Behind the scenes

ANDREA WARMINGTON WRITER

After five years as part of the NZ House & Garden team (first as a staff member, then as a freelancer) we say goodbye to Andrea Warmington, who has gone to London for a classic OE. See her last story on page 80. I’ve loved: Being ridiculously nosy. When else do you get to go to someone’s (fabulous) house and ask them about absolutely anything that catches your eye. I’ll always remember: An East Coast road trip with photographer Jane Ussher. We stayed at Puketiti Station, this wonderfully grand old house (November 2013).

Best of London so far: I am a Harry Potter nerd so Warner Brothers Studio was like stepping into the pages of the books. I’ve been going to a lot of exhibitions and visited the jewellery gallery at the V&A museum – I want all of it!

JOHN WILLIAMS WRITER

John Williams has been writing about architecture and design in New Zealand since 2003, which is quite a departure from his previous life as a sports photojournalist. In this issue he wrote about our cover home, on page 18.

I know that house: It’s on my regular weekend walking route and I drive past it every time I go into the city. Over the past year or so, it became a real talking point with my partner as we watched its transformation. When I was given the opportunity to write about it, I didn’t need a second invitation.

It was a great assignment: Owners Sandra and Doug Stockwell are delightful, and poured their hearts into this renovation. The result is a perfect balance of traditional and contemporary.