Categories
Competitions Furniture Homewares

You’ll never believe this stuff is from Early Settler!

Sponsored by Early Settler

While Early Settler have been impressing me with their latest collections for some time now, their limited edition pieces released this week just took things to a whole new level. So I’m here to highlight the best bits and urge you to get shopping ASAP, because stock (as the name suggests) is limited and once they’re gone, they’re gone! No just that, but one lucky reader will get to win a beautiful luxe velvet sofa. Keep reading…

The best thing about these new limited pieces is there’s not just one look, there’s something for all tastes: the ever-popular industrial, French and vintage looks, on-trend luxe (hello velvet!) and (moody) floral and last but not least, storage. Can you ever have too much storage?!

There’s loads to see in store and online, but these are my top picks.

There are several velvet sofas (gosh, I love velvet sofas) and I couldn’t pick just one. First up, the Lisette 3.5-seater (shown in peacock green velvet) which also comes in dusty pink, purple and indigo velvet). And the price? $1299! Yes, velvet, 3.5 seater and just $1299 for a limited time (full price $1699)! I know! I love its classic shape and proportions and comfy cushions.

If you’re looking to go all out with your statement sofa, look no further than this beauty, the Juel 3.5-seater Chesterfield at $1499. Shown in vintage indigo and vintage gold below, it also comes in vintage peacock, vintage duck egg and vintage plush rose. You can coordinate (or contrast) with the Juel occasional chairs too.

I’m so in love with this ultra luxe, bold, jewel-toned look.

Early Settler have always had great vanities and this 2-door Nico French Vanity with Bluestone Top is no exception. It’s also just $899. Say what?! You can completely change the look of your bathroom by replacing the vanity (without the need for more expensive renos) and I am a big believer in going for something other than the standard white gloss. This piece would add some warmth and character to your bathroom and the stone top is both practical and luxurious. I love how it looks more like a freestanding vintage furniture piece than a bathroom cabinet.

While we’re talking about storage, I absolutely love this Monde Shelving Unit for $1299. It would look amazing in a living room full of books and/or decor items, in a dining room filled with your favourite ceramics or even in a kids or teenager’s room (secured safely to the wall, of course), filled with toys and treasures. This is a great, affordable way to add a great display option to your home.

We’ve seen a growing trend for moody florals and this Louisa 2 Drawer Bedside Table is an unexpected way to add the trend to your bedroom for $399.

Do you have a buffet in your home? Let me tell you, they are so useful! Every home should have one and they can work in your living room, hallway, dining room or even kitchen! They’re not just for storage, they’re the perfect place to display and style up some beautiful vignettes, perhaps with a great lamp, and they can be the perfect item to ground some artwork or a gallery wall of family photos above. The vintage-look Coralie 3 Drawer Buffet comes in indigo (I know, such a surprise for me choose the navy version of something!) as well as turquoise and an easy-to-work-with light cloud. It’s $1299.

I bet you never knew you needed this Juan Bench either. And now you’re trying to work out how you can incorporate it into your home. It’s $499, also comes in white, and looks like you shipped it home from your last overseas holiday. Love it!

If you’re a fan of a luxe gold accent in your home, you’ll easily find a place for this elegant Exford Marble Side Table, which looks a lot more expensive than its $299 price tag.

If you have a bedroom without built-ins, storage can be a real challenge and  wardrobes don’t come cheap. I love the clean lines and industrial look of the Sleek Hanging Cabinet. At $499, I think it would be perfect in a guest bedroom.

So, what do you think of my picks? Which is your favourite? Would you agree that Early Settler have seriously upped their game in the last year?

Like I said, don’t hang around, and visit your nearest store or shop online today so you don’t miss out.

COMPETITION TIME!

For your chance to win a Lisette 3.5 seater sofa in peacock green velvet (pictured below), complete the entry form at the bottom of the page by 5pm Sydney time on Thursday 22 March 2018. Open to Australian residents only.

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The winner of this competition was Pen Alkin.

