“Technology must make life easier, not more complex.” Safe to say, most of us can relate to this sentiment, as we rely on technology more now than ever to stay connected.
With its latest exciting release of five new Galaxy devices, Samsung does more than aid this need, it empowers it. Featuring the most powerful Note phones yet, the Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra, the series is a productivity powerhouse.
Built for maximum efficiency, the Galaxy Note20 is perfect for users looking to optimise their time for both work and play. Enhanced accessories like the advanced S Pen are a favourite among multitaskers, offering the ultimate writing experience so ideas can be captured whenever inspiration strikes.
We’re all learning to work more effectively anywhere and at any time; therefore, flexible devices are paramount. The new Galaxy release also includes the versatile Tab S7 and S7+ tablets; Galaxy Watch3 — a premium smartwatch along with health features; Galaxy Buds Live, stylish and ergonomic earbuds with superior sound quality; and Galaxy Z Fold2, the next generation foldable smartphone.
Carrying through to outside work hours, the Galaxy Note20 comes packed with innovative features to take virtual play to the next level. With powerful performance and premium display and sound, the device encourages cinematic filmmaking in the palm of your hand with 21:9 aspect ratio and 24fps recording — all built to be used with maximum ease so you can get more time in for play.
Delightfully practical and surprisingly versatile, clompy-stompy boots are once again making their heavy-soled presence felt as one of this season’s favourite footwear choices.
Since the advent of Dr. Martens in the 60s, combat and worker-style boots have been a mainstay of various fashion subsets, however the style of shoe had arguably never been so readily adopted by those who consider themselves the fashion crowd as when Prada sent models stomping down its Fall 2019 runway in utilitarian pole-climber boots.
Left: Bottega Veneta, Christian Dior, The Row, Prada
Soon enough, everyone from off-duty models to street style peacocks embraced the resurgence of combat boot-chic, and with designers like Bottega Veneta, Dior and The Row putting their own spin on the trend, it has not shown any signs of waning.
Prada’s lace-up renditions were ultra popular, and anything similar will still signal that you mean business when it comes to this trend, but it’s the chunky Chelsea boot that currently reigns as the style of the season — either cut exaggeratedly high and snug on the lower calf, or more reminiscent of a classic Chelsea boot reaching the mid-ankle.
While this covetable shoe style is obviously heartily appropriate for autumn and winter, it is just as wearable for warmer months. Whether bringing grounded contrast to a pretty frock, or embracing full-tilt utilitarianism, here’s how you can style chunky-soled boots for spring.
Opposites attract There’s something about pairing contrasting garments together that lends an effortless je ne sais quoi to a look. A mannish blazer over a slip dress, sweatpants with high heels, or — in this case — a pretty dress with chunky boots.
Tuck in For brisk spring days or nights when trousers are called for, take inspiration from utilitarian style touchstones and tuck your lower hems into your boots. Not only will this mean you can maintain the full aesthetic effect of your footwear of choice, but it can help to alter the silhouette of looser trousers breathing new life into existing garments.
Business time An oversized blazer can balance the heaviness of this style of boot by adding structure the shoulders. Playing with proportion by choosing slim-line trousers or leaving your legs on show will ensure you don’t end up looking swamped and too boxy.
Mini me The same rule of proportion applies when pairing these boots with miniskirts, by the nature of contrast adding a down-to-earth pragmatism to even the shortest of minis.
Transeasonal trench These boots are the perfect foil for fashion’s ever-evolved iterations of the trench coat — both new plays on a classic, today’s renditions boast personality to the hilt.
Standing proudly on a one-acre promontory in the Hollywood Hills, the Forest Knoll house surveys Los Angeles with a calm indifference. Designed by Standard Architecture and furnished by Minotti Los Angeles and MASS Beverly, the 11,000 square-foot home embodies the quintessential Southern Californian lifestyle while simultaneously feeling removed from anything one would expect to find in the middle of a bustling metropolis.
From its three-gable facade to its clean, Scandinavian-inspired finish, this six-bedroom, nine-bathroom residence is inspired by Louis Kahn’s famed Kimbell Art Museum. Standard Architecture sought to create a contemporary farmhouse using three, elongated barn-shaped structures.
The outer two offer double-storey living, the middle one executes the central communal space on a grand scale. Think 30-foot-high vaulted ceilings, a pared-back sitting space, an eye-catching double-sided concrete fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the home’s sweeping cityscape and ocean views as if they were pieces of art, rendered in parts to offer a transformative vista when viewed together.
