Kevin Hayward reflects on his career, seated in a wood-lined room he helped build above his garage. The large bookcase at the rear is one of his favourite possessions. Photos by Gregor Richardson. : Kevin's collected works

The toilet is fed from mains pressure and the bowl is kept filled with water. Pulling the handle at left evacuates the bowl. : Kevin's collected works

This small pokerwork shelf was decorated by burning a design into the wood with a heated metal point. : Kevin's collected works

Kevin Hayward appreciates the skill involved in marquetry, in which different kinds of wood are cut into shapes to form pictures: ''I just think it's incredibly clever. But it's not regarded now. People throw it away or think it's nonsense.'' : Kevin's collected works

Kevin Hayward's son, Tom, used rimu, kauri and jarrah in the kitchen. The ''PANTRY'' sign was from a cake shop in Port Chalmers. : Kevin's collected works

The lounge lights can be swivelled to be positioned horizontally or vertically. : Kevin's collected works

When the Dunedin City Council changed its crockery, Kevin Hayward and Jude Ferguson bought one of the old china dinner sets, including these salt and pepper shakers bearing the city's coat of arms. : Kevin's collected works

An automatic tea-making machine, complete with alarm clock, a Faema single-shot espresso maker and a tooled leather handbag that belonged to Kevin Hayward's mother sit in front of a photo of The Palms Restaurant, which he and Jude Ferguson once owned. : Kevin's collected works