18 December 2006

Nature – inspiration for the home this summer

The January issue of NZ House & Garden gets back to nature, with features that focus on the great outdoors – perfect inspiration for the warm summer months ahead and reflecting on summer living.

“We’ve really highlighted the beauty of nature in this issue – something which we appreciate even more over the summer holidays. Walking along the beach, spending time outside enjoying the water in so many ways – all perfect opportunities provided by the fact it is summer, creating new inspiration for our lifestyles,” says Michal McKay, editorial director.

The magazine visits a tropical dream house in Rarotonga. In typical island style, the house has a seamless indoor-outdoor flow that maximises the warm climate.

An Auckland couple have transformed a grassy clearing on the edge of Lake Taupo into a stunning house that complements the landscape. Using materials like black totara, lake-side shingle and stone from the Waikato River, the house is a nod to the natural beauty of the surrounds.

Stylist Sandra Kaminski brings the beach to the table with her ocean-inspired decorations and settings for a seasonal New Year’s lunch. Using sea shells and driftwood to great effect, the entertaining section includes a delicious lunch featuring fresh fish and the latest produce.

The latest issue also shares an interpretation of the design philosophy ‘wabi-sabi’ – a Japanese aesthetic celebrating the beauty of imperfection. The wabi-sabi look is easy to achieve – hunt out beach and bush treasures, or unpretentious op-shop finds in natural hues like muted greens, browns and stone greys.

The new issue of NZ House & Garden magazine is on sale from Monday 18 December and retails for $8.90. Visit www.nzhouseandgarden.co.nz for inspiration and information 24/7.

ENDS