EDITOR’S LETTER
Naomi Larkin on this month’s issue.
We know the housing market has gone haywire and many of us are renters as a result, however, our cover home is testament to the fact that renting need not rule out great personal style. When Jessica Dine returned to New Zealand after years living overseas she spotted this heritage loft in Auckland’s inner-city and snapped it up when it became free. But there were constraints. These included the size – just “one and a bit” bedrooms – colour scheme and some bold character features, all of which she couldn’t change and which could have clashed terribly with her treasures: a truckload of mementoes collected on her travels. Yet Jessica’s flair for interior design, along with input from her talented whānau, transformed the space into a home she now loves (page 66).
In fact, all the homes and gardens in this issue (the second showcasing the magazine’s design refresh) are the result of creative talent and hard work. A spur-of-the-moment decision to buy an old villa in Waihī Beach resulted in almost two years of unplanned renovations for Karen and Don Hollingsworth, but their dedication paid off (page 30). Likewise, Caroline and John Locke bought their land in Northland 23 years ago and now have a 2ha garden that produces enough fruit and veges to live off and plenty to share with neighbours and strangers (page 114). Sue and Kim Poananga waited “about 20 or 30 years” for their dream Bay of Plenty property to come on to the market. A whole heap of planting later and their harbourside garden is something special indeed (page 96).
Whether you are a renter or a homeowner, the bedroom is one area that can be a true expression of your style. Take some tips from our special feature on the latest beautiful bedding options (page 127) to help create a sleep zone you actually want to be in, because having a room of one’s own has never been more important.