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Expert Tips Home Office Styling

Steve Cordony shares his home office must haves

Renowned interior stylist Steve Cordony says Australians had to pivot very quickly this year to create a workspace at home but one that may not have been their ideal setup. But he explains that with simple changes, the ultimate home office can be created to help set you up for success in the New Year.  

“Making a conducive and productive environment is the result of a combination of styling, careful arrangement of your office materials and enhanced convenience,” he says. 

  1. Space planning

Turn your guest room into the perfect home office by utilising sofa beds and furniture items that double as office and bedroom storage.

  1. Break out and recharge 

Simply put, don’t eat at your desk. Take a break from your home office and recharge your batteries by enjoying a quick walk around the block or even having your morning coffee on your balcony or in your garden. Similar to going to the kitchen or break-out room in your office, you need to schedule those short breaks away from your desk. Create a calming coffee nook for a double espresso cappuccino moment to inspire you to take a quick break throughout your day. 

  1. Sensory stimulation and personal touches 

Intangible elements are just as important to the overall feel and mood of a home office space. Not only does playing soft background music or lighting a scented candle create a calming space, it also stimulates focus in the home office. Styling your workspace with personal objects, plants and photographs promotes productivity within the workplace. That way you can even transform the plainest room into an inspiring environment. 

  1. Office with a view

Bring the outdoors in by situating your desk and ergonomic office chair close to a natural light source or window with a view. Natural light is best for working during the day, and task lighting or warm tone overhead lighting for the evening. 

  1. Make it work for you 

Now that we are spending more time at home, we need to be conscious of those things that will make life easier and help us achieve better work-life balance. Adding services into our home routines such as subscription programs can allow for a hassle-free, more convenient day. 

Steve is an ambassador for Nespresso, whose Coffee Subscription can be tailored to your coffee drinking habits as well as being cost efficient for the whole household, whether it’s just one coffee or up to four coffees per day. It features free delivery for every order of 50 capsules or more, 10% extra credit added to your Nespresso account, as well as the ability to cancel any time, to make working from home that little bit simpler. 

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Dining Homewares

Spring/Summer 2015 collection offers more than Salt&Pepper

Where to begin? Salt&Pepper has once again produced a vast and varying collection – from watercolour to pastel, marble to metallic, Scandi to sophisticated, all tastebuds will be satisfied.

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One of my personal favourites is the indigo and pale blue of the Cumulus collection. Paired with some rose gold cutlery from the Host range and you have some majestic, yet effortlessly summery dinnerware.

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If you want to extend the gold theme outside the food scene, giant alarm clocks and metal-framed lamps are the way to go. They even have scented candles in rose gold containers!

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The Marble range also deserves a noteworthy mention, because who doesn’t love marble (although it isn’t real marble!)? Plus it will team perfectly with all that gold decor and cutlery.

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Other ranges include the Metro, which brings minimalist measuring spoons, mixing bowls and spice racks into the kitchen, and Loft, a mix of wood and bold graphics. There’s also Café, an understated way to enjoy your tea or coffee at home with matching block colour cups and jugs, and Pastel, which has a more high-tea-in-an-English-manor-feel to it.

For more information.

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Dining Homewares Kitchens

Add a cup of wisdom to your next tea or coffee

The new Words of Wisdom mugs from designer Cristina Re are perfect for starting your morning on a positive note.

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Available in Blush, Ebony or Ivory, these little darlings are made from the finest quality porcelain and are finished off with delicate hand painted affirmations in 24ct gold.

WordsOfWisdom_DreamMix and match them with other tea cups, plates and cake stands from the Signature and Designer Cristina Re ranges. Available nationally at David Jones, selected lifestyle stores and online.

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Bedrooms Competitions Designers Travel

From Milano and Palermo, with love…

Sponsored by Nespresso

Is anywhere more known for its coffee than Italy? Probably not! Having visited Milan, Venice, Tuscany and Rome last year, I can tell you it’s all true what they say! From city to city, Italians enjoy their coffee in different ways and with different traditions, but like the English do tea, they all take their hot beverages just as seriously!

