Work-a-day

How much fun would your day be if you worked in an office like this? Light, space, lots of books... I could definitely get creati...

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Lofty living

London's all the focus at the moment. Achievement, obviously, is in the air. And speaking of excellence, check out this amazing loft conversion. Printed in New Zealand Home – and now all over the net (these are just the unpublished outtakes) – it's the work of Kiwi-architect-in-London William Tozer. Oh, to live there. What an elevating space. Click on each image for a larger view. ...

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Greek treat

Strong wallpaper has a tendency to fight with furniture, especially when you're aiming for that modern mix of patterns and textures. But here are some great examples of successful pairings. They are from the Anna Spiro Porters Paints range of designer wallpapers. Everything looks so fresh, bright and modern. Bold prints with an everso slight vintage feel. Love them. Porters Paints has a showroom in Auckland and you will soon be able to buy online,...

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Sweet vintage

I love Internet shopping and I'm always on the lookout for great new web shops. The latest is Maisy & Grace. Founded by Christall Lowe, it's the work of two fantastical alter egos: Maisy, who's very practical and likes her linen meticulously ironed and her jam home made; and Grace, who adores singing and dancing and is the ultimate hostess. The products have a pretty vintage feel: ceramic teapots, enamel pie-sets, wooden spoons, knitted dishcloths,...

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All a flutter

You can’t get in and out of them with any grace and you can’t sit upright... but that’s the charm of the butterfly chair, a design classic made popular in the 50s and 60s. Made out of steel and replaceable canvas, the mid century originals were cheap, different and fun. Argentinian architect Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy is credited with their design, in 1938, and the chair won two awards at the 1940 Buenos Aires design fair. But it was two purchases by Edgar...

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Botanical bonanza

What plant would you pick if you were a world expert at identifying and using plant extracts in beauty products? Kumerahou, says international ethnobotanist Dr Paul Cox. Honoured by Time magazine as one of 11 Heroes of Medicine for his ongoing search for new medicines from plants, Dr Cox says the indigenous plant – a staple in natural beauty products and an alternative to the sodium lauryl sulfate commonly found in foaming cleansers – has huge potential...

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Fluffy, pretty things

Following on with my obsession with paper decorations... meet Pomtree, a very cool Etsy shop specialising in tissue decorations. They are great to deal with, ship to NZ and have the best range I've found. Roll on Xmas... ...

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Thinking of spring

So many beautiful things inspire me. The latest is the work of the multi-talented Aran Goyoaga. Chef, photographer, food stylist and cookbook writer, she is also the author of the incredibly popular food blog, Cannelle et Vanille. Based in Florida, she grew up in the Basque countryside of northern Spain, and says food and cooking are in her blood. Her recipes are all gluten-free, simple and so very beautiful to look at. Check them out here. ...

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Renovation update

This isn't our house but it is how our new floor will look. Ours is currently covered in tarps and still to be grouted (so I can't take a pic and reveal all) but how gorgeous will it be! Picking the tiles (it was going to be wood) for the dining/kitchen area was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make. For a start, tiling is expensive. There is the stone itself, the underfloor heating, the tiler, the sealer... it goes on. But, now that I...

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Heavy metal

I'm becoming fixated with heavy metal pendants. Shot this one from French Country Collections for an upcoming issue of NZ House & Garden last week and loved it. It's enormous and would look amazing in a large modern country kitchen. I'm also a fan of supersized metal lanterns and chandeliers and Moroccan-style pendants... love the exotic shapes, the light plays from the pierced metal and the ornate decoration. What do you think? ...

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Snuggle up

A little eye candy for a winter's day... How inviting does this look? The colour and textures are incredible together. I'm also a huge fan of the buttoning on the headboard and chair. Definitely want a headboard like ...

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Modern romance

I love the fashion and beauty work I get to do with photographer Belinda Merrie for NZ Life & Leisure. These are from the latest issue, which has just hit the newsstands. It's another incredible issue – full of inspirational New Zealanders doing cool things. Check it out. www.nzlifeandleisure.co.nz....

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Dream a little dream

If I could take photographs I would like them to be like this. British photographer Kirsty Mitchell's incredible, inspirational, work is actually born from a lot of personal pain. But, my, how beautiful... ...

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Out of the woods

Rustic wooden furniture is so on trend. Love the look of these, especially the cute three-legged stool/side table. Citta has one just like it... 'cept their's looks a little more stable. ...

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