Tag: darren palmer

Categories
Competitions Styling

The winner of 7 Vignettes March

It’s Lou Masters! I could have sworn Lou was a previous winner but maybe she just should have won by now! Guest judge Jacinta Preston said: “Lou’s vignettes are like beautiful watercolours, fluid and very painterly, and it’s this painterly quality that makes her vignettes truly unique. It’s fabulous and creative storytelling.”

Lucky Lou wins an amazing framed Hermes scarf from Provincial Styles. Little bit jealous about that… Thanks to Fi Longmire for donating this generous prize. I loved this month, even though I was a bit absent online, attending a wedding in New Zealand where I was MC. Luckily I had the wonderful Jacinta — a second time guest judge for good reason — getting amongst it and being super involved.

Jacinta found the final decision really tough and wanted to give a special mention to Rachael Honner, whose pictures she also loved.

I crowdsourced the themes for this month, asking you all for your suggestions. My favourite had to be your interpretations of haft seen. So cool! This is my last 7 Vignettes in Australia for 6 months as Damian and I start our travel adventures this Thursday. This will be an excellent way for me to keep in touch with you while I’m away though. I’ll be sharing pix from Europe on Instagram of course, with the hashtag #addictabroad.

lou masters 7 vignettes

Follow Lou on Instagram. Find out how to take part in the next 7 Vignettes, including my short video interview with Block judge Darren Palmer about why he LOVES it, here. Lou, please contact us with your address.

Categories
Designers The Block

Want to see Darren Palmer strip off for charity?

I know some of you would, judging by the keywords you search which end up leading you to this blog! Wouldn’t you like to know…

Darren Palmer

On a much more serious note, The Block judge, interior designer and friend of Interiors Addict Darren, has promised to don a pair of budgie smugglers and run through the CBD on 28 March if he raises $10,000 for Youngcare, a charity he is ambassador for. I, for one, would pay to see that! If even half of you could donate just the price of a coffee ($3 on a good day) we could smash that target. So, what do you say?

Currently more than 7,500 young Australians (under the age of 65) with full-time care needs are living in aged care simply because there are few alternatives*. There are also 700,000 more young Australians being cared for at home by family and friends, often with limited support**. Youngcare believes all young people deserve to live young lives. The charity is committed to raising awareness of the issue across the nation so that we can drive change and create real choices for young Australians and their families.

The GIO Youngcare Budgie Bolt (in Sydney and Brisbane) is a 6 kilometre dash in nothing but your budgie smugglers or smugglettes to raise awareness and much needed funds. Every dollar raised will help Youngcare provide grants to stop young people going into aged care.

“Braving the Budgie Bolt is one of my worst nightmares,” says Darren. “The challenge has been set by Youngcare advocate Emily Dash, asking if I am man enough to take part. Emily and I have become great friends, however asking me to don the budgies and run 6km — this is pushing the friendship!

This image may be Photoshopped...
This image may be Photoshopped…

“I’m not one to back down, so I thought I’d see if enough people would put their money behind me to run through Sydney’s streets in my budgies and not much else! If I raise enough money for Youngcare, I’ll do it!”

I’ve put my money where my mouth is with a $100 donation. You can donate too here. 

 * Source: National Disability Agreement 2010

** Source: Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2007

Categories
Bathrooms The Block

Get the look: last night’s Block main bathroom reveals

I must admit I didn’t watch The Block room reveals last night as I’m “overseas” in New Zealand for a friend’s wedding. When I got these photos through, there was a clear favourite for me: Kyal and Kara. So I was delighted they not only won, but won with a perfect 30 out of 30 from the judges — the first this season. Well deserved! Here’s why…

Kyal and Kara

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Those tiles! And that tub! You all know I’m a bath over a shower girl any day so this one won me over. I also loved the added warmth from the timber (and the use of it across part of the ceiling) and thought the basin was perfect and elegant and the styling, just right.

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I love absolutely everything about this bathroom!

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BUY WHAT THEY USED: Clearwater Formoso feeestanding bath

GET THE LOOK WITH SIMILAR PRODUCTS: Todao Point Top concrete pendant | Milli Axon floor mounted bath outlet | Alape counter basin

Brad and Dale

I loved the tile choices in this room, and the use of timber. Seems this is becoming a trend this season. The lack of bath was disappointing of course, but the boys revealed they had plans for another bath elsewhere in the house. It sounds like this room got mixed reviews from the judges.

