Freedom’s new autumn/winter furniture and homewares recently hit stores and there are some standout pieces which you should probably grab now before they’re gone! I’m talking about these gorgeous gold, textured cushions and throw, perfect for warming things up for winter. These are limited edition too, so don’t hang around!
Above: From $39.95 to $149 from Freedom
There’s also a few great pieces in lighting which I have my eye on, particularly the new floor lamp version of the popular copper Metro lamp (below, top right) at $249 (which also comes in matte black in marble), these fancy schmancy globes (top left and bottom right) and the Wren table lamp (bottom left) at $129, which I think would look fab in the bedroom or lounge room.
There’s plenty more cool stuff to share with you. I’ll be back with my copper favourites (nope, that trend’s not going anywhere yet) tomorrow.
With their designs found in the global offices of Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Instagram and their furniture having graced the sets of movies and TV shows such as Iron Man 3 and HBO’s Girls, Canadian furniture maker Gus* have cemented themselves as leaders in upholstered seating, beds, desks, dining, storage, accents and accessories.
With their new collection soon to be available in Australia, Gus*’ style is simple and unfussy, with a timeless quality that can withstand changing design trends. Taking classic forms that focus on material, detail and craftsmanship and transforming them into contemporary, warm and approachable pieces, Gus*’ range is sure to resonate with the Australian market.
“Canadian and Australian cultures have always seemed similar to me and Australia’s interest in Gus* feels like an extension of that,” explains founder David Podsiadlo. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, which is a key ingredient to the way we approach our designs. Gus* fits the Australian aesthetic and we are really excited to see the response from consumers.”
Blending elements of Modernism with industrial and Scandinavian influences, the brand focuses on being beautifully crafted, colourful and versatile. “Versatility is a key factor in our design process,” says David. “For example, the ability to have the chaise positioned on the left or right side of a sectional, depending on room layout. We inject elements of fun into our designs. Our Switch Sofa has a different quilted pattern on each side of the cushions, allowing consumers to easily change the look by flipping them. There’s a sense of creativity with the use of colour in the fabrics; bright yellows, oranges and blues to contrast neutral finish options.”
Gus*’ new collection will be stocked exclusively in Australia through GlobeWest and will be launched at Decor+Design in Melbourne this July.
Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that the Axor LampShower features some crazy out-of-the-box thinking!
One half lampshade, one half shower, the rim of the simple wire frame is embedded with water jets, providing an enveloping rain shower with a water-saving flow rate of 12 litres per minute.
With the lamp featuring a standard light bulb, power is supplied through a connection cable and 12 volt power supply unit, which allows the light to be switched on and off separately via a switch.
Coming in chrome, gold, brushed nickel, matte black and white, the Axor LampShower is available in both wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted versions.
Designed by Oki Sato, the creative brain behind acclaimed Japanese design studio Nendo, the Axor LampShower fuses the living room with the bathroom and discards what a shower ‘should’ be.
For further information visit the Candana website.
Two time The Block contestants and now brand ambassadors for Beacon Lighting, Josh and Jenna are still bringing their dynamic style to Australia via their exclusive Josh & Jenna Range.
Josh and Jenna
Encompassing pendants, ceiling fans, lamps, track lights and LED products, their experience in design, decoration and renovation have made them the perfect couple to share some tips on how to use lighting effectively in your home.
Tip 1 — Pendant perfection
Try clustering pendants at different heights or even mixing different shaped pendants together to make more of an impact in a room.
Tip 2 — Mixing trends
Mixing trends such as Scandinavian with industrial elements of chrome and bronze is a great way to add a contemporary edge to your existing decor.
Tip 3 — Exposed globes
Add an extra style element to an interesting light with a different shaped globe for a perfect contemporary light.
When husband and wife Rick and Annette Carter took a trip to India and the Philippines, a seed was planted for what would grow to become their ethical lifestyle label, One Another. With the products very beautiful in their own right, the fair trade component is just an added bonus as far as the consumer’s concerned!
Then working for not-for-profit Opportunity International, the couple were welcomed into the villages and homes of many inspiring women using amazing skills to support their families. So, with Rick’s background in design and photography and Annette’s in fashion, they decided to combine their love of modern design with the traditional artisan skills of the talented women they had met.
