How to make your own family key holder

07 Mar 2025

Make it simple to always find your keys in the same place with this clever cut-out key ring and holder. Keep it in a neutral finish for a minimalist approach…

What’s it called? From fascias to soffits and cladding – learn the features of your home!

22 Jan 2025

When decorating or renovating your home, it’s important to know what each part is called so you can make the best possible design choices that accentuate your home’s unique architecture…

Home tweet home: DIY mini garden houses

30 Oct 2024

Ready to bring a little charm and colour into your garden? These adorable DIY mini garden houses will do the trick! Whether you’re a green thumb looking for the perfect…

Raiātea Whare Taonga: A fusion of culture and colour

09 Sep 2024

The Raiātea Whare Taonga Resource and Archive Centre, located in Motutī, North Hokianga, is a unique two-storey museum that opened in 2022. This hapū-owned facility houses both Catholic and Māori…

Makeover magic: A villa kitchen that balances the classic with the modern

27 Aug 2024

Interior designer and property expert Jessica Driver and her architect husband Thomas Ward are experienced hands at house renovations, but even so, the makeover of what was then their home…

Enter now: 2024 Architecture Photography Competition

13 Aug 2024

Are you, or do you know, an avid photographer? Entries are now open for the 2024 Architecture Photography Competition which aims to celebrate the vibrant creativity of photographers who have…

Enter now: 2024 Architecture Photography Competition

24 Jul 2024

Are you, or do you know, an avid photographer? Entries are now open for the 2024 Architecture Photography Competition which aims to celebrate the vibrant creativity of photographers who have…

May Time’s on-trend showroom: Using colour to set the scene

10 Jun 2024

Within the ever-changing world of interior design, creating captivating spaces that resonate with current trends while maintaining timeless appeal is a fine art. Alongside their prestigious European brands and in-house…

Te Pūtahi releases programme for the festival of architectural excellence: Open Christchurch 2024

08 Apr 2024

Open Christchurch 2024, supported by Resene, celebrates some of Christchurch’s best architecture and special spaces that contribute to Ōtautahi’s sense of place.

This year’s festival, taking place 3-5 May, highlights a…

A collection sure to spark your curiosity

14 Mar 2024

The Resene Curiosity Wallpaper Collection available from your local Resene ColorShop has an array of strikingly unique, eye-catching designs and patterns with fabric like texture, fullness of leaves and flowers,…

Drumroll… insights of the wallpaper design winners

22 Jan 2024

Ever wanted to create your own wallpaper?  These four designers have successfully created their own unique designs winning them an accolade in the latest Resene Wallpaper Design Competition.  With so…

Christmas gift ideas: Support local creators and artists by gifting something unique

06 Dec 2023

Short on Christmas present ideas? There’s always last-minute shopping to do or someone on the Christmas list a little tricky to buy for, so here are some unique, handmade gifts…

Reader roundup: Sunshine hallways, retro vibes and makeshift Resene downpipes

01 Nov 2023

As we head into late Spring and Summer, we’ve had an abundance of bright and cheerful projects sent in from our readers. From hope stones to zesty murals and wallpaper…

Amanda Harkness: Shaping the world of architecture and design at Architecture NZ

11 Sep 2023

Meet Amanda Harkness, the Deputy Editor of Architecture NZ, a dynamic figure at the forefront of architectural journalism in New Zealand. With a keen eye for design and a passion…

Get ready for House Rules ANZ: Coming to Three and ThreeNow this September!

