CATEGORIES

Plan A

A dated A-frame right on Papamoa Beach was the perfect project for this creative couple, who have transformed it into a nostalgic holiday retreat

Tiny but mighty

Renovating and living in a mobile home for more than a year left this family questioning whether they’d want to live in a regular house ever again

Easy does it

No more mud, no more mowing. A total redesign has given this family exactly what they wanted – a garden that almost takes care of itself

Harbour master

This waterfront Whangārei home was crafted for easy living, close connections to nature and savouring time with family

Brush work

Painter Katherine Throne studied painting on a whim, but it is hard work and determination that have built her burgeoning career

History repeats

This mum-of-one with an eye for eclectic design never planned to live in her grandparents’ old Napier villa, but fate had other ideas

Blue dude

A palette of blues and greys has given this Oamaru homestead a super cool new look

Deck the hall

A towering tree laden with flowers forms the centrepiece of a magical family Christmas in this century-old hall-turned-home

Bright spark

The renovation of this family home in Wellington may have been a slow burn but its joyful way with colour has warmed the heart from day one

All is calm

The owner of this chic apartment decorates for Christmas with a traditional yet minimalist aesthetic in mind

Merry & bright

Christmas is a colourful affair in this 1920s Auckland bungalow where little family traditions make the season extra special

Let's Roll

Trading their rain-soaked tent for an old-school caravan has been the ticket to holiday happiness and magical memories for this Mt Maunganui clan

Splash Palace

Building new meant this Cambridge couple could combine privacy, parties and poolside bliss into one perfect package

Classic Cool

Enhance your decor with pieces that echo the style of bygone eras, and combine them with modern touches to create an air of effortless elegance

Just The Business

Rather than upsizing their small home, this family have made it work extra hard, squeezing a workspace, a film studio and plenty of play within its walls.

Yes We Can

They call it The Can House – a compact family home built inside a ’can’ or shipping container lined with warm plywood, clever storage and ingenious ideas.

White Of Way

A plan to bring more light into this kitchen transformed it into a brighter, more open space with minimal change to the layout

Top To Bottom

A two-toned cabinet design combined with a hand-poured concrete benchtop give this kitchen a stylish X-factor.

Wild At Heart

An untamed farm and basic barn house looking out towards Waihi Beach was the ideal project for this handy family.

Sun Seeker

This beautiful, yet robust, family home in Nelson is built for maximum sun, catching rays all day long from its lofty spot.

Open Hearted

This cost-conscious couple designed, built and decorated an open-plan kitchen themselves using kitset cupboards.

Light Relief

With a close eye on the budget, an Auckland couple have transformed a compact 1970s do-up into a light, bright and inviting home.

Family Glam

A 1990s kitchen was updated with chic black-and-white finishes and given a new, family-friendly layout.

Candy Land

Building new was this homeowner’s chance to run with her love of colour and create a home that makes you smile whether you’re inside or out.

The Wish List

Ignoring the advice that renovating a villa is “a lot of work”, Emma and Josh Smaller turned a rundown New Plymouth house into a light, liveable dream home

Hunter Gatherer

A nose for a good deal combined with DIY skills has given this couple’s New Plymouth new-build plenty of soul — without breaking the bank

Luck Of The Irish

A family moved to New Zealand with a clear plan in place, but instead fell under the spell of this magnificent art deco homestead in Hawke’s Bay

Green Queen - Carol Bucknell

YH&G gardens editor Carol Bucknell has been with us since 1994, when ruched blinds, bullnose benchtops and coloured windows were all the rage. We asked her how she became a gardening guru and how Kiwi gardens have changed

Free The Flowers

Florals don’t just belong in a vase – use blooming bedlinen, curtains, rugs and even furniture to add colour, pattern and beauty to your spaces

Design For Life

This chic mum-of-two took from the colours and textures of her childhood to create a home that fuses Scandi style with personal touches