From the get-go, this terrace house in Paddington, Sydney has held a special allure all of its own, having been architecturally designed and built in the 1970s to incorporate open plan living, lofty ceilings and a central staircase. When renovating it for a busy family of five, the team at interior design firm Tom Mark Henry were excited to embrace these original aspects while creating even more connection between the spaces of the split-level abode.
The kitchen was cleverly flipped to provide access to a new level below, and to accommodate the addition of a butler’s pantry. With soaring, three metre-high steel and glass doors that open onto a verdant rear courtyard, the kitchen and dining area is truly the most spectacular aspect of the house. It is also the bustling hub for a family that loves to entertain, a space of gathering and respite that sees abundant use every day.
Requiring appliances that are both highly functional and integrate cohesively with the overall design, the team looked to Fisher & Paykel. The integrated Column refrigerator and freezer are concealed seamlessly within the joinery, with ample capacity and variable temperature zones including a ‘pantry mode’, that increases the space available for food storage and helps keep it fresher for longer.
The family’s love of entertaining is further supported by a Fisher & Paykel Minimal all-black 90cm induction cooktop, complemented by touchscreen ovens (also from the Minimal collection) subtly installed within the cabinetry. With the 76cm Touchscreen oven in place as the main oven and the 60cm Touchscreen on the side providing extra capacity, large gatherings are a breeze.
Seeing as the owners are now encouraged to cook more (and have even got their young children learning too), these superior appliances are a prime example of technology that not only slots effortlessly into day-to-day life, but enhances it.
Architect — Tom Mark Henry Styling — Atelier Lab Photography — Pablo Veiga
When it comes to a regular exercise routine, finding something that yields results regardless of fitness level and time availability can be a challenge. Whether an occasional weekend walk is the extent of your prowess or you are a professional athlete, EMS training will be a positive addition to your exercise regime.
For those who aren’t familiar, EMS training is an acronym for “electro-muscle stimulation” and describes a unique form of strength training, whereby small impulses activate your muscles during a bespoke workout regime. These impulses activate up to 90 percent of the body’s muscles, meaning a 20-minute session can deliver a high-intensity workout that equates to 90 minutes in the gym. Now, that’s efficient.
Boutique workout studio fu/nis EMS training has been helping a vast array of Kiwis achieve their fitness goals since it opened on Shortland Street in 2016. The only EMS studio of its kind in Auckland, it has proved so popular that a second location has been opened to bring the offering to even more clientele — and North Shore locals, count yourself lucky because fu/nis’ stunning new studio is on Takapuna’s Hurstmere Road.
Founded by Catrina Kuehler and now co-owned by Kelly Percy, fu/nis specialises in workouts that are designed to challenge the mind and body. With upbeat sessions led by motivating personal EMS trainers, each individual’s needs and abilities are catered to, and there is a remarkably low barrier for entry given EMS training does not require a base level of fitness.
And, the recommended dose of sessions per week is just one or two — incredibly, even this is enough to improve both physical and mental wellbeing. The studio itself is an airy, modern and naturally spacious environment in which to work out, with a community space that can be used before or after sessions as needed.
“At fu/nis you can be in and out in 30 minutes, as gear, water, and towels are provided, so guests can show up with nothing but themselves — making it more convenient than ever to prioritise their health,” says Kuehler. “Physical exercise makes up just one part of overall wellbeing, and due to the session only taking up 20 minutes of your time, it gives people time back in their day to enjoy more forms of self-care in addition to exercise.”
If you often have trouble rising above, we suspect you will find this less of an issue at new luxury hotel and apartment development 51 Albert. Located at the central city address of the same name, construction is underway for the 41-storey tower, which will house a sumptuous inner-city hotel on the first 30 floors, topped by 13 floors of boutique, privately-accessed apartments.
Taking care of the development is renowned Trans-Tasman property development, investment and advisory company 94 Feet, which researched the New Zealand market for four years before settling on this concept and location. The company has a 30-year legacy of converting storied yet overlooked historical sites into magnificent landmarks, and 51 Albert Street will be no different.
The 41-storey tower features a combination of hotel rooms and boutique, privately-accessed apartments.
The apartments embody a contemporary, luxurious sensibility.
The original 1912 building has undergone a sensitive redesign by the team at Scott Carver Architects, who embraced in-built features like chevron timber floors and sweeping, full-height windows while imbuing each apartment with a decidedly contemporary, luxurious sensibility.