Categories
Designers

Fady Hachem fits out Melbourne’s Bond Bar for second time

At the tender age of 21, Fady Hachem graduated and convinced the owners of a new Melbourne venue that he could not only develop their brand identity, but the interior concepts as part of their $2 million overhaul! Looking back on it now, he admits “it was ballsy and risky at the time, but I was hungry and eager to dive in.” That place was Bond Bar. Fast forward 15 years and he now has a team of 25 at Hachem Design, has completed countless projects here and abroad, and recently refurbished Bond Bar for the second time.

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Private function room at Bond Bar

Second time around, his brief was to create the number one high end spot in Melbourne and he really went to town on it. Fady’s mantra is the crazier the brief the better! He wanted to pay homage to the original fitout so he kept the curved roof, and everything stemmed from that. The new fitout is ultra luxe: think interchangeable leather wall panels, gold tiles and brass curtains all the way from Switzerland!

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A private booth at Bond Bar

Coming from a working class family, Fady certainly felt like an outcast when he chose to study design at university. However it has certainly proven to be a wise move for him!

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Fady’s advice for anyone trying to make it in the design industry is: “Don’t be afraid to try new things and go for what you really want, despite how challenging the industry claims to be. In this field, you need to have stamina and gumption. Pushing the boundaries has to be part and parcel.”

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For more information about Hachem Design.

–Kathryn Bamford is our girl on the ground in Melbourne; you can follow her DIY & design adventures on Instagram @thedesignrookie.

Categories
Bedrooms Styling

Steve Cordony styles Sheridan’s SS15 range for a hotel feel

This season, Sheridan collaborated with renowned Australian stylist, Steve Cordony, and asked him to show us how to transform your home with hotel inspired luxury.

“The hotel luxe look is about checking into a lovely hotel and having crisp sheets and warm towels – so why shouldn’t we apply this to our everyday lives? As with everything, it’s the small details that make your space beautiful and more importantly make you feel special,” Steve says.

Hotel Luxury: three different ways.

“Structure is important when creating a hotel luxe bedroom. Clean crisp lines, and tailored pillows create a sense of elegance and formality. I love layering with European pillows, with standard in front and a smaller breakfast accent cushion in front. I love having a throw at the base of the bed and using a bed topper and deluxe feather and down quilt all create a luxuriously indulgent looking bed. Each look is about creating a contemporary, luxurious space that feels indulgent and super chic while remaining warm and inviting.”

Contemporary chic. Everyone knows hotel luxury begins with layering of high quality 1200 thread count sheeting. With Palais Luxe in Dove, I wanted to make sure the environment was light, airy and more feminine. I love using shades of grey and this particular tone of grey is warm but still contemporary. I kept the accessories monochromatic and accented with a touch of gold to give a hint of the unexpected.

Palais Lux 1200TC Queen Quilt Cover $599.95, Tailored Pillowcase $99.95, Tailored European Pillowcase $99.95, Standard Pillowcase Pair $109.95, Queen Flat and Fitted Sheet $269.95 in Dove, Lanham Silk Pillowcase in Snow $99.95.

Boutique style. The classic Millennia receives a boutique-hotel makeover in a new midnight tone. Deep navy is one of my favourite colours as it has so much depth and the subtle stripe pattern of the bed linen adds that touch of sophistication. I accented with a tonal colour palette of natural rattan on the bedhead, which gives great texture, aged brass, gold, mirror and chrome.

Millennia 1200TC Queen Quilt Cover $599.95, Tailored Pillowcase $99.95, Tailored European Pillowcase $99.95, Standard Pillowcase Pair $109.95, Queen Flat and Fitted Sheet $269.95 in Midnight.

Graphic and masculine. Anyone who knows me, knows I love black and white – it’s a classic and luxurious palette. For styling 1200 thread count Palais in Silver I wanted to create a graphic, more masculine look. Keeping the shapes strict and formal with accessories and furniture work perfectly with the structure and subtle pattern of the linen. Think Tom Ford meets Palm Beach.

Image courtesy of Sheridan
Palais 1200TC Queen Quilt Cover $599.95, Tailored Pillowcase $99.95, Tailored European Pillowcase $99.95, Standard Pillowcase Pair $109.95 and Queen Flat Sheet $269.95 in Silver. Vachon wool throw in Smoke $249.95.

