Trends 42-04

Striking in black and white cladding, this tree house-vibe home creates character and connections from its spa-like top level master suite down to indoor-outdoor lifestyle living on the mid level and descending to quiet spaces at ground floor

A contemporary, raised-on high house is accompanied by a grounded studio/guest house, the two linked over a tricky site – access and fire emergency egress are addressed by their strategic placement while shared materiality gives the project cohesion 

This modern pavilion home makes the most of its water outlooks – features include layered floor plates, stone and cedar cladding; steel slider doors, an infinity pool and sheltered rear garden

Giant windows frame broad sea views in this fanned out, highly sustainable home constructed using precast insulated concrete panels – solar power and water recycling are just two green moves of many in this planet-friendly design

Drama is built into the architectural bones of this house – two prominent stone tile walls enhances privacy and a narrow approach before one wall ‘swings’ open for a grand reveal of the intimate coastal connection

This home nestled on a vineyard celebrates its surroundings while reflecting the owner's own bold style – interiors features wild wallpaper, ribbed cabinetry and, appropriately, a dark olive wine cellar

This indoor-outdoor home on a modest site features a linear side garden and reflection pond approach, glulam timber porticos, CLT slabs, exposed concrete, and a rooftop spa

Whether it's you or your architect specifying your new aluminium window and door systems, you should exercise extreme caution with imported options – choose the quality products, water-tight documentation and local back-up that comes with specifying from New Zealand specialist Altus® Window Systems

This multi-generational family home's dark, recessive exterior and dynamic roofline allow it to belong to the landscape, while its light, warm interior fosters connection and comfort

This sculptural home reaches upwards for sunlight and two-way coastal views – living spaces, and the concrete pool, are on the upper level while indoor and outdoor spiral stairways provide fun circulation 

Pairing rich timber joinery with soft natural stone, this clean, crisp kitchen responds to the architecture of the wider home in visual terms as well as its immediate environment – the generous island provides for gatherings, dining, and food preparation

This apartment kitchen's colour palette flowed from the owner's prompt of a resin cheese knife in a soft, marshmallow pink tone – more broadly, precision joinery and strategic choices lead a clean, layered design 

Maintaining material consistency across a large space without creating visual monotony was a consideration for this kitchen – European White Oak served as the foundation, yet depth and variation were introduced through nuanced changes in texture and construction

Reflecting the wider interior's Japanese principles of ‘Wabi-Sabi’, this kitchen boasts materials with a rustic simplicity – an indoor-outdoor counter 'passes through' the kitchen window wall to the outdoor barbecue

This well-connected kitchen balances great looks and impressive functionality – several elements reflect thoughtful craftsmanship without weighing down the design with showy detailing

A centre-of-attention villa kitchen featuring solid beech doors, custom brass accents and last but by no means least glorious swathes of rich Picasso Calacatta marble that remind the owner of her travels through Europe

Here, two kitchens – one on-show and one for behind-the-scenes Asian cooking – are created in one footprint; features include a hidden cabinet entry, a long dark ceramic island, and a high-power wok scullery

This continuous multi-zone kitchen has a strong, moody presence derived largely from material choices – a hero fluted marble island, rich timber cabinetry and soft brass accents all play their part

This full cabinetry outdoor kitchen features a curved timber bar, a teppanyaki grill, bar fridge, and Dish Drawer – all protected and enhanced by a remote-controlled louvre roof

This project achieves a deft balancing act – the kitchen was to be discreet yet noticeably refined while the scullery was to be an understated workhorse while maintaining a visual connection to the kitchen

This nautically themed bathroom in a heritage home reflects the tones and craftsmanship potentially associated with, say, a captain's quarter's – an ornately finished benchtop, gold tapware and Portuguese patterned tiles all come to the shipboard party

Sunset was the colour inspiration for this reinvented spa-like bathroom, with the beautiful Bellini marble vanity evoking the sun's last rays – fluted glass divides shower and toilet while a second vanity in ink-stained oak adds to both storage and the overall rich-toned vibe

A 1970s-inspired bathroom featuring custom stained oak cabinetry, wall-to-wall mosaic tiles, picture windows, and earthen tones inspired by the owners' collected pots and porcelain pieces

