Mix Ben from Paper Hands and the design duo at Dusty & Lulu’s and MAGIC is created. The wall paper at Moy Hall was hand printed by Ben Masters to work with the branding developed for the Wine label. It looks fantastic with matching brass fittings and dark blue tiles. #DustyLulu #Wallpaper #PaperHands #Bespoke #ScreenPrinted #Handmade #Architecture

When we stuff up renovating or building, it rarely involves tens or hundreds of dollars. More often than not, it means thousands, tens of thousands, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars extra. For many things in our lives, we can correct our mistakes. Have another go, and do better next time. Yet, when it comes to building or renovating our family homes, most of us only do it once or twice in our lifetimes. The expense is big, the decisions are permanent, and the ch

Contrasting, yet complimenting. Warm, grainy, textural wood, matched with cool, dark industrial steel and concrete. Modern style, made extremely liveable. #Easyliving #Architecture #Martinborough #Cedar #Steelcladding #Newhome

At the tail end of 2018 we helped bring a beautiful glamping tent to life. River's Edge Retreat is unique accommodation set in the Ruakokoputuna Valley, just out of Wairarapa wine village, Martinborough. With touches of recycled timber, luxurious textiles and an old chandelier, the tent interior has a rustic chic glamping vibe. A king-sized bed, deer hides, large vintage leather sofa and a wood-burning stove come together to create a warm, comfortable, relaxing space - summer

Palliser Estate is one of New Zealand’s premier wine brands - it is known and enjoyed around the world. We wanted to design a cellar door that reflected the status and quality of the brand. The cool dark interiors are in contrast to the light open outdoor areas and board room. The Chrystal Chain Gang Chandalier sparkles above the warm tones of the tasting counter and provides the finishing flourish to the design. Construction: Holmes Construction Joinery: Renall’s Joinery Co

I have been involved in the Waihinga Centre Project since 2013. Firstly out of concern for the future of the Martinborough Town Hall and later as the Client Representative, Trust Board Member, Fundraising Chair and Project Co-ordinator. It was a happy day indeed when we opened the first stage of the project in December 2018. The building was designed by, our design competition winners, Architects Warren and Mahoney and Landscape Architects Wraight and Associates.They have

Last year Vicky was lucky enough to visit the big apple- check out her snaps... #NewYork #Holiday #Architecture #Details #building #Photography #Travel

The cladding you choose for your home is an important step in defining the look and feel of the project—you may have strong ideas or you may want to talk to your designer about the pros and cons of each option. There are many variables in choosing a cladding type including budget, function, maintenance, aesthetics, architectural intent and context. A cladding type can take on a different character and meaning depending on the building design or setting. Some schemes have a st

You might be dreaming about a new bach right now as you rug up around the fire —or you may already be planning that ski chalet in Ohakune you have always wanted. Either way, you are going to want to make sure you get it right. You can go ahead and ask the Jones’ what they are doing or you can read this list from an expert who designs dream homes every day. Here is Victoria's top 6 list of things to include in your modern holiday home: 1. Big Windows – What better way to se

LBPs are designers, carpenters, brick and blocklayers, roofers, external plasterers, site and foundations specialists who have been assessed to be competent to carry out work essential to a residential building's structure or weathertightness. If you’re thinking of getting building or renovation work done on your house or apartment, you need to check if it’s ‘restricted building work’ (RBW). If it is, you’ll need a licensed building practitioner – or LBP – to do it. Restricte

Sometimes reading a plan is hard– and you cant imagine yourself in a space. At VRA we have started producing digital ‘3D walk throughs’ with our concepts. This enables you to virtually walk through your home design as if it was built. Our main aim in the concept stage is to communicate our design so the client understands fully how their home will look and function. Sometimes beautiful details can get lost in plan or elevation and we have found that this can display them in

Tiles have developed so far since the beginning of their time. Tiles were first seen in the second century AD, being used by the Kings of Ancient Sri Lanka on floors and in swimming pools. We at VRA LOVE to use a tile throughout our house designs. There are a magnitude of applications for the modern day tile– a vast range of options in differing patterns, colours, styles, and sizes. Whether you have a space that requires a feature point, are doing a bathroom alteration, or

We LOVE a good pergola at VRA and include them wherever we can. A pergola is a transition space between the outside and the inside—providing

"Rajasthan is the jewel in India's crown. From fairy-tale palaces and epic forts to colourful festivals and wildlife encounters, this is India at its vibrant best." I was lucky enough to visit Rajasthan this year and to share the love! The Red Fort in Delhi A Rajasthani Thali - SO good! The home of a family who hand dye fabrics and sell them from their shop at the front Tiny shops are crammed in to the smallest spaces Evening drinks below the Fort in Jodphur Walking the stree

Katie Gunn's top tips for designing your dream kitchen

Whether it's a new building or a renovation, there's a lot of information to gather and assess before design begins. The most important decisions are the early ones: what to build, how much to build, where to build. It is crucial that these early decisions be well informed. This design phase known as Pre-Design. Let's take a look at a couple of essential considerations: 1. The Building Programme The "programme" is an accounting of the required spaces, their sizes and characte