The doors to Grand Designs Live Sydney have just opened at Darling Harbour and I had the chance for a quick look around with Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Durie this morning.
The show is looking great so make sure you try and pop down over the weekend. All you need to know can be found here.
I had such a treat earlier this week when I was invited, along with just two other media, to have an intimate dinner with Kevin McCloud and Peter Maddison in Melbourne. Kevin’s here for the first ever Grand Designs Live Melbourne which kicks off today. I do hope you’re planning to go over the weekend if you’re local. I went to the Sydney show last year and will go again this year (that’s next month). Kevin is only able to attend the Melbourne version so if you can, you really should go along! Having spoken to some of the organisers about the amount of work that has been involved behind the scenes, it’s sure to be fantastic!
Kevin lives in the same part of the UK I’m from, so we chatted about that and all kinds of things including Australian homes, social media and the popularity of Grand Designs here. Kevin, whose brother lives in Sydney, is a big fan of Australia.
Unfortunately I couldn’t make it along to the Taubmans look book launch in Sydney this week and it looks like I missed a great event. Isn’t that always the way? A fashion show featuring pieces from Australian and New Zealand designers, including Trelise Cooper, Alice McCall and Josh Goot, represented the 5 key interior schemes and colour palettes.
Created in collaboration with interior designer, TV personality and Taubmans Colour Ambassador, Shaynna Blaze, the Taubmans Look Books highlight five styles loved by Australians and provide the inspiration people are looking for when they decorate or redecorate their home this Spring. They are Classic Interiors, Retro Revival, Beach Lifestyle, Modern Living and Eclectic Mix – with each book providing tips and inspiration on how to select the right colour scheme to achieve your desired style throughout the whole house.
Shaynna (above, at the event), says the Look Books are designed to help consumers become colour confident and equip them with the expertise to take decoration into their own hands and create interiors that reflect their own personal taste and style, regardless of trends.
“As an interior designer, I am frequently asked how I manage to bring different colours and pieces together to create one holistic style and look – and while this is something that comes naturally with practice, identifying the style that suits you and your home and recreating it can be daunting at first. We have created these Looks Books to give people the tools to assist in identifying a style first, then working with the colour palette second.”
Each style was brought to life and personified by live models and an accompanying fashion runway. Australian fashion designer, Josh Goot, who was at the launch, said; “This Spring is all about colour, and what better way to celebrate the amazing colours on offer than experiencing this unique marriage between interiors and fashion?”
You can pick up the Look Books in Bunnings stores from next month.
Last week I was super busy and I neglected to write my usual Sunday best of post. I hoped nobody would notice but Greg Natale (of all people!) did, so I thought I’d better up my game this weekend, busy or not (busy, if you’re asking, but what’s new?).
On Tuesday I went to the launch of fashion designer Akira Isogawa’s third collection for Designer Rugs at Simmer on the Bay in Sydney. It was packed. More than 200 people! I didnt have the pleasure of meeting Akira one on one but he gave a lovely speech and seemed like such a genuine, humble and artistic soul, who charmed the crowd. The rugs are stunning, of course. I was so happy to finally meet Shaynna Blaze, my long time online friend, in real life for the first time too!
Thursday I went to the VIP launch of Ikea’s latest PS range where it was great to catch up with fellow bloggers Viv from Ish & Chi and Rebecca from Wee Birdy, and stylists Mr Jason Grant, Glen Proebstel and Erin Michael. The range was displayed at a pop-up gallery in Oxford Street, which was was then open to the public until today. I really loved a few of the pieces, including a cool bamboo dining table.
Shaynna Blaze and I have been chatting on Twitter since before I had this blog. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s been a couple of years! Back then I’ll confess I didn’t even know she was on the hit show Selling Houses Australia because I don’t have Foxtel. I know, right?!
