Tag: tv

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Design Homewares Shopping Smart Home

Samsung’s acclaimed Lifestyle TV range is now bigger and better

Your dreams of a big-screen experience just got better as Samsung’s acclaimed Lifestyle TV range has expanded to now include the 65-inch The Serif and the 85-inch The Frame. Now anywhere in your home, from the lounge room to the bedroom, you can enjoy a bigger, more immersive experience. Blending design, style and big screen picture quality with the individual aesthetics of your home.

The Frame

The Serif’s functional design means it can be easily placed anywhere in the home, while The Frame’s unique art mode enables your TV to either disappear or stand out in any room. As Australians continue to invest in big screen TVs – with 85-inch now the fastest growing size – and many placing a greater emphasis on design and multi-purpose function, the expanded range is a welcome addition to meet the demands of in-home entertainment across the country.

The Serif
Created in 2015 in collaboration with globally renowned French furniture designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, The Serif is a mastery of form and function. Inspired by the letter ‘I’ in a Serif font, it blurs the boundary between furniture and TV. Now, with a bigger screen, The Serif can provide an even more immersive viewing experience and blend into its environment.

Through NFC technology, the new model of The Serif also supports Tap View, allowing users to play content from a compatible smartphone on the TV screen by simply tapping the device on the sides of TV. The new 65-inch model now accompanies the current lineup of 43-inch and 55-inch models.


The Frame
Alongside new design forms and software updates across the range, The Frame brings the beauty of a TV when it’s on, and art when it’s off. The Art Store gives you access to over 1,400 artworks in 4K picture quality from iconic museums and galleries around the world. The Frame allows you to reinvent and refresh your space every day, turning your home into your personal art gallery.

This year, The Frame also features a slimmer profile and has new modern customisable frame options including; beige, teak, white and brown to blend into your room’s décor.

The 85-inch The Frame is added to the current lineup ranging from 32 to 75-inch models.

Samsung’s eco-packaging solution will also continue to be used across all TVs, to help responsibly manage waste, allowing customers to repurpose TV boxes into small-scale pieces of furniture. Both The Frame and The Serif also come with Samsung’s solar cell-powered remote, removing the need for disposable batteries.

65-inch The Serif retails for $2,699, while the 85-inch The Frame goes for $6,899.

Explore Samsung’s Lifestyle range

Faking built-in joinery: how we used flatpack and VJ to create an amazing TV unit

I’ve shared our living room on here many times and I really love the space, but what people often ask me is: “but where’s the TV?” Well, there’s a reason…

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Interiors Addict

Jen on Sky News Real Estate discussing her lust list!

Jen was recently asked to share her favourite homewares finds with Sky News Real Estate. Have a watch below.

It was lots of fun chatting with the hosts, my friend James Treble and the lovely Sophie Hull. I’m looking forward to doing more segments like this in the future.

Brands mentioned:

Early Settler

I Love Linen

Kimmy Hogan

Heatherly Design Bedheads

Haymes Paint.

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Expert Tips Interviews RENO ADDICT The Block

How to: get on The Block, with casting director Lucky Price

Lucky Price

A self-confessed ‘old hag’ when it comes to The Block, Lucky Price has been working as a casting director on the hit reality show since 2010. That’s a whopping 11 seasons for those playing at home! In that time he’s seen thousands upon thousands of audition tapes. And it just so happens that casting for the next Block opened yesterday! So how can you stand out? Turns out the answer is simple… just be yourself.

Lucky Price

“It’s all about trying to find people who can be their true self in front of the camera,” explains Lucky. “Some people spend lots of money making really fancy video submissions and don’t get me wrong they look fantastic and break up my day. But in the end my job is to see through all those bells and whistles and get down to the core of who these people are.”

One audition that is particularly memorable is that of Polly and Waz, way back in 2011. And while it wasn’t showy or overly-produced, it did see the future contestants think outside the box. “Their video was them in their car, driving around and interviewing each other,” says Lucky. “But every so often they would stop and collect hard rubbish from the side of the road. At the end of the video they got all the stuff out of their station wagon and put together a lounge room in a park! It was inventive and so lovely.”

