The central focus of marble in the modern home is a testament to its longevity, something the experts at Artedomus know well, as exclusive importers of premium stone, slabs and tiles from around the world. Embracing the uniquely intricate detailing of natural marble honed over millions of years of pressing, heating and mixing, Artedomus seeks out uniquely beautiful slabs from around the world to be used in a wide variety of local residential and commercial projects. From classic whites to moodier hues, whatever your style objective, read on to see how marble can make a stunning impact in all areas of the home.
Left: Paris Apartment by Obumex Interiors featuring Arabescato Rosso marble. Right: Balmain Residence by Nina Maya Interiors featuring Vein-Cut Terra travertine.
Raw yet refined, marble’s covetable aesthetic allows it to transcend any trend or suit any interior style, particularly considering the fact that it is available in a range of tones and finishes (beyond the perpetually popular, crisp Carrara white).
Residence R by Nina Maya Interiors featuring Calacatta Vagli Oro marble.
And while man-made replicas and veneers have become increasingly commonplace, Richard Brasell from Artedomus explains how the benefits of natural marble outweigh anything that could be offered by a counterfeit, underlining how the stone’s organic detailing delivers the kind of gravitas and magnificence that really can’t be found anywhere else.
“Designers around the world are encouraging people to step up and let their creative vision shine colourfully and brightly through exceptional natural marble,” Brassell says. Whether it is used on kitchen benches, light fixtures tables or just on smaller details, there is simply no denying that marble is forever.
Left: Paris Apartment by Joseph Dirand featuring Paonazzo marble. Right: Santa Monica Residence by Woods + Dangaran featuring Nero Marquina Venato marble.
Dover Heights Residence by Smac Studio featuring Calacatta Viola marble.
From jackets to jeans and everything in between, a cool take on the Canadian tuxedo is putting denim at the centre of our wardrobes. A trend popularised in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, all good things must come back around, and this season, celebrities and runway circuits alike are doubling down on denim in a myriad of washes and silhouettes. With the help of considered footwear and accessories, there are endless ways to make this trend your own whether you choose to dress it up or down. To have you sporting this effortlessly chic look all season long, check out our curation of inspired denim — the more the merrier.
Acne Studios Oversized Vintage Denim Jacket from Workshop. Brick Cassette Bag from Bottega Veneta. Loewe Jeans from Faradays.
With the long weekend looming, and a desire to spend most of it doing nothing at all, these recently released films are providing the culture hit we’ve been craving. From Kiwi Andrew Dominik’s Marilyn Monroe biopic to Olivia Wilde’s much-discussed psychological thriller (with what we have heard is a pretty great twist), we recommend grabbing some popcorn, pouring a pét nat, and whiling away the weekend in front of the big screen.
1.Blonde Directed by New Zealander Andrew Dominik, this highly-anticipated film stars Ana De Armas as Marilyn Monroe in a story based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oats. In a bold style that blurs fact and fiction, Dominik has set out to portray the Hollywood icon through a unique lens, offering audiences unprecedented insight into what life as both Marilyn Monroe and Norma Jeane was like, in an approach that De Armas called “the most daring, unapologetic and feminist take on her story I had ever seen.”
2. Amsterdam The recently-released feature introduces an unlikely trio that find themselves in Amsterdam after the World War I and form a pact to protect each other no matter what. After witnessing a murder, becoming suspects, and uncovering the outrageous plot, director David O. Russell’s ridiculous genre-bending drama follows all that ensues. It’s an unbelievably star-studded cast with Margot Robbie, Robert DeNiro, Taylor Swift, Chris Rock, and Anya Taylor Joy, led by Christian Bale at his absolute best, making for an essential watch this long weekend.
3. Three Thousand Years of Longing Starring Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba, this fantastical, eccentric epic follows the story of a lonely narratologist who encounters a magical Djinn while on holiday in Istanbul, who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom.
