Myspace Magazine - May 2020

ISSUE 8, 2020

We’re giving away a Showerdome® worth $299!

Be in

to

Steamed mirrors, condensation on walls and ceilings, and mould are year-round frustrating home issues caused by shower steam, adding significant costs to house upkeep. Not to mention that a dry warm house is also a healthy house, as damp bathrooms are the perfect place bacteria to grow and health problems to begin.

Showerdome® solves these problems, controlling steam, reducing condensation and making the house healthier and warmer. A Showerdome® shower top consists of a clear acrylic dome that prevents steam from forming when fitted on top of an existing shower box. With no on-going costs and a saving in energy costs, it is the most effective investment one can make for a home or rental property.

To learn more, visit

www.showerdome.co.nz We have 1x DIY Showerdome® kit to give away valued at $299 (installation by an official local Showerdome® installer if required is available at standard pricing).

BROOKS

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‘Your Complete Outdoor, Design & Build & Garden Specialists’

To enter simply email us with ‘SHOWERDOME’ in the subject line to go into the draw to WIN!

win@myspacemagazine.co.nz Design & Plans

Construction

Planting

Maintenance

*Entries close 31 August 2020. Winner will be notified by email and prize despatched to their chosen delivery address. We have 1x DIY Showerdome® kit to give away valued at $299 (installation by a trained local Showerdome® installer is available at standard pricing)

www.showerdome.co.nz

31 Welcome to MySpace, a free magazine to capture, captivate and motivate the energetic and increasingly growing local design, build and renovation market.

When searching for ideas for your dream home or how to improve existing property with the latest styles and trends, look no further than MySpace!

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Small appliances

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Which colour for which room?

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How to rework your kitchen space

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From bare land to grand living

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Home-grown timber build

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Matt Cowley - My Favourite Space

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Is solar energy right for you?

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A bold monochromatic vision

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Contemporary courtyard

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Keep it green

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Modern stone with old-school character

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Re-purpose and refresh

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Vicki Semple - My Favourite Space

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Budget blow out

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Five tips for a space-saving laundry

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Professional Services

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For all advertising enquiries contact: Kathy Sellars on 07 928 3053 or 027 211 9193 kathy@sunmedia.co.nz

www.myspacemagazine.co.nz Editorial: Jo-Marie Baker, McKenzie Dyer, Merle Cave Photography: Bruce Barnard, John Borren, Daniel Hines, supplied Advertising: Sharon Eyres, Ian Evans, , Kathy Sellars Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon Graphic Design: Kym Johnson, Kathy Sellars

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MySpace is a SunMedia Ltd publication Š All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

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Small appliances Mark Bruce, CKD, Dip KD,

Designmarked Kitchens

While researching for this article I was pleasantly surprised by the variations of styles and designs available in the small appliance market. It had been a few years since I had spent time shopping for kettles and toasters and I was expecting to see increased prices and the monochromatic colour pallets.

This was not the case, the shelves were dotted with colour from strawberry red kettles to sky blue toasters.

Glass and timber had been incorporated into several designs with others adopting a retro, art deco or very contemporary look.

What amazed me the most was the price of these appliances, it appeared that there had been very little price increase during the last three or four years. In fact they generally seemed to be cheaper!

I found myself a helpful assistant and asked the question: “What’s new?” Well her eyes lit up and Pandora’s Box was opened. I spent the next hour getting a very thorough tour through the exciting world of small appliances.

I have summarised a small snippet of that tour but I highly recommend you take your own guided tour through this dynamic and expanding market.

• A ir fryers are hugely popular at the moment. Hot air is circulated around the food, cooking it quickly without the use of a lot of oils. Food that is commonly deep fried can be cooked this way and the lack of oils improves the “healthiness” of the food. Basically, it is a mini version of your built-in convection oven.

• M icrowave/convection ovens. These are a smart solution to the ‘want a double oven but don’t have the space’ problem. Combining a fan-forced oven and a microwave within the same appliance is an excellent space saving idea.

• C offee/Espresso machines. These aren’t so new but the technology within them is. You can still get the manual machines that you need to grind your own beans, extract the espresso and then if you want steam the milk. But on the market now is semi automatic and fully automatic machines, which do part, or all of these processes and can even be programmed to wake you up with your caffeine shot.

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• A lthough technically not a small appliance I have to mention the Induction cookers. If you are looking for new hobs you have to consider induction cooking. The control, safety, and speed of use will make these the hob of the future. It’s encouraging to see so many appliance stores with working examples and knowledgeable staff promoting this type of cooking.

• Hot and cold water filters are growing in popularity. These can be built into your kitchen and usually sit next to your main faucet. The instant filtered water can be either cold or hot (95 degrees Celsius) and is a costefficient way of providing smaller quantities of hot water.

• D esigners are incorporating wine fridges into more kitchens. These clever little fridges allow white and red wine to be stored at their separate temperatures in the same appliance. Great for an under bench situation or as a feature display.

There were many other appliances that were presented as improvements on old favourites such as the handheld wiz that can now be cordless and the traditional white breadmakers now available in stainless steel. The amount of different appliances on the market is amazing but from a kitchen designer’s point of view their numbers can create a huge problem.

During a kitchen designer’s brief they will often ask how many small appliances do you have and how often do you use them. Appliances such as bread makers and deep fryers etc require a lot of storage space but more importantly they are heavy items and if used regularly they should be stored at or very close to the area they will be used. If lots of appliances are listed and they are all given high usage values then you can find that appliance garages or cupboards become massive and start to dominate a design. To make your designer’s job easier delete those unwanted or unused appliances from the list and critically evaluate the amount of times you use the ones you keep.

Within the different product ranges there were different levels of electronic quality. Battery versus mains powered, direct drive versus belt driven, brushed versus brushless engines. The choices were endless and like most things, the more you paid the better the quality. The question must always be asked, ‘How often are you using the appliance?’ And this can help determine not only the type and quality of appliance best suited for you but also where it is to be stored within the kitchen. myspace Issue 8

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Which

colour

for which room?

It makes sense to choose colour wisely before committing from paint swatch to wall. But did you know that the colours you paint can evoke a variety of moods, from peaceful harmony to passionate rage, or even oppression?

Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Forward,Issue Resene 4 | Fast myspace 8 Mystery and Resene Artemis.

The soft yellow of these Resene Moonlight walls create a welcoming entryway paired with cheerful Resene Chorus Line on the bench seats. The bench legs and coat hooks are in Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta. Project by Kate Alexander, photo by Bryce Carleton.

Introducing colours to your home is an easy way to assert your personality. But beware – while you might feel confident pairing a hot pink shirt with a leopard print jacket, the combination might not work so well on the walls of your bedroom.

Every colour has a psychological value, and when you put it on the walls, it’s going to affect the way you feel in that space. Colours influence emotions, thoughts and moods as well as having an impact on how spaces appear.

Lighter colours, for instance, are expansive and airy, making rooms seem larger and brighter.

Dark colours are sophisticated and warm and make spaces feel more intimate and cosy.

Warm colours create an active response in the brain and bring feelings of excitement, passion and sometimes aggression. In extremely large spaces, an abundance of warm colour can get overwhelming and is best matched with neutral tones. Cooler hues, however, bring about a more passive reaction in the brain and can make a person feel pleased, relaxed or even subdued.

Before you pick up a brush, think about how certain colours make you feel, says Resene colour specialist Brenda Ngatai.

Brenda personally loves yellow. “It is an energising, uplifting colour that’s very positive and makes you feel happy. It puts a smile on your face,” says Brenda.

“Yellow is big and bold and looks great on a front door, in a dark hallway or in a big entry

because it’s expansive and welcoming. But it’s hard to use in large amounts in the home.”

Some studies have shown, however, that people may be more likely to lose their temper in a yellow room. It has also been shown to create feelings of frustration and anger. “So be careful using it as a main colour scheme,” Brenda cautions. “It could work on a kitchen that is part of a bigger space and subtle touches through accents might be a good idea.”

Red is another colour that raises a room’s energy level, says Brenda. “Red has a different vibration. It’s fiery and passionate, so it’s a good choice for a dining room where you want to stimulate appetites and conversation.” Different shades work better depending on the season. From Resene Flame Red to Resene Dynamite, red is a glamorous hue that will bring warmth and liveliness to your interior.

If one of your family members happens

to be on a diet, however, it may not be the best choice for your kitchen. According to psychologists, red could stimulate the appetite. Blue may be a better choice.

Orange is another colour that evokes excitement, says Brenda. “Some colour experts say it promotes communication, so it is also good for the dining room, but avoid using a high impact gloss or semi-gloss as it will likely overwhelm the space. A low sheen finish, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, works better with bolder colour statements like Resene Jailbreak or Resene Party Zone.”

