Ensure your bed is as restful on the eye as it is for your slumber by choosing known, unifying shapes. Poliform’s Onda bed is based on a simple curved line, a whole that acts as a base and headboard. The Desdemone bed by Nada Nasrallah and Christian Horner is inspired by a shell found on the beach, while the covers for the Tufty-Bed are divided into a series of squares, like a languid Chesterfield sofa. Whatever your style, beds with in-built, upholstered headboards create a sense of continuity and comfort.
Tufty-Bed by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia from Matisse
Tatlin-Soft bed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti from ECC
It’s widely believed that afternoon tea began as a parlour fancy around 1840, when Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, wanted something to fill that ‘sinking feeling’ she had during the yawning afternoon. She requested light food and a pot of tea (usually Darjeeling) to be brought to her private quarters so often, she began inviting a few friends to join her. The Queen took note, and it was soon a must-attend social event on the Victorian calendar — gradually evolving to include more elaborate fare such as finger sandwiches and scones with clotted cream.
Purveyor of all things delightful and sweet, The Living Room at Park Hyatt Auckland is progressing the historic court tradition even further with a five-course, vegan afternoon tea brought to life by Executive Pastry Chef Callum Liddicoat, together with Chef de Cuisine Andreas Pfyl.
Taking the change of season as inspiration, late strawberries keep a roasted carrot and almond petit gateaux company, as well as a mini crisp apple verrine. The scones are served with a smooth coconut yoghurt and, for a well-rounded offering, the savoury dishes include beetroot tartare and polenta with kumara.
The small bites are full of flavour and texture — something we’re sure would wow even the most discerning duchess as she overlooks the water at the Park Hyatt’s Living Room, where the vegan afternoon tea is served.
Afternoon tea reservations are available Wednesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 4pm.Bookings can be made here.
Here in New Zealand, a connection to the elements is an essential part of the everyday for many, intrinsically tied to our national psyche. Even in our biggest city, we’re used to space, expansiveness and the peace that arrives with taking a moment to breathe in our clean, clear air. We are envied globally for our best-of-both-worlds lifestyle — and this is about to be taken to a whole new level with the imminent arrival of luxury high-rise apartment development Seascape.
Set to be the tallest residential building in the country when it is completed, the soaring presence of this Peddlethorp-designed, Shundi Group-developed project stakes its place on Customs Street East, mere strides from the bright lights of Britomart and all the inner-city has to offer. Owing to its unparalleled height, not only will Seascape’s residents be in the midst of the action, they’ll also be able to enjoy that much-desired sense of space thanks to breathtaking views across the Waitematā Harbour and to the Hauraki Gulf beyond.
This sense of luxurious amplitude is to be at its peak within Seascape’s penthouses, the composition of which will not only be finished to an exquisite standard, but will be entirely unique inside — each one able to be customised to the specifications of the purchaser’s tastes and requirements.
There are five penthouses in total, which will take up a whole floor each — plus the master penthouse, which will sprawl sumptuously across the top two floors. UV-treated, ultra-clear, floor-to-ceiling glass is to offer a breathtaking outlook from over 130-metres in the air, supported by the innovative lattice mega-brace.
Inspired by New Zealand’s dialogue between land and sea, one that Seascape takes its name from and will bear witness to from on high, this particular penthouse pictured (on level 47) has had each element customised by Y6 Interiors to form a meticulously considered narrative. It is a completely one-off design, emotively textured and harmoniously realised.
On stepping into this penthouse’s entryway, richly dark-hued timber panelling will create a cocooning space to give an immediate feeling of comfort — and beckon the eyes towards the light shining from the dining area’s sweeping windows.
Open plan dining, kitchen and living areas will embrace almost 270-degree views of Auckland Harbour and Rangitoto and, in contrast to the intimate entrance, a lightness will be infused throughout, which mirrors the coastal environs. Features like a showstopping marble kitchen island will create textured liveability, while layers of materiality are designed in collaboration with local makers like Monmouth Glass Studio and Wilson & Dorset. Y6 Interiors has sourced elegant yet inviting furnishings exclusively for this project, from the likes of Simon James, Minotti and Amura.
