Home Living
House of the week: Marton
Designed in 1938 by a woman on a mission, this homestead has been in the same family for three generations.
First Manhattan, now Barbie takes Berlin
The world's most famous blonde is moving into a rough neighbourhood in Berlin, angering locals.
The garden's worst enemy: Autumn Malaise
The garden is falling into rack and ruin, thanks to Autumn Malaise.
A day of building in time-lapse video
The best day so far of the whole building process, plus two dramatic time-lapses.
House of the week: York Bay
When their much-loved house became too small, this growing family decided improving, not moving, was the answer.
What is this obsession with 'Selfies'?
I present a diary of my first two days as a builder's labourer, including selfies.
Cookbooks for foodie mums
We're not saying that all mothers like to cook. But if yours does, treat her to one of these books.
House of the week: New Plymouth
An extensive yet sustainable renovation has transformed this dusty old villa into a lovely light-filled home.
Running and gardening go together like ...
To stop myself from going mad while running, I think about (what else?) gardening.
Auckland's lamest street names
In researching the area we're moving into, I've uncovered a corrupt and shameful act
House of the week: Martinborough
This 'log-cabin' has been transformed into a clean yet classic home that honours its beautiful views.
World's Laziest Advertising Slogan
For the first time, we're able to stand on the top floor of our house.
House of the week: West Coast
Designing his own home was harder than architect Gary Hopkinson imagined, but living in it is like being on holiday.
Sowing the seeds of tomato love
I'm saving seeds for my spring sowing now, which will save me money come August.
Where is New Zealand's best room?
Is there one room in your house that you really love? It could be in with a chance to win a new interiors award.
Merivale mansion still standing proud
The September 2010 Christchurch earthquake was no match for this stately Merivale mansion.
Not so bog standard
From toilet to gallery, Charles Anderson looks at fine-art transformations of the smallest room.
The property market is a joke
Stuff is happening on our building site, even in the rain. Most excitingly, the steel...
Much ado about green tomatoes
An amazing thing happened in my kitchen the other day - I made chutney.
House of the week: Wairarapa off-grid
This virtually self-sufficient Wairarapa home is testament to the vision of its owners.
Take it or leaf it
Autumn leaves are a freebie for the compost bins and a mulch I find it hard to go past.
Meet the architecture of the future
The once-tawdry prefab has transformed into the architecture of the future.
Five for Friday: plants no edible garden should be without
It can be tricky working out which vegetables and fruit are actually worth growing, and which ones aren't.
Growing your own carrots: size does matter
The carrot that ate Manhattan? It's definitely eaten something; that thing is gargantuan.
House of the week: Whangarei
What looks like a gorgeous old homestead is a brand-new build that takes aesthetic inspiration from the past.
Get your paint looking ship-shape
A little housekeeping when you're painting can save hours of hassle, not to mention expense, later.
Old Man's Beard has gone - almost
A new name has joined the pantheon of weeds on our bank of horrors - Old Man's Beard.
The heart of the city
Property developers with soul? Is it possible to build a new suburb that feels like home?
Five for Friday: Bidding goodbye to the summer garden
We're saying adios to a few summery things around here now that it's autumn.
John Key suspected of stealing our wall
The wall that appeared, then disappeared, has appeared again. Our house is Hogwarts!
Silverbeet: not the worst vegetable in the world
I must be a grown-up because I cooked and ate silverbeet and found that it's not awful.
House of the week: Brentwood
John Perry's 145-year-old farmhouse in the Wairarapa plains is like something out of a fairytale.
Autumn is here: time to love your soil
Though it's still T-shirt weather, there is a change in the air. It's time for a clearout, a topup, and time bent over the compost bin.
Defining the laws of 'bagsing'
In which I announce a change to the rules of the 7 Days tickets competition to allow more entries.
Living the Good Life: plus a giveaway
Sarah O'Neil moved from the city to the country where she now feeds her family from her backyard.
House of the week: West Melton
Progress on this home has been halted by earthquake damage, but it's still a strikingly beautiful design.
Messiness: cute in men, pathetic in women
OPINION: Women need to calm down about cleaning; it just doesn't matter that much.
Ironing not a pressing matter for Kiwis
New Zealand is increasingly a "wash and wear" nation, with most of us avoiding the iron.
An evening stroll around Wild Estate
Time spent wandering the garden in the evening light is about to end.
Win 7 Days tickets by guessing our finish date!
The latest: hot sparkies, cats, and your chance to guess the finish date and win.
House of the week: Wellington villa
This grand Wellington home has been reinvented as a family-friendly house and place of work.
Water, water everywhere - long may it last
Who would have thunk that Wellingtonians would be excited about rain?
Five for Friday: saving water in the garden
I'm having to be creative about how I ensure my plants get the moisture they need.
White cabbage butterflies: the scourge of the garden
Act against white cabbage butterflies, or end up with just stumps in your garden.
NZ's next iconic public statue
I'm thinking hard about the information/audio/video in the house. Extension cords won't do.
Kate Bosworth: 'I used to be uncool'
Best & worst of the fest: Day eight
Secrets of the world's healthiest countries
Real bodies don't need labels, do they?
In my beauty bag: Kellie Taylor
Be the school ball belle on any budget
When retail therapy isn't enough
Best & worst of the fest: Day seven
How to: Get Jessica Biel's sideswept bun
Should you mix exercise with glamour?
Best & worst of the fest: Day eight
Married after four years 'from hell'
Real bodies don't need labels, do they?
Advice: When the friend zone isn't working
Secrets of the world's healthiest countries
Be the school ball belle on any budget
Best & worst of the fest: Day seven
Recipe: Moroccan spiced chicken
Married after four years 'from hell'
Ten new grape varieties to try
Secrets of the world's healthiest countries
Did you breastfeed your children?