Then there is pink, which has had a big fashion moment as of late in every shade from gentle blush such as Resene Soulful to shocking pink like Resene Pink Ribbon.

Pink – which is essentially light red – is frequently associated with love, romance and femininity so it is often used in bedrooms. It is also thought to have a calming effect, which is why it is myspace Issue 8

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This soft and romantic tone-on-tone bedroom incorporates a unique painted headboard feature created with restful silvery greens (from far left to right) in Resene Helix, Resene Peace and Resene Silver Chalice to provide some grounding to the expansive Resene Alabaster walls and flooring. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, photo by Melanie Jenkins.

sometimes seen on prison walls. For some, pink evokes a creative vibe which is why it can be found in workspaces and offices of those in artistic professions.

Greens, blues and greys are more restful hues that can be used for almost any room in the home, says Brenda. Green, the colour of nature, has a calming quality, relieving stress. It tends to cool things down, making it suitable for the kitchen, family or living room.

Try soothing shades like Resene Peace, Resene Nourish or Resene Unwind on your walls if you’re looking for something to suit a snooze-friendly space.

Blue is said to bring down blood pressure, which is why it is considered calming and serene and often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. If you opt for a light blue as your primary room colour, balance it with warmer furnishings and finishes. A pastel blue such as Resene Mystery or Resene Remember Me can be chilly in some spaces, so pair it up with a warmer-toned grey such as Resene Grey Area or Resene Suits.

“Jewel-like blues and turquoises, like Resene Fast Forward or Resene Wishing Well, can be great in smaller spaces, and Resene Half Dusted Blue and Resene Duck Egg Blue are popular in open plan areas.” Brenda suggests Resene Shadowy Blue or Resene Zinzan – a navy blue – for a bathroom or to cosy up a lounge. Balance it out with lighter colour flooring, a white ceiling or accents in soft taupe hues.

Grey works brilliantly when different tones are layered together.

“Really soft greys such as Resene Foggy Grey are peaceful and relaxing, perfect for the bedroom,” says Brenda. “Bring in accents like pink, fuchsia and navy or charcoal to make it really pop.” Try Resene Shilo, Resene Smitten, Resene Coast or Resene Porter.

In its darkest shade, purple is rich, dramatic and sophisticated.

It is associated with luxury and creativity. As a secondary colour, it gives depth to a scheme, making it perfect for entertaining spaces – try it in Resene Purple Rain or Resene RSVP. Toned down to soft 6

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lavender or lilac, such as Resene Whimsical, Resene Mozart or Resene Dreamtime, purple is considered spiritual and meditative, which definitely works in a bedroom or library. It’s just as restful as blue without the risk of feeling chilly.

Donna White of Donna White Interior Design says violet relaxes and slows the metabolism. “It is associated with lateral thinking and imaginative thinking so it works in dining areas, living rooms or a study.”

Associated with classics and sophistication, blacks like Resene Noir or Resene Charcoal create a moody atmosphere that adds drama to a room and can be a great accent colour.

“Some people think it’s gloomy, but when it’s paired with white benchtops and timber accents, it’s elegant and trendy, especially in kitchens at the moment,” says Brenda. “If there’s a lot of light coming into the room, it’s really nice.”

Neutrals, taupes and browns like Resene Napa, Resene Coffee Break and Resene Earthen epitomise nature and are used abundantly in design – so much that many earthy natural tones may go

Resene Gumsmoke, Resene Avalanche, Resene Chapta And Verse, Resene Mamba and Resene Couture. Project

by Claudia Kozub.

Photo by Melanie Jenkins.

colour wheel from your local Resene ColorShop. It arranges colour schemes into families and is a useful tool to help you put your colour scheme together.

• I f you find a colour inspiring but too intense to use on your walls, try painting a key piece of furniture with durable Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel.

Looking for extra inspiration? Visit your local Resene ColorShop or www.resene.co.nz/latestlooks for more colour and paint ideas and inspiration.

unnoticed. Brown and neutral tones can represent anything from peace and calm to wholesomeness and reliability or even boredom. It has a variety of functions, though – especially as a background and accent colour – and brown blends well with almost every other shade to create a pleasing effect suitable in practically any room.

Donna frequently recommends a neutral paint palette throughout the home “because it allows greater freedom to inject colour through your choice of art, upholstery fabric, cushions, rugs and other accessories”.

“The neutral background of the walls acts rather like putting foundation onto a face before makeup is applied.”

Top tips: • Once you’ve chosen your colour options, you need to look at a big piece of the colour in the room to see how it affects you. Paint an A2-sized card with two coats of a Resene testpot – leaving an unpainted border – and move the colour around the room at different times of the day and night to see how it affects you before you commit. Or, pick up a few Resene drawdown swatches – an A4 drawdown paint swatch coated in real paint – which can be purchased for the same price as a testpot. Or you can view a library of these swatches free in the colour library at your local Resene ColorShop.

• To coordinate colours successfully within a room, it is important to understand how different colours work together. Pick up a

free!

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VISSARI RANGEHOODS INTRODUCES THE SUPERIOR SILENT SERIES

SUPERIOR AIRFLOW

SUPERIOR SILENCE

SUPERIOR STAINLESS STYLE

OUR EXCITING NEW SILENT RANGEHOODS

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Our homes are our individual sanctuaries so if a particular space isn’t working for you, it’s well worth seeking professional help to change the layout, function and look.

One Bethlehem couple had an underutilised scullery area next to their kitchen which was separated by a wall and doorway.

They love to entertain and wanted their kitchen to be a focal point – somewhere friends and family could gather around a floating island bench and where beautiful glassware and kitchenware could be displayed.

The logical solution was to knock out the wall and enlarge the space so they engaged Sean Wood at Creative Kitchens & Interiors to design, manufacturer and install an entirely new kitchen.

“Everything was moved,” Sean says.

“Nothing’s in its original place. There is no standard model when it comes to kitchen layout. It all comes down to personal preference but anything really can be achieved within the boundaries of your imagination.”

Sean collaborated with Rachael HackettJones of Rubix Design Collective to come up

with a user-friendly layout that also created some genuine wow factor.

“The clients wanted simplicity and clean lines without getting too fancy,” says Rachael. “It had to have a functional element as well so everything could have its place.”

Parameters such as external walls will always govern any re-design but there are plenty of ways to review the space to make it more functional, says Rachael.

“Even though we opened up the whole kitchen and scullery area, we were defined by the existing wall and return of the bench so it was still quite a tight space. But having a floating island was important to them as it brings people together and is an entertainment hub. It doesn’t matter how many spaces you have in a home, everyone congregates in the kitchen.”

Rachael says it’s important to ensure a floating island remains in proportion to the size of the room. This particular island has an American White Oak frame extension on one side so bar stools can tuck underneath.

The main sink and dishwasher have been incorporated into the island while a smaller, secondary sink can be found along the far wall.

“That was specifically designed so someone could make coffee and organise drinks and not interfere with the remaining space.”

A bar fridge sits underneath the bench

and a coffee machine is within arm’s reach.

Directly above is a stunning hanging gantry made from American white oak timber and brass to showcase the couple’s glassware.

“We then brought those brass accents through into the handles on the lacquered cabinets and drawers.”

The exception is the bespoke solid American White Oak handles that grace the front of the American White Oak veneered pantry doors. myspace Issue 8

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“We wanted to give strength to the space while also being mindful of a budget. These custom-designed handles were an easy way to add some flair. There is a groove behind each one which allows space for your fingers to grab hold and pull the doors open.”

American white oak was also used on two shelves inset into a kitchen nook. The timber complements the couple’s wooden dining table that sits nearby and can create a diverse range of looks.

“It’s hard-wearing and you can stain it different colours. American oak also takes on the colour more generously than other timbers – that’s the beauty of what you can do with one material,” says Rachael.

Rachael says true craftsmanship is the key to creating an impressive kitchen.

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“I don’t think people realise just how much goes into working with timbers and different mediums. Sean and his team custom-build everything and the finished result is a work of art.”

That meticulous attention to detail extends to what’s behind the lacquered façade of any cabinet or drawer, Sean explains.

“If you pull open the cutlery draw in any Creative Kitchen & Interiors’ project, you’ll be greeted with bespoke cutlery trays and knife blocks usually crafted from solid timber.

“Whenever we do a kitchen, we always give the clients something they’re not expecting.

We could buy a plastic moulded cutlery tray and slip it in there but we never do.”

To finish the overall look, the Bethlehem

homeowners opted for white brick tiles for their splashback and a benchtop made from engineered stone. A gas hob was installed along the back wall, while an oven tower (including microwave) has been built into the classic white cabinetry.

