your home_and_garden

NEW IDEAS FOR YOUR HAPPY PLACE ADMIT GET WHITE ONE RIGHT Quick How to entrance make it work revamps at yours Nana state THE VERSATILITY OF GRANNY FLATS ROAST EASY Midwinter feasts ON THE TILES Everything you need to know about tiling JULY 2022 $9.50 (INCL. GST) Spanish style in Raglan One family’s dream Mediterranean home FROM BREAD BIN TO BEDSIDE TABLE WE DIYed IT. SO CAN YOU

AUSTRALIA AUCKLAND KUALA LUMPUR LONDON SINGAPORE SHANGHAI VANCOUVER I kingliving.com

KATO STRIKING IN SIMPLICITY Reimagine everyday luxury with a choice of curved corners, a grand double chaise and seamless modular flexibility.

CONTENTS July 22 66 28 Shopping Homes Renovation Makeover 12 FRESH FINDS 28 CASA DEL SOL 66 LEAP OF FAITH 40 WINTER WHITES 15 GREEK ODYSSEY Spanish vibes in Raglan. A farmhouse is given How to choose the right One family’s determination a new lease of life for its shade of pale It’s all Greek to us to build a Mediterranean- owners and animals style home pays off 88 FLYING COLOURS 16 PLEASE BE SEATED 78 BREAKOUT BUILDING 42 FEATHERWEIGHT A tired bach gets a Sofas to settle into Granny flats have a colourful makeover CHAMPION multitude of uses from 18 WHITE NOISE housing parents to an 96 BEDSIDE MANNERS A New Plymouth house office area or retreat The perennial non-colour’s may be on the small From bread bin to bedside hot this winter side but it packs a punch 82 TAKE TO THE TILES table in one DIY session style-wise 20 SHELL STYLE Renovations expert Jen 100 YOU HAD ME AT HELLO 52 HOME SWEET HYGGE Jones gives the lowdown Tortoiseshell appeal on tiles for walls, floors Clever entryway updates. This house combines the and everything in between Hint decluttering is 22 WOMEN WE LOVE Scandi sense of style with important the Danish concept of Emma Crawley’s tuft art warmth and cosiness 146 LAST LOOK Annabel Langbein’s five must-haves 4 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

88 132 112 Food Gardens On the cover 110 LEMON DELICIOUS 132 MOTHER OF DRAGONS Monica Grimshaw has built the casa she always wanted The pudding that should The wonder of to live in, except it’s in Raglan. be on everyone’s lips snapdragons The day we visited though, we honestly thought we were 112 MIDWINTER FARE 134 THE CONSTANT in Espania. Even the temperate weather had us fooled. Roasts that are the star GARDENER For more about this house, attraction of a weekend go to page 28. Mary Lovell-Smith checks Photography Babiche Martens 120 LIVING WELL off what to do this month YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 5 Eleanor Ozich’s tray-bakes 137 POT LUCK 122 AROUND THE TABLE Planters for your plants to call home Tablescaping to elevate midwinter dining 138 10 FABULOUS BLOOMERS 126 CULINARY TRAVELS The best winter flowering plants Kiwi lodges share their signature recipes 131 SOUND BITES The latest for the kitchen

Fiona Hawtin, Editor Hello PHOTOGRAPHY, HAIR AND MAKE-UP CAROLYN HASLETT. FIONA WEARS ZOE & MORGAN NECKLACE, LONELY CAMISOLE AND HELEN CHERRY JACKET. This month I’m… Those who do, do. Those who don’t work on magazines. That’s my takeout from the ‘bread bin into bedside table’ DIY project on page 96. Inspired by all those Kmart hacks, Instagrams and TikToks, we thought surely we could do that. So we ordered some lookalikes online and they arrived in kitset form. That was the first problem – we had to make them, which took deputy editor Caroline and I quite some time and even then, we needed a third person to hold one side in place. Undaunted, we pressed on and finally managed to build a bedside table we’re proud of, but it took us much longer than it should have. We’re sticking to our day jobs. Someone who very much can do is Monica Grimshaw, whose house is on the cover of this issue and on page 28. I’m a sucker for a Spanish-look house, as is she, having fallen hard for the casa style when she lived overseas. Undeterred by the small fact she now lives in Raglan, Monica and her husband built a Mediterranean-style home with such attention to detail you’d swear you were in Costa del Sol. Their house, which they’ve affectionately dubbed Casa del Sol, features arched niches in the walls – even though their builder wasn’t keen to install them. Nevertheless, she persisted and it turns out perseverance pays off big time. Well, except for Caroline, who now has to use the bedside table every day. Visiting the Auckland Museum’s The Ancient Greeks: Warriors, Athletes and Heroes exhibition. With more than 170 objects from the British Museum, this is the next best thing to a trip to the Acropolis itself and a glory to behold. On until November 6, it’s wall-to-wall amphoras. aucklandmuseum.com Reading Anna: The Biography ($39.99, Rethinking yellow walls. Having Atlantic) by Amy Odell. The book of previously expressed my distaste for the closed book that is Vogue editor yellow walls, I’m having second thoughts thanks to Pac Studio, this year’s Dulux Anna Wintour reveals only a little more Colour Awards Grand Prix New Zealand information than we already knew about her, Winner. The bathroom wall is Dulux but is an interesting read about the workings Cape Kidnappers and is a lovely fresh yellow, guaranteed to brighten your of Vogue itself. She will, however, remain a bejewelled enigma wrapped in Chanel. mood every day. dulux.co.nz 6 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