4. The Woman King The incomparable Viola Davis stars as a fierce warrior general in this groundbreaking historical epic that centres around the Agojie — an all-female group of warriors who were tasked with protecting the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries. Inspired by real events, this powerful film is being touted as the Black, female Braveheart, and promises Davis at her absolute best.
5. Don’t Worry Darling Harry Styles, Florence Pugh and Chris Pine star in this psychological thriller, set in an isolated, 1950s utopian community called The Victory Project. Directed by Olivia Wilde, the film follows a housewife as she starts to wonder about what actually lies below the surface of the blissful life in her town, a curiosity that uncovers more than a few deep, dark secrets.
6. Pinocchio In the soon-to-be-released remake of Disney’s 1940 classic, Pinocchio, Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto in a modern retelling of the tale we all know and love (with a few extra twists). A nostalgic affair for anyone who loved the original, the newest iteration of this heart-warming story is sure to win a new legion of fans for the puppet who just wanted to be a real boy.
There are few foods as delicious as dumplings. These tasty little morsels are an ever-reliable option for nights you’re craving a little comfort, and from time to time, can even deliver a more elevated experience (depending on where you go). But recently, we’ve discovered dumplings as we’ve never seen them before, with new Ponsonby opening Watda Dumplings offering a concept set to take Auckland by storm.
Armed with the goal of making dumplings that stand out and revamping the traditional form, the team from Gaja have opened the doors to Watda Dumplings today — a street food concept located in Ponsonby Central that uses dumplings as the base for a range of ‘loaded’ dishes, in which tasty morsels are packed with delicious fillings and finished with utterly indulgent toppings.
Left: Philly cheese steak loaded dumplings.
Owner TJ Pak tells me that the concept was inspired by cheap eats — taking the ultimate Korean street food (dumplings) and marrying it with other iconic grab-and-go dishes. As such, Watda offers a totally unique approach, where the flavours and elements of cheeseburgers, burritos, Philly cheese steaks and prawn sushi collide, all anchored by the humble dumpling. “Our first brainchild was the Cheeseburger Dumpling; two words we didn’t think had ever been paired before,” Pak admits. This set the tone for what would become Watda’s chaotic yet energised menu.
The dishes themselves verge almost on outrageous (read: oreo dumplings for dessert), but they’re as delicious as we’ve come to expect from these culinary masterminds. “While Gaja focuses on sharing Korean flavours and dining culture, Watda is a far more fun and creative take on street food,” Pak tells me. “We’re keeping it cheerful and cheap for group sessions in Ponsonby’s new laneway.”
For a street-food focused outpost, a lot of care and consideration has gone into the design of the space too. It’s the perfect middle ground of new and old, clean and cosy. “Once we had the keys and shared our first few beers in our empty shop, without any hesitation, I called Buster from Wonder Group to help bring our vision for the atmosphere to life,” Pak says. The end result is a venue that allows the food to draw you in, but is comfortable, inviting and relaxed, the perfect place to drop into for an easy, delicious bite and a drink (or two) with friends.
Opening hours: Tuesday — Thursday, 11.30am until 9.30pm. Friday, 11.30am until 10.30pm. Saturday, 11am until 10.30pm. Sunday, 11am until 9.30pm. Closed Mondays.
Watda Dumplings
Shop 14, Ponsonby Central,
4 Brown Street, Ponsonby
It is rare that a revered brand will reimagine their look — particularly one with an already-devoted following. But Cloudy Bay has decided to do exactly that, recently unveiling its 2022 vintage in a brand new bottle — one that feels like a timely evolution for the iconic brand.
Globally, Cloudy Bay’s contribution to the New Zealand wine industry has been significant. A pioneer of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc since the 1980s, its subversive approach has helped put our varietals on the map. And no matter how much international acclaim the brand has garnered over the years, it has remained firmly grounded in its Kiwi roots. This idea has been taken to another level in Cloudy Bay’s stunning new bottle, which has been influenced by the splendour of the Marlborough surrounds and pays homage to the prosperous lands which shape its wine. And according to Yang Shen, Cloudy Bay’s Estate Director, it marks a new chapter in the vineyard’s evolution.
