Tag: retro

Design inspirations: Turia Pitt’s unique, Zoom ready home office

Post author By Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence
Post date April 1, 2021
1 Comment on Design inspirations: Turia Pitt’s unique, Zoom ready home office

Bestselling author, athlete, and mindset coach, Turia Pitt, was inspired to reinvigorate her home office after a stay at the much-Instagrammed SOUL of Gerringong holiday accommodation. The trip left her feeling “like Michelle Obama on holidays,” so she worked with its creator Simone Mathews (who has since sold it) to bring that magical holiday energy into her own office.

“Before, Turia’s home office space was quite dull and characterless; not a very inspiring or motivating space to spend time and work,” says Simone, of SOUL Home.

With the shift to online meetings off the back of COVID-19, Turia wanted to create an office backdrop that reflected her casual and fun personality. The calm, neutral wall colours and creative furniture choices allow Turia to host online interviews and online meetings without worrying about her backdrop.

“Before, I used to be embarrassed if people came over, but now I want them to come in and sit in my office,” Turia comments. “Actually, it’s probably the most relaxing space in the whole house!”

Simone always employs a 70/20/10 ratio in her styling, blending three styles into a personalised but cohesive space. For Turia’s office space, the driving theme was contemporary design, as seen with the furniture choices. Organic materials were incorporated through the use of timber and linen, and the leather chair added a unique retro twist.

If your office feels stifling in comparison, Simone has shared her top tips to revamp your own office space:

Say “so long!” to traditional office furniture

“When it comes to picking furniture for your office, I tend to steer away from the traditional office style furniture. There are so many great, stylish furniture pieces that can double for your office and cater to both form and function,” Simone says.

She suggests swapping out that drab filing cabinet for a sleek sideboard or console, so you can store your documents in style. Turia’s office reimagined her tired corner desk as this dynamic table and chair set.

Incorporate nostalgic touches

With many of us working longer hours, a comfortable and relaxing office space can stave off burn out. Find what transports you to your dream destination – it might be palm trees, or a particular exotic scent – and make that a focal element.

“I like to make styling easy, so you just want to pick pieces and things that really connect with you on a sensory level,” Simone adds.

Focus lighting on your working areas

“Task lights and wall lights are great in an office, versus your general overhead ceiling lighting. They add to the mood and provide vital focus lighting on the areas where you most need,” Simone explains. “In Turia’s office, I’m using a brass statement wall light that is highly functional yet looks super cool. Personally, I think wall lights are so underutilised when it comes to styling.”

Incorporate artwork that ignites your creativity

“Sometimes you just need a mood board to inspire, keep you on track or get over a block in your day. Choosing the right artwork can act as your mood board; a moment for your eyes to readjust away from the screen and take a moment to drift, reset, and then revert back to the task,” says Simone.

A former mining engineer, Turia’s love of rocks and stones is her creative driver. This was reflected in the specially commissioned Ozlem Savelle artwork, as well as the brass wall lights and stone greys of the office lounge seating.

Think about window treatments

“Window treatments are the final layer for any space, and I’m always a fan of doubling sheer curtains with a black out blind,” Simone suggests. “This combinations ensures you have a space you feel comfortable at any time of day.”

Follow Turia Pitt on social media @turiapitt. For more information on Soul Home.

Stylish home office ideas: The latest furniture & homewares finds

The COVID-19 effect continues to be felt in Australia with working from home remaining one of the key lifestyle changes to have arisen from the pandemic. With many people doing…

SOUL of Gerringong owner shares secrets of her success

The holiday property market has grown exponentially with the arrival of Airbnb and similar sites, so it stands to reason that many people are, with little or no experience, becoming…

Boutique holiday home SOUL of Gerringong up for sale

Ridiculously photogenic, with Insta-worthy moments in every corner, we’ve featured the gorgeous SOUL of Gerringong holiday home many times. The work of interior designer Simone Matthews, of SOUL Home, and…

Tags brass lamp, bring the holiday magic home, holiday at home, rattan sideboard, reclaimed timber, retro, Zoom, zoom background

Bedrooms Furniture Homewares Renting Shopping

6 stylish freestanding wardrobes: great alternatives to a built-in

Post author By Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence
Post date March 10, 2021
No Comments on 6 stylish freestanding wardrobes: great alternatives to a built-in

Offering style, variety, and flexibility, freestanding wardrobes are a great alternative to built-ins. They’re a perfect choice if you want to use a bedroom as a home office in the future (or vice versa!), or if you’re renting your home. Here are six options that promise to turn a simple storage solution into a bedroom centrepiece.

