Photo by Jane Ussher and courtesy of NZ House & Garden magazine
Last Thursday evening I attended the NZ House & Garden Interior of the Year awards. It’s the second year of the awards that celebrates the homes of creative New Zealanders. This year there were over 250 entries and all of the finalists and winners in each category are gracing the pages of the November issue, which hits the shelves today. To give you a little taste of the high calibre, I’m sharing a little sneak peek of some of the finalists with you today.
The bathroom above, winner in its category, was project managed by Creer Clayton. I had a chat with her on the night to pick her brain about her stunning waxed wall, which she did herself and I have to say that I’m tempted to borrow the idea one day. She used three shades of grey, hand-trowelled plaster over the top, sanded the wall back until she got the finish that she wanted and then finished it off with stucco wax by hand. It’s such an elegant backdrop for the freestanding bath and minimalistic styling of the room.
The kitchen below, highly commended in its category, started with an old French lab table sourced from The Vitrine and from there, a striking black stained oak kitchen was built around with a granite bench top that is highlighted with a brass splashback. Gorgeous! I also really love how they mixed different textures and added the rattan stools.
Photo by Jane Ussher and courtesy of NZ House & Garden magazine
The entranceway, winner in the Creative Space category, was done on a tiny budget of $500. There are many angles and interesting touches that you can see in the other images in the magazine, but I found this blackboard wall, with creative sketches and the checkered floor so sweet.
The Supreme winner which is also the winner in the kitchen category and not shown here (I know, I’m teasing here), created a workable and stylish kitchen on a small budget, the couple installing most of it themselves – while pregnant I might add! The movable kitchen island was crafted from an old barbeque trolley, and is certainly a genius idea that I know a lot of people will be borrowing. I also managed to have a chat with the owners who told me that the rest of the house, including the garden is in need of some serious work. But that’s how most of us do a renovation isn’t it? Well I certainly did. Rarely do we have the funds to complete an entire house in one go; usually it’s room by room with (big) breaks in between to replenish funds. That’s the beauty of these awards; they are celebrating a particular room that a homeowner is proud of.
A huge congratulations to all of the finalists and winners!
Mel xx
Photo by Jane Ussher and courtesy of NZ House & Garden magazine
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Sounds like a wonderful event – we get the NZ House & Garden over here – I will look out for it!
Oh cool and then you get to see my column too;-) x
Love the bathroom! Just pinned it on Pinterest! Hope you are well Mel, sorry for being so bad at visiting blogs lately. still hoping to meet you some day soon x
Yes it’s been a popular one on Pinterest actually. Oh please don’t worry, life gets hectic. I must do a European trip soon and add London to the stops x
Really wonderful Mel. Thanks for sharing……
So intersting to see designs from other continents.
That hallway is divine and just proofs how creative one can be on a small budet.
xx
It’s the people with limited budgets who have nothing else but to be creative and they come up with gems. x
Beautiful interiors, especially love that bathroom with the honeycomb tile floor!
We have similar event here in Estonia as well and I have thought about participating for a couple of years already, but always find that our home isn’t “ready” yet and leave it for the next year :)
Have a great week! xx
You should do it Anu, I don’t think we’d ever feel ready enough and your space is gorgeous. Mel x
What a fantastic event to go to! I love all the interiors, they are definitely winner worthy. It’s nice to see designers work from the other side of the pond. Thanks for sharing Mel. xD
Yes it was a great event and so nice to celebrate homeowners achievements too. Have a great week Doris! Mel x
Love the simplicity of the bathroom, and that wall is beautiful! Xx
I can imagine soaking in that bath… just beautiful!
What a fabulous event Mel-and how wonderful is the hallway! Thanks so much for sharing lovely! Xx
Yes it’s very cute. Hope you’re well Caroline x