Creating a collection of ethically made cushions, throws, clutch bags, yarn bowls, yarn pendants, scarves and artworks, their products are less trend driven and more focused on handmade qualities and unique textures. Their latest collection, Intersect, which is now available online and will be in stores early May, combines structural grids, classic checks and 3D quilts using their trademark hand embroidery and hand-woven T-Yarn.
“We love all things mono so for this collection, we kept the base palette pretty neutral so that the textures did the talking,” says Rick. “We have used lots of charcoal marle, cool grey and crisp white, but added touches of denim, pale blue and blush for subtle colour or a hit of tangerine for some zing! Ultimately, the collection is where modern design ‘intersects’ with traditional artisan skills to create products that help empower women to rise above poverty.”
Currently working with three collectives – that combined provide work for 20 women – One Another has partners all across the developing world. “The perfect hand embroidery is stitched in India, the beautiful loop weaving is from South Africa and the new hand loomed wool throws are from near the Nepal border,” explains Rick. “We are also starting to develop some wall art with a new collective in Africa which we hope to release in a few months.”
Working with women who may be widowed or have parents too sick to work, they provide fair pay, safe and clean working conditions and the option to work at home, should they need to care for their family. “For example, they work normal hours and have a weekend, which is practically unheard of in India. By using their unique skills, we are helping empower the women, transform their communities and create a better future for their families.”
What is also incredibly special about One Another, is the personal touch they add to each final product. “The women are at the heart of everything we do and that’s the reason why every product we make is hand-signed by the embroiderer or weaver who made it. This signature is a source of much pride for the women as well as letting the customers know the actual name of the person who has put their hands and heart into making the cushion or throw they have sitting on their couch.”
With the hope to increase their impact and work with more and more groups of women, One Another’s end goal is to open up their own store. “We’d love to showcase some of our favourite ethical brands from around the world and be a place where consumers will know every purchase makes a difference.”
Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.
Here are this week’s gorgeous products (clockwise from top left)
With industrial lighting predicted to remain big this year, trend forecaster and interior designer for Brilliant Lighting, Bree Leech, gives us her top tips on how to create the industrial look at home.
Styling: Bree Leech | Photographer: Mike Baker
Create warmth in an industrial-inspired home by knowing the right lighting to choose. Pendant lights that feature glass or metal and shades in simple vintage shapes such as domes or cages are ideal. Alternatively, hang exposed bulbs on simple fabric cords with brass fittings.
Combine the old with the new by selecting industrial-inspired pendants with cutting edge globe technology. Hang mismatched pendants in a cluster.
Use warmer metals for a wholesome feel and add greenery to freshen and balance the industrial edge.
To achieve an industrial look, the complementing decor should feature vintage and rustic finishes, such as exposed or painted brick, polished concrete and recycled timber.
Keep colour schemes soft and neutral using white and green, or go for something dramatic and moody by using darker blues and greys. For a more modern vibe, add elements such as simple contemporary furniture pieces.
Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.
Here are this week’s beautiful products (clockwise from top left)
In part one, we showed you how getting the right bed and mattress is key to a great night’s sleep and the foundation of your restful bedroom, But there’s so much more to a beautiful sanctuary than that! Here are my top tips for styling your bedroom.
Image: Mrs Darcy
By your bedside
Bedside tables are pretty much the second most important furniture choice for your bedroom. There are few people who don’t need somewhere for their glass of water or morning coffee, book, alarm clock (who am I kidding, mobile phone!), book, watch, and so it goes on!
There are several key considerations with your bedsides. First, make sure the height is right for your bed. You don’t want to have to reach up or down to grab what you need half asleep. It will also look odd if your bedside is too high or low.