This bathroom evokes the warm-toned vibe of historic Arrowtown – earthy tones, tactile finishes, and muted colour combine to create a dramatic yet calming space that feels welcoming, grounded and refined

A modest-sized bathroom space is transformed into a tranquil spa-like retreat with a feature curved nib wall, custom vanity, tiled shower seat, and concealed storage

The smallest room in the house is also often the most surprising – powder rooms present an opportunity to break with your wider interior to create spaces with drama and personal pampering at heart, as these stand-out designs reflect

See all the award winners in the 2026 TIDA Australia Bathroom awards – top bathrooms, suites, powder rooms and more

See all the award winners in the 2026 TIDA New Zealand Bathroom awards – top bathrooms, suites, powder rooms and more

Moody re-imagined space – congratulations to Gavin Hepper of Gavin Hepper of Concepts, winner of the 2026 TIDA Australia Powder Room of the Year

Revamped take on 1980s glam – congratulations to Jack Fugaro Architect, winner of the 2026 TIDA Australia Architect Suite of the Year

Sculptural escape – congratulations to Mark Gacesa of Ultraspace, winner of the 2026 TIDA Australia Designer Bathroom Suite of the Year

A refined sanctuary for relaxation– congratulations to Justin Holman and Elizabeth Williams of HUM Architects, winners of the 2026 TIDA Australia Architect Bathroom of the Year

 Abundant natural light and a subtle retro edge– congratulations to Lyndel Donaldson of Designstory Interiors, winner of the 2026 TIDA Australia Designer Bathroom of the Year

Congratulations to Mike Greer Homes Nelson & Durrant Design, winners of the 2026 TIDA New Zealand Group Home Builder Bathroom of the Year 

A design based on a New Zealand icon – congratulations to Katie Scott of Sticks+Stones Design, winner of the 2026 TIDA New Zealand Powder Room of the year

Calming private retreat – congratulations to Shelley Ferguson Studio, winner of the 2026 TIDA New Zealand Designer Suite of the Year

This ensuite/master bedroom features a full-height picture window framing a secluded grove of native kanuka, a bespoke fluted Corian vanity, slumped fern glass, matte charcoal tiles, and custom blackened green joinery

Functionality without compromising aesthetics – thoughtful design moves create an ensuite that balances the indulgence of a 5-star hotel with the calm and comfort of home

Responding to art loving homeowners, this master suite celebrates textures, colours, and patterns – biophilic elements bring a natural balance to the urban setting

Several elements combine to give this master suite a refined air – a feature bedhead provides separation while glass cabinetry in the walk-in wardrobe, diaphanous drapes in the bedroom and a stone wall in the ensuite are just some features

This intimate powder room, with evocative, flower-like vanity, demonstrates how bold design choices can transform a utilitarian space into a sculptural experience

A Victoria terraced villa is stripped back with classic elements reinstated – the design walks an elegant line between preserving historical character and modern upgrades – then there's the two-storey studio at rear 

A once-stark office space is transformed into a personalised urban home – custom joinery is introduced as both a visual anchor and to define zones while material selection was also key to the project’s success

Natural materials, rich textures, and vibrant accents with edgy Brooklyn accents included – this interior merges function and surprising style seamlessly

The rear garden features a resort-style pool & cabana while the front garden celebrates a refined frontage complete with a translucent fence, modern gates and a glass-covered gatehouse – the connecting side passage is equally well considered

How to combine celebrating the wider landscape while creating a sense of intimacy over connected outdoor living spaces and a pool – this project achieves both while also focussing on longevity and low upkeep

A quietly Californian vibe was required for this renovation – bespoke elements bring flow between spaces, with touches like Italian lighting, feature walls and a hidden powder room all part of the natural-vibe mix

This renovation/extension offers shelter from the environment while maintaining meaningful engagement with it – architectural and material choices connect the new living spaces with the natural world at every turn

This expansive residence, fit for modern living, is the opulent outcome of a comprehensive rethink and renovation – a focus on sustainability and a relaxed sense of grandeur run through the design