Forever the fashion favourite, denim is the wardrobe gift that keeps on giving, this season finding its way onto bags, blazers, bell bottoms, and everything in-between.
When it comes to keeping our homes spick and span, anything that simplifies cleaning is a win — and Shark’s Cordless Detect Pro With Auto Empty System much fits the bill. With four ultra-intelligent deep cleaning technologies that detect and react to a variety of household messes, this clever vacuum optimises cleaning based on surface type and illuminates hidden debris, automatically boosting power on hidden dirt, and increasing suction on edges and corners.
The handy Auto-Empty System charges and empties your vacuum and keeps the unit smelling fresh thanks to its Odour Neutraliser technology, which, when combined with all of the appliance’s innovative technology, delivers an overall better, quicker, and simpler clean.
Poliform’s Shape Kitchen combines considered functionality with a sleek, ultra-contemporary aesthetic, offering a modern riff on a traditional kitchen that has been enhanced with elements and accessories designed to improve the user’s everyday experience.
From a fully equipped, cantilevered sink within the worktop, to the chic, slim-profile range hood with a luminous extractor unit, to the integrated breakfast bar, here, every little detail is considered — resulting in a modern masterpiece that will slot seamlessly into any design-led home.
If you’re embarking on a long weekend road trip and seeking inspiration for tunes or a new podcast to pass the time, look no further than our round up of some of the best new and noteworthy podcasts and albums to listen to now.
British It-Girl Suki Waterhouse’s new album is a mirror image of her life as a consummate creative, artist, actress, model, and mother. Memoir of a Sparklemuffin is “a masterful slab of exuberant, emotionally vulnerable pop,” offering a sonic palette of folky Americana, nineties alternative, turn-of-the-century indie, and hand-crafted, otherworldly pop.
Song to start with:
Supersad
Across ten tracks, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds offer a deeply joyful record full of secrets in Wild God. Dancing on the borders of convention and experimentation, the rich imagery and emotion in Cave’s soul-stirring narratives is on full display — veering from the revered storyteller’s usual solemn melodies towards an exuberant, heartwarming lightness.
Song to start with:
Wild God
Nine years after his debut solo album, London producer Jamie xx has not only eclipsed the heights of its predecessor, but swiftly cut between sub-genres and decades, manipulating tempo, rhythm, and pitch, to create a journey of bliss, heartbreak, and introspection — instantly transporting listeners to the shadows of the dancefloor.
Song to start with:
Baddy on the Floor
Iconic British rock band Coldplay’s tenth studio album, Moon Music, follows closely in it’s predecessor’s footsteps sonically, while breaking new ground sustainably. The world’s first album released as a 140g EcoRecord rPET LP, each copy is made from 9 recycled PET-plastic bottles recovered from post-consumer waste.
Song to start with:
Good Feelings
Starting out as a platform to bolster the launch of her fascinating book on navigating contemporary chaos, Doing it Right with Pandora Sykes, within which the revered journalist, podcaster and cultural commentator discusses the myths, anxieties and trends of modern life with experts, is now in its fourth season, and every bit as illuminating as the first.
Hosted by five-time Grammy winner Sam Smith, The Pink House — named for the artist’s childhood home, is about the people and places that make us who we are. Smith sits down with good friends and queer icons to explore how they navigated early struggles, found chosen families, overcame adversity, and ultimately found their place in the world.
Three stylish women, Anika Joshi-Smith, Maddison Sullivan-Thorpe and Joanna Flemming — each from different facets of the fashion and beauty industries, come together to discuss all things brand, business, fashion and beauty — from the lure of Rhode to how to invest in luxury fashion, and a veritable spectrum of topics in between.
A fortnightly podcast featuring stories from inside the Australian Financial Review’s Rich List, with some of the country’s most-known heavy hitters divulging how they built their wealth from the ground up. From property tycoons to social media superstars, software developers to hospitality maestros, these are the stories of how they made it.
When it comes to plant-based eating, there’s a growing local scene dedicated to vegetable-focused fare. Whether you’re a full-time vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or dining with someone who fits the aforementioned criteria, these are the best plant-focused eateries in Auckland, from cafes and bakeries to restaurants and bars worth a visit.