Polly and Waz (2011 winners)

Importantly, Lucky (who also cast The Block judge Darren Palmer for homeMADE way back in 2009) says not to be disheartened if you don’t get on the show from your first attempt. In fact Ben and Andy from last year’s season began applying in their late teens, but just needed – as Lucky affectionately says – “a little longer in the oven” before they were Block ready. “I met them four times before we cast them on the show. When I first met them they were so young and it just wasn’t feasible to give them the reins on a multi-million dollar property. However, what we found over time was they were tenacious, they kept applying for the show and they had absolute focus. They’re the kind of qualities we look for.”

Ben and Andy (2016 contestants)

While it may be hard to believe, Lucky doesn’t go into the casting process with a fixed brief in mind. “I’m not looking through the video submissions trying to find the bitch, the bimbo, the jock and the dweeb and then pit them all against each other. Some shows definitely do that but that wouldn’t work on The Block. This isn’t an elimination show, we’re hanging out with these people for three months, they can’t be cardboard cutouts.”

Think you’ve got what it takes? Apply for season 14 of The Block.

For more on Lucky | Get your Block fix

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RENO ADDICT

New reality show seeks people who renovate for fun or profit

Do you buy, renovate and sell property to make money or as a hobby? A major television network is looking for everyday people with a passion for property for a brand new show!

renovation-business
Image: Bizlistings.com.au

To apply visit: https://go.mycastingnet.com/Apply/Show/propertyinvestors

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Designers RENO ADDICT The Block

Blockheads Matt & Kim transform home for terminally ill dad

Kim with Tracey at the reveal

Get your tissues ready tomorrow night when former Blockheads Matt and Kim renovate the home of a man with terminal cancer and his family. Part 3 of Matt and Kim to the Rescue airs nationally at 7.30pm on Channel 9. We have a sneak peek of the stunning makeover.

Kim with Tracey at the reveal
Kim with Tracy at the reveal

In mid-2015, Matt and Kim got word of the Nyugen Le family’s desperate situation. Father Hung, aged 48 and having battled cancer for 10 years, now has terminal kidney cancer and just months to live. “Wife Tracy and their three beautiful kids have a mortgage they can no longer afford to pay, school fees, bills, a dilapidated home worsening by the day, and worse than that… no plan for the future,” Matt says.

Matt and Kim are rocked by this story and take the opportunity to create the most dramatic transformation in Domestic Blitz history. In just four days, they embark on a $370,000 renovation that involves the demolition of three quarters of the home and a complete structural rebuild. In true Matt and Kim style, the design duo present us with yet another daring and luxurious transformation.

A sneak peek of the luxurious transformation
A sneak peek of the luxurious transformation

But if that wasn’t enough, Matt and Kim used their creative minds to manifest one more surprise at the end of the show that will no doubt leave the audience breathless. We had the chance to chat with Matt and Kim about it before the show airs tomorrow night.

Tell us about the surprise?

Matt: Haha, I can’t tell you that! There are numerous Australian TV firsts in this show, but the one at the end is best experienced with a box of tissues close by.

Sounds amazing. So it’s not just renovations for Matt and Kim to the Rescue?

Matt: It’s renovations with a plus-1. It’s important that we address the family’s problems at hand first. That is the starting point of each design. It’s a metaphor for life. It explores the lows of bad times, and shines in the glory of a society coming together to create something truly magical and meaningful.

Tell us about the interior you created?

Kim: Matt is a touch obsessed with Haussmann style interiors at the moment, and because the house was a complete rebuild, we had the freedom to experiment. So we went with a colour-poppy, classic style that reflects the Parisian Haussmann period. Splashes of gold, marble and soft timber flooring were consistent throughout. The stunning lighting was all from Lucretia in Melbourne. The furniture was all in a classic style. Our favourite would have to be the master bedroom. We both feel it very important to continuously change up our style and take risks, for the viewer and for ourselves. I feel this house was a nice step in a new direction for us. The difficult part of our show is that everything is donated, so our task is to create the most beautiful home with what is available. The show has grown into a monster and our sponsors and interiors are beginning to reflect that. It’s something we are very proud of.

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How involved in the show are Kim and yourself?

Matt: I’m co-executive producer alongside Ed Hobbs and our great team in Perth. Kim is still teaching full-time so she hosts and helps project manage. Kim and I originally wrote and pitched a 12-episode show to Channel 9 Perth and one of those episodes was indeed this show. From its infancy, we’ve built this thing. One of the amazing things that people may not know about Matt and Kim to the Rescue is that it is all donated. And thus far we have donated around $1.1 million dollars worth of renovation. Pretty cool.”

What does 2016 and beyond look like for Matt and Kim?