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In 2013, Nespresso celebrated this diversity through the cities of Naples and Trieste, with two unique and contrasting coffees. This month, they continue to pay homage to the rich heritage of Italy’s coffee culture with two new Limited Edition ristrettos, inspired by the emblematic cities of Milan and Palermo.

Last year, I visited Milan for the famous Salone del Mobile furniture fair and with so many huge halls to traipse around, a regular caffeine fix was high on my agenda! Remember though, no messing around with your coffee when you’re in Italy, Il Culto del Caffè is a serious business and you don’t want to get laughed out of the cafe! No cappuccinos or other milky coffees after breakfast, in many places expect to drink standing up, and as any purist knows, no flavoured syrups or any of that nonsense. Oh no, not in Italia!

Here in Australia, we’re lucky to benefit from the knowledge of our many Italian immigrants, whether it’s around coffee, fashion, style or food. I thought it would be fun to look at how you might take inspiration from Milan and Palermo in your interiors.

MILANO

Milan is Italy’s city of finance, business and fashion. Some would say it’s the global capital of fashion! My Milan-inspired interior would super sleek and high end but relaxed enough to be fashionable. Think elegant lines and great bones like timber floors, panelled walls and tall windows. It’s grand like the huge Milan Cathedral and the stunning Galleria shopping arcade and impressive like a da Vinci painting! But a little undone like a young, off duty supermodel!

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Image via Fanuli Furniture. Click through for details

Tribute to Milano (Intensity 9) is Nespresso’s interpretation of the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city of Milan, where coffee is enjoyed at a fast pace, whilst standing at the bar. Inspired by the perfect balance of elegance and intensity at the architecturally impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Tribute to Milano is also a perfect equilibrium of elegance and intensity. A highly aromatic ristretto, Tribute to Milano transports you to a traditional gelateria in the heart of Milan with its fine fruity aromas and sweet cereal notes.

PALERMO

For all Milan’s sophistication and gloss, Sicily’s Palermo is altogether more relaxed and sunny, but just as bustling. My Palermo interior would be casual and colourful to reflect the city’s richness of culture, music and food. This interior is perfectly imperfect and a little rough around the edges. Raw materials and natural light feature heavily in this look. Furniture is mismatched in a charming way.

Image via Air Bnb. Click through for details.
Image via Air Bnb. Click through for details.

Nespresso’s Tribute to Palermo (Intensity 11) is inspired by the relaxed and social coffee culture in Palermo and pays homage to the Sicilians’ love of a strong coffee. It is a powerful, intense and full-bodied ristretto with a silky texture reminiscent of a leisurely afternoon in the sun. Nespresso’s coffee experts were also inspired by the vibrancy of the Sicilian outdoor markets, alive with colourful spices, fresh produce and flowers so the cacao aromas and spicy peppery notes evoke an experience in amongst the locals at the market.

Image via booking.com. Click through for details
Image via booking.com. Click through for details

COMPETITION

To celebrate the launches, we’re running a competition over on Instagram. To enter, you’ll need to style and take a photo of your own tribute to Milan or Palermo and hashtag it either #tributetomilano or #tributetopalermo and tag us and @nespresso.

One winner will receive the new Nespresso Pixie Clips machine and a 10-sleeve Limited Edition Italian Inspired Assortment Pack, with additional accessories. Enter by midnight on 30 September 2015.

Order Nespresso online.

Categories
Appliances Kitchens

The seriously easy to use Lavazza Fantasia coffee machine

I must admit I’m on a bit of a high at the moment. I just made two coffees. Sure, to many that sounds like no big deal. But ever since my parents installed a state of the art coffee machine into my childhood home some 10 years ago, I had sworn off making coffee and, to be honest, coffee in general. You seriously needed a PhD to operate that machine, and whilst I had had many a tutorial on how to use it, if anyone asked for one, I’d quickly reply it was broken!