In the Forest Knoll house, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Los Angeles cityscape while Minotti’s Lawrence sofa and Angie armchair available from ECC, complement the timber’s luminous, light tones.
Really, this applies to the whole residence. It’s a home that changes depending on how it’s viewed and by whom. At first glance, one might assume that the architecture was driven by the idea of an entirely ‘open-plan’ design. Its exposed position, plethora of windows and minimalist palette adding to the sense of air and unobstructed space
But look a little deeper, and the beauty of this place really lies in the fact that it comprises a series of exquisitely-rendered private areas that stand as various oases of calm — a timber-laden reading nook, a sparsely-decorated upstairs sitting room, a quiet entranceway anchored by a solid oak door and travertine pathway, a shaded deck that comes off one of the bedrooms, an outdoor space that can be contemplative or carousing — all working together to form a harmonious whole.
A timber-laden reading nook is softened with Cassina’s Soriana armchairs by Tobia Scarpa, resting pillow-like either side of the Cesar stool by Minotti available from ECC.
Here, the architecture feels almost endemic to its surroundings, even though its stoic presence on the hill is not likely to win it any awards for subtlety. The natural world still edges into every man-made corner of the house, whether via the carefully-placed greenery, the undulating shadows that pass over the stairwell and along the walls or the downstairs doors that swing open onto the expansive patio and infinity pool, allowing the al fresco experience to float inside on the breeze, offering that ever-elusive indoor-outdoor flow in an effortless, modern way.
The overarching sense of calm in the home is enhanced by its furnishings, a luxurious mix of comfortable classics and iconic pieces, accented by carefully-placed art, neutral colours and considered timber and stone finishes — white oak and Calacatta marble, raw concrete and sleek travertine. Unbothered by convention, the Forest Knoll Home breaks the rules in a nonchalant, off-hand way to become both worthy of its surrounds and entirely detached from them — making it a place that one can truly switch off from the demands of city life.
Delivering a gentle wash of ambient light, a well-conceived floor lamp has the ability to radiate the room. From subtle to statement-making, here are our picks of sophisticated floor lamps to illuminate your home.
From left: Urban floor lamp 3 by VeniceM from Designers’ Collection, Eliomoon floor light by Cassina from Matisse, Oda lamps by Pulpo from ECC
From left: Coupé Floor Lamp by Oluce from ECC, Tab F floor lamp by Flos from ECC, AJ floor light by Louis Poulsen from Cult
From left: Plissee floor lamp by Classicon from Matisse, Fidelio lamp by Poltrona Frau from Studio Italia, Funiculi Fabric floor lamp by Marset from ECC
As we emerge from winter, and also from being home-bound for the second time, no doubt many of us are attempting to reacquaint ourselves with how to dress in a polished yet practical way.
Well-appointed accessories can often act as a signal that we are ready and willing to engage with the outside world, adding polish and interest to any ensemble — even if it still involves leisurewear in some way.
Before the heat, and party season, truly kicks in, we’re enjoying the ability of practical accessories to finish a look. Still beautifully-made and aesthetically pleasing, of course, but anchored rather than frivolous and ornate.
An adaptable bag The new Petite Malle Souple bag from Louis Vuitton ticks all the boxes when it comes to a statement-making handbag that can be worn a variety of ways. Remove or attach accoutrements as the mood strikes, like the luggage tag, gold chain and wide shoulder strap, or sling it crossbody and revel in hands-free operating.
Easy loafers These Gucci loafers hit the sweet spot between elegance and reliability, with a slightly elongated toe, block heel and front logo detail.
A leather belt One of the most overlooked accessories has to be a well-made leather belt. Endlessly versatile, a good belt will effortlessly finish a look and add shape or structure. This leather belt by Acne features an oval buckle and several silver eyelets, meaning it can be worn further down the hips or tight on the waist — a hardworking staple indeed.
A timeless necklace Practical doesn’t have to mean boring. The new CD Navy necklace by Dior is the perfect answer to uncomplicated ornamentation, equally as elegant with a white T-shirt as a special occasion ensemble.
Tortoiseshell glasses with a twist Eyewear can be the ultimate expression of both the pragmatic and the decorative. Victoria Beckham’s striking Runway sunglasses in Blonde Havana feature a 70s-inspired angular, diamond shape, available from Parker & Co. in New Zealand.