Matt: We will complete another 2 or 3 episodes with Channel 9 Perth. We will finish our own home renovation, which will look a lot like the house we would have created on The Block Triple Threat. I’ll still design on the side. I’m up to my 11th full scale residential/commercial project and still very much enjoy it. But our plans, ultimately, are to push further into the kind of design we believe in: risky, bold, inspiring and purposeful. My intentions are to continue to write, make TV, study, create and deliver projects that inspire and excite Australians.

–Matt and Kim to the Rescue – The Nyugen Le Family. Channel 9 nationally, Thursday 21 January, 7.30pm.

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Smart Home

Interiors Addict’s guide to buying a TV in the New Year sales

If I had a dollar for every person who asked me what to look for when buying a TV, I’d have about… $1.50. It’s been a few years since I was a hardcore technology journalist so give me a break. But being that Christmas is upon us and ‘tis the seasons to buy extravagant items in post-Christmas sales (a TV, hint, hint), it seemed like a good time to brush off more the technology cobwebs (I’ve been doing a little bit of that lately – here and here) and lay down the law when thinking about spending some hard earned on a TV for your home.

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Image via sheknows.com

Here are five tips you really should follow if you want to get a TV that doesn’t just look stylish in your house, but actually looks good when you turn the screen on.

Size matters

When I was in high school I pushed my Dad to get a 59cm Sony Wega flat screen. It was the bomb, and 59cm back then was monstrous. Now it’s small. But smaller screen sizes may be perfect for you. When I say size matters, I mean it does in the sense that you need to buy the right size for your room, not the biggest TV. You should be sitting roughly 1.5 times the size of your screen away from it. In other words, bought a 65-inch TV? Sit 130 inches away (yes, I too hate that for some reason, TV sizes are now measured in imperial again!?). So if you own a small, one-bedroom apartment, perhaps 40 inches is more appropriate.

Sound matters too

TVs are now thinner than ever, and some of the best looking ones can actually be no-name or store owned brands. DSE brand TVs are surprisingly good looking, as are Kogan’s. But beware, the general rule is that the first thing to be dropped in producing a TV on the cheap is the sound. It is harder to get away with a poor picture — you can easily see that in-store, but the sound is rarely turned on so it’s a lot easier to sneak in a cheap set of speakers. A poor set of speakers will make your viewing experience quite unpalatable. Ask to listen to the TV in-store before you make the purchase. And don’t write off cheap sets straight away — some can have decent sound, you just have to look carefully. If you made the mistake of buying a TV with crap sound, fear not, just buy a soundbar to boost the sound. A good one — don’t make the same mistake you did with the TV!

Watch the accessories

Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Google Chrome, Apple TV, Blu-ray, USB, Nintendo Wii U blah, blah, blah. There are a lot of things you can plug into a TV and chances are you will have more than one thing. There are two things to think about here: does your TV have the required amount of ports on the back? And do you have enough storage space to house the TV and the peripherals? This is particularly important when you are moving up screen sizes. Suddenly your entertainment unit is no longer big enough to take the TV and all the trimmings. Imagine the temper tantrum when hubby finds out the PlayStation has to go in the basement? I speak from experience. At least three HDMI and two USB should do the trick. But the more the merrier.

App, app and away

The buzzword right now is ‘smart’. You will hear Smart TV being bandied about everywhere. Simply speaking, it is a TV with internet connectivity so you can download apps using a built-in platform like Android TV. You generally pay more for these types of TVs and some of them are quite good. But if you find a bargain on a TV that is not app-ready out of the box, buy it anyway. Chances are adding Apple TV or Google Chrome if you really want that kind of functionality will still make the TV a pretty good deal. And those options are small and easy to hide. Google’s Chrome, for example, can hang off your TV HDMI plug and draw power from the USB plug, so you will never see it.

Power up

Your TV will likely be something used a lot, especially if you are buying for the family room. So it’s wise to think about energy consumption, if for nothing else than to be nice to the planet. Six-star energy ratings are hard to find with TVs, but five-star TVs are common enough, even on larger sets. So if you want to keep your energy bill down, make sure to have a look at the star rating before purchase. But also be sure to weigh it up with the price of the TV. If you’re paying hundreds of dollars more for a similar set just to bump up from four star to five-star, it is arguably not worth the money.