Tonight we finally met IN REAL LIFE at the Akira Isogawa for Designer Rugs launch! But it was very bizarre because we both felt like it couldn’t possibly really be the first time! I meet people for the first time who I’ve only ever met online ALL the time. But with Shaynna (cheesy as I know this sounds) it was like chatting to an old friend! She was, I’m pleased to report, just as I imagined. What a pleasure to finally meet!
More on the Designer Rugs event tomorrow.
The Lifestyle Channel’s popular Selling Houses Australia is looking for problem homes to make over in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin.
They’re about to start work on the 6th series of the award-winning show, which focuses on homes that have been on the market for some time and are in dire need of a cosmetic makeover. They’ll take on and renovate homes with all sorts of structural (or situational) issues like termites or damp, dodgy renos or asbestos. They”ll fix up business/home combos that just won’t shift, historic homes under strict regulations or homes with sub-division potential but clouded with boundary disputes.
If you’re interested, call Bec Pullman on 02 9437 2172.
Want to know where to get your interior inspiration on Facebook? Here’s my pick of the designers with their own pages. What are you waiting for? Go like!
Abigail Ahern: One of my favourite UK interiors people, Abigail has a great blog, full of inspiration, gorgeous images and plenty of humour. She links to the best of her blog from her fab Facebook page.
Greg Natale: Last year’s Belle | Coco Republic Interior Designer of the Year is always sharing pix of his latest work, links to press coverage and snaps of him at parties and industry events.
Darren Palmer: This former reality TV star turned up and coming interior designer knows all about using social media and PR. In fact, he’s talking about just that at decoration + design with me in Melbourne next month. Darren has a regularly updated Facebook page.
Kelly Hoppen: Brand Hoppen is all over the internet with its own app, Facebook, Twitter, all of it! Keep in touch with everything the London designer’s doing via her Facebook page.
Arent & Pyke: Closer to home, Sydney duo Juliette Aren’t and Sarah-Jane Pyke are also sharing photos of their work and things they love on Facebook.
Shaynna Blaze: Twitter, blogging, Facebook ; the The Block judge and Selling Houses Australia presenter is all over it!
Want to have a look around the houses you’ve watched being renovated on TV over the last few drama-packed weeks? I know I would if I were in Melbourne! The Block is open for inspection this weekend, whether you’re serious about buying or just a fan of the show. And Shaynna Blaze will be there on Saturday too. All the details can be found here.
The Block judge and Selling Houses Australia co-host Shaynna Blaze is also colour consultant to Taubmans. I asked her some questions about using paint and colour in your home. She reveals how she once painted her living and dining rooms emerald green, that she hates painting ceilings (don’t we all?) and she’s currently loving grey walls with pops of colour.
What do you think are the biggest paint colour trends for 2012? Currently, I am loving greys and tinted neutrals such as Taubmans Abracadabra or Taubmans Silvertop and dark shades such as Taubmans Sheffield Grey and Taubmans Invincible. Teaming grey with hints of tangerines, limes and yellows is also very popular at the moment. As we move towards the end of the year and into 2013, ‘grown up’ pastels are becoming increasingly popular and introducing a dark grey to complement these will take the edge off. Accessories are still bold and exciting, with a few more neutrals sneaking in there to balance it out.
(Image: This room is painted in Taubmans’ Tightrope)
How stylish are this trio? Three of my favourite industry people: Belle editor in chief Neale Whitaker and interior designers Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer. Darren’s standing in again for third judge John McGrath on Sunday so make sure you tune in. The Sunday room reveals are my favourite.
Are you enjoying this series? Personally, I can’t get enough of the episodes where they show the couples doing the work and the room reveals are great (as is the watching the dynamics of all their relationships!) but I’m still really disappointed in all the irrelevant challenges. Boring! The judges, however, are doing a fantastic job and I particularly like what Shaynna is adding to the mix.
