We’re all about celebrating the good things in life. We write about beautiful interiors, amazing cuisine, architecture, culture, design and décor. We’re always on the hunt for exciting new products, places and people to share with the world. We’re also a little obsessed with fireplaces. We think they’re the heart of the home.
Guest blog by Donna Sherriff – theleanminimalist.com The New Year is a great time to consider taking steps to lead a simpler life with less in 2019. If you are considering minimalism, or even just have a desire to live more intentionally and more simply, thinking about how you will approach the coming […]
It’s that time of year again. The season that’s all about spending quality time with friends and family, enjoying good food, delicious wine, cooking over flames and relaxing under the stars [...]
Summertime. It’s all about long lunches, impromptu catch ups and spontaneous late night barbeques. It’s taking time out, hosting friends and family outdoors [...]
After an exhausting day at work, we all need a place to relax and regain our strength. Unfortunately, someone who lives with their family or flatmates knows how hard it can be to spend some time alone in the living room reading a book or watching their favourite TV show [...]
When it came to designing their Wairarapa new build, Rob and Tracey Rackliff knew exactly where to look for inspiration – their favourite holiday destination, Bali [...]
Minimalism is more than an aesthetic, it's a mindset. We chat to the author of The Lean Minimalist blog, Donna Sherriff, to find out what minimalism means to her and how you can get minimal at home.
What size TV do you need to match your fireplace? Escea has put together this handy guide to help you choose the perfect Samsung TV for your Escea gas fireplace.
Earlier this year we welcomed Matthew Cuffe to Stoke in the role of Queenstown Store Manager. Now that he’s settled into life in the Deep South, we thought it was time we caught up with Matt to get to know him, his background and after making the move from across the ditch, what he’s enjoying […]
We’ve long been a fan of Gezellig Interiors and when their Director and Interior Designer, Annique Heesen, agreed to share her tips and advice for creating minimalist interiors, we couldn’t help but squeal just a little (ok, so maybe a LOT). With a resume that boasts working for Citta Design and Homestyle Magazine, Annique has some […]
Guest author Tracey Clayton from High Style Life shares her secrets so you can style like your bedroom just like an Interior Designer. When looking at the works of famous interior designers, many of us often wonder: How do they do it? Well, here’s a “secret” for you: it takes years of education, hard work, and […]
We chat to architect and project manager Emma Viljoen – Holmes about building her families own home on a challenging site in New South Wales’ Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Not sure what’s in or out this season? Need some help turning your living room into a stylish winter retreat? With the cooler months creeping up on us, we look at what’s trending in the world of interiors and how you can get the look at home this season. 1. SHADES OF GREEN Image credit: Three […]
Nestled amongst trees in a quiet cul de sac in Melbourne's Caulfield North, this 1930s home has been given a gorgeous modern makeover.
What’s not to like about the Hamptons style of interior? It’s refined yet relaxed, beachy and so classically stylish it never seems to date. Though it has now come to be popular world-wide as the go-to coastal interior style, it is inspired by the interiors of the Hamptons area in Long Island, New York. While it may […]
Nina Maya, of Nina Maya Interiors, is known for creating bespoke interiors that are polished, sophisticated and minimalist. She brought this same signature style to her own Palm Beach holiday house when it came to transforming it from rundown 1960s beach bungalow to serene and contemporary beach house. We asked Nina to give us her THREE must-haves for […]
The latest tile to makes its way into stylish bathrooms and kitchens is actually not that new - the penny tile has been around for a long time, over a century in fact. You wouldn't know it because it looks incredibly modern and fresh, making a graphic statement to walls and splash backs even walls and floors […]
It’s a new year, which brings with it some new ideas, products and trends for the home. Whether you’re looking for a complete overhaul, or just a couple of pieces to update your home, read on. From embracing imperfection and bolder colours, to patterned plants and spa bathrooms, we round up a few key interior […]
As New Zealand’s urban population grows, we’re seeing an increase in smaller homes, such as terrace housing and apartments. This is in-keeping with bigger overseas cities, where they have learned to do more with less.
We often say that ‘home is where the heart is’ and this statement holds more truth than we know. Our home affects our mental health and the study of environmental psychology reveals what we need to do to maximise our productivity in whatever space we spend time in. We’re sharing the top three ways you can […]
While we all dream about having a large backyard, the reality is most of us have a slightly smaller outdoor area than we planned. This doesn’t stop us from entertaining, relaxing or even bathing in the sun…
Tapping into the global trend for modular housing, Denmark designers Vipp have made a ‘plug and play getaway’ that allows you to escape urban chaos in a 55m2 all inclusive nature retreat.
