Home Inspiration

The world is positively abuzz with interior design trends touting the next big design cue with which to curate that perfect sanctuary within our homes. We’ve gotten all snug and cozy with the Danish concept of hygge, only to turn our attention to being content with not too much but […]

With summer just around the corner, we think we’ve found some of the best spots to relax and enjoy the sunshine. So if you’re looking for a spot to soak in the summer sun, which of these stunning G.J. Gardner showhomes would you choose?    Coastal Class Nestled away in […]

Interior design plays a pivotal role not only in defining the aesthetics of a space but also in how it influences our mood and behaviour, in recognising the importance of such factors as colour, light, solid versus void, proportion, placement and layout alongside intangible considerations including energy alignment, natural rhythms, […]

Doing research when building or renovating your home these days is made a lot easier with all of the information and inspiration available to us. Pinterest has been a go-to for most people but when you spend too much time on the platform, it could be a bit overwhelming. When […]

Renovating may not be the best way to improve your home. With modern building standards, renovating may be far from cost-effective. Replacing your old place with a new home could easily be a smarter investment. Not only will you get the home you want, without compromise, but you could also […]

Building your dream home is a milestone most, if not all, adults aspire to achieve. The current NZ housing market, however, is making this more of a pipe dream. But all hope is not lost because, with the right smarts, a little bit of sacrifice here and there, your hard-earned […]

Dust out the cobwebs in style with smart and sleek housekeeping tools and storage solutions. With aesthetic items that double as décor, Spring cleaning has never looked so chic.     Style Tip. Investing in well-made tools will save in the long run and cut back on waste.   1. […]

Embrace your natural side and bring elements of the great outdoors into the home. Look to foraged materials, woolen textures and pieces that inject a healthy dose of light and greenery, breathing new life to tired surroundings.     Style Tip.  Create a touch of wabi-sabi by foraging for a […]

Fall in love with soft pastels all over again. In shades of dreamy lilac and soothing lavender, transform any space into an idyllic haven, be it through small bursts of colour or top to toe for a true statement.     Style Tip.  Tone on tone purple packs a punch […]

Perhaps our Queen’s Gambit obsession is to blame for checks making a comeback in all styles and sizes. In clean, graphic accents, surrealist prints or homely soft furnishings, this modern take on an old favourite adds a bit of cheeky charm to a space.     Style Tip.  Liven up […]

Spring has sprung and that has meant many of us have been, or are potentially procrastinating doing our spring cleaning. There is something very satisfying about getting that spring to do list checked off, so what if we told you there was a way to cut back the list so […]

Pantone, the company with the most trusted voice when it comes to colour, has released its colour trend report for Spring/Summer 2022, and you best believe we are about to be inundated with bright, happy, and pop-y hues! While these colour trends are more evidently seen in the world of […]

Cliches are cliches for a reason, and as far as home add-on’s go, there’s one standout thing we would strongly recommend, most especially this season – FRESH FLOWERS.     Ignore the sarcastic overtone on the iconic Devil Wears Prada scene. Yes, florals for spring may not be the most […]

G.J. Gardner has an extensive range of home plans to suit all kinds of families and lifestyles. What makes them different, however, is GJ’s plans give you real flexibility as they are designed using a system that allows them to be easily modified, without incurring huge expense. The Island is […]

In one of our articles, we’ve featured a list of multiple ways to make your home a minimalist’s dream abode. This time around, we’re flipping the coin to bring you tips in embracing the bold, loud, detailed and dynamic nature of a maximalist’s aesthetic. Minimalism is a style loved by many, […]

Working from home is now far from being uncharted waters. With at least five rounds of lockdowns under our belts (less if you are fortunately based outside of Auckland), we could now qualify as experts at it. However, this doesn’t necessarily make this go at it any easier. Acceptable, yes; […]

For those of us with smaller spaces, storage tends to trip us up when it comes to keeping a clean, minimal, tidy house. We’ve got some tips and tricks for optimising and creating efficient space in the home for where those things that don’t have a place, now can.    […]

It is so easy for our houses to feel overwhelming and busy with all our clutter and things we feel we can never part with building up over time. From kids toys to books, to knick-knacks and Tupperware, this stuff can dictate how we live and can have a habit […]

Following Mother Nature’s lead in incorporating natural elements into your home is one of the most powerful ways in which to create that much-needed sanctuary to help keep us cool, calm and connected with the natural world indoors. Even the smallest, simplest of touches that mimic and incorporate the natural […]

