited about the future of the building industry in Queenstown. As well as being a director, Blair works alongside his team on the tools and is a licensed building practitioner (LBP) as well as a registered Masterbuilder.

Sourcing alternative and sustainable materials such as using saveBoard instead of gib is important to the business and has accelerated recent projects by avoiding any delays due to material shortages. The team at Primevue are always looking for ways to challenge the status quo by consistently exceeding standards and expectations in the construction industry.

Open plan essentials

If open plan living is designed with correct essentials, the comfort of flowing between areas will be luxurious.

Mooi is a bespoke interior design company based in Christchurch.

Interior Designer at Mooi Designs, Renee Spicer says balance is a key factor in an open plan space. Finding the perfect balance and essentials for your open plan living space is important. Renee says considering factors such as space, practicality, acoustics, sound levels and statement furniture pieces play a huge part in open living.

“I think the main points to consider in the design is what exactly you want to have in the space.

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“For example, this could be the kitchen, dining and living areas together, or instead two living spaces with a study nook.”

During the planning stage, consider asking yourself questions such as what time of the day areas will be used, or if you have any special furniture pieces to incorporate into the design.

“These factors could determine aspects such as ceiling heights, flooring and materials for acoustics. It’s really important to get this part right in the early stage of the design process,” says Renee.

Losing wall space is something to consider when designing your next open plan living area. Selecting a few smaller and more significant art pieces will mean every aspect of your design is unique.

Renee says getting the correct scale in your design depending on the overall feel you wish to achieve in your home is essential.

“Think about how you live in your home - it’s great to be practical! If you have animals or small children, how would this design work for you and your family?”

“Having an area from your open plan living that flows outside creates the illusion of more space and a great indoor to outdoor flow for entertaining.”

To find out more about open plan living essential ideas or to get started on your next interior project visit: www.mooi.co.nz.

Having an open plan living space means your home will feel inviting and expensive. Open plan living has become more popular with endless possibilities of space to entertain.

If a space isn’t filled out with the correct size joinery and furniture, it can easily feel sparse or cold.

Fabulous fabrics

Fabrics are the unsung hero of decorating and can elevate any room. Artist and owner of Maggie Lam Fabric and Wallpaper, Maggie Lam, says there are many things to consider when selecting fabrics for each room.

When choosing fabrics for a space, Maggie says people should consider whether they would want to choose coloured or patterned fabrics.

“If people would like to stick with non-patterned and just plain coloured fabrics, they may need to think about what colour they want to use and whether the colour they choose is suitable for the use of the room,” she explains. Although, Maggie says it really comes down to personal preference.

When it comes to designing your own home, she doesn’t think it should be bound by rules.

“In my opinion, comfort and longevity of the fabric should be the first and foremost things to consider when choosing fabric for a piece of furniture. When it comes to the colour and the design of the fabric, it would be similar to choosing the fabrics for a room,” she says.

Not only do colours and patterns impact the aesthetic and style of a piece of fabric, people should also consider texture. Maggie says textures can quickly change the atmosphere of a space.

Fabric texture trends are seeing some influences from awareness around global climate changes and Maggie says more and more people are looking for pure and natural selections of fabrics.

She says this ranges from wool to silk, even when it comes to interior design. Non-toxic material and sustainable fibres such as organic cotton, bamboo, jute and vegan solutions are also on trend.

However, it’s important to continue to recognise the power of colour. While texture plays a big part in impacting the aesthetic and mood, colour and the print of a fabric also makes a massive difference.

Making a statement

Statement

Contrary to possible first impressions, statement furnishings in the home don’t always have to be lavish or extravagant.

A statement in the interior design can be a subtle gold intricately detailed door handle, capturing your attention every time when entering the room.

Inherent Interior Design in Auckland is a boutique interior design company who focus on the human aspect of interior design.

Architectural interior designer at Inherent Interior, Michelle McIlroy says, “We focus on the human aspect of design. We really want to capture interior work which is going to improve people’s lives.

“Aesthetics are a good way to relax, feel good and have a stunning design. Our physical space can impact our wellbeing and when we make our space inhabitable, we can heal ourselves too.”

