For the main photoshoot of our summer issue, we wanted to evoke the quintessential Kiwi summer, stir some seasonal nostalgia and remind everyone that at this time of year, it’s the simple things that count.
Photographer Olivia Kirkpatrick
Stylist Margie Cooney
Photographer’s Assistant Oliver Crawford
Hair & Makeup Virginia Carde
Talent Atlanta Applin @ Unique Models, Ben Mischefski @ 62 Management.
The scope of the new technology we’re faced with every day is vast and varied. From developments that render us more connected than ever, to handheld devices that are starting to make our computers feel all but obsolete, the landscape of modern tech is a fascinating place. But it can also be overwhelming. The sheer volume can mean that some things fall by the wayside as we try (and often fail) to keep up.
That said, there is one piece of recent tech news that has captivated us. Samsung has just released a first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking mobile phone that features something we’d usually only expect to see in the world of science-fiction — a foldable screen.
The new Galaxy Fold heralds an entirely new category of mobile technology — one that is the result of several months of painstaking development to offer an experience unlike anything else.
When closed, the Galaxy Fold gives users access to their essentials on a cover screen of sorts. But when opened, the phone’s 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display facilitates a whole new world of usability, reimagining how we operate our devices in totally unprecedented ways.
From capturing and sharing photos to app continuity, the phone promises seamless transitions from the cover to the main display, as well as allowing users to run multiple apps at once. This means that you could be editing footage, browsing your photo gallery and checking your emails all at the same time.
Available for pre-sale in New Zealand now and shipped from the 18th December, the Samsung Galaxy Fold is signalling the start of a new era for mobile technology and is encouraging us to step boldly into the future.
There is something so special about lighting a candle at home. Especially as we edge closer to Christmas. Not only is it the easiest way of keeping your interiors feeling inviting and fresh, but it introduces a comforting ritual into the daily routine — a reminder to slow down between all craziness that accompanies this time of year.
So when we heard that Trenzseater had not only created its own exclusive candle scents — Hanako and Bergamo — but was also offering a wax refilling service, we made a beeline for the showroom before starting any of our other preparations for the season.
To make the most of this before Christmas, head into Trenzseater’s Parnell store, choose a beautiful glass vessel and, for $85 per litre, have it filled with one of Trenzseater’s signature candle waxes. The distinctive scents hang in the air so beautifully that you’ll want to keep the wick lit at all times, and when it finally reaches the bottom, you can take your vessel back to Trenzseater to have it refilled.
From Tiffany & Co.’s jaw-dropping gems to the intricate florals of Pasquale Bruni to Jessica McCormack’s modern diamonds, the pieces we’re wishing for this Christmas go well beyond the normal. Here, our feline friends showcase the most impressive jewels of the season — and man do they wear them well.
Styling: Claire Sullivan-Kraus & Clara Jane
Cats: Louis & Skylar
Hand Model: Fliss Grennell
Shown throughout: Spring Spa manicure in OPI Malaga Wine
Here at Denizen, we’re always on the hunt for accounts that will freshen up our feeds. And whether it’s via aspirational photos of fashion, food or design, funny memes or parodies on modern life, one thing remains constant: most successful Instagram accounts seem to focus on one very specific, very niche thing. Something that sets them apart from riff-raff of social media. And recently it’s @interiorsofnorthland that’s captured our attention.
With photos of interiors that look like something out of a bad house ad from the 80s and a bio promising ‘interiors to inspire,’ this account is a love letter to terrible 70s wallpaper, novelty bedspreads, squeaky leather sectionals, and kitchens painted in colours so bold it’s hard not to admire the original designer’s take-no-prisoners attitude. It’s an assault on the senses for anyone with any kind of taste, but it’s also pretty glorious. In a weird way, it taps into our childhood memories of visiting those quintessential Kiwi baches that felt like walking into a time capsule. And its dry captions are almost guaranteed to elicit a giggle or two.
Considering that summer lends itself to long, luxurious lunches, it follows that Waiheke Island is one of the most popular spots of the season. And as far as its vast and varied vineyard offering goes, it doesn’t get much better than the elegant restaurant and craft brewery at Tantalus Estate.
Seeking to elevate the experience of heading over to Tantalus for a meal with friends, Heletranz is offering a unique heli-dining experience that will not only see you alighting on the lawn right outside the winery’s main dining room, but will also include a glass of Tantalus’ Methode Traditionelle sparkling wine on arrival and a delicious four-course à la carte lunch.
Departing from the Heletranz heliport in Albany, Mechanics Bay or your own front lawn and returning via helicopter or ferry (you decide), the breathtaking flight to Waiheke is just the beginning of what will certainly be a wonderful day.