09 Aug 2023

Warner Bros. Discovery NZ have announced the full cast, host and judges (including our very own habitat by Resene editor) for New Zealand’s debut season of House Rules 2023. Streaming…

Wonderful in Whitford

09 Aug 2023

Spouting and downpipes with Marley Stratus Design Series®

Glenn and Mel’s dream of escaping the hustle and bustle of suburban life led them to the rural town of Whitford, southeast of Auckland.…

Capturing the soul of structures: Simon Devitt and the art of architectural photography

11 Jul 2023

If you’re interested in architecture and design, you might enjoy looking at these wonderfully captured images by photographer, Simon Devitt. With a strong passion and focus in the Photography of…

Capturing the soul of structures: Simon Devitt and the art of architectural photography

10 Jul 2023

Simon Devitt is a photographer with a strong passion and focus on photography of architecture. Currently based in Wellington, Simon also has an established international presence throughout Australasia and further…

Preserving heritage, inspiring innovation: The Barracks' modern office design

07 Jun 2023

The transformation of Brisbane's historic Barracks Building into a vibrant office space was made possible by the design skills of interior designer Charlotte Wilson from MacArthur and Co., and the…

Purr-fect pet projects

03 Mar 2023

These DIY animal crafts are purr-fection. As seen in habitat issue 38, give these pet projects a try to create a home that’s a castle for both you and your…

This Heart Foundation Lottery home in Papamoa offers the best of both worlds

08 Feb 2023

Sea, sand and just a short commute from Tauranga’s centre, are just some of the attributes that Liz Halpin, Heart Foundation Lottery Operations Manager, sees as crucial to the appeal…

Get your ticket to marvel at some of the best homes and gardens in NZ

01 Feb 2023

Resene is a proud partner of the sell-out NZ House & Garden Tours, which this summer are heading to Wānaka, Nelson, Manawatū and Clevedon. Come along and enjoy a captivating mix of…

The Do Up: Blair and Gretchen’s bungalow renovation

20 Dec 2022

 A resourceful Auckland CFO plans to paint and renovate his family’s Kingsland bungalow by getting on the tools himself.

By day, Blair Houston is chief financial officer for a health-tech company,…

Steal their style: Design inspo from two show homes

14 Dec 2022

Not sure what design or colour palette you want for your new pad? Resene partners with many expert building companies to showcase different colours and designs so you can find…

Meet the team: Torben Olsen

13 Dec 2022

What do you do at Resene?  

I am the Queensland State Manager.  No day is the same, and I work with a wide range of clients including architects, designers and resellers.…

Im-peck-able chicken coops

01 Dec 2022

When it comes to sprucing up your chicken coop it doesn’t hurt to add some colour and flair and make your chicken’s home egg-stra special. We think the chickens won’t…

Support local this Christmas with handmade gifts from local creators

01 Dec 2022

There’s always someone on the Christmas list a little tricky to buy for, so here are some unique, handmade gifts from local creative artists. 

Clocking on

Go extra thoughtful this Christmas and…

A quick word with Rooms author and photographer Jane Ussher

23 Nov 2022

Photographer Jane Ussher is well known for her ability to make even the most hesitant or nervous characters come to life in front of the camera. For 30 years the…

Tiny but terrific: Three tiny homes that caught our eye

17 Nov 2022

All good things come in small packages and there is no exception in the NZ Tiny House Awards.

The awards, which were held at the Tiny House Expo at Manukau’s Due…

Renovation of the year: An old garage transformed into a two-bedroom cottage

02 Nov 2022

How often do you look at your garage and think, “I could be using this space better?” The winners of the 2022 New Zealand Property Investors’ Federation/Resene Renovation of the…

Jackie Nicholls' ornamental take on tiny houses

27 Oct 2022

“French vintage with a Scandinavian influence” is how artist, designer and Resene colour consultant Jackie Nicholls describes her artistic style.

It sounds like the recipe for a stylish and sophisticated house,…

An unique opportunity to open the doors of some of Auckland’s most stylish homes

27 Oct 2022

Some of the most stylish colourful and stylish homes in Devonport are opening their doors for several good causes. Tickets are on sale for Houses of Devonport is a house…

A love of Kiwi heritage homes lets this architect breathe new life into them, while preserving classic character

10 Oct 2022

When architect Mona Kruse Hurnen arrived in New Zealand from Scandinavia she bought with her a love of heritage buildings and character homes that has melded perfectly with New Zealand’s…

Three painting tips for winter makeovers

20 Jul 2022

Rolling up your sleeves to paint winter but aren’t sure where to start? We have a few tips to keep in mind so you can push on with your DIY…

Three’s The Block NZ: Redemption season launches

20 Jul 2022

Three’s The Block NZ has returned to our screens this week, and there are familiar faces in the mix this season. Some of New Zealand’s favourite teams have returned to…

International rower turned SIPS specialist Tonia Williams shares her oar-inspiring designs

19 Jul 2022

Once known for her finesse and ability as a rower on the world stage, Tonia Williams is following in the footsteps of her architect father by creating covetable homes.