She says they are focused on embracing every client as an individual, making sure every aspect of their interior suits their personality and sense of comfort and relaxation.

Statement pieces are all about adding a focal point into the room or a piece of furniture which ties the room together.

furnishings in the home can add luxury and expense to the feeling of your home.

Aesthetics are a good way to relax, feel good and have a stunning design. Our physical space can impact our wellbeing and when we make our space inhabitable, we can heal ourselves too.

Michelle says investing heavily into statement pieces in a room has huge pay-off. “Bespoke design or hand-crafted designs which are high-quality, the return on these investment pieces is giant.”

Statement pieces can range from artwork to a door handle, a sofa or a chair in the environment. Michelle says if you are opting for a more minimalist design with neutral beiges or colours, an investment into good quality accessories may work for your space.

If you are opting for a bold design with colour and vibrance, a high-quality bespoke unique couch or a statement piece of artwork can be the item which ties the space together.

Starting with your statement piece and building the room around this will ensure it doesn’t look out of place and remains the focus. Considering the undertones of the flooring or already existing natural features of your home is one place to start.

Inherent are stunning interior designers who deliver spaces which are intuitive, thoughtful and emotional to every individual client.

To find out more make sure to visit their website: www.inherent.co.nz, or follow them on Instagram at: @inherentdesign.

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The latest look

Interior design styles and trends are forever changing, so why not look into the interior design styles trending in 2023?

Often, the most popular interior designs are Boho, Mediterranean, country house, traditional, and so on.

Noir Interior Design lead interior designer, Rachel Covey, shares her perspective as to what she believes the most influential 2023 interior design trends are.

“A year of mixed interiors is ahead of us; we say goodbye to some old favourites and start welcoming some new ideas, colours and styles.”

She thinks grey colours are the new flair.

“Brutalism is a word being passed around a lot at the moment, think raw concrete and stone, unpainted timbers mixed with heavy textured fabrics. Not that concrete floors are new, but the way we are finishing them is.”

Colour is being re-introduced into people’s homes rather than just on the feature wall behind someone’s bed, she says.

“Splashes of colour throughout the living room, with oversized chairs, think Alice and wonderland. It’s time to say goodbye to all the pillows on your bed as we welcome more relaxed bedroom spaces while focused on minimising clutter and enhancing beauty.”

Rachel believes it’s time to move forward from fast furniture trends.

Therefore, the 2023 trend here is having quality furniture, which will have longevity.

Mixed metals can be found throughout a house such as on table legs, sofas, tapware, and doors, Rachel says.

“We don’t have to have all our fittings in one tone of black or brass, think brushed stainless steel and gunmetal.

“Do your homework on a brand, find out where it is made, if it’s sustainable and what options you have to customise it to suit you.”

“Fill your home with what makes you smile and what makes you happy. Add in pre-loved items that come with lots of memories to enhance your interior.

“The most important thing, truly live in your home and enjoy it.”

Enlightened living

She says you don’t want to be stuck with something you really dislike when you don’t have to. “Something to remember, however, is that cool whites are more reflective. If a kitchen is all white, for example, cool whites can result in harsh reflections off work surfaces.”

There is a lot to consider, from brightness and tone to colour and size. Lighting Plus New Plymouth manager, Kelsi Hatfield, says lighting is a magnificent dance of art, science and emotion that affects humans on a biological level.

She says lighting should never be under planned or overlooked. The kitchen is a complicated place to plan lighting for. Kelsi says people should make sure there’s a layer of general light and task lighting directly over key areas.

“General light sources have an omnidirectional or wide spread of light while task lights have a focussed narrow beam angle,” she says. “The general light source is going to fill the general area and prevent shadowing. They are from the ceiling and generally in the centre of the room. We want the task lights to be directly over the work areas. If they’re behind us, we’re always going to be standing in our own shadow.” Task lights can be situated in the wall, the ceiling or fixed into overhead cabinets.

Kelsi says that as far as colour temperature goes (warm white, cool white and daylight), there is a lot of conflicting information out there when it really just comes down to personal preference.

