Tag: life instyle

Reed Gift Fairs: the perfect post-christmas buying experience

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date February 15, 2018
No Comments on Reed Gift Fairs: the perfect post-christmas buying experience

The latest ways to display your greenery at home

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date July 24, 2017
No Comments on The latest ways to display your greenery at home

There’s no doubt that greenery is a very cool trend right now – PANTONE did make it the colour of the year, didn’t they? However, the chic style goes so much further than just a swatch, with vases and planters hosting gorgeous green plants the coolest addition to any room.

It’s not all about aesthetics though, indoor plants have health benefits too – they use your expelled carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen, have been proven to sharpen focus and reduce airborne dust levels.

Planning your indoor garden yet? Well, make sure you’ve got the best in indoor plant style by checking out some of the best in planters and vases, brought to you by Life Instyle. The boutique trade fair is happening next month, with some of the country’s coolest creatives and designers showcasing their latest wares. The show is all about creative excellence and innovative style, so take a cue from these examples on what your indoors should be looking like:

Petite planters from Hammered Leatherworks

These porcelain and leather hanging planters from Hammered Leatherworks come in a variety of colours, so you’ll know they’ll work with whatever aesthetic you’re after.

Brass vases from Urban Eden

Urban Eden’s main aim is to get people into gardening and reconnected with nature – these brass vases look to do exactly that!

Teardrop vase from Stix & Flora

Stix & Flora is a family business run by mum Jules and daughter Em – these teardrop vases are bestsellers, and we can see why!

Glass vase by Koa by Kaitlin

Each of Koa’s pieces are all ethically hand carved, making your vase a unique place to host your greens.

Botanica

Expressing their appreciation for nature through industrial design, Lesley Williams and Simon Zappia established Botanica, a collection of objects that highlight both the tiny and delicate to the large and wondrous of the plant world. Inspired by vivariums and Wardian cases of the 1800s, their products deliver a tribute to nature’s most delicate botanical offerings with a contemporary feel. This year’s product collection includes: Sanctuary S, Sanctuary M (in Rainforest, Temperate and Arid) and the newly released Biodome.

For more information on the trade-only event.

Tags greenery, hangers, house plants, life instyle, plants, pot plants, terrariums, trade fair, vases

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

What’s new in kids room interiors for 2017?

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 13, 2017
1 Comment on What’s new in kids room interiors for 2017?

By Amelia Coote-Harris

When asked to picture a typical kid’s room, most people likely summon the classic pieces or themes – blue for boy, pink for girl, a rocking chair, a desk, and maybe a toy box. That would have been accurate a decade ago. Now, as we enter 2017, I’m pleased to say times have changed and kids’ rooms are no longer just about basics but are instead all about beautiful interiors.

The last decade has seen children’s bedrooms go from necessities to a designer’s dream space. Kids’ rooms have become extensions of a family’s excitement for their little ones, and their rooms are no longer forgotten as part of the greater home design. The dynamism of children’s rooms is especially exciting – whether it’s statement pieces hung from the wall, bold new art, or a twist on something vintage, kids’ rooms today are sophisticated representations of the bright minds living in them.

Key trends in the space will be on display at this year’s Life Instyle, Australia’s boutique trade event for anyone working in the interior design and retail space. With a whole section dedicated to the little ones, Kids Instyle, the event will showcase emerging trends, brands, and products on the cooler side of style and design. The following are a few trends bound to be big business in the next year – so count this as your sneak peek into the next big thing in the playful world of kids’ rooms!

Classic pieces, with a difference

We’re seeing a lot of designers holding on to the classic pieces you’ll find in nurseries or kids’ rooms, but adding a modern twist to them. Rocking chairs are a great example of this. This furniture item is still well adored, and incredibly practical for many nurseries, but they’ve undergone a transformation over time. No longer boring wooden pieces, rocking chairs are now modern staples, with a reinvention in style and comfort that provide a playful but perfect addition to any room. Hobbe Home create rocking chairs perfect for the modern home; made with longevity in mind, the style is elegant and fit for a kids’ room from toddler to primary school. This type of range proves that style is priority, and with matching ottomans and cushions, the most comfortable seat in the house will also, easily, be the most stylish.

