For those starting to tire of natural linens and muted colours, Hollywood Regency is like a glass of bubbles - fresh, glamorous and slightly intoxicating.

What makes a city tick? As debate continues about Auckland's future design, Kim Dovey and Elek Pafka look at some key qualities for a great city.

Ruth Spencer on how to achieve a more compact way of life.

The architects who transformed a drab unused off-ramp into the colourful star of Auckland's inner-city cycle network have won another major honour.

Claire McCall takes a sneak peek inside Real Housewives' Julia Sloane's weekender.

He's an architect, a designer, an urbanist and a philosopher. Greg Bruce meets the multi-talented Chris Moller.

Australian architect, and founding partner of The Help Locker, a project for the homeless.

A few words with architect and former Samoa rugby international Lama Tone.

Raise your hand if you knew there was a central city public rooftop garden with 360-degree views of Auckland freely available for your use.

Look to multiple textures and pops of colour in patterns that complement what you already have.

Here are eleven ways to give your kids' rooms an easy update.

Here are seven easy - and super cute - ways to update to your home.

With shorter days and chillier evenings setting in, it's the perfect time to cosy into a new armchair.

Kim Dotcom has recently downsized to a harbourside apartment that he says he likes a lot more and is "like a tenth of what we had at the mansion".

Craig Hall and his wife, actor Sara Wiseman, star in A Place to Call Home, on TV1, 8.30pm, From this Thursday.

Skye Duncan is a Kiwi living in New York as a Global Cities Designer.

COMMENT: The problems of a growing Auckland are becoming more and more urgent. We need to rethink the region, write Dushko Bogunovich and Matthew Bradbury.

The 1950s heralded in a new era in homeware.

For a playful decor update, look to the lolly jar and add pops of candy pink, mint and yellow to create a room that looks good enough to eat.

The next couple of months will see us outdoors more than any other time of the year.