Trends 37-01

Butted up against a basalt cliff face, this home responds with rugged board-formed concrete cladding. Inside, family and guests are given close up reminders of the setting

A dwelling that sat lightly on the land was the fundamental idea for this holiday home by Box Build. The home's upper storey cantilevers beyond the lower level by 4 metres – stretching out to the Northland views before it

This family home combines a wealth of lifestyle features with arresting elements such as a rugged natural stone wall focal point and a raised pool. The contemporary home, by Daniel Lomma Design also takes in river and ocean views from most of its well-connected spaces

With design nods to early settler cottages and leading spaces trained on the views, this snug, modern home is all about embracing its mountain setting

With deep, deep foundations, great street presence and a build height respectful of rear neighbours, this home responds to its environment in several ways

Tilt-slab construction and 3m-high floor-to-ceiling glass come together to shape a spectacular home, where the views and interiors jostle for attention

Normally used on side walls and or unseen structures, Chicago common brick plays a starring role in this home, including twisting columns on the front facade

Sophisticated apartment interior also has a relaxed beachfront vibe in keeping with the seaside setting

Numerous easy transitions to low-maintenance garden and patio areas are a feature of this Tuscan-style Jalcon Homes design

A handful of local beach sand provided the palette inspiration for this kitchen, which operates in two zones. The result is a highly detailed but unassuming design that evokes a subtle furniture look so it doesn't detract from the dramatic sea views

So, what does the coming year hold in terms of kitchen design? Two leading New Zealand kitchen designers answer some questions as to what might lie ahead in terms of cabinetry, benchtops, appliances and materials

This dark-stained American Oak kitchen reflects quality from its appealing surfaces to high-end appliances. As practical as it is handsome, it's more than up to the task of producing everyday fare and lavish formal dinners alike 

A semi-industrial palette of wood, concrete and steel gives this kitchen a strong presence and also connects it to the wider surroundings

Taking its cues from the architecturally designed rural home it forms part of, this clean-lined kitchen reflects personality and modernity, with its extensive functionality downplayed visually

Natural light plays on the marble and oak surfaces in this modern, airy entertainer’s kitchen where clutter is banished from sight

In keeping with its 1920s heritage home and offering a sense of luxury and retreat, this ensuite has a classic appeal which includes setting key elements on plinths

Nothing beats relaxing and unwinding in a bath with a glass of your favourite wine, after a long, stressful day. And while many people turn to different spas and wellness centres to de-stress and loosen up a bit, there are also great and easy ways to spruce up your own bathroom and turn it into a luxury home spa. 

Brass highlights play an important part in this master bathroom's industrial yet refined aesthetic which is in keeping with the wider master suite design and the house itself 

As well as having a place for everything (think dedicated makeup station and ottomans to relax on in the dressing area) this master suite achieves a flowing, connected feel with a quiet sense of luxury at every turn

Often renovations are shackled by available space, existing plumbing, even structural dictates – this master suite, however, tells a different story

Clean-lined yet luxurious, this spacious master suite achieves the look of Mid-century Modern translated into a more 21st century design language

All around the world we can’t get enough of houseplants – with more than 4 million posts on Instagram a fair indication! So what plant tops picture popularity? The clickable cactus scooped the polls with 23 million posts. See how your favourite flora rated.

Working from home comes with many benefits – but you need to to make the most of the design of your home office to avoid the downsides.

Pantone has revealed its Colour of the Year, and it may not be quite what you expected. 

This interior responds directly to the homeowner's brief for robust, but elegantly grand. The thoughtful interior design fully utilises the volumes of space crafted by the architect, with the use of high-quality materials ensuring durability and longevity

Set on high with stunning beach views, this home reflects a minimal, raw material palette which is echoed in the interior design. Italian and New Zealand signature pieces contribute to the elegant, relaxed ambience

Organising the space planning in a Y or propeller shape ensured this home met all of the owner’s specific requirements while making the most of the spectacular views

Following on from an upstairs rethink, this renovation opens up the ground floor of the home front-to-back with a deft reworking of the existing rear spaces

Don't let lack of room stop you from getting the outdoor area that fits your needs. Here are some ways to make the most of your outdoor space

With today's awareness, the days of basking in the sun are behind us and while covering up with long sleeves and hats or splashing on the sun screen are options, another is to ensure your outdoor spaces offer a shady welcome. Here are 9 examples of how to achieve that

Surrounded by green space on a steep plot of land, this contemporary home opens up to the views

A three-storey extension is added to a compact Anglo-Italianate townhouse, expanding the living spaces and creating a restful, elegant place to come home to

For this bathroom and matching ensuite, antique penny rounds in the showers, artistic swirls on the Corian vanities and the choice of rose gold fixtures all combine to elegant, matching effect

Babe Ruth once walked the floors of this apartment but it's unlikely he would recognise it now. A transformative interior design interwoven with exotic wall treatments and artworks has given this riverside eyrie a rich, opulent air

Take a classic log cabin and add a contemporary addition – on top! See how the architects approached this tricky renovation move. The outcome speaks for itself

This home came out tops as our most popular renovation story of 2020. Step inside to see why. 

Along with a new guest house, this home has been comprehensively reinvented with only accents and the original floor slab retained. The new home boasts space, light and a character all its own

Continuing the tradition of refurbishment of Auckland’s heritage housing stock, this renovation is a re-interpretation of the ‘lean-to’ form. Traditionally used as service spaces, the ‘lean-to’ here is re-cast as living space, opening the house up to the north facing backyard

Not-so-little moves like appropriating and demolishing the next door house along with tucking another floor in under the existing roofline, were just two aspects of this makeover which has brought a grand-looking manor house back into its rightful glory. Another design move has future-proofed the house well into the future

A dramatic cladding rethink and manipulation of internal spaces, including raised ceilings, has brought this home a more contemporary sensibility

Hidden behind the original facade of a former shop is a beautifully considered family home. Discover how it manages to make a dramatic statement while treading lightly on the land

See how the alteration of this contemporary home in City Beach, Australia, was designed to maintain the charm of its 1960s Commonwealth Games village history

This expansion offers material and aesthetic links to the existing home – but while a rear addition toes the line form-wise, the new front wing does not

With the latest redevelopment of its southern entry, Auckland War Memorial Museum now has two highly distinctive arrival processes – and a logical link between them

Greatly reducing energy consumption and producing more energy than it will use over its lifespan, Snøhetta's Energy Positive Powerhouse goes even further – creating a welcome sign post for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable architecture

What better showcase for a glass company than a structure that literally requires your trust in its skills and product. This glass bridge structure spanning the Cobbold Gorge in outback Queensland is a case in point. Would you hold your breath and walk out into the void?