Hailing from Singapore, Junie Lin originally trained as a chemical engineer in Perth, after which she was offered a job at Shell. The only female out of 300 applicants, Junie lasted six months. “It was something that my Asian parents wanted me to do. In Asian culture you need to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer,” says Junie who left Shell and became a market analyst in the textiles industry before moving into the world of interiors via her online store Hamptons Home.
Junie Lin with pieces from her Mirage Haven range
“When my son was born, I took on a local job as an analyst, but it didn’t work out. So, I decided as a side hustle to set up Hamptons Home which I still run today,” says Junie who has recently added to her output with the launch of a line of cushions and textiles under the Mirage Haven brand.
“After a few years of running Hamptons Home I decided to do a small run of cushions using the information I had learnt about the textile industry in my earlier job travelling around Asia,” says Junie. Mirage Haven, as a brand, is focused on creating luxurious, timeless designs – the opposite of ‘fast’ fashion.
“We don’t want to be a fast fashion item. We want it to be ‘slow’ and used across many seasons and in many different types of homes. Many people think of cushions as a seasonal item, but we don’t and we think the range complements Scandi, Hamptons and even modern homes,” says Junie.
The collection of 60 cushions was launched at the end of May 2020 in the middle of the first COVID-19 lockdown. “So far it’s been doing really well,” says Junie who now sells the brand to homewares stores, interior designers and property stylists throughout Australia and New Zealand. The range has recently expanded to include throws and a premium, quality heirloom Santa bags that are perfect for Christmas.
The Santa sacks are an ideal Christmas gift.
“Coming from the world of chemical engineering to becoming a cushion designer I have learnt so much about manufacturing and textiles. It’s very different but I love it!”
Styling cushions: bed or lounge, follow these helpful tips
Everyone says the right cushions can make or break a bed or lounge, but actually deciding which ones to put together gives many people a headache! It’s not as easy…
Christmas is coming! The best looking Santa sacks
We are only a hop, skip and a jump away from the festive season. Something we’ve been on the lookout for are Santa sacks that won’t ruin the look of…
“The art of drag is to elevate and express another side of yourself, to really highlight all the special things that make you stand out, but on a heightened level. To be able to do the same for an interior space was an absolute joy and an incredible way to celebrate PRIDE,” says stylist Jono Fleming who performed a magic makeover on Sydney-based drag queen Vybe’s lounge room recently, in celebration of PRIDE month.
BEFORE Angus Roberts (aka Vybe) in his former lounge room
“Giving a room a makeover is a pretty standard brief, but to give a room a drag makeover is something I would have never expected! The brief was to bring in colour, fun, all the things you’d expect from west elm, but with a camp twist,” says Jono who introduced splashes of colour with the west elm velvet Bradford sofa, Illusionary rug and decorative pieces.
AFTER So much fun! The west elm blue velvet Bradford sofa is a modern take on the classic Chesterfield
“I focused on celebrating Vybe’s personality. She’s vibrant, bold and beautiful – the makeover was about creating joy, as well as being a mirror of Vybe’s strength, creativity – she’s a force,” says Jono.
Vybe is otherwise known as Angus Roberts and the rooms strikes a delicate balance that complements both sides of his personality. “The bold, squared off blue sofa serves a more masculine aesthetic but the velvet combined with the pinks in the rug softens the palette and adds a feminine touch. The goal was to marry two sides of a personality into one cohesive space,” says Jono.
Vybe in her new lounge room: The west elm Illusionary rug adds a perfect pop of colour
A celebration of inclusivity, diversity and equality, the iconic PRIDE rainbow is a recurring theme in the room – from the LED coffee table light to the overall colour palette and Vybe’s denim jacket. “We’re celebrating PRIDE so the key was to use every colour in the rainbow! Being bold with colour takes a bit of a push sometimes but set against a neutral backdrop, it can really help make the colours pop and let the furniture do the talking. A bit of brass always adds a touch of glam to a space but you don’t need to go overboard, just a hint will work it’s magic,” says Jono.
