Brenda - Editor's blog

We love homes that inspire us with simple and cheap ideas for our own homes. Here are three great ideas from Vic Bibby's home in the latest issue.

1. Paper power: This table is an old kitchen table with the legs shortened, topped with pretty wallpaper and a sheet of glass for heat protection.

2. Deer me: Use an unexpected object as a scarf and bag rack. Vic used this Iko Iko deer head for hers.

3.The right note: Cover an old piano stool in a pretty fabric to match your bedroom decor and use at the foot of the bed.

For more great ideas from Vic Bibby, check out her gorgeous blog and online store - Cush & Nooks.

Don’t forget that you can try out your favourite colour from the Resene Paints range for FREE, with this issue of homestyle magazine. Just show the advertisement on page 50 to your nearest Resene-owned ColourShop and you’ll get a free Resene 55ml testpot of your choice. 

Why not make this cool slat mat project and paint it in bright stripes? You’ll find instructions on how to make it in this issue, on page 94.

With copies of our April/May issue hitting the shelves this week we thought we would give you a sneak peek of whats inside.

This issue we’re loving…

Renovators: For all you keen renovators out there, this issue we’ve launched a series that is right at the heart of homestyle’s philosophy. It’s a fun issue-by-issue guide to renovating your house, starting with Planning, the most important step of all.

Click here to download our room-by-room planning list.

Kitchens: What makes a kitchen work for its owner? We asked that question of the owners of three great kitchens that are functional and beautiful – and most of all, reflect their owner’s needs and passions.

Photography Jeff McEwan

Monde’s house: Brimming with the flair of this movie set stylist and items collected from her travels around the world, Monde’s house inspires us to be a little braver and experiment with colour and pattern.

Photography Larnie Nicolson

Baking: Gretchen Lowe was a finalist in the NZ’s Hottest Home Baker TV series, and she’s so hot we asked her to bake some treats for Mother’s day that could be gifts or super afternoon teas. Click here for the recipe for Gretchens Fresh Ginger, Apple and Honey Loaves.

Cath Kidston isn't just a home guru, now the queen of the decorator fabrics has branched out into iPhone cases. We love the red and pink floral one...