Architecture resonated…

All you could ever need to build a tiny home is now in one place

13 Jul 2022

Tiny home advocate and expert Sharla May says over the last six years, she’s experienced a lot when it comes to navigating the world of tiny living.

“I’ve seen friends, family and…

Small wonders: Teeny House competition winners revealed!

23 Jun 2022

The winners of the Habitat by Resene Teeny House Competition show that size doesn’t matter when it comes to creativity and style. Decorators young and old entered the competition which…

Three exterior colour combos you’ll love with Marley Stratus Design Series® in Grey Friars® and Resene

26 May 2022

When deciding on the look for the exterior of your home there are now more colour choices than ever. The colours you choose for your home will not only create…

Big ideas for teeny houses: Pro tips from a miniature artist

17 Feb 2022

As anybody entering the Resene Teeny House competition will know, a smaller interior decorating canvas doesn’t mean a scaling down of the materials you can, or want to use.

For experienced…

There’s still time to enter the Resene Home Colour Awards 2022

09 Dec 2021

Is your splashback a Resene colour splash? Does your feature wall feature vibrant Resene colour? Get your entry in for Your Home and Garden magazine’s Resene Home Colour Awards 2022…

2021 New Zealand Architecture Awards winners announced

07 Dec 2021

Two social housing projects, transportable tiny houses for at-risk youth, a Christchurch Kōhanga Reo and a ‘build to rent’ development were among the winners at the prestigious 2021 New Zealand…

Aaron Jones’ stylish small spaces are turning heads

09 Nov 2021

Aaron Jones developed his passion for design and construction as a small boy, where he got to witness his builder dad hard at work and watch buildings take shape from…

Check out this beautiful Heart Foundation Lottery home in the Whitianga Waterways

04 Nov 2021

The Coromandel is a top destination for tourists and homeowners throughout New Zealand which is something that Liz Halpin, Lottery Operations Manager at the Heart Foundation, sees as crucial to the appeal of this location as a whole. 

“The Whitianga Waterways development…

Remarkable renovations and living rough: The Property Hillbillies share their journey

27 Oct 2021

Taking on a home relocation is no easy feat, add dwindling funds, DIY renovations and living rough out of a caravan into the mix and you have Ryan and Ashley’s…

Order your teeny house cardboard dollhouse and get decorating

29 Sep 2021

Take one cardboard box, add imagination and Resene paint and you have habitat by Resene Teeny House. Create your dream house… well, out of cardboard, with this miniature house ideal for a…

Interior Designer Kate Alexander creates her colourful miniature dreamhouse

29 Sep 2021

Kate Alexander of Places and Graces used her teeny house as an opportunity to play out her interior design fantasies. This included creating colourful furniture pieces from international designers, such…

Entries have now closed for the habitat by Resene Teeny House competition

21 Apr 2022

Entries have now closed for the habitat by Resene Teeny House competition

 The judges are now reviewing all the winners, we will announce the winners later in May.

Stay tuned on the…

Popular Auckland architecture guide gets an in-depth update

06 Aug 2021

Those who are keen to do some urban exploring as the weather warms up will be chuffed to learn a revised edition of popular bestseller Auckland Architecture: A Walking Guide…

Cocktails meet hair colour in this creative student concept

06 Aug 2021

Like a good portmanteau, we love a design that combines two different ideas into one clever package – and even more so if also has a portmanteau in its name. 

