Hammer in hand, Stephanie Matheson is ready to nail down any story relating to renovation. After various stints abroad, she’s now based in Auckland where she specialises in writing about New Zealand homes, the alterations people make, and what they put inside. Stephanie says she first “picked up the trade” while renting in Germany. “Flats are usually rented without kitchens, so you have to install your own. In fact, you fix up most things, from painting the walls to putting down your own carpet.”

Although this is far from the norm in New Zealand, where tenants are barely able to nail a picture hook to the wall without written permission, Steph found the experience empowering. “You can design your home and make it really different, even if you don’t own it. Renovating offers endless options and it doesn’t take much to freshen things up or create a new look.”