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Expert Tips Kitchens RENO ADDICT

Interiors Addict TV: Carly & Leighton’s top scoring kitchen

Carly and Leighton were super excited to get started on their homeowners’ kitchen brief of contemporary Australian this week, and the result, with its super-sized Caesarstone bench, brought tears of joy (as well as a top score of 19.5 out of 20)! The amazing indoor/outdoor space would probably have to be my favourite kitchen reveal yet!

Judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill loved it too, with its clean and warm look thanks to contrasting but subtle textures. The black tapware made a bold and modern statement, tying in with the black powder coated windows.

Freedom Kitchens helped the couple with design ideas, and additions such as brand new handles made sure it was absolutely on trend and cutting edge. Carly and Leighton were keen not to repeat anything that had already been showcased in the competition.

Watch our exclusive video interview with Lauren Ellis above for their top tips for Interiors Addict readers!

Watch all the episodes of Interiors Addict TV | Read all our Reno Rumble coverage on sister site Reno Addict.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ final interior renovation

After - Daniel's Room

Karina and Brian’s ‘old lady’ in remote Geraldton was transformed by the teams who were left with the somewhat challenging house rules of: ‘style our house desert coastal’, ‘bring the outside in with texture and tone’ and ‘make our kids’ bedrooms #TotesEpic’!

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

Bronik and Corrine – 27/30 

Before - Daniel's Room
Before – Daniel’s Room

After - Daniel's Room
After – Daniel’s Room

Victoria’s Bronik and Corrine finished on top for the first time on 27 points. They received the highest score from the judges this series – a perfect 20/20. Wendy said their bathroom was the best she’d seen in the competition: “The pebble feature wall was a huge risk but boy did it win me over.” The couple also made over the bedroom belonging to Brian’s teenage son Daniel. “Commissioning a street artist to do a mural was an incredibly brave thing to do,” said Wendy. “The art itself was perfect for the room.”

Cassie and Matt — 26/30

Before - Master Bedroom
Before – Master Bedroom

After - Master Bedroom
After – Master Bedroom

Tasmania’s Cassie and Matt finished in second place, with their master bedroom, ensuite and hallway receiving the highest score from the homeowners, of nine points. ”The master bedroom is exactly what we wanted in our house,” said Karina. “It’s got the right textures, furnishings, colours and we can see so such love in the room.” Brian added: “I’ve got a loo with a view if I leave the louvres open. It was awesome.”

Ben and Danielle — 21/30

Before - Lara's Room
Before – Lara’s Room

After - Lara's Room
After – Lara’s Room

Queensland’s Ben and Danielle came third on 21 points. Their zone consisted of the dining room and the bedroom of Brian and Karina’s six-year-old daughter, Lara. Wendy congratulated the newlyweds on steering clear of the tired old pink stereotype: “The colour scheme was beautiful. She will remember this bedroom forever.” However, their dining room brought their score down. “The table was the right choice in style and tone but it should have been longer to fit the space,” said Joe. The homeowners were also critical of the terracotta paint. “Unfortunately I wasn’t really taken with the colour,” said Karina.

Ryan and Marlee — 20/30

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room

After - Living Room
After – Living Room

South Australia and NSW tied for fourth place on 20 points. SA’s Ryan and Marlee hit the mark with their laundry and living room. “My most favourite item in the whole house is the coffee table,” said Karina. “The stacked stone was a great choice and complemented the fireplace beautifully.” However, their pantry was the weakest part of their zone. “The pantry doors were flimsy and verging on tragic,” said Joe.

Steve and Tiana – 21/30

Before - Kitchen
Before – Kitchen

After - Kitchen
After – Kitchen

The NSW zone consisted of the kitchen and teenager Bailey’s bedroom. While everyone loved the copper splashback, the cheap plastic trim and the light blue walls were criticised. “The light blue against copper created a very uncomfortable clash,” said Joe. However, the colour palette of Bailey’s bedroom was much more successful, though the wooden bedhead and “hacked-in” desk let the room down. “I was really impressed with your colour palette and the bedhead was a great look, but it would have looked better had it been wider,” said Wendy.

With all six interior renovations now completed, the teams have been ranked in order with Tasmania in first place, followed by Victoria, Queensland, SA, NSW and lastly WA. While Karina and Brian were expecting to go home, surprisingly, they were thrown a life-line, with no teams being sent packing.

Rather, all couples will now return to their renovated homes for a make or break power transformation. With a limited budget and just 24 hours, they must choose one zone within their home to change. The six reveals and the first elimination will air this Tuesday. Who will be the first to go?

