With each year comes a wave of new flooring trends, and yet there are none that stand the test of time quite like a classic herringbone parquet timber flooring. At once traditional and contemporary, the sleek, interlocking slats are often found in the homes of those in the design know — especially as of late, thanks to the resurgence of the geometric pattern trend.
Not just visually pleasing but inherently functional too, a room floored in herringbone timber can open up space, making narrow areas — especially hallways — appear wider and more welcoming. And yet, while it is this union of qualities that cements the trend’s longevity, it’s important to stick to a particular aesthetic if you really want the flooring to go the long haul.
Parquet flooring can be crafted from a number of materials — from porcelain to laminate overlay — but nothing remains as timeless as timber, a point perfectly demonstrated by the interior maestros at Artisan. A brand renowned for its products of high quality and style, it should come as no surprise that Artisan can master the traditional flooring technique like nowhere else. With its vast and varied medley of timber options, whether subtle mountain oak or a brighter black wash, it is reminding us that sticking to one material doesn’t have to equate to slim pickings.
Modest yet arresting, contemporary yet classic, herringbone in sleek timber will forever remain a design cut above the rest. Undeniably the trend of choice for anyone who wants to elevate their interior at the moment, you can rest assured that this style will see you through — both this season and the next.
Clean beauty is open to interpretation, and with no specific definition many skincare brands who tout the words ‘organic’ or ‘green’ can wind up being misleading. With such confusion, it can be hard to find the brands that cut through the noise and actually deliver, and often we find ourselves in need of a bit of guidance. The Facialist, recent winners of Best Holistic Beauty Destination at the NZ Best In Beauty Awards, has become our trusted source for all things clean skincare, and us here at Denizen can’t get enough of its ever-expanding repertoire of effective, organic, genuine products. It goes without saying, then, that we’ve been waiting with bated breath for The Facialist’s latest brand launch Biologi, the all-natural skincare hero that has cemented itself firmly in the hearts — and beauty cupboards — of the beauty cognoscenti.
Skincare that really is worth its holistic salt, Biologi’s Australian-made serums have revolutionised the industry with their 100 per cent active, water-soluble plant extract formulas — the first of its kind in the world. (Most products have included active ingredients at about 2 per cent.) Each elixir, created by renowned skincare chemist Ross Macdougald, is a multi-purpose wonder, designed to replace your moisturiser, night cream, day cream and eye cream, condensing the wearisome multi-stage regime into one, simple step. The line consists of four main serums, Bd Luminosity, Bk Rejuvination,Bf Hydration and, the latest addition, Bqk Radiance. Each is designed with a specific target in mind but are so multi-faceted in their results that they can be used to cure a variety of skin ailments. The Bf Hydration body serum, in particular, combines a unique blend of fruit acids and vitamin C to create a formula so moisture-boosting that it’s just as beneficial when used on other areas, like the face, lips and hair.
A unique brand that’s offering a radically different approach to skincare, Biologi really is paving the way for a cleaner, safer, far friendlier future in beauty. Once again, it seems, we’re thanking The Facialist for pointing us in the right direction, Biologi is a brand we’ll be championing evermore.
In the São Paolo town of Vinhedo, nestled high within a flourishing canopy, sits a masterclass in the art of escapism. Casa Biblioteca — or ‘Library House’ as it’s otherwise known — was commissioned by a Brazilian philosopher with one particular brief in mind: it had to be a relaxing haven perfect for both thinking and reading in peace.
The result, brought about by São Paolo-based architects Atelier Branco Arquitetura, was a 200 square metre retreat set within Vinhedo’s lush, forested region, the ‘Mata Atlantica.’ A unique play with dimensions sees the dwelling submerged within a sloping hill, where the roof of the house is level with the street. Uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling glass, held in place by two sandwiching concrete sheets and eight long-limbed concrete pillars, provides perpetual views of the lush, encircling verdure.
Once inside, the home is spacious and minimalistic. Dividing walls have been eschewed in favour of an open, timber clad interior, where wooden floorboards run throughout and ‘rooms’ are separated by three levels, distinguished only by the furniture that sits within. On the second floor, a built-in wooden bookshelf coils around the space, complemented by a variety of sculptural seating finished in a muted colour palette.
Tapping into the notion that sometimes there is nothing better in life than immersing oneself in nature, curling up in a comfortable chair and forgetting the world in favour of a quality read, The Library House sets a new precedent for the humble quiet retreat.