Brad Dale bathroom 1

I loved this useful little storage nook with the mosaic tiles. I really hate those hanging shower caddies so eliminating the need for them is a big win!

Brad and Dale mosaic

Another great basin but I find the assorted towels a bit too much and the large gold Uashama bag a bit random.

Brad and Dale 2

BUY WHAT THEY USED: Malmo wooden pendant | Reece Mizu Bliss extended basin mixer | Reece Mizu Drift overhead shower 300mm |

GET THE LOOK WITH SIMILAR PRODUCTS: Planet Luxe handwash | Ziporah Flamingo hand towel 

Alisa & Lysandra

The twins weren’t happy with their low scores so I’m definitely going to have to watch a rerun when I get back to Australia to what drama went down. Shaynna Blaze called it try-hard, Darren Palmer wasn’t keen on the moss feature and Neale said the room was uncomfortable, with Shaynna adding it was too harsh with too many straight lines and no curves.

Alisa Lysandra 1

I have to say the rectangular bath didn’t appeal to me and I didn’t like the moss either, but I thought a lot of the bathroom looked sleek and expensive.

Alisa Lysandra detail

Alisa Lysandra basin

And how good is that bath tap?

Alisa Lysandra bath

BUY WHAT THEY USED: A&L Collections set of towels | Milli Glance shower mixer | Milli Glance wall basin and mixer set | Kado Lux freestanding bath

GET THE LOOK WITH SIMILAR PRODUCTS: Cityforest Greenwall Pockets

Chantelle & Steve

The fans weren’t too impressed with their lower than expected judges’ scores this week either, especially as they got some great comments. Neale said their tiles were the most beautiful he’d ever seen on The Block and Darren said the planning was great.

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Neale thought the tub though, was an old-fashioned choice and wasn’t crazy for the black sink.

Chantelle Steve 2

I’m just not quite sure about this room and whether I like it or not. I’ll reserve judgement until I can watch the episode myself.

Chantelle Steve 1

BUY WHAT THEY USED: Milli Axon Rove Hook | Milli Axon wall mounted soap dispenser | Milli Axon loop toilet roll holder | Milli Axon towel bar | Mizu Soaker bath

GET THE LOOK WITH SIMILAR PRODUCTS: A&L Collections towel set 

If you’d like to know where to get your hands on something not referenced above, please drop me a line in the comments and I’ll do my best to find out for you!

READ ALL OUR BLOCK COVERAGE IN ONE PLACE HERE.

Categories
Designers Styling The Block

VIDEO: What The Block’s Darren Palmer thinks of 7 Vignettes

We asked The Block judge and interior designer Darren Palmer what he thinks of our monthly Instagram styling challenge 7 Vignettes. Watch what he had to say in this short video…

If you’ve been thinking about getting on board and joining in the fun, find out more here.

Love The Block? Read all our Block posts here.

Categories
Styling The Block

Photos: Friday night’s Sydney 7 vignettes event

We had another wonderful reader event with The Block’s Darren Palmer in Sydney on Friday, at BoConcept in Crows Nest.

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Double act: Darren Palmer and I
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It was great to have such a big crowd
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We pride ourselves on a good spread at our events!

A crowd of more than 100 people came along to listen to me interviewing Darren and sharing his insider take on The Block as well as insight on how he got to be where he is today, tips on decor and getting into the interiors industry. He was a popular guest of honour with plenty of people queuing up to have their photo taken with him and ask him questions.

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Interviewing Darren for his fans

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Later in the evening, the crowd were let loose on the BoConcept showroom to move anything they liked and create their own vignettes, uploading them to Instagram for the chance to win a fabulous BoConcept stool worth almost $500. The lucky winner was Tessa White.

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It was great to meet so many readers in person

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Darren delighted our guests, having lots of chats and photos with them
Our youngest guest, Annabel with her mum, Emma
Our youngest guest, Annabel with her mum, Emma

Guests mingled and met each other, having got to know each other first through the monthly 7 Vignettes challenge on Instagram. I loved meeting so many of you. It is always a pleasure and I swear I have the nicest (and most creative) blog readers in Australia!

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Setting up vignettes
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Tom Ryan arranges his vignette. Yes, men come to our events too!
Emma Blomfield snapping her vignette for Instagram
Emma Blomfield snapping her vignette for Instagram

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More happy guests
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Guest of honour Darren Palmer and I

Delicious food was provided by The Wooden Whisk and drinks by First Creek Wines and Santa Vittoria water.

