At a time when the hospitality industry is really hurting, due to lockdown measures and the general economic downturn, this year’s Eat Drink Design Awards finalist announcements do feel bittersweet. That said, perhaps there’s no better time to celebrate the best designed hospitality venues across Australia and New Zealand, in recognition of the joy they provide.
“Perhaps it is no coincidence that in a time of such upheaval, we have seen designers create spaces that provide familiarity in their appearance and comfort in their feel. Many designers appeared to be in search of an air of nostalgia for the interiors they created, with numerous venues showcasing a modern take on traditional spaces. This year’s designers have one foot in the past whilst firmly looking towards the future,” says Cassie Hansen, Eat Drink Design Awards jury chair and editor of Artichoke.
And while the awards recognise excellence in design across many spheres (hotel, bar, cafe and retail design to name a few), this year we’ve decided to showcase the finalists in the restaurant category; an impressive bunch indeed.
Mya Tiger by Techne Architecture and Interior Design, St Kilda VIC. Photo: Shannon McGrath
Madre by RADS with Voice Design (identity). Photo: David Sievers
New York Grill by CTRL Space. Auckland, NZ. Photo: Sarah Grace
Shutters by AZB Creative and Schiavello Construction. Coogee, NSW. Photo: Tyrone Branigan
Niubi by T A Square. Melbourne, VIC. Photo: Tom Roe
Alala’s by Pony Design Co. Neutral Bay, NSW. Photo: Phutang
Glorietta by Alexander and Co. North Sydney, NSW. Photo: Anson Smart
Bathers Pavilion by Luchetti Krelle. Mosman, NSW. Photo: Michael Wee
Fino Vino restaurant shot for Studio Gram Architects. Adelaide, S.A. Photo: Kate Bowman
Poodle Bar and Bistro by Bergman and Co. Fitzroy, VIC. Photo: Derek Swalwell
Firebird by Ewert Leaf. Windsor, VIC. Photo: Jana Longhorst
The Albert Park Hotel by Six Degrees Architects. Albert Park, VIC
Chocolate Buddha by Maddison Architects. Melbourne, VIC. Photo: Will Watt
Frederic by SJB Interiors. Cremorne, VIC. Photo: Sharyn Cairns
Ichiro Izakaya Bar by Studio Grayscale. Burwood East, VIC. Photo: Michelle Jarni
Lagoon Dining by Olaver Architecture. Carlton, VIC. Photo: Ben Hosking
Lilian by CTRL Space. Auckland, NZ. Photo: Sarah Grace
Martha’s Table by Melissa Collison. Mornington Peninsula, VIC. Photo: James Geer
Omnia Bistro by Architects EAT. South Yarra, VIC. Photo: Shannon McGrath
Osteria Tedesca by Cox Architecture. Red Hill, VIC. Photo: Tommy Miller
Paper Crane by CTRL Space. Cairns City, QLD. Photo: Cathy Schulser
Poly by Anthony Gill Architects. Surry Hills, NSW. Photo: Clinton Weaver
Rengaya by Giant Design Consultants. North Sydney, NSW. Photo: Andrew Worssam
The Beach House by Studio Gram. Jindalee, Western Australia. Photo: Dion Robeson
SK Steak and Oyster by Richards and Spence. Fortitude Valley, QLD. Photo: David Chatfield
Superhiro by T A Square. Melbourne, VIC. Photo: Tom Roe
Nagambie Brewery and Distillery by Six Degrees Architects. Nagambie, VIC. Photo: Greg Elms
The Eat Drink Design Awards is Australia’s only hospitality design awards program and the overall winners will be announced Wednesday 18 November.
2019 hospitality design awards: Rural areas feature
Recognising the best in design across restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and more, the Eat Drink Design Awards are Australia’s only hospitality design honours, and 2019’s coveted trophies have just been…
Australian House & Garden’s hotly anticipated Top 50 Rooms is back for 2019 with some amazing spaces representing some of the best Aussie residential architecture and design. “The calibre of winners at this year’s awards represents some of the brightest talents in Australia’s design industry,” says editor Tanya Buchanan.