Sturdy boots Handcrafted in Italy and impeccably designed, Dadelszen’s Constanza Chelsesa boots make for versatile wearing. Hitting the ideal point on the ankle for pairing with both suits and more casual trousers, these boots will add value to your wardrobe time and time again.
A cashmere wrap The cashmere aficionados at Elle + Riley created this ribbed-knit wrap to be worn anywhere. Drape around the shoulders to fend off office air conditioning, or brace against a brisk spring evening by wearing as a scarf.
Many of us are used to the constant rotation of bottles, pottles and packaging that comes with any comprehensive cosmetics collection, however the environmental effects of disposing of the aforementioned are usually not ideal — and often, detrimental.
Taking this into account, Ecostore has expanded its popular hair care range by delving into the realm of solid shampoo and conditioner bars.
Made from plant and mineral-based ingredients, the clever haircare bars are vegan, 100 percent soap-free and have a mild pH.
Ecostore shampoo bars
The shampoo bar is crafted in three different formulations. The first uses argan and coconut oils to hydrate issue-free hair, while jojoba oil and shea butter nourishes and smooths dry and damaged locks, and kale protein helps to volumise and strengthen fine hair. The conditioner bar is nourishing for all hair types.
Even though they’re not the liquid formulation many of us might be used to, never fear; you’ll still get a good scrub as these bars lather up luxuriously, providing approximately 60 washes per bar.
Most impressively, they come packed in recyclable cardboard packaging, so clean, deliciously-scented and nourished hair can be achieved all without a plastic bottle in sight.
Have you ever stopped to really think about the role bees play in our day-to-day lives? As they’re responsible for most agricultural and horticultural pollination globally, there can be no overstating how important bees are within our entire ecological system. They also make a variety of products humans consume and use, the most obvious being honey and wax, plus propolis and royal jelly.
Due to habitat loss, diseases, parasites, pesticide poisoning and the effects of climate change, the global bee population is declining and needs our help to survive — which seems only fair seeing as we’re the ones responsible for their plights.
Here in Aotearoa, September is Bee Aware Month. Coordinated by Apiculture New Zealand to bring awareness to the importance and the struggle of bees, Bee Aware Month is all about sharing ways in which to support our local bee population.
From properly-certified honey to plants bees love, here we hope to provide inspiration for you to do your bit in helping our vital winged friends.
Ponsonbees
SUPPORT BEE-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES Ponsonbees In 2019, duo Sam Allen and Hohepa Rutene created Ponsonbees, a revolutionary beehive business that gives Aucklanders the chance to own their very own colony of honeybees. It is a setup that incites a simple quid pro quo: the bees are graced with a nice, safe home, and in return, the owners receive fresh honey and a consistently pollinated back yard.
For the Love of Bees Through workshops, community events and talks, For the Love of Bees educates Aucklanders on the environmental issues at hand and works to develop solutions to save the bees. Since the initiative’s beginnings back in 2016, Sarah Smuts-Kennedy and her dedicated team have planted sets of hives in two inner-city, public parks — Myers Park and Victoria Park — the latter of which facilitates a free, weekly bee-keeping school and a gardening teaching hub for local children.
Bees up Top Founded by couple Jess and Luke, a duo of passionate urban beekeepers, Bees up Top aims to increase New Zealand’s bee population by supplying healthy, happy hives to urban areas, and to educate our future generation on the importance of keeping the little winged workers around. Rescuing bee swarms before the exterminator is called in, Bees up Top re-homes them, and also extracts the honey collected by said bees, presenting it to the urban hive custodian.
Did you know: Worker bees produce about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in their lifetime.
HELPFUL HONEY Many of us might view honey as just another delicious spread or sweetener, but there’s far more to honey than just what ends up in a container on the supermarket shelf. Mānuka honey in particular is prized the world over for its medicinal purposes, and because it’s so rare, reportedly over 80 percent of the mānuka honey sold in the world is fraudulently labeled as such. Therefore, it’s important to utilise the power of your dollar and support businesses that treat bees with care and respect, as well as being honest when it comes to the contents of the jar. As well as stocking a range of high quality honeys, Huckleberry organic grocer makes its own Mānuka blend harvested carefully from Northland honey bees. Comvita is another well-regarded New Zealand brand, with all its UMF® Manuka Honey able to be traced to its source. Always do your own research to ascertain whether what you’re buying is genuine.