Kmart Scandi Wardrobe Rack: A minimalist and budget conscious choice, this Scandi inspired garment rack is easy to move around your room. Plus, it showcases all your favourite outfits, even when you’re not wearing them. $45.

Mustard Twinny locker: Available in nine stunning colours, (and with a 10th coming soon!) these lockers slot right in to any room, from a kid’s bedroom to an office. This new expanded version of Mustard’s original Skinny locker solves all your storage needs, with four adjustable shelves and two removable clothing rails. $699.

Navah rattan and teak wardrobe from Find It Style It Home: This gorgeous wardrobe incorporates handwoven rattan with recycled teak, which means it’s both eye-catching and environmentally conscious. $2,250.

IKEA Nordkisa Open Wardrobe: An airy and affordable option, the Nordkisa offers clean Scandinavian design, while introducing a natural element with its bamboo construction. $349.

Fantastic Furniture 2 Door Mirror Wardrobe: For the style of a built-in without the commitment, this wardrobe is the ideal choice. Flexibility is increased with the option to customise your storage with additional inserts, and the two full length mirrors make sure you’re always looking your best. $649.

Stefan Double Wardrobe from The Design Edit: With Scandinavian design and retro inspired walnut veneer, this wardrobe is a luxurious addition to any bedroom. Between the double door hanging rail and roomy bottom drawer, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to space. $1,299.

Children’s bedroom ideas: 4 timeless tips

Designing an ideal kid’s bedroom can be a task many fear due to the risk of creating a space that needs constant updating to reflect your child’s age and likes.…

How to personalise a rental home: 5 ideas

By Jessica Bellef Are you a tenant who despairs of having a home that truly reflects your style and personality? When we rent a house, we are borrowing the space.…

Tags lockers, rattan, retro, scandi, scandinavian design, wardrobe, wardrobes

House Tours RENO ADDICT

A 70s house reno that’s still very much 70s!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 27, 2020
5 Comments on A 70s house reno that’s still very much 70s!

Not everyone who buys an older home wants to modernise it. In fact, some people, like interior designer Tania Bell, have every intention of keeping their Melbourne home’s retro vibe while replacing the ageing and impractical parts in a very sympathetic way.

It has taken almost a decade for Tania and builder husband Andrew to finish their reno, so they certainly spent enough time living in it as it was, to know what they really wanted from the end result!

“When we were searching for our first home together 10 years ago, we wanted somewhere that hadn’t had too many dodgy renos done to it that we had to undo! We wanted something that we only really had to superficially renovate; something that had good bones and didn’t need an extension,” Tania said.

A big block, a big garage and a spare room for her home office were also top of the wishlist. “As soon as we walked in the front door at the open for inspection, we both looked at each other and knew this was our house!” Its flat roof, Besser block walls and exposed beams made it a bit quirky and probably put a lot of people off. “I think most people thought, ‘no, too hard and too expensive to work on’. Fortunately, we both had a similar vision for the place and Andrew being a builder doesn’t scoff at hard work, so we went about renovating.”

The couple have done a lot of the work themselves and with the help of industry friends. And they definitely suffered from doing their clients’ homes first, ahead of theirs. “I quite often tell my clients to live in their home and experience it before they make any changes, but I fear I may have followed my advice to the nth degree!” Being exposed to so many products and so much inspiration through her design work, meant Tania also changed her mind. A lot! “In the end I just had to make a decision and get on with it!”

The couple clearly love the 1970s style and Tania says it can actually fit in with a contemporary scheme very easily. “The bright, acid-like and clashing colours attract me to the era, as well as the textures and patterns in the soft furnishings. I also think that the dark timber and moody brick features in my home add some character to the space. The overall feel of the 70s is warmth and comfort, which makes a house more homely and cocooning.”