From a Mediterranean inspired kitchen, with warm timber cabinetry, to a whimsical outdoor room that cleverly employs mirrors to create the illusion of an endless green oasis, a series of amazing rooms were celebrated in the awards that were handed down last night.
Best use of technology in the home: Doherty Design Studio
“The jury recognised new directions in interior design in these projects, including the clever use of raw materials, a love of simplicity and a restrained approach to design,” says Tanya who judged the competition (currently in its 21st year) alongside King Living’s global marketing manager Harry Bonalakis, Grandiflora founder Saskia Havekes, Kirsten Stanisich and Jonathan Richards, directors of Richards Stanisich, and several others.
Room of the Year: Arent & Pyke It’s no surprise that the uber talented Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke took out the ‘Room of the Year’ category for their truly stunning living room, part of a recent Sydney project.
“The room is the perfect alchemy of elements – volume, texture, light and colour, architecture and object – combining to create something truly special,” says Sarah-Jane Pyke and we couldn’t agree more.
Room of the Year: Arent & Pyke
Best Bathroom: Decus Interiors We’ve profiled the talented Alexandra Donohoe Church, of Decus Interiors, before and it’s no surprise to see her pop up in these awards. Her jewel of a powder room is located near the entry on the ground floor of a newly built Sydney home.
“It’s an almost-hidden gem as it is accessed by a door concealed within joinery. The owners entertain every week and this powder room is a much-loved talking point,” says Alexandra.
Best Bathroom: Decus Interiors
Best outdoor room: Madeleine Blanchfield Like something out of Alice in Wonderland, Madeleine Blanchfield’s whimsical outdoor bathroom uses mirror to reflect its lush open-air setting.
“It is a mirrored cube elevated above the existing ground and nestled in vegetation. The walls are one-way mirror, which is see-through from the inside but reflective externally. There is a bath and shower in the centre of the cube,” says Madeleine Blanchfield.
Best outdoor room: Madeleine Blanchfield
Best use of Colour: Greg Natale Design
An Interiors Addict favourite, Greg Natale took out this award for a room that was inspired by a Ray Cook painting (already owned by the clients) and includes limewashed timber floors and De Gournay Chinoiserie wallpaper alongside chic lighting and furniture.
Best use of Colour: Greg Natale Design
Best kitchen: Studio Ezra “It’s Mediterranean meets Middle Eastern meets modern,” says Studio Ezra’s Georgia Ezra of her award-winning kitchen. There are garden views from the kitchen sink and the fridge and dishwasher are hidden behind panelling that is inlaid with grass cloth for added depth and warmth.
Best kitchen: Studio Ezra
The full list of winners:
King Living Room of the Year: Arent & Pyke Blum Best Kitchen: Studio Ezra Parisi Best Bathroom: Decus Interiors PGH Bricks Best Use of Materials: Carter Williamson Armadillo & Co Best Use of Colour: Greg Natale Design Wynstan Best Indoor-Outdoor Connection: Hare & Klein Zip Best Use of Technology in the Home: Doherty Design Studio Best Outdoor Room: Madeleine Blanchfield Best Use of Soft Furnishings: Cameron Kimber Samsung Hall of Fame: Thomas Hamel Cover room: Stacey Kouros Design
The winners and all of the Top 50 Rooms are featured in the November issue of Australian House & Garden.
A business and project management platform for interior designers, Ivy has launched in Australia after great success with designers in the US. A subsidiary of the home renovation and design platform Houzz, Ivy is designed to run design businesses more efficiently and profitably by providing tools to source products, create estimates, send invoices, manager vendor purchases and much more on desktop versions and an app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
The Ivy mobile app
“We are delighted to bring Ivy to Australian designers and provide them with a centralised platform on which to run an organised and efficient business. We’ve fully localised the platform for Australia, and will provide members with local service representatives. Ivy was built specifically to serve designers’ unique business needs and we look forward to building a strong Ivy community in this design-focused market,” says Ivy co-founder Alex Schinasi.