“As long as there are enough lumens in the space, the colour temperature can be whichever the homeowners prefer. “Colour temperature is an incredibly personal thing. Some people are simply more comfortable under a warm white and others are drawn to a cooler white,” Kelsi explains.

A similar theory can be applied to the bathroom – establish a layer of general light as well as task lights.

Kelsi says the main difference is that mirror lighting should always be in front of the face, not above. “Illuminating a mirror from above is just going to result in shadows on our faces.”

Bedrooms, especially masters, are an area you can really have some fun. “The master bedroom is a space just for you so inject a bit of personality with pendants, chandeliers or wall lights.

“Even on a standard 2.4m ceiling, you can have a close to ceiling fixture or if you want a pendant, you have 300-400mm to play with.”

The living room is where things can get a bit complicated. “After establishing your general light source, you want to think about your switching, especially if your general light source is going to be recessed lights.

“So many of us like background lighting in the living room a majority of the time so we want to be able to turn our recessed lights on and off in banks or rows,” she says.

Finally, Kelsi recommends going LED wherever you can. “They use very little electricity, produce far less heat, have a much longer average life than other types of bulbs and they’re better for the environment.”

Lighting solutions are a staple in any home and choosing the right light can be tricky.

First impressions

First impressions are everything. From curb appeal, to when your visitors walk into the entry space of your home, creating a positive entry impression will influence resale value and add excitement in your everyday life.

Your home is a sanctuary and it’s important there’s an inviting warmth in the entryway to make you feel relaxed every time.

The curb appeal of a property refers to the attractiveness of your home from street view. The entrance space for your house starts from the outside with fresh lawns, a bright coat of paint and a clean driveway.

ABI Interiors NZ says one of the most important aspects of selling your home is the curb appeal of the house. This often influences buyers’ opinions of the property to decide if they want to pursue the property further.

“Your home expresses who you are, so investing in the front entrance [design] ideas, such as the highestquality signage is wise.”

ABI Interiors have many numbers and letter signs made from gold, silver or brushed bronze metals to make a statement. They say giving your home a name when the property is well established with a distinctive design will create luxury before even stepping inside.

The front door can make or break the success of the entrance space. Opting for a wide panel, heavy wooden door with a large brushed brass handle can feel expensive, or opting for a sleek black aluminium door with a long silver handle is modern.

Once inside the door, the entrance space continues with furniture choices, as well as a dedicated area to take off your shoes and settle into the home environment.

Feather and Oak, a Canterbury home interior store says, “An entrance space sets the tone for the rest of your home. It’s the perfect place for being brave and bold with your decorating choices and experimenting with clever storage and furniture ideas”.

They suggest starting with a statement anchor furniture piece giving your entrance substance and distinctness. This could be a cabinet console, hall table or side table to anchor the area.

Adding a long length rug will add comfort and texture. Placing a rug down the length of a hallway from the front door can define the space and lead visitors into the home.

Soft finishing’s and décor such as a lamp to light the will create an inviting and homely atmosphere, drawing eyes through the space and into the home.

Other soft finishes such as pieces of artwork, a photo frame, vase, plant or flowers can elevate the entrance space with final personal touches. These finishing touches are how you can add personality into your entry-way.

Setting the theme of your home starts in the entrance space. From curb appeal to the front door or furniture choices, this space is crucial to creating an initial relaxed feeling your home desires.

You can make the entrance space as detailed or as minimal and use the entry-way as a place to reset and take your shoes off from the day, or to take a moment before entering the outside world.

home expresses who you are, so investing in the front entrance [design] ideas, such as the highest-quality signage is wise.

Walls of art

Feature walls can make a stunning statement in any home interior space. Adding a feature wall into your next project makeover will elevate any room.

Allium Interiors are a home and interior design store with endless boutique and statement wallpapers to take your feature wall to the next level. The team at Allium is made up of three exceptionally talented interior designers

- Jo

Annabel Fraser and Wendy Jenkin.

