Apparently the majority of people in the world will say their favourite colour is blue. It’s a calming, soothing shade. Just picture a clear blue sky or a sparkling azure ocean and I bet you’re already smiling dreamily. On the other hand, when we “get the blues “, this colour suddenly denotes melancholy. I’ve just […]

I love fresh flowers in the home. There's nothing better when it comes to setting off my colourful decor. I'm especially fond of scented varieties such as freesias, daffodils and, my all-time favourite, sweet peas. My mother grows lots of these traditional favourites and every time I go to stay she always puts a little vase with one of her special posies by my bed where its sweet smell gives me sweet dreams!

A few months ago I was amazed at the mild winter we’d had in Auckland this year. Until recently I’d hardly even needed to wear a coat. Then August’s record-breaking cold snap arrived, stunning us all with its ferocity. We have gas heating, and cold weather brings condensation problems. So this weekend I’m planning to […]

There’s nothing I like more than a nice hot bath with a dash of my favourite bath oil, a candle burning, and a nice glossy magazine. once I’ve finished frowning at the cobwebs on the ceiling, I really relax and it’s the perfect end to a busy day. If your bathroom is in need of […]

The road toll always generates enormous media attention, but accidents in the home actually claim more lives each year, yet usually aren't reported. I'm glad to say we've never suffered any serious injury at our place, but my husband did slip on the back steps and break his foot a week or two before our wedding and, as a result, his passage down the aisle wasn't quite as smooth as he'd have liked! Seriously though, home safety is vitally important and I hope these tips will give you some useful starting points for thinking about it.

I’ve always collected one thing or another. First doll houses, then Art Deco ceramics, and these days it’s clothes. My children seem to have inherited this trait – as a toddler William collected Thomas the Tank Engine toys, then Lego Star Wars as he got older. With a daughter who just collects “things” and a […]

Maybe it's because I'm a closet Abba fan that I've always loved the Swedish style of home decorating. It's a style that combines chic minimalism with lavish injections of colour, while retaining a cosiness that's appealing. I've given up hoping that Swedish super-store Ikea will put down roots in this country with it's simple yet oh-so-cool budget furniture, but there are still ways of achieving this look in your home, so read on.

Every now and then somebody tells me that we don't highlight country style often enough on these pages, yet it's a look that is perennially popular with New Zealand decorators. A lovely warm environment with classic furniture, vintage finds and a touch of nostalgia can be very sustaining - especially during a wet winter such as this one. So read on for some great ideas to help you bring country style into your home.

This week we look at a perennial problem - lack of wardrobe space. It's a story I can't write in all honesty without disclosing my own personal shame - and believe me, you'll be better off doing what I suggest, rather than what I do. But there really is no reason why all of us can't have well-organised wardrobes.

The message is getting louder and more urgent. We must act now to save the planet – and every little thing counts. It makes sense to start at the place we spend the most time – home. Here’s a list of 15 basic ideas to set you on your way. If there’s anything I’ve missed, […]