Project management
The platform offers a number of fabulous project management features including the ‘Project Tracker’ that allows designers to manage the products and services for a project in one place making it easier to track the all-important details.
The software allows you to manage all of your project’s rooms in one place
Proposals and time tracking The platform also manages proposals and time tracking. Designers can send customised proposals, tear sheets, invoices and purchase orders through the Ivy platform and time and expense entries can also be managed in one dashboard.
You can access your project info on desktop and through the Ivy app
Product sourcing Ivy’s ‘Product Clipper’ enables designers to save all of the productspecs and imagery for a project in their product library, eliminating the need for manual copying, pasting and downloading product information. Ivy’s ‘Room Boards’ tool enables designers to conceptualise and compile products and services by room for current and potential clients.
The software features a handy ‘Product Clipper’
Vendor purchase management Ivy’s dashboard also tracks order status across all projects, from purchased to shipped to delivered, in one place.
On-the-go access The Ivy app for iPhone, iPad and Android allows designers to manage multiple projects in one place and on the go with features including task management, real-time expense and time tracking, and talk-to-text note taking. Using augmented reality (AR), the app also captures and stores, with its built-in room measurement tool, accurate project dimensions for designers to reference when selecting products for a room.
The platform gives you a broad overview of your projects
Community connections Ivy’s community of users helps designers exchange industry ideas and ask questions.
The shortlisted projects were a stellar bunch so we’ve no doubt the judges had a hard time choosing the winners for the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards recently. And this certainly seems to be the case for the ‘Residential Design’ award which was handed down to joint winners – ‘Oak House’ by Kennedy Nolan and ‘Edsall Street’ by RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN.
Kennedy Nolan’s winning ‘Oak House’ project
Both projects were celebrated for managing an exceptional and seamless balance between inside and out as well as for their cohesive material application and compelling use of colour. The jury also praised the bespoke and very individual nature of the projects, both of which are located in Victoria.
Kennedy Nolan’s winning ‘Oak House’ project
“Both residences very much feel like they’ve been designed specifically for the people who live in them and exemplify the way in which designers are currently personalising spaces. Not only are they meeting the brief, but they’re taking design to the next level by making it appear unabashedly personal,” says the jury.
While Kennedy Nolan’s ‘Caroline House’ project has already won a couple of awards, this time it was their ‘Oak House’ project that made the jury take notice – specifically for its use of primary colour. “Internally, a distinct architectural sensibility is evident, and everything appears sculptural as a result, while the textural material palette and exquisite detailing highlight the lushness of the interior design. And to cap it all off, there’s a timeless appeal to this project that makes it hard to ignore,” says the jury.
The other joint winner of the ‘Residential Design’ award, RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project, was celebrated for its mature restraint and calm and welcoming feel.
“It’s an exquisitely resolved interior with a sense of simplicity and understated yet timeless material execution that highlights the space’s beautiful lines and light. A project this restrained is always in danger of appearing to lack in some way, but Edsall Street’s interior feels complete and has so much breathing space,” says the jury who also praised the project for the proportions of its interior spaces.
RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project. Photography: Tom Blachford
“From ceiling heights to the width of each room, everything feels well considered, inviting and finely detailed. This degree of minimalism is difficult to achieve formally and to actually pull it off is not to be underestimated. For one jury member, this home is a dream house,” says the jury.
RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project. Photography: Tom Blachford
RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project. Photography: Tom Blachford
Arent & Pyke’s ‘Under the Tree’ project won the ‘Best Residential Interior’ award. Photography: Anson Smart
“This project is a unique expression of the client, not to mention an outstanding study in styling and decoration. Every corner of every room displays a layering of lush colours and textures and the connection to the garden and natural light is what makes the interior so striking. The jury was impressed by the scheme’s quiet restraint on one hand and dramatic choices on the other, all of which have been carefully balanced.”
Arent & Pyke’s ‘Under the Tree’ project. Photography: Anson Smart
Whether you’re a stylist, designer or property stager, stylist and property expert Naomi Findlay’s brand new Bali buying trip promises to deliver access to fabulous artisanal homewares, furniture and accessories coupled with rest and relaxation too.
