The Arflex Marenco Outdoor Armchair brings Italian elegance to outdoor living. In 1970, Italian architect Mario Marenco created a chair that quietly rewrote the rules of comfort. The Marenco for Arflex was unapologetically plush, built from a visible metal frame and oversized cushions that seemed to hover in place. It was rational design wrapped in softness.
More than fifty years later, the Marenco remains one of Arflex’s most recognisable pieces. It has appeared in architectural homes across Europe and the United States, favoured by designers who understand that true luxury is comfort resolved with discipline. Now, that same design intelligence moves outdoors.
The Arflex Marenco outdoor armchair is not a diluted version of an icon. It has been carefully re-engineered to withstand the elements, with technical outdoor fabrics and a structure designed for durability without compromising the generous proportions that made it famous.
The result is a piece that blurs boundaries. It carries the ease of an indoor lounge chair but belongs just as confidently beside a pool, under a loggia, or on a sculpted urban terrace.
Pressed for time but unwilling to compromise on flavour? Commercial Bay has your lunch plans sorted. From vibrant, ready-to-go fare and generously filled bowls to comforting takeaway staples worth stepping out for, this downtown dining hub makes a swift lunch feel considered. When the clock is ticking, but your appetite calls for something satisfying, these are the spots that deliver quickly and exceptionally well.
Origine’s Summer Express Menu is designed for relaxed lunches that still feel considered. A three-course shared dining experience, it highlights seasonal favourites including duck liver parfait, Lumina lamb rump and a Clevedon strawberry soufflé, with freshly shucked Pacific oysters available as an optional addition. A refined option for midweek catch-ups or an elevated lunch break at Commercial Bay.
Cāntīng’s cult favourites are now available to take away, bringing Nic Watt’s refined take on Chinese flavours to your midday routine. From plump, flavour-laden dumplings to much-loved signature dishes, each lunch box is thoughtfully assembled for ease without sacrificing depth or quality. Priced at $28, these generously packed offerings make a compelling case for upgrading your desk lunch, delivering comfort and bold flavour in equal measure.
Gochu’s express lunch delivers bold, Korean-inspired flavours in a format that fits neatly into the workday. Expect a well-balanced spread of sliders, tuna crudo, charred chicken, rice and salad, designed to be satisfying without feeling heavy. A lively option for when you want something fun, fast and full of flavour at Commercial Bay.
BillyPot is an easy go-to when you’re craving something fresh, light and full of flavour. With seafood at the heart of the menu, it’s a great spot to grab a quick lunch that still feels considered, whether that’s oysters, prawns or a simple seafood plate done well. Ideal for when time is short but standards are not.
For a lunch that feels both efficient and elevated, Kome strikes the balance with ease. Expect pristine sashimi platters and vibrant poke bowls layered with fresh seafood and seasonal accompaniments, alongside warming bowls of udon, crisp karaage chicken and neatly composed bento boxes. It is Japanese dining designed for pace, generous in flavour and beautifully presented, making it ideal for a midday stop that does not compromise on quality.
Chul’s brings the heart of Korean comfort food to Commercial Bay with bold, flavour-packed dishes that are ready when you are. From freshly rolled kimbap to steaming bowls of soulful classics, it’s a perfect spot for a quick lunch that still feels satisfying and full of character.
In a well-designed home, the bathroom is never just an afterthought. It is a study in proportion, tactility and restraint. Every element must justify its presence. For a design-literate audience, that standard is non-negotiable.
Omaha Retreat by Sonya Cotter Design. Photos: Jackie Meiring
It is precisely why the work of Claybrook continues to appear in some of the country’s most architecturally accomplished residences. Their basins possess a sculptural clarity that feels deliberate rather than decorative. Edges are refined. Silhouettes are balanced. The materiality carries weight without visual heaviness. Placed against stone, timber or polished plaster, these pieces anchor a space with quiet confidence.
Claybrook bespoke bath. Brand available from Plumbline
This is design that understands permanence. Claybrook products are engineered for remarkable durability and resistance to staining, maintaining their integrity in daily use. Exceptional heat retention enhances the bathing experience in a way that feels subtle but deeply considered. And in an era when true luxury increasingly aligns with longevity, the ability to repair surfaces rather than replace them speaks to an intelligent, future-focused approach.