This…

5 design hacks for updating your laundry

05 Aug 2021

Laundries are one of the most functional spaces in the home, but they can also be a great place to experiment with design and colour. With a few easy design…

3 tips for creating the perfect powder room PLUS a powder room competition

24 Jun 2021

The humble powder room was once a place for eighteenth century ladies to preen, primp and powder their wigs before a ball. Powder rooms were as elaborately decorated as the…

Three’s The Block NZ is back and is bigger and better than ever

01 Jul 2021

Three’s The Block NZ returns to NZ screens this week – and this season promises to be bigger and better than ever. Set in Auckland’s aspirational inner-west suburb of Point…

Amber Hamilton gives new meaning to fashion first

15 Jun 2021

Designer Amber Hamilton began her career back in the late 80s as a professional artist and graphic designer working in the news media. She had a particular interest in fashion…

Refreshing renovations and radiant recycling: our readers get creative in this reader round up

03 Jun 2021

Creativity is at the fore in this vibrant reader round up. As the weather gets colder, our readers are warming things up outside with spruced up fences and colourful chairs.…

Fascias, Finials and Fretwork: Learn the features of a heritage home

20 May 2021

This country is home to 85,000 villas, most of which are yet to be upgraded or renovated, according to Renovate NZ. When wandering down any given road, it’s hard not…

Discover what’s hidden inside Christchurch’s most prominent buildings

28 Apr 2021

Ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors in Christchurch’s central city? For one weekend only, Open Christchurch is spilling the city’s architectural secrets. Open Christchurch, supported by Resene, is…

This simple trick will make your wardrobe wonderful

10 Mar 2021

Is your bedroom more floordrobe than wardrobe? Does your closet do the opposite of sparking joy? Interior Designer Hamish Dodd has a simple tip for making your wardrobe go from…

Black in the garden - a modern look amongst the plants

03 Mar 2021

Black Mulch has become the darling of urban landscaping. Black houses, black pavers and black fencing, not to mention black paint tones, are often contrasted with white, grey and brown…

Hurry, entries close soon for Resene Shed of the Year 2021!

18 Feb 2021

This annual competition, run by Resene and NZ Gardener magazine, is looking for clever and creative man caves and she sheds, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds and there are…

New initiative aims to preserve precious artwork in the Alexander Turnbull Library collection

13 Jan 2021

The Alexander Turnbull Library is celebrating its 100th anniversary — and a new initiative is helping preserve the future of this important collection. The Turnbull Library houses thousands of New…

Colourful locally made gifts to buy for Christmas

09 Dec 2020

Short of Christmas present inspiration? Never fear, we've gathered together our favourite colourful gift ideas from local artisans and small businesses.

Add a little magic to the garden with a forest…

Two tiny community builds bring safety and beauty to the lives of underhoused youth

08 Dec 2020

An innovative programme initiated by VisionWest Community Trust, the My Whare initiative has been launched in response to the crisis of youth homelessness and intended to give young people who…

Create a wonderful wooden Christmas tree

No space for a Christmas tree? Create festive cheer with this easy-to-build wooden Christmas tree which sits flat against a wall, handy for small houses, apartments or baches. Update the…

Reader’s Round Up: October 2020 Edition

28 Oct 2020

This month we saw an abundance of creativity from our readers. From a pink door to an adorable cubby house, here are a few of our favourite recent projects.

Sumner’s refreshed…

PRau Studio 2.0 elevates a 1970s concrete block commercial space to new heights

20 Oct 2020

When we’re all so busy – and when we’re forced to spend a significant portion of the year avoiding one another – we don’t always get the opportunity to sneak…

Maurice and Marije of MnM Design talk building smaller, smarter

20 Oct 2020

Maurice Regeer and Marije Hoornstra, the Dutch born duo behind MnM Design, are partners in both business and life. Professional yet approachable and down-to-earth, their small design studio based in…

An expert colour consultant shares her top tips for choosing hues

22 Jul 2020

Debbie Abercrombie, one of New Zealand’s foremost colour expert educators and interior designers, shares her advice for readers facing a colour conundrum.