“I’ve been going to Bali to run retreats for stylists and designers for five years now. Slowly I’ve been researching and working on great suppliers of amazing homewares. These are an alternative, cheaper option and can be customised for your individual style. Plus, the trip itself is relaxing, rejuvenating and Bali is a place I go to align my body and mind to accelerate my business,” says Naomi.
Naomi Findlay
With the interiors market full of lots of the same items, it can be hard to distinguish your offering from the next stylist or designer which is where the trip comes in. “I want to help other home stagers offer their clients bespoke and unique options. This means more success for them, as they are able to cut costs and experience great networking and business building too,” says Naomi who has built up a treasure trove of connections over the many years she has spent travelling to the island.
Artisanal wares found on Naomi’s last Bali trip
Interesting chairs make up just some of the Bali furniture mix
From cushions to lighting, chairs and ceramics there’s plenty to be found throughout the trip’s five days of product sourcing. Attendees can expect planned tours to Naomi’s favourite design haunts and she’s even organised secure and easy shipping to get your items home courtesy of a local coordinator who will facilitate and manage deliveries, storage and shipping via a local freight forwarder.
More Bali finds
The trip’s other inclusions include daily breakfast, dinner, yoga and massages and all while staying at the lovely Hotel Komune. “It’s an amazing organic resort on the volcanic surf coast,” says Naomi.
Not a bad view after a day’s work!
Naomi Findlay’s Bali buying trip
$3,500 per person (+GST), or five instalments of $700 (+GST), not including flights.
Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendal. Photography: Shannon McGrath
Currently in its ninth year, the 2019 Houses Awards finalists were revealed recently and with a total of 502 entries to sort through, there’s plenty of amazing architectural and interior design inspiration to be found in the list. From homes created to highlight their foundations (huge chunks of natural rock inside seem to be trending!) to beautifully sculptural curves and a new build that looks like a heritage home, we’re hard pressed to pick a favourite project.
Hawthorn House by Edition Office. Photography: Ben Hosking
“The jury was impressed by the emphasis on place and space making, rather than architecture that is typologically or formally driven. The standout homes are those that are connected with the people who live in them and consider how the spaces might influence the inhabitants’ experience of day-to-day life,” says Katelin Butler, a 2019 juror and editorial director of Architecture Media, the publisher of Houses magazine.
North Curl Curl Residence by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design. Photography: Barton Taylor
The North Curl Curl Residence features an internal courtyard built around a natural sandstone cliff. Photography: Barton Taylor
“Many of the shortlisted projects are acutely sensitive to site and context, are conceptually legible and display an honesty of material expression,” says Katelin.
Cove House by Justin Humphrey Architect. Photography: Andy Macpherson
Cove House by Justin Humphrey Architect. Photography: Andy Macpherson
Divided into nine categories including new houses, alterations and additions, apartments and units, landscape projects and houses in a heritage context, one home will be awarded the coveted ‘Australian House of the Year’ award together with $5000 in cash when the winners are announced at a gala awards night in Melbourne on July 26.
Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendale Interior Design. Photography: Shannon McGrath
Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendale Interior Design. Photography: Shannon McGrath
Crescent House by Matthew Woodward Architecture is an impressive and undulating home that weaves through lush gardens and makes its way down to Sydney Harbour – the home’s stunning interiors compete with panoramic views of Middle Head in the distance. I love the rooftop gardens.
Crescent House by Matthew Woodward Architecture. Photography: Murray Fredericks
Crescent House by Matthew Woodward Architecture features a natural rock formation too. Photography: Murray Fredericks
Sitting amid heritage listed interwar bungalow homes in Melbourne, Brighton House by Architecture Caissin was designed so as not to disrupt the historically significant streetscape. Gabled roofs, arched arcades and porches connect with beautifully landscaped gardens.
Brighton House by Architecture Caissin. Photography: Peter Clarke
Brighton House by Architecture Caissin. Photography: Peter Clarke
Canopy House by Leeton Pointon Architect is comprised of a series of sculptural forms including a beautiful spiral staircase (a design that is clearly having a moment!) and lots of light-filled, neutral spaces.