Did you know: A honey bee must visit about 4 million flowers to produce 1kg of honey.
WHAT TO PLANT Planting large clusters of a single type of plant will attract bees to your garden. New Zealand website Trees for Bees has a full list of bee-friendly plants from herbs and kitchen plants, to ornamental flowers and trees. The selection includes basil, pot marigolds, lavender, apple trees, Michaelmas daisies, NZ jasmine, harakeke (NZ flax) and many more. Find the full list and more tips here.
Did you know: Bees have been producing honey for at least 150 million years.
HYDRATION STATION Give a tired, thirsty bee a hand by putting out fresh, pesticide-free water for them to sip. You can put pebbles or a twig in the water for them to rest on while they rehydrate.
Did you know: One beehive of honey bees can produce up to 150kg of honey per year.
PESTICIDE PRACTICES Ideally, we wouldn’t spray our plants at all, but if pest or disease-control is urgently needed then there are a few guidelines you can follow. Firstly, do your research as to whether spraying is absolutely necessary. If it is, make sure to not spray when the plants are in flower, or when bees are present. Very early morning or at sunset, even after sundown, are best times to spray plants if you need to, as bees will be in their hive.
When it comes to a certain level of design, innovating within that realm showcases the pure ingenuity of technology and craftsmanship for truly stunning results.
The timepieces within Rolex’s collections are exquisite examples of watchmaking technology that exceeds the norm, harnessing the innovation so respected by the iconic maker’s legions of devoted wearers and collectors — and its new 2020 collection is no different.
We couldn’t be more impressed with the four new watches joining its Oyster Perpetual collection, rendered in a range of suitably handsome materials with impeccable finishes.
The new Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 timepiece utilises Rolesor (combining Oystersteel and 18 carat white gold), with the dial available in four different variations. We are particularly besotted with the first, featuring a bezel set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds with an aubergine, sunray finish dial and a diamond-set Roman VI.
A new Oyster Perpetual 41 joins the range, as well as vivid new lacquer dial variations of the Oyster Perpetual 36, with the Oyster Perpetual 41 offering a Chromalight display — meaning the hands and hour markers are coated or filled with a luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions.
Two new Submariner professional divers’ watches have also beenunveiled with a redesigned and slightly larger, 41 mm case, both guaranteed to be waterproof to a depth of 300 metres (1,000 feet).
Lastly, the new Sky-Dweller model has been fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet for the first time, made from a metal overlaid with a comfortable elastomer, a high-performing material that is very durable and resistant to environmental effects.
Whether your style is statement-making or subtle, you can be sure these new additions to the Rolex family, like all the watchmaker’s timepieces, are unparalleled in their performance and aesthetics. Innovative yet classic, they are yet another expression watchmakers’ reputation for excellence.
There is something about the 80s that feels particularly appealing right now. Perhaps it’s in looking back at the era’s hedonistic, over-the-top culture, that we’re reminded how reserved we are in comparison. As a result, the 80s is experiencing a resurgence in design and architecture — more reimagined than replicated — but still bringing the experimental proportions and fun finishes of the era into a contemporary context.
Lambert & Fils’ Beaubien Wall Double Shade light, from Backhouse,nods to this home’s 80s sensibility with its striking, geometric shape.
In this large Melbourne home, Director of Doherty Design Studio, Mardi Doherty, embraced notes of the 80s to create glamorous, fun spaces, highlighting the building’s more unusual features and re-configuring the layout to make it suited to a family with three children. Working alongside building designers Ari Alexander Design Group and Ben Scott Garden Design, Mardi ensured that the charming bones of the home didn’t get lost in its new identity — choosing to nod to 80s sensibilities by using bold colours, and employing striking, geometric architectural details.
An expansive entranceway with custom terrazzo floors frames the residence’s piece de resistance, a pitched glass atrium that runs the length of the home and sets the artistic tone to follow. Sculptural, colourful artworks feature in every room, and introduce an element of intrigue so that anyone thinking they have this home’s number, is surprised at every turn. Colour is employed with confidence. Like in the small sitting room, for example, an arresting, dark green space with an opulent, verdant shell and one wall tiled in mirrors (a direct ode to the 80s).