 In 2019 you received the Resene Total Colour Lifetime…

Going for dark cladding? Don’t pass up this expert advice

21 Jul 2020

Black and near-black paints and stains are one of the most popular choices for those seeking a striking contemporary exterior for their project. But, it’s a choice that isn’t without…

Illustrator Malcolm White renders a unique career path

21 Jul 2020

Those who work in the architecture, interior and landscape design industries can appreciate that while having a great concept is one thing, it’s an entirely different thing to communicate that…

Take a peek inside Chelsea Sugar’s scrumptious new digs

12 Jun 2020

Since 1884, Chelsea Sugar has been a staple in New Zealand pantries. However, its iconic pink factory, which is tucked away on Auckland’s North Shore, has been closed to the…

Family set the footing, but Anna Major found her own path forward

16 Jun 2020

Some of us choose a career in design. For others, it’s almost as if the career has chosen us. As the daughter of owners of a longstanding décor business, that…

The Letter Q shows how colour made one man’s treasures precious to everyone

06 Apr 2020

New Zealand, often considered one of the most maritime nations in the world, has a storied history with the sea; one that affects each of those who live and visit…

Charlotte Coote’s work is the epitome of classic contemporary cool

03 Apr 2020

With over 17 years in the field and a portfolio that stretches across Australia, Europe and America, Charlotte Coote has become quite the coveted designer.

Her design studio in Melbourne’s trendy…

One down, one to go

28 Mar 2013

A lively charity auction was held in Carterton in the
Wairarapa last weekend with a number if items for sale including two houses and
a car. Paint for the houses was donated…

Memory making

15 May 2013

For many Christchurch residents, repairing
their much-loved homes just isn’t possible. But thanks to Canterbury model
maker Richard Gardiner, they can have a physical reminder of their homes. Since
the earthquakes, he has…

How do our rentals rate?

30 Jan 2014

The first step in a nationwide project aimed at
making rental housing safer to live in – especially for children, students and
the elderly - has started with ‘warrant of fitness’ field…

Welcome

03 Jun 2014

Welcome to the new-look Habitat website, where we celebrate the use of Resene paint and colour in our homes.

For nearly four years we’ve been taking you inside houses that make…

Tuning into young talent

27 Feb 2014

Part of the Ellerslie International Flower Garden on in Christchurch’s Hagley Park this week, this cute cottage façade has been painted by the children at Chisnallwood Intermediate School for the School…

From magazine to real life

12 Mar 2014

The NZ House & Garden house tours kicked off last
weekend with the Auckland urban event, and continue during the next three weeks
in Wellington (March 14), Christchurch (March 21) and the…

Our new-look website

03 Jun 2014

After nearly four years and 188 email newsletters, the www.habitatoftheweek.com website has been reborn as www.habitatbyresene.com. Richer in look and content, we will continue to feature great looking houses, as…

Amanda Neill goes behind the TV scenes

12 Nov 2014

With reality TV series on renovating houses all the rage, interior designer Amanda Neill of Designworx describes what it was like to be involved in the Living Channel series How…

Peter Pan housing

04 Dec 2014

Lifemark general manager Geoff Penrose ponders how homes should age with us. 

Peter Pan is a character who never grew up. This dream of eternal youth is used to describe the…

House maintenance: you’ve just gotta do it

01 Sep 2015

When you’re busy and the budget is under pressure, it’s all too easy to put off doing maintenance around the house. While not all house maintenance is essential, some certainly…

Cody’s garden art houses

24 Sep 2015

Twelve-year-old Cody doesn’t muck around during his school holidays. One summer, his poppa showed him how to use a dropsaw – next thing, Cody was making these cool garden art…

Emma-Jayne Scott’s quirky furniture

16 Oct 2015

If it has a set of legs and a certain quirkiness, Emma-Jayne Scott will give it a great new look with paint. We’re talking furniture, many pieces of which are…

Builders awarded

18 Nov 2015

A new home in Mt Maunganui and a renovation in Auckland (above) that have been recognised as New Zealand’s top homes both use Resene paints. The houses won the Supreme…

What colour should my roof be?