While she initially loved the original dark terracotta floor tiles, after a few years, she was sick of them showing every bit of dirt, and discovered were also cold and noisy. They were replaced with solid, rustic blackbutt timber. “It has made such a difference to the home and really lightens up the space and is warmer underfoot too.”

The kitchen however, was hated from the outset! “It was a daggy old 70s kitchen that the builder built himself out of plywood and didn’t have a kicker, so I would always bang my feet on the bottom of the cupboards. When we finally demolished the old kitchen over 18 months ago, that was a day for celebration!”

She was always keen to keep the brick feature wall along the fireplace, which provides much warmth and texture and sets the tone for the overall colour scheme. “I chose the colour for the timber beams from the bricks as well as the wall paint. We also continued that timber beam colour (Dulux Bronze Fig) outside to the new render cladding.

They’ve taken a lot of the cues from the existing original features of the home in order to keep its original feel. “Instead of going with a standard white kitchen, we used a rustic timber laminate benchtop and graphite coloured joinery with a vibrant orange handmade Portugese tile on the splashback.” They continued the orange tile into the bathroom, teamed up with charcoal tiles on the wall and floor.

Tania thinks the 70s look has come back into favour and she’s certainly not its only devotee. “I believe that the push back to warmer and more earthy tones in interiors, especially with paint colours, timber furniture and textiles, is why we are seeing it being reinvented for a contemporary setting. I also I think that a lot of the homes in our suburbs that are being renovated and not knocked down were built in the 1970s, so people are wanting to embrace a bit of the nostalgia of a time gone by.”

For more on Tania’s business, Green Room Interiors

Another 70s house reno that didn’t keep its retro feel

Images: Kate Hansen Photography

Tags 1970s, 70s, reno, renovation, retro, seventies

Design Furniture Homewares Shopping

BIG W’s retro glam winter range starts from $9!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date April 19, 2019
1 Comment on BIG W’s retro glam winter range starts from $9!

It’s pretty safe to say that BIG W isn’t exactly synonymous with glamour but that looks set to change with the arrival of the store’s latest home release ‘Dark Wonder.’

With a dash of mid-century, more than a splash of Art Deco, industrial influences and plenty of on-trend 1970’s inspired colours, the range is as fabulous as it is eclectic and we’re predicting a stampede – particularly given that prices start from just $9!

Storage ottoman — I suspect the ‘Kodu’ velvet storage ottoman, $49, will be in hot demand!

Art Deco
Of all of the collection’s reference points, the Art Deco one seems the strongest. From super affordable prints featuring 1930’s inspired fonts to the abundance of velvet and the brass touches, the collection has more than a whiff of the jazz age.

BIG W deco art — Felt print with gold foil framed canvas, $39 and ‘New York’ framed print, $19

The hottest item in this category will no doubt be the classic ‘Kodu’ velvet slipper chair. It’s available in grey and emerald and retails for just $99. My personal pick is the statement making ‘Geo’ print cushion – a steal at just $12.

'Kodu' velvet slipper chair, $99 — ‘Kodu’ velvet slipper chair, $99

BIG W deco cushion — ‘Geo’ print cushion, $12

1970’s palette
With 1970’s inspired colours simply everywhere at present, BIG W has jumped on the trend with the sumptuous ‘Dark Wonder’ palette running the gamut from teal, mustard, berry and emerald. Ooh la la!

BIG W velvet cushions — Round hand pleated cushion, $19

'Clarice' royal trim cushion, $15 — ‘Clarice’ royal trim cushion, $15

Brass meets glass
From a side table to a bar cart, jewellery box and lamps, the collection is punctuated by pops of brass, often paired with glass. Aside from infusing a dose of glamour, these pieces balance the heaviness of the collection’s moody colours and heavier textiles.

'London' gold metal bar cart, $49 — ‘London’ gold metal bar cart, $49

'Darcy' round foot stool, $39 — ‘Darcy’ round foot stool, $39

'Scarlet' gold and black tinted glass table lamp, $29 — ‘Scarlet’ gold and black tinted glass table lamp, $29

Oversized florals
The oversized floral trend is one with serious legs and it gets a run in this range too. Bold yet feminine I am particularly taken with the berry toned ‘Dharsh’ quilt cover set and its giant, beguiling floral.

