NEXTFebruary 2019的目錄

Get a move on... Twice a week my alarm goes off at 5.45am and I roll out of bed for my morning run. I can’t back out of this, even if I can hear rain hitting the windows, because my friend Alannah will also be up and waiting for me at the end of her driveway. We began this ritual last winter, which is a pretty tough time to take up an early morning running routine. But apart from one insanely wet morning when we found ourselves knee-deep in pot-hole puddles that we couldn’t even see coming in the pitch-black, poorly-lit streets, it’s been surprisingly pleasant. As well as ensuring my jeans don’t get too tight, these early morning runs have been a crucial part of staying sane during those…

Your NEXT Giveaway, Response Bag 500273,Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142, or go to nowtolove.co.nz, click on the ‘win’ tab and enter your unique code NXTGIVEAWAY0219. All entries must be received by February 28, 2019. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Information on how to enter forms part of these terms and conditions. Entry into this competition is deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions. Entry is open only to New Zealand residents. Employees of Bauer Media Group, all prize suppliers, and their affiliates, agencies and immediate families are ineligible to enter.All entries must be received between January 14 and February 28, 2019.The prize is Environ: RAD SPF15 Sunscreen; Focus Care Clarity+ Hydroxy Acid Sebu-Clear Masque; and Focus Care Youth+ Tri-Peptide Complex Avance Moisturiser; Jane Iredale: Eye Shadow Kit in Purple Rain;Triple Luxe Long…

THE ALCHEMIST. FINDING YOUR OWN JOURNEY – AND NOT HAVING IT BE WHAT YOU EXPECTED. If I were a billionaire, I would... Travel. My boyfriend and I might go to Israel on our break. We’ve heard Tel Aviv is amazing, so I really want to go there. My favourite day of the week is… Sunday. That’s because the next two days are rest days and that’s something to look forward to! MY DAY-TO-DAY OUTFIT CONSISTS OF… ACTIVEWEAR, BECAUSE I USUALLY SPEND MY DAYS REHEARSING.…

Every so often, you meet people who completely restore your faith in humanity and leave you inspired to live with more kindness and generosity. Viv James is one of those people. She is the founder of Race4Life Trust, the only charity in the country that aims to fulfil the wishes of patients over 18 who are in palliative care. Over the years, Viv’s work with Race4Life has been featured on TV shows such as Close Up and Campbell Live, as well as receiving achievement awards at New Zealander of the Year, but talking to Viv, she makes it clear none of it is about her. From a young age, she was intrigued by death and yearned to understand it, especially after the sudden death of her best friend when Viv…

PODCAST Caliphate, a fascinating account of jihadi recruitment that’s like a good book you can’t put down. ALBUM The Stooges – the greatest album ever made. It launched punk rock and Iggy Pop onto an unsuspecting world. STYLE ICON Coco Chanel: she’s iconic. GADGET My snips (thread cutters). I’m working on a tapestry project currently and I can’t function without them. SNACK Mandarins. Little explosions of sunshine in your mouth! FLOWER Dahlias, because they seem so optimistic. FILM I just watched The Shining again with my sons and loved it. It’s the world’s best horror movie. ACCESSORY My gold Hunter metal-framed glasses; a perfect balance between masculine and feminine. BOOK Anything by Hera Lindsay Bird. Poetry that is sharp, funny, contemporary and poignant. SHOE My red balloon heels, the colour…

Mariah Burton will be the first to tell you that renovating a property wasn’t something she and her fiancé Caleb had considered doing in their early twenties. But the young couple decided to embark on their biggest adventure to date when they purchased their first home, an apartment built in 1974. The space was dark, lifeless and “stuck in the 70s”, Mariah says. “Think cigarette stains on the walls, vermiculite ceilings and a brown shag carpet.” Though the interior was rundown, it provided the perfect renovation challenge, and despite their previous reservations, Mariah and Caleb were excited to tackle it head on. The aim was to create a home that reflected their beach-loving lifestyle, their travels and their personalities. Mariah’s other goal was to “stay sane and not kill each…