HOME OF DESIGN

Social club EDITOR Fiona Hawtin Enjoy swoonworthy linens and gold touches ART & EDITORIAL WE LOVE Sarah Espeute’s hand Deputy editor Caroline Moratti embroidered, antique Art director Nicola Feeney linen tablecloths are Chief sub-editor Michelle Joe the trompe-l’oeil of Garden editor Mary Lovell-Smith any good banquet. A Senior designers Béla Trussell-Cullen, Tanya Wong true feast for the eyes. Designers Alice Bush, Anna Petursdottir @sarahespeute CONTRIBUTORS Gina Fabish, Wendy Fenwick, Melanie Jenkins, Jen To say we’re obsessed PODCAST OF THE MONTH Jones, Babiche Martens, Eleanor Ozich, Catherine with Little Taonga’s Steel, Swell Productions, Shelley Tustin latest starry-eyed Suzanne Hall and Jessica Bennett break ADVERTISING | CORPORATE collection is an Sales director Claire Chisholm understatement. down everything Commercial sales manager Mae Kelly, you’ve ever wanted [email protected], 0212460276 @littletaonga Senior account manager Chloe Jordan to know about [email protected] interior design. Campaign manager Angela Wei [email protected] CONNECT WITH US Classified sales Kim Chapman [email protected] We love seeing images from our #yourhomeandgarden community. EXECUTIVE Chief executive o icer Jane Huxley @yourhomeandgarden General manager Stuart Dick Editorial director Sarah Henry TRENDING ONLINE TOP INSTAGRAM POST Distributor Are Direct A light and airy North Shore home This serene sanctuary proves as offers a lesson in cool curves. irresistible as it is dreamy. + Contact us Email [email protected]. Postal address: PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352 yourhomeandgarden.co.nz @yourhomeandgarden + Subscription enquiries Phone: 0800 624 746. Email [email protected] or visit magshop.co.nz. + Advertising enquiries Sales Director Claire Chisholm, email: [email protected]. Directory Advertising: Kim Chapman, email [email protected]. Your Home and Garden is published by Are Media Ltd of Level 1, 317 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021. Printed by Webstar, 114 Swanson Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610. © 2021. All rights reserved. Your Home and Garden (ISSN 1173-8642) is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication, unless initially specified otherwise. All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled “not for publication”. Opinions expressed in Your Home and Garden are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of Are Media Auckland. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. Paint colours may alter in the printing process. PRIVACY NOTICE This issue of Your Home and Garden is published by Are Media Limited (Are Media). Are Media may use and disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to provide you with your requested products or services and to keep you informed of other Are Media publications, products, services and events. Our Privacy Policy is located at www.aremedia.co.nz/ privacy/. It also sets out on how you can access or correct your personal information and lodge a complaint. Are Media may disclose your personal information offshore to its service providers and agents located throughout the world, including in Australia, USA, the Philippines and the European Union. In addition, this issue may contain Reader Offers, being offers, competitions or surveys. Reader Offers may require you to provide personal information to enter or to take part. Personal information collected for Reader Offers may be disclosed by us to service providers assisting Are Media in the conduct of the Reader Offer and to other organisations providing special prizes or offers that are part of the Reader Offer. An opt-out choice is provided with a Reader Offer. Unless you exercise that opt-out choice, personal information collected for Reader Offers may also be disclosed by us to other organisations for use by them to inform you about other products, services or events or to give to other organisations that may use this information for this purpose. If you require further information, please contact Are Media’s Privacy Officer either by email [email protected] or mail Privacy Officer, Are Media, 54 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. This publication has been printed by Webstar, a Toitū enviromark diamond certified company and a winner of the Green Ribbon Award. Instagram @yourhomeandgarden | Facebook facebook.com/yourhomegarden | Website yourhomeandgarden.co.nz 8 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

New Zealand’s Wallpaper People B A Your walls called… they want to hang with us! Bring your room to life with wallpaper from the Cascading Gardens collection, exclusive to New Zealand’s wallpaper people, The Inside. In-store, ready to ship now. 10% discount for YHG readers. Enter code YHG10 at checkout. G CF I K D HJ E Cascading Gardens wallpapers $127 per roll, free shipping New Zealand wide. A: Masoala Black | B: Cascading Gardens, Navy | C: Alata, Pink | D: Reine, Cream E: Comoro, Plum | F: Elba, Natural | G: Comoro, Light wood | H: Thalia, Multi I: Masoala, Black | J: Elba, Sage | K: Yasuni, Green [email protected] | www.theinside.co.nz | 03 970 6652 wallpapers - fabrics - home decor 16a Paru Paru Road, Nelson Proudly from Nelson since 2009.

DETAILS, DETAILS Often it’s the little things that bring a room to life and the most difficult to find, such as this blue cushion cover, $6.99; stoneware vase, $30; large stoneware vase; and black candlestick, $19.99 (tall); all from H&M. 10 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

SHOPPING 12 Fresh finds Hot new looks and cool products. 16 We love Lounging about – the story sofa. 22 Women we love Emma Crawley’s a crafty rug maker. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 11

Fresh finds The latest looks and products we love Hang out Make washing a breeze with a laundry basket that’s as pretty as a picture. Made of water- resistant cotton canvas, Gorman’s new range is both practical and stylish. Now that’s what we call a slam dunk. Painted blocks laundry basket, $109, from gormanshop.co.nz SMOOTH OPERATOR You’ll be melting like butter over these sleek French spreaders. Pass the toast, won’t you? Sabre bistrot butter spreader, from $25, studiobestwishes.com What a hottie Turn “brrrh” into brilliant and stay cosy with hand-felted pure merino wool. Merino hot water bottle cover, $79, from paperplanestore.com 12 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