Finally, new laminated oak flooring was laid throughout the kitchen and former scullery. It is one example of how a re-work cannot be done in isolation, Sean says.

“Remember that lots of things will be compromised – you’ll often need new plumbing, new wiring and flooring. Nothing’s hard, it just gives you a different set of challenges.”

That’s why both Rachael and Sean recommend engaging professional help to design, plan and execute the re-model of any space. “A designer can look at each area objectively to see what space you can maximise,” Rachael says. “And when you work with the right people, it becomes seamless.

“The added value of a well-designed kitchen isn’t limited by the physical size of the space either. People think it’s expensive to use a designer but it’ll save time and money in the long run. By dealing with an expert, you can cut to the chase.”

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Sort your mortgage online, without leaving the couch Squirrel’s mortgage advisers compare your home loan options and give impartial, personalised advice. We can even do it 100% online.

Contact your mortgage and property expert in Bay of Plenty Paul Davey 021 023 75083 paul@squirrel.co.nz

Full-page-ad-myspace.indd 1

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0800 21 22 30

squirrel.co.nz

24/03/20 12:26 PM

Lining up those ducks getting yourself bank ready If there’s one thing we’ve been brutally reminded of this year, it’s that we live in an ever-changing world.

Some things may never be the same. However, the world continues to turn, and people will continue to buy houses.

Owning your own home is a goal many Kiwis aspire to, and a goal that most can achieve – with a little bit of work!

Whether you are aiming to build new, or buy an existing property, one of the first questions that needs to be answered is whether you can get the funding needed to fulfill your goals.

Your first port of call should be a good mortgage adviser. An effective adviser will guide you through the process of obtaining the funding and assist you to buy the right property. A good adviser is indispensable, especially if this is your first foray into home ownership.

Funding can come from a variety of sources, with bank mortgages being the most common. Your adviser knows how these banks operate, and will ensure that you put your very best foot forward to maximise your chances of success with your mortgage application.

Getting yourself “bank ready” is a surefire way of enhancing your chances with the bank. Getting organised early and making some recommended changes to your spending habits and account behaviour, will pay dividends.

Here are some handy tips to help get those ducks lined up:

really need that gold-plated waffle maker, then pay cash. If not, then leave it on the shelf.

KiwiSaver For many first home buyers, KiwiSaver withdrawal makes up a big part of the home deposit. It’s a great scheme, especially when you combine it with the First Home Grant, from Kainga Ora. Recent events have highlighted how much the value of a KiwiSaver fund can fluctuate, especially if the fund is holding shares (Growth). If you are intent on using your KiwiSaver to help buy a home, then consider switching your KiwiSaver fund to a Conservative mandate. This will reduce any potential volatility in the fund value, and provide greater certainty for your deposit. Ensure you consult with your financial adviser before you instruct your fund provider to make the switch.

First Home Grant A fantastic scheme, provided by the Government, to assist first home buyers. There are conditions, of course, but your adviser will guide you, and can assist with the application. For many people, it is the most productive 15 minutes they have ever spent!

Buying a home is a big deal. It’s likely to be the biggest, most important financial decision that you have ever made. Most people will rely on the bank to provide the lion’s share of the funding needed to buy their first home. With good planning, the right advice, and a bit of work, you can line those ducks up to optimise your chances of success.

By Paul Davey, Squirrel

Account conduct Banks need to see at least three months of flawless account behaviour. Ensure your direct debits and automatic payments are made – they’ll be looking out for any missed payments.

Overdraft usage If you have an overdraft on your bank account, back off on its usage if you can. Rein in nonessential spending to maximise your cashflow.

Don’t go into unauthorised overdraft, or if you do, remedy it straight away.

Discretionary spending Banks want to know how you will cope with the costs of home ownership. This includes mortgage repayments, rates, maintenance and insurance. Show the bank that you can pay your rent, and save enough cash, to equate to the cost of owning your own home. Loan affordability is a big component of a mortgage application; you want to make sure your spending is in control.

Smashed avocado on toast is much cheaper when made at home!

Resist debt There are many ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes that encourage you to buy stuff. These schemes may look enticing, but they can end up being costly, and detract from your credit position. If you myspace Issue 8

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From bare land to grand living When a large section for sale, covered in gorse and blackberries, caught Michaela Bowden-Martin’s eye on the internet back in 2015 she knew she’d found just what she was looking for.

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“We’ve always wanted to build. This section was flat, it was big and it didn’t have any neighbours. I had my eye on it for ages and eventually I drove my husband, Moni Martin, out here.”

The 0.5ha bare section in Pongakawa couldn’t be more different from their former five bedroom two storey home on Cambridge Rd, Tauranga, but Michaela and Moni have poured their heart and soul into building a luxurious dream home from scratch with Golden Homes.

“It is an entertainer’s paradise,” Michaela admits.

“It’s one of the largest projects Golden Homes has built and they were really great to work with. I’ve done the interior décor myself and we’ve built it with re-sale in mind so we’ve put everything you could want into it.”

The result is a sprawling 402m² home featuring four bedrooms, an office, two living rooms, 2.5 bathrooms, two living areas, open-plan kitchen/dining, large laundry, four car garaging, swimming pool and a purpose-built room for their full-size snooker table.

“We both love playing snooker and we compete in tournaments all around the North Island.”

The pair practise once or twice a day and have installed a projector on the ceiling and remote controlled screen on one wall so they can watch tennis or rugby while they play. A beer fridge and separate toilet is also on hand, making this the ultimate games room.

Deluxe touches can be found throughout this home including ducted air conditioning and underfloor heating beneath the soft grey carpet and white marble tiles from Tile Trends. Michaela and Moni opted for classic white shutters on all windows because they’re easy to clean and can filter sunlight.

Interior Fittings Rotorua designed and built the grand kitchen and also supplied office furniture and laundry cabinetry. myspace Issue 8

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BRAND NEW SHOWHOME READY TO VIEW. 3 Ridge Drive, Harbour Ridge

You’ll love the style and sophistication of this exquisite new home in beautiful Omokoroa.

The design offers a fabulous sense of spaciousness and you’ll instantly fall in love with the entertainer’s kitchen that is sure to impress friends and family.

Tony and Jason will be on hand to show you through this beautiful property by Golden Homes.

VISIT GOLDENHOMES.CO.NZ FOR SHOWHOME HOURS

Call Tony - 027 232 3022 Or Jason - 027 232 3030 16

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GOLDENHOMES.CO.NZ

“They gave me lots of ideas I would never have thought of and were really terrific,” Michaela says.

Stamp Pressed Metal, based in Auckland, produced eye-catching splashbacks in both the laundry and kitchen.

“Any colour you choose for a glass splashback will date over time.

“This look is timeless, simplistic and easy to clean. I think it looks lovely.”

Twenty solar panels have been installed on the roof to power the home throughout the day, and while they still pay to use electricity at night, they sell some power back to the grid each month.

Moni is responsible for the row of black leather recliners in the lounge that look as though they belong in the gold class section of a cinema. Leg rests are activated at the touch of a button, and USB and power points are cleverly hidden in the arm rests so you can relax and recharge your device at the same time.

“I just had to have them,” he admits.

He also had to have a super-sized coffee machine plumbed into the kitchen.

“I don’t drink coffee, only hot chocolate. But everyone else likes it,” he says with a grin.

After purchasing the land and the neighbouring house in 2015, Michaela & Moni readjusted the boundaries to suit their needs and renovated the old house while their new one was being built.

It took well over 12 months for the steel frame drawing plans to be completed and approved due to the workload at that time – and Michaela’s advice to other new build homeowners is to be patient as it is well worth the wait “Have realistic expectations time-wise because there’s a lot of building going on and you will be held up waiting in a lot of areas.

There’s no point getting upset about it.”

Phone 022 635 9677 info@stamp.net.nz stamp.net.nz

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The black coloursteel roof and white weatherboards are an extension of the interior colour scheme which Michaela says is based on simplicity.

“I like really clean lines and one colour throughout. If you keep the walls simple you can then dress the house around it.”

Eye-catching artworks and large mirrors can be found in almost every room and Moni installed wooden nogs as the build progressed to ensure they could hang exactly what they wanted, where.

The couple also insisted on timber cladding and wide eaves, having previously had difficulty selling a stucco-clad home.

“New Zealand weather is so unpredictable,” Moni says.

“It can be really hot and then rain for days. It doesn’t matter if your home is leaky or not, if it’s clad in stucco, buyers will immediately walk away.”

If the inside of this home isn’t impressive enough, the effort that has gone into the outdoor landscaping will blow you away. Michaela and Moni are both keen gardeners and started planting the section before the build even began.