So not only is she a talented interior designer and television presenter, it turns out Shaynna Blaze from Selling Houses Australia and The Block, is also an artist in her spare time! She’s just opened her online shop where, among other things, she’s selling some of her work. And it’s really good. OK Shaynna, enough! You can stop showing off now…
Interior designer Darren Palmer, who himself shot to fame on a reality TV show, appears on tonight’s The Block. Interiors Addict had a quick Q&A with him about his thoughts on this season.
Photo L-R: Block judges Neale Whitaker and Shaynna Blaze with Darren Palmer.
It’s the latest magazine for those of us who love interiors, exteriors, renovating or just nosing around other people’s homes! The Grand Designs Australia magazine launch issue came out this week and it’s one chunky publication!
If you loved the TV series (both UK and Australian versions, and I’m afraid, as a Pom, I’m going to have to say I prefer the original!), you’re bound to enjoy this. Its panel of expert contributors include Interiors Addict favourites Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer, as well as real estate boss John McGrath, architects Robert Harwood and Justin Quinlan, sustainability expert Emine Mehmet and more.
The first few pages discuss the latest trends in furniture, homewares and technology. Darren Palmer has written a fantastic feature on planning your interior. If you have no idea where to start, this is perfect for you and walks you through the entire process, whether you’re doing it yourself or getting a professional in to help. There’s a feature on the latest colour trends by managing editor Kate St James, and interior designers Greg Natale, David Hicks, Stacey Kouros, Alexa Nice and Shareen Joel are profiled as the taste makers of 2012. All that before you even get to the architecture!
I really enjoyed my time at Grand Designs Live in Sydney yesterday. Met some great people and saw some great furniture and homewares. Blog fodder collected for the next few months! Had my book signed by Kevin McCloud (and witnessed some serious ‘Kevin Fever’. I mean, he’s a great guy but I wouldn’t perv on him?!) and sat in on a talk by the lovely Shaynna Blaze from Selling Houses Australia on the difference between styling your home to live in or to sell. Was also great to meet Juliet Love from Love Style and her husband Charlie Albone (also from Selling Houses Australia). I think my favourite stand belonged to Sydney newcomers Project 82, who have an amaaaaaaazing online homewares store and just happened to have styled their stand in all my favourite colours!
You can read my interview with Juliet here and my interview with Shaynna here.
Shaynna Blaze is the well loved female face of LifeStyle Channel’s most popular show, Selling Houses Australia. Not bad for her first TV gig.
She recently ran a colour masterclass on Ten’s The Renovators. As she points out, free to air TV has been slow to catch on to what has been a hugely popular genre on Foxtel for years.
“People have always loved renovation shows and free to air is just getting back into it,” she says. ”I think these shows will do two things. There’ll definitely be more renovation and improvements to homes as we hit a flat spot again in our real estate market and secondly, it will put the focus back on creating a home and a beautiful space.
“Too often we feel we are governed by trends but renovation and design shows are about creating a beautiful and functional space no matter what style or trend. The importance of function unfortunately does get left behind on some of these shows as they focus too much on the entertainment angle.
“I do like all the shows for different reasons. The Block has been more about the personalities of the renovators and how their style is reflected in the interior, and sometimes your style isn’t what everyone wants to see which has encouraged healthy discussion of what people do and don’t like. The Renovators is all about learning skills that will get you a renovated house but like a lot of other people watching, I would like to see a lot more renovating and seeing them get stuck into the house. I would like to see how they use or fail with their skills in the actual work. All these houses are for sale and need a professional to oversee them, so why not show where people go wrong?”
Shaynna was keen to run the colour masterclass on The Renovators because all too often people are terrified of picking colours for their home. “Whether it is painting, bed linen or furniture, there is such a fear of selecting the right mix of colours that the majority of people play it safe with too many neutrals. That or they go crazy and overdo it and it’s like colour vomit!”
