From the driveway the home of Janice and John Newell looks elegant with its schist stone and timber exterior. Tucked onto a central Rangiora section, the angular looking home has not a single window onto the street front. But looks can be deceptive. Step into the double width entry hall and the house opens out all around you – with its three bedrooms, two living rooms and large open plan kitchen dining area – it feels big.
Read MoreWhen Michael and Brigitte Barker bought the Vicarage in Geraldine in 2017 – they knew that restoring a heritage building was a big undertaking. And they were under no illusion about their expertise in the area.
Read MoreThis is a love story. It’s a story about a man called Chris who set eyes on a woman named Julie many, many moons ago. At the time, he swore that he’d met the girl of his dreams. But the timing wasn’t right. Thirty years passed before the two met again by chance and, then and there amongst the chip packets and ice cream cones of a corner dairy, Chris declared his intention to marry Julie and whisk her away to Paris for their honeymoon. And that’s exactly what he did.
Read MoreWhen Selese Rowe and her partner, Michael, first spotted their two-storey house in Timaru – it was the bedrooms that were the deciding factor. Bringing together a blended family – space was essential. But the location was a close runner up – near to school, the beach and the supermarket.
Read MoreFor many embarking on renovating an old home – there are a lot of unknowns. But for Martin and Anne Stewart who took on a church conversion in Totara Valley – there were also some daunting knowns – like earthquake damage, no running water and the very considerable challenge of transforming the church into a residential building.
Read MoreHeritage homes are a little slice of history – yet all too often they’re neglected and destroyed for short-sighted financial gain. That’s probably why there aren’t that many of them around and it makes the sight of a perfectly preserved cottage in Kaiapoi even more striking. The Williams Street cottage has category 1 Heritage listing and continues in use as a private residence to this day.
Read MoreWhen Karin and Dale Mackay moved into their two-storey, four-bedroom house in Fernside in 2021 – it was showing its age. The mint green exterior hadn’t aged well whilst inside there were pink bathroom suites and a blue laundry. The single glazed doors and windows were old and draughty and the lack of any insulation meant it was pretty cold.
Read MoreAs business origin stories go, Tracy and Joachim van Oostrum the couple behind LOVE IN A JEWEL, have a pretty good one. Long before they started their keepsake jewellery design business it was jewellery that brought them together.
Read MoreWhen Rebecca Smith first moved into her two-storey, brick house in Timaru 10 years ago, it was “one blank and beige canvas to stamp my mark on.” Embracing her love of all things retro she soon transformed it into a swirling carnival of colours, patterns and textures.
Read MoreOn a late summer morning looking out over a garden with rambling roses, vigorous vines and established trees – it’s hard to imagine that seven years ago this was a bare paddock. But that’s exactly what it was says homeowner Sue Heazlewood.
Read MoreMany of us work from home at some point, whether it’s a day a week or full-time. We might spread out on the corner of the kitchen table or take our laptop to the spare bedroom. But architectural designer, Josh Newlove, has created a home office that ticks all the boxes – great views of Mt Peel, close to the house, but far enough away to avoid disturbances.
Read MoreTurn off the highway to Waikuku Beach and there’s an instant holiday vibe in the air. Perhaps it’s the sea air and the picnicking families. Or the fish and chips and the beautiful views over the lagoon.
Read MoreThis hundred-year-old homestead combines character and a sense of history. Trees tower overhead, peacocks stalk the lawn and it’s like stepping into another world.
Read MoreOne North Canterbury resident fully embraces the spirit of Christmas when it comes to decorating.
Read MoreWaves lap and gulls call in the middle distance. This house on a quiet corner in the sleepy, seaside settlement of Waikuku feels like a holiday everyday.
Want to revamp your old, tired kitchen? Check out how one North Canterbury couple transformed their kitchen space.
Read MoreOne of the great things about Annie Sloan chalk paint is that it’s just so easy to get started.
Read MoreA carefully designed extension brings extra space to a 1930s bungalow - creating a family home totally at one with its surroundings.
Cushions can be a great way to have fun with colour but they’re also a powerful design tool, says interior designer Becky Lee.
An architecturally designed farmhouse filled with carefully curated colour creates a beautiful, character-filled home.