Claybrook’s emphasis on clean forms, composed proportions, and finishes that complement architectural intent rather than compete with it results in bathrooms where the effect is seamless. Nothing clamours for attention, yet everything is noticed.
Claybrook Soho bath. Brand available from Plumbline.
For those commissioning homes, the distinction lies in choosing pieces that hold their relevance long after trends have dissolved. Sculptural, durable and inherently architectural, Claybrook’s basins and bathtubs continue to set that benchmark. Available nationwide through Pumbline.
Each year in Japan, cherry blossom season, or sakura, signals a fleeting moment of beauty. Parks fill, petals fall, and the country collectively pauses to honour the transience of nature. Here in Auckland, Masu by Nic Watt is marking that same spirit of renewal with a Ladies Lunch that feels both reverent and refined.
Taking place on Friday 27 February from 12–2pm, this intimate gathering pays tribute to Japan’s most poetic season through cuisine and craft. Hosted by Chef Nic Watt alongside celebrated florist Chikako, the afternoon centres on ikebana, the centuries-old Japanese art of flower arranging.
Ikebana is not simply about assembling blooms. It is a disciplined practice rooted in harmony, asymmetry and negative space. Each stem is positioned with intention, reflecting the rhythms of nature and the beauty of impermanence that the cherry blossom season so elegantly represents.
Guests will be welcomed with a glass of Nautilus Cuvée Brut before settling in for a refined three-course lunch, showcasing Masu’s contemporary Japanese approach. Between courses, Chikako will guide attendees through a hands-on ikebana workshop, offering insight into the philosophy behind the form. Each guest will leave with their own sculptural arrangement, a quiet nod to sakura season brought to life on our shores.
At $95 per person, including lunch, bubbles and your ikebana creation to take home, it is an elegant way to honour a centuries-old Japanese tradition without leaving the city.
With only a few spots remaining, consider this your cue to book.
Masu Ikebana Ladies Lunch Friday 27 February, 12 pm – 2 pm $95 per person Includes three-course lunch, glass of Nautilus Cuvée Brut on arrival, and an ikebana arrangement to take home.
Avery rug from Designer Rugs, Marble coffee table by Florence Knoll from Mr. Bigglesworthy, Apollo armchair by Maxalto, Husk Sofa by B&B Italia, 26h Bronze vase by Bitossi, Eames Turned Stool D by Herman Miller from Matisse, Flex VI by Ray Haydon, 2025, from Sanderson, Alpaca Velvet in Cacoa by Mokum made up as cushion from James Dunlop Textiles, Cenciara Pendant Brass from Lighting Direct
Art direction — Amber Armitage/ Marigold Photography — Melanie Jenkins/ Flash Studios
All designers, regardless of style, are tasked with the often-impossible job of balancing the yin and the yang. When a space leans too heavily in one particular direction, all equilibrium is lost, and the space is left energetically confused. This season, we’re gravitating towards warmth, from caramel colourways to toffee-toned walls, natural wood, brass accents and copper finishes. Interiors that stay energetically grounded — think a return to baseline in a bid to mitigate the chaos of the season ahead.
Naturally, we look to grounding hues like Resene Okey Dokey and Irish Coffee to start, to evoke a sense of softness and generate calm wherever incorporated. Consider anchoring primary living spaces with colours like Okey Dokey, and outfit them with natural leather heroes that gracefully patina over time, creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
Resene’s Alamo, an endlessly versatile, salmon-hued beige, works in harmony with chrome accents, providing an earthly base for mixing molten metals. The balance in Resene’s palette, cocooned in warmth yet refreshingly refined, creates harmony and sophistication wherever it is incorporated.
There are certain signatures at Bvlgari that need no introduction. Serpenti coils with unmistakable sensuality. B.zero1 stands as a sculptural ode to Rome’s Colosseum. Monete transforms ancient currency into wearable history. Now, with the debut of Vimini, the Roman maison proves that its archives remain as fertile as ever.
Vimini marks the inaugural chapter of Bvlgari Eternal, a visionary initiative that revisits foundational designs from the house’s past and reinterprets them for a contemporary audience. Its point of origin is a 1942 bracelet discovered in the archives, created during the material and social constraints of wartime Italy. In an era defined by limitation, the piece stood as an act of creative defiance. Crafted in yellow and rose gold, its woven geometry drew inspiration from the wicker baskets of ancient Greece and Rome, humble, utilitarian objects elevated through rhythm, repetition and hand-shaped dexterity.