For more on House Rules.

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RENO ADDICT The Block

Real estate agents share behind the scenes goss about Block auctions

Josh and Charlotte

Even for the most experienced real estate agent, selling a Block property is no walk in the park. First, you’re dealing with thousands of potential buyers traipsing through the property, rather than the usual tens or hundreds. Secondly, there’s the fact you have to market the home while the show’s still airing (sounds like a marketing nightmare to me!). And lastly, there’s the almighty challenge of having to sell a townhouse with the whole country watching! No pressure!

hockingstuart
Mark (left) and David

So we spoke to Josh and Charlotte’s real estate agents — listing agent Mark Konishi of hockingstuart South Yarra and auctioneer David Wood of hockingstuart Albert Park — to find out what goes on behind the scenes and how they’re going to avoid an auction disaster like last year’s.

Josh and Charlotte
Josh and Charlotte

“We weren’t involved with the Glasshouse series but feel that many buyers were perhaps thinking the apartments could have sold for more and as a result weren’t present on the day,” explains David. “It’s important that we do all we can to ensure all potential buyers are attending the auction of the apartment.”

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Alongside high buyer demand, both David and Mark think the property’s location, style and high quality fixtures, will see Josh and Charlotte come out on top this auction day. “From our experience in the South Yarra market, we know that there’s a strong appetite for townhouses in prestige locations,” says Mark. “Darling Street, in particular, is within proximity to the shops, public transport, the Yarra, the Botanic Gardens and many schools, as well as being an arm’s reach to the CBD. The quality of Charlotte and Josh’s apartment with its luxury fittings and furnishings will also put us in good stead to come out with a good result on the day.”

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As well as having many high-end fixtures, Josh and Charlotte’s townhouse also includes many other stand out features. “Being at the front of the building, the townhouse boasts fantastic street appeal and enjoys plenty of natural light,” explains Mark. “The electronic louvres on the facade allow the perfect amount of light streaming through. Plus, the spacious master bedroom has those exposed roof beams which buyers love, as well as a view of the courtyard. All in all, it’s a perfect low maintenance townhouse in a cracking location.”

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With this Block listing being David’s fourth (he won Fans vs Faves with Steve and Chantelle) and Mark’s second, they both agree that while there is a lot of fanfare, the whole selling process is quite similar to any other property. “Admittedly, it’s not every day that we sell a block of four townhouses very similar in structure in the one day,” says Mark. “We have thousands of buyers through the property, most of whom want to check out their favourite contestants’ townhouse and be a part of the movement. But with that said, 27 Darling Street follows a very similar marketing campaign to other properties on the market, from sourcing buyers and running an advertising campaign to an auction.”

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The Block goes to auction on 28 April, with the on air date yet to be released. Read up on everything Block here.

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Designers House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules 2015 sneak peek video

House Rules judge and Reno Addict resident expert, architect Joe Snell

Hoorah for another home show about to start! I have to admit I only got into House Rules at the end of the last series. I’d decided I just didn’t have enough TV time left to watch it as well as The Block, and Grand Designs and Selling Houses Australia… and all the others!

But I actually really love the concept and think it’s a fresh take on the reality renovation genre. I mean, what better prize in this day and age than having your mortgage paid off?! And I love the emotions involved because the contestants own homes are the ones being made over. It adds a whole extra element to reveal time!

House Rules judge and Reno Addict resident expert, architect Joe Snell
House Rules judge and Reno Addict resident expert, architect Joe Snell. Photo by Jacqui Turk

[contextly_sidebar id=”dYJg2Wj3UkrijqRFzB4tyMIlWTuQssGE”]I’m also a big fan of host Johanna Griggs. she’s just so down to earth and real! I think I’d like to have a coffee and a chat with Joh! And then there’s architect Joe Snell, one of the resident experts on our sister site, Reno Addict. He is so super passionate about good design, it’s contagious, and it’s great to see his TV career taking off.

Hope you enjoy the series preview video above.

We look forward to bringing you more about the Channel 7 show, due to start again soon, in the coming weeks.

Are you a House Rules fan? Which is your favourite reality TV show?

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Designers Interviews RENO ADDICT The Block

Interiors Addict TV: renovating tips with The Block’s Scott Cam

Lauren Ellis for Interiors Addict TV

Today, we’re excited to be launching our new, regular video series, Interiors Addict TV. Our first interview is with well-loved Block host Scott Cam.