Distinct face shapes call for different styles of facial fuzz so if you’re bewildered by symmetry, consult our guide for some handy tips on hair growth.
Round Face Those with rounder profiles who are yearning for a fuller beard should be wary, for a large quantity of hair around a circular face makes the head resemble a fully pumped soccer ball with turf attached. Consider reigning it in with a finely trimmed goatee instead, this thinner style paired alongside a fuller snot mop slenderises and flatters the face while still proving that you can grow some.
Square Face Recognisable by its strongly defined jawline and even, angular proportions, the square is probably the most easily spotted face shape. At risk of looking like a hard-edged Johnny Bravo, square faces should not sport square beards. Instead, opt for a shorter on the sides, longer on the chin look — shaping and softening it as it grows into a more oval, rounded shape for elongation.
Oval Face Those lucky buggers who are gifted with an oval face can attempt almost any beard style going. Touted as the most symmetrically pleasing shape, the even features of the face mean that there’s no balancing out necessary. From a simple crumb catcher to a full Forrest Gump, you can switch your style up as often as you like, perfect for those in an identity crisis.
Triangular Face Like an upside down triangle, those sporting this kind of face shape are broader at the temples, declining downwards into a tapered end. To draw attention away from the fact that your chins sharper than the tip of Madonna’s bra cone it pays to divert with a full and thick moustachio, take cues from OITNB’s ‘pornstache’ or Super Mario for exceptional distraction tactics.
Rectangle Face Why the long face? There’s plenty you can work with if you sport a rectangular shape, just be sure not to elongate it further unless you’re coveting the BoJack Horseman aesthetic. Growing a fuller beard around the cheek area will give the impression of a slightly wider jawline while simultaneously distracting from the length of the face.
Diamond Face With wide cheeks paired alongside a narrow forehead and jawline, it’s best to keep the sides short so as not to accentuate the face’s diamond shape. Growing thicker whiskers on the edge of the jawbone help to soften and even out the hard edges face shape, while a lighter nose neighbour will further emphasise the cheeks and jawline.
Author, journalist, podcaster, broadcaster — Elizabeth Day, the latest name we’re highlighting as part of our Author To Know series, sure is a media force to be reckoned with. Admittedly, the previous two names we’ve focused upon (Yiyun Li, Juliet Escoria) have been a little on the lesser known side compared to Day, but given her remarkable rise to the literary top — and overflowing resumé — we thought it prime time we gave this writer a mention.
In fact, overflowing resumé is putting it mildly. Day is currently a columnist for British magazine You, the supplement that comes with the Mail on Sunday, a contributing editor for Harper’s Bazaar and a well-received feature writer for a wide array of publications, including Vogue, The Times, New York Magazine, The Guardian,Elle, The Telegraph and Grazia — to name but a few. In addition to this, the wordsmith has also lent her talents to four, award-winning novels, a memoir and a chart-topping podcast, How To Fail With Elizabeth Day.
Growing up in Northern Ireland, it was an unbridled passion for writing that led to Day becoming a columnist for the Derry Journal at the mere age of 12. It was this tenure at the local newspaper that lit the spark on a decades-long career in journalism, where she would flit between prominent UK papers and leave her mark upon each. During her time as a news reporter for The Sunday Telegraph, for example, her penmanship resulted in a collection of the Young Journalist of the Year Award at the 2004 British Press Awards. It was a taste of what was to come, undeniably, for the young journo went on to also receive verbal praise during the 2012 UK Press Awards, and numerous accolades for her turn as an author.
Day’s first foray into books began in 2011, with her novel, Scissors, Paper, Stone, a frank story surrounding troubled family relations. Criticised by The Independent yet still called a “brave and thoughtful book” all in the same piece, and described by The Guardian as both “scrupulously written, impeccably structured” and also as writing that disengages the reader while being overly earnest and self-conscious in places, the jury remained out on the writer’s debut. And yet, it still won a Betty Trask Award for first novels by authors under the age of 35.
Day wasn’t hindered by her mixed reviews, and barrelled forward into what would be her 2013 and 2015 follow-ups, Home Fires and Paradise City, respectively. Her succeeding works — two novels completely different from her first, and from each other — were with met with much wider acclaim. Home Fires was an unexpected delving into the First World War, a tale of two female characters navigating the aftermath of the war, which led to an Observer Book of the Year award. While Paradise City, a gripping read exploring love, failure, death, and responsibility via a medley of characters, was named People magazine’s Book of the Week and received critical acclaim from notable publications, including The New York Times and The Guardian.