'Dharsh' quilt cover set, $29 — ‘Heathrow’ bedside table, $39 and ‘Dharsh’ quilt cover set, $29

Serena quilt — ‘Serena’ quilt cover set, $19

The collection is in store from next Wednesday April 24.

Shop online

Tags art deco, bed linen, bedding, bedroom, big w, colour, cushions, furniture, homewares, retro

Interiors Addict

Trending: Liberty of London print homewares

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date May 9, 2018
No Comments on Trending: Liberty of London print homewares

Proving yet again that what goes around really does come back, it’s with much delight that I’ve noticed Liberty of London prints popping up all over the place of late. While oversized statement florals have been trending for some time, the Liberty florals are a much finer, more delicate affair. From chairs to cushions, mugs and even wall decals, these timeless English prints are looking modern yet again.

Liberty for Anthropologie mug: Available in three different prints, I bought these for a Liberty-obsessed friend recently and can report that they’re even better in real life. $21 each.

Liberty print duvet set in Betsy print: Perfect for a child’s room, this is one of the brand’s most iconic prints. $200.

Liberty London Odyssey tray: Direct from Liberty in London, this art nouveau print is superb. $63.

S’Well Liberty collection insulated bottle: Practical and pretty, these bottles keep drinks hot or cold. $74.95.

Maison Madeline blanket: Handmade in Australia, this blanket can be used as a table cloth too. I love the delicate Liberty print trim. $45.

Little Cloud Betsy grey Liberty cloud & stars wall sticker set: These decals can be repositioned countless times and work on walls, furniture and doors. $25.

Liberty for Anthropologie Tamsin dining chair: These mix and match beauties speak for themselves. Love! $170 each.

Emerald green homewares

Tags classic, florals, homewares, liberty London, liberty print, retro, textiles, trend

Expert Tips Furniture

Interior trends: Just what does ‘modern style’ mean today?

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 16, 2017
No Comments on Interior trends: Just what does ‘modern style’ mean today?

Mid-century furnishings have become incredibly popular over the years – no doubt due to their enduring appeal and suitability to Australian homes. And the trend for modern shows no signs of abating. In fact, in 2017, there’s a fresh new vision for modern that is both inspiring and thoroughly liveable (two things all interiors should be).

west elm, one of my go-to brands, have always been at the forefront of breaking trends in interiors, creating furniture and homewares that are approachable and yet covetable. And we’re more excited than ever by their new-season collection, which offers a thoroughly fresh interpretation of modernism.

So how is the ‘new modern’ different from what came before? According to west elm creative director Johanna Uurasjarvi, “the new modern is about designing for the way we live now. It’s about embracing change without sacrificing comfort. It’s clean lines and striking silhouettes that still stand up to real life – the statement sofa that’s as comfortable as it is good-looking, the sculptural table that doubles as a homework station.”

To steal a metaphor from fashion, it’s about opting not for a stiletto heel but instead for a gorgeous brogue that’s chic, timeless and beautifully crafted while still being imminently comfortable, on-trend and a pleasure to wear. What more could we want for our home than to make it a place that welcomes us with comfort, beauty and quality?

What does the new modern look like?

“The new modern takes its cues from Scandinavia, edits in a whole bunch of other global influences and artistry, introduces new colour combinations, and mixes unexpected shapes, patterns, textures and materials in new and exciting ways,” sums up Jodi Hall, west elm’s national field manager for visual merchandising in Australia.

She points to the Orb Upholstered Dining Chair, with its bold curves and retro-inspired linen weave fabric, as a case in point. What makes it fresh – and even a little flirtatious – is its dusty blush colour, especially when paired with the peekaboo cutout and the sheen of the metallic legs. Importantly, it’s also a very comfortable, practical seat designed for leisurely evenings around the dinner table, or versatile enough to be used in the corner of a bedroom or living room instead.

In contrast, there’s the masculine presence of the Benson Dresser in walnut-stained veneer, which would make itself happy at home in any room that needed a little more storage. Its clean lines and tapered legs are pure mid-century, and then there are those handles. Hand-stitched and wrapped in leather, fixed with brass details, they bring fresh appeal and a tactile, warm element to this chic tallboy.