Grey

Once maligned for being boring, grey is very quickly becoming one of the coolest colours to feature. It’s the ultimate neutral, not so stark as white, still with warmth to it, and absolutely modern. It provides a base for colour combinations to brighten up the room for smaller ones with pops of or yellow, and can progress to a palette of black and white, or modern navy and white – to will grow with children. Also a perfect gender-neutral tone, grey provides limitless design possibilities.

Animals

Animals have been, and always will be, a fun way to accesorise a child’s room. Each child has a favourite – the lion, giraffe or even a hippo, and featuring these majestic animals automatically brings excitement into a space. 2017 is all about animal expression, but the modern twist is to feature them as sophisticated images. Taylored Dots is the perfect example of this – with their handcrafted animal motifs the colours are neutral, but sophisticated enough so as to keep each feature modern and clean. Whether they’re statement pieces or the base for pairing complementary colours into the room, animals have never been more in style when it comes to creating a truly exciting room that will last until the little one is a lot older.

Wellness

Health and wellness has been a prevalent trend in the adult world for a long time, and while a child’s health is always a parent’s first concern, the ethos is moving from physical wellbeing to décor too. Accessories such as candles with relaxing scents, natural fibres for linen, and even crystals are accessories parents are choosing to build a child’s room. With more accessibility, these methods of restoring wellness are becoming increasingly popular. Stoned Crystals is a great example, offering an entire range of crystals to help centre energy, with display stands and jars too, bringing the dated concept of crystals into a modern room design.

–Amelia is event director for Life Instyle, in Sydney from February 16 to 19.

Tags buying, children's rooms, decor, design, interiors, kids instyle, kids rooms, life instyle, nursery, trade fair, trends

Designers Expert Tips Furniture Homewares

Get ready for Life Instyle with special guest Mr Jason Grant

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 8, 2016
No Comments on Get ready for Life Instyle with special guest Mr Jason Grant

Life Instyle Sydney is definitely my favourite trade show. I see it as the stylish, cool kid of trade events, which is why it makes perfect sense that Mr Jason Grant, interior stylist, author and creative consultant, has been appointed as the official ambassador.

Taking place 18-to-21 February 2016 at Sydney’s Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion, the annual event will once again showcase stylish, quality products and brands that focus on creative excellence and innovative design. This year’s theme is Happiness by Design, which perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the event, demonstrating the show’s continued commitment to creating happiness through design, and encouraging people to appreciate design in their everyday lives.

The number one destination for discerning retailers, visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an unprecedented selection of carefully chosen top suppliers delivering premium homewares, fashion accessories, furniture, lighting, gifts and tableware, and of course, the Kids Instyle collection of delightful babies’ and children’s fashion, accessories and homewares.

To help visitors make the most of this experience, organisers have provided the Buyer’s Guide – an exciting tool enabling online interaction and planning ahead of the event. There is also a mobile app free to download and available for iPhone and Android users. The app has been designed to keep buyers and suppliers updated on exhibitor profiles and products, floor plans, times and locations of seminars, and event alerts and reminders. Moreover, the app enables people to connect with each other and with the guest speakers, and to create their own profiles which can be accessed by other app users.

Life Instyle Sydney 2016 will be launched with an opening night champagne reception on Thursday 18 February from 5-to-7pm.

For more information and to register.

Tags design, furniture, homewares, interior, jason grant, life instyle, Life Instyle Sydney, trade, trade show

Expert Tips Styling

Mr Jason Grant’s interiors trend forecast for 2016

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date January 2, 2016
1 Comment on Mr Jason Grant’s interiors trend forecast for 2016

By Jason Grant

My job as a stylist is to share what I see happening in the market here, there and everywhere. As always, I don’t suggest you be a slave to trends but there is no escaping their influence. Choose to get onboard or ignore completely, it’s up to you!

The biggest trend on the radar is soft brights. They are going to be big! Pantone led the way with the announcement of their two colours of the year for 2016: Serenity and Rose Quartz. This pale blue and pale pink will be the leading colours in this trend of soft shades. Minimal black and white and the Scandi look are at saturation point, so it’s time to embrace colour and add some to your space. A new year and a fresh start — no need to reinvent, just a little evolution.