And as for Vybe herself, she is rather enamoured with the new space. “I am in LOVE with the result – the space is warm, inviting, stylish and as camp as I am! I can’t wait to kick off my heels and get on the couch at the end of the day!” says Vybe.
With winter on the doorstep, our friends at west elm have cooked up an enviable batch of furniture and homewares goodies perfect for cocooning with at home when temperatures head south.
Pascale sofa: Combining an on-trend hue (dark horseradish – a mustardy tone), this sofa has a softly rounded frame, removable arms and a back that folds for quick assembly making it easy to move around. $1099.
Ilya planters in speckled stone: I like the 1970’s inspired earthenware vibe of this pair, not to mention their fleshy hue. They’ll look even better with a pop of green sprouting from the top.
Margo Selby Dramatic Geometric cushion: Statement making, there’s nothing like a bold pop of colour to brighten up a stormy day.
Mid-Century six drawer dresser in pebble: A familiar shape for the brand, it’s the pale wood that’s a fresh new look. Metal hardware in antique brass complete the set. $1499.
Layered bookend planters: Combining books with plants (what’s not to love!?), these bookend planters evoke 1970’s modernist design and are available in a gorgeous speckled white finish too. $59.
Clifton coffee table: Clean and minimalist in design, this coffee table combines a solid marble base with a lacquered top to create something akin to a sculpture. $599.
Modern Slope upholstered office chair: Available in three delectable shades (dark horseradish, platinum and dusty blush) this swivel chair is a stylish office option. $399.
Sketchbook planters: These painterly planters include a handy tray (so many pretty pots don’t!) and lend an artisanal feel. From $49.
BEHR & CO’s latest homewares range (designed specifically for the lounge and desk) is a rather sumptuous affair with brass, Mongolian lamb fur and chunky wool rounding out the sophisticated mix. We caught up with the brand’s creative director Breanne Raffoul recently who gave us a bit of insight into the new collection.
Gorgeous chunky knit throws and Mongolian lamb fur cushions
“After traveling through France, I really wanted this collection to be opulent, in colour and design. It took influence from mid-century styles and the elegance of French royalty and there are lots of bold, statement pieces that are designed to be talking points in your home,” says Breanne who designs all of the pieces herself. “Designing is hard work and takes a lot of time. My husband thinks I’m insane half the time as I’m often found talking to myself in my office!” says Breanne.
Various brass wares including Breanne’s beloved Century vase on the right
Made by artisans in India, Italy and Indonesia, all of the pieces in the collection are fair trade. “We are passionate about supporting communities, not only with providing fantastic working conditions, but healthcare and schooling too,” says Breanne who manufactures some pieces in Melbourne too. “The majority of our Classic collection is made right here in Melbourne. I have personally felt every piece of marble!” says Breanne.
The desk collection in nickel
As for her favourite designs from the new range, Breanne struggles to narrow it down. “The century vase is my favourite piece as it’s so elegant and a sculpture in its own right! I also really love the matte black ladder as it’s simple and practical. Our new desk collection in nickel is lovely too – it’s a twist on our classic brass and is perfect for all our monochrome lovers,” says Breanne.
Housed in a 1920s heritage listed building in Malvern, Finch & Lane is a lovely new addition to the Melbourne luxury interiors scene and it has a fabulous online shop too. Owned by husband and wife team Stephanie and David Rew, the couple sell a stylish mix of furniture, homewares and, most notably, rare vintage movie posters or cinema art.
“People enjoy the nostalgia that certain movie titles can bring, they may collect based on a certain star or director, genre and so on or simply because it is beautiful art, which all of the ones we display are!” says David of the posters that are becoming ever more popular as collectibles.
“As a decor item in any home or office, they are always a conversation piece and of course what makes them so very special is that they are original. Although there are plenty of reproductions available, a reproduction can never give you that same fuzzy feeling that an original does and, unlike a reproduction, an original vintage movie poster may appreciate in value over time,” says David who cites a movie poster he is currently selling as an example. Bought for $5,000 15 years ago, the poster for the iconic La Dolce Vita is now selling for $38,000. “That said, one doesn’t need to spend that much in our store to enjoy a beautiful collectible, and like anything collectible, you should first buy it because you love it and not what it might be worth one day,” says David who has to resort to quite unorthodox measures to source the posters.