Image: King Furniture
When it comes to matching or not, that’s a decision for you. Many people prefer the balanced, symmetrical look of two identical bedsides, but it isn’t the only option. I have seen many examples of two different, but equally fabulous bedside tables, adding interest and character. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Think carefully about how much storage you need and how tidy you are. I, for example, keep a pretty minimalist bedside: book, coffee cup, lamp, and that’s about it. My husband, on the other hand, well, that’s an argument I don’t need to get into again! But suffice to say he has a lot of stuff by his bed. I would never even consider bedsides for us without drawers ever again (been there, lived to see the mess and dust accumulate). Some bedsides even have cupboards (great for those things that won’t fit in a small drawer like piles of magazines, headphones, iPads, need I go on?). Consider the width of the bedsides too, and make sure there’s enough room for them to breathe with a gap either side. There’s nothing worse than wedging bedside-bed-bedside into a narrow room.
Lamps
Bedside lamps are another essential because nobody wants to get out of bed once they’ve got comfortable to turn off the light. Mood lighting from lamps rather than overheads is also an important part of winding down to a restful night’s sleep. You can make a real statement with your lamps so they can be just as much decorative as they are practical. Make sure the width and height of the lamps and their shades (if they have them) is right for your bed and bedsides. Think outside the box here too: lamps not necessarily designed for bedsides can make a real statement. Pendant lights, as seen all too often on The Block, hanging either side of the bed, are another trend and give you extra space and less to dust on your bedside!
Image: Country Road
Linen
Linen is another very personal choice and somewhere you can really have fun. You can either go for something really striking and bold which becomes a feature in itself, or something more subtle. I don’t think either is particularly on trend and both are popular. Brands like Aura and Kip & Co are great for high impact quilt sets. The textural, deliberately creased look of linen works well without pattern and with soft, muted colours or neutrals. Try brands like Hale Mercantile Co and Major Minor.
Image: AURA by Tracie Ellis
Decorative cushions
It seems it’s something men and women will never agree on, but I’m a great believer in the decorative cushion to finish off your bed. No, you don’t actually use them for anything, but they’re a great way to inject colour, pattern and texture, especially if you’ve opted for plainer linen. It’s a low commitment and low-cost way to include the latest trends in your bedroom too. Consider at ottoman at the bottom of your bed, if you have the space, to store them when you go to bed. You can also sit on it to put your shoes on!
Bedheads
If there’s one trend that’s taken off in bedrooms in the last couple of years it’s bedheads, specifically upholstered ones. Not only are they comfortable to sit up against but they look great too and can make a real feature of your bed. The great thing is, you can invest in a high quality ensemble that lasts you years and change the bedhead relatively frequently if your tastes change or you, for example, move house.
Image: Mexsii
Somewhere to put your clothes
It’s very unlikely there’ll be a time when you don’t have some of your clothes out, whether it’s that day’s discarded outfit or tomorrow’s, ready for the morning. For this reason, one great chair is the perfect addition to a corner of your bedroom. Garments look much better draped over a chair than in a pile on the floor.
Image: Curious Grace
Art
Most rooms cry out for a bit of art on the walls and bedrooms are no exception. That said, in my own, due to having a bold patterned wallpaper and a statement upholstered linen bedhead in a reasonably small room, I don’t think it necessary. If you are hanging art and it’s above your bed, please make sure it is safely fixed to the wall as the last thing you want is a heavy frame falling on your head in the night! Less risky options are lightweight canvas art or the popular juju feather hats.
Rugs
If you have hard floors, rugs are always nice in the bedroom, not least to have something soft underfoot when you get out of bed. A round rug is a nice option to break up a room which is often full of rectangles (bed, bedhead, walls, bedsides, art).
Image: Armadillo & Co
Sleepmaker can help you build your own dreamworld, starting with a great mattress or bed. For more information, visit their website.
Struggling to find a suitable market to sell their wares, fashion designer Sarah Thornton and jewellery designer Brooke Johnston, decided to take matters into their own hands. Creating what would become the extremely popular Finders Keepers market, the seven-year-old event now runs bi-annually in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Sarah and Brooke
“We dreamed up the concept of collaborating with like-minded emerging designers that sold really unique up and coming designs,” explains Sarah. “We then started really small with 20 designers and it all snowballed organically from there. The ‘design market’ was not yet a thing in Australia.”
Having met after Brooke moved to Sydney and started dating Sarah’s cousin (they’re now married!), the girls had an instant connection. Similar creatively, they started Finders Keepers as a hobby, not paying themselves a wage and working in their spare time.