Her advice? “The best way to stop scaring yourself is work out the base of a colour. That means does it have more blue or red or yellow etc, and then use one main colour as your starting point. Slowly introduce one colour or neutral at a time that has a similar base to it and then build layers of contrasting hues slowly. Stop trying to do it all in a weekend as colour is affected by natural and artificial light and you need to look at the colour over a few days to see how it settles in the home. Until you train your eye, take it slow. Most people procrastinate for months, even years, to change the colour and expect it all to look perfect in a weekend. Take the pressure off yourself and take time with colour and enjoy experimenting with it. A couple of weekends with paint pots won’t be the end of the world!”
Shaynna, who has her own design business blankcanvas INTERIORS, went straight to college from high school and landed her first job as a designer for showrooms for a national company. She did most of her work in the retail and commercial sectors before taking some time off to be a mum and concentrating on her other loves of singing and art.
“I got back into interiors about eight years ago and it has been a huge ride ever since,” she says. “I am very lucky to be on an award-winning TV show, Selling Houses Australia, while creating some amazing interiors for my own private clients. I feel totally blessed!”
She’s currently filming the show’s fifth season. “For three years in a row we have been voted the most popular show on Foxtel! The show is about people struggling to sell their homes anywhere from a couple of months to several years (one lady had hers on and off the market for seven years if you can believe it!) and most of them have serious difficulties, whether financially or healthwise and they have to sell their home.
“Andrew Winter is the main host and real estate expert and my role as the interior designer and co-presenter is to get the houses ready for sale. Charlie Albone whips the gardens and exteriors into shape.
“This is more than just a makeover, it is getting behind the reasons why the houses don’t sell and giving solid ideas and tips to viewers for their own real estate campaign. I love working on the show as I am constantly surprised by how different every situation is and the homeowners are at such a vulnerable time in their lives as they open their homes and problems to us.” She freely admits to being “the sook and hugger” on the show. “During a three-day makeover I get quite close to the homeowners. I always leave knowing we are seriously changing these people’s lives and helping them to move onto another chapter.”
Shaynna spends a lot of time on the road, traveling around the country for filming. “The traveling is fantastic for a while but you do get a little jaded. I do treat the plane as a big bus and it is not until I get on a plane with my husband and see how excited he is to travel that I realise I do take it for granted.”
I asked Shaynna to share some tips for people working away from home a lot. “It is so important to make the hotel room where you are staying have a little ‘you’ in it. I used to take a scented candle but I am so paranoid of the sprinklers going off I have now resorted to good quality room sprays! I was given a beautiful Diptyque one (Mimosa) as a present and I spray it around the room as soon as I get settled. I also travel with a teapot and a three-stacker tin of loose leaf teas. Lemongrass & ginger, Moroccan green tea and chamomile are the flavours of the moment.
“It is important to take a few things that make you feel at home and to complete it I put on my comfy slippers (I’m really sounding like a nana now!). I spend most of my days traveling in designer heels or getting dirty in bludstones and painting gear so comfort when I get back to the room is number one for me (there might be a daggy trackie thrown in there too)!”
About half of 40-something Shaynna’s year is free of filming commitments and that time is all about blankcanvas INTERIORS (when she is busy filming she reduces her number of clients by half). “I have a great team to support me but it is important for me to know the jobs and have the connection with the client.
“I love working on jobs where the client wants to push the envelope a bit. Most are a little timid and want to make that change but are too fearful to make the change themselves. There is a certain energy that goes into a home and I like to tap into the client’s energy to bring that to life.
“A good client shows trust. They have employed us to put their home together and need to let us guide them into the vision. Most people start to see the transformation of their home only when the end is in sight so as designers it is also our job to be the best tour guide possible in showing them the potential of their home.”
As if she wasn’t busy enough already, Shaynna will soon be adding an online shop to her website. “I am finally getting my artwork onto prints, designing furniture and selling curios I have picked up on my travels. This is such an exciting time for the business as we expand into a new area.”
Shaynna says her own home suffers from a little bit of a split personality. “It’s part relaxed entertaining and part structured and dramatic. Even though these are polar opposites in description the reality is similar in that it revolves around simplicity, very little clutter and lots of black. I love black!”