Another key part of the new approach to modern is handmade. At its heart, it’s about celebrating global artisans and nurturing their time-honoured crafts in the form of hand-loomed rugs, hand-embroidered cushion covers and hand-painted pottery. The new vision is all about collecting, editing and layering exactly those pieces you want to live with and making them part of the way you love to live – however that may be. And what could be more modern than that?

Shop west elm’s new vision of modern now.

Tags furniture, interiors, mod century modern, new modern, retro, scandinavia, west elm

Appliances

Blitz into summer with Smeg’s retro blender and mixer

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date December 21, 2016
No Comments on Blitz into summer with Smeg’s retro blender and mixer

Designer style, high-end technology and a jelly-bean mix of authentic retro colour: meet Smeg’s latest retro appliances.

Smeg’s retro style blender ($299) has been awarded the international Red Dot Design Award for 2016 and – together with their stand mixer (also a heavyweight in its own right) – creates the perfect duo for mixing up cocktails and desserts this sunny season.

Think frozen daiquiris, coconut/mango popsicles, and chocolate vegan cheesecake – just flick through to the fitting function and let the Italian stallion do the rest (the blender will sense the consistency of the contents and adjust its speed accordingly).

The stand mixer ($799) features an 800W high torque motor, 10-speed variable power with soft start to stop splattering, as well as a planetary planetary mixing action to ensure all areas of the bowl are reached. There is also a low speed front attachment hub for optional attachments such as pasta roller and cutters, making your culinary adventures a piece of cake!

Smeg also has a kettle and toaster to finish off the collection – colours across the range include pastel green, pastel blue, pastel pink, red, cream, black and silver.

Buy them from David Jones, Myer and Harvey Norman. Get the recipes here.

Tags appliance, award winning, blender, italian, pastel, retro, Smeg, stand mixer

Appliances Homewares Kitchens

SMEG bench top appliances get a candy-coloured makeover

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 21, 2016
No Comments on SMEG bench top appliances get a candy-coloured makeover

We were pretty excited when SMEG expanded their offering beyond their fabulously iconic fridge, to include super cool retro-inspired bench top appliances.

But now, in even better news for those with a weakness for kitchen eye candy, the range of stand mixers, blenders, toasters and kettles is available in candy pink and pastel green shades.

Toaster, two-slice, $179

Designed in collaboration with Italy’s Matteo Bazzicalupo and Raffaella Mangiarotti of Deep Design Studio, the collection is a nostalgic homage to 1950’s design and the new candy inspired tones really put the retro into overdrive.

Kitchen mixer, $799

And while the collection sports a fabulous retro aesthetic, there’s nothing antiquated about its functionality. From the mixer’s pasta-making capabilities to the toaster’s extra wide slots, reheat and bagel settings, the appliances really deliver on the functionality front too.

Blender, $299

We’ll have one in every colour, please!

The range is available nationally from David Jones, Myer and Harvey Norman stores.

Tags appliances, colour, design, kitchen, kitchen appliances, retro, retro design, Smeg

Appliances Kitchens

Smeg mixes retro design with whirling performance

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date October 21, 2015
No Comments on Smeg mixes retro design with whirling performance

Elegance, beauty, grace – there are plenty of words to describe Smeg’s new stand mixer. Throw in power, performance and Italian engineering, and you’d think I was describing a Ferrari.

Looking past the elegant curves and vintage styling, the new stand mixer features an 800W high-torque motor that can mix the heaviest dough or batter while remaining perfectly stationary on the workbench, with no vibrations.

Stand out features include soft start action (to prevent flour plumes and splashes), a pouring shield, ten speeds and a concealed outlet for optional accessories such as a pasta roller. Speeds are controlled via a top-mounted gear stick, with a handy guide advising which speeds are recommended for which mixing tool.

True to Italian standards, the body is made from die-cast aluminium available in black, silver, panna, red and pastel blue, and the 4.8 litre capacity bowl is top-notch stainless steel.

The Smeg Stand Mixer ($799) is available nationally from David Jones, Myer and Harvey Norman stores.

Tags appliance, design, interior, interior design, interiors addict, kitchen, pastel, retro, small appliance, Smeg, stand mixer, vintage

Appliances Kitchens

Blend retro style and performance with Smeg’s new blender

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 18, 2015
No Comments on Blend retro style and performance with Smeg’s new blender

Smeg has added to the allure of its coveted pure retro collection of small appliances with a powerful 800W blender.