Create a sanctuary. The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home. It is a sanctuary that should feel personal and comfortable and styled like any other room in the home. Simple ideas such as rolling or folding hand towels on a side table beside the bath with some fresh flowers and a scented candle adds an elegant touch. There is nothing more indulgent than monogramming and having personalised initials on your towels – it’s all about the details!

Palais Hand Towel $32.95 and Bath Towel $54.95 in Silver and French Blue, Personalisation additional $15.00.

Shop Sheridan online.

Categories
Interviews Styling

Steve Cordony on his inspirations, daily rituals & style tips

Steve Cordony is one of Australia’s leading interior stylists, and Style Director At Large for Belle Magazine. We sit down with Steve to chat about interiors and design inspiration, his creative process and what beautiful Australian living means to him.

Image courtesy of Sheridan
Image courtesy of Sheridan

Where do you look to for inspiration?

I love referencing fashion; I am constantly on style.com looking at the inspirations behind designer’s collections. Interiors and fashion go hand in hand, from looking at colour combinations to overall trends. I am also constantly travelling which is probably my biggest source of inspiration. I love visiting different countries and cultures and seeing how they interpret colour, style and textures. Blogs, magazines (I spend hours at my favourite newsagent on Oxford Street in Sydney!) and social media platforms, especially Instagram, which is like a constant scrolling feed of visual inspiration, are huge sources of inspiration.

Describe your personal aesthetic…

I would describe my personal aesthetic as modern luxe. As much as I would love to have my home look like an Armani Casa showroom in Italy, I also want it to feel warm and inviting. I love showcasing items from my travels, whether it’s fabric from Turkey that I have had made into cushions for the sofa, or beautiful brass lassi cups from India; these pieces add character and a personal touch which go beyond just looking good.

Describe what beautiful Australian living means to you…

For me, Australian living represents a relaxed sophistication and a strong sense of personality. It is important to create a space which represents you and your lifestyle.

Which key elements do you feel make a house a home?

It is so important to make a house feel like a home. Even if your space is ultra luxurious, it is crucial to have those small details which add a sense of personality and warmth. Items and photographs from travels or family heirlooms and memories are the best way to give your space a homely feel.

Tell us about your daily rituals…

[contextly_sidebar id=”sSDNwQ21GQWw7gt0X2ne6kZappWoFaMU”]The first thing I do (sometimes second after checking Instagram!) is make the bed – my mother would be shocked to hear this because I never did it when living at home! There’s nothing like jumping into a beautifully made and styled bed in the evening. My mood always dictates what I wear that day, so once I’ve chosen my clothes, it’s breakfast and then on to checking emails in the office or hitting the road sourcing for a client or a shoot. At the end of the day, my partner and I always try to have dinner at the table rather than vegging out in front of the TV on the sofa.

What elements in your home are quintessentially Australian?

I’ve grown up with Sheridan linen and towels and these were the first items I bought when I moved out of home! We have some beautiful artworks by artist Leila Jeffreys of native birds which are stunning and bring the outdoors in, in a contemporary way. I love having books throughout the home, and have so many on Australian design and architecture. I always have greenery or fresh flowers in beautiful Dinosaur Designs vases and vessels and there is, funnily enough, an Akubra lying around!

Which styling tips do you always apply when creating a beautiful space?

My ultimate styling go-to tip is keep it neutral and layer with accents. The starting point for any room is always choose one hero, whether it is a great rug, an artwork or bed linen, and build the room around this. It is also important to edit – restraint is key. When styling accessories, I always love to layer with books to give height to decorative items. Balance, whether it be asymmetrical or symmetrical, is key. Always stand back and look at what it is you’re creating – you will know if it feels right using your ‘design eye’!

Steve has collaborated with Sheridan to style their Spring/Summer 2015 hotel luxury at home range. See how he styles the look three ways on the blog tomorrow.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Gold & silver glamour from Worlds Away

I’m not usually one to gush about furniture but this stuff? Wow. Love. It. All.

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Regency Distribution is exclusively importing US interiors brand Worlds Away to the Australian market. Founded in Memphis, Tennessee, it has been a hit brand Stateside in the interior design industry for more than 20 years.