The contemporary console has become a hallmark of luxury within dining and living spaces. Previously a practical piece doubling as storage or simply a space on which to display special decor, consoles are now sitting as objects of art in their own right.
Here, we round up the consoles and sideboards sure to bring a touch of personality to your home’s in-between spaces.
It is the dawn of an exciting new era for local, luxury ready-to-wear label, Dadelszen. Having recently moved from its renowned showroom on Kenwyn Street, the much sought-after brand has taken up residence in an exclusive new space inside Faradays department store, a move that makes sense given that both Dadelszen and Faradays are owned and operated by the same dynamic duo — Edward and Constance von Dadelszen.
Lined in heavy, dark-blue velvet drapery and boasting stone and brass accents, Dadelszen’s exquisite, private Faradays space is the perfect setting in which to experience its offering. Here, discerning shoppers are invited to explore the lauded brand’s coveted collections in a space that speaks to Dadelszen’s refined, considered and utterly luxurious aesthetic.
There is also, we’ve been told, the promise of a purpose-built martini bar to sit alongside the collections, which would certainly provide the perfect finishing touch.
Come Tuesday, May 1st, the well-traversed streets of Ponsonby will once again be transformed into a food lover’s paradise as the much-anticipated Eat Drink Love Ponsonby restaurant festival returns for its fifth year.
Running from the 1st until the 28th of May, the month-long event promises to showcase the best of Ponsonby Road’s culinary melting pot of cuisines, spanning from Bangkok to Bali, Mexico to Malaysia, India to Italy — and beyond. This year, a record-breaking number of establishments are set to take part, with bars, cafes, restaurants and casual eateries all coming together to offer patrons an array of seriously tantalising culinary experiences — with options for every budget and palate.
From casual burger joints and pizzerias to fine dining establishments, Eat Drink Love Ponsonby offers food and beverage options that cater to everyone, with three price categories to choose from. Delve into the ‘$30 and Under’ category, featuring gourmet burgers, tasty tapas, epic brunches, express lunches, pasta, gelato, Banh Mi, cocktails and more. The ‘$30 to $50’ category spans a vast array of cuisines, too, from Italian to Nikkei, Thai, Japanese and European, with a slightly more elevated offering. But for those looking for something extra special, the ‘$50 and Over’ category is sure to impress, with lunch and dinner menus that showcase hero or signature dishes from some of the best establishments Ponsonby has to offer.
With 65 participating bars and eateries, festival-goers will be spoilt for choice. From Azabu, The Blue Breeze Inn, Daphne’s Taverna and Farina, Inca Ponsonby, Kol, Orphan’s Kitchen and newcomer Tobi, the line-up features a wide array of cuisine that promises to satisfy every craving. Inca’s Night of Comedy, for example, promises an unforgettable evening of delicious cuisine and uproarious comedy, as INCA chef Nic Watt and Japanese-Australian comedy sensation Takashi Wakasugi come together for an exclusive event, with a four course set menu and welcome cocktail, perfectly complemented by 45 minutes of side-splitting comedy from the talented Takashi Wakasugi. The comedy doesn’t stop here, either, with more than 10 NZ International Comedy Festival shows taking place at Ponsonby’s home of improv, the Covert Theatre, complete with pre-theatre dining offers from popular nearby venues.
Elsewhere, Azbu Ponsonby is offering a set menu showcasing some of the Japanese mainstay’s favourites and a new style temaki sushi. Choose from a selection of tostadas, ceviche, temaki sushi, dumplings and larger plates, available at either lunch or dinner. And down the other end of the street, Prego, forever the family favourite, is offering free face painting for mini diners during weekend lunches.
The newest addition, and one we’re perhaps most excited to experience, is the brunch section which rounds out the 2024 festival offering, reinforcing Ponsonby as so much more than a lunch, dinner or drinks destination, shining a spotlight on its array of impressive breakfast and brunch venues, too.
The festival culminates on Tuesday, May 28, with PonsonBurger — a one day only offering that will see the precinct pay homage to International Burger Day. More than 25 venues will proudly unveil their finest iterations of the classic, promising a tantalising array of flavours and culinary delights — keep an eye out for the full list of venues and menus, revealed on May 8th.
When speaking about the festival, Ponsonby Business Association General Manager Viv Rosenberg states her delight with the record number of participating venues for the 2024 festival, up more than 30% on 2023.
“There’s a reason Ponsonby was named one of the coolest neighbourhoods globally in Time Out in 2023 – there really is something for everyone, from our impressive Ponsonby Central precinct to our popular International Food Court and everything in between for dinner, drinks, live music, comedy, cinema, from intimate dining to larger gatherings.”
She adds, “We are delighted with not only the record number of registrations this year but with the quality of the offers across every category, and the introduction of PonsonBurger, our grand finale.”
So mark your calendars — Eat Drink Love Ponsonby 2024 is an event that should not be missed. For more information on the festival and its participating establishments (along with their delicious menus), click here.