Her fourth and final (as of yet) novel The Party was released in 2017. The book — described by The Evening Standard as “sharply observant” and The Irish Times as “complex, intelligent and funny” — traverses social order in modern-day England. Proving that Day gets better with each literary child she births, her fourth works went on to become an Amazon bestseller and a Richard and Judy Summer Book Club pick — alongside being considered for a TV adaptation.
Yet all that considered, it wasn’t until this year’s April release of her funnily blunt memoir, How To Fail: Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong, that Elizabeth Day really began making her voice known. The book is based on her acclaimed podcast, How To Fail — a weekly discussion with celebrities about what they did when things didn’t go right in their lives — and covers, amongst other things, Day’s divorce to BBC News journalist Kamal Ahmed. It is a memoir already commended far and wide thanks to its ability to normalise failure, previously predicted by The Irish Times to be “wildly popular” and since described by Stylist as “remarkably honest”, alongside being a Sunday Times Top 5 bestseller.
A creative talent who seemingly won’t stop until she tries her hand at every form of written prose, Day is the multi-hyphenate who not only entertains via her imaginative, written stories, but one who also teaches, counsels and motivates with her foray into non-fiction — something that is a true testament to her skill as a writer.
When it comes to interiors, choosing an intriguing and interesting design is essential for a memorable aesthetic. Yet our collective desire to make a trend-driven statement at home has led to us prioritising eye-catching visuals over what really matters the most: comfort. Reminding us that, really, we shouldn’t be sacrificing the principal point of furniture for fleeting fashions is the Max sofa from King Living, a plush and welcoming newcomer that’s set to become a living quarters mainstay.
With a focus on simplicity and comfort, it’s no surprise that every element of the sprawling sofa is designed with sublime lounging in mind. Liberal proportions are almost more akin to a bed than a couch, which, when combined with the feather-topped pillows and adjustable-depth back cushions, ensures that every square inch of this sofa serves as a warm invitation to tranquillity. Those still looking to inject a dose of personality into their space can express their design know-how through the individually-tailored, removable seat covers, whether that be via coloured fabric or buttery smooth leather.
With the divine Max sofa, available locally from the Parnell showroom, King Living is once again proving that a perfect interior should prioritise comfort just as much as it should aesthetics — if not more so. The main purpose of furniture is, after all, is to make our spaces feel welcoming, cosy, and lived in, an ethos that the Max nails like nothing else.
Emotive pieces laden with phallic imagery and nods to fetishism, it’s safe to say that Brazilian born Gui Taccetti’s photographic creations are not for the faint of heart. Yet those who do pluck up the courage to peruse his pictures find themselves spellbound, for every image is a multifaceted work of art brought to life via elaborate set designs, each handmade by Taccetti himself. So complex are they that merely describing them with words, or even looking at the photographs themselves, does not do them justice. They are to be experienced just as much as the set designs are to be seen in person, hence why, to celebrate his latest series of works, Taccetti will be hosting an immersive exhibition. Inferno, a six-day long spectacle, is going to be unlike anything you have ever witnessed before.
Kicking off on the 16th July at Auckland’s Hopetoun Alpha, the exhibition — held in collaboration with Mike Mizrahi (from Inside Out Productions) — will see a conglomeration of different entertainment. Guests can expect inspiring talks (including one on anxiety) alongside private viewings of his works and a lavish party or two. It’s at these parties where untamed performances will dazzle the crowds, such as Auckland’s House of AITU in collaboration with FAFSWAG — an art collective known for their raucous celebrations of LGBTQ Pacific Islander culture. (A full look at the titillating schedule can be found here.)
The unruly event will have you delving into themes of sexuality, eroticism, religion and rule-breaking in unexpected ways, but above all, it will have you raising a toast to Gui Taccetti, an unbridled force of unrivalled talent. Cheers to that, we say.
With a winning combination of crisp Veuve Clicquot Champagne and sublime food set against the beautiful backdrop of Queenstown’s snow-crowned mountains, it’s not hard to see why Clicquot in the Snow is one of the most hotly anticipated events of the year. This year’s toast to winter will see a stellar line up of experiences — both on and off the snow — as Veuve Clicquot pulls out all the stops for its ninth iteration, one we’re already suspecting will be the best one we’ve been graced with yet.