When the build is completed, apartment residents will enjoy a host of benefits, including round-the-clock concierge service, valet parking, a residents’ lift and on-site gym facilities. Another exciting addition to the project is a dynamic hospitality offering, in collaboration with innovative international hospitality group AvroKO and its award-winning hospitality strategy and design studio Brand Bureau.
The result will be an enticing, all-day dining destination (for both residents and the public) with varied offerings to be found on different levels. The ground floor will house a neighbourhood cafe-meets-specialist bottle shop named ‘Big Twin’, with a menu of health-focused ‘grab and go’ foods, wellness beverages and local baked goods, as well as coffee and boutique wines. The bottle shop component will stock local bottled craft beers, biodynamic and organic wines, and ready-to-drink bottled cocktails.
The development boasts sweeping views of the harbour and wider city.
An innovative all-day hospitality offering is a dynamic addition to the project.
Should you be stopping in (or popping out from your apartment) for dinner and a drink, pan-Asian restaurant ‘Motor House’ will be found on the upper level, boasting the spicy, vibrant flavours of south and south-east Asia, while heritage bar and lounge ‘1912’ will take up residence on the podium level.
Of the 31 apartments, 23 have now sold, with five of the 127-square-metre three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom apartments still available. Both the 330-square-metre sub-penthouse (with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and parking for three cars) and the penthouse are still on the market. The spectacular penthouse is an exercise of utmost luxury; with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and parking for four cars, it is decked out in black engineered granite and natural stone materials. A butler’s pantry, high-spec kitchen, walk-in wardrobes and 360-degree views of the harbour and wider city complete the bold architectural creation.
From its moment of completion, this building will be an iconic addition to central Auckland, creating a much-needed hub of activity and sophistication.
While a rising number of us are on the lookout for natural alternatives within our personal care routines, we also want our chosen products to boast just as much efficacy as their conventional counterparts. With the launch of its brand new ‘Whitening with Fluoride’ toothpaste, Ecostore has succeeded in bridging this gap.
Its first toothpaste to contain fluoride, the product meets the growing demand for a naturally derived whitening toothpaste that also contains active ingredients like fluoride and baking soda — which are proven to be effective in preventing tooth decay and cavities. In keeping with its other oral care products, this toothpaste is also free from parabens, SLS, triclosan, preservatives, artificial colours and flavours, aspartame and sodium saccharin.
It’s not just what’s inside the tube that has been created for good — both Ecostore’s toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes are recyclable through the company’s oral care recycling programme, whereby Ecostore collects the aforementioned from consumers via post and collection bins at key retailers.
All things considered, there’s no need to grin and bear it when it comes to taking care of your teeth in the best way possible, thanks to this innovative new product from one of New Zealand’s most loved home and body care brands.
As the tamers of the tresses, wizards of the weave and gatekeepers of the glam, it is important to keep your hairstylist on side. So, in an effort to maintain an immaculate client-customer relationship with the person keeping your locks lush, we’ve hunted down the eight things your hairdresser really thinks you ought to know.
1. A change needn’t mean a chop A new boyfriend, job or birthday around the corner and feel like a fresh look to match? Often it could be as simple as trying a new part, a scattering of lowlights or a new way of styling your strands. It may not be the pixie cut you had envisaged but really, other than Michelle Williams, how many women have you seen that can truly pull it off?
2. Pictures are for reference, not replication It’s great to bring celeb inspiration shots in when you’re getting a new do, but just manage your expectations. No matter how much your hairdresser teases, sprays and styles, they can give you Jennifer Lawrence’s hair but you’re never going to leave with her face.
3. It’s not their job to budget A full head of foils, plus toner, Olaplex, a trim and blow wave — costs quickly add up on your ‘quick nip to the salon’. If you’re sticking to a budget, best ask for a quote before you visit. It’s also important to remember…
4. You get what you pay for If you find a stylist willing to do all that for $59.95 that’s brilliant! But just know that it’s going to look like a 60 buck job. Good quality hair supplies don’t come cheap, so when you find someone flogging off their services and products for a steal, chances are the results are going to reflect that.
5. Telling a stylist to “just do whatever!” isn’t helpful We know you’ve got the best intentions and are just looking to lean on the stylist’s expertise, they didn’t live through your ‘bob disaster’ of 2009, so best come up with a plan pre-appointment then ask for their opinion.
6. Saturdays are stressful It’s universally the busiest day for salons, so if you want your stylist to truly dedicate themselves to your tresses, book it in for a quieter slot — weekday mornings are a good shout if you can swing it.