The name Vimini, meaning wicker, feels instinctive. Its structure is built from undulating rhomboid elements, stacked and interlocked to create a supple, woven effect. There is an architectural clarity to the design, an echo of Italian Rationalism’s essential forms, yet the overall impression is fluid rather than rigid. The bracelet remains faithful to its precursor, while benefiting from the elevated craftsmanship made possible by Bvlgari’s state-of-the-art Valenza manufacture. The collection extends to a necklace, ring and two earring styles, each piece designed to move naturally with the body, tactile and rhythmic in its articulation.
Bvlgari Eternal debuts in Los Angeles. The Vimini collection, unveiled on Rodeo Drive’s new flagship store
In its high jewellery expressions, Vimini ventures further. Yellow gold meets black Diamond-Like Carbon, a high-tech coating more commonly associated with watchmaking. The interplay of light and shadow creates a striking bi-colour dialogue that feels both ancient and futuristic. Diamonds are set into this darkened architecture, amplifying contrast and lending the collection an avant-garde edge. On the global stage, the Eternal Vimini High Jewellery necklace has already found its moment, worn by global ambassador Lisa Manobal in a powerful display of modern Roman glamour.
“With Bulgari Eternal, we open a new chapter in our creative story,” noted Jean-Christophe Babin. It is a sentiment embodied in Vimini’s weave, heritage threaded through innovation. By drawing from a wartime bracelet shaped by constraint and reimagining it with contemporary mastery, Bvlgari demonstrates that true icons are not invented overnight. They are rediscovered, reworked and reborn.
Vimini is not simply a revival. It is proof that the house’s past remains an inexhaustible source of modernity, and that in Rome, history is always in motion.
There are few ridgelines in Auckland as instantly recognisable as the one at the junction of Ponsonby and St Marys Bay. Thousands pass it daily, glancing up toward the elevated sweep across the city skyline. In recent months, there have been signs of a new development that have caught our attention. Pillars is set to sit confidently at the top of this iconic stretch. Promising an unmistakable presence and architectural façades, signalling that something both considered and enduring is soon to take shape.
Developed by Precinct and designed by Jasmax, Pillars is defined by proportion, restraint and permanence. Sculptural façades, fluted concrete detailing and carefully articulated forms give the building a strong civic presence while remaining respectful of its established setting. From its exterior, it reads as composed and assured. Step inside, and that architectural confidence gives way to a quieter, more intimate understanding of how people want to live.
That combination of prestigious, highly visible location and confident, design-led execution helps explain why Pillars has generated sustained interest since its unveiling. But the appeal runs deeper than architecture alone. Buyers are responding to what Pillars represents at this moment in time. Right-sizing, redefined.
Increasingly, Pillars is appealing to buyers transitioning into a new phase of urban living. People who want the ease of lock-and-leave security, yet refuse to compromise on space, privacy or quality. The appeal lies in homes that still feel substantial and complete, with the reassurance of thoughtful design, long-term build integrity and a setting that supports everyday life as much as it elevates it.
Across a limited collection of two and three-bedroom residences with additional media rooms, Pillars offers homes that feel expansive without excess. Full-floorplate sensibilities and dual-aspect layouts allow light to move naturally through the interiors, creating a sense of volume rarely associated with apartment living. Integrated storage is generous and purposeful, supporting daily life without visual clutter, while flexible layouts accommodate entertaining, working from home and evolving needs.
Private outdoor spaces are equally deliberate. Deep balconies extend the living experience outward, encouraging genuine indoor-outdoor flow, while select ground-floor homes open onto landscaped gardens that offer privacy and greenery rarely found in urban apartments. These are homes designed for people who still want space, but no longer want waste.
The location reinforces that philosophy. Positioned between the energy of Ponsonby and the established residential calm of St Marys Bay and Freemans Bay, Pillars offers immediate access to the city’s best while maintaining a strong sense of neighbourhood. Cafés, restaurants, galleries and waterfront walks are moments away, yet the address retains the reassurance of long-held community and character. It is urban living with depth, connected without feeling transient.
