The grand tour

Gliding through a black sea by the light of the golden moon, sampans of a fishing village sail past traditional pagodas and floating gardens, full of oriental flora. While it seems an idyllic setting to drift through while on holiday, this romantic scene is in fact a fabrication, found on a different kind of trip. Strolling through the eclectic shopping district in Paris’ 15th arrondissement and wandering into a decorating store instead, the Kings found their Yellow Sea reverie transfixed in Thibaut’s time-honoured wallpaper.

Terry and Diana were the new owners of an 1880s farmhouse when they left Auckland for their annual escape to Europe three years ago. They’re the founders of the Remuera Real Estate Register and bought the home from a client, after falling in love with it during an open home they had arranged.

“We were standing on the veranda and the nicest thing about this house was that it was only one step off to the garden. And that’s