The new blender’s design focuses on the same 50s-inspired vintage curves as Smeg’s existing toaster, stand mixer and kettle.

Available in in panna, black, red, silver and, my personal favourite, pastel blue, it features an enamel-coated body and Tritan BPA-free 1.5L jug.

The backlit chrome control knob allows you to select from three pre-set programmes: smoothie, for dense and creamy textures; crushed ice; and pulse, which increases the speed gradually.

With four speeds, the blender has a clever smooth-start function, meaning the blades start slowly and mix all your ingredients efficiently. Perfect smoothie? I think so!

Smeg’s latest creation, along with the rest of its small appliances, is available at David Jones, Myer and Harvey Norman stores.

For more information.

Tags appliance, blender, design, interior, interior design, interiors addict, kitchen, pastel, retro, small appliance, Smeg, vintage

Design DIY RENO ADDICT Shopping

Upcycling how-to: the retro revamp of a sideboard

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 3, 2015
No Comments on Upcycling how-to: the retro revamp of a sideboard

House Rules’ retro restoration house reveal

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 9, 2015
No Comments on House Rules’ retro restoration house reveal

The teams took a step back in time this week to give Cassie and Matt’s Hobart home a modern 60s vibe. The gruelling week saw relationships and friendships tested, but overall the couples succeeded, giving the home a much-needed stylish revamp.

So what did team Tassie and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Ben and Danielle – 24/30

Before - Master Bedroom — Before – Master Bedroom

After - Master Bedroom — After – Master Bedroom

Queensland’s Ben and Danielle clocked up their second win this series, walking away with 24 points for their massive zone. Their master bedroom was the highlight. “The raked ceiling gave the space majesty and the plywood wall earthed the wall and was a great nod to the 60s,” said judge Joe Snell. The newlyweds took a risk in the laundry with their bright pink flamingo splashback, but the gamble paid off with the homeowners. “The laundry was so fun and it really worked,” said Cassie.

Bronik and Corrine – 23/30

Victoria’s Bronik and Corrine bounced back to second place on 23 points. Judge Wendy Moore said their kitchen showed real potential: “I’m so glad that you went really simple with the basics.” The homeowners loved the study which nailed the house rule request to bring a “surfie feel” to the space. “That study was awesome,” said Cassie. “We were so happy you repurposed that glass sliding door and it was so light in there.”

Steve and Tiana – 21/30

NSW and SA tied for third place on 21 points. After a week in the tent, Steve and Tiana came back strong with their ensuite. “I absolutely loved the mid-century cabinet that you converted into a vanity,” said Wendy. Cassie and Matt were equally impressed. “I walked in and went, ‘Wow!’ This is exactly what we would have done,” said Matt. However, their living room was hit and miss. “Nothing felt quite right together,” said Wendy.

Ryan and Marlee – 21/30

Before - Guest Bedroom — Before – Guest Bedroom

Ryan and Marlee’s guest bedroom and deck was a massive hit with the homeowners who awarded them their highest score – nine points. “That deck – how can I put into words – absolutely mind-blowing,” said Matt. “I absolutely loved that deck.” Cassie and Matt requested a nautical themed guest bedroom and the SA couple definitely delivered. “Creating a sophisticated nautical theme needed a really good eye,” said Wendy. “I loved the paneling you added to the wall and ceiling. And the addition of those wooden rafters with those high, raked ceilings made for some beautiful bones.”

Brian and Karina – 16/30

WA’s Brian and Karina were relegated to last place for the second time this series on 16 points. The styling in their dining room let them down. “You chose the perfect dining table, unfortunately it was impossible to see under the mass of accessories,” said Wendy. The bathroom also fell short. While the judges and homeowners applauded the layout, the accessories cost them points. “You got lost in a collision of bling,” said Joe.

This week the teams are in Western Australia for the final interior renovation, where they will attempt to turn Karina and Brian’s “old lady” into a queen of the desert. House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a new house reveal each week on Sunday at 7:00pm.

For more on House Rules.