Newmarket showroom Stoke Fireplace Studio has only been open for two years but it’s already making a name for itself, taking out the Best Emerging Business/New Brand award at last week’s TVNZ Marketing Awards. Stoke Fireplace Studio is the brainchild of Dunedin fireplace manufacturer Escea, who teamed up with seasoned retailer Malcolm Burton to launch […]
Situated near Malmö, Sweden, this harmonious home is everything you love about Scandinavian design. From the serene and muted colour palette, to the blonde wood and mid-century furniture, it is cohesively pulled together to perfection. The home owners built it from scratch, working with a good architect friend to create their “dream home” and a […]
Alex Cleveland won’t admit it, but he’s a bit of a fireplace guru. With over ten years in the industry, and the last few spent at Abbey Fireplaces in Sydney, he knows a thing or two. We hit him up with all our fire-related questions, from running costs, to how to save money on your installations. […]
Move over bi-fold doors, because Crittal doors are having a revival. First invented in the 1880s, these graphic, latticed-style, metal-framed windows were popular in the art deco era. Today we’re seeing them pop up in homes, both new and old, for an edgy feel that adds a touch of industrial style and glamour. They work […]
It’s easy to see why the French Country, (or French Provincial) is popular around the world. Its warm, rustic vibe and attainable style exudes charm. It also probably doesn’t hurt that anything ‘French’ is synonymous with good taste. The decorating style is a reflection of the homes in the South of France in the 17th […]
Attention movie buffs: For the 9th time, the Goethe-Institut NZ presents the German Film Festival. Admission is free and the festival includes the best new film releases from Austria, Switzerland and Germany. There’s everything on the menu from documentaries, drama, comedy, road movies and family films. There are ten movies screening and we’ve picked four […]
Just like all the best Brits, the British interior style is a charming mix of tradition, eccentricity and humour. And while more minimalist interiors are in favour on this side of the world, we could learn a lot from this characterful and maximalist style. But where do we start in trying to describe it? It’s a […]
The Danish concept of “hygge” has been popping up more and more lately on our side of the world. To find out more about it, we talked to five Danish 20-somethings who have spent the last few months in New Zealand. We asked them to explain what hygge means, to give examples and to tell us if […]
Architect Thao Nguyen from Studio TT, was called on by friends to transform a dated 1960s home into a light and spacious family-friendly abode.
New Zealanders have a bit of a love affair with villas and bungalows. Sure they have their downfalls, like being cold and drafty with questionable layout and flow. But we forgive them for these sins because they’re relatively easy things to fix and we’re suckers for a renovation. At the end of the day villas and bungalows […]
Stoke Fireplace Studio teamed up with Kate Alexander from Places and Graces for this year’s Urbis Designday. Here are our favourite snaps from the event! All images by Matt Hunt
Scarlet Opus is a trend forecasting agency in the United Kingdom that works with retailers, designers, media and manufacturers informing of them of consumer insights and colour and design trends. We caught up with Phil Pond from Scarlet Opus to find out more about the biggest macro trends happening right now, and what differentiates them from passing fads.
Stoke Fireplace Studio is excited to be a Strategic Partner and host at this year’s Urbis Designday. Join us for a curated experience of art, greenery, fireplaces and conversation. Styled by the talented Kate Alexander from Places and Graces. Sample macarons and Harpoon Cold Brew (the most refreshing hit of coffee ever) or enjoy some […]
Which Outdoor Fireplace is best for you? Nothing beats al fresco dining and evening entertaining by the fire. But how do you know what type of outdoor fire is best for you? We help you decide by considering the options. Outdoor gas fireplace Okay so it’s not the type of outdoor fire that you can […]
Design dilemma getting you down? Looking for some interior styling advice? Interior stylist Kate Alexander is here to help! Enter your question below, add photos if you have them, and Kate will give you her advice – only the first TEN questions received will be answered directly, so get in quick! All entries go in […]
Whether you love them, hate them or barely even notice them, trends are an ever-changing and omnipresent part of life. In fashion they come in seasonal cycles and move fast. The interior world tends to be influenced by “macro trends” that move more slowly (thankfully). But where do trends come from and who decides that […]
Kate Alexander is a busy woman. As well as running her own interior styling company, Places and Graces, she was part of the team in TV3’s new renovation show, Creative Living, and recently self-published a book – Finishing Touches. We love her for her tasteful, eclectic, retro-loving style that is truly her own, and her generosity for […]
It might be summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about a new fireplace design for 2017. You want it to be ready in time for winter after all. And even in summer when the fireplace is out of action, living spaces with fires still ooze charm and cosiness. The fireplace has long […]