“We wanted to further embrace the beautiful Richmond Ranges that can be seen from our winery… Which were such a core part of the original Cloudy Bay label,” Shen explains.
Ideas of heritage, provenance and innovation collide on the new Cloudy Bay bottle, where the minimalist label has been even further refined — pared-back and modern and emblazoned on a canvas-feel paper stock. The Richmond Ranges motif remains at the forefront, embossed into the semi-frosted glass, offering a tactile experience that prefaces the taste. Shen notes that the bottle is a story of adventure, dedication and hard work, which reflects where the brand is now and where it is going.
Adding to the triumph of the new design, is the fact that Cloudy Bay’s recent season did not come without its challenges. As Marlborough endured troublesome weather and storms, Cloudy Bay’s vineyards have had to deal with a difficult harvest — all while its expert teams diligently executed an exceptional vintage that rises to the occasion of the new bottle. Being more citrus-forward, the new drop exemplifies Cloudy Bay’s signature dynamism and depth, with senior winemaker Nikolai St George recommending purchasing a few bottles for the year ahead, and keeping one or two extra to sample again in a few years — a suggestion we wholeheartedly support.
New Zealand’s musical success stories are more often seen taking centre stage belting out songs to adoring fans. But there are a raft of unseen musician-adjacent talents garnering some serious global recognition for their work in the industry. Los Angeles-based lighting designer, Ben Dalgleish is one such Kiwi making a big impact with his business Human Person (which he co-founded with Ian Valentine) to create on-stage magic for some of the biggest names and live performances in music. Here, the duo lift the veil on the industry, and give insight into how their creative work impacts audiences around the world.
When you see your favourite artist live, it is often nothing short of euphoric. The lyrics finally come to life, and for a brief hour or two, it feels like you’re entirely immersed in their world. In fact, many believe that the best kind of live performance appears seamless, as though the artist themselves had conjured the entire experience, almost out of thin air. It’s an idea that show & lighting designer Ben Dalgleish very much subscribes to, despite his job being one of the most important for bringing any artist’s stage-show to life. The Los Angeles-based New Zealander has worked with an impressive roster of international talent (including Billie Eilish, Janet Jackson and recently, Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd, whose headlining Coachella show had to be created by Dalgleish and his team in a mere nine days) via his creative studio Human Person, a venture he co-founded that brings music to an almost palpable visual reality.
Award-winning lighting design for Post Malone’s world arena tour, 2019/2020.
When I sit down to talk to Dalgleish, the first question I have to ask is, what did he study to become a designer for some of the world’s biggest stars? The answer — he didn’t. Dalgleish jokingly brands himself as a high school dropout. Instead, he started his career by immersing himself in the thick of the music industry in New Zealand, working with the likes of Six60, before picking up overseas opportunities on international tours that eventually saw him land in LA. This is quite the contrast to his co-founder Ian Valentine, who was educated in the American college system, having studied digital art in New York City. It was purely by chance that the two wound up working on a show together — a fortuitous meeting that sowed the seeds for what would become a successful business relationship and careers that would take them all over the world.
For the duo, Human Person was designed to be an agency based on collaboration and recognition. In any one performance, they could be working with a crew of hundreds, and in an industry that demands that people pay their dues, recognition and respect can be hard to come by. The collaborative nature of his work is something that the designer reflects on often. “There can be a lot of ego in the industry, but Human Person is not just us,” Dalgleish shares. “The whole reason Coachella was special was because we had our entire team working on it from day one. We try to celebrate everyone.” This sentiment isn’t just talk either — it’s something evidenced on social media, where there is often an endless list of rolling credits for those involved in production. Dalgleish’s show and lighting design is just one tiny fragment of that.
Swedish House Mafia & The Weekend, Coachella 2022.
