HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW When we bought our little house it was a run down cottage with bronze aluminium joinery. With our first extension we matched the existing joinery so as not to have to replace each window and door, little did we know that a few years on we would be adding another extension and then a complete interior renovation meaning all but one of the windows would end up being replaced. Had we known this we surely
Checkerboard Floors
CHECKERBOARD FLOORS Who remembers checkerboard floors? Originally dating back to the 1500s they became popular in the 1930s when lino was beginning to take over other flooring options for kitchens, then the 50’s, responsible for what we call retro today, and again the 90s heralded a bit of a resurgence of this classic black and white design. They always command respect and make you take notice, almost masculine in design they must have challenged the perception of who should
Farewell Summer
FAREWELL SUMMER At the close of every summer, someone in our community has a little party. It’s a tradition and this year I’ve taken on the challenge with an afternoon tea. I’ve cut the last of the roses and stuffed them in glass vessels with whatever else I can find in the garden. The season is changing and there is little colour left. I finally resort to the herb garden, and beyond – the roadside gives me classic daisies Its that time; feijoa time!
ITS THAT TIME; FEIJOA TIME Feijoas! Those little oval green gems are usually in abundance about now. We don’t have any trees at my little house but the area I live in believes in sharing their excess fare so I’ve picked up a bag which I am happy to enjoy with just a spoon as nature intended. They are not as big and perfect as those supermarket ones but they are organic! I think I will be freezing some to use To own or not to own… that is the question
House prices seem to be skyrocketing and those of us lucky enough to already own our own homes wonder whether our children will experience the same. Will the rental market take a turn and provide long term lease properties that give the dwellers a little sense of peace and ability to make it their own at least in a manner of speaking? I ponder if it matters. Could I live in a house without calling it my own?
Challenging the useful and beautiful
So, I am not the most gadget orientated person, in fact I’m usually the last person to get such things, but lately Ive been pushing the boat out; I finally upgraded my IPhone 4 (this was partly due to my failing eyesight); I bought a UE wireless speaker and signed up for Spotify; I am happy to say that an Apple TV has been purchased and I now have the ability to watch SUITS on Netflix (Harvey Spector I
Londons calling
I came across this gorgeous home on this great site and just had to share. This double fronted Victorian Home located in Camberwell, London is full of light and white with splashes of colour. Totally my cup of tea! Perhaps its all those houseplants? Or the stunning lighting? The unique art? Or perhaps its the eclectic styling; the mix of vintage and designer? The amazing interior cornices, mouldings and trims? Or what about that flooring? Or is it the house itself? So far removed
Take a trip to Sweden
Gothenburg Sweden is renowned for its wooden homes, perhaps a little like us here in NZ. Typically they would have a stone basement floor and the next one to two stories in wood. Over half the population in the early to mid 1900s lived in homes such as this. The other half of Gothenburg seems dominated by large buildings that are divided into apartments. The architecture of these is just stunning with high moulded ceilings, feature fire places, large
Adding value to your home
At my little house renovation is our middle name and it seems with the NZ property market at its peak we are not the only ones; the industry is busier than ever as many families are making improvements to their homes, whether they be small DIY jobs or bigger renovations and extensions. It can be an expensive business and luckily with my background I can keep our projects costs down by cutting out designers, however if you are renovating with a sale
Colours of Autumn
You can tell Autumn is here when long sleeves in shades of russets are leaving the confines of your wardrobe. It means very shortly the scarves will be making an appearance and what better way to hang them but on a design original by Laura Carwardine . She had me in mind when she conceived this I’m sure; when nothing is on it its still makes a statement with its geometric patterns in brass plate finish. Thanks Umbra for supporting these designers to make just what we all