16 Feb 2016

It’s often the last colour decision you make for an exterior – the roof. Just because the roof is the finishing touch to a house it doesn’t mean it should be the…

Sylvia’s fail-safe decorating tips

04 May 2016

The recipient of the Resene Total Colour Lifetime Achievement award Sylvia Sandford shares her rules for interiors.

It has become so much easier to understand colour as our everyday lives are…

Richard captures memories from models

13 Jan 2016

Richard Gardiner’s tiny replicas of houses that often no longer exist, carry a weighty task on their small roofs. “Often there is an emotional response when people come to pick…

Our First Home: final room reveals

13 Apr 2016

The pressure was on as the families entered their final week of renovations. Each family has transformed their tired and dated houses into incredible homes, but what will happen at…

The Block NZ – Kitchen and dining area

21 Jul 2016

Cooking up the perfect kitchen for a Kiwi home is no mean feat, as we saw last week on TV3's The Block NZ: Girls Vs Boys.

The teams' latest challenge was to…

The Block NZ – Outdoors week is the last reveal

11 Aug 2016

Last week, the teams of TV3's The Block NZ: Girls Vs Boys headed outdoors for the last challenge of the season.

The judges wanted lush spaces that made good use of native…

Is your home magazine-worthy?

29 Sep 2016

The latest habitat magazine is about to hit the letterboxes but we’re already planning for the next one. We need gorgeous houses coloured in Resene to feature. How about your home?…

Is your house magazine-worthy?

19 Apr 2017

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Would you like to share it with our readers? We're planning our next habitat magazine and need gorgeous houses coloured in Resene to feature.…

Take the tour and help a cause

15 Nov 2016

Up and down the country, generous homeowners will open up their houses for the 2017 NZ House & Garden tours, in support of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

Staged in association…

Playing house

08 Dec 2016

Philip Fisher is a man who knows how to build a good play house. He started doing it many years ago, and now that his painting business is in the…

Get the floral edit

07 Mar 2017

Flowers and floral prints are popping up all over this season - on our clothes, in our houses, and in our gardens, of course. If you love the look, this edit from…

Crafty DIY for the school holidays

19 Apr 2017

After the excitement of Easter weekend, keep the fun going with a couple of crafty projects that include the kids. Using Resene paint and a few simple materials, these ideas by…

Megan’s art hanging tips

06 Jul 2017

Stylist Megan Harrison-Turner shares her art-hanging and colour secrets.

While art galleries frequently have white walls so there is no colour to distract from the artist’s work, we often have colour on…

Denise finds warmth and style all in one

14 Jun 2017

Winter's here and heating is in the spotlight. Here's how one homeowner found a solution to keeping her home warm and snug.

When Aucklander Denise Mischefski moved into her new home, she…

Playhouse Challenge goes to auction

29 Jun 2017

Three wonderful playhouses, each expertly and uniquely designed and painted in Resene colours, are going up for auction this Saturday to raise funds for local charities in Christchurch.

From quirky, to classic, to…

Meet this year's The Block NZ teams

29 Jun 2017

Mark your TV viewing calendars for this Sunday, because Three's The Block NZ is back!

This season the teams need to step up their game like never before as they renovate the…

Elizabeth is all about design

13 Jul 2017

Elizabeth Dittmer lives and breathes design. It's not enough that she's the owner of boutique interior design studio E.D. Interiors and also tutors design for Open Polytech... last year, she and her…

The Block NZ recap: No lounging around

10 Aug 2017

There was no lounging around for The Block NZ teams last week, as they scrambled to finish their living rooms before room reveal – on top of competing in dinner wars. Here's what the teams…

The Block NZ recap: to the roof!

14 Sep 2017

This week on Three's The Block NZ, the teams went upstairs and outside to complete their rooftop terrace. With help from friends and family to finish everything off, there was good cheer all…

Emma’s wooden wonders

05 Apr 2018

Growing up on a dairy farm, Emma FitzGerald had access to her father’s great range of power tools. But wasn’t until three years ago that she really took advantage of…

2 small ways to bring in autumn colour

29 Mar 2018

As the we drift into a new season, those delicious colours of autumn will be starting to appear, from the reds and burnt brown hues of fallen leaves to the…

Come to Kate’s colour workshop

24 May 2018

Christchurch colour-lovers have to chance to join interior stylist Kate Alexander and Resene for a one-off afternoon of bubbles and colour.