Inner-city restaurant East is an entirely vegetarian venture, with 75 percent of the menu dedicated to vegan dishes. A bold concept that was originally brought to life in 2021, thanks to a team of passionate experts, East’s modern Asian menu is a flavourful marvel from start to finish, filled with vibrant and complex pan-Asian dishes that taste as good as they look. And if that all wasn’t enough, recently, East launched Auckland’s first ever vegan Yum Cha service, held every Sunday at the restaurant from 12pm until 3pm. There, diners can delight in all the classic Yum Cha dishes, reimagined with a tasty, plant-based twist.
Having re-opened in a new spot on Dominion Road mid-way through last year, vegetarian favourite, Forest, is back and better than ever before. Helmed by clever chef Plabita Florence, this delicious and innovative spot pushes plant-based cuisine beyond your wildest expectations. At Forest, diners will find a more traditionally structured, a la carte menu that marries mainstay dishes with seasonal specials and still plays into Florence’s experimental, exciting and exceptional culinary approach. From entree-sized snacks like ‘Upside-down Broccoli’, which sees the vegetable lightly-battered, fried and served head down in a pool of green-olive mayo, to larger mains that are designed to share and a number of mouthwatering sides and add-ons like Florets Bakery sourdough served warm with ‘old wine butter’, which Florence explains as “wine dregs reduced to a tasty syrup and whipped through with warm, salty butter,” the food offering at Forest is, as expected, a gastronomic journey.
Originally a food truck, Wise Boys has been serving its mouth-watering vegan burgers to the masses since it opened a brick-and-mortar store in Grey Lynn in 2019 and a Commercial Bay outpost a few years later. With a menu of banging burgers featuring the likes of crispy fried ‘chicken’, smoky ‘bacon’ and BBQ jackfruit alongside a range of tempting sides, shakes and soft-serve sundaes, the hardest part is choosing what to order.
This off-the-beaten-track cafe makes for a cheap and cheerful lunch. Water Drop Vegetarian Cafe is situated in Flat Bush at the impressive Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, and no walk around the grounds is complete without a steaming laksa, BBQ bun or wonton noodle dish — all meat-free, of course.
Lovers of health and raw foods will appreciate Olivia from Breakfast Babes’ selection of delicious raw treats available online and at select retailers country-wide (including newly-opened boutique fitness studio, Redroom). If you find yourself craving a 3pm, guilt-free pick-me-up, you’ll certainly find a moreish treat sure to satiate your cravings.
Next time you find yourself in Ellerslie, follow the queue to Richoux Patisserie, the low-key bakery serving award-winning meat and vegan pies. With clever vegan renditions of mince and cheese pies, sausage rolls, doughnuts and custard tarts (to name just a few), this beloved bakery puts the utmost care into every one of its creations.
There’s always a line outside Sandringham’s Paradise, and for good reason. Whether you dine in, takeaway or peruse the buffet, there is plenty to satisfy vegetarian appetites. Choose from delights such as the vege manchurian, which sees dense vegetable dumplings fried and coated in an irresistible sauce, bagarey baigan with eggplant cooked in a tamarind gravy, or wholesome daal tadka with lentils, cumin and red chillies.
With big, bold flavours and a special vegetarian and gluten-free menu to boot, Hello Beasty ticks all our boxes for dining out with dietary requirements. The KFC (Korean fried cauliflower) gives the real deal a run for its money, plus dishes like the grilled mushroom pancake and charred broccolini can easily be tweaked to suit a vegan appetite.
Middle Eastern restaurant Ima has plenty to satiate non-meat-eaters throughout its delicious all-day menu. For lunch, we’d recommend the sabich pita. Described as the ‘king of sandwiches’, it’s filled to the brim with smooth hummus, charred eggplants, slices of fried potatoes, boiled eggs, tahini and amber, a fragrant Iraqi condiment. The vegetarian Middle Eastern platter for two will also hit the spot, comprising falafel, hummus, labneh, salad, pickles, olives, Lebanese cauliflower and spanakopita with pita.