“Movie posters were printed in limited runs specifically for picture theatres to display in and around the theatre either before the film arrived or during the film’s showing season. Generally, once the movie run was over, the posters were thrown away or perhaps returned to the distributor. In other cases a picture theatre owner may have just dumped them ‘out back’ and years later may have had a big clean up and thrown them all out! Other posters have ended up as insulation under floorboards or in walls of homes — I have some in my collection that were just that! Collectors can go years and years waiting and hoping for certain titles to turn up and sometimes they just never do.”
In addition to the posters, Finch & Lane sell gorgeous furniture (named after old movie stars) featuring intricate joinery and upholstery detailing. “We import all our furniture and most of our accessories. We work with bespoke manufacturers who make limited runs for us so that our customers are buying relatively unique pieces.” They source American oak and Belgian linen to create pieces ideal for creating a New York loft meets Parisian apartment vibe.
“As far as design goes, we wanted to ensure that our pieces are luxurious as well as being designed to last. Therefore, in all of our upholstered furniture we have incorporated features such as solid oak frames in our sofas and chairs, duck feather or memory foam inserts as filling and removable slip covers on all pieces to ensure ease of dry cleaning and care, making our pieces functional, luxurious and enduring,” says Stephanie.
Combining their beloved brass with marble, Mr Pinchy and Co are back with a new range that not only looks beautiful but is super practical too.
“The focus moving forward is on purpose pieces that can be used in different spaces in the home and for a variety of uses,” says Mr Pinchy and Co creative and managing director, Michael Beer.
From beautifully crafted marble trays to boxes, Champagne chillers and ice buckets, it’s clear that the brand have moved on from purely decorative pieces.
“We have always wanted to diversify the range and saw a gap in the market for handcrafted marble pieces integrated with genuine brass that can be used throughout the home,” says Michael.
The Fox ice bucket, $389
“Mr Pinchy and Co pieces are made to last. Designed in-house, we seek out artisans across the globe to produce pieces that exude a masculine air of old world collector cool with a modern design relevance. Basically we make pieces that people will still want to look at and have around years down the track,” says Michael.
The Fox marble and brass tray, $349
“My favourite piece from the new collection would have to be the large Fox ice bucket as there’s nothing like adding a bit of cool to a party with chilled booze from a statement marble ice bucket! My wife and business partner loves the trays because of the multitude of uses they provide throughout different spaces in the home,” says Michael.
With prices ranging from $49 through to $1,699, there is something for everyone in this fabulous range. See Mr Pinchy and Co for more.
Working as a textile designer Pippa Oostergetel desperately wanted to design her own products. So two and a half years ago she did just that, launching her fashion accessories and homewares label Squeak, and producing the exact designs and products she had always wanted to find in store.
Pippa
Starting with just a small range of silk scarfs things quickly grew, with Pippa adding cashmere scarves, handbags, clutches, dressing gowns, tea towels and our favourites, her cushions and quilts. All playing with colour, texture and most importantly print, the designs are digitally printed onto natural fibres, making the products just as lovely to touch as they are to look at.
Her recently launched Spring Summer ’16 collection is no exception, with the designs continuing to play with beautiful patterns, but this time, with more sophistication. “I’ve learned so much during the first couple of years of running my own business and I feel as Squeak’s grown, so have my designs, and this collection is certainly more adult… I feel so grown up! With this collection I certainly explore a bit deeper with the product design, not making everything just about the textile patterns. My bags have a lot more bells and whistles and my cushions have added luxuries such as velvet backings and genuine leather piping.”
However, her favourite product is her colourful, hand stitched quilts, which have beautiful velvet reverses, making them amazing to curl up in. “The quilts for me are a sign of the quality and style I have always wanted for Squeak. So often you spend so long looking at your designs that in the end you no longer like them anymore, you’re sick of them. But my quilts are an example of one of the few times you look at your products and say: ‘nailed it!’ They’re what I’ve always wanted and I wouldn’t change anything about them.”