Canopy House by Leeton Pointon Architect. Photography: Lisa Cohen
Canopy House by Leeton Pointon. Photography: Lisa Cohen
This week’s coffee table belongs to Jess Bandiera, one half of award-winning interior design duo Verandah House, with her mother, Judy Elliott. Based in Brisbane, the pair favour the classic American look.
“My coffee table is the hub of my home and is a place my partner and I love to enjoy. If you come to my place, you can be guaranteed I will always have a bunch of fresh flowers and a candle burning. I love styling my coffee table with my favourite décor books. I love to add a touch of antique; this antique blue and white bowl is a favourite of mine given to me by my mother, I love its rich colour and subtle texture. I bought the glass, cowie shell candle holders from a trip to Bali and can never go past a piece of coral to add an organic touch. My little marble bowl is perfect for a little bunch of blooms or when I change it up, I add my aged terracotta pots with maiden hair ferns. The greenery is perfect for lasting colour.”
Judy Elliott and Jess Bandiera of Verandah House.
Jess chose a rustic timber coffee table from Portobello Home to add warmth and depth to her space. “I also knew this area would be used daily so I wanted something hardy and not too precious,” she says. “I love the subtle scallop edge detail underneath which adds a feminine touch to a rustic piece.”
A coffee table allows you to create a statement in a room, says Jess. “From the size, shape and finish, a coffee table can speak volumes about the style of your home and your personality. It’s the perfect place to display treasured pieces from your travels and welcome guests into an inviting space with the addition of fresh flowers and candles. I also love that you can style your coffee table based on the time of year. For Christmas, I love adding acorns into the blue and white bowl for a festive touch.”
To avoid a display of favourite trinkets looking cluttered, Jess suggests grouping them in a tray. “That way they are grounded by the tray and have purpose rather than looking bitsy or out of place.” Secondly, always add a touch of something organic, such as a piece of coral or if you have a more contemporary space, try adding a piece of agate or a geode crystal. “Boxes are a great way to fill a space and allow you to hide away remote controls.”
Jess loves changing the look and swapping things around on her coffee table. “It keeps it looking fresh and inviting. I’m often inspired to revamp it when I come home with a new coffee table book or find a new décor piece. I style my coffee table with the things I love, and that is ever-changing so it’s fun to mix things up every once in a while.”
What’s on the table and where is it from?
Blue and white ginger jar from Portobello Home
Blue and white antique plate (a gift from her mother).
Décor books from Book Depository
Glass/cowie shell candle holders bought in Bali
Small marble vase and large piece of coral from Verandah House
Small green jar with lid from an antique store
Verandah House’s next 6-week online Styling Your Home course starts on Monday 4 September and costs $199. Find out more.
Fresh off the back of big wins during the recent design awards season, we caught up with the directors of SJB recently, Kirsten Stanisich and Jonathan Richards. Not only were the talented duo awarded the ‘Interior Designer of the Year’ and the ‘Best Hospitality Interior’ awards at the 2017 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards but they also won the ‘Residential Decoration Award’ and received two commendations at the 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards too.
SJB directors Kirsten Stanisich and Jonathan Richards
After studying interior design at the University of Technology Sydney, Jonathan pursued exhibition and museum design – a path that saw him cross paths with some architectural greats. “The first exhibition I designed was at the State Library of NSW about sketchbooks of famous architects. I had the pleasure of working with architects like Harry Seidler and Glen Murcutt on displaying some of their wonderful sketches,” says Jonathan who worked in museums and galleries in Sydney Melbourne and London before joining SJB. “At that time, SJB was still new to Sydney and I loved the hospitality work they were producing – to me it seemed a natural progression from the theatre of gallery design,” says Jonathan.