I understand colour isn’t for everyone but these soft shades are easy to work with. For those not brave enough to play with colour in a big way, start small with textiles, cushions and accessories. And, for those more brave, think floor rugs, bed linen and artworks for a bigger statement. I recommend Urban Road for affordable and fashion forward artworks. These dream-like shades have a nod to nostalgia and a touch of ’50s retro. Add a fresh update with some new linen, perhaps Aura Home, they are always up to date with on-trend textiles and a mix of colour and patterns.

In general, 2016 will be pretty but not too feminine.

Another trend to keep in mind coming into the new year is a focus on comfortable homes. We take pride in our homes and now more than ever, our emphasis will be on entertaining and relaxing in our individual spaces. So collect and surround yourself with things that make you happy as well as secure and comfortable. Remember it’s your home and it should feel good!

— Mr Jason Grant is a stylist, author and the newly appointed ambassador for Life Instyle, Sydney (18-to-21 February, 2016).

Tags design, homewares, jason grant, life instyle, mr jason grant, paint colours, pantone, Pantone Rose Quartz, Pantone Serenity, styling

Designers Interviews Styling

Mardi Mason quits corporate world for her dream job of stylist

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 22, 2015
2 Comments on Mardi Mason quits corporate world for her dream job of stylist

Starting your own business is hard, especially when it’s in a completely different field to your expertise. However, Mardi Mason did just that. Leaving the corporate world of marketing, sponsorship and events for a more creative way of life.

c63934_e691fca641cd49a48e4765727203e5a0.jpg_srz_p_488_488_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz — Mardi and her husband Brett and son Max. Photo credit: Willow and Tilly Photography

“For a long time interiors was just a passion,” explains Mardi. “Yet whilst I was on maternity leave my interest in styling grew stronger and I had a real desire to work in the creative world. A visit to Life InStyle cemented in my mind that this was the industry for me, so I took the plunge and started my own business.”

Master bedroom. Photo credit: Jack Murphy

[contextly_sidebar id=”ghnj6pLFgaQbufuWBO7qm6Vmks4RsZrl”]Already being the go-to person when friends needed interiors advice or help planning an event, it was somewhat of a natural progression and one that felt 100% right. Quickly landing her first job – to design a nursery for a friend of a friend – it was actually her Instagram handle that got her over the line. “I was once told to treat my Instagram page like a portfolio as it’s an opportunity to share your images and connect with a wonderfully supportive community. I love getting involved with 7 Vignettes for that very reason! So when my friend recommended me to her colleague and referred her to my Instagram page, she was able to get an idea of my style and chose to contact me as a result.”

Inner city townhouse staged for sale. Photo credit: Urban Angles

Having worked across styling, events and interiors for the last two years, Mardi does everything, from designing homes and styling weddings to staging properties for sale and commercial photo shoots. Going from strength to strength it’s tips like using your Instagram as your portfolio and networking in your local community that have led to Mardi’s success. “Networking with the appropriate people in my community like owners of interiors shops who may get asked if they know a stylist, real estate agents, local artists and so on has proved pivotal. Word of mouth is such a powerful tool, so making my business known in my local area seemed crucial to me.”

The Colour English. Photo credit: Lisa Atkinson

It was this tenacity that actually saw Mardi achieve her biggest styling milestone; landing her first commercial photo shoot for boutique art company, The Colour English. Imagining it would be hard to get a commercial gig, what with having none in her portfolio, it was after seeing their gorgeous wool art in a local shop that she decided to take matters into her own hands. “After seeing some of The Colour English’s art in the flesh I looked them up on Instagram and noticed they didn’t have any styled images. I decided to approach them directly and suggested I could style a shoot for them. The timing was perfect as they were actually in the process of sourcing a stylist. We met and I pitched my ideas, they loved what I suggested and I was hired. To plan a shoot from conception, execute it on the day and see it come to life in images that the client loved, felt like a huge achievement.”

Loving bringing other peoples’ homes, products and events to life, next on Mardi’s agenda is a personal project, having recently moved into a cute 1930s cottage that has loads of character and even more potential. “I can’t wait to start our build in the next couple of years, as the more I learn as a stylist the more those house plans evolve and the more refined my style becomes. I also have a little girl on the way who’s due early January and I’m excited to get going on her nursery.”

Coffee table detail shot. Photo credit: Jack Murphy

For more information.