As for the nuts and bolts of his career, every day for Dalgleish is different. Some days are filled with client meetings like the rest of us (only his clients are often massive international artists). Other days he’s co-ordinating lighting experiences for 125,000 people, shooting perfectly-timed fireworks into the sky as a final euphoric moment or organising strobe lights to heighten a final number. And although his vision for lighting design is a fluid experience for both the artist and audience, for a brief moment in our conversation, he lifts the veil on his highly creative mind delivering insight into the intricacies of lighting design that uplifts and transforms.
Akin to any other art form, the lighting design for a musician must be reflective of their particular vision and style. It needs to enhance their on-stage efforts and deliver some all-important wow-factor that offers fans a memorable, moving experience. It’s far more important than perhaps people give it credit for, and requires a meticulous eye and particular mind to be done at Dalgleish’s level. For instance, his recent work with Billie Eilish plays on geometric lines and vast spaces — a design that worked to enhance Eilish’s powerful vocals by giving them space to shine. His work is refined and purposeful, and thanks to his team’s encouragement, he isn’t afraid to try something new.
Billie Eilish, Coachella 2022.
When seeking inspiration, his resources are vast and varied. “Everywhere in the world apart from concerts, and then also concerts,” he laughs. “It feels like outside of concerts is where I often find my best inspiration, like architecture and art… But I also have no ability to enjoy shows anymore — I’m always looking at them through a creative, technical lens.”
While Dalgleish is normally tasked with creating the lighting design for an artist, Valentine runs the animation side of Human Person, leading a team that creates larger-than-life visuals that play on some of the most enormous LED screens in the world. This critical piece of the show is woven together with the lighting and stage design — working in a harmonious dance that gives each element space to shine independently of one another. This kind of holistic show design is critical to the overall direction of Human Person shows, and the animated visuals illuminating behind the artist play a unique role in the balance of the performance. Working with animators across a wide variety of backgrounds across the planet, the visuals are often created on wildly fast turnarounds where client expectations can sometimes extend far beyond realistic timelines. Their team is proud of this fast-paced design, a core part of their process on almost every show.
Ben Dalgleish, Ian Valentine, and the Human Person team onsite for SZA Wireless Festival, July 2022.
Earlier this year, Human Person was tasked with one of their biggest projects to date — two headline shows for Coachella. From the geometric, moody inspired atmosphere for Billie Eilish to the almost apocalyptic reality created for Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd, when it eventually came together, it felt like every moment of the performance made sense. And while the process of designing these immense shows is fascinating and creative and on a massive scale, Dalgleish and Valentine confess that their favourite part of the show is often when it is over. Sure, it’s a load off their shoulders, but there is also a moment of intense elation (likely triggered by adrenaline), where they can see their work come to life, hit every mark like it was meant to, and they can celebrate the efforts of everyone involved. There’s something about this that naturally speaks to the human experience.
Yet despite his impressive resume, Dalgleish wouldn’t characterise his career as a success story — yet. Instead, Human Person is a small fish in a massive pond, where in the scheme of the industry, he is but another artist still making a name for himself. “I think what sets us apart is how hard we are willing to work as well as an attitude of we can do this to the highest level,” he tells me. “I think that comes from both our backgrounds, starting in the trenches doing really hard shows, and also our backgrounds — me being from New Zealand with that number-eight-wire mentality, and Ian being from the midwest where the attitude is the same.”
Back-to-back headline acts at Coachella aside, Dalgleish describes the most surreal moment in his career as coming full circle last year, when he produced the show & lighting design for Crowded House’s New Zealand tour — a band that he (like most of us), grew up listening to in his family home. For Valentine, the pinch-me moment also occurred in New Zealand, where he found himself in the thick of the pandemic, working on local shows with impressive lineups, unlike anywhere else in the world. This summer, the duo and their team of collaborators plan to find more inspiration back on our shores with a summer festival lineup that promises incredible, immersive and a moment of elation for them when the show is finally over.
