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Designers Homewares

Megan Gale’s new homewares for Target!

2015 has been a busy year for Megan Gale. From her work as a swimwear designer for Isola and a brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris to an actor in the blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road and her “best and most rewarding job” of being a mum; you would think Megan would have little time for anything else. But that’s not the case!

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Instead she is branching out into a completely new field, launching the MG Australia homewares collection in collaboration with Target. “I have always loved homewares and loved shopping for furniture, artwork and key pieces for the home,” explains Megan. “Creating a collection like this was something I’d always relished the opportunity to do, but I knew it had to be right timing wise. Also I wanted to make sure that as far as the finished product was concerned that it would have to be luxurious, sophisticated, classic and with exceptional attention to detail. And above all else it had to be affordable without compromising on quality.”

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Learning that Target were on the lookout for exactly the kind of range she wanted to make, Megan was keen to add her name to the list of Target’s successful designer collaborations. So, in late 2013 she began the design process, creating a collection of quilt cover and sheet sets, cushions, throws, towels and bathroom accessories, inspired by her many travels.

“Beautiful destinations such as Santorini, Paris, London and New York have been some of my favourite cities to visit over the years and the memories I held from travelling to places such as these sparked the imagination. Taking in the decor from amazing hotels I’ve stayed at, locations I’ve been on for work and architecture and style influences from these different cities provided me with a huge bank of design inspiration to draw from.”

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Creating six stories within the collection: Hollywood, Corfu, Santorini, Paris, New York and London — each is unique and distinct, but at the same time easily mixed and matched. “One of the things that I felt was important was to create stories and pieces that can be mixed and matched back with one another. By doing this, it’s become a cohesive capsule of homewares that are versatile and also allow people to be creative.”

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With such an extensive debut collection it would be hard to choose a favourite, but if Megan had to say it’d be the Santorini story. “The white soft cotton sateen and Aegean Sea blue detailing on the quilt cover set instantly reminds me of Santorini’s crisp white walls and crystal blue waters. I love it!”

The MG Australia collection will be available online and in 100 Target stores across Australia from 10 September. For more information.

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Travel

Addict Abroad: The Molitor Paris by MGallery and THAT pool

Amazing hotel alert! I mean it this time! I spent the week reminiscing about our most recent stay in Paris, without doubt one of my favourite cities in the world. I think I have chalked up 16 trips there now (admittedly it was a lot easier when I lived in London!). Our last visit was short but very sweet. We stayed at the amazing Molitor Paris by MGallery which had just opened. This hotel is all about the pool, which you may recognise from the movie The Life of Pi. It’s also where the bikini was launched in 1946. Oh, the history and stories of this refurbished twenties beauty!

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We also enjoyed a rooftop drink then dinner with our friend Marie (it pays to know a local) at the achingly cool Le Perchoir, where the menu is a surprise. Amazing. Rooftop bars are few and far between in the city and this one has amazing views. It will stay in my mind for a long time.

On the roof of Le Perchoir, Paris, with Damian
On the roof of Le Perchoir, Paris, with Damian

You can read all about the hotel in my review for Expedia.

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Covet my coffee table

Covet my coffee table: with fashion illustrator Kerrie Hess

I’m not surprised this coffee table set-up is as glam and gorgeous as it is! It belongs to Australian fashion illustrator Kerrie Hess.

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“My grandma’s vintage blue sugar bowl which I use as a mini vase is something that I really cherish,” she says. “The Jo Loves perfume scent is Pamplemo which smells like fresh grapefruit and reminds me of my last trip to London.”

Kerrie’s own work, the Little Black Dress print, is almost sold out, so she’s enjoying displaying it while she still can!

Two of her favourite books are The Dressing Table by Clare Press and Things We Love by Kate Spade.

Got your eye on that print? You can buy Kerrie’s work online.

Tour Kerrie’s former Paris apartment and read her guide to the best places in the city of love.

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Homewares

Parisian cushions bring style and luxury to Australian homes

Handcrafted in Paris, luxury home furnishing label Iosis France are known for their masterful craftsmanship and traditional and stylish French aesthetic. Their latest release of cushions, the Northern Hemisphere Fall 2014 collection, features smooth velvets, sleek nylons and French tapestries. I need one now, especially that pug!

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The designs are first hand-painted before being recreated using highly technical software, onto each cushion. The final result? A collection full of fantasy and fairy tale that encompasses an array of themes, from botanical imagery to abstract prints and embossed playful animal figures. Comprising both bright and classical shades and distinguished by their signature French tapestry, the collection is designed to add warmth, style and personality to any home.

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Iosis France collections are available in Australia through Francalia. Visit their website here.

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Designers Interviews

James Dawson’s award-winning edgy apartment, inspired by all things Parisian

James Dawson is still on a high from last week’s win. James Dawson Interior Design came home with the Best of State – Residential (Queensland), at the Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA) as well as a commendation for Residential Decoration.