S PAPER PUSHER Drink up The Icarus vase is made THESE RITUELLE LATTE MUGS ARE CALLING from waterproof paper OUR NAME – AND WE’RE LISTENING. (yes, paper!) for all your flower decorating needs. AVAILABLE IN A RANGE OF RAVISHING $39, from superette.co.nz GLAZES, FROM TURMERIC TO ROUGE, THESE HANDMADE BEAUTIES WILL LEAVE YOU THIRSTY FOR MORE. $19.50, FOLKLORESTORE.CO.NZ OUT TO DRY Inspired by the mountainous landscapes of Aotearoa, this linen tea towel is almost too gorgeous to use. We’re sure we’ll find a way, though. Altitude linen tea towel, $39, from threaddesign.co.nz Pitch perfect Let your imagination run wild with a Safari-inspired king single. Your kids will thank you, if they’re not too busy roaring like lions. Hideout Canopy Bed, $1739, from freedomfurniture.co.nz Look pretty CAST A SPELL WITH THE HEX MIRROR FROM WALMSLEY & COLE. MADE FROM WIND-FELL MACROCARPA, THERE’S NOTHING MORE CHARMING, OR MORE ORANGE. $375, FROM WALMSLEYANDCOLE.CO.NZ SWEET AS SUGAR Less is more with the Royal Doulton Olio sugar and creamer set, $119, from smithandcaugheys.co.nz YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 13

Break time Add some beauty to your morning brew routine. Save: 6-cup espresso coffee maker, $12, from Kmart. Splurge: Lady Anne Moka 4 Tazze, $239, from Tessuti. SAVE SPLURGE STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER Striped success For anyone daydreaming about strawberry season, Getting out of the shower won’t feast your eyes on these sweet treats. be such a hardship with the Set of four vases, $120, from littleandfox.co.nz plush, 100 percent cotton Tekla Sailor Stripes bathmat, $96, A LIGHT TOUCH from simonjames.co.nz This Japanese sumac wax BOTTOMS UP candle will set your heart on fire. Takazawa Nanao Capturing the movement of water within Japanese candle N, $35, crystal, these whisky glasses are cool infinitedefinite.com conversation starters. Tutu Dansante glass transparent, $38, from foundstore.co.nz THING OF BEAUTY Artists Damen and Amy Joe play with the memorabilia of their childhoods to explore their relationship with their Māori heritage in this moving three-part series. Tōku Waka print, from $19.90, pauanesia.co.nz 14 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

S 2 1 3 4 5 6 11 10 7 8 9 12 Greek odyssey Think classical beauty and age-old relics 1 Athenian candle, $14.94, from Haly Design Studio. 2 Kylix warrior tea towel, $28, from Auckland Museum Store. 3 DOIY Apollo vase, $129, from Mighty Ape. 4 Venus candle, $55, from Bohzali. 5 Opa! plate, $29, from In the Roundhouse. 6 Vase with handle, $9, from Kmart. 7 Black Blaze column vase, $189, from Superette. 8 Linnea Andersson Urn Terracotta print, $72.75 (A4), from The Poster Club. 9 Amalfi Rhea sculpture, $110.15, from The Market. 10 Kristina Dam Matter magazine keeper, $359, from Ornament. 11 Column pillar candle duo, $45, from Thread Design. 12 Venus geo decor plate, $139, from Smith & Caughey’s. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 15

1 1 SAVE 2 PRICED AT $439, THIS AFFORDABLE LOVESEAT IS AN E Y E - C ATC H E R . SPLURGE THIS MODERN AND 4 3 CURVY STATEMENT WE LOVE SOFA, $6495, IS MADE IN-HOUSE. Please be seated Sit yourself down for some sofa satisfaction 5 6 7 8 1 Harper 3-seater sofa with chaise, $3799, from Harvey Norman. 2 Evelyn curved loveseat, $439, from iFurniture. 3 Atelier sofa, from $6495, from Coco Republic. 4 Zaza 2-seater sofa, $2990, from King. 5 Eton leather sofa, $2999, from Nood. 6 Lloyd 3-seater sofa in maize, $3999, from Nood. 7 Donna sofa, $3036, from Danske Mobler. 8 Fleur 3-seater chaise, $7981, from King. 16 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN



SPLURGE MARLOE MARLOE TWIGGIE VASE, $522, FROM SLOW STORE 3 1 2 STYLE STALKER White noise Add elegant accents to your decor with this timeless shade 4 6 BOHO RAINBOW THROW, $115, FROM 5 BOHEMIAN SOUL 8 79 1 French linen duvet cover set, $269 (queen), from Flo & Frankie. 2 Elho Vibes pot, $11 (7cm), from Flourish Foliage. 3 Boucle wool throw, $239, from Citta. 4 Muskhane wool felt mats, from $16.90, from Folklore. 5 Hahei lambswool blanket in oatmeal, $349, from Green with Envy. 6 Zion throw cream, $229, from Flux Boutique. 7 Albie round ottoman, $825, from Madisons. 8 Connie basket two-piece set, $49.99, from Nood. 9 Mr Kelp Charlie vase, $32, from Crave Home. 18 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

Incorporate a nod to mid-century with the Fabian Sofa. Sink into its luxurious velvet feel seats and style it with our collection of antique brass pieces. Colour Accent Depth Detail Auckland | Tauranga | Hamilton | Napier Palmerston North Wellington | Nelson Christchurch | Dunedin | Queenstown nood.co.nz

2 3 4 1 6 NEXT BIG THING Shell style Treat your home to this speckled classic 5 8 7 9 11 10 1 Ferm Living Casca glass, $46 each, from Moi on George. 2 Tortoise glass plate, $92, from Ornament. 3 Alyssum glasses, from $14.95 each, from Freedom. 4 Elena Renker shino box, $199, from Paper Plane. 5 Tortoiseshell tealight holder, $6, from Kmart. 6 Leo glass vase, $199, from Bohzali. 7 Solace cayce tortoiseshell vase, $79.90, from Bed Bath & Beyond. 8 Dowling tissue box, $85, from Inspiry. 9 Global explorer tortoiseshell resin barware set, $46, from Amara. 10 Water buffalo tusk bowl, $130, from Fourth Street. 11 Papier HQ Leopard stapler and pen cup, $39 each, from Flux Boutique. 20 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