They buy countless shrubs and plants from nurseries and patiently nurture them until they grow big enough to plant out. The long driveway is now lined with mature shrubs such as escallonias, rhododendrons, proteas and several towering palm trees were transplanted from their previous property in Tauranga.

The couple have planted the boundary extensively and Moni is creating an espalier-style fruit tree garden where branches are strung along wires so fruit remains at easy picking height.

Garden sculptures are another notable feature of this property. A pair of foo dog statues guard the main entranceway, and large polished concrete koru sit alongside Japanese-style water features nearby.

A solid white marble dragon is one of Michaela’s most prized possessions and is nestled in between palm trees beside the 9m by 4.2m saltwater swimming pool. At night, the garden, driveway and pool are beautifully lit up to finish off the whole look.

The home is now a haven for their extended family – they have eight children, 19 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren between them.

“We have a lot of visitors and it’s a wonderful house to live in. We’re very proud of what we’ve done.”

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Be creative in ways never before possible by using a wallpaper to transform your interior spaces.

Wallpaper offers inspiration to match your imagination when it comes to making your house, your home.

Dress up your walls and make them as unique as you are.

With a huge range of styles, textures, patterns available in today’s trends it’s easy to give any room or feature wall in your home a fresh new look.

METROPOLIS By FABBRI MADE IN ITALY BY ZAMBAITI myspace 8 | 19 AVAILABLE FROMIssue RESENE

Home-grown timber build Often when we move to a new home, we wish we could take a piece of the property we have left behind with us.

That’s exactly what Viv Barr did in 2012, when she and her husband used historically significant timber to build a new home at Awakeri, on their dairy farm runoff.

The home – a unique build, incorporating hebel block construction – features the heavy use of timber harvested from their home farm, located just 3km down the road and part of the family since 1908.

“When we decided to build we wanted to take a piece of the farm with us, and timber seemed like a wonderful way to do that,” says Viv. The build incorporated two species of timber: Eucalyptus saligna and Cupressus lusitanica, which was felled, kiln-dried and stacked by Bill Clark of Gumfields.

The eucalyptus, planted by Viv’s husband’s grandfather, was harvested at an incredible 90 years old and used to create the home’s floors, ceiling beams, kitchen trim, internal doors, and bathroom joinery.

The lusitanica, harvested at 35 years old, was planted by Viv’s father-in-law and her husband and used in all the architraves around the doors and windows, and joinery in the living room.

Bill Clark of Gumfields from nearby Onepu felled all the trees, kiln dried them, stacked them, and as the Barrs’ agent, sent the eucalyptus to be tongue-and-grooved to be used as flooring. The timber took between five-eight years to dry.

The home was architecturally designed by Mia Jenkins, formerly of Carling Architects. Viv says she went to them with plenty of ideas in the pot.

Position “The position of the house was to be entirely governed by the view,” says Viv, referring to the panoramic outlook taking in the Rangitaiki Plains and a glimpse of the Raurimu Islands from the front of the house, and Mount Putauaki from the rear.

“I wanted to be able to enter from the back of the house and see out from the front, to take advantage of the amazing view.

“We also wanted to be able to sit at the dining table and look at Mount Putauaki.

“We decided on the raked ceiling to give the feeling of space, and so we could use the timber we had put aside.”

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Whakatane builder Shane Wilson took on the project and construction on the home started in 2011, taking just over a year to complete.

Viv says Shane has a reputation for building more unique homes.

“I think he loves the challenge of doing something unique – although I don’t know if he’d rush out and do something like this again anytime soon!”

The major construction material was hebel block: aerated concrete block that is one-seventh the weight of concrete and celebrated for its thermal properties.

The blocks were braced with rods and 10 tonnes of plaster was applied to the interior and exterior of the home; a task that took one plasterer five months to complete.

“He practically lived here for five months,” says Viv.

‘Imperfect’ finish The interior plaster was applied with an ‘imperfect’ finish, as per Viv’s request, and covered in a layer of beeswax.

To break up the monotonous white plaster and timber tones, Viv incorporated a liberal amount of colour throughout the home.

“I just love colour,” says Viv. “I couldn’t imagine the house just being white and timber; it’s just not me.”

Various shades of dye were mixed with the interior plaster to complement the seven pieces of art Viv brought home from South America just before construction started; each room is a different colour and showcases a different piece of art.

The result is a home that celebrates a meticulous attention to detail; and an undeniable ‘wow’ factor has been achieved, but without a hint of pretentiousness.

“I’m so happy with how our home turned out…I can’t think of anything I would change about it.”

Sadly Viv’s husband passed away in 2014, but she decided the home was too lovely not to share with others; so she opened one wing of the house as a self-contained B&B.

Rewarding Viv says growing your own timber is very rewarding, though often it is the following generations that benefit. “Even if we hadn’t used it for ourselves, there is the possibility it could have been used for our

kids, or our grandkids,” says Viv. “We have more timber harvested and drying on the home farm.

About 11m3 of 35-year-old Tasmanian Blackwood, which is ready to sell.”

Viv’s new home and property has also been the subject of a Farm Forestry NZ field day.

A group of visitors visited the home farm to see the eucalyptus, lucitanica and Tasmanian Blackwood woodlots, all of which are coming to maturity.

This was followed by a look at the stacks of drying Tasmanian Blackwood, with miller Bob Gardiner and Bill Clark discussing the drying and marketing of the wood, before spending time at Viv’s home to see the application of timber as a building feature. myspace Issue 8

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Proform Homes provides a building service that designs and constructs homes. Our difference? We Care.

You will work with Colin & Angela from the start of the project through to the end.

Our clients work with Colin and our designer (unless they already have a plan). We go through the key features, must haves, wants and site-specific items that must be identified early in the design. Because of the expectations of council and engineers this model works very well, allowing for a smooth build process, a build that is transparent and saves time and money.

Angela studies and has regular meetings with our suppliers so she understands the latest trends, textures and products that we can implement in your build.

This knowledge is informative to our clients who have done less study on what they want or are undecided between features/colours/textures etc.

Both Colin and Angela are passionate about each build and want clients who return. Our staff also share this value.

We are a committed team creating and expanding since 2004.

Show Home: 2 Pakanga Grove, The Lakes, Tauranga.

Open: Wednesday/Thursday 12-3pm & Sunday 1-4pm or by appointment.

Phone Colin Carmichael 021 533 938 Email info@proformbuild.co.nz 22

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www.proformbuild.co.nz

Matt Cowley Matt Cowley is an expert at connecting people, so it’s no surprise that his favourite spot at home helps connect him with the community he lives in.

A small balcony attached to his fourth floor apartment overlooks Pilot Bay and takes in sweeping views which stretch from the Papamoa Hills to the Kaimai Range.

“It’s quite nice to wake up in the morning and watch the cruise ships coming in,” admits the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO. “It was really cool sitting out here at New Year’s Eve. You could see the fireworks going off at Matua and in the CBD and they were all synchronised, like they were competing with one another.”

Bay Oval’s enormous lights are clearly visible from the balcony too, and Matt says it feels surreal to be watching cricket on television and know the action is happening so close by.

“Living at the Mount is very central – and social. I don’t use my car at all in the weekends.

Having the beach and lots of cafes and shops on our doorstep is pretty cool. The amount of people I bump into while walking around Mauao is also incredible.”

Matt has lived at the Mount for seven years and moved into his current home two summers ago. He rents the apartment with two flatmates and says the balcony’s wicker furniture and

barbecue are well-used.

“Friends often come over for dinner. They bring salads and we sort the meat. The balcony faces south which is actually great in summer because you can hide from the sun a bit.”

Relaxing and watching life go by through the glass balustrades is the perfect way to wind down after a busy day. Vessels of all shapes and sizes glide by while seagulls swoop overhead, and Matt enjoys escaping outdoors and chilling out with friends.

He took over the CEO role at the Chamber in June 2019 and is working hard to reposition and rebrand the organisation so it appeals to a wider range of business owners.

“It’s definitely about connecting people with our members and doing what we can to help out. We’re in the process of changing our products and services.

“People want to do business where there’s a sense of value but also a sense of fun. So I’m trying to connect those two so there’s some steak along with the sizzle.”

At just 36 years of age, Matt already has an accomplished CV including a stint as a Tauranga City Councillor from 2013-2016.

He says he learnt a lot about the city and his own leadership style during his term, and feels passionate about influencing sustainable change.

He was the national sales manager for Fire Security Services and helped successfully relaunch the company before hearing the chamber was looking for a new CEO last summer. myspace Issue 8

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Is solar energy right

We’re lucky enough to enjoy some of the highest sunshine hours in the country and solar technology has come a long way. So is now the right time to install solar panels on your roof?

