Part objet d’art, part conversation piece, a good coffee table book does more than look great on display. Spanning art, design, food and culture, these new selections offer discerning browsers both substance and style that will have pride of place in your home.
I Can Make You Feel Goodby Tyler Mitchell Here, photographer and filmmaker Tyler Mitchell builds a Black utopia. A culmination of Mitchell’s body of work — already distinguished for an artist of only 25 — this monograph shows how he uses specific colours and light to portray his subjects (which include Beyoncé) in an intimate and optimistic way.
Open Studioby Sharon Coplan Hurowitz and Amanda Benchley Not only does this book give unprecedented insight into leading contemporary artists at work but it also details how we can emulate the projects of these artists at home, via helpful, pull-out templates and step-by step guides.
Juergen Teller: Handbags On the surface, Handbags might seem to be about just that — an extension of the photographer’s 2019 Naples exhibition of the same subject. But this book demonstrates how Juergen Teller has reshaped the landscape of fashion photography, making it a must-have for fashion and photography enthusiasts alike.
François Halard:A Visual Diary Documenting in vivid colour, the interiors of acclaimed designers, tastemakers and artists, photographer François Halard presents a stunning series of tableaux — shot with his uniquely elegant, personal, bohemian perspective.
Today’s Special: 20 Leading Chefs Choose100 Emerging Chefs Twenty of the world’s most renowned chefs each select five emerging culinary talents from around the world, seeing the up-and-comers profiled alongside examples of their menus and commissioned essays around why they stand out on the diverse, ever-expansive culinary scene.
Diorby Peter Lindbergh Paying homage to the work of the late iconic photographer and his longstanding relationship with the house of Christian Dior, this two-volume book comprises 80 Dior haute couture archival creations shot by Peter Lindbergh in 2018, alongside a raft of images that he took for the esteemed house across his career.
Anni & Josef Albers:Equal and Unequalby Nicholas Fox Weber Offering fascinating insight into two of the most important figures in 20th Century art and design, this book is the first to look at the work of these two masters in one volume, moving from their formative years at the Bauhaus to their influence at Black Mountain College and beyond.
Snacky Tunesby Darin & Greg Bresnitz Seventy-five of the world’s leading chefs reveal how music has played a crucial role in their lives via a series of personal stories that pull back the curtain on their creative processes. Featuring candid interviews, never before-published recipes and curated playlists, this anthology is an unexpected and joyful meeting of music and food.
At this stage in the year when many of us are celebrating the resilience and beauty of our special homeland at the bottom of the world, it makes sense that this would inspire our summer sartorial choices. Local luxury fashion label Dadelszen has honed in on this sensibility for its summer 20-21 collection, The Oceans Between Us, honouring the beauty of our own backyard and rediscovering familiar shores, appreciating them in a new way.
With the ocean such an emblematic representation of our southern hemisphere summer, Dadelszen creative directors Edward and Constance von Dadelszen were drawn to the maritime settings of iconic seaside films like La Piscine, Basic Instinct and The Talented Mr. Ripley, recontextualised with their own uniquely local spin.
The resulting collection is pragmatic yet refined, drawing on the enjoyable nonchalance of warm weather dressing both during the day and after dark with seasonal updates sitting alongside enduring favourites.
Dadelszen summer 20-21
Men’s Harry suiting is reimagined for summer, rendered in a charming cerulean blue seersucker, while for women the Valletta and Elvira jackets have been re-cut in a light yet luxurious blend of fine cashmere, linen and silk.
With an active wearer in mind, outerwear has been given an injection of further practicality in details like reversibility and breathability, while knitwear exudes effortless elegance and a nautical vibe. The shawl lapel cardigans and ribbed crew necks are must-have additions to any stylish gent’s wardrobe, while knitted mid-length skirts and fine weave jumpers are the perfect feminine cover-up to wear both on the boat or after a dip.