“Feature walls create an opportunity to make a space feel completely different. Whether you want bold and bright to make a room feel spacious, or instead, a dark and moody retreat, having the right feature wallpaper can create an entire room,” Annabel says.

Wallpapers can be used to create a room which is unique to you and your personality. “If you love the room when you walk in and it makes you smile - we consider this a successful feature wall.”

Elevating a space to the next level with a feature wall can be done with a mural wallpaper, different to a typical wallpaper style. “The non-repeating pattern on a mural style wallpaper give the impression of a large piece of art.

“Murals can be different styles including painterly, graphic, contemporary, architectural or botanical,” she says.

Feature mural wallpapers continue to be popular with anything in the imagination getting printed. “Don’t be afraid. Busy, bold and colourful is beautiful. Plus, we are able to help you coordinate your soft furnishings with your choice of paper.”

To get more tips and advice on feature walls, or to browse their range of unique wallpapers, make sure to visit: www.alliuminteriors.co.nz.

IMAGES: Allium.

Home at the office

01. Identify a space

Find a space that can be used as a home office, like a spare bedroom, corner of the living room, or a nook under the stairs.

02. Evaluate your needs

Nicole

D’Almeida at Work From Home Desks offers insights on how creating a home office can be an exciting project. She provides tips on where and how homeowners can find styling inspiration.

Consider what is needed. Does the office need a corner or a standing desk? A comfortable chair? Side shelves? Storage space? Good lighting?

03. Plan your office space

Plan the general layout of the home office. Figure out where the desk, chair and other furniture will go. The Work From Home (WFH) desk is easy to transport or pack away, so its position can easily be portable depending on your situation/mood.

04. Look for inspiration

Browse home décor magazines and websites, Pinterest boards, Instagram hashtags, and furniture stories to see how other people have created their home offices.

05. Decide on a colour scheme

WFH Desks come in satin birch and snow birch, which is good for adding light to a room. Satin birch brings out cosy vibes and warmth, but snow birch can be depicted as peaceful and modern.

06. Shop for furniture and décor

Add personality to the home office with family photos, a desk lamp, filing cabinets, artwork, plants, colourful desk pads, barstools or chairs, and other accessories.

“Remember, your home office should reflect your personality and work style. Take the time to create a space and work setup that inspires you and makes you feel productive and comfortable,” Nicole says.

Check out the website for desks, accessories and inspiration: www.workfromhomedesks.co.nz.

Useable tools

garden and more. Start your lighting journey at: www.philips-hue.com.

An air purifier is a great addition to any room, especially the bedroom, to ensure you’re only breathing in the good stuff. The Dyson Purifier analyses the air and purifies accordingly. It can be voice controlled and has an easy way to change the filter. Take the next step to clean air at: www.dyson.co.nz.

More and more technology is being incorporated into people’s homes to improve security and aesthetics, as well as creating simplicity and value.

Here are some top products to smarten up your house and get your home technology journey started.

Security cameras are essential in the modern home. With many camera brands offering HD video image quality, two-way audio systems and both indoor and outdoor cameras, they assist in creating a safe and secure atmosphere.

A great brand is Ring with a huge range of indoor and outdoor cameras. Check out their camera set-ups at: www.ring.com.

Gone are the days of bland and boring lighting; smart lights take your home from good to great. Philips offer smart lighting solutions for the whole house, the

To really bring your bathroom into the future, consider a smart shower. It personalises your showering experience and can be highly customised from the water temperature, shower length and more.

Moen offer a great digital shower experience and supply three ways to control your shower; voice, phone and control panel in the shower. It also connects to smart speakers like Alexa to integrate it into the rest of your smart home. To learn more about smart showers, visit: www.moen.com.

A smart speaker ties the whole smart home together as it can be customised to control pretty much all your other smart devices. There are three main brands used for this; Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Alexa is a very commonly used smart speaker and to utilise this great piece of tech, you just need to get your hands on something like the Echo Studio.

There are so many more smart home products to add to your house. So, don’t hesitate to start that journey and bring your home into the modern age.

Technology has come a long way in recent years and the concept of smart homes is no longer a futuristic dream belonging in science-fiction films and novels.