“There was no real business plan or financial plan in place,” says Sarah. “We had no idea what we were doing! As we grew, we needed more time, resources and staff and had to grow up in so many ways. It’s been such a crazy journey but I do believe if we hadn’t started it out of passion alone, I don’t think we would have started it at all. You sometimes need to go into these things blindly and put your whole heart and soul into them!”
Strong supporters of independent design, everything on offer is from a small business owner and mostly handmade or sourced and made in Australia. With their products ranging from fashion, jewellery, homewares, art, lighting, plants, beauty and food products, the girls pride themselves on showcasing not just amazing goods, but having a beautifully curated event.
“While Finders Keepers is primarily a design and art market event that brings together talented designers from all around Australia, you will also find live music, workshops, inspiration, food and beverages and great locally made products to take home. We have a passion for bringing independent design to the forefront and creating a platform for emerging designers, artists and musicians to showcase their work in a supportive and creative atmosphere.”
With upcoming winter events in May (Sydney) and July (Brisbane and Melbourne), the girls don’t plan on slowing down. “We’ve been working on getting Finders Keepers to new states and even looking overseas as a one-day-dream. We just want to continue holding great inspiring events and helping small business owners grow their own little dreams too.”
It’s safe to say you install a fan in your home for its functionality, not its beauty! Because more often than not fans are just plain old ugly! However, the new range of fans from Beacon Lighting are a whole lot prettier than we are used to.
With a variety of options available, there’s the swirl of cool white or timber evoking the feeling of a relaxed tropical paradise; the cutting edge aerodynamic design, which is bound to create a highpoint of conversation; and the discreet and innovative Fanaway retractable blade ceiling fan.
Functionality has not been forgotten either, with the fans helping to reduce energy costs in the warmer months and also throughout winter when switched to reverse mode. Selected new season fans such as the Airfusion range are particularly energy-efficient, costing less than 3c per hour to run, while fans with DC technology cost less than 1c!
Beacon Lighting’s latest range includes indoor fans, alfresco fans and coastal fans. Check them out online.
Last year, I was approached at a family barbecue by a friend of a friend who had a problem. The problem was she said, that it was incredibly hard getting her family going in the morning and that breakfast was simply a form of extended torment. After much discussion back and forth it did not take long to define the primary problem was most likely a lack of morning sun (by the way, we did discuss the quality of the coffee on offer – it was apparently good — and then again we had to consider the kids too!). It turned out the breakfast area was in the middle of the house without a window or skylight in near sight and, apart from the clock, it was hard to tell what time of day it was.
Morning light is one of the most fundamental, and in my opinion most overlooked, elements of a home and a lifestyle. Now with our knowledge of daylight and our circadian rhythms, it is a no-brainer to ensure that we have some sun on the breakfast table! The morning light will literally wake you and your family up and get you going!
One of Joe’s projects where he has added a skylight in the breakfast area
It is a common issue with many houses I have visited over the years having poorly located breakfast areas. It has always surprised me to see how many families have spent their good lives having breakfast (arguably the most important meal of the day) in dark and depressing spaces.
In fact, when designing a house, well before I worry about the breakfast table styling and accessories (for example what type of bowl to have your cornflakes out of), I make sure that there is going to be some sun on the breakfast table. Imagine how much more of a happy and productive day you and your family are going to have when you have enjoyed the twinkle of some winter sun off your spoon of strawberries! And knowing you are going to have some morning sun, imagine then what styling you could enjoy – is it going to be Scandinavian blonde timber with a navy cloth, or bright daisy yellow napkins against a pure white slat bench? The inspiration for the space and the experience is so much greater because the fundamental is right, and in this case it is the capturing of morning light.
So, how to make immediate change? Well, first of all, find out where the morning sun is coming into your home. Seek it out and adjust your planning; sometimes it means changing rooms to suit a breakfast table and chairs catching the sun. Never be afraid of light as it is always better to take it away with well-placed blinds or screens than not have it at all – particularly in winter.
Once you have located the morning sun in your home, freshen up the space with lighter and brighter colours to reflect the light and make it a morning place – whites, yellows, light coloured timbers – it does not have to be the whole room – it can just be the breakfast area. Once you have brightened the space consider a large mirror. They can be a great addition if placed in such a way to reflect the outside in – whether it is a view, the garden, a tree or even the sky. Remember that the early morning light is quite horizontal, particularly in winter, so a mirror can literally bring the morning into a space and all the beautiful light reflections are an added bonus.
