Trendsideas

This sustainable home with operable facade and central spiral staircase realises the owners' longstanding retirement plan to downsize into their own backyard

For this Mid-century home, the owners kept the best and expanded the rest – everything from raising the roof to combining spaces to opening up indoor-outdoor connections contributed

Existing limestone walls bring an earthy grace to the interior of this modernising renovation – blink once and you might think you were outdoors

Nothing dull to see/use on this vanity – a Osaka vessel in Gun Metal is matched with an Uno wall mounted mixer and spout – both from Robertsons

In pre-fridge days, a special 'safe' cabinet had a mesh front and was open to the outdoors at the back – old fashioned cooling – now mesh is the chicest kitchen feature around

A seafood platter pushed across the island would seem appropriate in this new home that echoes the nautical theme that the seaside location calls to mind

Simple and strong shapes ran the new home brief and the kitchen cabinetry certainly kept up with the programme – the warmth of wood captured in bold cabinetry

Contrast can bring out the best of two things – for this space an angular kitchen island plays against a round-cornered timber dining table

Down on the streets it's hot and busy, but far above this apartment's plush sofas provide for a luxurious vantage point – quiet tones let the outlooks shine

This apartment interior wants for nothing – a refined dining table, stone bench, big city views and intoxicating chandelier pendants overhead

A fireplace appears cut neatly out of stone in this living space – part of a renovation, the demure arrangement avoids detracting from sea views

The cost of a spa is only half the picture – what does it cost to run? Here, HotSpring provides an experienced word up on what to look for and what to avoid