There are a lot of factors to weigh up and it’s hard to predict how electricity prices, buy-back rates, interest rates and our electricity use might change during the 20-plus year life of a solar energy system.

Installing a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system on an averagesize home typically costs just under $10,000 but whether it’s a good option will come down to two main factors: the power your system can generate and how much of that power you can use.

Assessing your home For solar to work properly, your roof needs to face north and have a 15 to 45° pitch. Mounting frames can be installed to adjust each panel’s angle to the sun but their cost may outweigh the benefit.

Any shade will cause generation levels to plummet so think about how big nearby trees might be in 20 years’ time or if any tall buildings might go up around you.

There are two useful online tools where you can input details about your own home and energy use to see if solar is a good option for you: https://www.energywise.govt.nz/tools/solar-tool/ https://www.seanz.org.nz/optimiser It’s worth trying both tools as each uses slightly different assumptions.

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Your daily habits Solar is best suited to homes with large daytime power use, especially in summer. Is someone home all day? Are you heating a pool or spa? Do you have an electric car charging? If not, you’ll need to change your power use habits to ensure you use what you’re generating. You won’t earn much by selling power back to the grid (the buy-back rate is only 7-8 cents/kWh) so unless you plan to invest in a storage battery, you’ll need to use it as it’s generated.

Solar doesn’t work at night and may not provide enough power during winter which is why most solar installations are ‘grid-tied’ so your house remains connected to the electricity grid when you need a top up.

What size will you need?

Ideally, your system should be large enough to supply the electricity your home needs and not too much more. A larger system may be cheaper per watt generated but will take longer to pay off the extra investment if you’re borrowing money. Check with a solar installation expert about what size you need and consider how much roof space is suitable to mount solar panels. Panels usually measure 1.6m by 1m and produce outputs of 270W to 300W. A 3kW system needs at least 10 panels. Note: 3kW would generate enough power to run a clothes dryer and an electric cooktop at the same time.

How long will it last?

Solar panels lose some of their generation capacity over time (about 15 per cent-20 per cent drop during 20 years), so it’s important to check the warranty details. Panels and inverters, which convert the DC current produced to the AC current used in your home, should

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also be covered for any physical and electrical issues.

Solar panels need a good clean every year too so factor in the cost of this also.

Batteries and inverters Batteries are convenient but can be costly and make your solar system uneconomical compared to other renewable energy sources.

Grid-tied systems require an inverter to synchronise your system with mains power and sell electricity back to the grid. They don’t tend to last as long as panels so you’ll need to replace it at least once over 20 years. A string inverter is usually mounted to a garage wall or similar while micro-inverters sit on the back of each panel.

This makes it easy to add more panels in future and optimises each panel’s power production but usually costs more than string inverters.

It’s a good idea to choose an inverter with monitoring software so you can see how much power you’re generating and using in real-time. You can then adapt your behaviour to get the most out of your solar system.

Seek professional advice The Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand, known as SEANZ, is the representative body for the solar electricity industry. Make sure you use a SEANZ member to provide advice, quotes and undertake solar installation work.

You will need prior approval to connect solar to the electricity grid, so contact your lines company before you start. Talk to your electricity retailer to find out what their buy-back rate is and shop around for the best deal. myspace Issue 8

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Know the tricks of the trade Buying a house is often the largest financial transaction you’ll ever make but many people don’t realise how important it is to get comprehensive legal advice.

KM Law Principal Kirsten Murfitt says common mistakes include failing to do due diligence, not checking consents and not carrying out a pre-settlement inspection early enough.

“Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know. We take great pride in doing really thorough due diligence. We review the title, LIM and all documents and give clients a written report which covers them.

“Some lawyers will just say ‘everything looks fine’ (rather than provide a written report) but if anything happens it comes down to a ‘he said, she said’ situation.”

When viewing a property, look for any work that doesn’t fit with the age of the house so your lawyer can ensure it’s consented.

“We had one case where the whole house hadn’t been consented so the bank wouldn’t lend on it as they couldn’t get insurance.”

Kirsten urges home buyers to look carefully at the condition of the property and carry out a pre-settlement inspection at least one working day before settlement.

Kirsten Murfitt.

“Everything needs to be in the same condition as it was at the date of the agreement. Often that comes down to a bit of a debate if damage has occurred so take photos if you can.”

Your lawyer can hold back money (known as retentions) until any problems are fixed – but only if they notify the other side before 5pm the day before settlement.

If cleanliness is important to you, insert a clause into the contract that requires commercial cleaners to be used. And if you’re using KiwiSaver for your deposit, be aware it can take up to 15 working days to receive the funds.

“It’s all about the timing and knowing the tricks of the trade. We do this day in, day out, so we know what problems can occur.”

KM Law offers fixed fees rather than estimates and doesn’t add any margins when searching or registering documents.

“It’s worth asking that question when you ring around to find a lawyer because those margins can add up really quickly.”

YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS | Residential Property | Commerical Property | Wills and Trusts | We understand that our success is dependent on client satisfaction and word-of-mouth referrals. We pride ourselves on being approachable, delivering professional legal services and being upfront about our fees. We deliver the same high standard whether you are a first home buyer or the managing director of a company.

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738 Cameron Road, Tauranga

info@kmlaw.co.nz

ph 07 543 9476

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A black and white colour scheme can exude drama, elegance and simplicity all at once.

Liz and Vinnie Smith have used this timeless combination throughout their home in St Thomas Estate, Pyes Pa, to great effect – creating an ultramodern, sophisticated space that feels warm and inviting rather than cold and stark.

“I like the sharp contrast between black and white. It doesn’t date, and a lot of things will go with it,” says Liz. Black Linea Oblique Weatherboard creates a striking first impression, and is softened by grey stack bond concrete blocks beside the front entranceway.

Small landscaping touches, such as black bark which lines the pathway, hint at the attention to detail that can be found here.

Visitors step inside the white front door to find the exterior cladding has followed them inside. The black vertical weatherboards line one side of the hallway and create a stunning feature wall.

“We’re really proud of that. It ties the inside and out and continues the whole bold, monochromatic look I was after. It provides great texture as well.”

Polished concrete with a salt and pepper finish has been laid throughout this four bedroom home, complemented by soft grey carpet in the bedrooms and myspace Issue 8

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main lounge. Sleek black handles, hinges, tapware and light fittings have been installed alongside black aluminium joinery which provide a wonderful contrast to the simple white walls painted in Dulux Okarito.

But not everything is so clear cut.

A wallpapered feature wall in the master bedroom fades upwards through myriad shades of grey and the ensuite’s mismatched mosaic of black and white tiles leaves you staring in wonder from the threshold.

“It turned out much better than I thought!” Liz admits.

“It was one of those trends I had picked up on in magazines, Pinterest, and by watching home renovation shows.”

In the kitchen, a black engineered stone island makes a bold statement and sits opposite a pure white counterpart.

All the usual appliances – fridge, dishwasher, microwave – are discretely hidden inside a butler’s pantry which can be closed off behind a black sliding door. The result is an attractive, clutter-free space where friends and family can gather.

Outdoor entertaining is also high on the agenda here with not one but three separate decks to choose from.

A courtyard-style space sits between the kitchen, lounge and master bedroom, with double stacked sliding doors opening onto it from all three rooms. Black wicker furniture and an enormous black suspended sun umbrella ensures the décor perfectly matches the interior colour scheme.

If the weather isn’t ideal, a fully covered deck is situated just off the lounge and has surround sound and radiant heater panels mounted overhead to keep everyone warm.

Black automated blinds have been installed on windows throughout the home and operate via remote control, and a high-tech camera security system keeps a close eye on comings and goings.

The north-facing living areas ensure plenty of sunlight floods the polished concrete floor, adding both visual and 28

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physical warmth to the space. A moody black and white photograph of bare trees on a foggy day adds a sophisticated touch, while a black and white cowhide rug sits underneath the industrial-looking concrete dining room table.

Done well, monochromatic colour schemes will always stand the test of time. Liz’s advice is to use accessories and furniture to build texture within the black, grey and white colour palette.

The Smiths partnered with Mike Gadsby from M&M Builders to bring their 229m² ‘black shed’ to life.

“We like to build things that are different to everybody else and this one really appealed to us,” Mike says.

“It’s not just a square box; it’s got real style.”

Liz adds that Mike’s personal touch and team of contractors made the building process easy and dramafree.

“We couldn’t recommend him highly enough.”

Ph: Mike 027 778 9596 E: mandmbuilders@outlook.co.nz myspace Issue 8

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0800 394 766 www.centralpools.co.nz

a space for family With a hectare of land to take care of, creating a low maintenance outdoor living area for their new pool was a top priority for Kay and Ross Abernethy – and Kay says they made it happen.