Q: Living in the city, I worry about air quality and pollutants in my home. Is there a way I can control and manage it? A: Not surprisingly, Dyson has done it again. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link purifying fan heater not only heats or cools your house, it automatically monitors, reacts and purifies the air – then reports it all to an app on your smartphone. This same app also allows you to turn it on or off, change the fan speed or change the heat or cooling mode. Dyson claims this device captures gases and 99.95% of fine particles such as allergens and pollutants so you’re breathing in the best quality air. This means you won’t need to throw open the windows letting outside toxins in; simply let…

BALMY DAYS & NIGHTS Like a lip balm for your hair, L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Nutrifier Dryness Defense Balm, $19, contains coconut oil and glycerol to promote moisture and shine, and comes in a handbag-friendly size, allowing you to save your split ends whenever, wherever. Pocket it alongside L’Oréal Professionnel’s new Serie Expert Volume Inflator ($31.50) for healthy hair with long-lasting lift. Brush crush Fight frizz and flyaways this summer with the Natural Boar Bristle Hairbrush by French haircare specialists, Leonor Greyl, $120. New to New Zealand-based international beauty destination, inesstore.com, pair the brush with the Peigne Leonor Greyl Wide-Tooth Comb, $15, and perfect Parisian hair will be yours. CANDID ON CAMERA Easy to blend with your fingers and with a natural ‘real-skin’ finish (read: matte, but still with a…

WHAT IS IT? Microneedling is essentially a treatment that uses needles at varying lengths to penetrate the skin, triggering the body’s own wound-healing defences. When skin becomes compromised, our body starts to produce collagen tissue, which over time produces stronger, firmer collagen fibres – think glowing skin! Gone are the days where a roller is used for this type of treatment, 2018 has seen the introduction of electronic needling devices that work effectively at giving consistent and uniform levels of penetration to ensure an even result, not to mention being able to adjust the levels of penetration depending on the area. Caci also uses a new technology, electroporation needling, that not only works on needling the skin but also delivers serum at a deeper level thanks to the tandem approach…

The water cure The joys of slipping into a hot bath are universal – and a small study says it may help those with depression. German researchers assigned 45 participants either to twice-weekly 45-minute sessions of moderate exercise or to twice-weekly spa bathing, where they soaked for 30 minutes in a 40°C bath, then relaxed for 20 minutes with a hot water bottle. Those who took baths saw an average drop of six points on the Hamilton Depression Scale, compared to three points for those who exercised. And because only two out of 22 didn’t complete the treatment – compared to 13 out of 22 people for the exercise group – researchers say it could be an easy, beneficial habit to keep up long term. SING ME TO SLEEP If…

Packed full of omega 3, calcium and fibre, these pretty little fritters are simply perfect for entertaining Uncooked rolled oats have around three times the amount of resistant starch as cooked oats Oaty chocolate hotcakes with coconut bananas SERVES 4 PREPARATION 20 MINUTES (PLUS STANDING TIME) COOKING 10 MINUTES ²/ 3 cup (100g) gluten-free plain flour ½ cup (45g) natural rolled oats 2 tbsp raw unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder 150ml high-calcium, lactose-free skim milk 1 small egg, lightly beaten Olive oil spray, for cooking 400g lactose-free, unsweetened natural yoghurt Extra cocoa powder, to serve COCONUT BANANAS 4 bananas 1 tbsp desiccated coconut 1 tbsp LSA Lemon juice, for brushing To maximise the amount of resistant starch in potatoes, steam them until tender. Cool…

The Mother of All Jobs Christine Armstrong Green Tree, $33 Christine Armstrong thought she was a capable career woman. Then she had children and suddenly, she was “pretty shit at work”, felt like a “rubbish mother,” found herself living in a tip and hardly saw her husband, let alone her friends. She figured she’d fix her life – and help other women while she was at it – by interviewing high-powered working mothers whose lives were obviously well-oiled machines. But instead of uncovering the secret to effortless success, she found that the much-hyped superwoman who excels at work and motherhood, fits in regular gym workouts and whips up a nutritious dinner for her adoring brood every night simply doesn’t exist. Even worse, she discovered, many women are consciously perpetuating the…

Start with ‘understanding’ Build a compass for you to navigate your way forward. Know who you are, what brings you energy, what you value and need in your future and what your transferable skills are. If you can’t tell your story, you can’t sell your story. Generate lots of ideas Designers go wide early and create a broad set of ideas, which they then filter through testing. Having lots of ideas and moving forward with two or three at a time means you are less likely to get attached to one and take a ‘win or lose’ mentality. Be brave and imagine beyond the obvious – design helps you combine or sequence ideas into a pathway that you may not have been able to see otherwise. Test, experiment and learn…