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“I entered the awards on a reluctant whim,” says James. “And to be listed with those that have been in the industry much longer than me, that on its own was a huge thrill. Considering the experience of the judging panel and the high standard of entries, it was a great professional achievement in the eyes of my industry.”

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Marine Parade Apartment

It’s no surprise James’s Marine Parade Apartment was a winner; avant-garde in design and inspired by all things Parisian, it is sophisticated but risky and that’s exactly how James likes to design. “My niche is my ability to create spaces that require risk-taking and conviction,” he explains. “Even if the client doesn’t always see it at first, they love it in the end! It’s a self-confidence and belief.”

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Marine Parade Apartment

A risk taker not just in interiors, he rocked a black custom kilt, jimmy high tops and a tuxedo shirt for the AIDA gala night! James’ dream project would be to create a space for Bjork. He is inspired by all things music, fashion and architecture and definitely marks them as influences for the change in his practice: “My style has been evolving recently, it was light and playful but after the recent project I feel I have found a new style, more sophisticated and moody.”

New projects will soon be added to this list, with James currently working on a riverfront penthouse in Brisbane’s St Lucia, a residence in Sydney’s Neutral Bay and, fingers crossed, a commercial space he is currently in negotiations for.

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Marine Parade Apartment

Working in residential, commercial and hospitality, James started James Dawson Interiors in late 2012. With a team of three, he is based in Brisbane and will be adding a Sydney office to the mix in August this year. Starting his own firm has had its challenges, but he says having patience has been the key to his success. “The challenges of starting your own practice, from my experience, were finding the right people to surround myself with, getting a good balance between work and home life and having the right clients that have confidence in me and my ability. All of these things take time, so have patience.”

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Studio 23

Though for James, the benefits far outweigh any initial teething problems: “You get such a variety of work each day and work with interesting and creative people. There’s a sense of freedom.”

A lover of mixing materials, textures and finishes, James first found his love for interiors when, at 20, he started flipping properties. From there, he dabbled in a number of different industries before settling down for a life as an interior designer.

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Springwood Residence

For James, interior design is all about self-expression, finding your own place and style in the industry and realising that the design world is big enough for everyone!

Categories
Travel

Kerrie Hess’s guide to the Paris hotspots

Yesterday, we were lucky enough to feature a tour of illustrator Kerrie Hess’s Paris apartment. Today, we share her guide to homewares shopping, eating, drinking and people-watching in the city of love. If you’re planning a trip, take note!

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Kerrie’s Paris: where to hang out

Categories
House Tours Interviews Travel

Illustrator Kerrie Hess shares her Paris apartment and tips for style on a shoestring

I’ve been to Paris an impressive 14 times and have always dreamed of living in a Paris apartment. Talented illustrator Kerrie Hess has lived this dream. Luckily for Australia, she has recently returned home to Queensland, but she generously shared some photos from her stylish pied-à-terre with us.

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It’s a brave person who moves to the other side of the world to a country with a different culture, where they speak another language, but for Kerrie, it was a bit of a case of now or never. “I had been learning French for many years and a lot of my clients were in Paris, so, while my son Marcel was still only two, it seemed a great time to move to France.” They spent 18 months there before returning to settle in Brisbane’s Hawthorne, in time for Marcel to start school.

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The stylish Miss Hess (and yes she is the sister of fellow illustrator Megan Hess) works for such huge names as Chanel, Kate Spade New York and Louise Vuitton, so it seems most appropriate for her to have been creating her beautiful drawings in one of the most romantic and fashionable cities in Europe.

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Interiors Addict

Today I’m loving: these big fabric photo spots for your wall!

You may have seen similar before, but these round wall decals are made of fabric rather than vinyl.

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I love a bit of non-committal, low-cost décor which makes a big, if temporary, impact. These can adhere to just about any flat surface (except wallpaper) so you can get very creative with them.

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I think they’d be great in a kid’s room or a home office.

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Interiors Addict

An afternoon with Jean Pierre Heurteau

If you love a bit of bling, as most of us do, then, interiors addicts, I have just the man for you!

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Jean-Pierre Heurteau is one of Melbourne’s most celebrated interior designers and owner of antique furniture store Jean-Pierre Heurteau Design. Over the years he has built a solid reputation for delivering one of a kind pieces sourced from all over the world, as well as his fabulously flamboyant design concepts for members of Melbourne high society. “Work is booming at the moment. Client trust comes with age and as my clients get older, beautiful design becomes more attainable.”

At 22, Jean-Pierre had just finished college and begun work as a ‘slave’ at high-end department store Georges on Collins. “I was fascinated by the clientele and all the housewives that came in from the countryside; we would talk jewellery, diamonds and fur. I loved it.” He admits he does have a penchant for the finer things in life saying: “I want my diamonds to be as big as possible, so as I get older I can see them.” Can I get an amen?