37-12 37-12 Share Tweet Help Facebook Tweet Help New Home Our most viewed New Home story of 2021 A beautifully crafted small home in a coastal setting tops our list of New Home stories for the year Change of heart A late change in design plans resulted in this Scandinavian feel home redolent with natural outlooks, light and a sense of both space and privacy Sculptural in a sculptural land This Wanaka holiday home has been designed as a sculptural form in the landscape, with a series of timber-lined cut outs revealing access areas Warm reference White oak shiplap wall cladding references this home's mountain setting as do various pebble accents, including in the master bedroom fireplace Woodn't you know it? As well as celebrating the owner's business in the timber trade, this home also showcases his furniture designer son's own pieces – chic display storage included Mediterranean air This modern architectural home flirts with the ocean setting – providing various outlooks, sheltered al fresco entertaining, and a pool that connects to the sea visually but is almost indoors Standing out and fitting in Balancing its simple, striking form, this home's raw material textures and natural colour palette avoid visual disruption to its lakeside setting Functional and fresh family living Located in Kenepuru Landing, an exciting new suburb just a stone's throw from central Porirua, this compact G.J. Gardner home offers relaxed family living Luxury lakeside setting It was love at first sight when Steven and Ingrid Painter discovered the section on which they would build their dream home with Landmark Homes The art of blending in This home is clad in soft grey vertical cedar contrasted with a light clay-toned brick cladding, and the all grounded by dark plaster render Kitchen Practical workspace meets detailed luxury There's a place for everything in this semi commercial-look kitchen where a bookmatched marble benchtop is inlaid with brass detail Before plotting your new kitchen read this Top kitchen designers reveal what they consider the best and worst things you could do before embarking on that dream kitchen Material advantage With a carefully executed contrast between dark and dramatic, light and reflective finishes, this renovated kitchen space is a welcomed statement piece in a new open-plan area Small beginnings grow into multi-award winning design company With a career arc spanning the globe, today Natalie Du Bois’ own design company stands apart in terms of a plethora of industry awards and owners thrilled with her work Centre of attention Thoughtful material choices meet ultra refined detailing in this elegant centrepiece entertainers/family kitchen Tap for attention In an architectural home full of surprises we spotted a rather rakish, almost sculptural benchtop pourer – the fine art of utility as eye-catching feature Going with the grain A balanced, restful entertainer's kitchen is under-pinned by close attention to composition and a painstaking approach to grained finishes Inspiration meets raw talent with popular couture interior designer Highly accomplished in a variety of styles, Davinia Sutton’s work can be hard to pick in terms of theme – what is consistent, is her winning awards year on year How exactly would you like that steak? Enjoy cooking outdoors and getting it just right? Premium materials and precision heat control make a Wolf Outdoor BBQ a game changer Bathroom Reeded response A reeded glass shower stall provides textural interest and privacy in this bathroom – the leading colour, moody charcoal, furthers the luxe vibe Luxe materials feature in our 2021 top Bathroom feature Here's an ensuite that gives functional design a stylish name. Find out how designer Darren James turned practical pieces into special design moments Looking to the sea With the removal of most walls from original plans, this suite effortlessly flows zone to zone – golden toned accents complement the white and wood aesthetic while the whole design defers to the home's spectacular views Lively, interesting, and good with kids Here, the request was for a family bathroom within an extensive villa renovation – it was to be lively and create an uplifting spirit for the owners' children Wash your hands in style It makes sense that anything sitting on a 'vanity' should look good – here are 9 great basin designs that double as stand-out features Well over dainty and domestic? Marine plywood is the strong if surprising material of choice for this bold vanity – part of a wider semi-industrial aesthetic in the home Opulent retreat Antiques don't need to gather dust in a formal lounge – why not celebrate them in everyday life, including featuring in your bathroom If drawers could talk Well of course they can – the panelling on these vanity drawers relates a traditional tale – to be continued or contrasted in the wider design All is vanity Warm toned and light filled, this ensuite balances a sense of luxury with practical considerations, including careful design of its star feature Planking is still a thing The upper walls of this beautiful bathroom are in a black burnt timber-look plank tile, creating mood while contrasting with the brass details Soft focus Accessories matter – these oval mirrors add a soft touch to the bathroom and allow the feature tiles behind to still have maximum exposure Interiors Lux Thames-side penthouse given fabulous interiors makeover This mesmerising design scheme for a private London penthouse accentuates sightlines to city icons and references luxury super yacht design inspired by the owner’s love of sculptural forms Colourful welcome The brief was about being brave and working with owners who have an eye for design and detail – and the results more than delivered An interior to match the outlook This interior fit-out of a spectacular ocean-side home doesn't skimp on rich and varied finishes, including timber cladding, and richly coloured mosaic accents Fiery reception What could be more welcoming than this dancing fire in a feature wall which itself echoes the home's cladding – your heating can be a feature as well as a utility Outdoor Living 8 great uses of louvres for outdoor living The versatility and functionality of louvres has come a long way – check out these architectural applications that take the indoors outside Pooled resources – all the right pool contacts in one place With pool care and upkeep, it's great to have a range of options all sourced in one highly reputable place – and that place is the NZ Pool Industry Association website Refurbish your pool and unlock summer Summer is on its way and bringing your dormant pool up to scratch with Cascade Pools is easier and more economical than you think Garden of dreams This garden acts as a visual extension of the home's rear-facing rooms – sense of place and a Japanese aesthetic are also part of the plot At one with the setting This comprehensive hard and soft landscaping project nestles the renovated home into its setting, creates engaging play spaces and merges the wider garden into its wooded backdrop In step This home's generous timber steps offer great flow but play down their presence on the landscape by blending with the slatwork behind Renovation Impact and contrast Modern new lofty kitchen, living and outdoor entertaining spaces are tied to the character of the original home while dramatising city views How renovating your bedroom could improve your wellness Feeling under the weather? A change of scenery could help, and you can manage that at home. Here’s how updating your bedroom could lift your spirits We know the Specialists Latest Book More Books > Trends 40-10 A selection of this month's top homes, kitchens, bathrooms and more Read More Recommended Business Partners Latest Award More > Verdant retreat Similar Stories