Why restrict something that so many say is helping? The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, passed late last year, is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that is win, win, win! A win for Kiwis in general, as it will see the development of a new industry with huge export potential, which means new jobs and more tax for government coffers. A win for people like myself who work for one of New Zealand’s many medicinal cannabis companies, and now have some job security. Most important, it’s a win for patients who have been crying out for accessible medicinal cannabis for years. What’s interesting is it’s only in relatively recent times that cannabis has fallen out of favour. Barney Warf, in his paper ‘High Point: An Historical Geography of…

Courage and love, and how often one is needed for the other to survive, that is what has been on Joanne Drayton’s mind a lot recently. Joanne is a biographer, best known for being the author of bestselling The Search for Anne Perry, about the infamous Parker-Hulme murder case. Her most recent book has taken her into equally fascinating territory, chronicling the life and times of celebrity cooking duo Hudson & Halls. Anyone who watched television during the 70s or 80s will remember Peter Hudson and David Halls with their hit shows. Recently a theatre production about them has introduced the pair to a younger audience. Flamboyant and funny, they brought New Zealanders a fancier style of food we hadn’t encountered before. But arguably the most interesting thing about them…

ROBYN PRESTON AFRICA I spent 28 years living on a farm, raising four kids in rural New Zealand; it’s all I’d ever really known. But my marriage ending changed everything, and eventually led to a holiday to Africa which totally altered the course of my life. I now live over half the year in Kenya and take photos of wildlife that have been internationally recognised by organisations like Barcroft and Mercury Media. It’s an incredible existence, full of excitement. I have to pinch myself some days when I think about how it’s all turned out. When my marriage broke down I went to live at Baylys Beach, I was single at 47 years old, depressed and living in a tiny town. I didn’t know what I was going to do.…

MY JOB: I lead a team of amazing communications specialists (130 people) who do incredible work to support our clients with their media and communications objectives. MY CURRENT GOAL: I recently moved into a broader strategic and governance role after being the CEO for nearly 20 years. I’m looking forward to taking on more of a mentoring role with my senior team and taking on new challenges. INBOX MANAGEMENT: Generally, I do emails at the end of the day, but I always scan my email during the day, so I know what’s urgent, then I prioritise the urgent and the important. I have a filing system that is filed by client. MY WORK SPACE: Lots of natural light, fresh flowers, a salt lamp, comfortable couches, a standing desk and the…

Warm & natural Patterns & print Be bold Bright whites…

Carver chair refashioned A chair might look very shabby but still be fundamentally sound. The simplest test of any chair is to sit in it and check if the seat creaks or the legs wobble. You can turn a chair over to see how its joints have been constructed and if they are still firm. When turned over you can also look for a manufacturer’s label or other clues as to the chair’s age and provenance. Notice if old tacks or new staples have been used and if the backing is hessian or a more modern fabric. If any joints are broken or have worked loose over time, the best way to make a lasting repair is to take the joints apart and re-glue them. You might need to add…

Bright fabulous colours are a big trend for outdoors this year. Here’s my advice on embracing colour without it looking like a circus. Start by centring your space with a monochrome outdoor rug, or neutral tile. If you prefer a neutral dining or lounge setting – in black, white, or concrete – you could try mixing it up with colourful chairs. Another option is to add bright outdoor cushions in plain and bold patterned fabrics, as well as colourful accessories. You could perhaps add bright bean bags and side tables that pull out these colours. If you’re keen to purchase colourful chairs and tables, you can accessorise with complementary colours and monochrome blacks and whites. Don’t be afraid of having a few different colours in your setting. To finish your…

Megan Bedford, makeup and fragrance editor “In the warmer weather it can be frustrating having glasses or sunglasses sliding down your nose and disturbing foundation. Try a dab of liquid eyeshadow primer on each side of your nose and powder over to set. Your glasses should stay in place and you can even apply foundation over top.” Try: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, $31, from Mecca. Lucy Slight, body and health editor “As much as we try to avoid getting sunburnt, we can all slip up from time to time. Keep your after-sun product in the fridge over summer to provide an added cooling and soothing effect on the skin while applying.” Try: Le Tan After Sun Aloe Vera Gel, $11. Erin Berryman, Beautyheaven.co.nz editor “If your manicure starts to chip…