A coastal oasis

From dune bunds on a rugged coastal site, to an award-winning garden is no easy feat, but with a fabulous house design and build, and a well thought out garden design, this has put the two together to form a special oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The house focuses on large decks on both sides of the house, the coastal side for views, and the internal covered deck for entertaining. The garden design is based on merging the house out into the garden, with minimal clutter on the sea side, and a more sheltered and intimate space on the north side. As this north deck is road facing, we designed a secluded lawn, with a low planted screen to allow for an informal seating area down from the main deck.

The house sits high atop the dune bunds, so we designed in low walls and screens to seclude the front house gardens and to enhance the main entrance door. Simple plastered white walls direct visitors inside, while others hide another access up to the main deck, under a fabulous Ceanothus tree and over long lawn slabs and decked steps to upper levels.

But the real success here is the plantings, as this is a harsh environment and careful plant selection was needed to ensure the plants suited the site. It’s an ongoing battle to keep water and nutrients up to them in a sand based coastal environment, but this was reinforced in the latest Landscapes of Distinction Awards in Auckland, as the garden won a gold award in landscape Horticulture.

This landscape is a real gem, and it just shows that a combination of fabulous clients, a great house design, meticulous builders and a garden that links them together creates a landscape that is truly a success.

Contact details:

03 477 7819

www.designandgarden.co.nz

205 St Andrew St, Dunedin

The art of planting

There’s a lot of discussion, especially in New Zealand, about the importance of planting native plants over exotic plants. Project Crimson technical advisor, Paul Quinlan, says choosing natives over exotics shouldn’t be bound by hard and fast rules.

“It just depends. I’m a strong proponent for planting native plants but it certainly shouldn’t be an inflexible rule or dogma,” he says.

Paul says the golden rule for design is site specificity. He says what’s appropriate for the landscape always depends on the context.

This means considering the climate, the location, setting, and physical restraints and opportunities. In saying that, Paul has a strong bent for planting native plants.

Native plants have many benefits when added to a landscape. “On one level, there’s a global and national biodiversity crisis. Obviously, any native planting we do weaves more indigenous flora and fauna into our natural landscapes.

“However, it’s also about our cultural identity and expressing our comfort about being New Zealanders living in Aotearoa,

A beautiful landscape is a massive part of creating a stunning home and what you plant in that landscape is very important.

This natural plant palette links back into the context of where plants come from and where your landscape is.

with who we are, where we are and the place we live, rather than pretending we are somewhere else - like in the Mediterranean,” Paul explains.

Another point Paul makes is that planting natives connects people to local landscape heritage. He says planting natives can help us to recreate or reinforce a local ‘sense of place’. This also leads into the opportunity to express care for the environment. There’s also an art to creating a landscape and Paul emphasises it’s not just about the aesthetic in visual and sensory terms.

“I like to talk about native plants as in terms of composition with the analogy of music. To me, plants, particularly native plants, will generally have connotations and associations and relationships with each other. Plant species typically seen together in nature is a useful palette,” he says.

This natural plant palette links back into the context of where plants come from and where your landscape is.

Creating your dream landscape requires a lot of thought and consideration. At the end of the day, it’s not just a work of art. It also exists within a wider local landscape context.

Inevitably then, it also expresses something about that relationship too. In many instances native plants will provide a rich and useful palette to create not just a visually appealing aesthetic, but also to imbue the landscape with extra layers of meaning and connection.

Space creator

These elements all feature strongly in this Halswell home designed by DesignNZ and built by Sinclair Builders.

Sinclair Builders owner Chris Sinclair has a lot of passion for working with clients closely and helping them create their dream home.

The house has a big kitchen and two big living rooms so it’s spacious enough to entertain large groups of people.

This very large single-level house is 233 square metres with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, which creates a lot of space and storage.

Having lots of space meant Sinclair Builders didn’t have any restrictions when building this stunning family home.

There’s a hidden corner by a door within a timber-slat feature wall that opens to reveal a practical storeroom. To be an

effectively hidden corner, Chris had to put a lot of details into his planning.

