Trendsideas

It's not just charity that begins at home – so does the pursuit of a 'greener' world and that can start with your outdoor space

Summer's not the time to think about a pool – now is – and choosing someone in the Master Pool Builders Association makes the process seamless 

This vertical garden, or living wall, helps maximise verdant impact within a restricted outdoor space – as a double bonus the wall is outside the kitchen window splashback

Infra red lights keep things hot for the sauna occupants below in this want-for-nothing bathroom – there's also a sculptural shower and free-standing black tub

Extending the roof out past one end of this sustainably minded home not only provides a ready carport but also keeps this side of the house in the shade

This interior design creates the sense of a wider space with a neutral colour palette and use of indirect light – translucent pendants included

This renovation/extension includes a butterfly roof connecting old and new – an aperture in the roof casts interesting shadows on the garden below

Clean lines lead the eye to the stunning sea views for this kitchen – little gets in the way, certainly not the recessed Fisher & Paykel ventilation

Interior design expert/TV personality Neale Whitaker discusses the four key components to consider for home design – colour, light, functionality and mood

Reeded glass cabinetry fronts add to this kitchen's sense of lightness and creating a pleasing intimation of cupboard contents without laying them bare

This grand entertainer is no shrinking violet – with expansive interiors exuding solidity and character, the G.J. Gardner showhome has the feel of an established Queenstown lodge

Specialist bamboo importer and distributor Plantation Bamboo offers high quality, sustainable bamboo products – including game-changing Bamboo X-treme Decking