While in New Zealand, Ben Dalgleish and Ian Valentine will speak at creativity and design festival Semi Permanent Aotearoa, held from the 19th until the 21st of October in Wellington.
In what could be considered a modern interpretation of the classic hacienda-style home, this new build in Los Angeles (on a Pacific Coast-facing canyon between Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica) offers a variety of light-filled spaces for a family with two kids. Designed by renowned architecture firm Walker Workshop (also the general contractor on the project), the Rustic Canyon House is constructed in a pinwheel formation, seeing four separate rectilinear wings spread off from a central living space, with beautifully-landscaped patios and gardens dotted in-between.
Given its location, nestled in a wooded landscape of Coastal Live Oaks and California Sycamore trees, it’s hardly surprising that this home was designed to bring nature in. Drawn into the residence’s central living space thanks to generous swathes of glass which invite plenty of natural light, the beautiful greenery from outside feels as important a design element as the home’s carefully-considered furnishings. From the windows that wall a terrarium garden behind the fireplace to the skylight in the master bedroom that frames the branches of an oak tree, little moments of nature deliver depth to the residence’s simple spaces, while one particularly big moment — the awe-inspiring window feature in the kitchen — gives meal prep a wild twist. Rising 15-feet from the benchtop, the kitchen’s framed window ‘cathedral’ offers a lush view out to a grove of Melaleuca trees and exemplifies the commitment of the architects to celebrating the unique, natural beauty to which this house is privy.
Here, there is an overarching sense of calm that weaves through every room, thanks to both the unique layout and to the materials used. Fanning out from the central living space, one wing carries the master suite, and another has the children’s bedrooms. The third wing houses a guest area or extra lounge while the fourth is a garage. Here, there is plenty of opportunity for a family to enjoy moments together or indulge in some time apart — both equally necessary. There is even a separate walled courtyard, designed as a place for the kids to play in peace, and of course, a beautiful swimming pool that fits seamlessly into its surroundings (looking almost as though it had always been there).
Architecturally, the walls of these wings reduce in height and depth as they extend from the main area, lending an intriguing dimension and sense of space. And thanks to materials like timber and stucco masonry, there is a sophisticated subtlety to the bones of the home that works perfectly with the playful interior details employed by designer Lisa Petrazzolo.
Working with warm tones, interesting shapes and textural details, Petrazzolo proved the power of a pared-back approach. Strong, solid materials like handmade stone, brass accents, honey-toned oak floors, light oak cabinetry, and a Petersen brick feature wall created the perfect canvas on which the designer layered eye-catching design moments — an Apparatus Studio light fixture here, a sculptural outdoor chair there. That said, there is nothing fussy or fragile or superfluous here. All the interior elements are purposeful and feel suited to their surrounds.
Times bed by Spalvieri & Del Ciotto for Poltrona Frau from Studio Italia.
Ultimately, the Rustic Canyon House is an idyllic setting for a family. A place in which light-filled shared areas are combined with separated spaces for adults and kids alike, the home’s easy sophistication and contemporary design is both an ode to its environment and a clever reimagining of the classic family abode.
In a bid to transform any outfit into a bona fide ‘look,’ it is to our accessories that we turn, seeking adornment that will take our sartorial standing to a whole new level. Here, we round up some exquisite rose- and yellow-gold pieces promising to give us a gilded glow. From eye-popping pendants and necklaces set with diamonds to simple earrings and everyday bracelets (that always look better stacked), these gilt pieces will give your accessory game a beautiful boost.
A short hour north of the city is perhaps one of the country’s most intriguing art galleries, hidden in plain sight on working pastures. Gibbs Farm is an often-undiscovered collection of sculptural art that is usually open to the public by appointment only, meaning that a visit to this curation of significant works is not something many of us get the chance to do. That said, in the name of fundraising for the McCahon House Trust, Gibbs Farm will be opening for a day, offering a rare opportunity to view the works in person. And given the popularity of previous fundraisers for the artistic trust, you’ll want to book your tickets, STAT (even though the visit isn’t until early next year).
