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I
love the expression ‘across the ditch’ when
it comes to talking about the stretch of
ocean that separates Australia and New
Zealand. I’m not sure when I fi rst heard it,
and it could be my imagination, but it seems
to be more prevalent in people’s vocabulary
now that we are publishing projects from both
Grand Designs Australia and Grand Designs
New Zealand. It amazes me that while not that
far apart geographically, the two countries are
very diff erent in so many ways. I’m constantly
amazed by the beauty of both, but also the
diversity of the landscapes and terrain.
Working across the ditch seems to be the
new normal, too. We have wonderful designers,
including internationally acclaimed Australian
Mal Corboy, living and working in New
Zealand but also making regular trips back
to Australia for projects (see Mal’s amazing
kitchen design on page 186). This issue, we
also feature one of Australia’s most in-demand
designers, Noosa-based Di Henshall, whose
work features in a spectacular Queenstown
home with an incredible backdrop of snow-
capped mountains (page 142) — a far cry from
her Sunshine Coast base.
I still haven’t managed to get across to
New Zealand — well not since 1973, when
I sailed into Wellington Harbour on a ship
heading back to England after six years in
Australia and spent a full day driving around
what I thought was Wellington, but was
assured it was probably most of the North
Island! I made myself a promise that I would
defi nitely get there this year, and as it’s now
approaching the middle of the year, I’d better
get a move on.Other projects this issue include homes,
interiors, kitchens and bathrooms in many
stunning locations, including one close to
where I now live, the Ocean Shores Chipboard
House. When I watched this episode, it
brought back memories of when my parents
lived in Ocean Shores and our family used
to visit them from Brisbane and the UK. We
spent many wonderful years with our young
family at the beaches and locations you’ll
see in this episode. Described by presenter
Peter Maddison as “alarmingly small”, the
house makes up for its modest size and honest
materials with ocean views and a rainforest
backdrop. It’s certainly a home out of the
brick-and-tile box.
The Stilt House in New Zealand’s Pukerua
Bay is another example of a simple, cost-
eff ective build in the spirit of a traditional
Kiwi bach. This modest family home, with its
equally modest build price, is a collaboration
between families, including architect and
lecturer, Guy Marriage, to create a holiday
home they could all share. Not having built a
home of his own before, Guy believes “it’s the
birthright and the want of every architect to
build their own place”.
Whether you’ve built before or are about to
build for the fi rst time, I’m sure you will agree
there’s something special about creating your
own home, whatever your budget. I hope you
fi nd inspiration in this issue.KATE ST JAMES, FDIA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEFThe Ocean Shores
Chipboard House from
Grand Designs Australia
Series SevenGRAND DESIGNS(^) // EDITOR’S LETTER
I AM LOVING THE PANTONE
GREENERY COLOUR
INFLUENCING OUR WHAT'S
HOT SECTION. SO FRESH AND
VIBRANT! CHECK OUT THIS
PRINT ON PAGE 64 FROM
DESIGNERBOYSCOLLECTIONS.COM
The Tuck stool is another
favourite on page 38 from designbythem.com