As with all Dadelszen’s collections, the brand’s signature impeccable cuts and silhouettes reign supreme, as does an emphasis on beautifully-crafted fine natural fabrics. Each piece is designed in New Zealand and made by European artisans, a tangible harmony of the influences Edward and Constance hold dear.
While international travel might be off the cards currently, that’s not to say our morning coffee can’t transport us over the seas to one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Nespresso’s new Special Reserve: Hawaii Kona coffee is one of the brand’s most exclusive and premium releases yet, and those in the know will be savvy to the fact that Kona coffee is extremely rare and precious, growing only on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Almost exclusively produced by small, family-run farms, the intensity of this coffee lies not in its strength, but in its velvety, lingering taste. Rather than bitterness, coffee drinkers will find gentle fruity and well-rounded flavours that are light but lasting on the palate. The Kona region’s varied climate and mineral-rich volcanic soil combine to create exceptional conditions for this coffee to grow with these delicious tasting notes.
Espresso-lovers will be pleased to note that thanks to the refinement of the Hawaii Kona, it’s best served short and black to fully enjoy the layered flavour. With approximately only 40,000 bags produced each year — versus Colombia’s 14 million in 2019 — this limited edition brew is very special indeed.
So, if starting the day with one of the world’s most sought after coffees sounds like it would put a pep in your step, indulge in Nespresso’s Special Reserve: Hawaii Kona, perfectly brewed in the comfort of your own home.
There is something inherently charming about the balance of contemporary and historic. The traditions of the latter serve to remind the former that timelessness is not found in of-the-moment trends. It is a balance that Decus Interiors manages with an expert hand in this delightful Sydney home.
A single-fronted Victorian terrace, transformed for a young couple and their child, this residence is given new life without entirely turning its back on its foundations. It exudes a modern sensibility via its subtle palette and considered use of materials like Calacatta pro marble, Carrara marble and injections of brass and timber. Recurring shades of blue and grey connect the spaces, while verdant touches and furnishings that don’t shy away from the spotlight, offer focal points throughout.
But practicality was clearly never far from the minds of Decus Interiors. This is, after all, a family home and nowhere is this more clear than in the kitchen — where the appliances are cleverly integrated into a clean, simple design, anchored by a marble island presided over by a sleek, custom brass pendant.
Despite the hardships of this year, it must be said we have been blown away by the calibre of eateries that have newly opened in our special town. With other major international cities back in lockdown or experiencing renewed challenges, we feel nothing but lucky to have such a plethora of incredible culinary choices on offer, and joining the ranks is a newcomer to get very excited about.
Conceptualised by top international chef Sean Connolly, who has recently returned from Sydney, Esther is bringing the beguiling flavours of the Mediterranean to Viaduct Harbour as QT Auckland’s signature restaurant.
Open from today, the sophisticated European-style bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, focusing on simple, approachable food that’s bursting with flavour and cooked to perfection. Inspired by Connolly’s overseas travels to sun-soaked locales, diners will find flavours derived from Sicily to Southern France to Morocco.
Beautifully fresh produce and daily-caught seafood are core tenets of the offering, with a substantial menu that caters to all manners of tastes. Breakfast spans the healthy and wholesome, to the substantial and satisfying. Start the day with a breakfast bowl with avocado, greens, roasted chickpeas, beetroot and barley; or a wood-fired breakfast flatbread filled with eggs, feta, mozzarella and ricotta.
Lunch and dinner sees everything from snacks, stand-alone dishes and larger sharing meals well-deployed, with Esther’s Mediterranean flavours weaving their mouth-watering spell throughout the menu. Start with hot puff bread from the oven, taramasalata, fire-roasted padron peppers, and stracciatella with salted egg yolk. Seafood like Pacific rock oysters, scampi crudo, and Cloudy Bay clams joins interesting small plates like baked sagnaki, a Greek fried cheese dish, served with honey and chilli, and classics like Sean’s signature steak tartare with shoestring fries.
There are enticing options for those craving pasta, and larger dishes encompass yet more delicious seafood, plus spatchcock chicken with harissa; aged grass-fed rib-eye and lamb tomahawk chops.