While a lot of us can’t afford eco-conscious homes built from the ground up with sustainable, energy-saving materials and amenities such as solar panels and fully integrated smart home systems, there are still a lot of ways in which we can make small, budget-friendly changes to our homes in the […]

If you’re anything like me, you love the look of having a full-on jungle in your house and naming yourself a ‘Plant Mom’. However, you’ll also know that this fantasy is a lot easier said than done when in all your past endeavors, you may as well name yourself a […]

As the saying goes, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. This is also true for that first touchpoint of your home, the entrance. This space, after all, shapes first impressions and sets the tone for the rest of your abode, it being the first and last […]

If I walked in a room full of people and asked the question, ‘who here misses traveling?’ I could only imagine hands flailing up from all directions. As much as we love NZ, and how grateful we may be for how well our nation’s handled the pandemic, it’s okay to […]

With the winter months taking on their full effect, we’ve been wrapped up and huddled away indoors to keep warm, dreaming of tropical beaches and wishing we could book a getaway to relax and unwind.     But what if you could come home to a place that feels like […]

Start winter afresh with an airy palette of crisp white, ecru and cream. With an emphasis on curvilinear forms, on-trend boucle and tactile furs, create a haven of minimalist bliss.   Style Tip. Texture is key when layering tone on tone to steer away from a clinical atmosphere.   1. […]

Whether sprucing up an old bach or merely adding a lodge-like feel to the home, look to a ski-chalet aesthetic for instant coziness and comfort. Natural textiles and utilitarian touches pair well with tartans and aztec prints to bring the outside in.   Style Tip. Swap out woolen textiles for […]

Embrace the key winter trend of “Cocooning” and swathe the home with pieces that make hibernation look chic. Be it lounging on a sink-in sofa or curled up in bed with a good book, make the most of grey days by simply taking the time out.   Style Tip. Rich […]

Add a little pizazz into your home with dramatic Art Deco inspired pieces. Sumptuous velvets and brocade, rich jeweled hues and metallic accents make for a modern take on a vintage favourite.   Style Tip. To avoid an old-fashioned look, choose a few statement pieces and keep the rest of […]

Surrealism is experiencing a revival with its quirky, otherworldly features taking shape in prints and silhouettes. Bring a touch of playfulness and whimsy with decor that bends the rules.   Style Tip. Mix and match varying patterns for a unique and eclectic assortment of soft furnishings. 1. Umbrella by BLUNT […]

Hit refresh on the home-front and give your space an update with these new drops in-home tech and furnishings.   Slim & Powerful Sound Machine LAYER, a London-based creative agency focused on experience-driven design for both the physical and digital worlds, has partnered yet again with another forward-thinking brand, Bang & […]

“I have never seen you this covered up,” a friend quipped during our last outing. Naturally, bundling up is the only sensible move these days considering we are recording some of the lowest temperatures in the past three years. Winters are often rough, which could only be softened by idyllic […]

Writing a fail-proof rule book on ‘how to choose art for one’s home’ is tricky, to say the least. For starters, art is subjective. Attraction to an artwork is dependent on one’s unique taste, style, and personal aesthetic. On top of that, adding pieces to your personal space is, for […]

The interior design universe is constantly throwing the next latest and greatest trend at us with which to freshly curate and spruce up our homes. And of late, it seems to be having a moment with daisies and wild cottage flowers in taking a leaf from the cultural movement coined […]

Now that Winter has well and truly set in, we’ve all layered up and switched up our wardrobe appropriately. However the attire change shouldn’t be just reserved to your outfits, your interior decor deserves an update too. One simple way of doing this, is by adding a new rug to […]

One of the more lighthearted news before we all got cooped up for months last year was the shortage of animals up for adoption. It’s no coincidence that Kiwis found pets to be an essential during that unsettling time. Pet-caring has lots of proven benefits to one’s mental health and […]

It is often assumed that purchasing an existing home is cheaper than building new. Building your own space uniquely designed to your needs is often thought of as an expensive dream, rather than a potential reality. International research shows that twice as many people would prefer to live in a […]

Home is where the heart is, so ensuring your home is right for your heart, lifestyle and personality is important. When looking at existing houses it’s really important to consider your lifestyle and future needs. A new build can easily be designed for your current and future needs, whereas an […]

Whether you’re starting with a clean slate or hoping to improve upon an existing space for your child in which to flourish, their bedroom is most likely where they will spend most of their time not only sleeping but playing, learning and creating. It should therefore be a place of […]

With more and more of us working from home or needing to be online for work or school, having a designated work space or study nook is becoming increasingly important.  Studies have shown that having separate areas for work and study are important for our mental health and even more […]