Trendsideas

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 

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

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

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

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 shower allows for roll-in wheelchair access – it also gives the occupant a clear view of the sweeping panoramic views beyond the ensuite windows

Dark-toned kitchen cabinetry finds a material and tonal echo in the feature open display shelving just across the way

An insertion of a modest new room to this home provides a light filled cooking and dining space, complete with a relocatable island on castors

Sited on a ridge which sweeps gently to a pristine native reserve, this design is an exemplar of how to settle a large home into a bush-clad section

On the odd sad day that the surf waves don't rise to the occasion, this seaside home includes purpose built board storage

Curving vanity unit meets soft cornered mirror – and there's a skylight of similar profile overhead – in this tranquil, light-filled master suite