With locations in Ponsonby, the CBD, and Milford, Khu Khu is an entirely vegan Thai restaurant that doesn’t skimp on flavour and finesse. Owner Michael Khuwattanasenee found himself struggling to find plant-based options when dining out, particularly in Asian eateries given their proclivity for not just meat, but also animal-based ingredients like fish and oyster sauces. Khuwattanasenee took matters into his own hands, reinventing the classics to create tempeh pad thai, kumara spring rolls, ‘duck’ drunken noodles and warming curries.
Since opening, the days where this plant-based patisserie hasn’t completely sold out are few and far between. Here the croissants are buttery and flakey, the delicate pastries perfectly made despite being entirely vegan, and the ‘ham’ and ‘cheese’ offering a personal favourite of the Denizen team.
Morningside’s Kind Cafe has been serving its delicious ‘mostly vegan’ menu since it opened its doors in 2018, with delectable breakfast and brunch sure to tempt even the most staunch meat-eaters to sample something a little different. With the likes of the plant-based Korean spicy sambla tofu burger, a big breakfast with vegan sausages and sambal tofu, and a tasty breakfast burrito, there are options aplenty.
If you’d like to chow down on some meat-free fare alongside a fellow steak-loving diner who wouldn’t be seen near a leaf of spinach, you’re both bound to find something to love at Devonport’s Vondel. The all-day eatery caters to both preferences, with a vegan crispy ‘chicken’ burger sitting next to a Wagyu beef burger on the menu. No need to compromise here.
The original raw, organic, vegan eatery, Little Bird is still going strong. Pop into its humming Ponsonby spot for the likes of the famous Bird Bowl, kimchi pancakes, dahl dosa and kumara hotcakes, or one of its utterly satiating smoothies and shakes — and make sure you don’t leave without a raw sweet treat.
Not only is this inner-city haunt home to some of the city’s most beloved vegan food, it serves up authentic Thai dishes without the addition of fish sauce or shrimp paste. At Sunflower, flavour isn’t compromised either, the joint famously serving up some of the most sought-after ‘prawn’ fried rice in town.
Infamous for its mac and cheese with ham off the bone, Soul Bar & Bistro offers a vegetarian version of this dish as well. In fact, Soul offers a wholly vegetarian menu, filled with meatless renditions of its regular dishes. For vegetarians, the spinach and mascarpone filled tortelli with asparagus, brown butter, and ricotta salata is too good to miss, while vegans can try an irresistible take on Soul’s ever-popular green goddess salad.
For those in the know (and vegans often are about these things), Jervois Road’s Janken has been touted as one of the best destinations in the country for plant-based foods. Offering a modern slant on traditional Japanese flavours, here the vegan offerings are plentiful, with ramen, sushi, and even a vegan Benedict breakfast.
At SkyCity’s Cassia, those who shy away from meat will find plenty of flavoursome dishes to dive into on Sid Sahrawat’s lauded menu. From the roasted carrot with ghost chilli and macadamia to the mushroom with green chilli cream and truffle, Sahrawat has always been known for the innovative and utterly delicious ways in which he reimagines vegetables on his menus. In fact, Cassia even has a dedicated vegetarian tasting menu, perfect for if you’re gathering a group together for a special dinner.
For those who want to eat plant-based but still treat themselves, Tart Bakery’s sweet and savoury treats are the pinnacle. With two locations — its flagship Grey Lynn bakery and a spot in Commercial Bay’s Harbour Eats, right next to Wise Boys — the bakery’s delicious European-style bread, pasty, pies, doughnuts and sandwiches are made fresh every day and all its food is vegan and free of animal products.
Having only opened its doors last week, Bowler has already become a fixture on Team Denizen’s weekly rotation, and for good reason. Serving nutritious and delicious salad bowls that you’ll actually want to eat, with plenty for both vegetarians and carnivores alike, alongside acai bowls and epic smoothies, this drop-in is well worthy of your attention.
St Kevins Arcade’s beloved Lebanese eatery, Gemmayze Street, is the perfect spot for vegetarians and non vegetarians to come together in culinary bliss, with plentiful options for both. Here, the hummus is famous and an essential order, as is the babaganouj which pairs smokey eggplant with cumin and pomegaranate, and vegetarians shouldn’t look past the jazar roasted carrots with cashew, fennugreek, and spiced granola. Simply sublime.