7. Be honest If you don’t like the outcome, don’t wait until you’re in your car to start sobbing, let the stylist know (politely) and make a plan to change it. Awkward, yes, but better than a full blown breakdown.
8. If you’re going to be late or need to cancel, for God’s sake, call! Stylists often work on commission, so when you don’t ring to let them know you’re running a bit behind or won’t be able to make it, they lose out. They don’t like that. And they remember.
One of Aotearoa’s brightest rising creatives, Rob Tennent has an inspiring way of just ‘doing’ when others might still be pondering their next step. Even when he’s on holiday, his relentless curiosity and love of capturing beauty mean his downtime becomes entrancing fodder for creative projects. Such is the case with his new book, titled I’m Going to Miss You.
This is Tennent’s second photography book, and it started as a documentation of his summer. “I travelled around the country to beautiful locations and it was an incredible experience,” he says. “Along the way, I watched different interactions between friends and realised there was a tenderness there.” The book then developed into a project that puts male affection at its forefront, touching on both brotherhood and a more sensual intimacy throughout its 200 pages.
Tennent shoots on film and says his style nods to surrealism, with attention paid to unique locations and subject matters, and negative spacing. “I like to make work that is slightly weird — on the other hand, I enjoy elements of voyeurism which all come down to composition.” Tennent himself has also been known to appear in front of the camera, modelling for local and international fashion and beauty brands like Paris Georgia, Wynn Hamlyn and M.A.C Cosmetics, but it’s the imminent release of this artful tome he’s celebrating right now.
I’m Going to Miss You is currently available for pre-order from Simon James, and in the meantime, Tennent steps out from behind the lens to tell us a little more about his other interests and inspirations.
Photography from ‘I’m Going to Miss You’ by Rob Tennent.
What I do for work described in one sentence: I document and orchestrate beautiful moments in time on film.
My personal style can be defined by: Simplicity. I am a minimalist in the way I dress. Simple pieces that are beautifully made and crafted to last forever.
The last thing I bought and loved was: The shirt I’m wearing in these images. It was $12 from the Red Cross store on Karangahape Road.
An unforgettable place I visited was: Osaka, Japan. I dream of going back. I remember getting lost for two hours and was completely fine with it. I walked down alleyways and through shopping malls for hours.
The next place I’d like to go to: Cinque Terre, Italy.
Clockwise from left: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong; Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Serum; Linen Sheets; Yashica camera; Annabel’s mushrooms on toast; Bottega Veneta Puddle Bomber Boots.
A gadget I can’t do without is: My light metre. I have become more comfortable without it, but still have to have it on me in case.
If price was not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Mark Rothko and David Hockney.
The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: I went to Bar Magda on Cross Street and was very satisfied with the food and energy they have created down there! Perfect date spot.
The best gift I ever received was: My technology teacher in high school gave me an old Yashica point and shoot film camera when I was 18. It was my gateway to film photography. I shot my entire first book, Come Back to Bed on it.
The beauty/ grooming product I can’t live without is: I love the Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Serum and the Night Crème.
Photography from ‘I’m Going to Miss You’ by Rob Tennent.
The last music I downloaded was:The Sacrificial Code by Kali Malone.
If I wasn’t doing what I am, I would be: I probably would be working in fashion somehow, perhaps a talent or model agent. I could see myself as a booker at an agency. Maybe PR! It’s hard to imagine a world where I can’t do photography.
I have a collection of: Sand from different beaches around the world.
My favourite way to unwind is: Long drives and sitting on top of hills.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Comparison is the thief of joy. What is meant for you will find you. Enjoy the process.
According to statistics, you’re going to spend roughly one-third of your lifetime asleep, so you might as well be doing it in good sleepwear. Whether you prefer crisp linen, lush silk or the nostalgic feeling of flannel, we’ve sought out some of the finest nightwear essentials to ensure you’ll be having a snuggly, yet sumptuous slumber.
Clockwise from left: Skims silk button up night dress; Slip silk sleep mask from Sephora; Bond Street Fontelina pyjama set; Deiji Studios Linen Loungewear Set from The Undone; Sleeper sizeless pyjama set; La Perla silk pyjama set from Farfetch.
Clockwise from left: Bond Street Mademoiselle Short Pyjama Set; Emilia Wickstead Bianca cotton pyjamas from Matches; Tekla Flannel Sleepwear Set; Elle + Riley Cashmere Rib Socks; Eberjey Gisele pyjama set from Net-a-porter; Nadia Fairfax in the Bond Street Mademoiselle Pyjama Set.