Alongside Esther’s opening, QT Auckland also welcomes Rooftop at QT, boasting panoramic views across the harbour and an extensive cocktail menu. Sitting down for a flavourful feast at Esther, then slipping up to take in the prime outlook on the roof for a cocktail or nightcap, sounds like a pretty perfect meal to us.
Opening hours: Breakfast: Monday to Friday: 6.30am – 10.30am; Saturday & Sunday: 7am – 11am Lunch: Monday to Friday: 12pm – 3pm Dinner: 7 days, 5.30pm till late
Anyone who’s had the pleasure of staying at a QT Hotels & Resorts property in New Zealand or Australia knows what a unique and enjoyable experience it is. Now, those visiting Auckland can get familiar with the hotel brand’s particular flavour of quirky luxury, as QT Auckland is now open and welcoming guests.
Joining its popular Queenstown and Wellington locations, QT Auckland is situated in the Viaduct Harbour, and builds on the company’s philosophy of ‘expect the unexpected’, celebrating its city surrounds and reflecting the prime waterfront location.
With 150 rooms and suites, several public spaces and meeting rooms, plus a restaurant and rooftop bar, the design harnesses custom furniture and found objects to bestow a signature individuality to each of the hotel’s spaces. We caught up with the man responsible for the fitout, designer Nic Graham, to hear about his inspirations for QT Auckland’s interiors.
Bold, polished colours are a feature
How did you go about setting QT Auckland apart from the Wellington and Queenstown locations? Building the DNA of QT hotels started eight years ago in Australia’s Gold Coast, where we combined vintage quirk with a modern twist and a strong sense of locality. We always try to deliver a contemporary story that has vintage influences across building design, graphic design, accessories, art and furniture.
We interpret this differently for each property, reflecting their local surrounds. QT Queenstown brings to life après-ski and the year-long outdoor sports scene, bringing bold ski jacket and active wear patterns to aspects of the interior, and QT Wellington has an iconic art gallery theme as a nod to the creative capital. QT Auckland aptly celebrates its harbourside setting — while not far from the Viaduct and the yachts, we didn’t want a nautical theme, but rather something more interesting and complex. While each QT carries a common design-led thread, every hotel is certainly a character in its own right.
You were interestingly inspired by the form of an oyster for QT Auckland — can you expand on this? On my first trip to Auckland, it was a freezing cold day, the ocean was a deep green-grey and the site of the soon-to-be hotel was a fairly nondescript office building waiting to be converted into something uniquely QT. After two martinis and a dozen of Auckland’s finest oysters, it was revealed to me how treasured the oyster is in New Zealand, and rightly so. The idea of the rough outside and seductive polish of the inside was a nice metaphor for a repurposed inner city building and hotel conversion — a shell hiding the luxury that lies within.
The oyster narrative is a loose one, but extends to some interior components that we used such as wall textures, bold polished colours, bespoke rugs and carpets and graphics and artworks that celebrate Auckland’s DNA and the mythical sea surrounding the land of the long white cloud.
Bathrooms feature deep green sea wall tiles
What do you love about mixing in bespoke, commissioned and found objects to the rooms? In a building such as this with guest rooms of many shapes and sizes — some with curved walls — there are many different room and suite types that demand attention. Oyster carpets, concrete wall features and bold use of colour, coupled with a nice mix of chair styles, all point to a cocoon-like room experience. We’ve used colour blocking in the guest rooms as a way to bring the light in.
We especially love the guest room bathrooms with the marble floor tiles and deep green sea wall tiles. The vintage-look ribbed glass and metal screens keep the bathroom connected to your living and sleeping space, and modern light fittings by the beds add nice height and drama to the wall — inspired by the way New Zealand green lip mussels are grown from vertical ropes in the sea.
The oak floor boards contrast with bespoke carpets and rugs made of New Zealand wool. You’ll find metal wardrobes inspired by oyster cages, plus leather strap details reminiscent of fishmongers’ aprons. Custom oyster-shaped mirrors were made locally, and iconic roly poly chairs are draped in dyed New Zealand sheepskins.