1 Kérastase Elixir Ultime Le Masque, $65. Healthy, nourished hair shines, and regular at-home mask treatments will help. Formulated with marula and camellia oils, the mask will leave your locks supple, protected and frizz-free. 2 L’Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Nutrifier DD Balm, $19. A quick and easy nourishing ‘dryness defence’ balm with glycerol and coconut oil. This is designed for shine on the go – perfect to have in your handbag to apply to the ends of the hair. 3 The Body Shop Strawberry Clearly Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner, $20 each. Cleanse and condition your hair with this sweet-smelling silicone-free and vegan option, made with Italian strawberries and aloe vera to detangle and add shine to dull hair. 4 Holistic Hair Finishing Rinse Concentrate, $26. A healthy scalp with a…

Satay Beef Pad Thai SERVES 4 300g Exotic Food Rice Stick Noodles 450g rump steak or schnitzel 2 tbsp Exotic Food Sesame Oil ½ red onion, sliced ½ red capsicum, sliced ½ yellow capsicum, sliced 2 carrots, julienned or made into zoodles 2 courgettes, julienned or cut in lengths ½ cup Exotic Food Pad Thai Sauce ¼ cup crunchy peanut butter 2 spring onions, cut in lengths Pinch dried chilli flakes 2 handfuls mung bean sprouts 2 eggs 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped or crushed 1/2 cup fresh coriander, chopped 1 Boil noodles for 4 minutes then rinse twice and set aside. 2 Pat beef dry with paper towels then slice into 1cm strips. Season with salt. Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan. Cook beef, in batches, for…

CHEESE, PLEASE! February is back to school time and innovative South Island-based company Dairyworks has got school lunches covered with their family-sized packs containing 32 slices of delicious and fresh Tasty or Edam cheese. Perfectly sealed in recyclable containers, the soft plastic wrappers can also be recycled at the green bins at your local supermarkets. $9 from leading supermarkets. DAIRY QUEENS Lovingly churned with organic A2 milk, IndulgeNZ is a premium ice cream and dessert range for discerning adults made using traditional artisanal techniques. The milk for the ice cream is sourced from Matamata’s award-winning Jersey Girl Organics and is usually supplied to many of the country’s leading restaurants. Now it’s our turn to indulge, without having to dress up for a night out. The ice cream range includes Salted…

• As a Muslim country, be prepared to dress conservatively, even in the height of summer, and especially in Istanbul. • Always looks for accreditation. There are many people loitering outside of popular tourist spots claiming to be guides, so don’t be fooled. • If you’re making a trip to see the Blue Mosque, note there are specific opening times for public use. Forget the afternoon time and opt for the late evening slot to miss the major tourist queues. • If you’re going on a boat, do remember to bring seasickness tablets with you.You never know when you’ll be able to stop or if the island you do stop at has a pharmacy. Let’s just say the first day was very rough for a few people on my sail.…

Feline awesome Are you looking for the purrfect Valentine’s Day treat for your precious puss? Why not show your cat how much you love her with FANCY FEAST Filets in three 100% real proteins: chicken, tuna or mackerel. Flake it, break it or serve it whole. Finally, there’s food like yours but made for her! Refined design The new Mazda CX-8 offers the versatility of a seven-seat SUV but doesn’t compromise on space or comfort. With a choice of Two- or All-Wheel Drive and a 2.2L diesel SKYACTIV-D engine offering a smooth drive, excellent fuel economy and outstanding performance. From $53,495; cx-8.co.nz Flower power The Linden Leaves In Bloom range is blossoming with the arrival of Aqua Lily! A sophisticated, uplifting fragrance with fresh top notes of citrus and pear,…

Know your values Most people are unhappy at work because they don’t share the same values as their manager or team. Know what matters to you, and how that changes as you get older. Find your ‘tribe’ first and your job second. Consider your needs We all have constraints and base needs we must consider. If you don’t know yours, you might find yourself moving for the wrong reasons. Understand the past Like constructing a share portfolio, the clue to investing in a successful future may lie in the past. Look back through what brought you your greatest joys and biggest setbacks in your career and look for the patterns to change or repeat.…