While all four bedrooms will have ensuites, the master bathroom is to be a veritable haven of underfloor-heated, spa-like serenity — glimmering green marble, volcanic stone and organic lines will juxtapose Seascape’s linear structure. The rainwater shower is to be especially unforgettable, purposefully placed on the building’s perimeter so residents will almost feel as though they are showering outdoors (minus any prying eyes, thanks to the building’s height).
Wrapping around the penthouses will be extensive, 270-degree enclosable balconies, the real pièce de résistance of this lofty structure. Imagine hosting dinner parties, overlooking the glimmering lights of Auckland city at dusk, or simply taking in the horizon whenever you wish.
It’s not just within the penthouses that a feeling of personalised luxury will permeate — from the moment residents step through Seascape’s ground-floor doors, the highly polished standard will be evident. A stunning, grand lobby will feature an abundance of smooth marble tiling and glistening accents. Residents-only amenities are to include a pool and fitness facilities, and an expansive podium terrace complete with in-built seating and verdant planting, which is sure to be a hub for rubbing shoulders (should you wish) with your equally tastemaking neighbours.
They’re not making any more land, or so the age-old sentiment goes, but Seascape doesn’t have any issues with space as it stakes its place in the sky.
Bakeries are a dime a dozen, but finding a truly mouthwatering bread in your local neighbourhood is more of a challenge. With the addition of Rollers Bakery, the people of Northcote (and across the city, really), can enjoy sumptuous baked goods throughout the week thanks to a few local friends who wanted to set up shop in their old stomping ground.
Tamara Tait, Judah McDonald and Laurence Woodhouse have spent nearly two decades in the hospitality industry, but Rollers is their first foray into baking a space of their own. The idea began over a few drinks at The Beer Spot — now the bakery’s next-door neighbour — and throughout last year’s lockdown it finally became reality. Rollers is the perfect blend of Tait’s barista experience, McDonald’s time spent as a chef and Woodhouse’s 19 years baking both on the Shore and over in London.
You might have caught a taste of the bakery’s pies making the rounds on social media. With a perfectly flaky and buttery crust, and every filling imaginable, these are the pies that dreams are made of. Everything is baked in-house thanks to the trio; having built the bakery from scratch, there’s nothing they can’t do. And that’s what sets them apart — Rollers offers the whole experience. Working with Ozone coffee for the perfect morning pick-me-up, this Northcote bakery redefines the ‘tradie breakfast’.
Their pies don’t discriminate either; there are plenty of options for plant-based lovers. With a vegetarian coconut curry and a veggie bake being some of the most delicious flavours, you can still treat yourself on meat-free Mondays. But the crowd favourite? That’s the steak and cheese pie, made with only the best quality ingredients.
For those craving something sweeter, the doughnuts have been flying out the door. “When people say they remind them of their childhood it’s a pretty cool buzz,” says McDonald.
Rollers opened its doors early last month, but with isolation periods and the current chaos, the team had to take an early break. On Wednesday this week, they re-opened their doors, ready to serve the crowds of the Shore once more. And while opening in a pandemic does come with its own stresses, it’s given the team time to ‘iron out the creases’ and keep it small and simple in this constantly-changing realm, giving them room to grow.
Since opening, they’ve had endless support from the community, with a crowd lining up out the door on the first day. Although the trio have spent years in the industry, they say it makes the 3am starts all the more worth it.
In a union that has been aptly described as ‘health goth’, two of the coolest creators in their respective industries have come together for a collaboration promising to leave you feeling serene and sultry, all in a moment of self-care.
Aesop has enlisted the help of design deity Rick Owens for this latest capsule that includes a very limited run of an Aromatique Candle and a Travel Kit featuring a selection of body and hair care products, a jersey wrap, and the specially created Stoic Eau de Toilette with accompanying ceramic beads.
Travel Kit.