Two standout local elements are stunning blown-glass lamps and bathroom accessories made for us by Lava Glass, which I found on a holiday in Taupo, and resin soap dishes by Auckland-based Chan Andreassend.
Misterwolf artworks on level 1
You have worked with local and international artists throughout the hotel, can you tell us who they are and highlight some key pieces of art? We collaborated with a wonderful local creative agency Misterwolf to create a collection of quirky and unexpected custom ‘salon hang’ artworks in the lift lobbies. This resulted in 90 individual bespoke works delivered in the iconic QT style, a mismatch of customised prints and artworks inspired by local history and culture.
Each element in the collection was created using a wide variety of source material, bespoke crafting and locally commissioned artists and photographers to deliver beauty and humour — often combined in unexpected ways, such as the ‘Pearl Diver’ lightbox; cheeky interpretations like the ‘City of Cones’, a nod to the city’s never-ending roadworks, and the ‘Land of the Long Flat White ’ which points to New Zealand’s obsession with barista-made coffee.
Works by other local artists such as Ilya Volykhine, Louise McCrae and Max Patte are featured in public spaces throughout the hotel. A collection of hanging objects in a lobby niche by New South Wales artist Minka Gillian marries well with lift car and bathroom walls graphics by our graphic collaborators Toben. They tell further visual stories of the mythical sea. A beautiful composition by NYC digital artist Jennifer Steinkamp plays slowly on the LED screen wall in the lobby, as we always try to include digital art into our projects.
Right: Blown-glass lamps from Lava Glass
How do you go about infusing individuality but still making sure the rooms are timeless? Timeless is an interesting concept in the current world we live in. What does timeless mean? Something that doesn’t age or remains classic forever? QT Auckland is a design-driven hotel that produces some very memorable interior moments that become inspirational and iconic to guests.
We’ve created a series of spaces that have a sense of warmth and sometimes nostalgia, cocooned in the shell of a repurposed building. You notice the colours and textures that aren’t timeless, but they are proudly more of the moment, using a very tasteful palette of well-considered furniture, lighting and objects that build a rich, multi-faceted story of a modern inner-city hotel. It’s not one note. It’s not minimalist, industrial or bougie. QT Auckland has a character of its own, and is unlike anything in the city. This was a deliberate design decision.
To celebrate the opening of QT Auckland, we have an exciting experience to give away. Enter to be in to win 1 night’s stay at QT Auckland for two people, in a QT Deluxe Corner Room.
This includes breakfast for two in signature restaurant by chef Sean Connolly, Esther, and late checkout until 12pm.
This competition has now closed.
Terms and conditions: Subject to availability & excludes event dates. Maximum two people. Valid for six months from competition close date
Many of us have our own rituals around opening and serving a bottle of wine. It could be a certain vintage, saved for that extra-special occasion; or a favourite drop savoured at the end of a long, hard day. The way in which a bottle of wine is served can also be a key aspect of enjoying a meal outside the home. Perusing a restaurant’s wine list, making a selection and having it poured at the table all add to the feeling of ceremony and heightened experience.
Now, renowned wine brand Cloudy Bay has reimagined the ritual of serving wine in a beautiful and memorable way, with the Cloudy Bay Amphora. Bringing together the old and the new, these sculptural glass vessels are inspired by times gone by when large ornate jugs were used to transport wine directly to the tables of patrons. Amphora is also the term for a large clay pot that is often used to ferment and age wine.
The glass stopper on the red wine amphora mimics a vineyard boulder
Cloudy Bay’s versions take cues from the wonders of nature and the landscape from which their wines are born, with their wines now being presented and poured from these spectacular art pieces at Auckland restaurants Prego, Non Solo Pizza and Ostro.
Crafted by award-winning Martinborough-based glass artists Crystal Chain Gang, each Amphora has been handcrafted using the art of glassblowing specifically for Cloudy Bay’s white wine, red wine and sparkling wine varietals. The bases of the white and red wine amphora reference Marlborough’s rocks and glacial soil from which the wine grapes grow. Both with long, elegant necks, each has a stunning glass topper that references the vines and boulders on the vineyard.