Designing everything herself, the textile patterns are always at the forefront of Pippa’s mind. Often using her own photographs when it comes to producing her prints, you can’t always see them, but they are likely the base of the design. “Nine times out of 10 there will be a photograph in the design somewhere. It may not be obvious, but sometimes they’re just there to add texture. So I often start designing just by playing with my images.”
With her collection now available, Pippa is already one step ahead, with next year’s offering well in the works. “I’ve got another range of cushion covers and quilts coming out early next year. I also of course have more bags. In this next range I’m really playing with metallics a bit more. After that, well, you’ll have to wait and see.”
Photography by Martina Gemmola | Styling by Paige Anderson
It’s no secret I love my pets, especially my number one gal pal/best friend forever/love of my life kitty cat Kimba (I know, I’m such a catch, right?!). So I thought it was only fair, with Christmas upon us, that I put together a list of the top pet accessories and homewares. Or maybe I was just researching for pleasure and pretending it was for work… I’ll let you decide.
The designer Reposo Throw Rug from Sasha & Me has all the snugly softness and warmth of real fur, creating an irresistible lounging spot for your dog or cat. Available in two sizes, the lightweight, durable design is fully machine washable. Prices start from $99.
IDPET’s limited edition Ceramic Treat Canister ($34.95) features an elegant ivory exterior that is sure to match any home decor. With a vintage retro design it can be personalised with any name, up to 16 characters long, to give it a unique and playful appeal. Handmade and waterproof, the canister has a wooden lid with airtight seal to keep treats fresh.Handmade by a group of women in Nepal, the 100% sheep wool Circo Basket is the ideal spot to keep your pet warm and cozy. Also doubling as a great storage basket, it comes in two sizes and two colours. Available from Sasha & Me, prices start at $119.95.
Pamper your favourite kitty at dinnertime with their very own Personalised Placemat from Little Bellies. Choose the colour of the mat and cat, plus add their name. Solid with a cork backing, the sturdy placemat retails for $24.99.
Made in heavy, 100% ceramic, the dishwasher safe and FDA approved Waggo Pet Bowl comes in a stunning polka dot pattern in rose gold. So chic! Available in two sizes from Design Stuff, prices start from $26. The ultimate outdoor accessory, the Beach Buddy Towel ($80) from Miyow and Barkley is a 100% cotton, striped towel, with its very own water bowl permanently attached. The bowl is made from a durable silicon, which makes it easy to wash and fold. Use it at the beach, on picnics, around the pool and even in the car to minimise spills.
The beautiful personalised Vintage Silver Plated Pet Food Fork features your choice of words hand stamped onto the main fork prong. Fitting up to 18 characters on the main area and up to 8 characters on the handle, get creative by writing your pet’s name, what they like to eat and so much more. Available from Hard To Find and designed by La de da! Living Limited, each fork retails for $39.
The Ore Pet Ceramic Le Petit Chasseur Cat Bowl is a feeding and drinking bowl that is lead-free, BPA-free and made with non-toxic materials. Featuring a French inspired graphic with the words ‘Le Petit Chasseur,’ translating to ‘Little Hunter’ in English, the chic bowl is available from Love That Pet for $24.
Give your cat the gift of climbing, clawing and chasing their friends all in the safety of your own home with a Funky Tree from Funky Cat. Your cats will love getting their claws into the sculptured yet flexible carpet posts, which won’t tear up under the full force of even the most vengeful kitty scratching! It’s no bargain, but it is awesome… here’s where I admit my cats have one! Coming in a range of sizes and formations, the large tree (pictured) measures 135cm tall and retails for $575.
We hope you liked this list. Let us know what you’d add!
The new Spring Summer 2015/16 accessories collection from BoConcept draws on nature to bring an earthy yet sophisticated feel inside the home. “Nature creates a calm yet strong foundation for this season’s accessory collection which features natural materials such as stone, concrete, terracotta, marble and dark and light timbers,” says Eliza Williams, BoConcept marketing manager.
While mostly tone on tone, the collection contains flashes of gold and copper to keep things interesting. “Metallics are still hot and bring glamour and sophistication to our homes and they also pair beautifully with contrasting natural textures,” says Eliza. The metallic collection, which includes a chic copper and gold pendant range, draws heavily on Art Deco influences.