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But back to present day, and with my new (gifted) Lavazza machine in tow, making coffee is now achievable, if not easy! The new Fantasia model is all about offering a real Italian cafe experience at home, and can produce a range of made-to-taste coffee beverages including espresso, long black, cappuccino, flat white and hot or cold latte. Catering for all tastes, there are three different settings for frothing milk and two for coffee. Milk can even be cold-frothed for a dense, velvety texture.

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Other features include a temperature control function that ensures coffee quality is always consistent; an LED on the display, which will light up when the coffee maker needs descaling; and a cup support rack that can be set at three different heights. Cleaning the machine is also easy thanks to removable parts that are dishwasher safe.

The machine also comes with a book of recipes (though I’m not sure if I’m at that level yet!), produced by the Lavazza Training Center, containing a series of espresso-based beverages you can enjoy at home.

Fantasia is compatible with Lavazza’s extensive range of A Modo Mio coffee capsules, is available in three colours and retails for $399. It is available nationally at all leading department stores and electrical retailers, as well as online.

— Disclosure: The Lavazza Fantasia coffee machine was gifted to me, however positive coverage was not guaranteed.

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Appliances

Stylish new Nespresso cups in black porcelain and silicon

I do love a new Nespresso accessory, especially a sexy and stylish one! The coffee brand have teamed up with Berlin based industrial design studio GECKELER MICHELS to bring us the Touch Collection cups.

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Inspired by the stylish design of the Nespresso machines, the Touch Collection features sleek black lines and a matt and gloss finish. The shape of the cup, with its silicon ring, pays homage to the iconic coffee capsule.

GECKELER MICHELS, known for their contemporary mix of textures and materials, chose sophisticated black pigmented porcelain to guarantee a deep brilliant colour and finish. The soft touch silicon ring with its silky texture was an intuitive solution and inspiration for the name.

Nespresso sensory experts were also involved in the design in order to make sure the cups release the intensity of aromas within Nespresso Grands Crus. Furthermore, the cups’ concave bottom ensures the optimal crema, both in terms of finesse and quantity. Finally, the compact porcelain will keep the coffee at the perfect temperature. There’s a lot to it!

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“We tried to integrate the strongest identity element of Nespresso in the cup design, which is the shape of the capsule. This is reflected in the form of the upper part of each cup. The result is a cup shape with a strong silhouette which provides a subconscious hint to the brand’s identity,” explained Geckeler.

The Touch Collection will be available in four sizes: Espresso ($30 for two) Lungo ($35 for two) Cappuccino ($35 for two) and Mug ($35 for two).

Buy online or in store.

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Appliances

The latest good looking coffee maker from Nespresso & Breville

With its all-black exterior and solid die-cast aluminum, the Nespresso Breville Maestria Black brings a masculine and sophisticated finish to any modern kitchen.

LIONEL DERIAZ , ALL USES , ALL USES , WORLDWIDE , ALL

Equal parts power and luxury, the Maestria allows you to prepare professional style coffee with the attached steam wand and master the art of milk froth. With its hard industrial structure, the statement Maestria suits all the needs of coffee lovers with its adjustable volume control and two programmed cup sizes.

Featuring the fast heat-up time of 25 seconds with a double thermoblock, auto power off mode, removable 1.4 litre water tank and a 19-bar pressure system, it promises a perfect cup of coffee every time.

Nespresso Breville Maestria Black retails for $749. For more information.

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Appliances Kitchens

Stand mixers for $199 in BODUM’s one-off sample sale

Danish brand BODUM will be holding a once-off sample sale in their Sydney showroom from next Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 November 2014. Best sellers, sample products and display items at bargain prices. Grab a kitchen mixer from $199 and limited edition BODUM 70th anniversary products in retro colours.

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There’ll be double wall glassware, tea, coffee, kitchen tools and small appliances at up to 80% off. Prices start at $5.