The Cloudy Bay Amphora experience is available at Prego, Non Solo Pizza and Ostro
The Pelorus Brut and Rosé also receive the Amphora treatment, with a similar vessel to a champagne bucket having been exquisitely crafted in a pink hue, inspired by the raspberries, cranberries and wild strawberries in the Pelorus Rosé. The bubbled effect also references the foaming sea of Cloudy Bay, and this Amphora will sit elegantly on the table of diners, filled with ice to keep the bottles chilled.
Prego, Non Solo Pizza and Ostro will be hosting the Cloudy Bay Amphora experience from today, with diners able to enjoy the service with any order of Cloudy Bay wine by the bottle or glass for a limited time only.
To celebrate the release of the Cloudy Bay Amphora, we have a $250 Cloudy Bay dining experience to give away at Non Solo Pizza.
Fix & Fogg, New Zealand’s favourite peanut butter purveyors, has teamed up with Good Dog Bad Dog, the city’s top dog dealers, to create something truly special.
The new hoagie, playfully christened as ‘Good Fogg Bad Fogg’, marks the longstanding friendship between the two brands, a collaboration which was ‘always going to happen’ according to Good Dog Bad Dog’s Oliver Simon.
Featuring charred chicken, Fix & Fogg’s legendary Smoke and Fire peanut butter, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, American cheese and a smattering of iceberg lettuce for some crunch (and a virtuous touch of greenery), this new offering joins Good Dog Bad Dog’s infamously naughty menu of loaded hot dogs and hoagies.
Here for a good time, not a long time, the hoagie is available at Good Dog Bad Dog’s Commercial Bay location from Tuesday 10th November.
Plus, to mark the occasion in true style, you’ll be able to chow down at a tasty pop-up event taking place at Fix Fogg’s Newmarket window, this Friday 4th December. From 4pm find frosty Garage Project beer, Part Time Ranger drinks and Good Fogg Bad Foggs galore (plus a special Fix & Fogg dessert to boot).
With a landscaping career that spans more than 20 years, 15 of which were spent working alongside the country’s most revered landscape designer, Suzanne Turley, Aaron Bell-Booth has pathed an illustrious career that’s involved working on such prestigious projects as the gardens at Huka Lodge. With a signature style that sees sumptuous layered gardens accented with trees and shrubs that deliver arresting sculptural form, Bell-Booth’s unwavering passion for gardens that are visually captivating, yet functional, has seen his stratospheric rise on the landscape.
I wouldn’t say I have a landscaping style, our designs differ considerably from project to project, we do employ the same principles of design such as balance, texture, proportion, use of form, patterns and repetition. When designing a landscape there are so many considerations we need to observe, for example the architecture, the existing landscape and environment and of course we have to consider the clients’ requirements and aspirations for the site.
Westmere garden by Bell-Booth.
I recently completed a rural property adjacent to a tidal waterway. Although the project is ongoing the completed first stage is establishing beautifully. We had the first season of wildflowers and it met both our expectations. The client has an infectious energy and passion for the property. It’s so important to connect with your clients, I believe we shared the same vision from the get-go.
I unexpectedly find inspiration by revisiting old projects through site visits, photos, sketches and design drawings. I guess it’s a form of self development to reflect on past work, and inspiring to see how elements have transformed and developed with time.
The one thing every garden needs is someone who is invested in it. Not necessarily financially but a garden needs the investment of time and care. Gardens are only as good as the effort put into them.
A recently completed rural property with wild flowers.
I’ve admired the artworks of Claude Monet from a young age. My parents always put special attention into nurturing our interests, and being one of six children I’m sure this was quite a challenge. As a child I will always remember my mother taking me to the Auckland Art Gallery to see the Monet exhibition. Not only was it special to spend time alone with my mum but we both loved his work. The way he captured the light, movement and emotion in the landscape.
