A Little Light Reading - 'Beyond the State'

I was lucky enough to receive this book in my Christmas stocking at the end of last year - 'Beyond the State' by Bill McKay and Andrea Stevens. For those of you with a soft spot for the iconic NZ state house, this book is well worth getting your paws on; a great mix of history, inspiration and case studies showcasing the different ways kiwis have chosen to adapt to, alter, and embrace their state homes.

'...New Zealand's distinctive state houses from the 1930s and '40s are an enduring symbol of this country's egalitarian values. Modest houses, they were built from quality materials and with an emphasis on family and community. More than seventy-five years since the first state houses appeared, they are enjoying a renaissance as new generations of homeowners find ways to adapt their sturdy form for a more contemporary way of living. Beyond the State pays tribute to the New Zealand state house – and explores what it still offers us today....'