“We had to put some thought into the detail so that it was as hidden as possible,” he says.

When it rains, the house has louvres the homeowners can close and if it gets too cold the family can move inside to the long dining table or sit on the barstools in the kitchen. The place is perfect for

Space, simplicity and room to live as you want to are design components that will never go out of style.

entertaining family and guests as there’s a massive backyard, four barstools in the kitchen, and a long dining table that sits six people.

The house is warm and inviting inside, as there are a lot of vibrant colours in the rooms, massive windows that look out to the outside area, comfortable furniture, a gas fire in one of the lounge areas, and all the colours carefully complement each other.

The white and wood-designed kitchen has a walk-in pantry and a splashback that emphasises the length of the kitchen island.

The cooking area connects to the dining and lounge area, which makes it very unique looking and distinctive.

Outside the home, there is a bold-looking cladding in dark tones, including contrasting golden vertical cedar.

DesignNZ senior architectural designer, Bud Caldwell, is the architect who designed the stunning Halswell family home.

The client gave him a brief to create “A family home with a good outdoor connection with a contemporary look without being too modern,” he says.

The louvres were added into the house as the client wanted to make the most of the outdoor area, which allowed the supplying of the covered outdoor alfresco area, which can be open or closed whenever the homeowners want, Bud says.

The idea of having a single-level home was decided as the site is in a low-density area and having enough area to build meant Bud and his team could fit the house on a single-level instead of introducing a second floor, he says.

The DesignNZ team paid a lot of attention to their client’s brief, such as when they were including additional storage. Adding a hidden nook had to be carefully thought about.

“What I didn’t want was a store off the main entry that looked like a door to another room, hence, the idea of hiding the store entry,” Bud says.

Chris

Bud

The value of design

Architectural homes versus non-architectural homes

When buying a home, homeowners wonder if an architect’s house build and/or renovations are worth the money.

Fortunately, an Australian study by The University of Melbourne and Architeam Co-operative in 2018, found small-practice architects provide better value for money than non-architect designed homes on the property market.

The project assessed architects’ profits from the sales of properties or investments made within the Melbourne property market.

Researchers found architect-designed homes were held for 1.1 years longer than non -architectural homes on average.

The architect-designed homes improved in value by 1.2 percent each year - more than non-architect-designed homes.

To read more go to: www.architectureau.com/ articles/architect-led-house-renovations-delivervalue-for-money-study-finds.

In terms of New Zealand, Westpac New Zealand digital content specialist, Ryan Boyd, shared via REDnews the difference between a draftsman and an architect to figure out which is better value for its money.

Ryan found from TradeSkills Auckland managing director, Gerald Mannion, that a draftsman is better for a simple project that needs building consent.

Draftsmen need to source architects and engineers, prepare plans, and the practicalities before doing renovations like adding in extra windows, doors, a new bathroom, decks over 1.5 metres, room garages, and sleep-outs.

Architects are better suited for more complicated projects like a house or commercial building. These experts plan, design, and oversee the construction process, but their designs cost more because they communicate with the client about everything from the planning stage to the project completion.

They have a lot of experience in the creativity and science behind the building design process, such as the responsibility of how safe the buildings are, the occupants living in them, and must be licensed professionals.

Draftsmen have trained for two years at a technical institute, whereas architects studied their master’s for five years at university.

The cost of an architect in New Zealand depends on the architect as each company is different. In general, the cost is based on a percentage value of the whole project value (depending on project type, size, and time).

Most architects charge 10 percent of the final building cost, but for the drawings, they could charge four to six percent of the cost – whereas draftsmen (only looking after the drawings) will charge one to three percent of the final building costs, says Gerald.

New Zealand Institute of Architects CEO Teena Pennington says an architect is best to utilise “the maximum value” of your money.

“Architects are equipped to deal with everything… planning and consent, contractors and the council, and other professional consultants such as engineers and surveyors.”

Architects offer solutions within the budget as they know what’s worthy and what’s not when it comes to design and construction, she says.

“You’re getting a design tailored to your circumstances.

