Studio Apartment above Garage

This studio apartment located in Auckland was recently featured in Remodelista  and it is a great example of well designed small-space living. Designed by Karin Montgomery Spath, this stylish loft was created above the garage for her clients to reside while their main house was undergoing extensive renovations. Since completion, this loft has become the house's guest quarters. Read how Karin approached this project and her small space ideas here.

Photographs by Matthew Williams

John Reynolds in HOME

The lastest issue of HOME magazine is out today and it is the annual Art issue. The adventurous home of New Zealand artist John Reynolds is featured on the cover and Reynolds himself is a guest on the HOME team, adding his artistic touches throughout the issue.
The Reynolds' Auckland villa was renovated with architect Malcolm Walker and I can't stop looking at that intricate kitchen splash back that Reynolds designed! Read more about it here.

Check out that kitchen splash back designed by John Reynolds

Photographs by Patrick Reynolds via Home NZ

Jamie McLellan for FvF

While I was exploring through the online publication, FvF earlier this week, I found a few interviews by designers in New Zealand - its always great to see New Zealand making its mark on the global map!
One interview in particular was with successful furniture designer, Jamie McLellan and it features his work space, a converted boat shed, in Auckland. Read the interview (and see more photos of his cool dog, Walnut) to find out how his work space came about here.

Photographs via FvF.

Odette's Eatery, Auckland

Spotted this morning on Home NZ is this chic new restaurant called Odette's Eatery, located at the popular CityWorks Depot, a creative hospitality hub in Auckland.
A design collaboration between the seasoned restaurant owners and the team from Cheshire Architects, the result is a warm, beautiful and easy going interior. Read the interview with Clare van Den Berg here to find out how these stunning spaces came about.

Photographs via Home New Zealand.

Designworks Award Winning Office

I like hearing when good things happen to friends and colleagues in the design industry. In this case, a former design student of mine, now a member of the Spatial team at Designworks, winning at the Interior Design Awards 2014 earlier this month.
Designworks won the Best Workplace Design for their own office in Auckland and their design team member, Erini Compton has graciously shared the images with me to show us why.
Designed around the idea of 'working naturally', the open plan space encourages staff and clients to interact, collaborate and brainstorm effortlessly in this stylish and welcoming environment. Several areas are defined by furnishings, finishes, lighting and other design details to encourage the different kinds of 'working'. This feels right, especially for a design firm, to have an office like this for creative people as to assist them to perform at their creative best within these spaces. It all looks good to me.

Photographs by Katrina Rees and are under copyright by Designworks.

Joinery Inspiration

I have been working on several joinery projects lately and this is one of my inspiration images. From the Nikau House in Parnell designed by Strachan Group Architects, this image captures the simple joinery pieces of the home office slash library and the nook seating at the top of the stairs. Lovely.
Photo by Jackie Meiring via HOME New Zealand.