If there’s one thing we know about Aucklander’s appetites, it’s that when we find something indulgent, we can’t get enough. Enter Cheese on Toast, which opened its latest destination in Newmarket this week. This cult sandwich shop has been serving delicious toasties since taking the City by storm at market stalls years ago, making a case for sumptuous sandwiches that do wonders to quell any seasonal blues.
After the insane success of its Three Kings outpost, Cheese on Toast went on to open a Birkenhead flagship in 2022, before setting up shop on the Shore later that same year. Now, the decadent sandwich purveyors have laid down roots in the bustling suburb of Newmarket, now calling 89 Nuffield Street home. Here, they’ll be slinging the same epic toasties and coffees we all know and love, with a few new delights sure to satisfy.
This quaint, laid-back new spot is sure to be a welcome addition to the central suburb, offering shoppers, those who work in the area, and residents alike a comforting and fail-safe new lunchtime go-to, perfectly timed for the cooler months ahead. While, at this new address, the toast maestros will be serving their signature toasties (including owner Steve Kennedy’s favourite — the creamed corn with added bacon) alongside eightthirty coffee, you’ll also find a slightly more elevated offering in the specials menu, where you’ll find inventive takes like toasted sourdough topped with burnt onion cream, prosciutto and roasted tomato, on offer.
Open now, this new eatery boasts both indoor and outdoor settings, with a bench to dine solo, big tables to sit in with friends and colleagues, and street-side spots to add a side of people watching to your lunchtime order. When it comes to winter warmers, honestly, it just doesn’t get better than this.
Opening hours:
Monday — Friday, 7am until 2.30pm.
Weekends — 8am until 2.30pm.
When it comes to putting together an elegant ensemble, few shoe styles are as classic and chic as the slingback. Staking its claim as the ultimate shoe for autumn, the slingback is a refined wardrobe addition that can easily transition from day to night, with a full spectrum of styles — from everyday staples to statement-makers.
Here, we set out the slingbacks our editors are coveting this season. From elegant black in an array of fabrics, to bold colourways and stand-put prints, this careful curation will have you participating in the trend like a pro — and investing in a trend with true staying power.
Despite being known for her captivating art that explores the dichotomies of womanhood, New York-based Kiwi artist Natasha Wright has proven that her exceptional eye extends to style, too. Here, taking sartorial notes from the striking cover story we shot with her for our most recent Autumn Issue, we have curated a ‘shop the look’ line-up of exceptional pieces to introduce a little necessary glamour to all of our wardrobes. Shop the look now.
Once again redefining the boundaries of clean beauty, Antipodes’ exceptional hydration range comprises five key products that your skin needs to remain radiant as we head into the colder months. Filled with hyaluronic acid, alongside a raft of specialised and entirely naturally-derived ingredients, Antipodes’ Hydration Range will feed your skin at a time it most needs to retain its moisture.
From Antipodes’ new Maya Hyaluronic 72-Hour Hydration Serum, which sets a global benchmark for natural-origin ingredients by pairing plant-based hyaluronic acid and clinically proven marine botanicals (its particular dose of hyaluronic acid is capable of holding 1,000 times its weight in water), to its Harmony Hyaluronic Manuka Honey Night Cream, a light but luxurious moisturiser that harnesses Manuka honey, Vinanza® Grape, kiwi and the same incredibly powerful, natural hyaluronic, every product in this range has not only been designed to revive and improve your skin, but in the absence of nasty chemicals or fillers, to also put your health first.
As the weather cools down and a hint of cosiness settles in, we find ourselves seeking a touch of escapism. And for those who would rather curl up in front of the TV instead of with a new book in hand, we have delved into the captivating new TV series offering exactly that. From sweeping historical dramas to lavish ’60s comedies, propulsive mini-series and more, this is everything worth adding to your watch list right now.
From the creators of Game of Thrones, this new TV series (based on ‘Remembrances of Earth’s Past’ — a novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin) tells the story of a humanity confronting a terrifying cosmic threat initiated by a fateful experiment in 1960s China. Physics-defying mysteries, earth-shattering discoveries, and otherworldly connections collide to catastrophic effect in this complex, novel, and larger-than-life story.
Watch now on Netflix
Theo James stars in The Gentlemen, a new series from Guy Ritchie that serves as a spin-off to his 2019 movie of the same name. Upon inheriting a large estate from his father, Eddie Halstead (played by James) discovers that the land is, in fact, part of Mickey Pearson’s cannabis-growing empire.
Watch now on Netflix
This lavish 60s comedy charts the story of an ambitious underdog desperately scheming her way into Miami’s seemingly impenetrable high society beach club. With a star-studded cast including Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Carol Burnett, Alison Janney, Kaia Gerber and Ricky Martin, Palm Royale is as ridiculous as it is addictive — and promises sun-soaked, sartorial escapism at its finest.
Watch now on Apple TV+
The detective noir genre is staging a comeback in this new TV series starring Colin Farrell. In Sugar, Farrell plays a private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel. As he explores her disappearance, he also unearths the Siegel’s deepest and most sinister family secrets, leading to a case far bigger than he could have imagined.