Protect the ones you love so they can keep doing what they love If you’re a parent or caregiver, you’re likely to have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and what it could mean for your whānau. It’s important to know that if your tamariki aren’t yet immunised and they get COVID-19, they’ll need to wait three months before they can get vaccinated. We’re here to help you get the answers and information you need. Call 0800 28 29 26 to chat with someone who can help or to make a booking for your whānau. Covid19.govt.nz/tamariki

Trigger Artist Emma Crawley brings a playful touch to the rug renaissance happy Text Caroline Moratti Photography Babiche Martens 22 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

S Emma Crawley is the fabulous mind fetched $310 in a Trade Me auction, after attracting an TUFT STUFF The behind Tuftee, a custom rug venture. impressive 42 bids. Auckland creative isn’t Having only tried her hand at tufting shy to try new things, a mere five months ago, she’s already Now Emma is taking her enterprise to new heights, recently taking up a natural at the traditional craft – and is with the launch of her hotly anticipated website. motorcycle riding. just getting started. “Apparently, I’m Rug tufting has recently exploded What drew you to the rug tufting? In 2021 I found drawn to hobbies that into the creative consciousness, thanks to mesmerising myself overwhelmed, anxious and burnt out after an involve dangerous TikTok videos that pair the high speed movement of intense couple of years and ended up stopping work to machinery, as I took a tufting gun with its colourful yields. Perfect for either recover. A few months into that time, I felt drawn to try up rug tufting too.” walls or flooring, the plush, cosy vibes of each piece is something creative. Rug tufting is a very physical impossible for DIY craft enthusiasts to resist. process that appealed to me – it’s easy for me to get Emma has never been averse to trying new things, stuck in my head, so I chose an art form that might having recently taken up motorcycling, and says, help me connect with my body. I’ve discovered it’s a “Apparently, I’m drawn to hobbies that involve very mindful activity too, which helps with anxiety. dangerous machinery, as I took up rug tufting too.” The Aucklander’s work is charmingly cheeky, How did you learn to tuft? I bought a starter kit perhaps best demonstrated by her works featuring an online from All Things Effy and watched YouTube array of derrieres. “I try not to take myself too seriously videos on how to do various parts of the process. They and love finding the humour that comes with being make it look so easy, but it took a lot of blood, sweat human,” Emma says. “You’ll often find me regaling and swear words to create my first pieces. I’m glad others with the many awkward moments I experience I persisted, and that I still have all my fingers. in dating and in daily life. I have a reputation for showing up wearing a costume when it’s least expected. Not on dates though, I promise.” Some of Emma’s other pieces include bananas, fairy bread, the slogan “Better living, everyone” and French fries, to name a few. A rug featuring the soon-to-retire director-general of health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 23

“Humans, life and handmade rugs all share the experience of being beautifully imperfect.” EMMA CRAWLEY What’s the process behind making each piece? about refocusing where my worth and value does I create a design, stretch some fabric onto a frame, come from and surrounding myself with people then draw the design on it. Rug tufting is like painting and media that reminds me of those truths. All bodies with wool using a gun, so I fill in the design by are good bodies. threading yarn into a tufting gun and shooting that into the fabric. Once that’s done, I tidy up any stray bits Feeling positive about my body can be a bit of a or mistakes, then cover the back of the rug with latex stretch sometimes, so I’m working on feeling neutral glue to hold the yarn in place and add a backing. Rugs about it and finding gratitude in what my body allows look best when they are sheared to even them out, me to do. For example, hugging my friends, riding my then carved with scissors to get nice clean lines. The motorbike to beautiful places, eating mint chocolate- whole process takes quite a while. flavoured ice cream, getting goosebumps when listening to music that moves me, and yes, creating A lot of your work plays upon New Zealand rugs with glorious bums on them. culture, whether it’s Ashley Bloomfield, “Better Living, Everyone” or fairy bread. What draws you What role does social media play in your work to Kiwiana iconography? That wasn’t intentional. I and how do you navigate it? I created an Instagram found myself creating designs that captured something account when I started tufting, mainly because my familiar to us, but wouldn’t expect to see in a rug. friends were interested in seeing what I made and some of the process. I often feel hesitant to share my Body positivity is another recurring theme in your work, can you speak about your relationship to that subject matter? Living in a world that puts so much value on how people look, I have disliked and distrusted my body for as long as I can remember. Over the past few years, I have been exploring the various ways that diet culture has, and continues to, harm my mental and physical health. These messages and beliefs about my body go pretty deep and are reinforced daily in media, so I have been intentional 24 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

S creations because I’m learning as I go and there are lots TIME FOR A YARN of imperfections. But I have grown to appreciate that Emma describes rug as part of the beauty of the pieces, as well as the tufting as “painting with process of developing new skills. There’s such a wool using a gun” – and temptation to present only the best parts of ourselves becoming proficient in and our lives on social media, but humans, life and the skill took a lot of handmade rugs all share the experience of being blood, sweat and swear beautifully imperfect. words. Her playful designs include What’s been your favourite creation? Oh, that’s like body-positive bottoms, asking me to choose a favourite child! I enjoyed bananas and clouds. creating the rug with four bottoms of various shapes and sizes because it felt like a little celebration of YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 25 bodies we don’t often see portrayed. Ashley Bloomfield was also a fun one to make. Your Ashley Bloomfield rug drew a lot of press. What was your reaction to all the attention the auction gathered? It was quite an unexpected whirlwind. After Trade Me featured the Ashley Bloomfield rug as one of the ‘Cool Listings’, I received a lot of hateful messages, which I hadn’t anticipated. The more positive part of the experience was seeing lots of people enjoying a cultural moment for New Zealand captured in a tufted rug, a medium that many people hadn’t seen before. What pieces are you dreaming up for the future? I have lots of ideas bubbling away in my strange little brain. I’m keen to keep experimenting with portraits of people, as well as a series inspired by my all-time favourite movie, The Castle, and I am getting a bigger frame made to experiment with some larger scale pieces soon. Where can people view and purchase your gorgeous rugs? I’ve just launched my website tufteerugs.com and I’m on Instagram @tuftee