Home is where the wellness retreat is — with today’s home gyms being converted into dedicated wellness spaces bespoke to their unique occupant’s personal practices.
As we continue to dedicate more and more time to our wellbeing practices, it’s little wonder that we’re also creating spaces in our homes for wellness sanctuaries of our very own. Whether it’s a dedicated, spa-like oasis, complete with an infrared sauna and temperature-controlled ice bath for daily contrast therapy, or a chic home gym conceived with your particular preferences in mind — from a Pilates reformer to a fully-equipped Technogym to a tech-led fitness mirror, the choice, ultimately, is yours, and the possibilities are endless.
Contrast therapy has quickly risen through the echelons as the incredible benefits of hot-cold exposure become more widely known. And, as more people cotton on to the impact a daily contrast practice can have on both physical and mental health, so too has there been advanced development in sleek and efficacious saunas and ice baths for at-home use.
A far cry from the lowly garage gyms of times gone by, today’s at-home gyms are sanctuary-like spaces, making breaking a sweat all the more appealing. From Celine’s monogrammed Pilates reformer and weights sets to Technogym’s elevated and cleverly-designed benches to Nordictrack’s Vault Training System — offering a virtual, at-home personal trainer, the options are endless, turning a once purely functional corner of your home into a striking focal point.
Collaborating with some of the world’s most renowned fashion designers, from Alexander McQueen to Guo Pei, The Rug Company’s library of rug designs — available exclusively at Design Central, sees the inimitable style and distinct flair of each house brought to life.
Collaborating with The Rug Company since 2010, Alexander McQueen produces couture-level designs with the superior quality and craftsmanship the fashion house is revered for. Inspired by nature, the floor coverings feature striking motifs like Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and cranes, reflecting McQueen’s love for natural elements while making a strong visual impact.
Shop Alexander McQueen’s rug series
Since 1972, Diane Von Furstenberg has enchanted the fashion world with her iconic and idiosyncratic designs. Celebrated for empowering women through distinctive prints and vibrant colours in luxurious fabrics, DVF has collaborated with The Rug Company for over two decades, creating timeless, enduring pieces inspired by her archival work. Von Furstenberg’s series of striking floor coverings, from the early noughties to today, bring the designer’s artistic essence into any home.
Shop Diane Von Furstenberg’s rug series
Greek designer Mary Katrantzou, known colloquially as ‘The Queen of Print,’ is recognised for her penchant for prints and examination of culture, history and art through her work. Katrantzou’s distinct aesthetic is reflected in equal measures on both the runway and within her collaborations with The Rug Company, the designer imbuing each artistically designed rug with her fearless and playful aesthetic.
Shop Mary Katrantzou’s rug series
Chinese couturier Guo Pei is famed for her intricate and elaborate designs, which are often years in the making. As the first guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and a founding member of the Asian Couture Federation, Pei’s work exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship, weaving tradition and authentic luxury to craft novel and captivating designs. Her collection for The Rug Company enlivens this, offering a series of striking designs, each with its own story, that will elevate any space to new heights.
The five senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, impact how we experience the world. From our perception of space to our enjoyment of food and drink, comfort, pleasure, and, quite literally, everything in between. So it’s little wonder that we’re beginning to place such an emphasis on the sensory impact of our homes — imagining spaces with a mind to the full sensorial spectrum.
Our homes, the sanctuaries to which we retreat when the day is done, are not only a reflection of our uniqueness, but the spaces within which we relax, entertain, play, and seek solace. Climbing into a freshly made bed on a Sunday evening, crisp sheets and the comforting scent of clean washing enveloping you, instantly calms the mind and soothes the soul. While watching dappled light filter through a sheer curtain as you sit sipping a hot cup of tea, plush blanket providing warmth, and a veritable nest of enveloping sofa holding you just so, has a similar effect — akin to a warm hug. We are, by nature, driven by our senses, and clever as we are, have the capacity to transform our homes into sensorial sanctuaries — making our day-to-day that little bit more pleasurable.
Sensory decoration is a creative concept which seeks to stimulate the senses via cleverly considered design — from architecture to interiors, right down to furniture placement, proximity to art, and considered decor.