“We barely have to maintain the space, which has given us much more time to enjoy it. It has taken 18 months to finish it all off, but we are so pleased that it’s all done.”

Since completion, the space has been put to good use. Kay, Ross and their daughter Georgia swim in the pool nearly every day, and the courtyard was the perfect place to host a friend’s wedding reception.

The wall surrounding the new outdoor area can be entered through a scenic cobblestone path or an antique-style door, giving a sense of a hide-away sanctuary.

“When creating the space, I kept the ‘make-your-home-a-fivestar-resort-and-you’ll-never-have-to-go-on-holiday’ premise in mind.

Now it’s finished though, I see it as a beautiful and very functional part of our home.”

Self design Kay took the reins on the overall design of the space, and didn’t use a project manager.

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“My style preference for both the courtyard and our house is European. I lived in London for 12 years and we love visiting France, so I think that’s where my taste comes from. Also, there’s something about a modern look with clean, straight lines that I really like.”

For the project, the Abernethys used sustainable products and shopped locally as much as possible.

Show-stopping pool A 10.2m-long pool is the centrepiece of the courtyard. It is kitted with a Vantage cleaning system exclusive to Tauranga based business, Central Pools.

Central Pools director Steffan Hudson says the set-and-forget system uses a series of jets at the bottom of the pool, which rotate in sequence to move debris to into a canister. Besides emptying the debris canister, no manual cleaning is required.

“The Vantage system rotates the water from the bottom to the top, creating less of an opportunity for algae and bacteria to grow and making it much harder for the pool to go green.

“Circulating the water also ensures that the sun doesn’t burn off the chemicals in the pool as quickly, which halves chemical consumption.

“Warm water from the top of the pool is circulated too, so heating your pool becomes more cost effective.”

Kay says selecting the Compass Pool with the Vantage cleaning system was an easy choice, but the family had differing opinions on the colour and shape. They settled on the shape “vogue” in the colour pearl.

“We chose pearl because it makes the water look tropical – and it needs to look warm in order for me to get in!”

To tie-in the colour of the pool with the surrounding silver travertine courtyard, Kay chose white quartzite pool coping from Natural Stone Imports.

“I liked the vogue shape because it has a seat on the side – it’s a lovely spot to read a book and enjoy a glass of wine.”

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Mirroring the seat area is a water feature, where six small fountains sit on top of a glass mosaic tile design by Palmer & Allen, and laid by Karl Cameron from Professional Pool Finishes. The tiles appear blue at first, but sport a turquoise, pink and purple shimmer in sunlight.

“When you put the fountains on, the water bubbling over the mosaic looks beautiful.

“I wondered if we’d have to continually wipe lime scale off the tile feature, but we’ve had it for over a year and I haven’t had to clean them once.”

Balancing brightness To tone down the brightness of the pool and courtyard, Kay painted the surrounding wall a dark colour, called ironsand. It matches the pergola, built by Foote Building, which is painted bokara grey.

“I wanted to have lots of light features in the space without it being glary. Having a dark colour around the edges brings the brightness down nicely, and makes everything pop.”

Beneath the dark pergola and sails are more light features: a grey lounge set surrounding a concrete fire and a wooden white-wash table.

“Apart from the pool, the space under the pergola is my favourite part of the whole area. It’s a comfortable and practical social space.”

Night entertainment To keep with the European look, black lantern-style lights sit along the pergola posts.

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“AT Electrical installed the lights so we can control them with through an app on our phones, which we think is pretty handy.”

The warm-white bulbs, along with the fire, bring a warm cosiness to the space.

If it’s too cold for a swim in the pool the Abernethys have a separate spa, elevated on deck built by Foote Building.

Sustainable energy A small cottage separate from the main house has 40, 310W solar panels facing east and west, installed by Mount Maunganui-based company Hitek Solar.

They also have two 5kW inverters, and 20 kWh of lithium-ion battery storage.

“Our solar panel system significantly reduces our power costs.

Our power bill in January this year was a quarter of our bill from the January before.

“It’s also reassuring that when there is a power outage, our fridge, the wifi and some lights will remain on.

“With the other benefits aside, we installed the solar panels to become a more sustainable household. We’ve all got to do our bit, and we’re very fortunate that we are in a position to do so.”

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Keep it green

Decorating with indoor plants is a sure way to liven up any space, but keeping them alive takes a bit more maintenance than a piece of art or a throw cushion.

Here are some tips on how to keep up with the pot-plant trend, and keep them alive.

Sitting in the drink While remembering to water is arguably the number one rule of plant care, being too keen to getting this part right can lead to the opposite problem: overwatering.

In a nursery setting, pots have plenty of draining holes and sit on benches where water can drain away. This is a completely different environment to having a plant at home in a decorative pot with just one draining hole, or no hole at all. If the water has nowhere to go, the roots have to bath in the water they don’t use and rot, suffocating the plant of any nutrients.

The best practice is to only use pots with plenty of drainage, and sit them on a tray so you can see excess water. This way, you can figure out how much water your plant needs in your home environment with less risk of root rot.

Your plant will also be very thankful if you use well-draining soil, so water can easily reach the roots. Any standard potting mix from your local hardware store will work.

Don’t burn me Picking the right time of day to water is also important. If direct sunlight hits a leaf with water on it, it has the potential to burn, therefore watering in the morning or in cloudy weather is ideal. A good way to remember this is to think if your plant was still in nature – it wouldn’t get rain on a sunny day.

Google your plant While the information labels that come with retail plants are a good starting point, looking-up your plant online will provide much more in-depth insight on how to look after it. For example, if the plant originates from a tropical climate, like the Croton from India and Malaysia, try and imitate the environment putting it in a well-lit room with plenty of moisture in the air, such as the bathroom.

Go with the seasons Indoor plants aren’t immune to a change in season, and will have different needs throughout the year. In winter, moving plants closer to sources of natural light and watering them less will help them get through the colder days. In summer, liquid feed can help the plant absorb nutrients despite the dryer days – and doing so is as easy as reading the instructions on the bottle. myspace Issue 8

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Pure water, always.

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0800 787 342 | www.mountainfresh.co.nz 36

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reasons

you should consider water filtration in your home

By Alyssa Hoffmann, Mountain Fresh

Safe and pure drinking water for you and your family (including pets!)

It’s no secret that increased water consumption has numerous benefits on the human body both mentally and physically. Adequate consumption of pure water has many advantages including decreased headaches, improved mental performance, healthier skin, better mood and improved digestion.

Protect appliances and tapware from sediments Often overlooked, sediment can be detrimental to expensive products and tapware over time. Some water filters installed at point of entry to the home will remove this sediment and elongate the products lifetime.

Shower in water free from chemicals Skin is the biggest organ in the human body, so it makes sense that you would want to avoid contact with harmful chemicals, right? Carbon filters installed at the point of entry will remove chlorine from your water leaving you with pure water to bathe in and wash your hair with.

Enhance cooking and hot drinks No matter if you’re a beginner or a whiz in the kitchen, making small changes like removing chemicals from your water can make a big difference to both taste and health.

Reduce plastic water Having great tasting water at home negates the need to buy bottled water. Refilling reusable drinking bottle has a huge positive impact on our environment. myspace Issue 8

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old-school character Using bright, white stone in the kitchen and bathroom was a perfect way to modernise Nikki and Glenn Halls’ home, while retaining its 1930s character.

With the help of Pacific Stone, they chose Silestone’s Calacatta Gold for their benchtops, splashbacks and bathroom vanity.

Calacatta Gold is an engineered stone designed to resemble marble. Its white base has gold, light grey and brown veins running throughout it, finished with a matte porcelain surface.

“Once we decided to repurpose the house’s original rimu for the kitchen island and other accents, using Calacatta Gold became an easy choice. The

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warmth in the veins complements the timber beautifully,” says Nikki.

Kate from Pacific Stone says using the same stone for the splashback is her favourite part of the new kitchen.

“Splashbacks are often an afterthought for people, but Nikki’s planning certainly paid-off. The way the stone’s pattern carries on from the bench top up to the range hood, with a warm light shining onto it, makes the space look larger and lavish.”

Nikki is a kitchen designer and Glenn a house design consultant – so the couple knew what they wanted.

“We wanted to have a stone bench because it’s practical, and much more forgiving than a laminate.

“We were always going to use Pacific Stone. They’re the company I use for work and they always do a beautiful job.

I’ve tried others, but I always go back to them.”

A 1930s dark wood wash table was converted into a bathroom vanity using Calacatta Gold, matched with a white sink.

Kate says this was an easy way to utilise left-over stone from the kitchen.