A huge thank you to Darren and our event partner BoConcept. There’ll be more events in Sydney and interstate before the end of 2014, but first my 6-month overseas trip!

Thanks also to our gift bag sponsors: Byron Bay Cookies, Temple & Webster, Taubmans, The Wooden Whisk, Ultraceuticals, Babe Scrub, BoConcept and Silk Home Staging & Styling.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACQUI TURK

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Interiors Addict’s editorial assistant, Olivia Shead
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Previous 7 Vignettes winner Galina Dixon
Guests enjoyed wines from First Creek
Guests enjoyed wines from First Creek
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Guests took home packed gift bags
 
Categories
Bedrooms The Block

Get the look: Last night’s Block guest bedroom reveals

How impressive were last night’s guest bedroom reveals on The Block?! I actually really liked all the rooms and wouldn’t have liked to have had to pick the winner. But Kyal and Kara were the chosen couple and I did think their room was fantastic.

kyal and kara 3 guest bedroom the block

After slamming their water feature last week, the judges couldn’t believe they were seeing the same couple’s styling this week. Neale Whitaker said it felt clean and modern, in keeping with the loft environment and that the colour palette was perfectly restrained. Darren Palmer said the pair were at their best this week and that all the little things were done beautifully and that he was proud of their styling progress following his masterclass as they’d taken on board all his tips.

kyal and kara guest bedroom the block 1

Get Kyal and Kara’s look: From a Great Height limited edition artwork by Lindsay Blamey, $420 | Circa Home candles | Like Paper pendants lights from Dua collection

kyal and kara guest bedroom 2

I think my own favourite this week was Chantelle and Steve’s room. It was certainly a strong week for those fans! I loved their brave parquetry wall feature, as did the judges. Neale said it was incredible and Darren said the room had real style to it. Shaynna loved the storage and the way the Art Deco features had been brought up to date. Their only real negative was about the antlers, which Neale called clichéd. I have to agree. I’m a bit over antlers!

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I love rooms which are more than just a white box when you remove the furniture, yet still clean looking enough to work with different kinds of furniture. On that front, I thought these couples, and Alisa and Lysandra with their exposed brick, really delivered.

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Get Chantelle and Steve’s look: Navajo jute fringed cushion, $189 | faux stag head, $149 | large leather ottoman, $449 | Lumina large bell pendant, $129 | Lock Bunting rocking bird, $45.95 | Home Republic tripod white table from Adairs, $99.95.

Now onto my favourite twins, Alisa and Lysandra. I loved their room too, and the fact they experimented with colour this week. The girls had the most mixed judges’ comments of everyone. Neale really loved their new design direction and their light sconces, while Shaynna Blaze — who the girls say judge them the harshest — said the look was too ‘in your face’ and would alienate some buyers.

alisa lysandra guest bedroom the block 1

Darren loved the lighting and the look but pointed out the position of the artwork wasn’t practical for sitting up in bed. And what did you think of that artwork (Portrait of Amy Winehouse After Klimt by Sue Quinn)? I loved it.

alisa and lysandra guest bedroom the block 2

Get Lisa & Lysandra’s look: pair of stick sconces by Alisa & Lysandra Collections, $299, Bindi bright throw by Alisa & Lysandra Collections, $49.95.

Last but not least, Brad and Dale impressed the judges by being in touch with their feminine side this week, although Neale didn’t like the colour palette and found it too primary and clichéd. Shaynna loved the storage but said the colour was too dark and the hanging rail was impractically high. Darren said the look was soft and beautiful.

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Get Brad and Dale’s look: Gatsby cushion in teal, $49.95 | Colourful Life artwork by Maurice Golotta, $300 | Splash floor cushion, $179 | Faux stag head in platinum, $149 | Aura yellow Chevron Grande linen.

brad and dale 2

Which was your favourite room? Was there anything you spotted not listed above which you’d like to know where to buy? Let me known in the comments and I’ll see if I can find out for you.

Categories
Styling The Block

Photos: Interiors Addict Melbourne event with Darren Palmer

Guest of honour Darren and I, with Alisa and Lysandra

As we gear up for our next event in Sydney on Friday, I thought I’d share some pictures from this month’s hugely successful event with Darren Palmer at Haymes Paint’s gorgeous new Southbank showroom in Melbourne.