Tags building, construction, design, extending, home reno, homeowners, house rules, interiors, reno, renovating, renovation, restoration, retro

Competitions Styling

7 Vignettes June with Retrojan

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 25, 2015
No Comments on 7 Vignettes June with Retrojan

Retrojan furniture. Image courtesy of Real Living

The countdown is on to June 2015’s 7 Vignettes, starting a week today on 1 June and sponsored by Retrojan. They’re generously putting up a $500 voucher for the overall winner with $75 voucher daily theme prizes also up for grabs. So start preparing now to be in with a chance!

Retrojan’s social media manager, Annaliese Loriot, says: “Retrojan proudly supports Interiors Addict’s 7 Vignettes as it’s a platform where design lovers can come together, share their own style and be creative, all within a fun and friendly community.

“Like Retrojan furniture, 7 Vignettes allows design lovers to put their own interpretation to a certain style or look which is what really inspires us!”

Here are next month’s themes, as chosen by Retrojan:

june 7 vignettes 2015 — Feel free to share with your networks!

Retrojan is an Australian owned furniture brand, taking inspiration from legendary styles of the past, and producing their own modern take on them. Their no middlemen, direct from the manufacturer model promises you great value with a 14-day no-questions-asked money back guarantee and 12-month manufacturer’s warranty on everything and over 4000 happy customers. You may have seen their products on The Block, Renovation Rumble and House Rules.

Image courtesy of Real Living. Camille console, $469

This month, make sure you tag @retrojan and @interiorsaddict and use the hashtag #7vignettes. This challenge starts next Monday 1 June 2015. All the details of how to play are available here.

Good luck!

Tags 7 vignettes, 7vignettes, annaliese loriot, competition, furniture, house rules, instagram, photo a day, photo challenge, photography, renovation rumble, retro, retro furniture, retrojan, styling, the block, vignettes, win

Homewares

Real Living and Freedom launch new homewares range

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 1, 2015
No Comments on Real Living and Freedom launch new homewares range

Yesterday, Olivia and I attended the stunning launch event for Real Living magazine’s homewares range for Freedom. It was a gorgeous setting in the old school Palm House in Sydney’s Botanic Gardens, which suited the nostalgic collection perfectly.

Mixing patterned pieces that look like they came from your nanna’s house or a cute country cottage with pops of more modern colour, leather and typography is what this collection does really well. Freedom homewares buyer Korryn Bentley, said: “Ever since we started working together we knew we wanted to create something really special that is the sum of both Real Living and Freedom. The collaboration brings a fresh new twist on homewares. It challenges the idea of a perfectly matched interior. We want you to embrace the mismatched, the cool and quirky, and really carve out your own style.”

Think classic checks in contemporary palettes, vintage-looking florals in new tones, lamps in retro cool colours and even furniture in the form of wire wear storage that’s a little industrial and edgy.

“We welcome you to the 2015 Real Living for Freedom winter range, where the word “home” resonates with memories and emotions of a time gone by – a vintage vibe with a quirky element of playfulness,” said Deborah Bibby, editor-in-chief, of Real Living.

“I’m excited to see how customers bring the collection to life in their own homes with their individual styles — it’s warm, fun and a little bit eclectic, the way any home should be,” added Korryn.

Available in stores and online from Monday 6 April 2015.

See mine and Olivia’s photos from the event on Instagram at @interiorsaddict and @oliviashead.

Tags deb biby, deborah bibby, freedom, homewares, korryn bentley, lighting, magazine, pattern, real living, retro, vintage, winter

Appliances Kitchens

Smeg small appliances finally available in Australia

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date March 23, 2015
1 Comment on Smeg small appliances finally available in Australia

In this job, you get pretty good at spotting what’s going to be popular and I’m convinced these new Smeg small appliances are going to FLY off the shelves. I was lucky enough to attend the launch of these in Milan last year and have been waiting (im)patiently for them to land in Australia. Last week, Olivia attended a glamorous launch in Sydney and ever since we shared pictures on Instagram, our readers have been going mad for them!

Smeg say Italian design, award-winning style and enduring performance are the trademark features of the new collection of small appliances – the latest extension to the brand’s iconic FAB retro refrigerators. While we would all love a FAB fridge (I’ve been obsessing over the thought since I was a teenager and still don’t know which colour I’d choose but it WILL happen one day!), they aren’t the cheapest out there. Now, there’s an entry level Smeg option with a two-slice toaster ($179 to $199) through to the space age looking signature kitchen mixer at $799.