Image source: Dwell. Click for details
In terms of a renovation, do all of the above and literally design around the morning light – include windows and skylights that are designed to capture and funnel light into your breakfast space. Good quality skylights these days are so much more available and better priced than in the past. Some even include electric sun blinds and automatically close when they sense rain. Give priority to your place of breakfast in your design so that it is located on the edge of your house, preferably near an outdoor area, so on those perfect mornings you can easily spill outside. Consider as well the convenience of its location as for many of us, breakfast can be a bit of a rush.
At the start of the day, there is nothing more important than making sure that you get your family’s body clocks and appetites going with some sun on your breakfast table. With some clever design and planning, invite that morning to breakfast!
In collaboration with British paint brand Little Greene, Lane have released six new colourways for their highly praised Twin Tone Lampshade.
With each lampshade coming in two carefully matched colours, it has been screen printed on the inside and out. Made entirely from FSC accredited thick paper, avoiding the unnecessary use of plastics and metals common to most lampshades, the paper is made by one of the oldest mills in the UK.
Selected for Belgium’s Design Museum Gent’s Linked exhibition in 2013 by the honorary director because of its contemporary take on a classic concertina form and its sustainable design; the exhibition gave the Twin Tone Lampshade international recognition and encouraged Lane to further advance the product through their partnership with Little Greene.
Having lived in Denmark for the past four months, I’m lucky enough to be in the company of beautiful Scandinavian design on a daily basis. So I can confidently say that the new and affordable Nordic inspired lighting range by Brilliant Lighting is the real deal!
Bree Leech for Brilliant Lighting. Photography: Mike Baker
Available exclusively through Bunnings Australia, the high quality range features decorative pendants that epitomise the Scandi look through materials such as pale unfinished timber and matt black metal. Using simple, limited palettes in neutral, charcoal, black and white, the lighting retails from the steal of $29.90 to $399.00.
Bree Leech for Brilliant Lighting. Photography: Mike Baker
The perfect complement for your home, interior designer and trend forecaster Bree Leech says the simple contemporary designs from the range will help bring a little bit of Scandinavia to your household. “The Scandi look is where graphic geometry and clean lines meet organic and relaxed finishes. Modern lighting that combines any of these elements works in the Scandi look. Choose simple large industrial pendants or timber balanced-arm lamp bases with black or white shades. Other options might include single colour or timber finish graphic geometric designs that feature shards, facets, cubes or polygons.”
Bree Leech for Brilliant Lighting. Photography: Mike Baker
Established more than 25 years ago, Brilliant Lighting is committed to innovative design and quality. Acknowledged as an innovator in domestic lighting, it is one of the largest and most respected names in the Australian lighting industry with a range of more than 1500 products. All Brilliant Lighting products come with a 12-month warranty and use the latest LED technology, the most efficient and durable option on the market.
Four years ago, I travelled to South Africa for the first time for a quick holiday and to get married. Since then, I’ve been several times and Capetown and its surrounds hold a really special place in my heart. This year, I went back for my best man Gregory Mellor’s wedding, staying in the most amazing home that he designed in the Karoo. They call it “God’s house” for good reason. Have a look at it published in Condé Nast House & Garden.
Making my way back into Capetown, I was fortunate to have a guided tour through the grand old dame, the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel.
The grounds and scale of this beautiful old establishment are something to behold. The most recent addition to its many buildings and types of rooms are the Garden Cottage Suites.
It’s a row of eight restored historic cottage that sit opposite a secluded, and adults-only, pool with pool house.
Each cottage is enclosed by low fences with private rose gardens that were in full bloom during my visit. The pool house feels like the sort you’d expect to see in a Hamptons mansion, and the rooms also have a nod to the classic Hamptons aesthetic.
