Avoid the showroom look...

omes are so personal. I know, I take out this issue’s award for stating the bleeding obvious, but I just feel constantly inspired by the way different people design renovations to perfectly fit their lifestyle. In particular, our ‘Open for Inspection’ home on page 42 is a shining example of form balanced with function.

Shannon Vos and I spent a day hanging out at Hannah and Clyde’s place (it’s always amusing waving homeowners off to a day of work while we stay at their home with a bunch of people they’ve never met) and as part of our home tour, we discussed the fact that the modest-sized family home facilitates the busy lives of a family of six. SIX! You see, their lovely home has a cool, beachy vibe, but also seamlessly fits in family photos and a sense of fun – it even has a Harry Potter bedroom!

Of course, that’s a lesson for anyone planning the details of their renovation. It’s important to make good choices based on how long you plan to live with the new space, but it’s equally important to ensure the finished product feels like it was designed for you – not some kind of generic showroom floorplan and style.

With that in mind, our incredible style team have come up with some really exciting kitchen surface combinations as part of our kitchen special, starting on page 108. For what it’s worth, my pick is the charcoal and timber combo on page 112, and while I may not be quite bold enough to go with the patterned floor, I like to dream that I might at some point. And it’s the thought that counts, right?

HPS. This issue accidentally became the Pantone ‘green issue’, (although our green is a darker shade), much to our Deputy Art Director Crystal’s delight. Are you an enthusiast, too? Appliances are key, and knowing what kind of cook/ chef/entertainer you are will help you make your purchases. On page 128, you can kit out your kitchen with the essentials. I sit somewhere between ‘entertainer’ and ‘small space’, so I think this trio will work nicely in my next kitchen reno…