Tags design, designing, homewares, instagram, interiors, life instyle, Mardi Mason, styling, stylist, The Colour English

Bathrooms Homewares

Così: super-sized, colourful bath towels for stylish bambini

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 30, 2015
No Comments on Così: super-sized, colourful bath towels for stylish bambini

The by-product of a lawyer, an industrial chemist turned marketing manager and four children under five (eek!), new brand Così have created a range of 100% cotton, delightfully soft and irresistible to touch bath towels for children.

Designed by Melbourne-based Italian sisters Tina and Jo Randello, each towel is full-sized despite being for little ones. “Our research with children and parents told us size really does matter with towels,” explains Tina. “They have to be large enough to cocoon the smallest baby to the biggest kid. That’s why we call our Così towels children’s bath sheets.” And if they’re full-sized they’re perfect for adults too… just saying!

Fresh and contemporary, all four designs boast an exotic colour scheme in shades that reflect what kids love, but also tap into mum’s sense of style. ‘The collection captures an empowering richness and opulence that is fun for children of all ages and will give instant glamour to an adult’s bathroom,’ says Jo. “You won’t be blamed for wanting to drape your Così towel over the back of your kid’s bedroom door or in the bathroom all day.”

Setting the benchmark for intelligent design that will stand the test of time, the towels are made from 500gsm pure cotton and feature a pattered side in sheered velour and a block grey side in absorbent looped terry. All towels are machine washable and have been subject to a rigorous testing regime before being released.

Così towels can now be pre-ordered online for a September delivery and will also be exhibited at Life Instyle, Melbourne next month.

Tags bathroom, children, children towels, children's homewares, cosi, cosi towels, design, homewares, interiors, kids homewares, life instyle, towels

Designers Expert Tips

Colin & Justin share design tips as they visit Australia

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date February 10, 2015
1 Comment on Colin & Justin share design tips as they visit Australia

I absolutely LOVE Colin & Justin and I’m really excited the TV stars and interior designers recently landed in Australia! They’ve shared these top design tips exclusively with Interiors Addict.

To increase the feeling of space, use cool colours and paint all aspects of the room – including skirting boards etc — the same shade. Painting a low ceiling two or three shades lighter than the walls will increase the feeling of height while dark flooring and light walls will have a dramatic effect on the feeling of floor space.
If the proportions of your room feel like a corridor then you can ‘square’ things off by painting the two end walls in a slightly darker shade. Doing this will make them appear to come forward and will help balance the overall perspective.
Choice of colour is an extremely personal thing so look at shades you’re already attracted to in clothing, for example, or in your car etc. before making those all important decisions.
Before you splash out on all your paint requirements, buy some testers and use the whole pot to paint a sizeable section of card that you can move about the room to mimic how the wall colour would look close to and away from natural light sources. Basing your decisions around a patch the size of a postage stamp never works. Look at the colour and carefully consider it at all times of day when lighting is different. If you are still undecided and want to try out several shades, avoid striping the walls by painting onto sections of lining paper and tacking them around your room.
To increase space and light you must allow natural light to flood through windows without obstruction. As such, it’s goodbye to clusters of windowsill ornaments and heavy curtains and hello to clear surfaces with smart blinds or simple drapes. Use mirrors to reflect and intensify the amount of natural daylight and place them opposite windows for maximum effect.
Transform a dark dingy room into a bright and fresh space by keeping conflicting patterns to a minimum. If you just have to have patterned elements then try sticking to one style – stripes for example — and use them sparingly on perhaps one wall or an accent area. Easier still (and far simpler to change at a later date) use pattern on window dressings, cushions, rugs and throws.
Lighting should be used to create atmosphere so opt for something more versatile than a single pendent hanging from the centre of the ceiling. A spread of spotlights can add a modern touch to the dowdiest of rooms and should be installed with a dimmer switch to alter the mood from flood lit to cosy cool. Lighting can also be used to highlight architectural features, paintings and furniture to dramatic effect.
If you’re a dedicated follower of home fashion but balk at the thought of ripping out and starting again every time you change your mind, then choose larger elements, such as flooring or sofas, in a neutral colour. Changing the mood further down the line will be far easier and will involve minimum fuss and expenditure: all you’ll need to do to ring the changes is alter the colour of walls and accessories as and when your mood dictates.
Finishing touches make all the difference so splash out on uniform door handles throughout and attractive electrical switches. Like gold buttons on a Chanel suit, quality additions add an understated air of elegance and individuality.
Any works carried out to your home must conducted to a high standard or else they’re simply not worth doing. Botched DIY jobs create irritation rather than appreciation and could even damage the value of your property. Remember that while it’s good to have an eye on profit for a later date, the biggest return you can get from your home should be on a daily basis.