Huka Lodge
Huka lodge is one place that I often refer back to for inspiration. Although it has been many years since I have been there, recurring images I’ve seen online, in books and photos of work I was involved in over the years when working for Suzanne Turley Landscapes are still relevant today. The property has so many amazing elements from large established trees in park-like surroundings to blended native & exotic borders. The beautiful gardens seamlessly connect you from one area to the next, pathways through native plantings lead you to the private rooms. It is a truly unique and special place.
I will always admire Suzanne Turley’s landscapes. She is an amazing designer and I was privileged to have spent 15 years working alongside her. I owe a lot of the skills I have today to working with her and her team, executing projects of a very high standard of excellence. I can proudly say that the landscapes we worked on together are some of the best in New Zealand.
The work of Paul Bangay.
Globally I love the work of Paul Bangay and Luciano Giubbilei. They both have a sophisticated eye for form, balance, texture and materials. The landscapes are strong in composition, I like the simplicity of their approach and the use of repetition to make an impact.
If I wasn’t doing this, I would be doing some form of art. I grew up in a creative family, my father is an exceptional florist, my brother an established motion graphics artist, my siblings and I ran a multi disciplinary studio/ gallery at one stage, so definitely art.
The work of Paul Bangay.
I feel our wetlands are under appreciated by many, they are a unique aspect of our natural environment. Ecologically they are very important, filtrating pollutants, supporting wildlife, and a significant carbon sink.
People would be surprised, and probably disappointed to know that there is no such thing as a low-maintenance garden, however simplistic a garden may be, if they are uncared for they deteriorate quickly.
With glorious weather soon about the hit us in spades (we hope), now marks the perfect time to get organised and look at booking a night or two outdoors before the rest of the country gets there first, seeing as we can’t travel overseas. Let’s face it, camping isn’t for everyone, so for those who are wanting to get a taste of the outdoors while still having full protection from the elements, access to a comfortable bed and flushing toilet, glamping is the perfect fall-back. If you’re after something a little more ‘tenthouse suite’ and less ‘haphazard bivouac’, there’s an array of glamping abodes up and down the country that will serve as everything you could want and more.
The Round Tent
Just ten minutes from Raglan stands The Round Tent, a Mongolian style yurt which uses distinctively luxe furnishings to create a superbly relaxing and unique abode. You can kick back by the willow-lined pond and revel in the scenery by day, while the on-site fire-pit creates a wonderful place to while away the evenings.
Woodpecker Hut This off-the-grid timber home boasts intermittent phone service, meaning more time immersed in the outdoors and less time scrolling through Instagram. Enjoy the sweeping ocean vistas by day, while at night, you can witness a sky like no other thanks to minimal light pollution.
Woodpecker Hut
Fallow Hills Venture down to North Wairarapa (just under a two-hour drive from Wellington) and you’ll find Fallow Hills. Serving as the ultimate romantic escape, you can expect a queen-sized bed, wood-burning stove and two side-by-side claw-foot outdoor bathtubs.
Clifton Glamping
Serving up picturesque views of the Maraetotara river, dense forests and rolling green countryside, Clifton Glamping is Hawke’s Bay’s glorious hidden gem that is worth seeking out. Beautifully decorated tents comprise a semi-outdoor kitchen, while the glamping site itself offers outdoor showers and bathtubs for a serene experience to remember.
Clifton Glamping
Kekerengu
Situated just 40 minutes north of Kaikoura lies the Kekerengu, set smack-bang in the middle of Ngaio Downs sheep and beef farm. Three large luxury tents create the perfect spot for a group getaway, while the positioning — they all look out towards the rolling ocean — ensures that any guests are served up a supreme sunrise experience.
Fossil Bay Lodge
Just a stone’s throw away from Auckland, Waiheke’s Fossil Bay Lodge is ideal for a last-minute weekend getaway. The romantically quaint lodge offers an array of lotus belle boutique tents, all decked out with carpet, plush queen beds and private bathrooms.
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