Kicking off on Thursday 1st August, the acclaimed event will deliver four action-packed days brimming with annual favourites and exciting newcomers to create a long weekend to remember. As with the previous years, guests can expect to be treated to a divine gastronomical affair at the hands of one of our country’s finest chefs, Josh Emett. This time his renowned Clicquot Long Lunch will see a four-course degustation hosted at his restaurant, Rata, with each exquisite dish paired with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Rosé and Vintage 2008. Not the only regular to be making another appearance, the event will also be welcoming back footwear designer Kathryn Wilson, with attendees treated to an exclusive first look at the Veuve Clicquot Ambassador’s highly-anticipated Spring/Summer 19 collection.
Ensuring that thrill-seekers are catered to just as much as foodies and fashion fiends, the annual event will also be hosting an unparalleled, husky sledding experience through the high trails of the Southern Alps. Adventurous types will be encouraged to take the helm themselves, while others can kick back and allow the experienced drivers to take them through the powder-topped tracks at Snowfarm, with a crisp flute of Veuve Clicquot in hand.
Whether you are a Queenstown local or a visitor, a ski pundit or a snow sports amateur, Clicquot in the Snow welcomes any and all to celebrate winter in the best way they know how. With a variety of other enticing events taking place alongside these highlights, this year’s champagne-fuelled festivities are really worth braving the cold for.
Clicquot in the Snow takes place in Queenstown between August 1st – 4th, for tickets to the event, click here.
The era of the sequin-covered, Madonna-mic-wearing popstar is transitioning into a new age with a young cohort of artists breathing new life into the genre. Creating tracks that blend glaringly honest lyrics with glistening melodies and unique beats, these are four new pop artists on the rise.
L Devine A songwriting star, English musician L Devine is making a name for herself by doing what most in the business deem impossible: crafting catchy, radio-friendly bubblegum pop tunes that are laced with thought-provoking, intelligent lyrics. ‘Panic’ is the single we can’t get enough of right now.
Grace Carter Heart-wrenching music with a therapeutic beat, Carter’s soulful voice has already caught the attention of celebrities and industry heavyweights alike. Her latest single, ‘Why Her Not Me’, has us hitting the repeat button.
Glowie Via a 90s-inspired R&B sound, Icelandic breakout popstar Glowie — real name Sara Pétursdóttir — delivers captivating hooks and feel good beats. Her body positivity message conveyed through track ‘Body’ is a notable delight.
Role Model 21-year-old, Tucker Pillsbury, known under the moniker Role Model, pairs soft electronics with journal-like lyrics to deliver melodic insights into his mind. From depression to failed relationships, for the LA-based artist, no subject is off the cards. We suggest starting with his single ‘Girl in New York’.
There are a few tried and tested routes to comfort that I turn to when winter begins its seemingly endless wrath. A fresh cup of tea and a packet of biscuits, for example, or the electric blanket turned up to three while I curl up with a quality book. Rarely, however, do I subject myself to a full body treatment in the name of winter remedying. Which is why, when I recently took it upon myself to try the new, limited-edition Winter Journey package from East Day Spa, my levels of comfort were taken to new heights.
Incorporating two treatments into 75 minutes, the Winter Journey is a blissful experience from beginning to end. Upon choosing the pressure and oil — frangipani, sandalwood or mandarin — the treatment begins with a 60 minute hot stone massage, using warm basalt stones across all areas of the body to soothe and relax the skin. From the fingertips to the toes the masseuse slows works her way around, enhancing the already luxurious experience by massaging aromatic, hot oils into the skin. What follows is a sublime, gentle scalp massage using COMB nourishing hair oil, one so sublime, in fact, that those who are subject to it would be forgiven for falling asleep. A soul-warming, non-alcoholic hot toddy — crafted from fresh lemon, manuka honey and Seedlip Spice 94 — wraps the treatment up with a final dose of warmth and comfort.
Having experienced a winter treatment that sets a whole new precedent, I left East Day Spa feeling prepared to sacrifice the succeeding three seasons in favour of a year-round opportunity to indulge in it some more. It was blissful beyond measure, offering a level of comfort that can only truly be understood by somebody who has tried it themselves. Case in point, we’re giving one lucky Denizen the chance to experience the limited edition treatment for themselves. Interested? Of course you are. To enter, click here.
*This competition has now closed. Congratulations Lynne Parker.*
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