Colin and Justin will shortly be appearing on two episodes of Ten’s The Living Room.

The popular pair will be appearing at Life Instyle and Reed Gift Fairs in Sydney this month and are the MCs at this year’s Life Instyle GALA Awards. Purchase tickets to the GALA awards (I was a judge!) online.

Tags australia, colin and justin, design tips, interiors, life instyle, reed gift fair, trade fair, tv

Homewares

What to expect at Sydney’s Life Instyle 2015

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 30, 2015
No Comments on What to expect at Sydney’s Life Instyle 2015

Happening next month, Sydney’s annual Life Instyle trade show will see 350 industry leading exhibitors come together at the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion.

With everything on offer from homewares to giftware to lifestyle and children’s products, Life Instyle Sydney fuses together business and design to recognise and celebrate the very best.

Promising retailers and buyers a place to hunt for the latest trends and coveted brands, the event will also see the return of premium educational and design features including the popular Style Lab, a radical interactive photo shoot display using exhibitors’ products and the Conversation Series presented by key brand visionaries, experts and stylists.

Running alongside Life Instyle is Kids Instyle, an exhibition that showcases a beautiful collection of babies and children’s fashion, accessories and homewares.

Life Instyle and Kids Instyle run from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 February. This is a trade only event. For more information.

Tags business, children, children's products, Conversation Series, design, giftware, homewares, Hordern Pavilion, interiors, kids instyle, life instyle, Life Instyle 2015, Life Instyle Sydney, Life Instyle Sydney 2015, lifestyle, Royal Hall of Industries, style lab

Homewares

New Kate & Kate blankets, inspired by summer with soft greys and pastels

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 31, 2014

The ladies behind some of some of the most gorgeous Australian blankets and throws EVER, Kate & Kate, will launch their new range, inspired by “that summer feeling” at Life Instyle Melbourne today. And by the look of the photos, styled by Megan Morton, they may be my favourites yet.

The Summer ’15 collection, which consists of five designs, are all knitted from 100% pure cotton and breathe beautifully. Featuring greys of all tones, combined with pastels and pops of colour, the collection is full of beautiful colour combinations from the muted pink with the brilliant berry, to the powder blues with snowy white and miles and miles of grey marles.

Machine washable and safe to tumble-dry, the blankets retail for $119 and the throws for $159. This season will also see the launch of Kate & Kate’s first baby blankets ($100), which while a little smaller than their traditional blankets, are still generous enough for tiny ones and of course, keep with the Kate & Kate aesthetic.

Get a first look and feel at Life InStyle Melbourne this week. They’ll be available through their website and selected stockists nationally, from mid September.

Tags blankets, design, homewares, interiors, kate & kate, life in style melbourne, life instyle, megan morton, pastels, Summer, throws

Homewares

Urban Road’s first rugs will have you wishing it was summer already!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 25, 2014

If you weren’t missing summer enough already, these gorgeous designer rugs by Urban Road and Emma Blomfield of Nest Designs, will make you incredibly envious of anyone currently enjoying the summer months (I’m talking to you, Jen!).

Urban Road are an Australian brand known for their original canvas art prints and cushions. The Emma Blomfield x Urban Road Designer Rug Collection is their first foray into art for your floor, collaborating with interior stylist Emma, who is passionate about making stylish interiors affordable.

Inspired by the cool, salty ocean breeze of a coastal Australian summer with a Palm Springs Californian twist, the collection is full of summery colours, tones and textures. With nine to choose from, there’s a rug to suit every home, with each rug telling its own unique story. “We wanted the range to be bold and bright with a sense of fun thrown in for good measure,” explains Emma. “After all, a rug is really a piece of artwork for your floor and each of the rugs in this collection tells its own artistic story.”

Emma Blomfield (left) of Nest Designs and Suzie Atkin of Urban Road — Emma Blomfield (seated) of Nest Designs and Suzie Atkin of Urban Road

Made from a low pile, acrylic-based Chenille, using fade resistant, eco-friendly inks, the reverse of the rug features a dotted non-woven backing with anti-slip dots to keep the rug in place. Clever!

