There’s a moment in every project where instinct nudges ahead of certainty. A decision that feels bold at first, then becomes the thing that gives a home its character.
For Hannah Heffernan and Mark Whitmore, it was a red kitchen island. “Mark needed a bit of convincing,” Hannah told me, “but now it feels completely right for the house.” That confidence — earned rather than impulsive — is exactly why we chose this kitchen for our cover. Guided by Patchwork Architecture, the colour isn’t decorative for its own sake. It’s a considered response to the home’s original brickwork, bringing warmth, intent and modern family life into conversation with what was already there. See how it all comes together on page 56.
That same spirit runs through the homes in this issue. In Mangawhai, a new build designed by architect Peggy Deamer, and shaped in collaboration with interior designer Leslie Scott of Project Design, is anchored by a stone wall that draws on memory, permanence and the reassurance of material. It’s a house shaped by time, gathering and daily use, reminding us that design can be expansive without needing to be loud. Discover the thinking behind it on page 70.
In Taranaki, a rammed-earth home by Boon Architects, built with Jeff Fairweather, demonstrates a different kind of ambition, grounded in patience, performance and longevity, where building well becomes an exercise in restraint. Find the full story on page 84.
On Waiheke Island, Elmore Booth approaches a challenging riparian site with precision and control. Geometry brings order, while deep, moody tones heighten the sense of retreat. A scoria-dipped stair becomes a point of intensity, where emphasis matters more than excess. See the results on page 96.
Together, these projects push boundaries in different ways. Driven by conviction rather than spectacle, they show that design becomes most powerful when it reflects how people actually live, what they value and where they’re willing to take a leap. We hope this issue offers moments where possibility feels within reach, closer to home.
Alice Lines, Editor
@alice.lines