The brand’s new art collection features photographs of the ocean and animals in muted tones while their new living range includes some fab Scandinavian inspired functional accessories – a chic dustpan and brush set and marble and gold clock are both highlights.
Of particular note is the brass skateboarding bulldog – this playful little number treads a fine kitsch line but is a guaranteed conversation starter.
Wanting to celebrate all that is wonderful about Australia, MOZI’s brand new collection, Flora Poética, delivers a modern take on Australia’s flora and fauna in a vibrant and bold colour palette.
Paying homage to the poetry of the Australian landscape from desert to sea, the range is perfect for getting you in the mood for summer and the good times that go hand in hand with our laid back lifestyle.
Featuring a combination of home textiles, kitchen and stationery products, summer-inspired fashion accessories, outdoor entertaining products, candles and gifting options; each piece features MOZI’s original illustrations in their signature colours.
“We are big fans of vintage Australiana – the tea towels in our grandmothers’ cupboards, the iconic art,” explains Fleur Harris, MOZI’s design manager. “We wanted to ‘MOZI-fy’ what is great from our past, with a fresh take to suit our current world and how we live, to create original illustrations using our trademark bright and playful colours and patterns. The rule was to go to the ‘edge of cheesy’ and not fall off!”
With a range of prints on offer, all encapsulate that quintessential Australian feel. Highlights include Flora & Fauna, which pays homage to the Australian bush (think cockatoos, galahs and king parrots amongst the gumtrees); Desert Rain, which takes you out into the northern parts of our land; and Australiana, which highlights our finest landmarks, anything from a curious kookaburra to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the trams of Melbourne.
From the bush to the beach MOZI have also captured the smell of summer in their two fragrance stories. Golden Honey transports you to the outback, where you’ll stop to smell fresh flowers in the clean air and Coconut Splice evokes a sense of fun and a youthful spirit.
MOZI’s Flora Poética range is available now. Shop online.
There’s no denying the bathroom can be one of the blandest rooms. So add some colour and texture with these affordable and stylish accessories, which you can easily swap in and out depending on your mood.
Luxe Copper Toilet Brush & Holder from Target: The toilet brush is probably the foulest (but let’s admit, most vital) bathroom accessory! However, this rose gold one is, dare I say, quite stylish. With a refined and elegant look, it is simple, practical and at $20, affordable.
Stripes Bath Towel Set in Pastel Pink from Aura: Featuring two bath towels, two hand towels and one bath mat, the $179 towel set is sure to impress. Made from luxuriously soft, super absorbent pure cotton, the pattern is bold but simple. Items are also sold separately, starting from $19.95.
Quote Candles from Damselfly: As Damselfly say: “We want to hit you in the face, right in the nose, with our triple-scented aromas and then in the eyes, with a killer quote” and, they succeed! Their super fun candles are made from non-toxic soy based wax and are hand poured in Australia. Each has up to 60 hours burning time and retails for $39.95.
RÅGRUND Towel rack chair from IKEA: It’s the thing I never knew existed but now kind of want! Made from bamboo, this $49.99 towel rack chair is a real space saver. A place to store your belongings or take a seat, it is hard-wearing and durable.
Brio Pedal Bin 3 Litre in Mint from Freedom: This handy item is great for keeping your bathroom clean and injecting a bit of colour into your space. It’s sturdy metal body means it will go the distance and the easy-access pedal keeps things fuss free. Also available in yellow it retails for $29.95.
Budgie Bath Sheet Set from Ninnho: The ultimate in luxury, this set includes two super-sized bath sheets, one hand towel, one bath mat and two wash cloths. A chic colour statement, they are 100% cotton and designed in Melbourne by artist Antoinette Ferwerda. The set retails for $259, with individual items starting from $12
Salle De Bain Two Piece Bathroom Jar Set from Kmart: For just $7 this soap dispenser and toothbrush holder is quite the stylish bargain. Made from blue-tinted glass, they are functional, decorative and on-trend. Wicker Waste Bin Round from Bed Bath N’ Table: Perfect for that country home look, this white and beige wicker bin is both stylish and practical. Designed by Morgan & Finch, it retails for $11.20.