‘Redfern Terrace’ project
Kirsten’s career began after studying architecture at the University of Melbourne, when she worked for SJB in Melbourne. “After about 18 months I was seconded to the interiors team and it was then I realised that interior design gave me more opportunity for experimentation with new materials and a greater understanding of detailing for human scale. So not long after long after I took a permanent role with the interiors division and then relocated to help establish the practice in Sydney,” says Kirsten.
‘A Private Residence’ project
“Given I was new to SJB and Kirsten was relatively new to Sydney, we both had a sense of new beginnings. We had enormous fun working on fabulous hospitality projects in the early 2000’s and we learnt a lot very quickly. It was fun and it was also stressful and we realised we were a well-balanced partnership,” says Jonathan of the early days. And it’s a partnership that has continued to flourish, as illustrated by the pair’s recent win at the Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards where they took out the ‘Best Hospitality Interior’ award for their 12-Micron project.
Buena Vista hotel project
With a nuanced approach to their design practice, the pair prefer to add to the existing elements of a space rather than start afresh. “Even if those elements might seem unfashionable. We think of our interiors as another layer in the ongoing history of a building rather than a totally new space. This can be more of a challenge when we are given a new open building shell as sometimes there can be very little to draw from, which is often why we also look at the wider context such as where the project is located and how we can evoke a recognition of that place or the people who will be occupying the space,” says Kirsten who cites natural materials, unique small details and recognition of past design periods as their design signatures.
‘Redfern Terrace’ project
As for more general inspiration, Kirsten and Jonathan often seek it outside of the world of design. “Nature is always an incredible inspiration with its random patterns, textures, shapes and colours. Sometimes it can even be a song or music that evokes something in us or incredible fashion designers like Raf Simons or interior designers like Andree Putman and Patricia Urquiola,” says Jonathan.
‘A Private Residence’ project
As for a favourite project, Kirsten cites ‘A Private Residence’ which was recently bestowed the ‘Residential Decoration Award’ at the 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards, in addition to a commendation for the firm’s ‘Redfern Terrace.’ “The client is very anti fashion and she helped to push me to develop a design which was luxurious and expressive,” says Kirsten.
‘A Private Residence’ project
For Jonathan, it’s a couple of Bondi Beach projects that he has most enjoyed. “I have been working on a few magnificent residences in Bondi Beach over the last four years. Three different clients that all live near one another but the outcomes have been very different. It’s been a pleasure working on them to achieve a wonderful design – but more than anything the satisfaction of the project relies on the mutual enjoyment you have with the clients. When the clients are willing to embrace wonderful design, it brings me enormous joy creating something special,” says Jonathan.
The ’12-Micron’ project at Sydney’s Barangaroo
Photography: Katie Kaars, Felix Forest & Anson Smart
With only six days to go until Australia’s premier design event kicks off, we give you all the information you need to know in order to be prepared come Thursday 13 August!
So, what’s happening?
At Sydney Indesign they’re all about serving up a whole buffet of design related events and creative activities! The industry-savvy editors of Indesign, Habitus and DQ magazines will be on the scene, as well as some seriously cool events held by the exhibitors. For a sneak peek of what’s to come, check out the program.
The ultimate design kit!
Sydney Indesign 2015 is literally the biggest event they’ve ever done. So to make your event journey easier, they’ve crafted the ultimate design kit so you can master your very own #SID15 experience. They are giving you the lot: custom handbook, interactive app, hot-spot map, bus routes and timetables, timed-event schedule and much, much more! Head to the event guide for more information.
Design hot-spots
In 2015, Sydney Indesign’s extensive network of exhibitors take over the city, forming a vivid constellation of iconic touch-points, spread across six major design precincts. Sydney Indesign’s showrooms are the real coup of the event and it has never been easier to get amongst your favourite movers and shakers.
Hop-on Hop-off shuttles are running between Alexandria, Chippendale, Darlinghurst, Eveleigh, Redfern/Waterloo and Surry Hills to make it easy and simple for visitors to circulate among Sydney’s showrooms and immerse themselves in the design culture of each prized location.
Are you on the invite list?