The cottages have grass cloth wallpaper-lined studies, part of a classic, stylish interior scheme that brings these beautiful old cottages to life. There are lights throughout by one of my favourite lighting suppliers, Visual Comfort, in their classic, American style. There are king-sized four-poster beds, marble bathrooms and separate living and dining areas with views over the rose gardens and the pool through to Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. The interiors are superb and the cottages super sweet. Next time I stay, I’ll be beating down their door.
When you look at the beautiful wares curated by new online homewares store The Dancing Pixie, it will come as no surprise to learn that two of its team of three lived together in Turkey for six years. It’s the vision of Amanda, Travis and Nicole to bring gorgeous things from around the globe to Australian homes, via their Byron Bay base.
Whether you’re looking for lighting, tiles, dinnerware, Turkish towels, throws, candle holders or trinkets, you will find them here, and you could easily convince your guests you picked them up on your travels! It’s always nice to have something everyone else doesn’t! Having just spent a week immersed in the Emirati culture in Dubai, and time in Morocco earlier in the year, I’m loving all things Arabic when it comes to decor. And I really need to tick Turkey off my travel list soon!
Amanda says: “Travel is probably my first love, shopping would be my second, so I am so excited to now have a job that allows me to do both! I think over the years the places that I have seen and experiences I’ve had, have had a huge impact on my life, I am now more than ever grateful to live in the country that I do and am passionate about inspiring others (especially our younger generations) to get out and do the same.
“We have alpacas and chickens on our hobby farm just outside of Byron Bay and other than travelling and shopping, I love surfing, swimming and anything crafty! I am so looking forward to bringing you more treasures from all over this enormous globe!”
If you like what you see too, you’re in luck! There’s 10% off everything for Interiors Addict readers using the code InteriorsAddict10 until Christmas Day 2014. Free shipping on all orders over $200, otherwise a flat rate of $10.
Colour coordination is important with all aspects throughout the home, whether it is matching cushions to wall colours, coordinating accessories in the bedroom or even complimentary towel choices in the bathroom. Light switches are not an exception to this rule! However, we all know colour and interior trends change as quickly as they come into fashion.
With the Clipsal by Schneider Electric range of switches, adding colour or texture to your home is simple and styles can be updated quickly and easily to suit or change the look and feel of any room in the house.
The simple elegance of the Saturn range complements classical interior design looks through its textural and metallic finishes that are available in a variety of colours, including: Ocean Mist, Espresso Black, Pure White, Horizon Silver and Horizon Black. Through the silky smooth push button operation, subtle blue LED push button option and glass-look fascia, the Saturn range creates a classic style which can be integrated to any room to create a subtle and timeless statement without clashing with colour schemes or finishes.
But if a splash of colour in your home is what you’re after, the Strato 8000 series switches make a statement. The interchangeable coloured surrounds means when a new trend appears, the colour can be quickly and easily updated. The Strato 8000 series has a vast selection of colours to choose from for any room in the home. If one of the standard 20 interchangeable coloured surrounds, including Juicy Green or Moleskin White don’t suit, then custom colour surrounds from the Laminex range mean switches can easily be changed to suit all future trends and styles.
With so much choice on the market it is easy to choose a beautiful and innovative light switch that can meet individual needs and tastes, whether this is making a bold colour statement, or achieving a classic, understated subtle touch in a home.
For those who love to shop but worry about their environmental footprint, Jasper and Eve could be the answer. This new online homewares store sells unique, Australian-made products that are produced in a socially responsible way.
“We love interior design but we found that sometimes we weren’t sure how big a footprint we were leaving on the world,” explains co-founder Leslyn Parker. “Our items have a detailed description which include our values: that’s things like being ethically produced, supporting Australian made or local designers, crafted using organic or natural material, or being produced in small runs. It’s great news for Australians looking to brighten up their home with stylish and socially responsible items.”
Run by Leslyn and her husband Andy, the Sydney-based store sells a range of products, including home decor, art, lighting, and fragrances. Offering items the duo love themselves, everything is lovingly crafted, with nothing of the usual run-of-the-mill, mass-produced or boring in sight.
Alongside stocking sustainable products, Jasper and Eve offer Australians a chance to make a difference, with $1 from every sale going to Cambodia WTL, a charity that shares the stores eco-values. The store also offer an e-interior styling service, so that customers can plan their perfect home from the comfort of their sofa.