Measuring 2m x 3m, the rugs retail for $749 and will be officially launched to the trade in Melbourne at Life Instyle next week. The public can pre-order them from 4 August on the Urban Road website, making them the perfect accessory to add colour, scale and character to your space as we head into spring.

Tags art, artwork, design, Emma blomfield, interiors, life instyle, Nest designs, rugs, Summer, urban road

Art Homewares Interviews

A behind the scenes look at the work of sign maker TJ Guzzardi

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 11, 2014
2 Comments on A behind the scenes look at the work of sign maker TJ Guzzardi

It was at age 15 that TJ Guzzardi began his journey to becoming a sign maker, taking his bass guitar to be pinstriped and being inspired to give it a go himself.

TJ Photoshoot-10 — Photo Credit: Andrew Watson

“I saw a guy doing pinstripe designs on my double bass,” says TJ. “And while I watched him, I thought that’d be pretty cool to learn to do and so I decided to give it a try.” From there, he bought some brushes and started painting. Thanks to his dad owning a hot rod shop, TJ’s skills continued to grow, being commissioned by his clients to paint their cars.

TJ Photoshoot-2 — TJ’s Melbourne workshop. Photo Credit: Andrew Watson

Yet it wasn’t until five years later that TJ really found his groove, when he took the jump from pinstriping to lettering. “I was asked to do a tattoo shop sign for a friend and I had never done any lettering before,” he explains. “I was always scared to give it a go but we designed it together and I painted it. Through that, I left some business cards and from there all the work I’ve done has slowly built up to a full-time job. Now I have jobs booked through to September which is really cool.”

Since those initial days, the self-taught sign maker has gone far, literally, with TJ having travelled around Australia painting signs, created a couple of signs for Mexican soft drink company, Jarritos, as well as being commissioned by Harley Davidson. “They invited me to create a helmet and paint one for an art show which they ended up buying and displaying in their Sydney head office,” says TJ. “They gave me a brand new helmet to do whatever I liked with, and I got to be very creative and make it look like it was 40 years old and all distressed.”

CS_20131030_0081 — Harley Davidson helmet. Photo: Andrew Watson

A lover of everything 1950s, all his signs have a definite vintage vibe, something else which harks back to his childhood: “When I was a kid, my parents dressed very 50s,” explains TJ. “My dad was very Grease like, he had the slicked back hair and the leather jacket. I was kind of just brought up in that culture and have taken that and then combined it with my own feel.”

Painting on salvaged materials — anything from a toilet seat to an old trunk — TJ is not afraid to paint on any surface: “If the paint sticks to something, I’ll paint on it!” His sign making process is very delicate and time-consuming and is something that a select few will get to experience during the Meet Your Makers Studio, a new feature at the upcoming Life Instyle trade fair in Melbourne.

1456673_692672684084682_2031091481_n — TJ’s Melbourne workshop. Photo Credit: Andrew Watson

Featuring artists and designers, including TJ, these live workshops will give visitors a unique opportunity to see how these creators bring their designs to life. “I’ll be painting one of my signs on the day, either an old sign for a café or just a decorative sign,” explains TJ. “I thought it’d be something cool to be involved in, a place where I could show my work to a different audience, compared to those who I normally do my work for.”

Life Instyle Melbourne is being held at the Royal Exhibition Building from 31 July to 3 August 2014. TJ’s workshop is on Thursday 31 July from 10-11.30am. More information on this trade-only event can be found here.

Check out TJ’s blog.

Tags art, design, harley davidson, lettering, life instyle, painting, pinstripe, sign making, sign writing, signage, signwrighting, tj guzzardi, trade fair, vintage signs

Designers Styling

Paper artist Marsha Golemac to host Style Lab at this year’s Life Instyle Melbourne

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 9, 2014

Paper artist and creative designer Marsha Golemac will join Melbourne’s Life Instyle this year as the host of Style Lab.

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Style Lab is an interactive display, which using the latest trends and design-led products, sees its host create a series of changing scenes made live each morning of the event. With an eye for straight lines, striking colours, simplicity and shape, Marsha is a prime choice, having created installations for the likes of Gorman, Incu, Megan Park, Kate & Kate and Uuashmama.

A stationary and homewares product developer by trade, Marsha spent many years working at kikki.K before going freelance. She now teaches paper artistry at Megan Morton’s The School and works in all design realms from interior styling to photography.