26 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY GINA FABISH

STILL LIFE WITH LAMP HOMES Winter is the time to warm up interiors with mood lighting and table lamps for instant ambience. To see more of this house, turn to page 42. 28 Casa del Sol A Raglan family’s Mediterranean magic. 42 Featherweight champion A tiny cottage packs a punch. 52 Home sweet hygge A house by a forest brings the great outdoors inside. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 27

CASA DEL The owners of a new build in Raglan, which has cool curves in all the right places, took coastal Mediterranean architecture as their muse SOL Text Caroline Moratti Photography Babiche Martens 28 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H WHITE AND LIGHT The white Ferm Living Collect Series Opal Sphere pendants are from Slow Store and the glass vase is from A&C Homestore. NICHE EFFECT (opposite) Homeowner Monica Grimshaw was keen to incorporate wall nooks into the house design. “I really had to convince the builder how much we needed these in the beginning,” she laughs. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 29

Meet & greet Monica (co-founder of an eco yoga mat company) and Justin Grimshaw (sales manager) and their two daughters Kalani, six, and Luna, four. For as long as Monica Grimshaw can remember, she’s dreamt of living in a little villa on the Mediterranean coast. In her twenties she moved to London and saved up to spend her summers exploring the dreamy coastline and admiring its sun-soaked stone architecture. However, the idea to build her own Mediterranean home in New Zealand only came to her during the first lockdown in autumn, 2020. “I wanted to create a home that felt authentic, as if I had been transported back to a European villa in the summer,” Monica says. Seven years ago, Monica and husband Justin fell in love with the surf town of Raglan, often affectionately dubbed the “Byron Bay” of New Zealand. The dream was an idyllic one, a laid-back lifestyle chasing waves and cups of coffee. They spent two years there before buying a section on the Rangitahi peninsula, an up-and-coming community of new builds nestled into the rolling landscape. “The peninsula is surrounded by water and native flora, the section itself instantly felt special to us,” says Monica. Framed by expansive views of Mount Karioi and set right near the water’s edge, the site was the perfect setting for a beautiful family home. 30 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H KITCHEN/DINING The brass tapware is from ABI Interiors and brass cupboard pulls from Lo & Co Interiors. The kitchen Island tiles are Bejmat Ezra in Clay from Tile Depot. The dining table is from Souk Collective. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 31

HOLIDAY VIBE “I really wanted to focus on bringing the outside in, with lots of glass and open spaces, so we felt like we were on holiday all year round,” says Monica. The round concrete table is from Coco Republic. This courtyard features hardy San Pedro cacti, which thrive in this coastal climate. The house was designed to have a water view from each window, with Monica saying, “ We wanted to create an outdoor space that utilised the water view while being really sheltered and private.” 32 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H “I had no previous experience in interior design and it was extremely rewarding seeing the spaces come together.” MONICA GRIMSHAW LIVING The engineered European oak flooring is Quick-step Massimo in Cappuccino Blonde and the walls are painted in Resene Half Bianca. The Jardin Euro Stripe cushions are from CLO Studios and the Beni M’Rirt handknotted wool rug is from Bohzali. The large barnacle pot is from Boheme Home and coffee table from Souk Collective. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 33

that saturated the bathrooms, settling on the Bejmat Ezra tile in Clay from Tile Depot. The terracotta curves of the kitchen island bring warmth to the cool whites used in this culinary space, which looks like it could’ve been plucked out of Santorini itself. Arches are repeated throughout the family home, from the kitchen to the hallway and beyond. In a time of harsh lines, the Grimshaw’s abode is all softness. “We would have reconsidered the choice of curved joinery for this home if we knew a six-week estimate would take nine months to complete,” Monica laughs. “Things have taken a long time, but now it doesn’t matter, it is what it is. It’s just exciting to be able to do something a little bit different.” Having worked in the insulation industry for more than 10 years, Justin was passionate about the performance aspect of the home, Monica says, while she took on the design side, “We worked great as a team.” Thanks to Justin’s expertise, the insulation is made using fibres from recycled plastic bottles, which helps seal in the warmth. Treasure trove One of the most playful choices in the home goes to to the wall niches, intricately carved into the space in a variety of sizes and shapes. Conceived from Pinterest dreaming, the result is a treasure trove of surprises, each nook showcasing a different, gorgeous vase. “Aren’t they a vibe? I really had to convince the builder how much we needed these in the beginning,” Monica laughs. “Looking at traditional Mediterranean architecture, The couple, who moved into their new home in March, BEDROOM Luna relaxes in say they feel blessed to wake up at such a magic spot every her room with its coastal day. The build took 15 months, with the arched joinery vibe of crisp whites and alone taking nine months to complete. The result is a casual rattan pieces. surreal Mediterranean beach house, cheekily named Casa del Sol after the dazzling sun that filters through the curves of the home, coming and going as it pleases. Materials matter In order to bring Spanish, Greek and Italian coastal architecture into their newbuild, serious consideration had to be given to the materials used in the house. Monica says she chose to “combine elements such as handmade tiles, rendered walls, niches, brass fixtures and arches and curves throughout the home to give it a Mediterranean feel.” Nothing signifies this intention more than the sweeping Venetian plastered walls, in Istinto by Giorgio Graesan, which coat the lounge, hallway and bathrooms. This splurge brings a brilliant sense of drama and luxury to every brushstroke. The walls of the home feel hundreds of years old, rather than mere months. The ceramic ’70s-chic tiles in the bathroom were the first thing that the Grimshaws purchased for their house, years before completion. “I knew I wanted an earthy terracotta tile for the bathroom floors to create a Mediterranean villa vibe,” Monica says, and managed to stumble across handmade Mexican Saltillo tiles from Tiles of Ezra that perfectly fit the bill. Comparatively, the kitchen tiles were a last-minute decision, Monica admits, influenced by the earthy tones 34 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