Designed in collaboration with Matteo Bazzicalupo and Raffaella Mangiarotti of Deep Design Studio, there’s also a kettle ($199) and a four-slice toaster ($199 to $219). Each retro style appliance pays homage to the Golden Age of the fifties while showcasing Smeg’s signature elegance and sophistication. Indeed, the aesthetics of the stand mixer and toaster have already received the GOOD DESIGN Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design plus the prestigious international iF Design Award for 2015.

There are up to seven colours — silver, black, red, panna and pastel blue across the range — plus pastel green and pink for the kettles and two-slice toaster.

And while style is always a standout feature of any Smeg appliance, it goes hand in hand with the brand’s commitment to the very latest technology and highest performance. The kitchen mixer, for example, sets new benchmarks in terms of power and versatility. Attributes include 800W high torque motor, 10-speed variable power and the all important soft start (no more splatters when starting at a high speed) and a planetary mixing action to ensure all areas of the bowl are reached. There is also a low-speed front attachment hub for optional attachments such as pasta roller and cutters. A blender, with a capacity of 1.7 litres, an 800W motor and four speeds will be added to the range later this year.

The Smeg kettle is feature rich with quiet-boil technology, soft-opening lid, cord-free swivel base and auto shut-off when the body is lifted from the base. It also has automatic switch-off at boiling point. A variable temperature model will be added to the range later this year.

Toasters include both a two and four-slice model with extra wide slots, reheat, defrost, cancel and bagel settings plus self-centring racks, six browning levels and removable stainless steel crumb tray.

Each of the small appliances features an enamel-coated stainless steel body and has been manufactured to the highest standards. Smeg provides a 12-month replacement warranty on all kettles and toasters, a three-month replacement warranty and five-year full manufacturer’s warranty on all kitchen mixers.

The complete range of Smeg small appliances is available from electrical and appliance retailers nationally from May. The range is already available at Myer.

For more information.

Tags australia, baking, blender, colours, cooking, design, design award, fab fridge, fifties, italian, italy, kettle, kitchen, kitchen mixer, myer, pastel, retro, small appliances, Smeg, smeg fridge, toaster

Art

Retro fashion meets beach life in Alan Walsh’s latest art

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 20, 2015
No Comments on Retro fashion meets beach life in Alan Walsh’s latest art

I absolutely love the work of Alan Walsh and clearly I’m not alone, with the British artist counting Mercedes Benz, Tag Heuer, and the Tour De France as some of his clients!

With his simple classic line illustrations, bold blocks of colour and elegant subject matter (ranging from whitewashed beaches to impossibly toned female beach bodies!) his limited edition prints bring vibrancy and personality to any wall.

Back in Sydney after two years of exhibiting in California and London, Alan’s latest exhibition, Elegance in Sydney, opens on 27 January and runs through to 27 March.

Held at the Fox Hole Gallery and Small Bar, early risers will be able to pop in for a coffee and browse from 7am (Monday to Friday), with the gallery not closing until late for those wanting to enjoy a glass of wine or beer in the evening.

For more information or to purchase one of these limited edition prints visit Alan’s website.

Tags alan walsh, art, art exhibition, artist, beach, Elegance in Sydney, elegance in sydney exhibition, exhibition, Fox Hole Gallery, Fox Hole Gallery and Small Bar, retro, sydney, sydney art exhibition

Homewares

Online shopping fix: All That I Need

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date March 5, 2014

Selling retro and vintage inspired pieces, All That I Need will help give your home some old school fun.

Inspired by a 50s, 60s, 70s theme, founder Jacinta Erdogan is a lover of mod fashion, Twiggy and The Beatles along with anything bright and fun that comes from the past.

“I’m always attracted to bright products,” explains Jacinta. “I love the 60’s and everything that comes with the era – homeware designs, prints, clothes, accessories etc. I refuse to sell products that I myself wouldn’t be happy to receive.”

Selling kitchenware, home décor, bathroom accessories, outdoor products and jewellery, All That I Need aims to sell fashionable Australian and New Zealand sourced pieces that won’t break the budget.

Shop online.