“There are always off-cuts, so people who work with us are more than welcome to get creative and use leftover stone for something else.”

The wash table continues the theme from the Halls’ other bathroom, where they fitted white stone with darker grey veins on the vanity in an earlier restoration project.

From order to install, the process took about three weeks. It is one of the final touches on what has been a seven-year renovation, says Nikki.

“Over the years, we’ve had temporary kitchens that we transferred around every time we did a bit of reno. We couldn’t start on the kitchen for a long time, because we were extending that part of the house.

“The temporary kitchens had everything I needed, but having a stainless steel bench with a dishwasher pushed in the corner was never what I wanted. To finally achieve the end product that we have is wonderful – we love it.”

51-53 Koromiko St, Judea, Tauranga t: 07 578 5024 | f: 07 578 2706 | t: 0800 100 078 www.pacificstone.co.nz myspace Issue 8 | 39

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Sacrificing half of the garage to create an extra bedroom had unexpected perks for Liz and Hayden Kennedy’s Mount Maunganui home renovation.

Initially, the sole purpose of downsizing the garage was to create a fourth bedroom to accommodate their children, Grace, 4, Zara, 3, and James, 1.

By the end of it, the transformation created enough room for an en suite, walk in wardrobe and a meter of extra space in the lounge.

Liz and Hayden’s ideal home was always a four bedroom, but they couldn’t find one in their price range that didn’t compromise outdoor space.

“Because we ended up buying a three bedroom, we didn’t expect to be here for very long,” says Liz. “Thanks to the renovations, we’ll get at least few more years here.

We finally have our four bedroom with a backyard.”

Shrinking shed space Turning a double connected garage into a single was at the centre of the renovation.

Liz and Hayden fully utilise the space by having shelving going up the walls for storage, and wall space for tools to hang.

Despite having less space for kids bikes, the in-garage laundry and no room to park a car inside, the space functions just fine for Liz and Hayden.

“Everything certainly has its place, but it still works without the extra room.”

Zara’s new room The internal access to the garage is now through a pretty-in-pink three-year-old’s bedroom.

There is enough room for a single bed, a small set of shelves that double as a bed-side table, and a double wardrobe.

Before, Zara shared a room with her older sister.

“They both wake up at different times, and would talk, or wake each other up if one was sick – so they have been sleeping much better since the renovation.

“I think they’ve noticed the difference, too – they haven’t asked to go back to sharing once.”

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The finishing touch on the room will be covering the wardrobe in pink and purple wall paper picked by Zara.

An added bonus Zara’s room was supposed to take up all of the old garage space.

“Our project manager advised us that using all of the new space would create a thin, long room. He suggested we used some of the space to extend the master en suite, which also made room for a walk-in wardrobe.

“It has been so convenient having the wardrobe and the bathroom together – it makes much more sense than walking across the room to get changed.”

More living room The old master wardrobe sat adjacent to the lounge, and removing it created space to extend the living area.

While moving a wall one metre doesn’t sound like much extra space, Liz and Hayden have certainly made use of it with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a fireplace.

“We bought the fireplace just because I’ve always loved them.

However, living at the Mount, we may have to open up all of the doors in the peak of winter to be able to use it!”

The shelves establish the room as a family space: filled with board games and books.

Filling the extra space with furniture meant the orientation of the rest of the lounge remained the same.

“I thought about getting a different couch but the kids aren’t ready for that yet – they are still at the stage of spilling things and wanting to draw on it.”

With the extra bedroom, toys can be stored in the kid’s rooms rather than in the lounge, freeing up living space.

“Even small changes like that make the house more functional.”

Modern bath While no walls were moved to upgrade the main bathroom, using the same grey rectangle tiles on the walls and the floor make the space appear much larger—a world away from the previous cream walls that were cut short by small peach-brown floor tiles.

A standard cream vanity has been replaced by a floating dark wood design, sitting under a mirror that doubles as a cupboard for subtle extra storage.

The grey is broken up with a feature wall using black tiles with a white floral design, which re-features in the shower nook.

The cream stand-alone bath commands the space, but is not just for show – Liz uses it every day with the kids.

The exact same design was continued in the en suite, which has enough space for a shower, toilet and vanity.

Top tradies Living amongst a renovation can certainly be disruptive, but the Kennedy kids took it in their stride.

“There was a tradie named Ray that the kids took an absolute shining to. They would draw him pictures and wait for him to arrive every day.”

“Now, months later, my girls still play make believe pretending to be Monica our painter and Jess our electrician. It was lovely to see the positive impression having female tradies had on them.”

Further reno Hayden says the extension fast-tracked other renovation projects.

“Because a window was put in the new room, we had to decide whether to have mismatched joinery with the rest of the house, or upgrade it all to match,” says Hayden.

“The same thing happened with the outside of the house, because once they extended it, it would have been hard to match new brick with 20-year-old brick. So, now we are cladding the whole house.”

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Vicki Semple When you organise an annual event that’s attended by more athletes than the Olympic Games, you need a relaxing space to unwind.

Anchor AIMS Games Tournament director Vicki Semple and her partner Phil have just finished renovating their ‘beach haven’ at Mount Maunganui and now have a beautiful spot less than a minute’s walk from the Mount Main Beach.

“Every morning we get up and walk Molly, our cavoodle, down to the Tay Street Store, get our coffee and wander home. I feel very spoilt to live right on the beach and be able to do that.”

It takes a full 12 months to prepare for the annual sport tournament which brings together 11,500 intermediate-age children from all over New Zealand and the Pacific.

Vicki often works from her kitchen bench or dining table where she’s surrounded by abstract art, crisp white walls and retro pieces of furniture.

An eye-catching oil on canvas by Nicola Bennett hangs on her kitchen wall above a wooden tea trolley, which houses a stunning collection of rustic olive green bowls, milk jugs, platters and homegrown produce and herbs.

“I love my art and I love collecting pottery from Tony Sly. He’s an amazing potter and I could honestly spend hours in his shop. He has a really cool studio on the wharf in Raglan.

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“I’m also addicted to tea trolleys and I have three of them now. I love collecting old stuff.”

Vicki grew up in Tauranga and had just started work at Sport Bay of Plenty in 2004 when her boss, Dame Susan Devoy, sent her to a meeting about the inaugural AIMS Games. “Two local intermediate principals wanted to create an inter-school competition and it’s just snowballed from there. We now have 23 sporting codes, 371 schools and more than 11,500 athletes which is bigger than the Olympic Games.”

As a child, Vicki says she wasn’t strong at any particular sport but just loved giving things a go. “My only sporting claims to fame are that I’ve run two marathons and done the Kepler Challenge, which is a 60km mountain run in the South Island.”

But it’s that childhood desire to try new things which continues to inspire Vicki today. “It’s vital that children at this age don’t specialise too early - they need to try as many sports and pastimes as possible and develop all-round skills and enjoyment. That’s a massive driver for us, to give our competitors as many options as possible and also expose them to other sports they may not have experienced before.”

Vicki is already working hard on next year’s tournament while also taking time out to relax.

“Sport is an incredible mechanism for social change and a great way to lead an active lifestyle but above all, it’s a joyous celebration.

Intermediate is such a fun age and kids are so open to giving anything a go which is terrific.”

Use of art to fulfill a need for colour in monotone or neutral interiors

‘Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’ – Pablo Picasso Want to add character and more positive vibes to your interior space? It’s as easy as adding a beautiful, unique work of art to your living and working areas.

Hues, intensity and vibrancy If you’re looking to uplift the spirit, choose art in happy colours such as Oranges, Magentas and Yellows. To create a calm and relaxing space, Blues, Greens and Lilacs are good choices.

How to add colourful art to your decor?

All art tells a story and colour is the emotion. The works of art in your home or work space adds another layer of texture and dimension. It reflects your style and expresses individuality, creativity and feelings.

As some of us like bold, energetic hues, dive right in and choose the popping Red, the luxurious Gold and the flamboyant Orange! Others are more subdued in their expression of colour and might like pastels and complementary colours more as a choice of expressing mood or personality. Clashing styles can create a more personal and eclectic space so you might like to experiment and see what resonates with you. Bright colours will certainly bring vibrancy to our rooms as well as our moods, bringing light to small or dark areas.

Whether you are looking for art to add some character or a splash of colour to your interior, remember to choose a work of art that ‘connects with you’ first.

Speak to us here at The Art Lounge NZ and see how we can help you select your favourite work of art today!

By Mira Corbova, Curator & Owner of The Art Lounge NZ Fine Art Gallery, 117 Willow St. - Tauranga. www.theartloungenz.com myspace Issue 8 | 45 Featured artists: Vjekoslav Nemesh (oil painting) and Anthea Stayt (ceramic pot).