Tell us about your background and how you got into landscaping: I fell in love with landscaping after I bought my first home in Kingsland. Back then I was in the print design industry and knew little about plants or garden design, but I loved working outside in the garden and renovating my home both […]
Based in Dunedin, landscaper Wayne Butson creates award-winning gardens and outdoor areas. We caught up with him to get some tips on how to make the most of our garden. Tell us about your background and how you got into landscaping: During my school years I helped out a farm shelter nursery during the school […]
We’re big fans of Napier design duo Bibby + Brady. As well as running swoon-worthy social media pages, the designers offer both face-to-face consulting and e-services for clients near and far. They also offer product sourcing services so you too can benefit from their impeccable taste and savvy shopping. We recently caught up with Vic for a quick Q+A […]
Create a ‘Dream Outdoor Space’ Pinterest board and you could win $500 to go towards creating it! 1. Complete your ‘Dream Outdoor Space’ Pinterest board and include an Escea outdoor fire on the board 2. Follow @heartofyourhome on Pinterest 3. Complete entry form Our judges Vic Bibby and Dael Brady from Bibby + Brady Interior Design will […]
Plane Tree House is the epitome of understated elegance. Architects Ink’s design for Plane Tree House, winner of the Institute of Architecture South Australia’s residential architecture award, uses the raw beauty of concrete, timber and glass to complement its natural environment, showing us that rather than dominating the landscape, understated elegance can be achieved through […]
It’s the stylish plant that elevates your home to Pinterest-worthy status…but where the heck do you get it in NZ? At the moment the Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant (Ficus Lyrata) is everywhere. Sitting smugly in seagrass baskets on your Pinterest feed. Propped beside perfectly ‘unmade’ beds with charcoal grey stonewashed linen sheets. Instagrammed in front […]
Twenty five minutes from Auckland, on 2.66ha of rural land in Coatesville, sits a European-styled masonry home brimming with opulence and wow factor. The home was recently made famous by the reality TV show Real Housewives of Auckland, starring the home owner Michelle Blanchard. Together with husband David, Michelle purchased the 80s home and embarked […]
If you’ve ever walked into a home and thought “this place has a good feeling about it,” then there’s a good chance you’ve experienced feng shui. Feng shui is the ancient Chinese study of the relationship between the environment and human life. Put simply, it’s about taking control of the objects in your home to […]
After months of hibernation, there’s nothing more uplifting than the thought of long summer evenings dining al fresco with friends and family. With this in mind, spring brings the perfect opportunity to dust off the outdoor furniture and start preparing your outdoor space. As well as being incredibly useful and practical, outdoor fires are ideal […]
It used to be that concrete was thought of as a humble building material, suited to industrial spaces like warehouses. But as Bob Dylan says, times are a changin’. Concrete has quickly become one of the hottest materials used in modern homes around the world, with New Zealand designers and architects taking to the trend […]
Let’s not sugar-coat things, renovations can be gruelling. With all the planning, co-ordination, budgeting, trouble-shooting and liaising needed for renovation projects, home owners need all the help they can get. The good news is there are an abundance of online tools designed to help streamline and organise your project. By taking advantage of these you […]
When we decided to write a post on colour we knew exactly who to call in for help… Interior designer and ‘rebel with a colour wheel’, Alex Fulton, answers our quick-fire questions about how to use colour in interiors and “design like no-one is watching.” You’re known for your love of vibrant colour, have you always been […]
Let’s not sugar-coat things, renovations can be gruelling. With all the planning, co-ordination, budgeting, trouble-shooting and liaising needed for renovation projects, home owners need all the help they can get. The good news is there are an abundance of online tools designed to help streamline and organise your project. By taking advantage of these you […]
If you’re looking for renovation inspiration for your home here’s a good place to start. Architecture Now has released the 2016 interior awards finalists and there’s a lot to like. They might be commercial spaces, but there are definitely some fabulous ideas that you steal and bring into your own home. Here are our top […]
We asked Richard Miller, Escea’s Architecture Advisor the question on a lot of consumer’s minds…do gas fires actually heat? Here’s what he said: It’s funny because this is probably the question we most often get asked! Which is fair enough, considering a lot of people’s experience of a gas fire is of the open fronted […]
White walls have dominated interiors for a long time now, but the tide is well and truly turning. Say hello to rich, dark, moody hues. Risky though it may feel adding dark paint to the walls, the result is undeniably sophisticated, cocooning and dramatic. Paint the walls, fire surround, ceilings and even floor, in the same […]
The right fireplace is more than just a heat source: it’s the heart of your home. The place where friends and family gather and reconnect. The place where you lie on a cosy rug and read on a lazy rainy Sunday. It’s also a major long-term investment, so you want to be thoughtful and thorough […]