Out the back, a new extension comprising two new bedrooms stands in curved contrast to the home’s more triangular features. Clad in powder-coated aluminium battens, the addition is as sculptural as it is practical, exemplifying a balance that has been mastered throughout the rest of the residence.
From the kitchen, bathed in all-day sunlight and featuring a three-and-a-half metre Cote d’Azur marble bench and navy-blue cabinetry, to the cocktail bar, cleverly designed to conceal a column that was too expensive to remove and conveniently located between all the downstairs living spaces, to the outdoor fire pit and swimming pool, this home is filled with opportunities to entertain. While upstairs, the bedrooms and master suite are designed for each individual family member — creating an environment that can be busy and bustling or quiet and calm, the two modes never mutually exclusive.
After studying interior architecture at New York’s Parson School of Design and doing post graduate work on hospitality projects for renowned American design firm Meyer Davis, Danielle Bates returned to New Zealand in 2005 to launch her own interior design company. With a portfolio of exceptional completed design work that spans both high-end residential homes working alongside some of the country’s most revered architects, and hospitality design, including the recent refit of Soul Bar & Bistro, Bates shares her design inspirations.
Soul Bar & Bistro interiors by Danielle Bates
I don’t like to over-design. My objective is always to create something calming, individualised and timeless.
My work is influenced by a client’s initial thoughts and images, which I use to develop a concept. I’ll then guide them into a unique and timeless aesthetic, taking into consideration three essential elements: architectural tonal texturing, which I define as the creation of depth and form with similarly coloured materials in an architecturally defined manner; a neutral palette that allows for colour, personality and distinctiveness through art, accessories and accent furniture; and a synergy between exterior and interior materials.
I love the design work of Vincent Van Duysen. His architecture and interiors are flawless to me. There is an understated beauty in the materials he uses, especially his unique timber finishes. I would be very happy if I had his sample library in my office. I am also inspired by his integration of light and dark components, along with the way he uses traditional elements in a modern way. Closer to home I think that Brett Lee Studio in Sydney has some beautiful work. I like the neutrality and tonality of these spaces but would personally favour furniture that was more inviting.
From left: Revert side tables by John Eric Byers; Era chair by David Lopez Quincoces for Living Divani from Studio Italia
One of the most versatile pieces of furniture I’ve come across is the Era Easy Chair in leather by Living Divani. It is an excellent desk, dining and accent chair.
My three favourite furniture pieces are the Depadova Yak Armchair in black leather — it lifts the game in any room and is the most comfortable chair I know. A large cubic coffee table made out of Pietra Grey stone that I recently designed for one of my clients, and a Baxter Miami Roll sofa that I have never found the right space for. It needs a very large secondary living (or entertaining) area.
I enjoy working on hospitality projects as there is more opportunity for creative risk-taking. I like a lot of the hotels and restaurants designed by Meyer Davis Studio in New York. I also like the hotels of Block722+ in Greece.
The last thing I bought for myself personally and loved was a Revert side table by John Eric Byers.
Queenstown home interiors by Danielle Bates. Photo: Marina Mathews
I have very fond memories of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. It is elegant and super stylish with well preserved historic architecture. Police ride on horseback through the cobbled streets wearing chic electric blue jackets and white jodhpurs. There are some fantastic rooftop restaurants and many inspiring boutique design stores.
On my personal wish list is a Piet Boon Kobe coffee table.
I’m always inspired by projects that employ a clever combination of stone and metal, I love to create bespoke hardware or accents that elevate and surprise.
The last design piece I added to a project that I loved was a Baxter Damasco sofa and ottoman.
One book all people passionate about design should read is Ezra Stoller, Photographer. It is a breathtaking collection of photography that captures iconic modernist structures. Stoller had a unique ability to turn buildings into monuments through his stunning visual photography.
Queenstown home interiors by Danielle Bates
A current inspiration for me is modern Brutalist concrete architecture, past and present. Although it is a controversial, polarising aesthetic and there is a lot of it I don’t enjoy, I find the simplicity and rawness of some structures magnificent.
Before I moved to New York, Wallpaper magazine introduced me to the world of design and undiscovered travel destinations. I have a complete archive. I never wanted to miss out on the next city to be reviewed. And at the time I was particularly obsessive about the advent of boutique hotels, and restaurant and bar interiors.
If I wasn’t doing what I am, I would work in film. I appreciate the art of captivating and transporting viewers from their reality.
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