These have been designed to reflect Owens’ appreciation and admiration for the brand, bringing together his favoured products — Coriander Seed Body Cleanser, Resolute Hydrating Body Balm, Classic Shampoo and Classic Conditioner.
Stoic Eau de Toilette, a new fragrance, arrives in the space between the two brands. Spicy aromas of Black Pepper and Coriander Seed reflect the radicality of Rick Owens, while Frankincense and woody notes speak to the Aesop story.
Aromatique Candle.
But where the two brands truly converge is in the Aromatique Candle, which pays homage to Owens’ gothic-inspired aesthetic, in a stone that is reminiscent of architecture on its own. Following the same design principles as Owens’s furniture collection — blending of the futuristic and the ancient — the ceramic vessels make the most perfect addition to any mantlepiece.
Both built on a desire for serenity, a dedication to simplicity and an appreciation of considerate, nonconformist design, the synergy between Aesop and Rick Owens is the perfect harmony we’ve only been wishing for.
This collaboration is exclusively stocked on aesop.com and at Aesop Auckland City from Friday 25th March.
It’s been a lifetime since we’ve visited Paris. It’s a city that epitomises romantic indulgence; sipping wine by the Seine, eating pastries for breakfast and watching the Eiffel Tower twinkle in the night sky. And then there’s the luxury fashion houses, the homes of couture, where we could happily spend our days.
Perfectly aligned with the re-opening of our borders, the iconic realm of Christian Dior, 30 Montaigne, has re-opened its doors after more than two years of renovations, and no detail has been overlooked.
But 30 Montaigne is more than just an address; it has been said that the space was one of the designer’s greatest loves. It is a place that has seen the maison’s collections come to life for more than 75 years, becoming an emblem of Parisian elegance and haute couture in its own right. “It had to be 30 Avenue Montaigne — I would set myself up and nowhere else!” Christian Dior himself famously said.
And while many original elements of this iconic location remain, the space has undergone a metamorphosis, offering a realm of possibilities to the clientele who shop there. Dior himself described the building as a “refuge of the marvellous”, and it now exists as a space that honours the heritage of the brand, while pushing it into the future.
The architectural tour-de-force was orchestrated by Peter Marino and is home to a dazzling boutique housing the latest ready-to-wear and accessories, an alcove entirely dedicated to beauty, fragrances and wellbeing and three gardens created by landscape designer Peter Wirtz.
30 Montaigne goes on to introduce the exhibition space La Galerie Dior, a tribute to Christian Dior’s first vocation as a gallery owner, and the Monsieur Dior restaurant and Dior pâtisserie, guided by French chef Jean Imbert. Not least of all, La Suite Dior is a quintessential Parisian ‘private apartment’ inside the store that offers guests personal shoppers and other perks — including the keys of 30 Montaigne for the most memorable of nights, where dreams really do come true.
Undoubtedly our most trusted of accessories, sunglasses will help you stay cool as the season changes. We recommend skipping fickle trends and finding frames that are the most flattering for you. From chicly proportioned cat-eyes to curvaceous aviators and shield-like shades, it’s time to meet your match.
Clockwise: Celine Cat-eye acetate sunglasses from Parker & Co., Side Cat-Eye Acetate sunglasses from Balenciaga, Christian Dior Signature cat-eye sunglasses from Parker & Co., Garrett Leight Juvee sunglasses from Parker & Co.
This vintage, angular shape has had many modern makeovers. An artful combination of curves and lines will find a balance on your features.
Clockwise: Stella McCartney Aviator-style gold-tone sunglasses from Net-A-Porter, Cutler And Gross1394 Black sunglasses from Parker & Co., Victoria Beckham Brow Aviator sunglasses from Parker & Co., Christian DiorDiorSignature aviator sunglasses from Parker & Co.
A classic style that can suit every face shape, the Aviator is a first-class design. Land the right look with contrasting frames and lenses.
Clockwise: Brooke sunglasses from Burberry, Christian Dior DiorSignature oversized sunglasses from Parker & Co., Low nose bridge fit rectangular sunglasses from Gucci, Victoria Beckham VB629s sunglasses from Parker & Co.