Some people get up, get dressed, go to work and spend the whole day wondering what their cat gets up to in their absence. Is he happy? What if he’s bored? A friend put a camera on her cat’s collar, she was that concerned, and was dismayed to discover it spent its alone time slipping in and out of people’s houses, watching them while they got dressed and stealing unguarded mince. She was so upset, as a feline parent she felt compelled to go door to door in the neighbourhood, apologising for theft and perversion. Gossip spreads like wildfire and the village busybody is a collective, hive mentality Then there are the cat-less women who worry about what their boyfriends get up to when they aren’t around (and a boyfriend…

So proud! Cadence got the lead in the school play – again. And gosh, Juniper is such a social butterfly, and topped the school in running. Arlo’s band is a finalist of the battle of the bands… oops, zoned out for a minute there. You know these parents? Or maybe seen them on Facebook? (Clue: their kids kick a ball better than Beckham and paint better than Michelangelo). In the past these proud parents have pushed all my worst sneery and snarky buttons. (Shameful Inner Monologue: Just because they’re head boy or head girl now doesn’t mean in 20 years they won’t end up in a dead-end job.) But I don’t want to be that mean-spirited person any more. Why do I get triggered by braggy monologues and other people’s…

Featuring Daily Radiance Vitamin C SPF30, Night Ritual Vitamin A and Surface Radiance Cleanse,The Essential CSA Kit from Medik8 has everything you need for a healthy, glowing complexion. Lines and wrinkles are visibly diminished and skin is left soft, supple and radiant. Medik8 believe that the secret to healthy, youthful and beautiful skin is as easy as vitamin C plus sunscreen by day, and vitamin A by night. Paired with this is Brush on Block SPF 30 Broad Spectrum protection in a brush-on mineral powder, the perfect on-the-go sun protection to look after your skin this summer. To enter, simply snap our magazine and tag us on Instagram @nextmagazinenz VISIT US ONLINE NOWTOLOVE.CO.NZ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK NEXTMAGAZINENZ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM@NEXTMAGAZINENZ @nicdunphy Summertime relaxation with a cup of tea,…

My typical week… My morning tradition is to have breakfast in bed and spend some time with myself. Then, I’ll go to work and spend the day rehearsing. When I come home after doing a show, I like to watch a movie to wind down, which can sometimes take a while before heading to bed. When I have time off, I like to relax because so much of my days are spent with others and sometimes I need to switch off. I spend so much time with the people from the show, which is great because we are such a tight-knit group and we get along really well – they’re my show family. To relax, I like to have spend some downtime on my own. I am definitely not an…

Let’s just get straight to it – Paula Bennett looks incredible. Bursting through the doors of White Studios in central Auckland on the morning of our cover shoot, the first thing you notice is her size (tiny), and her energy (overflowing). The second thing you notice is the flash of hot pink peeking out of the garment bag she has slung over her shoulder. It’s a fuchsia pantsuit by Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti, picked up at David Jones in Melbourne while on a shopping trip, which she and two female friends were awarded for winning the Women’s Marlin Fishing competition in Paihia in February 2018. ‘That’s probably not appropriate for a woman my age.’ “We were out at sea for two days and in that time we hooked four,…

True love transcends borders, timelines, differences and struggles. It’s finding that one person you cannot be without; whether it means crossing oceans, overcoming adversity, or simply listening to your heart when everyone’s telling you to use your head. Every couple’s journey to happiness takes a different path, but these three Kiwi couples have one thing in common – a very special sparkling reminder of their love for each other. Engaged 1 month SIMONE & TRENT It took Trent three attempts to ask out social media influencer Simone after they met on a dating app. In fact, after Simone postponed their first date twice, Trent was about ready to give up, until a mutual friend convinced him to give it one last go. “Thank God he did!” laughs Simone, who has…

While retinol can sound like an aggressive ingredient and may conjure up images of red, raw skin it is, in fact, the Holy Grail if anti-ageing is on your wish list. With its ability to exfoliate the skin and promote an increase in collagen production, it’s essential for anyone in their thirties or over who wants to combat fine lines and wrinkles. WHAT IS RETINOL? It’s the Holy Grail if anti-ageing is on your wish list Vitamin A is the name of a group of fat-soluble retinoids that include retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters. “This vitamin is a multitasker with its involvement in immune function, vision, reproduction, cellular communication and when it comes to our skin, promoting skin renewal and collagen stimulation,” explains Katy Bacon, education and sales manager for…