After nearly 20 years of curation and creation, Gibbs Farm on the Kaipara harbour is home to many international and New Zealand leading artists. The nature of these works is reflected in the fact that they are commissioned, not simply purchased, allowing the artist to create something that directly responds to its rugged coastal environment. In this alone, it serves as a place for artistic talents to flourish and had resulted in a collection of truly spectacular pieces.
Dismemberment, Site 1 by Anish Kapoor.
Gibbs Farm very generously supports organisations like McCahon House by opening their gates for fundraisers. Set in the former home of Colin McCahon, the Titirangi address is home to a thriving, rotating artist residency. It is inherent that in supporting the McCahon House Trust, we are supporting the next generation of local talent. Here, both art and artists in our country are given the opportunity to flourish, so up-and-coming talent may one day reach the calibre of McCahon’s enduring vision.
Jacob’s Ladder by Gerry Judah.
Seeking to raise all-important funds for this artistic endeavour, the Gibbs Farm visit is a ticketed event, with all proceeds going towards the Trust’s operational costs and extensive education and public programmes for the next two years. As a non-profit charitable organisation, McCahon House Trust relies on grants, donations, and fundraising initiatives, just like this one. The Gibbs Farm visit is one of their more significant fundraising drives, the last of which was in March 2021.
While the fundraiser will take place on Sunday, the 2nd of April, 2023, we know that tickets are already highly coveted. Always a popular event, this visit promises new curiosities and excitement, alongside a healthy dose of artistic inspiration. Tickets are essential and can be purchased here.
Gone are the days when drinks were merely an afterthought on a menu; a simple coffee offering and perhaps a can of fizzy drink. Nowadays, entire menus are designed around beverages, and as such, one new specialty drinks bar has captured the attention of those in the know.
186 Specialty Drinks Bar is the brainchild of brothers Charles and Patrick Williams, of Auckland’s Williams Eatery notoriety. Devised in collaboration with Les Mills to extend the Victoria Street gym’s wellbeing offering, 186 is a sleek operation that retains nourishment as its core ethos. As the name suggests, specialty drinks comprise the menu, and the team have taken the arduous task of making smoothies inspired and intriguing, giving us something to talk about.
Left: 186 Smoothies. Right: Space designed by Rufus Knight.
On the menu alongside freshly brewed Flight Coffee, Patrick has put together a refined, mindful offering of smoothies, sodas and tonics, with an option to add locally-made protein, mushroom and matcha powders. There are even rumours of a bone broth smoothie, should you be courageous enough to try this concoction. With a grab-and-go fridge stacked with the likes of Ārepa and other performance-boosting tonics, it is more of a holistic offering than the gym juice bars of the past. And 186’s totally convenient inner-city location means it is not restricted to Les Mills members either; anyone is welcome to a refreshing smoothie come lunchtime.
Rufus Knight’s design is the essence of minimalism, setting an exciting precedent for what’s to come in Les Mills’ iconic Victoria Street foyer. Part of a bigger plan, you can soon expect the entire Les Mills foyer space to offer high ceilings, heritage windows teaming with daylight, and hotel lobby-inspired seating for a myriad of purposes. Charlestells me it will provide a suitable space for dining, meetings, and gym consultations, all under one roof.
Left: Matakana Supergreens, Mango, Kale, Passionfruit and Oat smoothie.
With Williams Eatery a testament to the owners’ culinary successes, we’re sure that 186 is a place people will adore, and we’ve heard whisperings that a refined specialty food offering will be made available in the new year to continue the Williams food legacy. One that is designed as much for those seeking a post-workout pick-me-up as it is for anyone craving something wholesome to eat. In the interim, whenever we’re craving a summery smoothie, you’ll know where to find us.
Opening hours: Monday — Friday, 6.30am until 2pm. Saturday — Sunday, 7.30am until 2pm.
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