Epic optical proportions are stronger than ever this season. Mix things up with either colourful transparent lenses or dramatic shaded ones. And remember, big is always better.
A common addition to your morning coffee, the base for smoothies, vegan ice cream and even beauty products, oat milk is staking its claim everywhere. And while in New Zealand, there’s no denying that our love for dairy runs deep, an increasing number of people are opting for oat milk as a plant-based alternative.
Auckland-based entrepreneur Morgan Maw founded Boring, the country’s first 100 percent New Zealand-made oat milk to be sold on supermarket shelves. According to her, the uptake so far (which has been “overwhelmingly good”) is just a drop in the creamy ocean of potential for the beverage category. “I want New Zealand to become as synonymous with oat milk as we are with dairy,” she says. “We have good land and incredible scientists, and I think we have an opportunity to be a leader in this plant-based space.”
Boring was launched on the 19th of August, 2021, two days after Auckland was plunged into its longest lockdown to date. The timing, however, hasn’t hindered the brand’s success; now stocked in supermarkets and cafés nationwide, the response has been so ardent that the company experienced supply shortages after selling more than double their expectations.
While there are several oat milk brands to be found on shelves, none are both grown and manufactured here. Boring’s grain comes from Otago-based oat processor Harraways, and is then processed by Hawke’s Bay juice company The Apple Press. It is packaged in recyclable PET plastic bottles rather than Tetra Pak and, crucially, can be stored at room temperature before opening, which reduces waste and expands its shelf life.
Also crucial, is that it’s deliciously creamy and thick enough to ensure it’s a versatile accompaniment that doesn’t split when frothed for coffee or poured into tea. As for the Boring branding, Maw worked with Kelvin Soh of DDMMYY agency to create an identity that would stand apart from the rest. Eschewing cutesy cartoons and cliché images, the name is a nod to the fact that milk shouldn’t be the extrovert of the meal or beverage — it should be the trusty backup singer, not the lead.
Maw has long cultivated a love for oats and, more broadly, sustainable growing and farming practices. Having grown up in New Plymouth, she would help out on her Aunt’s dairy farm, doing riparian planting along the waterways to prevent run-off. “That sparked my interest in, and appreciation for, farmers and growers, and having a good understanding for what they do and how much they love the land,” she says.
Moving to Wellington to do a business course at Victoria University, Maw got a job in Coffee Supreme’s roastery. “That was when I really started to learn about a small business that could have a great impact — a business that creates a really good community. I knew that one day, that’s what I wanted to create.”
It was during a stint living in Scotland that Maw started noticing the widespread use of oats in the U.K., and recognized that Aotearoa could embrace this clever crop. “We grow oats super well in New Zealand. They’re such a sustainable grain, they’re good for you — why can’t we be using them for things other than just porridge and cereal?”
Back here, she founded and ran oatcake cracker brand Bonnie Goods, but wanted to expand into doing something more environmentally impactful. Seeing how well Scandinavian company Oatly was doing in America and the U.K., Maw travelled to Sweden to learn as much as she could about the process. On returning home, she received a Callaghan Innovation R&D grant and, along with excellent beverage technologist Jacqui Rota, began the journey of creating her own oat milk.
The process of developing and perfecting Boring took three years, a timeframe that even the most dedicated and tenacious would surely find trying. “There were many times where I was like ‘am I crazy? No one’s done this…’” Maw reminisces. “I knew it could be done, but it was just about really how long I was going to stick at it for.”
Working with the factories to implement all-new methods of creating excellent milk from oats was a challenging process. “There were a lot of failures. Every step was a failure, and we’d learn from that and do something different — then that wouldn’t work, and we’d learn something new again”.
At the time, when she wasn’t on the factory floor Maw was working out of Coffee Supreme’s shared office space. Each time she had new formulations, she’d bring them into the office to go through stress-testing on the machines, seeing how well (or not) the milk paired with the coffee.
“They were really great with what they thought, and brutally honest as well,” says Maw of the Supreme team. “Some times were just absolute failures and we’d be like ‘okay, back to the drawing board’.”