Budget

blow out

By Justine McLachlan, Independent Design Co

Is the possibility of a budget blow-out putting you off considering a renovation?

It may not be as bad as you think, but here are a few things to remember before you start.

I’m sure one half of your renovation team is keen to find the shiny stuff and one half just as keen to keep on top of the cost. As much as this may make for some interesting negotiations in the beginning, it is actually the match made in heaven if you have good planning and give yourselves the time to sort it properly before you start.

Nothing will cost you more than having to fix or redo something after getting halfway through and having to get the right people in to fix your mistakes.

Using professionals right from the start and taking the time to plan properly are key factors in keeping to your budget. You will have to invest a little bit up-front to work out your actual costs and feasibility of your project, but there aren’t many of us that would jump into buying a second-hand car without investing in the AA check to see just what your new car might cost you. The principle is the same with your renovation.

Not many of us can afford to do our whole house renovation all at once so breaking it off into bite-size pieces is a sensible thing to do.

However, where most of us fail is that we have broken up the puzzle, thrown away the box and are now dealing with putting it back together piece-by-piece rather than knowing what the finished puzzle

looks like and being confident the pieces will all work together.

If your intention is to renovate a considerable chunk of your home but do this in stages, you absolutely need to design and specify the whole project before you start. Therefore each room falls into line with the last and the finished product looks cohesive and complete much like you have done it all at once! What tends to happen is we complete a room and without realising we are bringing in new ideas and ‘the latest fad’ into the next room and the home ends up looking a little confused.

Budget blow-outs are the most common concern when doing anything to an older home. The minute we open the walls we are at the mercy of whatever we find behind them. This would also not have been allowed for in the original quotes. This is where you ABSOLUTELY MUST have a contingency fund.

Unfortunately, in all reality, and it doesn’t matter how much you have to spend, you’re probably not going to get all that you wanted for your budgeted amount. Without being cautious in planning and sensible in the beginning, keeping 10-15 per cent aside for contingency until you are over the major stuff like wall moving, plumbing and electrical then your end fit-off may be what gets compromised.

Let’s face it: we all want the shiny stuff, so ladies let the accountant in the team do their job. Then with any kind of luck and good planning, you can shop till you drop at the end! Good Luck!

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N OBLI O G MEA ATION SURE & QUO TE

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Colin Davis and Kane de Raat designing quality homes in the Bay of Plenty for over 30 years

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How to up your landscaping game Autumn/Winter Landscaping Tips Hamish Brooks – Brooks Landscapes

With warmer weather, barbecues and daylight hours becoming less this means getting ready and upping your landscape game as we head from autumn into winter months.

Winter for the most part means colder days, not so much sunlight and less time outdoors. We tend to hibernate indoors and watch our gardens from the other side of the window. But cold days aside, the winter garden does not have to look depressing or bare, without colour – winter has its own beauty.

There are a lot of jobs you can do to keep your garden in good shape this winter and now is a great time for gardeners to take stock, tidy up, protect plants and maybe consider some landscaping changes.

Use a stiff brush and soapy water to clean pots.

Pruning of seasonal plants/trees Prune deciduous fruit trees, except plums. Prune to remove dead or unhealthy branches and to also let more sunlight into the tree. Prune seasonal plants and remember if you prune too early and the weather is still warm, the plant may start growing again.

Protect your plants/trees Now is a good time to check that the trees and plants that require garden stakes have them as support and to also look at adjusting garden ties.

Build the soil Spread compost and mulch on the garden. Anything you can do to improve the organic content of your soil is worth doing. Use a good organic compost ie pea straw which breaks down over the winter giving your garden a great source of nutrients in time for spring.

Consider plantings Talk with your local nursery about what you can plant now.

Now is a good time to plant winter vegetables including cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, spinach, silver beet etc.

Cleanup and maintenance

Here are some simple ways that can help with preparing your gardens, lawns and outdoor areas:

Lawn care Before the winter arrives you may need to scarify your lawn. It may need some fertilising and a weed spray.

Garden tidy up Clear away weeds and spent summer annuals. Rake up the leaves… you don’t have to be fastidious. A bit of leaf litter will rot down and enrich your soil, just as it does in nature. Cut back perennials for winter as this will also encourage the fresh growth for spring.

Remember to dead-head autumn-flowering plants and prune summer-flowering shrubs before the first frosts.

Scrub paths and outdoor furniture Use the water blaster to clean driveways even outdoor furniture.

Autumn and Winter is a good time to clean and tidy up the garden tool shed - sharpen gardening tools. It’s also a good time to fix leaky watering systems so you won’t be wasting water next summer. Winter is also a good time to install a new irrigation system if you haven’t already got one.

Finally, while sitting inside on those not so nice days and looking over your garden, start thinking and dreaming about what your dream garden and outdoor areas look like.

Winter is a great time to plan a new landscape or outdoor area. In the cold months work can be completed on structure and layout of the new garden and planting can then be done in early spring so you can sit back and enjoy your dream garden and outdoor areas If you need some extra help with any landscaping service then please contact us. We are honest, affordable and reliable and are experienced in various garden styles including formal gardens, contemporary designed outdoor areas, new residential, decks and fencing and so much more. Our services include: Design and plans, landscape consultation, construction and hardscaping, planting and sourcing, and general maintenance.

If you would like a free, no obligation quote then we would love to hear from you too!

Hamish Brooks www.brookslandscapes.co.nz Ph 0272 156 717. myspace Issue 8

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Five tips for a space-saving laundry

Even if your washing machine doesn’t live under the kitchen bench or in the corner of the garage, chances are the laundry is still the smallest room in your home.

A well designed laundry has the potential to improve functionality throughout the whole house, by keeping the mess of washing in one designated space. Here are five ways to make this possible when you’re short on space.

Front loader for the win Using space above a top loading washing machine is not an option, which may explain why the popularity of front loaders continues to grow.

There are many more ways to maximise space with a front loader, including putting it beneath a bench, shelving, or an elevated dryer.

The size of a front loader is usually smaller than a top loader, too.

Or, you can go one step further and ditch a dryer for a two-inone washer and dryer combo.

These frontloading appliances can wash and dry clothes in one unit without intervention, saving time and space. While it washes like a regular front loader, reviews say drying time tends to be longer.

Smart shelving Clever storage is key to being able to maintain a clean, small space.

Just like a well-organised wardrobe, having storage that uses the height of the space and has multiple compartments is an easy way to make the laundry functional, while keeping floor and bench space clear.

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For high-up components, open and shallow shelving makes everything visible and easily accessed.

Having removable draws in deeper sections can help keep storage well organised, as you can pull the draw out and see everything inside, rather than rummaging through a hard-to-reach shelf.

Open shelves under the bench is a great place to stow away washing baskets, as washing is close to amenities without cluttering the room.

If you’re short on shelving, consider installing connected, foldaway amenities, such as an ironing board or a clothing rail.

Doubling as décor While plants and ornaments can liven a room, limited space means they’re not the most practical addition – but turning necessities into décor is an easy way around it.

Putting laundry powder in matching glass jars with cork lids, wooden pegs in a glass containers, and using woven storage baskets can creating a warm, rustic look without the need for unnecessary clutter.

Let the light in Natural light is a sure-fire way to make small spaces appear larger.

If this is not possible, having a variety of other light sources at different levels (such as the addition of bench lights and lamps) can help extend the look of the space. Space creation aside, the chore of laundry will seem much less dreary in a bright and inviting room.

Sliding doors Last but certainly not least, you can achieve an extra square metre of space in any room by opting for a sliding door – which is nothing to be scoffed at when dealing with a small area. Not having to wrestle with a swinging door will help the laundry feel more open by freeing up the entryway. myspace Issue 8

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Pendant lamps are the most popular choice of lighting for a modern home interior and can make a fabulous impact as well as create great illumination and ambient mood.

Make sure you choose something that has an extraordinary, unusual design – that calls attention and a visual focus.

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Do you have a project you would like to feature in the next issue of MySpace?

New Builds • Renovations • Landscapes Inside or outside of your home...

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Steamed mirrors, condensation on walls and ceilings, and mould are year-round frustrating home issues caused by shower steam, adding significant costs to house upkeep. Not to mention that a dry warm house is also a healthy house, as damp bathrooms are the perfect place bacteria to grow and health problems to begin.

Showerdome® solves these problems, controlling steam, reducing condensation and making the house healthier and warmer. A Showerdome® shower top consists of a clear acrylic dome that prevents steam from forming when fitted on top of an existing shower box. With no on-going costs and a saving in energy costs, it is the most effective investment one can make for a home or rental property.

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ISSUE 8, 2020