Guest of honour Darren and I, with Alisa and Lysandra
Guest of honour Darren and I, with Alisa and Lysandra

It was an absolutely packed house with readers and keen vignetters queuing to get in! I enjoyed interviewing Block judge and interior designer Darren live on stage, sharing his know-how with the audience, and having plenty of laughs too. We later surprised them with a visit from The Block twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, who stuck around to talk to delighted fans.

Continue reading “Photos: Interiors Addict Melbourne event with Darren Palmer”
Categories
Interiors Addict

The 7 Vignettes Melbourne event

I had a great time at my first Melbourne event with Haymes Paint on Thursday night. Darren Palmer was a fantastic guest of honour and I loved being able to surprise attendees with a visit from The Block twins Alisa & Lysandra.

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The Sydney event on 21 February is sold out but you can get yourself on the wait list by sending me a private message via the Facebook page. I’ll share professional photos and video from the event soon.

Find out everything you need to know about 7 Vignettes here and make sure you never miss out on future events by being signed up to my newsletter.

Categories
The Block

Two reader events in Melbourne and Sydney with The Block’s Darren Palmer

Jen and Darren

I’m delighted to announce two free reader events in Melbourne (our first!) and Sydney next month with guest of honour, The Block judge and interior designer Darren Palmer.

Jen and Darren
Jen and Darren

The 7 Vignettes evening events will be open to more than 100 readers in each state, thanks to Interiors Addict’s sponsors Haymes Paint (in Melbourne) and BoConcept (in Sydney). I’ll be interviewing Darren live as he shares his top decorating and design tips and takes audience questions. Then attendees will be encouraged to create their own vignettes around the venues with prizes for the best ones. There’ll also be food and drink, goodie bags and the chance to meet fellow readers, interiors addicts and Instagram buddies, and of course, Darren and I! All Interiors Addict readers are welcome to apply for a spot.

The last Interiors Addict reader event at BoConcept
The last Interiors Addict reader event at BoConcept

Where and when

Continue reading “Two reader events in Melbourne and Sydney with The Block’s Darren Palmer”

Categories
Interiors Addict

Bandhini’s new collection: a riot of colourful cushions inspired by American glamour

It’s a big change from Bandhini Homewear Design’s usual mix of neutrals and textures but this latest collection is no less beautiful. I saw the cushions for myself last month and they really are stunning.

bhd yellow

Designer Tai Schaffler admits she was nervous about the change. “But it was time for us to get out there and positively surprise our clients. We still have some beautiful classic black and beiges this year (we wouldn’t be Bandhini if we didn’t). The response so far has been incredible. There has been a lot of love for our yellow and velvet cushions.”

bhd blue

The collection, which was shot at the Mary McDonald-designed LUXE Hotel in LA, has been inspired by the cultural differences between America, where the products have been sold since 2010, Australia, where everything is designed, and India, where it is made.

Continue reading “Bandhini’s new collection: a riot of colourful cushions inspired by American glamour”

Categories
Interiors Addict

Darren Palmer’s flooring range for Carpet Court

After dishing out style and design advice as a judge on The Block All Stars and The Block Sky High last year, Darren Palmer has collaborated with Carpet Court to create his own affordable designer flooring range, Provincial Lane.

Provincial Lane heathered loop

In a first for the interior designer, his product range will include durable and hard-wearing laminate, a European vinyl plank and bamboo hard flooring, as well as luxurious 100% wool carpet from Cavalier Bremworth and the latest generation solution dyed nylon.

Darren believes the range is both on trend, affordable and retains the beauty of natural elements. “I’ve always been fascinated with the power and beauty of nature so I love to find ways to bring nature’s colours and textures indoors,” he said.

Continue reading “Darren Palmer’s flooring range for Carpet Court”

Categories
Designers Expert Tips House Tours Kids Rooms The Block

At home with The Block judge Darren Palmer, and living with pets and kids

Jen and Darren

With a four year-old, two dogs and a cat, interior designer and The Block judge Darren Palmer knows a thing or two about keeping his home looking stylish and organised but still, of course, fun!

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I was lucky enough to have a look around his new Paddington home recently. Although he has some ambitious renovation plans for the future, its character features mean it’s full of charm and warmth. Great bones!

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Dogs Doris and Pepi and Charlotte the cat follow Darren around like Dr Dolittle and son Hugo’s lego can be seen peeking out from under the coffee table, but this is not a home full of plastic or mess and there’s definitely no doggy smell. So, I sat down with Darren and asked him how he does it and if the house is always so suspiciously tidy?