AW15 Tartan Bath Robe from Kip & Co: I’m not a bath robe kind of girl, but this, is convincing me otherwise. The ideal thing to wrap yourself up in this winter, the plush robe is made from 100% cotton terry toweling. One size fits most, it retails for $119.
Sea Tangle Bath Sheet from Kate & Kate: Soft, absorbent and generous, Kate & Kate’s bath sheets are double-sided with terry and velour. Made from 100% cotton and available in three colour ways they retail for $99.
We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know what you’d add!
Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.
Here are this week’s beautiful products (clockwise from top left)
Trying to think back to what I was doing when I was 12 and I’m left with a big gaping hole. That’s probably because as a tween, I really wasn’t up to all that much. Life consisted of school, ballet, friends and sleep… and that was pretty much it. Ah, to be a kid again!
Maisie
However, for Maisie Callcott, being 12 was a very different story. Rather, the business-savvy, craft-loving primary schooler began Maypole Design, an online business selling wall hangings, rope-based jewellery and accessories and clay bowls. (When our publisher Jen discovered Maisie’s work on Instagram recently, she had no idea she was so young, and no doubt many of her customers don’t either!)
That was in 2012 and now, the 15-year-old (nearly 16!) Adelaide local has turned her once all-consuming hobby into a very popular and successful business. “I have always been creative so I guess Maypole Design came naturally and that is probably why I find it so fun,” explains Maisie. “Most of my products are one-offs and are all made with the highest quality and lots of love!”
[contextly_sidebar id=”xdp2EfWLdwOtyhTR3Gp869GNKYtTVH5C”]Selling her products through Etsy, her online store and in boutiques all over the world, Maypole Design is all about supplying beautiful and unique handmade pieces that are just a little bit different. Here at Interiors Addict we can’t go past Maisie’s wall hangings, with each weaving taking a massive eight hours to complete! “I really enjoy making my weavings and put as much effort and love as I can into each one, so that my customers receive something unique that is special to them and exactly fits their space. Customers can also choose their colours, size and design, so the piece is special to them.”
While creating the wall hangings is admittedly long, Maisie loves the process for how relaxing weaving can be. She is also a huge fan of the textures and yarns, and how each piece is truly one-of-a-kind. “I love all different textures and try to combine as many as I can into each weaving as it creates a really cool effect. I only use the best quality yarns and rovings when making my weavings and source them from all over the world. At the moment I am obsessed with thick merino wool and include it often. You can do so much with merino and it can change the whole look and feel of the weaving.”
Alongside her wall hangings, Maisie designs and makes necklaces, keyrings, pom-pom planters and clay bowls. However, what I am most impressed by is her eBook for teenagers: How to build an online business while still at school, and if anyone should know how to do it, it’s Maisie! So for any tenacious teens out there, I’d definitely recommend a read.
Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit Milan Design Week 2015 and I had the most incredible time! There are so many events you can attend; you’d need a team of five scouts to even come close to covering the whole week. So while I didn’t get to see it all, I did get to see some amazing displays and products, which proved why Milan is the go-to city for design inspiration.
Shaynna
Some of the world’s best designers from around the world showcased their works, but standouts for me were Tacchini, Louis Vuitton and Moooi. It was a very inspiring experience to be able to see all the furniture, lighting, accessories and colour on display, which got me thinking of ways we can incorporate these trends into our lives here in Australia. So below are my top five tips for incorporating Milan Design Week’s trends into your home.
1. Keep it cosy with an autumnal colour scheme
Tacchini display from Milan Design Week 2015
I wandered through a field of autumnal colours at the Tacchini display. Pale peaches, bold oranges, deep yellows and a spectrum of muted greens. The boldly coloured furniture was softened with the low lighting of the floral-printed drum shades.
Autumnal colours are perfect for making a room feel cosy as they draw the space inward creating an intimate scene. To prevent an autumnal palette from feeling too heavy, I would keep your accent timbers to a light oak as opposed to a dark brown or black colour, and dress with off white bed linen to give the perfect contrast. If you want to be a little more subtle, but still want that warmth, go for a stone colour on the walls like Taubmans Endure Portland Stone, and pull the deeper autumn tones through the room via a rug or artwork. This way you won’t overwhelm the room too much.