We make an astonishing number of food decisions every day – more than 200, in fact. Of course, we’re not aware of all these decisions, as on many occasions it’s our subconscious coming into play. On the one hand, this allows us to focus more on other things, but on the other hand, it can lead to not-so-healthy decisions, especially when it comes to something as emotionally charged as eating. But how can we navigate this maze, become smarter eaters and really enjoy food if we don’t even know the role our mind and brain play in our daily food choices? Thankfully, research in this area has made great progress in recent years – a stroke of luck not just for our health, but also for our enjoyment of the…

I read somewhere the Greeks invented the fish soup that inspired the bouillabaisse of France Under one of the fluffiest béchamels you’ll ever taste, lentils and silverbeet make a team that will convince even the most ardent carnivore Family spanakopita There is no substitute for Greek cheese, Greek honey and Greek dried oregano – especially look out for that big tub of brined feta SERVES 6–8 PREPARATION 30 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 100g butter, melted 2 × 800g bunches silverbeet, white stalks removed, leaves coarsely chopped 1 tbsp olive oil 1 brown onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 500g fresh ricotta 200g feta, crumbled 4 spring onions, white and dark green parts sliced into coins ¼ cup chopped dill Finely grated zest of 1 lemon 4 eggs Sea salt…

Sweet chilli chicken with apple coleslaw SERVES 4 PREP 5 MINS COOKING 15 MINS 3 tsp vegetable or olive oil 850g chicken nibbles ¹ /₃ cup sweet chilli sauce 2 Tbsp soy sauce ¹ /₃ cup water 300g coleslaw salad mix 2 red-skinned apples, cored, grated 1 spring onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup light sour cream ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning, for 10 minutes, or until browned. Add sweet chilli, soy sauce and water. Cook, stirring for 5 minutes, or until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked. 2 In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, apples and half the spring onion. 3 In a small jug, whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise…

IT’S IN THE BAG BUM BAGS ARE WELL AND TRULY BACK. MOOCHI’S VERSION, FEATURING THEIR SIGNATURE LOGO, HAS AN ADJUSTABLE STRAP SO YOU CAN WEAR IT AS YOU SEE FIT (INCLUDING AS A CROSS-BODY BAG IF YOU REALLY CAN’T BRING YOURSELF TO RELIVE THE 80S). $100 OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY In a New Zealand first, Airbnb is introducing a new tier of premium homes, Airbnb Plus. Starting with Auckland, the idea of Airbnb Plus is to broaden the appeal of Airbnb and allow Kiwis and visitors alike the freedom to choose from personally inspected homes verified for quality and comfort – think beautiful homes, exceptional Kiwi hosts and added peace of mind. Launching with almost 50 homes across some of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Auckland, the selection is also an opportunity…

When I was young I was taught life was simple: you got an education, you worked in a field for years (or decades) and then you retired. But now, people are working into their seventies and repeating the cycle of learning, working, and changing direction over and over. For some, this could mean having three or four careers – or running a portfolio of jobs or businesses simultaneously. But how do you do it successfully to get the greatest satisfaction from your career? Businesses use a process called design thinking – a creative problem-solving method, to continuously innovate and create new value – so why not use this method for people too? Things that are well designed don’t just happen, they’re consciously created – and it’s the same for our…

I’m standing in the real-estate version of the Sistine Chapel. Soaring walls, sublime light, and ceilings so high that it’s almost possible to imagine there’s a Michelangelo up there. Behind me, I hear low murmuring. Not a group of reverent Japanese tourists being given a whispered lecture on High Renaissance art, but Mr Stable and a steely-eyed property owner muttering in German about money. I swirl on the polished wooden floor, transfixed. I may be in Berlin rather than Rome, but I feel magicked out of my everyday life. When I look through the elegant balcony doors, I see delicate green trees, and behind the delicate green trees are tall white buildings with red tiled roofs. “Your parents should make an offer fast,” I say to Mr Stable, looking at…