Tag: design blogs

Categories
Styling

Jen & Amy’s favourite design blogs from around the globe

When we’re not busy working away on this site dear readers, we love nothing better than to curl up with a cup of tea and trawl our other favourite design blogs. And today we’re feeling rather generous so we’ve decided to share them with you!

Style by Emily Henderson
Out of LA, Emily Henderson is a stylist, author and TV host and her blog celebrates eclectic style on a moderate budget. Featuring magazine-worthy past projects and Emily’s own home renovations, plus ‘find your style’ quizzes and a ‘design mistakes’ section too, this blog is definitely worth visiting.

Image source: Emily Henderson

Apartment Therapy
Launched in 2001, Apartment Therapy is the creation of Brooklyn-based Maxwell Ryan. With a background in interior design, Maxwell’s point of difference is his ability to make a space not only beautiful but organised too. Neat freaks (ahem, that’s both of us!) will love that there is an entire section dedicated to decluttering and cleaning while the blog’s storage tips, DIY projects and home tours are great too (the nursery tours are particularly good). Maxwell has lots of practical advice and you can also search the interiors by colour too!

Image source: Apartment Therapy

Bright Bazaar
As the name would suggest, colour is the hero on this hugely popular blog that features a plethora of cheery content across home, travel and fashion. Started by Brit Will Taylor, a US-based freelance author, creative consultant and lifestyle blogger, Bright Bazaar’s Pinterest feed is also a huge success, boasting a whopping 2.4 million followers!

Image source: Bright Bazaar

The Jungalow
A maximalist’s dream, LA-based interior designer and artist Justina Blakeney’s blog The Jungalow is a haven for lovers of bohemia. From DIY projects to travel and how-to’s (how-to use pattern and colour is a recurring theme), this blog really does pack an inspirational punch. Oh and we mustn’t forget the plants – Justina’s aesthetic is jam-packed with lush flora!

Image source: The Jungalow

Abigail Ahern
Out of the UK, interior designer Abigail Ahern is something of a design wunderkind boasting a London store (regarded as one of the UK’s top design boutiques), a number of published books, retail lines and and a very successful lifestyle blog too. Featuring the designer’s famous faux flowers, signature dark paint range and carefully curated style, this blog is a moody, visual feast.

Image source: Abigail Ahern

Oh Happy Day
More of a party inspiration blog, this site is the work of San Francisco based party and lifestyle blogger Jordan Ferney. As its name would suggest, Oh Happy Day is bright and fun and it’s packed with interior design inspiration, recipes, DIY party projects and free (party) printables too.

Image source: Oh Happy Day

Domino
The Domino blog is an extension of the hugely popular Domino magazine that is much-loved by interior design enthusiasts worldwide. Featuring recipes, home tours and plenty of décor inspiration, this American blog is your one-stop interiors resource plus it has an extensive e-tail offering too.

Image source: Domino

Zilverblauw
Featuring plenty of pink and a very photogenic Burmese cat, Zilverblauw is a Dutch blog that covers interior design, photography and everyday life. Much of the content features pictures of the the author’s highly original and super bright home. It’s always a treat.

Image source: Zilverblauw
Categories
Interviews

Q&A with Dana Tomic Hughes of yellowtrace

Following yesterday’s interview with Dana, I saved some of the best until last. In some refreshingly honest answers, she talks about getting over her demons by starting a blog, what makes a good designer, what she loves and hates about the job and who she admires. Well worth a read if I don’t say so myself…

ON THE BLOG

How successful has the blog been?

It started out as a hobby, however it quickly gained local and international readership which has been absolutely amazing. I am really lucky to have a little growing army of loyal and wonderful readers who make me feel so proud about my blogging achievements. I have been really fortunate to meet and connect with some incredible people since starting the blog. Receiving feedback from other designers who tell me they visit the blog for daily inspiration is also hugely satisfying. It has definitely opened a few doors for me and created countless opportunities for which I am really grateful.

On a personal level, I used to be petrified of public speaking and putting myself ‘out there’. My decision to start blogging was a conscious effort to get over myself and to ‘face my demons’ in order to become a better person. The blog has really made me believe in myself so much more and trust my own judgements, instincts and decisions so much more than ever before.

On a professional level I am constantly engaged with what’s happening in design around the world and I continue to learn, expand and broaden my visual point of reference, which sharpens my design eye and grooms me into a better designer.

ON BEING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

What are the attributes of a successful interior designer/stylist?

They need to have a degree of left brain/right brain balance. One cannot be separated from the other as designers are both logical and creative creatures. A job of a good designer is to solve a problem first, followed by making the solution beautiful. Someone who is then able to dream up the ‘big idea’ and create an emotional value behind a brand (or a client) is a superstar in my eyes!

What do you like most about your job?

There are so many things I love, but seeing my client’s happiness after a project is completed would have to top that list. I approach my design with passion and emotion, and I always strive to separate who am I as a designer from the essence of my client, which isn’t always easy to do. I feel it is always so important to create a space that tells a story about the user, rather than about me.

And least?

It would have to be the cyclical nature of interior projects; moments of high intensity and pressure followed by quieter periods. And deadlines. I really, really don’t like deadlines! Although they say that pressure is good for you…

ON HER IDOLS

Who do you admire in the design industry?

I am in absolute awe of London-based Ilse Craford of Studioilse and her philosophy which talks about designing with a cool head and a warm heart. I also really admire the work of iconic Italian designer Paola Navone, Istanbul-based Autoban, Tokyo-based Nendo, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Lidewij Edelkoort, Rossana Orlandi for her impeccable eye and design intuition, Charles and Ray Eames for their gift of enduring design which only gets more beautiful with age… the list is endless really.

Photos: (Top) Dana’s work at The Furnace ad agency and (below) her studio, where the yellowtrace magic happens.

Categories
Interviews Styling

The Stylist’s Guide to Homewares Shopping in Sydney and Melbourne  

The Stylist’s Guide to Homewares Shopping in Sydney and Melbourne

Following on from yesterday’s interview with Mr Jason Grant, interior stylist extroadinaire, he’s put together an exclusive list of his top shops, websites and design blogs for Interiors Addict. Hold onto your credit cards!

Bricks and mortar stores (in Melbourne and Sydney)

 Design blogs and online homewares

•               The Snap Assembly

•                The Design Files

•                Bright Bazaar

•                Yellowtrace

•                top 3 by design

•                Etsy

Australian furniture 

“I’m also a huge secondhand and vintage lover,” says Jason. “So most weekends you’ll find me in some out of the way vintage store or trawling through some markets.

“I prefer small independent businesses who put their heart and soul into what they do.”

And here are a few of the small but cool…

Mr Grant, I hold you fully responsible for next month’s credit card bill!

  • Photography by Murray Harris, Jason Busch and Nathan Hendry