Life Instyle Melbourne 2014 is being held at the Royal Exhibition Building from 31 July – 3 August. Register online now.

Tags featured, gorman, incu, kate & kate, kikki.k, life in style melbourne, life instyle, marsha golemac, megan morton, megan park, melbourne, style lab, styling, Uuashmama

Styling

Life Instyle announce Jason Grant for StyleLab

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 28, 2013

Life Instyle has announced Mr Jason Grant as the latest stylist it is partnering with on its Style Lab concept, following successful collaborations with Cool Edie’s and Greenhouse Interiors.

StyleLab sees stylists create live installations at the trade fair using exhibitors’ wares, allowing visitors to watch a ‘set’ come together for themselves and then watch it transformed into something totally different the next day.

Tags cool edie's, february 2014, greenhouse interiors, jason grant, life instyle, mr jason grant, reed, style lab, stylelab, styling, stylist, sydney, trade fair

Interiors Addict

A sense of nostalgia at boutique Melbourne hotel The Hatton

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 8, 2013

Although I love a fancy pants 5-star chain hotel as much as the next person, I’m also a sucker for good quality, unique, boutique accommodation, and The Hatton, in Melbourne’s South Yarra, is just that. I had the pleasure of staying in this historic Italianate mansion when I visited for Life Instyle last week.

First impressions were fantastic with this grand exterior, tucked away in a quiet residential street full of beautiful old houses. There’s a cosy welcome at the front desk/breakfast/lounge room, where coffee and continental breakfast is served each morning and included in the room price. It doesn’t feel like a hotel, more a grand, but not intimidating, and very charming, old home.

Tags boutique accommodation, boutique hotel, four star hotel, hotel, life instyle, melbourne, south yarra, the hatton

Interiors Addict

My Life Instyle favourites

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 5, 2013
6 Comments on My Life Instyle favourites

Despite being sick and eventually losing almost all of my voice, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Life Instyle Melbourne on Saturday! The Royal Exhibition Building is a stunning venue and there were some great products on show, with a very high standard in most people’s stands.

Here are a just a few of my favourite finds.

These Spacecraft Australia cushions (top) were my top fave find and it was a pleasure to finally meet the ladies behind Everingham and Watson (bottom) and see their fab new textile designs, including ‘Prawn tastic’! I love how they make Australiana both colourful and cool!

The Uashmama washable paper bags stand looked fab with some new colours on show. I thought these Pooccio dog beds were super stylish and would look equally at home as floor cushions for humans, these New York cushions were among my favourites of the new stock from Make Me Iconic (gotta love gold polkadots!) and the Mister Moss hanging plants were the talk of the show!

Tags life instyle

Interiors Addict

Come and say hi at Life Instyle Melbourne?

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 11, 2013

I’m delighted to be taking part in Life Instyle’s Meet the Expert series on the Saturday morning. If you’re going to be at the trade fair next month, please drop by and say hi. I’d love to meet you and try and help you with any online and social media questions you might have. I’ll be in good company, with a whole host of interesting people taking part, like stylists Julia Green and Jason Grant. It’s a casual meet and greet, open to everyone and it’s free. More information.

Tags design, experts, interiors, jason grant, julia green, life instyle, meet the expert, melbourne, trade fair

Kids Rooms

New Armadillo & Co junior collection of kids rugs

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 2, 2013
1 Comment on New Armadillo & Co junior collection of kids rugs

Armadillo & Co is launching its first ever rug range for kids rooms, the Junior Collection.

I thoroughly approve of the move by founders Jodie Fried and Sally Pottharst to develop something more timeless and less ‘kiddy’ than most of what’s already on offer for children’s rooms. Most of these rugs would suit a child from baby right through to teenager.

“Junior was certainly planned!” laughs Jodie. “In fact, it’s been well over 9 months of hard work. We are both parents – between us we have four children – and decorating their spaces was a battle to find items without ballerinas or rocket ships on them, ugh. Little ones like classic designs too, and quality underfoot as they so often romp around shoeless. Our rugs are fun but timeless.”

Tags amramdillo marigold rug, armadillo & co, children's bedrooms, fair trade, featured, jodie fried, junior collection, kids bedrooms, life instyle, rugs, sally pottharst, woven rugs