Underpinning the development is the long-term thinking of Precinct Properties. Best known for shaping Auckland’s commercial centre, Precinct brings the same rigour and placemaking mindset to Pillars. Sustainability features that enhance comfort and efficiency, secure parking with EV infrastructure, private lift access and robust construction speak to a development conceived for longevity rather than trend.
As availability becomes increasingly limited, Pillars prompts a broader reflection on what right-sizing truly means. It is not about giving something up. It is about choosing better. Better design. Better location. Better use of space. And a home that aligns with how life is lived now.
Recognised instinctively and increasingly understood for what it offers, Pillars will become more than an iconic landmark. It’s set to be a confident expression of modern urban luxury, defined by clarity, quality and living well without compromise.
There’s something deeply reassuring about a restaurant that knows exactly what it is.
Agnes, newly opened in Birkenhead, does not shout for attention. It doesn’t need to. Housed in a former Hellaby’s butchery, the building’s original tiles, marble and even the reinstated counter remain proudly intact, lending the space a quiet gravitas that feels increasingly rare.
Behind the project are hospitality veterans Fran and Aaron Mazza-Carson, whose 15-year track record includes Hello Friends & Allies, Winona Forever, Sugar at Chelsea Bay, Queenies, ADA and Pie Rolla’s. With Fran’s background in patisserie and Aaron’s roots in marketing and music, the pairing has always been complementary. For Agnes, they’ve partnered with head chef Alfie Ingham, whose experience spans New Zealand, Australia, the UK and France, but whose heart lies in traditional European bistros.
left: Sticky Toffee pancake with dates, caramel and Crème fraîche. right: Biscoff Mont Blanc
“We share a real appreciation for uncomplicated food that is of excellent quality but not pretentious or too flowery,” they explain. The result is a menu that reads like a love letter to simplicity done properly.
Sausage with mashed potato and jus
There’s a house-made sausage that already feels like a signature: pork shoulder, seasoned traditionally, served by day or at night with mash and jus. Brunch swings between sticky toffee pancakes with dates, caramel and crème fraîche, and sardines on toast with tomato-chilli butter and pickles. Come evening, baked Camembert with roasted grapes, cornichons and walnuts is the kind of dish you order for the table without hesitation.
left to right: Ricotta dumplings with brown butter and pesto. Mussel Gratin with Rockefeller sauce and bacon. Heirloom tomatoes with black olive tapenade and buffalo
The wine list follows suit. Tightly edited rather than encyclopaedic, it oscillates between familiar favourites and intriguing alternatives, each chosen to work seamlessly with the food or stand confidently alone. The marble counter is primed for aperitifs and people watching.
Baked Camembert with roasted grapes, cornichons, walnuts and toast
Fran has designed the interiors herself and drawn on her Italian heritage for inspiration. The front room is relaxed and family-friendly; the back bistro is more intimate and softly lit.
More than anything, Agnes is built for its neighbourhood. The ambition is not occasion dining, but somewhere you return to weekly, even daily. A place where owners are present, the welcome is genuine, and the food is unfussy but good.
There is something quietly compelling about the way lighting can change the mood of a room. With the introduction of the Luna Wall Light, Powersurge distils that idea into a sculptural piece inspired by the timeless silhouette of a lunar eclipse.
Composed of two solid brass discs, Luna diffuses light while casting a soft halo that gently illuminates surrounding surfaces. The effect is calm and atmospheric, more like a presence than a fixture, bringing a sense of serenity to contemporary interiors without demanding attention.
Distilled into a classical geometric form, Luna is designed to sit effortlessly within a range of settings, from softly lit corridors to living spaces where ambience matters most. Encasing a dimmable LED light source, it allows the glow of a space to be subtly adjusted to suit the mood and moment.
“I wanted the piece to feel calm and celestial, as though the light is gently hovering rather than fixed in place. The solid brass grounds it, while the halo softens the space, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate, timeless, and quietly transformative,” says designer Todd Stevenson.
Available in two sizes and finished in aged, dark antique or blackened brass, each Luna Wall Light is meticulously handcrafted in Aotearoa at Powersurge’s Tāmaki Makaurau studio. Understated, considered, and quietly transformative, it is the kind of design detail that makes a home feel more composed.
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