HALLWAY The raffia shade is from H Boheme Home and art print from A&C Homestore. The Venetian “We would have reconsidered the plastered walls here, as well as the choice of curved joinery for this lounge and bathrooms, were a splurge but worth the indulgence. home if we knew a six-week estimate would take nine months.” MONICA GRIMSHAW YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 35

they are prominent throughout the interior design, so large sliding windows. “There’s a water view from every I felt they were a simple way to bring about the look I was window and we all love watching the sunset from here in wanting to create.” The pair are collectors of unique pieces, the evenings,” Monica says. From the kitchen you can step from the ceramic outdoor lights imported from Rome to effortlessly onto a deck that wraps the house in a warm the recycled papier-mache pendant lighting in the hallway. embrace, leading to an intimate courtyard at the heart of “Don’t feel the pressure to have to furnish your home from the family home. “We wanted to create an outdoor space the moment you move in, invest in forever pieces and take that utilised the water view while being really sheltered your time,” she advises. “I just want to buy things when the and private for the family enjoy,” she notes. The courtyard right thing comes along.” is thoughtfully adorned with San Pedro cacti, a prickle-less variety that thrive in the sheltered corners of the open-air Views to die for space. “We can enjoy the sunshine during the day and see the stars above in the evenings,” the couple say dreamily. The piece de resistance belongs to the sparkling water “Our perfect weekends at home are spent dining views of the Rangitahi peninsula, which are framed by altogether in the courtyard before heading down for an ocean dip in front of our home or a coastal walk around the peninsula.” The Raglan villa was intended to be the Grimshaw’s forever home, but they acknowledge they may have been bitten by the building bug. “I’d love to one day do it again, but I’m so happy at the moment,” Monica smiles. It’s been a long wait for their lockdown dream to be realised and there are still finishing touches to be made, with plans for a large pergola running along the front of the house, and a curved rendered wall veggie garden coming to fruition beside the driveway. Monica points out where she’ll place a little breakfast table and chair, which will be beside the herb plantings. “We’re so excited to complete that whole area, then we’ll line the whole thing with olives and lemons and natives,” she promises, envisioning the many more good things to come. 36 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H BATHROOM The Pond mirror is by Ferm Living from A&C Homestore, the tapware from ABI Interiors, the round vanity sink from Concrete Nation and the handmade Mexican Saltillo tiles are from Tiles of Ezra. MAIN BEDROOM (opposite) The wood canopy bed is from Early Settler. GUEST ROOM The duvet cover and pillowcases are from George Street Linen and the Jardin Euro pillows from CLO Studio. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 37

SHOP THEIR STYLE Warm whites and lots of natural hues align for beachy Mediterranean bliss 3 1 2 6 4 7 8 5 11 9 10 12 13 14 1 Arch mirror, $27, from Kmart. 2 Classic Living Fara Planks rug, $499.99, from Briscoes. 3 Home Republic Archie white marle hand towel, $19.99, from Adairs. 4 Emporium Detour vase, $45.92, from The Market. 5 Raffia wall light, $269 (large), from Boheme Home. 6 Louis vase white, $35, from Bohzali. 7 Mexican saltillo EZMST19522 tiles, $178.50 (sqm), from Tiles of Ezra. 8 Luca Linen limoncello cushion, $139, from Sunday Homestore. 9 Moroccan leather pouf, $249, from Flux Boutique. 10 Santorini Dream, Greece print, from $160, from Alex and Sony. 11 Rattan rainbow wall hook, $69, from Inkah. 12 Olive ribbed pot, $49.95, from The French Villa. 13 ByOn Awa shell bowl, $94, from Ornament. 14 Cacti, $14.99 each, from Kings Plant Barn. 38 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H Tip Opt for 2 5 Floor plan rounded pieces 11 to soften an all- 2 10 KEY white look and 2 13 1 Bedroom to reflect the 34 2 Cupboard gentle curves 2 14 3 Playroom 7 4 Entry of nature. 6 5 Garage 6 Outdoor area Honesty box 9 7 Bathroom 8 8 Office What areas of the build did 9 Hall you save on? The laundry. This is 11 12 10 Laundry an area tucked at the back of the 11 Living house and we kept it very simple. 12 Kitchen/dining Where did you splurge? The 13 Ensuite Venetian plaster walls in the 14 Main bedroom hallway, lounge and bathrooms to create the Mediterranean theme. What were the best lessons learned? Place orders well in advance and always follow up on orders and tradespeople to ensure timelines are met. What’s the one thing you would change about your home if you could? The finalised plans include a large pergola running along the front of the home. What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? Seeing the house vision come together near the end of the build was very memorable. It was extremely rewarding seeing the spaces come together and near completion. Budget $950,000. Shops A&C Homestore achomestore.co.nz Boheme Home bohemehome.co.nz Bohzali bohzali.co.nz Slow Store slowstore.co.nz Palette 3 4 1 Istinto by Giorgio Graesan Venetian plaster. 2 Quick-step Massimo 12 flooring in Cappuccino Blonde. 3 Bejmat Ezra tile in Clay from Tile Depot. 4 Resene Half Bianca. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 39