Eventually, the wins outweighed the fails and they had something they were very happy to release.
The beloved coffee company is a big fan of Boring as a premium oat milk option and even stocks it on its website. According to Coffee Supreme Auckland Manager Nat Guest, the recipe for a great cuppa lies in a pairing of the absolute best ingredients.
“Naturally, anything else that goes into a cup with our coffee has to be of the same great quality. Boring has got it all going for it — it’s delicious, pairs perfectly with Supreme Coffee and we love that it’s made right here in NZ.”
According to upcoming plant-based beverage manufacturer New Zealand Functional Foods, our country’s oat milk sales grew 230 percent in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods category, quarter on quarter as of August 2021.
Having successfully tapped into this growing market, Maw is only just getting started. “Complacency is the enemy of good brands in business, so I’m always looking to what’s next,” she says.
This year, rather than jump straight into trendy flavoured milk or overseas exporting (a challenge right now with Covid), she’s focusing on building awareness around sustainability in farming. She’s keen to be a driver in creating more biodiversity on the land, in ways that will also be commercially viable for local farmers.
It’s big-picture stuff but, as she’s demonstrated so far, Maw is more than adept at milking every opportunity for good — and we’ll be eagerly watching her progress as she continues to do so.
Craving a cuppa after reading this? We are delighted to be giving away an entire year’s worth of Coffee Supreme coffee and Boring oat milk, to be delivered to the home of one very lucky winner.
Head to our Instagram and follow the directions to enter the draw. Remember, we only have one legitimate Instagram account, and we will never ask you for your credit card details in conjunction with a giveaway.
From big-hitters on the hotel scene to exciting new hospitality hot spots, these are the places to add to your next Sydney itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY
Kimpton Margot From San Fran to Sydney, the five-star luxury hotel has just opened its doors in one of the city’s most exquisite Art Deco buildings. The corner site at number 339 Pitt Street has undergone a richly realised refurbishment to meld modern Australian style with characterful heritage, and the resulting accommodation is plush and harmonious for those looking for a sumptuous stay.
Ace Hotel For its first address south of the equator, the renowned Ace Hotel has set up in quintessentially impeccable style — comfortable with just the right amount of cool. Located in Surry Hills, Ace Hotel Sydney is accepting bookings for its 264 rooms from the start of May and, in keeping with its global counterparts, will have a stellar hospitality offering including both ground-floor and rooftop restaurants and bars.
Aiden For a central, compact yet utterly chic place to lay your head, look no further than Aiden — the newest accommodation addition to Darling Harbour. This boutique hotel features artful touches like original murals throughout, and thoughtfully crafted food and beverage offerings that reflect the freshness of Australia’s much-lauded cuisine.
WHERE TO EAT
Left: King prawns with roast pepper salsa and mozzarella with grilled nectarines from Margaret. Right: Lola’s Level 1.
Margaret Double Bay has welcomed an elegant new restaurant helmed by Neil Perry, the founder of Sydney institution Rockpool and one of Australia’s most prominent chefs. Margaret’s menu comprises plenty of seafood (there’s even a specialist oyster fridge), and contemporary Australian flavours with both Mediterranean and Asian influences. Seek out this polished gem in the Eastern suburbs for a delicious lunch or evening meal.
Lola’s Level 1 From the veteran hospo team behind 10 William and Fratelli Paradiso comes a relaxed yet expertly realised bar and eatery with plenty to love. Located right next to Bondi Beach, Lola’s menu riffs off the flavours of Italy, Spain, Greece and the Mediterranean Coast; combined with its excellent cocktails and substantial wine list, we’re predicting a sunshine state of mind.
Left: Ursula’s. Right: KFC hot cakes from Soul Deli Cafe.
Ursula’s Another acclaimed chef, Phil Wood has opened his first solo venture in Paddington. The menu invokes both nostalgia and innovation, and in the dining space, saturated tones of ochre (and blue upstairs) make the white linen tablecloths pop in what has become a neighbourhood favourite.