“Others might offer lower fees, but investing a bit more in design, in considering and costing options, and in getting things right at the start will pay off during construction and after completion.

“You’ll get a result that works for you, and one that adds value to your property.”

Specialists

Experts of repairing and replacing glass.

Providing Dunedin with personalised world-class glass services for your home or light commercial business. Backed by 50 years of combined experience and as a Master Glaziers member, you know they’re trusted to get the job done well.

027 704 8629

www.glasscity.co.nz

Professional Stone Masons with a team of over 30 plus years of experience.

Stone is a cladding on the outside of your house that will out last the rest. We offer some of central Otago’s finest schist for your stone needs.

029 770 5999

clearwaterstoneltd@gmail.com

www.clearwaterstone.com

Leaders in quality safety and infrastructure.

Dedicated to maintaining a goldstandard of safety regulations, Central Otago Safety Nets provides the best safety nets to protect tradesmen in the Wanaka area. Certified installer by Gaprie Ltd in Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training, 2015.

027 222 8196

www.centralotagosafetynets.com

Dunedin’s plumberon time, on the job.

Providing all services for plumbing, heating, gas fitting and drainage both residentially and commercially. With decades of experience and plenty of happy customers, we pride ourselves on being punctual, affordable and transparent. We get the job done time and time again.

027 4318 086

blair@mcnabplumbing.co.nz

Your superior building journey starts here.

Josh, is a qualified Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning engineer with over ten years of experience.

027 666 8328

www.ohav.co.nz

Passion for architecturally designed homes, superior quality and protecting our unique environment. Now with a diverse portfolio of architecturally designed homes under our tool belt, we are proud to call ourselves Queenstown’s high-performance building expert.

027 233 1446

www.yblbuilding.nz

We specialise in heat pumps, ducted heat pumps, and ventilation systems.

Specialists

Your local plumbing specialists

Our services look after your Plumbing, Drainlaying, Gasfitting and Heating needs.

Our services look after your Plumbing, Drainlaying, Gasfitting and Heating needs.

First class service from first contact to completion of works. We are here ot provide solutions to your plumbing questions,queries or problem.

First class services from first contact to completion of works. We are here to provide solutions to your plumbing questions, queries or problems.

Laser Plumbing Oamaru

03 434 1232

P: 03 434 1232

Comprehensive service guaranteed.

Our mission is to create outdoor spaces that are comfortable, practical and that seamlessly transition from the build and surrounding environment. We approach jobs with freshthinking and thoughtfully considered design.

oamaru@laserplumbing.co.nz

E: oamaru@laserplumbing.co.nz

021 871 106

www.oamaru.laserplumbing.co.nz

W: www.oamaru.laserplumbing.co.nz

www.allelements.co.nz

Expert civil and structural engineers

Expert Civil and Structural Engineers

Experienced painters, excellent service.

At Kensington Consulting, we specialize in civil and structural engineering, seismic assessments for buildings, as well as retrofit strengthening solutions. We also offer NZ Building Code based fire engineering solutions. Give Darryl a call today or enquire via email.

At Kensington Consulting, we specialise in civil and structural engineering, seismic assessments for buildings, as well as retrofit strengthing solutions. We also offer NZ Building Code-based fire engineering solutions. Give Darryl a call today or enquire via email.

0 27 403 37 7 3

027 403 3773

Specialising in residential, commercial and industrial buildings in the Queenstown region. We provide fire and protective coatings, sealing and special effects services. Give us a call today or find us on Facebook.

darryl@kensingtonconsulting.co.nz

darryl@kensigntonconsulting.co.nz

Construction and renovation specialists.

A privately owned company with the skills, experience and flexibility to address technically challenging client requirements. With attention to detail and a high level of interior finishes, we can provide a concept to completion on residential and commercial projects across the Otago region.

027 354 1754

www.jdbuilders.nz

027 544 2739 www.cdhpainting.co.nz

New builds to complex building projects.

Whether a commercial or residential client, in and around Wanaka, we will support you and make the process as easy as possible. Right from the initial ideas and discussions through to a finished product.

021 895 745

www.aegilesbuilders.co.nz