How to choose WINTER WHITES From ivory to cream, add some light, bright touches indoors 40 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H inter whites are making a comeback this frosty season, even though it’s Wdark by 5pm, inside you’re just getting started. Consider winter a time to inject some much-needed light into your home through the monochrome magic of white. Don’t get left out in the cold with this white-hot trend. What to know clean, crisp feeling, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and help to visually cool down The colour white is associated with peace north-facing hot spots. and serenity, so surrounding yourself with it may be useful on your journey Warm whites, on the other hand, are to inner harmony at home. Painting your backed by pink, peach and yellow walls will always bring about the biggest undertones to add a cosy, creamy hue to its transformation but for quick, easy changes surroundings. These tones are ideal for invest in ivory-toned linens and soft rooms that you’ll want to hunker down in, furnishings. Texture is key for that like bedrooms and living spaces, especially all-important cosy feeling, so don’t be when those spaces don’t receive a lot of afraid to layer in different shades of white natural sunlight. It’s the paint equivalent of and thickness. The best thing is the result wrapping yourself up in a big, fluffy blanket. will look as good in summer as it does in winter. Just swap a faux fur cushion for a For the experts, contrast cool and warm linen or cotton cover and away you go. whites to create a winter wonderland. The buttery, rich hues of cream will add Which white works comfort to your home while crisper whites for you? will keep the look fresh and modern. Use this mix and match approach to avoid Cool whites have blue, grey or beige falling into clinical hospital room decor or undertones and help to make rooms 2000s subway-era beige. It’s the best of seem bigger and brighter. They’re perfect both worlds, trust us. for spaces where you want to create a Consider layering warm whites on flat surfaces with plush rugs, woollen Top tips accessories and chunky bed knits. Meanwhile, inject cool whites into CLUB MED When in doubt, some Mediterranean crowded corners with pots, vases and magic will help inject light and air into your cushions to elevate the space. home. The pearly-white bliss of Santorini and Mykonos is timeless for a reason, a beacon of coastal minimalism with soft edges. Even dreaming of these sun-drenched rooftops and traditional white houses will add a touch of sunshine to your life. NATURE CALLS Think white, think plush. If you’re worried about the lack of colour, textured blankets and cushions are the way to go. Natural materials such as sheepskin, fur, fleece and white leather will help you to hunker down in style while the natural beauty of woven furniture, such as rattan and cane, will lighten and lift the space. Six RESENE RESENE RESENE DULUX DULUX PPG popular Alabaster Black White Sea Fog Cardrona Okarito Cotton Ball whites YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 41

DINING ROOM A dark and moody wallpaper sets a sophisticated tone for the dining room. The black cabinet is from New Plymouth store Home Love & Mette K. The marble table is from Farmers and the cane light is from Mr Ralph. “Rattan softens a space and adds something a bit pretty. Especially when you’re doing a strong black-and-white look, you have to soften it with pretty things,” says Sharne. 42 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H Featherweight CHAMPION Using every small-space trick in the book, this New Plymouth cottage punches well above its weight in style and functionality Text Shelley Tustin Photography Gina Fabish YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 43

Meet & greet Sharne Greig (interior designer) and Ron Brons (welding inspector). As an interior designer for one of Taranaki’s largest home building companies, Sharne Greig has a wealth of advice to give her clients – mostly young families tentatively starting out on their decorating journey. But her own home, a beachside ’60s weatherboard cottage, offers a completely different set of lessons, such as decorating boldly with flair and, most of all, on squeezing every valuable inch out of a much smaller home than those she works with professionally. At only 100sqm, the home Sharne shares with her husband Ron, and where they raised their now-grown boys, is certainly not large, but it has served their family well – maybe even better, she reflects – than a bigger house might have. The trick? Clever design, a little bit of compromise and a clear vision of their priorities. Call of the ocean The top priority for this sea-loving family was location. Ron is a surfer and when their eldest son started surfing too, the siren song of the ocean called. “We desperately wanted to be by the beach, but everything was expensive and we didn’t want a huge mortgage, so we traded in the big house for a little house in a better suburb,” says Sharne. When it came to choosing the house that would become their home for the next 16 or so odd years, there was a distinct lack of romantic fanfare. This is no tale of love at first sight with angels singing from on high at the house inspection. “If I was looking for its one redeeming feature, it had a set of French doors at the front and I love French doors,” says Sharne. “And it had a lot of potential 44 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H LOUNGE A long rust-toned sofa from Clegg’s Furniture Court steals the show in the living room. “Don’t be scared to put big things in small spaces,” says Sharne. “I’ve come to the realisation that one big gutsy sofa and a couple of chairs, which you can pull in and out of the room, works better.” Sharne’s design philosophy is to avoid waste – “If you can reuse it, rehash it, re-cover it, that’s what you should do.” A number of pieces have been reupholstered, including the green armchairs, boucle ottoman, and another ottoman upholstered in a well-loved cowhide rug. The artwork above the ottoman is a Colin McCahon print from New Zealand Fine Prints. The black-and-white print is from Freedom, over an Asian-style table from Mecasso. YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 45

“If you take your time with rooms in smaller houses they eventually evolve.” SHARNE GREIG 46 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

