Former international party planner Jonathan Rutherfurd Best shares his tips on how to throw a soiree to remember.

Isaac Sinclair, Ecoya's New Zealand-raised, French-trained, Brazilian-resident perfumer, answers Viva's questions about home fragrance.

I'm keen to spend as much time outside as possible this summer. With the deck done, it is time to turn my attention to some furniture and the first port of call is a nice table. I could just buy one, but that would be cheating.

Restrictions on what could be changed on their house, meant one Auckland family had to think outside the box on renovations.

"I would not be as chirpy as I am if I hadn't been going every week for the past three years to see a therapist," writes Deborah Hill Cone. That costs $180 an hour per week.

I didn't know it was possible to drive this slow. I crept home from the hospital at 30km/h, both hands tightly gripping the wheel, my eyes fixed on the road, writes Rodney Hide.

The Auckland Home Show kicks off tomorrow. Here's a sneak peek at what's in store.

Upon moving house, Greg Dixon discovers what he didn't know he'd been missing.

A rose is a rose, as long as it has a pretty scent, says Simon Farrell.

Space is a big hurdle when it comes to growing fruit trees in a city yard, says Justin Newcombe

Outrage over the price of All Blacks jerseys was just the latest sign of how internet buying has changed the retail game, reports Karyn Scherer.

Kristina Karlsson, owner of stationery store kikki.K, brings the best of Scandinavian order to her business and to her own life.

A woman's compassion is largely due to the genes she inherits - but for men it comes from the environment.

US preacher predicts apocalypse starting in New Zealand today but his track record looks shaky.