Scott shares all his top tips for real life renovating outside the unrealistic time constraints, budgets and drama of The Block.

Also introducing the newest member of our team, Lauren Ellis, a television journalist and director of My Picket Fence. When she’s not reporting for Nine’s The Today Show, you’ll find Lauren interviewing Australia’s leading design experts, scouring interior stores for inspiration​​ and renovating her own home, one room at a time. She’s also a student at the International School of Colour and Design.

TV journalist Lauren Ellis is the newest member of the Interiors Addict team
TV journalist Lauren Ellis is the newest member of the Interiors Addict team

Follow Lauren on Instagram at @mypicketfence_

Categories
Homewares Interviews Styling

Sibella Court’s new space, TV show and book and life as a travelling mum

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard much from Sibella Court, the Sydney stylist with a (no exaggeration really) cult following. But rest assured, behind the scenes, it is all happening! Today, we’re bringing you all the news on her new warehouse premises, TV show, boutique accommodation, book and last but by no means least daughter, baby Silver.

Low key Sibella is as busy as ever. Image by
Low key Sibella is as busy as ever

Sibella recently opened an amazing warehouse space – the all new Society Inc — in Sydney’s St Peters and we couldn’t wait to shoot it. Replacing her former tiny, packed-to-the-rafters shop in Paddington, it’s quite a change but the aesthetic is as distinctly Sibella as ever.

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“At the beginning of last year, I saw the space for sale on Doody Street, a space I knew well from my early styling years. I viewed it, it was completely out of my price bracket and way too big, but it woke my imagination to be in a much larger space,” she says.

“I create interiors and I wanted clients, guests and customers to be able to experience the pages of my books by walking through sets, installations and vignettes and purchasing the pieces I put in my hospitality spaces (Ms G’s, Mr Wong, El Loco, Palmer & Co and Bistrode CBD to name but a few), as well as celebrating all the fabulous makers, designers, artists and creators I work with and have forged friendships with over a 20+ year career in the styling world.”

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The L-shape space has been split into 65% public and 35% private. The public space will be “a combination of retail, installation, activity, magic and fantasy; a sensory experience that feels as though you’re walking amongst the pages of one of my books,” also used for workshops, talks, photography, dinner parties, flea markets, launches, events and whatever else takes her fancy. “It will showcase some of our handpicked favourite people, artists and companies that we have loved and worked with over the years.”

Sibella and her team will be launching brands not previously available in Australia from all over the globe (the USA, Netherlands, the Caribbean and the UK to name but a few) and if there’s one woman who knows how to curate, it’s her! There’ll also be two container sales a year from her travel destinations.

The dream space will also serve as an art gallery, where you can purchase the pieces displayed within her installations and vignettes. “Above all else, it will an interactive space that changes and invites conversation, with exciting products, exchange of ideas and fun!” The private side of the space will serve as a studio for her hospitality design work, ever-popular books and product development.

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But that’s not all! That beautiful little 1860s corner terrace in leafy Paddington, which used to house The Society Inc, is now on Airbnb and you can stay there, or indeed host an event in the space. “We’ve turned it into a pied-a-terre; a one-bedroom hotel, a very boutique experience. It’s aimed at the weary pilgrim who needs to rest their head after a long journey, however with a little more than a humble stretcher.

“We are often asked by curious international parties about our favourite Australian furniture makers, artists, crafters, textile designers, dyers, tinkers and smiths and the like. This is where we will be showcasing some our favourites and sharing the love. It will be a sensory experience; an imaginarium of curiosities, forever changing and never finished, again, like being in the pages of one of my books.” A huge fan of sites like Airbnb and onefinestay, she hopes to appeal to those seeking a personal experience that gives their adventures a richer and deeper involvement in a Sydney stay and a fond memory to take home. Well, I live in Sydney and I’m despearately trying to find an excuse to stay there myself!

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Sibella is not known for being a self-publicist (some would say an essential part of the stylist’s job these days) and perhaps her air of mystery, ironically, is what keeps people coming back for more. She also travels so far and wide that she is rarely in town for long. But becoming a mum hasn’t slowed down the laidback bowerbird. “Silver comes along for the ride and she is only little so she fits into my Filson bag! As any small business owner knows, there is no rest for the wicked. I have two babies now – Silver and The Society Inc.”

