Trends 37-12

A  beautifully crafted small home in a coastal setting tops our list of New Home stories for the year

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

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 

White oak shiplap wall cladding references this home's mountain setting as do various pebble accents, including in the master bedroom fireplace

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

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

Balancing its simple, striking form, this home's raw material textures and natural colour palette avoid visual disruption to its lakeside setting

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

 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

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

There's a place for everything in this semi commercial-look kitchen where a bookmatched marble benchtop is inlaid with brass detail 

Top kitchen designers reveal what they consider the best and worst things you could do before embarking on that dream kitchen 

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

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

Thoughtful material choices meet ultra refined detailing in this elegant centrepiece entertainers/family kitchen

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

A balanced, restful entertainer's kitchen is under-pinned by close attention to composition and a painstaking approach to grained finishes

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

Enjoy cooking outdoors and getting it just right? Premium materials and precision heat control make a Wolf Outdoor BBQ a game changer

A reeded glass shower stall provides textural interest and privacy in this bathroom – the leading colour, moody charcoal, furthers the luxe vibe

Here's an ensuite that gives functional design a stylish name. Find out how designer Darren James turned practical pieces into special design moments

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

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

It makes sense that anything sitting on a 'vanity' should look good – here are 9 great basin designs that double as stand-out features

Marine plywood is the strong if surprising material of choice for this bold vanity – part of a wider semi-industrial aesthetic in the home

Antiques don't need to gather dust in a formal lounge – why not celebrate them in everyday life, including featuring in your bathroom

Well of course they can – the panelling on these vanity drawers relates a traditional tale – to be continued or contrasted in the wider design

Warm toned and light filled, this ensuite balances a sense of luxury with practical considerations, including careful design of its star feature

The upper walls of this beautiful bathroom are in a black burnt timber-look plank tile, creating mood while contrasting with the brass details

Accessories matter – these oval mirrors add a soft touch to the bathroom and allow the feature tiles behind to still have maximum exposure

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

The brief was about being brave and working with owners who have an eye for design and detail – and the results more than delivered

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 

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

The versatility and functionality of louvres has come a long way – check out these architectural applications that take the indoors outside

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 

Summer is on its way and bringing your dormant pool up to scratch with Cascade Pools is easier and more economical than you think

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

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

This home's generous timber steps offer great flow but play down their presence on the landscape by blending with the slatwork behind

Modern new lofty kitchen, living and outdoor entertaining spaces are tied to the character of the original home while dramatising city views

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