2. Go green!
Louis Vuitton display from Milan Design Week 2015
Amongst all the warm hues there were constant pops of dark green, like at the Louis Vuitton display, which showcased their Objets Nomades collection. Set amongst the backdrop of the magnificent nineteenth century Palazzo Bocconi, the cream and gilded walls with hints of pale duck egg blue were an incredible contrast to the dark greens of the display, which were inspired by Ernest Hemmingway’s travels.
The key to making any shade of green work in your home is to mix it with elements of white and light coloured timbers so it feels fresh. Avoid using dark colours in your accessories and furniture as it can often make green feel dated and old-fashioned.
3. Dark walls and mood lighting
Moooi’s display from Milan Design Week 2015
Most of the displays I saw featured backdrops of stark white, charcoal or black to accentuate each designer’s products. This also drew focus towards the feature lighting of many displays – another popular trend from Milan Design Week. Moooi’s display’s had a very dramatic, moody, yet playful feel to it with its dark walls, which showed off the unique feature lighting.
Dark colours have a tendency to enclose a room making it feel much smaller than it really is. To make a dark room feel more spacious, reflect the wall colour in your flooring or use a rug with a similar tone. This makes the room feel like one, big open space. Walls in a dark charcoal or black like Taubmans Chasm or Black Fox should also be mixed with plenty of white and light grey furniture and accessories, along with statement pendant lighting for the ultimate moody yet sophisticated look.
4. Bold and beautiful
Moooi’s display from Milan Design Week 2015
Moooi was definitely one of my favourites from Milan Design Week 2015. The large-scale prints on their new carpet range served as dramatic floor canvases in bold statement colours, which along with extravagant wall hangings offset the elegant furniture and unique feature lighting. A palette of red with accents of raspberry and purple was one dramatic combination I saw and loved at Moooi. They cleverly used strategic lighting to mute the intensity of the tones.
When incorporating into your own home, the key to using bold colours like these is to layer different variances of similar hues but keep the lighting soft around the walls. Use brighter lights on the furniture areas to balance the room.
5. Layers and layers
Milan Design Week 2015 was bold, playful and quirky with nothing pared back, especially when it came to colour. The same warm tonal colours caught my eyes at nearly every display. Shades of gold, brass, yellow, peach, tangerine and deep oranges layered upon each other were a common theme. Dark greens and blues often also popped up alongside the warm hues.
The trends we continue to see today are multi-layered looks, which means they appeal to many different personalities and markets providing something for everyone. Milan was a great example of a place that offers endless inspiration and unique ways to adapt colour and interior trends – from the exhibition into your home.
— Shaynna Blaze is Taubmans’ brand ambassador and colour creative director, host of Selling Houses Australia and judge on The Block.
Having three children of her own and 20(!) nieces and nephews, Dong-Maria Le has always had a lot of kids’ presents to buy! Being constantly on the lookout for gorgeous, high quality and stylish pieces, all the gift buying saw her curate quite the collection of unique clothing, accessories, toys and decor; the perfect backdrop for opening up her own business, BabyDonkie.
Launching BabyDonkie while on maternity leave in 2012, Dong-Maria specialises in products for babies and kids. Influenced by colour, all things retro and Scandinavian design, she offers beautiful pieces that won’t break the bank, perfect if you’re styling on a budget. “Changing the style of a kid’s room can be quite affordable by adding cushions, paper storage bags, prints, wall stickers or wooden/felt banners. Many of these can be purchased for around $30-to-50.”
While cheap and cheerful accessories are ideal for styling a kid’s room, Dong-Maria recommends investing in larger pieces, especially those that will grow with your child. “Must-buy products for a kid’s room are the investment pieces; products like a bed, storage (bedside or clothing) and lighting are a must.
“Adding something personal is a beautiful touch, such as a favourite toy or book, or a print or light with their initial on it.”