Coming soon to Apple TV+
This propulsive miniseries offers a compelling glimpse into a dystopian future where a totalitarian regime rules with an iron fist, dominating every facet of society. Amidst this oppressive backdrop, disparate individuals find themselves drawn into a perilous struggle for liberation. As alliances form and fractures deepen, The Regime delves into themes of power, resistance, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. With gripping storytelling and thought-provoking narrative, Kate Winslet stars in this in-depth exploration of societal control and individual defiance.
Watch now on Neon
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Sympathizer stars Robert Downey Jr. as a master of disguise — portraying all of the characters that make up the vague notion of ‘The Man’ in a tale of a Viet Cong spy infiltrating the South Vietnamese community in 1970s Los Angeles. Navigating themes of loyalty, betrayal, and cultural displacement with gripping intensity, this cross-culture satire explores a tapestry of complex characters and historical context, promising a riveting and thought-provoking exploration of self.
Coming soon to Neon
Real life lovers Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star in this sweeping adaptation of the historical fictional novel of the same name. McGregor masterfully portrays Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat exiled to house arrest in an attic hotel room post-Revolution, in this riches to rags epic that charts friendship, family and love.
Coming soon to Paramount+
Notorious conman Tom Ripley is played by Andrew Scott in this fresh take on the story that acted as the premise for the 1999 movie The Talented Mr Ripley. Originally based on Patricia Highsmith’s novels, this mini-series sees Ripley living in New York in the 60s, charting his complex life on the wrong side of the law.
Coming soon to Netflix
The murky, post-apocalyptic world of the Fallout video game franchise has been masterfully brought to life in this subversive and darkly funny screen adaptation by the creators of Westworld. Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell, and Kyle MacLachlan star in the live-action remake, where a diverse cast navigate Fallout’s retro-futuristic, nuclear war-torn world.
Coming soon to Prime Video
Nestled in the heart of Auckland’s design district, at 130 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Matisse’s new showroom not only marks a moment of evolution for the brand, but stands as the embodiment of the elevated and globally-renowned design on which Matisse has built its reputation. From its incredible layout to its fine finishes, this new showroom is a celebration of 12 of the most renowned international furniture, kitchen, bathroom and lighting marques under one roof, and has come together in such a way as to rival any design showroom of a similar ilk around the world.
Here, a tone of calm sophistication is set from the entrance, where two walls finished in Patricia Urquiola bricks stand alongside a small but beautifully landscaped garden, dotted with deciduous trees. It is an apt introduction to the perfectly-realised spaces that lie beyond.
The first thing you notice upon entering Matisse’s showroom is its eye-watering scale. From the sprawling ground floor, curated almost like a gallery and bathed in natural light, to the two upper levels, here, soaring ceilings are paired with contrasting material finishes — warm timber alongside cool concrete and metal — to deliver spaces that feel both vast and inviting. There is even a 25-year-old olive tree standing proudly in the showroom’s centre, casting the pieces around it in a soft, natural light, and serving as a reminder of the European origins of Matisse’s sought-after stable of brands.
Venture inside further and you’ll come across a series of exceptional kitchens, from the Antonio Citterio iteration in vintage stainless steel and black peppered veneer, to the sleek Arclinea design, uniquely finished in bronzed stainless steel and boasting a scullery space hidden behind beautiful tri-folding doors.
The main area of the showroom has been specifically curated by B&B Italia and Maxalto, showcasing the best designs from each of their catalogues and comprising floor-to-ceiling wall units, large scale sofas and coffee tables in exquisite finishes. There are also two incredible staircases rendered in recycled New Zealand Rimu timber with metal balustrades, designed to lead you up to the bridge and mezzanine level, where you can discover brands like Rimadesio, Arrital, Cassina, Moroso, Gessi, Herman Miller, AntonioLupi and Agape, all of which are exclusive to Matisse in New Zealand.
The thoughtful layout and striking finishes of the showroom were created in collaboration with the clever team at Bureaux, whose expertise was called on to bring Matisse’s vision to life. From the metal pillars with inlaid timber, to the aforementioned Patricia Urquiola bricks, to the recycled timber and concrete floors to the breathtaking full-height curtains, Bureaux’s unique eye was able to bring a number of disparate ideas together in harmony, and the result is truly spectacular.
Ultimately, Matisse’s move to 130 St Georges Bay Road is more than just a relocation; it is the dawn of an exciting new era for the brand as it continues to give discerning New Zealanders access to the world’s finest design brands and residential furnishings. After nearly four decades in business, Matisse knows its clientele intimately, and is answering their collective call for a more international level of choice and sophistication when it comes to their interiors. This showroom is the manifestation of that aim.
It is also Matisse’s promise to continue building on its already incredible legacy, and its commitment to bringing the best of classic and contemporary European design to our shores, with renewed vigour and a refreshed vision for the future.
Matisse
130 St Georges Bay Road
Parnell
While many of the below watches might boast familiar silhouettes, their diamond-lined dials and similarly adorned bracelets promise to take any kind of collection to the next level. From Bulgari’s exceptional Serpenti Tubogas to a sparkling iteration of Cartier’s famous Baignoire, these sought-after styles are guaranteed to be on any collector’s wishlist.
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