When: 9am to 6pm, Wednesday 5 – Friday 7 November 2014

Where: BODUM Showroom, Jones Bay Wharf, Upper Deck, Suite 39, 26-32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont, NSW 2009

Phone: 02 9692 0582

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Categories
Appliances Kitchens

Sleek and powerful: The KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine

For those who are serious about their coffee, the new sleek and powerful KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine promises to make mornings that little more bearable.

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Featuring independent dual boilers that brew espresso and steam simultaneously, the fast six-minute start-up time gives you unprecedented power and control.

In keeping with the premium quality one expects from appliances bearing the KitchenAid name, the beautifully designed and powerfully engineered machine makes preparing coffee at home a pleasure. With the commercial quality die-cast metal construction meaning you’ll be able to enjoy premium brews for years.

The KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine (KES2102) comes in Candy Apple Red and has a recommended retail price of $1,999. Available now in quality homewares and major department stores across Australia, visit KitchenAid’s website for more details and stockist information.

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Appliances Kitchens

Make cafe-worthy coffee at home with the DéLonghi Dedica

As a nation of coffee lovers, people increasingly want to bring the cafe culture to their own home. And thanks to DéLonghi’s latest offering, the Dedica Manual Coffee Machine, you will not only be able to save time and money, but even complete coffee-making novices like myself will be able to whip up a barista worthy cappuccino!

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A simple, compact design with an elegant gloss finish and chrome touches, the Dedica is only 15cm wide. Designed to fit into any kitchen or office space with a clean and sleek look, it comes in three bold colours: black, silver and red.

A user-friendly control panel with three illuminated buttons makes the machine intuitive to use while the self-priming system means you never have to wait to make a coffee. The machine also allows the user to take full control of their milk with a manual steam wand.

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Whether you’re a devotee of ground coffee, or prefer the simplicity of a pod solution, the Dedica is compatible with both, so you can choose your favourite variety and enjoy a perfectly blended coffee every time. The new Easy Serving Espresso pods contain DéLonghi’s traditional wood-fired roasted beans, available in three blend varieties.

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The Dedica retails for $349 and can be purchased from all leading home appliance retailers across Australia from August. For more information.

Categories
Furniture Homewares Travel

My visit to West Elm London

When West Elm UK asked me if I’d like to come and visit their first store in my motherland while I was in London, what do you reckon I said? YES! I went for my tour with the associate marketing manager Jessica Sims last week, where we argued about who was the bigger West Elm addict.

West Elm London, which opened a few months after Australia’s first Bondi store, is housed in a great old building on Tottenham Court Road, conveniently opposite Goodge Street tube. It’s perhaps competitively close to established UK homewares brands like Heal’s (it has a great cafe, incidentally) and Habitat, in what is an excellent part of town for an interiors addict after a spot of retail therapy.

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This fabulous window display brightened up the store on the grey and drizzly day I visited

The store, on two floors and with a huge green wall of living plants, is brilliantly styled (or merchandised as they say in the business). I love the Bondi store but this was something else. AND it has a cafe. Hello, two of my favourite things (West Elm and coffee) in the same place! There are plenty of friendly staff everywhere, including an in-house stylist ready to help customers in the Design Lab. No doubt this level of service is shaking things up in the UK homewares market.

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This fab marble coffee table is available in Australia too, for $699

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I of course wanted to walk out with one of everything. Especially this divine navy (of course) velvet couch (sadly not available in Australia). Yes, you should buy big ticket items in neutrals, but… And the herringbone coffee table is clearly magnificent! A side table version is available in Oz, if you’d like a piece of that mirrored action.

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I have already started making a shopping list ready for when I’m back in Australia and looking for my next home, and can visit the new Chatswood store. Hoorah!

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This visit reminded me just how much I heart West Elm. I remember once telling someone, if I was a brand, I’d be West Elm. (No really, Jess, I am the bigger West Elm addict…)

Here are four finds I saw in store which are available at home in Australia too (Bondi, Melbourne or online). Clockwise from top left: Paidge chair, $999;  Terrace side table, $329; Parquetry 3-drawer dresser, $1,299; leather stripe zipper cases, from $39.

west elm favouritesI also found out that West Elm are now doing wedding registries, in Australia too. I so would have considered that last year (but I used The Wedding Nest and they were amazing).

