Habitat Magazine published by Resene Paints

			All rugged ip There are three things you will be looking for in your new rug: the right look, the right size and the right price. So, before you start shopping, think about where you're going to be putting the rug and how big it needs to be. Is it going into a room that is little used or is it destined for a high-traffic area?... more

			Bathing among the trees The children's bathroom is on the ground floor, with big picture windows and louvres taking advantage of the trees surrounding the house. The rich greens of the puriris, nikaus and tree ferns enhance the enjoyment of daily bath time. "Our two girls just love having a bubble bath among the trees. They watch the birds on the branches while they are in the tub"... more

			Beginner's guide to taps Walk into any plumbing store, and you'll find a diverse variety of taps: bathroom taps, kitchen taps, classic curves, contemporary angles, mixers, single levers, cheap ones, expensive ones. So many, in fact, that it can be difficult to know where to begin. However, choosing a tap boils down to style, practicality and budget... more

			Between the sheets We use it nightly, but what are some of the factors to be aware of when considering bed linen? Buying bed linen can be a delightfully simple process. Before you go shopping, though, check the size of your bed; is it a single, a double, a queen or a king? Also note the colour of your floor, walls... more

			Chez moi - Completely kiwi, Geoffrey Chunn A celebration of New Zealand is the way Geoffrey Chunn describes his 1950s home, designed by Bill Smith of Group Architects. "It's the perfect New Zealand bach," he says. "All of the art, all of the furniture is from New Zealand." The two-bedroom, glass-fronted home enjoys wide westerly views... more

			Chez moi - Hidden jewel, Jacky McManus Nestled at the foot of Mount Furneaux in the ultimate tranquil setting - the Marlborough Sounds - surrounded by a thousand acres of virgin forest and overlooking the beach, Furneaux Lodge describes itself as The Jewel in the Queen Charlotte Sound. The main lodge, a gracious old colonial building, was built in 1904... more

			Chez moi - It's the people that make a home, Jim Bolger A home doesn't have to be a fixed location. Political life always comes with an element of uncertainty - you learn to accept the fact that homes of short duration are part of the package," he says. "It's the people who make the house a home, not the building. What matters is what goes on inside the home; what people enjoy about their space and how comfortable they feel with it... more

			Choosing and using a landscape architect As you face your back garden and dream of creating a private oasis, the prospect of excavating, shaping, smoothing, paving and planting may seem a daunting task. Fortunately, there are professionals who know every step of that process and are ready to help. "The most important thing is to feel comfortable with your landscaper,"... more

			Colour in According to the experts, the summer season in fashion will be one of fresh colours, with the emphasis remaining on the femininity we've enjoyed over the last couple of seasons. It'll be a time of greens, pinks and aquas, of pastels, metallics and the glacial tones you find in the edge of cut glass. This will flow through into interiors... more

			DIY Kidz Activities to keep little hands busy - spot the difference, what colour am I? plus... more

			House at Hahei Sitting high on a hill overlooking Hahei beach, the house is surrounded by native bush. Its exact location on the property was predetermined by a small section and the position of a now-demolished A-frame home on the same site. "It was a tight site," says Michael... more

			Looking good on paper Forget your memories of that ancient wallpaper at Grandma's house - wallpaper is a hugely underestimated finish when it comes to decorating your own home. "When decorating, you need to think of your walls as a blank canvas. To this, wallpaper can add an aesthetic element, with the different textures, patterns and sheens available... more

			Off the shelf Innovative products new to market... more

			Outdoor room with a view When it came to re-vamping their garden, the owners of this home had several objectives. First, they wanted to create their own outdoor view; second, they wanted a flush-deck pool that was easily available to the house, and had good space around it for entertaining family and friends; and finally, they wanted privacy without blocking the sun... more

			Responsible renovating - to bin or not to bin What should you be thinking about when it comes to your next round of renovations, if you're interested in helping out the environment? Among the many answers, we could list recycling, sustainability and rubbish disposal when it comes to actually knocking things down and rebuilding. However, there are also issues such as energy-efficiency that you might consider in the process too... more

			Six degrees of separation Down a private lane at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac is a residence whose geometric structure is an architectural wonder. The home is built on a steeply sloping, trapezoidal section, boasting 15 magnificent native trees and with the smallest of footprints for a foundation. Adding to this complexity was the requirement that the structure contain living spaces and two office areas... more

			Step-by-step - Sofa recovery Learn how to recovery your favourite chair or couch with this Step-by-step sofa recovery guide... more

			The right ingredients Take one homeowner who knows exactly what she wants in her new kitchen, add an award-winning designer with a comprehensive knowledge of kitchen products and materials - and how to make them work. Blend their ideas together and you've got a recipe for success... more

			Testpots Find out what new products have recently been launched into the decorating market... more

			The hard truth about tinting We all know how it works. You agonise over the colour charts and then settle on the ideal shade. You watch as the paint specialist measures the perfect combination of colour into the can and locks it into that frenetic mixing machine, where it shudders itself into the blend you were after. But did you know that tinting is an art that has taken years to evolve?... more

			Tips and tricks - Operation paint pot A new coat of paint can be an instant fix. It's cost-effective and easy to apply, and with a little planning and the right equipment, you can completely change the look of a room in a couple of days. So, you're going to lend new life to your home with a fresh coat of paint. What do you need to know before you start?... more

			Writing her own brief - Karen Walker Karen Walker's influence on the international fashion scene cannot be overestimated. Now in her mid-30s, Karen has proven yet again that an interest and ability in one field of design can be readily transferred to others. Four years ago, Karen was approached by Resene to create a Karen Walker paint range exclusively for the company... more

			Habitat is printed on environmentally responsible paper using environmentally responsible ink. From issue 8 onwards, copies flow wrapped and sent to Resene ColorShop Cardholders are flow wrapped in environmentally responsible material from epi-global. This product when discarded in soil in the presence of microorganisms, moisture and oxygen will biodegrade decomposing into simple materials found in nature, as described in ASTM D6954-04.