When designing a home, one of the most simple (and impactful) ways to influence its visual appeal is through the harnessing of natural light. Be it inviting light in from above via a striking skylight, or cleverly conceiving a stair to allow light to filter into the home creating both bright, light zones, and strikingly shadowed spaces, utilising natural light is a sure-fire way to spark joy. On the flip side, joy can also be found in cavernous retreats, where natural light is minimal, and cosy, plush furnishings, finishings, and textures come together harmoniously to offer a peaceful place for rest and repose. Here, deep colours, rich textures that draw the eye, and plush, textural furnishings combine to calming effect — with clever layering adding to the tranquil ambience. Not only reserved for bedrooms or cosy lounges, bathrooms can just as easily become quiet, relaxing spaces, and perfect zones within which to find sensory stimuli. From the visual appeal of thoughtful design to the soothing sound of a running shower to the heavenly scent of a warm, fragranced bath — bathrooms are a more than perfect spot to find peace.
“We are, by nature, driven by our senses, and clever as we are, have the capacity to transform our homes into sensorial sanctuaries.”
And, it’s said that we eat with our eyes, so transforming your kitchen into a feast for the senses is an obvious option, employing the calm-inducing properties of smooth hardwood, marble, brushed steel, and polished concrete underfoot, or the tactile allure of textured renders, leather seating, and hand-crafted finishes which, when combined with the sound of a sizzling eye fillet and the smell of freshly-baked bread, is a masterclass in sensorial satiation.
But, perhaps the most obvious — and simple, way to ignite the senses and make an impact in the home, is with the clever use of lighting. Be it bathing a space in an enchanting glow with a warmly-hued (and visually striking) lamp, or dialling things up a notch with the inclusion of a glittering disco ball to set a convivial atmosphere, unique lighting is a simple yet impactful way to shift the tone of a space — igniting the senses in the process.
QT Auckland’s much-loved signature restaurant, Esther, is turning up the heat this summer, unveiling a stunning new al fresco dining space — Esther Courtyard, just in time for the long, languid days ahead.
Set to be Auckland’s new go-to spot for after-work drinks casual bites, and basking in the afternoon sun, the convivial spot is located on the harbour side of Esther, with room to comfortably seat up to 50 across a mix of large high-top tables, café-style seating, and long, plush bench seats. The stylish space, reminiscent of a Spanish seaside retreat, features QT’s signature black-and-white striped umbrellas, neutral tones, woven textures, and vibrant pops of ocean blue tiles.
The menu takes inspiration from Esther’s Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, but with a more relaxed approach to dining — where wood-fired pizzettas are the main event, served alongside a selection of tapas-style share plates. On the drinks front, revellers will find a curation of cocktails, European wines, and Italian aperitifs, designed to evoke the charm and essence of seaside sipping in Europe.
Officially opening for service this Saturday (October 12th), Esther Courtyard is perfectly primed to be one of the city’s top spots for casual summer dining.
Opening Hours:
Monday — Sunday, 3pm ’til late
With distinctive designs that are ultra-wearable and endlessly versatile, Jessica McCormack’s jewellery is made to be adored by this generation and the next. Her “Day Diamonds” are designed to be layered alongside existing pieces, with a signature blend of timelessness and modernity that is coveted by smart, stylish women the world over. With a client list that includes the likes of Margot Robbie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Victoria Beckham, and current muse Zoë Kravitz, the New Zealand-born, London-based fine jewellery designer’s diamonds are coveted the world-round, thanks, in large part, to her ability to imbue timeless pieces with a contemporary spirit that is effortlessly chic.
While signature McCormack pieces like the Gypset earrings are ‘the’ earrings to be worn everywhere, every day (and night), those wishing to see McCormack’s striking new designs in all shapes and sizes will find their opportunity next week at Simon James. A collection of one-of-a-kind gemstones in emerald and sapphire and show-stopping diamond pieces — many of which have not been seen before in New Zealand, will be available at Simon James — the brand’s exclusive New Zealand stockist, launching on October 17th in their stores and online.
Preview the collection here or at Simon James Herne Bay – October 18th & 19th:
230 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay
For enquiries or private appointments please email [email protected].
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Get the latest and greatest happenings in Auckland delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday morning.
Kindly share a little more insight into who you are below and one of our team will be in touch soon.