Fascinated by the way jewellery accrues layers of meaning as it’s passed down through generations, Wanaka-based jeweller Alice Herald turned to a medium that worked in a similar way as the starting point for her new Once Upon A Time collection — fairytales.
Exploring how classic folk stories had started, how small, subtle storylines would change depending on the moral priorities of different countries, and whittling down the core aesthetic motifs of each, Herald conceived three capsule collections called Obey, Grace and Virtue that evoked the essences of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Beauty and The Beast.
“I wanted to make a narrative collection to highlight design and storytelling because that is what I do,” Herald explains, “I story-tell for my clients, putting their personal narrations into a piece of jewellery.”
As such, most of the pieces are designed to be inspirational, with Herald explaining that clients can add their own personal touches if they would like. The designs also remain largely true to the jeweller’s underlying imperatives of versatility and wearability — even in the most intricate pieces.
The Drops of Happiness earrings, for example, fall under the Grace capsule, inspired by the moral message of Cinderella. The earrings evoke honeysuckle leaves (historically considered symbols of happiness) and can also be worn in cuff versions, or asymmetrically.
But beyond its overt messaging, what Alice Herald’s new collection is really reminding us to do, is to use our most precious jewellery as conduits through which we tell our own stories, and that the generations after us can use to tell theirs, too.
For 30 years European Ceramics (EC) has honed its reputation as an expert in all things flooring and surfacing — decorating clients’ homes in innovative porcelain and natural stone materials that offer a foundation of elegant luxury. It is a company renowned amongst aesthetes in the know, for its conglomeration of fine, Italian brands are some of the most coveted in the business.
From the UK to the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand, European Ceramics has been at the epicentre of some particularly notable projects, spanning residential projects, luxury hotels, shopping malls and more. On home soil, it has elevated significant establishments like the Sofitel waterfront, where the creative spaces are blanketed in refined dark basalt, the Auckland Fish Market, where graphite tiles in varying hues of grey create a sophisticated ambience, and the ANZ Building, which harnesses luxe ivory-white stone and elegant polished flooring.
Not merely adept at elevating the entire interior of commercial spaces, European Ceramics is also the reason why so many abodes boast such a chic and luxurious aesthetic too. In the living quarters of the home showcased above (left), for example, matt floor tiles from the Matières de Rex collection and walls in stone from the Les Bijoux de Rex collection create a space that is both bold and inviting.
Able to work their magic on a vast and varied selection of spaces, and proficient at graduating interiors from simple to polished and alluring, it’s clearly with good reason that every discerning design buff in Auckland is utilising the talents of those at European Ceramics.
The end of the year brings with it a time of great revelry. It’s a time for catching up with old friends, reconnecting with family and generally indulging in good food and drinks that celebrate the year that’s been.
That said, it pays to make sure you are adequately prepared for the good times ahead, which includes catering to house guests (even if unplanned, people will inevitably end up at your house at some point or other). A fully-stocked at-home bar will be your saviour when situations like this arise, and will undoubtedly result in you being crowned the MVP of party season.
Luckily, Delux Interiors has a line-up of bar cabinets to suit any taste or situation, and we’ve rounded up three of the best. These will make at-home hosting — impromptu or not — a total breeze and are designed to be filled with your favourite spirits and glassware so that when guests arrive, everything you need is right there, ready to go.
For the minimalist
The Piet Bar is smaller than most, but that’s not to say it doesn’t make an impact. Perched on long, elegant legs and with plenty of space to stock the essentials, this simple, sleek cabinet will sit quietly in the corner until it’s needed — at which point, it will spring to life.
For the traditionalist
Delux Interior’s Piano Bar is the kind you might expect to find in a room festooned in leather and mahogany. With a stoic, impressive presence and ample space for all the essentials and more, this is the perfect place to store your favourite glassware and special-occasion spirits and is sure to make a bold impression on anyone who enters the room.
For the modernist
With its dark, patterned-wood facade and simple shape, the Viento Bar draws on Art Deco motifs to offer something a little different. Big but not imposing and subtle but not unnoticeable, this bar cabinet has a suave presence that will transport you to a more glamorous time and will imbue any celebration with a similarly sophisticated vibe.
Carrying lauded brands like Chaumet and Pasquale Bruni, Hartfield Jewellers has long been a go-to when it comes to finding a meaningful gift for that special someone. And while getting there is a good first step, when it comes to actually choosing a piece, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
Lucky then, that Hartfield has put together a guide of its own, to help its customers navigate the various styles on offer and really get that all-important Christmas gift right. From delicate earrings to stackable rings and beautiful necklaces, the line-up is all-encompassing and will prove helpful for anyone feeling a bit lost.
These are some of our picks.
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