H KITCHEN Opening up a doorway and swapping the old U-shaped kitchen for a galley style sacrificed working surfaces but gave the space a much better flow. Sharne designed the space in her signature mix of dark tones (in paint, tiles and benchtops) and timber-look cabinetry. HALLWAY The portrait in this area is a delightful mystery. It was bought from photographer Gina Fabish’s online vintage store and is by an unknown New Plymouth artist. for us to put our mark on it, which is what we both – and with no need for the garage side, they could remove like to do.” Sharne particularly loved how shabby the wall to create a generous sleepout. Inside the house, the original kitchen and bathroom was, meaning she the original ’60s bathroom with separate toilet didn’t cut could rip them out, free of guilt. But most importantly, the mustard for a busy family. “We needed an extra toilet, it had the proximity to the beach they craved – and so we incorporated one into the laundry, then we everything else could be overlooked. combined the existing toilet and bathroom into one bigger bathroom,” Sharne says, adding, “When you’re operating Making it work small, you’ve got to think outside the square. What exactly does the house need to deliver for you to live in it, what do Sharne and Ron made the move from a much bigger you use the most, and what are your priorities?” house to this petite cottage when their boys were eight and 12, on the cusp of their teenage years, which is Taking it slow when most families find themselves craving more space, not less. The couple might have been bucking Apart from those early changes, Sharne and Ron haven’t the trend, downsizing with a growing family, but it was undertaken any enormous renovations – but that doesn’t a decision that made sense to them. “We moved to the mean they’ve been resting on their laurels. “For me, bigger house, which was three times the size of our decorating and renovating is quite an organic process,” first house, and both of us absolutely hated it. Ron says Sharne. They made bite-sized changes every year – worked away from home a lot and it felt quite isolating, enlarging doorways, extending the deck and redoing with just me and two young boys,” Sharne recalls. By the kitchen, among other things – with the aim not to contrast, this smaller house felt friendlier and safer. transform, but to help shape the house into the home they need as their lives progress. “If you take your time with Cute and cosy, though it may be, the house required rooms in smaller homes they eventually evolve. And it’s a a few adjustments to make it work for a family of four. nice process, not a stressful one,” she says. Building a new garage at the front of the home meant the driveway space along the side could be devoted to For Sharne the interior designer, decorating, styling and outdoor living. The existing garage already had a wall restyling is her occupation and a constant joy. She’s forever in the middle, sectioning off a space for a playroom adding new pieces and rediscovering old ones, moving YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 47

MAIN BEDROOM A bank of wardrobes, designed and installed by Elite Kitchens, hides all the practical bits, eliminates the need for dressing tables and the like and makes the main bedroom feel much bigger. Black accents, including a filigree pendant from Bianca Lorenne and throw from Kim Soo in Bali, echo the dark feature wall. GUEST BEDROOM There’s a wealth of texture in this guest room, including a rattan headboard and filigree pendant – both from Bianca Lorenne – and V-groove panelling on walls and ceiling. Brought in to quickly solve the problem of an uneven ceiling, V-groove lining boards have become a signature feature of the house, adding to ceilings and as feature walls. “Because the house was so square – a ’60s home with no redeeming features – we’ve had to add character to it,” says Sharne. 48 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

BATHROOM A Chinese cabinet, converted into a vanity with an H above-counter basin, brings warmth and unique character to the bathroom. LAUNDRY Adding a toilet to the laundry was a clever YOUR HOME AND GARDEN 49 way to make a one-bathroom home work for a busy family, but Sharne says, “I didn’t want it to look like a laundry with a toilet in it. I wanted it to be a bit prettier.” Adding timber-look joinery, an arch-shaped mirror and above-counter basin did the trick. furniture and tweaking the styling, she says. “I love layering. A lot of people get to a shop and buy a chair and cushion, and that’s it. I love starting with something like that, and then moving a vase, adding some books. It’s those sorts of things that make spaces more cosy and interesting.” Small, dark and handsome While some shy away from using dark colours in a smaller space, this home’s monochrome colour palette, with its bold use of moody hues, is the secret to its success. Sharne explains that consistency of colour is the key to tying together her eclectic style, which is a mix of vintage (but not so vintage that it’s old looking), Asian and Moroccan statement pieces, luxe-look wallpaper and textiles, and a splash of timber and rattan for warmth and informality. “I tie everything together through colour and texture. In a small space you need that sense of flow, so you don’t walk into one room and it’s completely different to another room,” she says. One of Sharne’s great loves is wallpaper. Tactile paintable wallpaper, either charcoal or white, does double duty by adding texture and disguising all manner of sins – “It’s been amazing for an older home, tidying up walls without having to hire gib stoppers,” she says. Sharne also uses patterned wallpaper as a luxurious statement finish, changing it regularly to create a different mood; for example, the dining room previously had a summer palm print, but is now wearing an opulent Catherine Martin by Mokum outfit for winter. “I’ve got wallpapering down pat, as long as you don’t look too closely. It’s an easy job and can completely change the space.” Just the two of us Once the ideal family home, this chameleon cottage is now the ultimate easy-care home for a pair of empty nesters. The sleepout – once a playroom, then a teen retreat and sometimes bedroom – now has a new incarnation as the ‘party room’, where Sharne and Ron entertain. “It’s got much more seating for everyone out there – and you can make a bit of a mess and leave it until the next day,” says Sharne. The original sunroom, which once served as a third bedroom, is now part of the main bedroom – knocking through a wall allowed the couple to create a generous main bedroom suite with room for an office setup and enviable light all day long. Most valuable of all, the house is imprinted with memories, both bitter and sweet. Life hasn’t all been smooth sailing, but the house has always been a haven for the family to retreat to. “It’s our refuge,” says Sharne. “It’s got a really healing quality to it that’s lovely and peaceful.”

SHOP THEIR STYLE A monochrome palette and wallpaper is a suitable background for this cottage’s statement pieces to shine 3 2 1 8 4 5 7 6 9 10 11 12 1 Amphora vase, $44.99, from Adairs. 2 Forget me not hand towel, $14.90, from Citta. 3 Resene Denzo II 405811 wallpaper, $165.95 (per roll), from ColorShops. 4 Face Lines poster, $.95, from Poster Store. 5 Bud vase, $40, from Tony Sly. 6 Arch mirror, $47, from Kmart. 7 Castania ceiling pendant, $249, from Freedom. 8 Massim LED table lamp, $269, from Lighting Direct. 9 Rattan headboard, $1095 (queen), from The Foxes Den. 10 Gem ottoman, $159, from Nood. 11 Resene Cod Grey paint, $4.90 (testpot), from ColorShops. 12 Panama 3-seater sofa in Charlotte paprika, $2099, from Freedom. 50 YOUR HOME AND GARDEN