Continue reading “At home with The Block judge Darren Palmer, and living with pets and kids”

Categories
Interiors Addict

Top 5 most read articles this week

It’s clear you’re a bunch of Blockheads when I look at my most read articles this week!

1. Applications open for The Block 2014. Go!

2. My 2011 interview with (Block judge) Darren Palmer

3. Matt from The Block launches polished concrete business Sky High Renders

4. 25% off canvas art for Interiors Addict readers (be quick, this offer ends at midnight tonight!)

5. My 2011 interview with (Block judge) Neale Whitaker

Four outta five ain’t bad, The Block 😉

 

Categories
Interiors Addict

Matt & Kim win two room reveals in a row! Get their terrace look

Whether you call it a loggia, a covered terrace or an outdoor room, Matt & Kim had the winning one last night. It was an exciting final Sunday night reveal, with the second chance rooms also unveiled. It marked the end of the renovations at The Block Sky High and 75 rooms made over in 8 weeks. Wowee!

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The judges went gaga over Matt and Kim’s terrace. Neale called it incredible, Shaynna loved the ‘Austin Powers’ fireplace and they all loved the way everything could be controlled from an ipad app. Neale even said the penthouse was now on level 2, a little awkward when relayed to the other contestants!

Continue reading “Matt & Kim win two room reveals in a row! Get their terrace look”

Categories
Interiors Addict

Last month’s top 10 most popular posts

And for June 2013, half of them are Block-related!

Applications are open for The Block 2013 (which is ironic, seeing as they’re now open for 2014!)

The Block kitchen reveals

10 places to buy affordable art (I think it’s time for an updated 2013 version of this post!)

The Interiors Addict job board: vacancies

Darren Palmer interview

Continue reading “Last month’s top 10 most popular posts”

Categories
Designers House Tours The Block

Have a look inside The Block’s Darren Palmer’s Bondi apartment

He just sold it, reportedly for around a million bucks after spending five months renovating himself (trust me, I know Darren and there was a lot of hard work!). Want to have a look for yourself and play judge the judge?! See the pictures and video at ninemsn here.

Categories
Designers

Winners and photos from last night’s Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards 2013

The industry’s finest got dressed up for the Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards 2013 last night and I was lucky enough to join them! The event styling, by Belle’s own Steve Cordony, at Coco’s Alexandria showroom, was impeccable as ever.

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Clockwise from left: Greg Natale, Neale Whitaker and Jamie Durie, Darren Palmer and Megan Morton

belle awards entrance

Congratulations to Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie of Hecker Guthrie, who jointly picked up the top award, interior designer of the year, beating fellow finalists Iain Halliday and Greg Natale (who won in 2012 and 2011 respectively). Belle editor-in-chief Neale Whitaker said they had taken Australian interior design and decoration in an intriguing new direction. “It is as refined as it is industrial and as glamorous as it is raw. Their body of work is consistently fresh and directional.”

Continue reading “Winners and photos from last night’s Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards 2013”

Categories
The Block

Last night’s room reveal and where to buy what you saw on The Block

Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker loving the timber tiles in Johnno and Trixie's bedroom

Sunday night room reveals are the best bit about the The Block. No challenges, just renovating, room reveals, judging and results. Hoorah! The long and drawn out scoring process aside, what’s not to like?

Last night’s was a great episode, with Matt and Kim’s Pollock-inspired bedroom described as both “a crime scene” and the most controversial room in the show’s history. Kudos to them for getting such a reaction! I thought their design was wholly inappropriate but admired their bravery and they definitely executed their ideas really well and with enthusiasm. Easy for me to say as an armchair critic…

Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker loving the timber tiles in Johnno and Trixie's bedroom
Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker loving the timber tiles in Johnno and Trixie’s bedroom

I think Bec and George were probably the right couple to win, although I loved parts of Trixie and Johnno’s room too, in particular their Bonnie and Neil wall tiles. I can’t believe none of the judges had seen them before; I’ve been loving them for months and wishing I wasn’t renting so I could use them somewhere! I like the twins but I wasn’t a fan of last night’s bedroom. Next week will be interesting with two bathrooms each to complete. I do love a good bathroom reno so looking forward to those!

Continue reading “Last night’s room reveal and where to buy what you saw on The Block”