This is your chance to pick Kate’s brains about all…

Kim sees the joy in colour

31 May 2018

From starting out as a Resene colour consultant to now running her own business Kim Nicol of All Colour Matters gets a thrill from helping people pick the perfect paint…

Three's The Block NZ recap: it’s all go with guest bedroom reveal

19 Jul 2018

It was all-go on week one in the new season of Three’s The Block NZ. First up the teams were tasked with making over the guest bedroom of their houses with big…

Designer reading for less

14 Aug 2018

Urbis magazine and Resene have for the past 20 years partnered together and brought colour and design inspiration to readers. To celebrate this milestone, Urbis and its sister magazine Houses are offering you their best…

Home renovation and repair – it’s all in the prep

09 Aug 2018

Consumer Protection aims to inform and educate Kiwis about the process of buying. Here is their advice on home renovation.

Renovating or doing work on your home can be a big…

Blog: What painting our walls taught us

09 Aug 2018

Husband and wife team Shayden Whipps and Georgia Brian are the creative duo behind Mooch Style, a Christchurch-based home and lifestyle blog talking all things DIY and styling spaces. Here…

Make a mini mud room

05 Sep 2018

How many hours of your life do you think you spend cleaning up the mess and muddy footprints around the exterior doors of your home – the shoes, dog leashes,…

Latest habitat hits the letterboxes

04 Oct 2018

The latest issue of habitat magazine has hit the letterboxes during the past week. Full of clever ideas and bursting with on-trend colour combos and both interior and exterior looks,…

HOMEmade recap: Karl and Ida’s mid-century makeover

05 Dec 2018

Ida and Karl’s 1950s home had great bones but it was too cold and was looking a little old with its original wallpaper, carpet and glittery ceiling. The couple love…

Easy-going interiors: How decorating a bach differs from everyday home design

17 Jan 2019

Whether by the beach, lake or mountain, the modest bach is an iconic part of our history and culture and sums up the meaning of escape from the city and…

Retro renos and small space savers

19 Feb 2019

We love a good renovation project in this part of the world – buying do-ups and, well, doing them up. Of course, there are any number of options for bathroom…

Mike creates heart-warming homes for his feline friends

10 Apr 2019

Built from plywood and hardboard and finished with an incredible level of detail using Resene testpots, Opunake-based artist Mike Shegedin made his 11-year-old cat, Tim, this adorable yellow ‘Cat’s Cradle…

Visit Susan’s profound and colourful shrines in Waikanae

03 Apr 2019

A fascination with the rituals and sculpture of American native peoples inspired Palmerston North artist Sue Artner’s interest in creating art in the form of shrines.

Ten of her works are…

A Kmart cubby house gets a creative Kiwi update

12 Jun 2019

Jarrod Rendle and his family turned a $199 Kmart Cubby House into a playhouse palace fit for a princess (and prince), injecting a bit of Kiwi flavour into the Kmart Cubby House…

Opotiki’s colourful murals get a refresh

07 Aug 2019

Shona Hammond Boys is passionate about providing children a nurturing and safe space to explore their creative side. It’s something she has developed and is known for as the national…

Taupo expands its impressive collection of street art

20 Nov 2019

The first street art festival of its kind in New Zealand, Graffiato: Taupo Street Art Festival, captures the diversity of mural painting practice, and what’s new and relevant in global urban…

Alison Leeder’s home office is the ‘pink’ of perfection

05 Dec 2019

When interior designer Alison Leeder moved into her 1950s house in Melbourne in late 2017, she had her sights set on tackling her home office first. Wanting a functional office…

Mike and Loren’s tiny house embraces minimalism

12 Feb 2020

At just 22m2, Mike and Loren’s Hawke’s Bay home is not your average dwelling. Tiny houses have been making waves in the building industry the last few years, and knocking…