Loving spring – homes that capture the heart of our favourite season

From the team at NZ House & Garden [NZ House & Garden] [NZ House & Garden - From the Editor]( Hi {NAME}, In a text sent to me a day or so ago a friend wrote: “I feel reborn after the sunshine today. Has made such a huge difference.” Her message summed up exactly how I was feeling – that spring was finally here and the warm, sunny weather and corresponding new growth, visible in the blossoms and flourishing greenery, had lifted my spirits and changed everything. So imagine how it feels at Kay Ganley and Mike Gallagher’s place in Papamoa, our Home of the Month in the October issue, on sale today. The decision to sell their Mt Maunganui apartment and move to the spacious home on a large site along the coast was a bold move when you’re talking retirement and don’t claim to be gardeners, but the couple – who have three children each and seven grandchildren – attacked the project with gusto. With the help of Maxine Dunning of MD Design, the once-formal garden has been transformed into a lush subtropical oasis, perfect for family and friends. The house and the poolside cabana were gutted and refurbished, including painting the interior and exterior walls white which, along with the light timber flooring and rattan furnishings, give the home a light and breezy feel that fits with the garden’s wonderful abundance. On balmy days (fingers crossed we have loads more in the ensuing months), it’s undoubtedly the perfect place to be. We’ve included a second home where white has also been used inside and out to add a clean, spacious and bright feeling, this time an old renovated stone farmhouse in Saintes, an hour north of Bordeaux in France. Part of our Kiwis Living Abroad series, this is home to New Zealander Elliot Fitzjohn, his French wife Audrey and their two children. Filled with antiques Audrey has collected from across France, along with some treasures found during her time living in Aotearoa, time-worn wooden furniture and soft sofas dressed in layers of linen, it epitomises the fantasy of chic living in the French countryside. If you’re keen to tackle a revamp of your garden this spring or even in summer then our Gardens & Landscaping feature is definitely worth a look. It’s full of practical advice for planning and prettying up your property – all aimed to help you enjoy the outdoors even more this year and into the future. Happy reading. [Naomi Larkin] Naomi Larkin Editor [Naomi Larkin] Naomi Larkin Editor     In our October issue   Family jewel A long-coveted Gisborne property has been given a new lease of life following a couple’s homecoming to New Zealand. The pair have been been refurbishing the home for the past six years, giving almost every room a makeover. See the results in our new issue, out now. The sweet life A couple rolled up their sleeves to restore a "grand old lady" on Napier's Bluff Hill/Mataruahou to her former glory. They're happiest when the home, which has fab views across the city to Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Māui, is full of people having fun.     Maison blanche in the South of France A Parisian antiques collector and a Kiwi arborist are living the good life in the South of France. They've restored an original stone farmhouse in Saintes that dates back to the turn of last century and filled it with treasures – antiques feature heavily, as does a sense of history and the provenance of artefacts. It features in our October issue, on sale now.   Sponsored content A tranquil escape Haere mai ki te Buffalo Lodge – boutique accommodation nestled on a hillside surrounded by regenerating native bush near Coromandel Town. Offering captivating views of the Hauraki Gulf, Buffalo Lodge is an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Thoughtfully curated with a footprint-conscious ethos, this unique spot is the perfect backdrop for exploration and relaxation. [Book now](   Giveaway Win one of five Porter's Paints prizes to celebrate spring At Porter’s Paints the team knows it’s not just how a room looks that matters – it’s how it feels, and Porter’s colours feel undeniably special. To celebrate spring, Porter’s Paints is giving five readers one 4 litre pail of Porter’s Paints Eggshell Finish Broadwall Paint each, in any of its 32 capsule collection colours, valued at $165. Entries close at 11.59pm on September 25, 2023. T&Cs apply. [Enter now](   Sponsored content Freshen up your bedroom Ercol offers clean lines for a contemporary bedroom setting – choose from a number of ranges designed and manufactured by this trusted company which has been producing top quality timber products for over a hundred years. Talk to the Good Form team about your requirements to create a unique look for your interior. [Shop now](   Come one, come all Since 1989, the life of Loch Leven, this magnificent North Canterbury garden, can be marked by cataclysmic events: the Big Snow, the Big Wind, the Big Drought and the Big Quake. But despite its turbulent history, visitors to the garden these days will find only tranquillity. Loch Leven features in our new issue, available now.   Special Feature: Gardens & Landscaping Don't know where to start with the garden? This month we offer bloomin' good advice for planning and prettying up your property, from decks and terraces to why you should consider a garden designer. The grass is greener Most people downsize in retirement – this Papamoa couple did the opposite, moving from an apartment to a super-sized section. They are learning as they go, and have created a "tropical oasis for family and friends". It's in our new issue, out now.   [Visit our website]( [Buy now]( You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive the NZ House & Garden newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( | [Terms and Conditions]( | [Privacy Policy]( © Copyright 2023 NZ House & Garden, a division of Stuff Limited (Magazines). Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021, New Zealand [Instagram](