Clockwise from left: Asceno London striped sandwashed-silk pyjama shirt from Matches; Elle + Riley cashmere heart socks; Masini Flannel Gingham Pyjama Set; General Sleep Organic Cotton Linen Classic Set; Elle + Riley Cashmere Robe; General Sleep Wrap Set.
Whisky fans will be well-acquainted with the benefits of enjoying the amber spirit on its own, whether neat, on the rocks or mixed into a delicious cocktail. Now a growing number of connoisseurs are also espousing the tasty temptation of pairing whiskies with various foods in order to experience its complexities in a whole new way.
It is in this spirit (pun intended) that a very special event is taking place at Tommy’s Champagne Parlour where, for two nights in early August, the vineyards of France are taking a backseat to the highlands of Scotland. On Thursday, the 5th and Friday, the 6th of August from 6:30pm, enjoy an unmissable masterclass with Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky and a cheese focused menu by Chef Chris Rendall, featuring a range of different expressions of each libation and gastronomic delight.
While the prosaic pairing of wine and cheese is one most of us have experienced many times before, sipping a dram of whisky between bites of cheese can be truly transcendent. Combined discerningly, both the whisky and the cheese will bring out different flavours in one another. At the Tommy’s Glenmorangie masterclass, the $150 ticket includes a five course, cheese-centred extravaganza, all with well-chosen whisky pairings.
Expect a highball cocktail on arrival, made with Glenmorangie Original 10 Year Old, and a mouth-watering canapé of goat’s cheese profiteroles, truffle honey and shaved fresh truffle. Moving on, there are four more delectable courses, including rarebit with 36-month-aged Comté Millesime cheese and Parma ham; scallop Mornay with Gruyere De Bourgogne; and a trio of desserts in one, served alongside various drams including Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Glenmorangie Lasanta and more.
If all of this appeals, we suggest you secure your place at what is set to be an undeniably delicious event.Find tickets here.
To celebrate this masterclass with Glenmorangie, we are delighted to have a table for four to give away to one lucky Denizen for an evening of whisky and cheese.
When embarking on a project for which the outcome is to be unparalleled in its grandeur, the approach must surely extend far beyond merely dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.
In the design and execution of the Grand Penthouse atop San Francisco’s tallest residential building, a state-of-the-art feat of engineering that soars over 243 metres into the sky, a truly remarkable abode has been created, one that transcends traditional notions of glamour to stake its place in a category wholly its own.
The project is part of the debut luxury residential development from prolific Silicon Valley developer Jay Paul Company, a 55-residence structure that was designed by Heller Manus Architects and has won six global awards for innovative engineering, seismic safety, and sustainability — more than any other building in the U.S.
A through-view marble fireplace separates the living room from the informal dining area.
Its crown jewel boasts 360-degree views that encompass archetypal landmarks including both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, the Farallon Islands in the Pacific Ocean to the west, Mt. Diablo and south to Silicon Valley.
Inside, interiors by Mary Ta and Lars Hypko of Los Angeles-based luxury interior design company Mass Beverly (which has created residences for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Calvin Klein and Elon Musk) leave no detail to be desired. The overall sensibility is one of opulent elegance, achieved through a harmonious and thoughtful amalgamation of influences, furniture and finishes.
The design concept was partially informed by the evolution of San Franciscan metropolitan living, with the panoramic views playing a large part in dictating the varying tones and palettes within the four bedroom, six-and-a-half bathroom home.
Enter through the private elevator and the foyer (panelled entirely in walnut) which leads to the grand living space, where the first sighting through floor-to-ceiling windows is of the famed Transamerica Pyramid building — the presence of which was the catalyst for the transparent gap in the custom, through-view marble fireplace separating the living room from the informal dining area.
A glass-walled Rimadesio wine cellar lines the back wall of the dining area.
Cage B display shelves, Suede Strip lounge chairs and Mushroom table by Henge, from ECC.
Further impeccable finishings add an artisanal touch throughout, such as Venetian plaster walls, mitred stone, parquet floors rendered in the Marie Antoinette style, and flawless book-matching on the magnificent fireplace.
The building’s glazed peripheral angles are softened within, with curved walls that work in tandem with ingenious pocket doors and sliding systems, offering adjustable privacy as the occasion requires.
