This book is a guide to creating your perfect home. It is an extension of some of the feature articles published in 'at home' - the popular monthly supplement to The Press in Christchurch. The book is in two parts. Part One covers the main points to consider before tackling a major project in the home. It starts with the dream itself: how do you choose what kind of home you really want? Following chapters examine problems facing New Zealand householders today, for example the need for more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes. Then the book looks at the basics of how to renovate an existing home for maximum value, and goes through the house room by room: kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms are discussed. Landscaping and garden design, choosing art and furniture, and living with new technology are all covered too, in a logical and straightforward manner. Part Two showcases a variety of stunning South Island homes. They range from a house built amid a rocky outcrop in Golden Bay, to a straw-bale house in Nelson, to an architect's uncompromisingly modern new family home in Christchurch, to a multi-million dollar home in Queenstown with a mountain backdrop. Each of them is somebody's 'perfect home'.

Author Biography

David Killick edits the monthly 'at home' features supplement for The Press in Christchurch, and has over 20 years' experience in journalism. He has worked for Radio New Zealand, BBC World Service radio, and Radio Deutsche Welle in Germany. A keen photographer, many of the pictures in this book are his own. As well as working for The Press, David does a variety of freelance writing and photographic work.