Tickets are now on sale for the design party of the year. The industry’s most iconic bash returns, giving you a chance to let your hair down and rub shoulders with 500+ of Australian design’s most iconic players. Want an invite? All you need to do is pre-register to secure your Official Wrap Party ticket and receive 25% off!
After a successful couple of years, United Artworks is branching out into homewares and textiles to complement its affordable, hand painted works on canvas.
You’ll now find a wide range of abstract art-inspired cushions for $49.95 on their website as well as circular outdoor wall art made of acrylic glass. They’re UV resistant, water-resistant and come complete with a weatherproof fixing bracket. Want to use them indoors? Why not? That’s okay too!
More homewares will be added to their offering in the coming months.
Since launching an online art gallery in October 2012, United Artworks have worked extensively with designers, homeowners and renters seeking contemporary wall art solutions that are not only design driven, but easy on the budget too.
“We have quickly gained a significant share of a growing market that demands great products and value for money across a range of interior furnishings,” says owner Tony Romano. “Demand for even better service has seen us install new management teams, systems and processes along with an all-new website with all-new products.
“What really sets us apart is the flexibility we offer designers and decorators looking to customise artworks in terms of design, size and colour. You may even submit a concept of your own and our artists will bring it to life. We look forward to meeting our mission, with renewed vigour, of delighting you with exceptional service, great product and fantastic value for money.”
SPECIAL OFFER
To celebrate the new site, there’s 30% off sitewide from now until midnight this Sunday 15 March 2015.
I alway struggle with gifts for the stylish men in my life and, working in the interiors industry, there are many of them, not to mention my long-suffering and well-dressed husband! So this Christmas, I was really happy to discover The IT Kit, an online gifting solution with options for everyone, but more than usual for the guys. Finally!
They gave me the opportunity to put together two gifts for my interior designer friends Darren Palmer and Greg Natale and these are now available via their site. I thought I’d share them with you.
For family man Darren, who likes to kick back and relax with his husband and son when he isn’t working (and he works super hard, always flitting about the country juggling filming commitments for The Block, design work and endorsements), I chose this fab picnic kit (which is pleasantly neutral and contains yummy edibles, a cheese board and a picnic blanket) and added the French cider option (I mean, why wouldn’t you?!). Then, for good measure, I threw in the fun book The Man Plan. Buy exactly what I bought Darren for the man in your life here.
Some of Greg’s favourite things are fashion, geometric patterns, wine and international travel. For him, I picked Wallpaper City Guides to Paris, London and New York, a fab Kate and Kate geometric cotton blanket in shades of grey and the Nuance Wine Aerator for when he enjoys a glass of red. You can gift someone exactly what I gifted Greg here.
Whether you choose one of The IT Kit’s curated gifts (the easy option!) or compile your own from all their products, everything comes beautifully gift wrapped at no extra charge. The business is the brainchild and passion of good friends Anna Gurry and Miranda Kent. Whether you’re looking for a birthday, new baby, corporate wedding or ‘just because’ gift, they have you covered.
Recently, we compiled a directory of Sydney’s interior designers, but we couldn’t have all you Melburnians miss out, so we created one for you as well!
Below is an easy to use list of Melbourne’s top interior designers, organised alphabetically, with links to their websites, all on one page. This list will be updated regularly and if you’d like to be added to it, please let us know using the link at the end. We hope it saves you hours of online research!
Searching for Sydney’s many interior designers online, whether for your own home, a student design project or inspiration, can be a long and drawn out task, so we’ve done the hard work for you! Here you can find Sydney’s interior designers, organised alphabetically, with links to their websites, all on the same page. This list will be updated regularly and if you’d like to be added to it, please let us know using the link at the end.
It’s every designer and stylist’s dream: seeing one of your jobs showcased on the pages of a glossy magazine. But trying to achieve it can often feel like hitting your head against a brick wall. I asked the editors of Real Living and Belle – two magazines with very different aesthetics – for their top tips on how to give yourself the best chance of being featured.
Real Living’s Deb Bibby
Funnily enough, their advice wasn’t that different. Deb Bibby, editor in chief of Real Living, said: “It’s not hard at all if you pitch the right story for the right demographic. Sometimes, for example, the style of photography isn’t suitable for Real Living but sadly the home is perfect. Or it might not be styled the way we like to reflect a home. So your team is crucial and each magazine is different.”