Soul Deli Cafe Head to Surry Hills for Soul Deli Cafe’s well-rounded offering of daytime-skewed Korean fare. The owners are husband-and-wife team Daero Lee and Illa Kim, whose modern Korean restaurant Soul Dining is nearby. Their deli’s aim is to be both a dine-in spot and a destination for takeaway jars of kimchi, sauces, ceramics and more.
Steamed savoury pancakes with kingfish from Lucky Kwong.
Lucky Kwong Kylie Kwong’s new South Eveleigh eatery caters to the lunchtime crowd. A Cantonese-style cafeteria that only takes walk-ins, expect a warm, energetic vibe paired with moreish dishes like steamed prawn dumplings with Sichuan chilli sauce, pork Sung Choi Bao (lettuce cups) and fragrant steamed Hokkien noodles.
Left: Smoked Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod from The Blue Door. Right: Bistrot 916.
The Blue Door At this 22-seat Surry Hills restaurant, you can be sure your meal has been prepared with utmost care and attention — from farm to plate. Chef-owner Dylan Cashman originally opened The Blue Door in the Gold Coast, where it garnered much praise, and has made sure it’s even better in its new iteration. It is hyper-focused on local producers, sustainability and ethical farming practices, as well as utterly delicious dishes.
Bistrot 916 Irreverent yet intelligent, this neo-French bistro is the place to go in Potts Point for rubbing shoulders with the cool crowd while dipping into some steak (or duck) frites. The dishes at Bistrot 916 are delicious and complex, while the intimate atmosphere will have you channelling your inner Parisian.
Left: Kisuke. Right: Sweet pork betel leaves from MuMu.
Kisuke With just six seats, you’d do well to make a reservation at this Potts Point Japanese restaurant as soon as you book your flights, such is the demand. Helmed by chef Yusuke Morita, Kisuke just serves omakase-style — a sublime set menu through which he demonstrates his decades of experience, love and passion for Japanese cuisine.
MuMu Australian hospitality behemoth Merivale needs no introduction, and its latest outing is a cheeky eatery that joins its multi-faceted Ivy Precinct on George Street. Slinging South-East-Asian-inspired street food and seriously sippable cocktails, MuMu is designed to play host to late night parties — make sure you’re wearing your dancing shoes.
If there’s one design trend that transcends all shifts in time, it’s the value of a truly comfortable sofa. When you can find one that’s both beautiful and user-friendly, you’ve struck interior gold. That’s the reason why Living Divani’s Extrasoft Sofa has remained a much-loved home addition for 14 years; it’s as versatile as it is pleasing on the eye, and you can sink into it while the hours turn into days.
The Oak House by Alexander & Co.
Truth be told, it’s unusual to find a sofa that thrives in so many interiors. From a bach by the beach to an industrial loft in the heart of the city, there’s nowhere that this modular sofa isn’t at home. Since its release in 2008, the sofa has found its place in a magnitude of spaces, reflecting its adaptability, while remaining the centrepiece of a room.
From Left: Light Play House by Mariele Cluyse; Amélie, l’Atelier by Batiik Studio.
This lends itself to the modular composition of the sofa, where design elements of the 70s have been introduced to the low-slung furniture found in the Middle East, creating the ultimate ‘upholstered landscape’. Given its nature, the sofa can easily be arranged to suit any space, or any need; from a cosy reading nook to a place for unexpected guests to rest. In retail showrooms, it can be used to divide and section the space, while remaining a focal point for clientele to gather.
Villa Mandra by K-STUDIO.
Yet the shapes are not the only versatile element of the sofa. As endless as the options are for shape and purpose, there is a list just as long for upholstery. Linen typically lends itself to the laidback nature of a bach or open home, where leather offers a sharp contrast to polished concrete floors and pared-back joinery.
In a world where sofas have become staple pieces of interior design, many of the market’s offerings value design over usability. Ultimately, that’s what sets the Extrasoft Sofa apart from the rest. And its versatility is what will ensure the design remains timeless for decades to come.
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