While the fixed furniture concepts are a response to localised influences, it’s Italian-designed pieces that add a European flair to the rooms. The living room, intimate family room and master suite are filled with Minotti. In the master bedroom, a palette of neutral and warm earth tones is primed to cocoon residents curling up in the space.
Baia oval bathtub, Panta Rei vanity and Collage mirror by Antonio Lupi from Matisse; Aston dining chair by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti from ECC.
Lawrence bed, Lou nightstand, Testa di Moro Monge bench, Cambre rug, Aston armchairs and Davis ottoman by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti. Along with the Be Mine side table by Henge, from ECC.
The study is decked out in bespoke Bottega Veneta, and custom pieces throughout the penthouse solidify its inimitable charm. These include an expansive, leather-finished, acid-washed Henge dining table in the grand dining room, and a Lolli e Memmoli chandelier that provides a spectacular greeting to anyone stepping out of the elevator into the entry gallery.
What could be more indulgent than taking a bath in privacy, right beside an endless view of the city, the Pacific Ocean and the Farallon Islands stretching ahead below? In one of the primary bathrooms at the west of the penthouse, a deep, free-standing Antonio Lupi tub awaits amidst marble walls, book-matched marble floors and an oversized, marble steam shower.
Other state-of-the-art amenities include both an exhibition kitchen (with the ideal entertainer’s addition of a teppanyaki station) and a catering kitchen; sumptuous walk-in wardrobes; and a glass-walled Rimadesio wine cellar that lines the back wall of the dining area.
An abode like this one becomes so much more than just a place to lay one’s head. It is almost a world of its own, rising above the hustle and bustle of the city below as an embodiment of beauty, comfort, luxury and intuitive design, from its viewpoint among the clouds.
Clockwise from left: Aston armchairs by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti from ECC; Starlight Pendant by Henge from ECC; Aston dining chair by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti from ECC; Lawrence bed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti from ECC; Mushroom table by Henge from ECC; Lou nightstand by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti from ECC.
Architect — Heller Manus Architects Interior Design — Mass Beverly Photography — Matthew Millman
A beautiful, gallery-like patisserie has just opened in Parnell, and we’re already predicting many-a regular for its exquisite pastries and serene ambience. Named Atelier Shu, it is located at 1 Faraday Street, a cool and contemporary area that’s only increasing in popularity and visitation.
After lockdown last year, owner Samantha (whose nickname ‘Shu’ informed her shop’s name) says she decided to turn her attention to doing something meaningful, locally. “Making beautiful things has always been my passion,” she says, “and I like to make nice things to share with people.”
Chen has also hired two expert pastry chefs — one of whom has 14 years of pastry experience from working in Singapore, and the other has been baking professionally for 6 years. Hiring people with overseas experience is important to Chen, which makes sense given Atelier Shu’s offering takes classic European-style pastries and infuses them with irresistible, pan-Asian flavours.
Expect the likes of a light choux au craquelin filled with a soy custard and topped with delicate swirls of black sesame mousse; or a tart and earthy matcha yuzu pastry. We’re struck by how beautifully finished everything is, evidently this is down to the expertise of Chen’s team. There are various flavours of shell-shaped madeleines and caramelised, crusty canelés; seasonal fruit tarts and peanut praline Paris-Brests. Kōkako Organic Coffee Roasters coffee and Fine & Dandy teas are on offer to sip between each delicious bite.
Everything is made in-house, with half of Atelier Shu dedicated to displaying its goods and the other operating as a kitchen. Chen enlisted the skill of Devon McIntyre at Pennant & Triumph to create the minimal yet welcoming interior.
“The design of this space is intended to act as a subtle reflection to the artistry and craft of delicacies on offer,” shared McIntyre about the process. “This is articulated through form and materiality with the use of gentle curves and a soft tonal material palette made up of tundra grey marble, oak timber, hand-rendered plaster and brass accents.”
Pennant & Triumph treated the design of the counter and the banquette seat like individual furniture pieces, with a strong emphasis on detail, craft, quality and timelessness. Furniture designer Tim Webber was enlisted to fabricate the custom-designed banquette seat, with other local craftspeople further enhancing the artisanal feel.
Having just opened a couple of weeks ago, Atelier Shu will be slowly but surely expanding its offering, with various drinks and other flavours set to join the line-up as the seasons change. For now, rest assured Chen is keeping the crowd favourites on the menu — although you’ll have to get in early before they sell out.
Is there a new opening you believe should be on our radar? Let us know at [email protected]
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