The project showcases how thoughtful specification, including integrated Hideaway waste, recycling and laundry solutions, can help create a home designed for modern family living.
Known to many New Zealanders as reality TV personalities, radio hosts and podcasters, Art and Matilda Green recently opened the doors to their beautifully renovated Warkworth home as part of Your Home & Garden's popular My New Home series. The renovation transformed a largely original 1990s home into a warm, contemporary retreat tailored to the needs of a busy family of five.
Working alongside Louise Robertson and the team at La Bella Kitchens, the couple set out to create a home that felt both beautiful and practical. The resulting spaces combine premium materials, carefully selected finishes and smart design solutions that improve everyday living without drawing attention to themselves.
At the centre of the renovation is a striking kitchen featuring a curved island, premium appliances and an open-plan layout designed to bring family and friends together. While the Beverly Rose marble benchtop and integrated appliances naturally attract attention, some of the most important design decisions are hidden behind the cabinetry.
To support the family's day-to-day lifestyle, Art and Matilda selected Hideaway Bins premium Concelo waste system. The 600mm-wide unit incorporates four buckets — 2 x 16L and 2 x 13L, allowing waste and recycling to be separated into multiple streams while remaining discreetly concealed within the cabinetry. Coloured liner holders were also included to help family members easily identify each waste stream, encouraging better recycling habits without compromising the clean aesthetic of the kitchen.
The kitchen also incorporates Blum Servo-Drive technology, which Art highlighted as one of his favourite features of the renovation. When paired with the Concelo waste system, it creates a true hands-free waste solution. A simple bump with the knee opens the bin when hands are dirty from food preparation. As the bin opens, Concelo's Active Lid automatically lifts clear of the buckets, allowing waste to be disposed of without touching the drawer handle or a bin lid. Once closed, the Active Lid automatically returns to cover over the buckets, helping to contain odours and moisture. It's a practical solution that perfectly suits the demands of a busy family kitchen. Art himself commented on how useful the push-to-open functionality is when moving around the kitchen.
Beyond the kitchen, the home underwent a complete transformation. Walls were removed to create brighter, more connected living spaces, while carefully selected lighting, finishes and furnishings helped create a cohesive feel throughout the property. Matilda has spoken about how impactful the lighting choices proved to be, describing them as one of the most influential aspects of the renovation.
The family bathroom was also completely reimagined, creating a larger and more functional space that better suits family life. Premium fixtures and materials were selected throughout, helping create a home that feels both contemporary and timeless. The bathrooms feature carefully coordinated finishes, thoughtful detailing and practical solutions that complement the overall design vision.
Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, was the laundry.
Designed with soft pink tones, marble surfaces and warm copper accents, it quickly became one of Matilda's favourite rooms in the home. The Concelo laundry hampers were integrated into the cabinetry, providing an elegant solution that keeps washing organised and out of sight while maintaining the room's clean, design-led aesthetic.
Speaking in the renovation reveal, Matilda highlighted the impact these thoughtful storage solutions have had on everyday life: "I love the two 35L Hideaway Concelo hampers. Instead of everyone dumping their clothes on the floor, the washing goes into a beautiful, hidden spot with a lovely copper handle and a pink drawer. The whole experience is just so much nicer, and I just love being in there."
While the kitchen, bathrooms and living spaces are undeniably beautiful, it is often the hidden details that have the greatest impact on daily life. Through thoughtful design and careful product selection, La Bella Kitchens and Hideaway Bins have helped create a home that is organised, practical and designed to grow with a young family.