With Dong-Maria’s favourite trends currently being monochrome with a pop of colour and fun prints like animals, ice cream and fruit in delicious colours, her dream kids room would contain all of this and a lot more! “My dream room is a tidy room! I would love for it to include a reading nook, a corner for pretend play such as a wooden kitchen, a teepee to hide in, beautiful prints and favourite toys on display and lots and lots of storage!”
A well-designed and accessorised bathroom is key to creating a space full of character. With the bathroom continuing to form part of the wider living zone where bathrooms, bedrooms and dressing rooms become one continuous space, we are noticing a trend toward accessorising in the bathroom as an effective tool for performing a mini facelift and adding life into a once purely functional area of the home.
Kartell by Laufen 750 Transparent Crystal Rack
Kartell by Laufen Tangerine Orange Stool
As spaces in the home become more integrated, so too does the functional and decorative role of furniture, accessories and decorative lighting. Traditional complementary furniture such as mirrors, tall boys and floating cabinetry continue to be important in personalising and creating style in the bathroom space, but we’re also seeing more furniture like stools, chairs and shelves appearing. Creating bathroom products that are both functional and decorative has been a focus for designers, as seen in the stunning Kartell by Laufen collection designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba. This is a great example of this integrated approach, with the polycarbonate mirrors, racks, cabinets and stools as appropriate in the bathroom as they would be elsewhere in the home.
Milli Edge Freestanding Toilet Column
Also providing innovative space-saving solutions are multi-purpose accessories, like the Milli Edge freestanding toilet column which elegantly stores a toilet roll and brush holder. Similarly, the Laufen Pro A wash basin with stand not only looks striking but is a clever way to store towels.
[contextly_sidebar id=”efpEWHGTw2yBt3zMTGyQmpFBbfL50DNK”]In our recent survey, we were surprised to see mirrors emerging as the fourth most important item in the bathroom. This is a strong indication that customers are using decorative accessories to evolve and add character to their bathroom look. Many ranges are also designed to complement each other, creating families of products to ensure customers are offered a coordinated look, rather than having to search for individual accessories to create a unified style, For example, the Milli and Mizu ranges not only include beautifully designed tapware, they also include a range of matching accessories like soap dishes, toothbrush holders, towel rails, toilet brush holders and soap dispensers.
Milli Glance Soap Dish
Milli Glance Basin Mixer Matte Black
For an even simpler update, adding small touches can be an effective way to enhance the look and feel of a bathroom. Good quality towels are a worthwhile investment and lend an air of luxury, while scented candles and flowers will make a space feel inviting and reinvigorated. Add a luxurious handwash to the mix to tie the space together and give it a finished look.
After a bit of a break to reassess and finesse their business model, I’m delighted that Mr Pinchy and Co and their gorgeous brass objets are back!
Mr Pinchy the crab, from $49
Husband and wife team Michael and Lou Beer have changed craftsmen and improved quality and are back with “a broader yet more refined offering” and a new website.
The brand, stocked exclusive by Coco Republic and Becker Minty and also available online, prides itself on its masculinity and old world collector charm. “We feel there is a real void in the market for it,” adds Michael. “Our pieces are made to last, making them great life objects to be revered in the family and handed along over time. It’s often not the price tag that makes an inanimate object loved, but it’s the character, rawness and presence it brings to a space.”
Larry the lobster, from $99
With Christmas approaching, the men in our lives can certainly be some of the hardest to buy for, but the Pinchy crab claw bottle opener would surely go down well? As a female though, I have to say I’d be delighted to be gifted any of these pieces. I can’t get enough of gold accessories right now!
Crab claw bottle opener, $89
Other items, including the fabulous new Larry the lobster, are available in polished or brushed gold (moving forward, they will begin to offer antique bronze, antique green and black across some pieces).
Working with his wife is proving successful for Michael: “Lou is my level head. I always want to do the large statement pieces such as crocodile skulls (coming soon), but she reminds me that the price pointed pieces are what people are more likely to buy as gifts or if they are new to our brand and have not seen our pieces or their quality previously.”
Beetles from $59
Read how Mr Pinchy got started and the techniques used to make their products in Indonesia in our 2012 interview.