Categories
Interiors Addict

New twilight Nespresso delivery for coffee addicts

Order your coffee before 1pm, get it delivered to your home this evening, all ready for tomorrow morning? That’s the new twilight delivery deal for Nespresso’s Sydney metro customers. Your order will arrive between 6 and 10pm the same day and you can track it. $15 flat rate, within a 50km of the CBD. It’s a little steep compared to the usual $6 delivery charge (free if you order 200 capsules or more) but if you’re a coffee addict? Priceless!

Categories
Appliances Kitchens

Video: Ever wondered where your Nespresso coffee comes from?

Big companies like Nespresso don’t always get the best press for being ethical or sustainable and the waste associated with capsule coffee has been a talking point for some time. In this new video, you can learn more about where your Nespresso comes from. Did you know 68 percent is from AAA Sustainable Quality Program coffee farms?

Watch the video or read their policies on sustainability and recycling and make up your own mind. I always think it’s good to make informed choices. Personally, I love the convenience of Nespresso and I really need to start recycling my pods. Find your nearest recycling point here.

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Appliances

Chocolate, caramel and vanilla become permanent Nespresso flavours

Great news for those who like their coffee a little sweeter! The three most popular limited edition Nespresso Variations – Vanilla, Dark Chocolate and Caramel – are back and now part of the permanent Nespresso Grand Crus range.

Re-introduced as Vanilio, Ciocattino and Caramelito Variations Grand Crus (of course they needed a fancy new Italian name! What would Mr Clooney say?!), they offer a combination of natural aromas with the smoothness of the Livanto, apparently the Grand Cru with the optimum profile for complementing different flavours.

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Variations Grand Crus by Nespresso

Vanilio  A balanced harmony between the rich and the velvety aromas of vanilla and the mellow flavour of the Livanto Grand Cru. A blend distinguished by its full flavour, infinitely smooth and silky on the palate.

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Interiors Addict

Some very Aussie homewares, darls

I love a sense of humour and the latest homewares from Make Me Iconic, seen here for the first time, have plenty of that!

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Aren’t they fun? 

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Appliances

Win a Bodum stand mixer in your choice of four great colours worth $499

To celebrate the launch of Appliance Addict, we have a stand mixer worth $499 to give away to one lucky reader, thanks to our friends at Bodum. Better still, you can choose from these four colours to complement your kitchen!

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Best known for its iconic French Press coffee plunger (I remember buying my first in the 90s and thinking I was very posh and grown up) and, more recently, its double-walled tea and coffee glasses, Bodum also has a surprisingly wide range of good-looking kitchen appliances including kettles, toasters, blenders, coffee machines and coffee bean grinders.

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Appliances

Order Nespresso from your phone with new app

Did you know you can order your Nespresso from the convenience of your phone or iPad? A new and improved version of the free app has just been released.

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With it you can order your capsules, accessories and machines, have them delivered or arrange to collect from your nearest Nespresso boutique and stay up to date with news, like the latest limited edition Grand Crus.

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Appliances

The capsule machine that makes tea, hot chocolate and cold drinks as well as coffee

Well, this one’s bound to upset the coffee purists and delight the tea and hot chocolate drinkers all at the same time! The Nescafé Dolce Gusto is the first ever machine available in Australia to make 14 different beverages, from hot frothy cappuccinos to chilled peach iced teas. Its multi-beverage capsule system is already hugely popular in more than 50 countries around the world.

DeLongi Dolce Gusto

It’s a partnership between Nestlé and De’Longhi. The sleek and easy-to-use machine (which kind of looks like a cute baby robot?) serves full-bodied coffee as well as iced coffees and teas with the touch of a button. Its 15-bar pressure pump (similar to the pressure used in cafe coffee machines) helps creates that crema layer.