It’s come to that time where I am writing my final guest post for Interiors Addict. I had been thinking to myself “What topic am I going to pretend to know about this week?” LOL! Then Jen suggested that it would be nice for the final blog to be about “Where to from here?” For Alisa and I, this is a question that we have been asked rather frequently of late.
I think back to a year ago and think “wow” at how both mine and Alisa’s lives have changed so dramatically. We were both police officers working part-time shift work, always striving for a bit more in life. We sat down and watched the finale of The Block one night and thought to ourselves, yep, let’s apply. Actually, let’s win The Block 2013 (no word of a lie). From the moment we decided to audition, we had this gut feeling that we were going to win.
If you’re ready to tackle your kids’ rooms once and for all and are up for an intensive all-you-need-to-know, three-hour decorating workshop with stylist Megan Morton and interior designers Arent & Pyke, clear your diary for Thursday night! Megan fans will know she has just launched her latest book on the topic, I Love My Room, and Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke are a mum-to-be and a mum-of-one respectively, as well as being award-winning interior designers.
“What this is not is a repeat of the book in any way, nor is it a master class,” says Megan. “What it is is a potentially house-changing decorating workshop dedicated to one of the most hazardous rooms in the house — your kid’s bedroom!”
This class will cover the pitfalls and the opportunities of kids rooms. “Children’s bedrooms are loaded with trapdoors, as anyone who lives with them well knows! Explore the potential of yours with a class that talks to all age groups, styles and budgets. How to make the most of the area, how to avoid common traps and how to think like a kids room decorator are all covered,” Megan explains. Special guests Arent & Pyke will show and share their best ideas for rooms that can work for all budgets. “All in all it will be inspiring, great learning and could potentially save you hundreds of decorating dollars on the real rooms of the house!”
Sydney Indesign (formerly known as Saturday in Design) is a boutique design experience in a league of its own and Interiors Addict is delighted to be a consumer media partner with Belle Magazine this year (15-17 August). It began over 10 years ago to create an event that allowed brands and suppliers to entertain architects and designers in their own space, with their own culture, in a design festival atmosphere.
In 2013, the event has evolved into an immersive design festival that takes over the entire city. Sydney Indesign will showcase over 400 unique brands across 20,000 square metres, with thousands of architects, designers and creatives enjoying 40 unique locations over the course of a three-day program. Organisers Indesign Media Group have incorporated the best of the original Saturday in Design format, but redesigned it to allow better visitor permeation into showrooms and exhibition spaces, and introduced a centrally placed super studio, the Galleria. The result is an unprecedented, expanded program of creative collaborations, international guests, seminars, showrooms, networking events, installations, drinks, food, product launches and precincts.
Stylish, sophisticated and fun: just some of the words that come to mind when flipping through the portfolio of Sydney design duo Designers in the City. Co-director Jacinta Woods says their aim is to bring something new to every project, using colour, patterns and textures in new and different ways.
Sonia and Jacinta of Designers in the City
“Each home is different and special in its own way, we strive to create a new look each time we design,” Jacinta says. “We don’t like to box ourselves into a certain look or trend.”
Designers in the City began in 2007 as the brainchild of Jacinta and co-director Sonia Warner. They met while working in the styling department at high end furniture store Living Edge.“I had always wanted to become an interior designer from an early age, constantly changing my room around and advising friends on their bedrooms,” Jacinta says. Sonia worked as a hairdresser for close to 20 years before her study of design and decoration took her on a new career path. Already knowing they enjoyed working together, Jacinta and Sonia decided to start their own business.
Although their individual styles are quite different–Jacinta describes hers as “subdued, classic and defined” while Sonia’s is “quirky, fun and alive”–they find this helps them in their work: “We always seem to meet somewhere in between.” Jacinta says they draw inspiration from places like Instagram through to designers like American Kelly Wearstler, and Brit Abigail Ahern.