But we’re happy to hear we’ll see a lot more of the stylist this year. After two years of shooting, Sibella has a TV show coming up on the ABC later this year called Restoration Australia. “This year is as busy as ever with lots of hospitality spaces being designed, new product ranges in fragrance, furniture and soft furnishings, an Anthropologie collaboration, The Stylist’s Guide to the Globe (her latest book), collaborations and plenty of exciting, cool stuff.”

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She’ll never be in one spot for too long though: “Part of my job description is to travel — it is the root of my inspiration for all things.”

The Society Inc. | Warehouse 3.02, 75 Mary Street, St Peters, NSW 2044 

Photography by Jacqui Turk

Categories
Designers Expert Tips

Colin & Justin share design tips as they visit Australia

I absolutely LOVE Colin & Justin and I’m really excited the TV stars and interior designers recently landed in Australia! They’ve shared these top design tips exclusively with Interiors Addict.

Colin and Justin -high res final-080-1

  1. To increase the feeling of space, use cool colours and paint all aspects of the room – including skirting boards etc — the same shade. Painting a low ceiling two or three shades lighter than the walls will increase the feeling of height while dark flooring and light walls will have a dramatic effect on the feeling of floor space.
  2. If the proportions of your room feel like a corridor then you can ‘square’ things off by painting the two end walls in a slightly darker shade. Doing this will make them appear to come forward and will help balance the overall perspective.
  3. Choice of colour is an extremely personal thing so look at shades you’re already attracted to in clothing, for example, or in your car etc. before making those all important decisions.
  4. Before you splash out on all your paint requirements, buy some testers and use the whole pot to paint a sizeable section of card that you can move about the room to mimic how the wall colour would look close to and away from natural light sources. Basing your decisions around a patch the size of a postage stamp never works. Look at the colour and carefully consider it at all times of day when lighting is different. If you are still undecided and want to try out several shades, avoid striping the walls by painting onto sections of lining paper and tacking them around your room.
  5. To increase space and light you must allow natural light to flood through windows without obstruction. As such, it’s goodbye to clusters of windowsill ornaments and heavy curtains and hello to clear surfaces with smart blinds or simple drapes. Use mirrors to reflect and intensify the amount of natural daylight and place them opposite windows for maximum effect.
  6. Transform a dark dingy room into a bright and fresh space by keeping conflicting patterns to a minimum. If you just have to have patterned elements then try sticking to one style – stripes for example — and use them sparingly on perhaps one wall or an accent area. Easier still (and far simpler to change at a later date) use pattern on window dressings, cushions, rugs and throws.
  7. Lighting should be used to create atmosphere so opt for something more versatile than a single pendent hanging from the centre of the ceiling. A spread of spotlights can add a modern touch to the dowdiest of rooms and should be installed with a dimmer switch to alter the mood from flood lit to cosy cool. Lighting can also be used to highlight architectural features, paintings and furniture to dramatic effect.
  8. If you’re a dedicated follower of home fashion but balk at the thought of ripping out and starting again every time you change your mind, then choose larger elements, such as flooring or sofas, in a neutral colour. Changing the mood further down the line will be far easier and will involve minimum fuss and expenditure: all you’ll need to do to ring the changes is alter the colour of walls and accessories as and when your mood dictates.
  9. Finishing touches make all the difference so splash out on uniform door handles throughout and attractive electrical switches. Like gold buttons on a Chanel suit, quality additions add an understated air of elegance and individuality.
  10. Any works carried out to your home must conducted to a high standard or else they’re simply not worth doing. Botched DIY jobs create irritation rather than appreciation and could even damage the value of your property. Remember that while it’s good to have an eye on profit for a later date, the biggest return you can get from your home should be on a daily basis.

Colin and Justin will shortly be appearing on two episodes of Ten’s The Living Room.

The popular pair will be appearing at Life Instyle and Reed Gift Fairs in Sydney this month and are the MCs at this year’s Life Instyle GALA Awards. Purchase tickets to the GALA awards (I was a judge!) online.

Categories
Designers RENO ADDICT

Andrew Winter chats about Selling Houses Australia season 8

Charlie Albone, Andrew Winter and Shaynna Blaze were known for their banter and chemistry

I don’t know about you, but I’m counting down to the new series of my favourite show, Selling Houses Australia, starting on Wednesday (4 February). I couldn’t wait to chat to host Andrew Winter, in my opinion, one of the most amusing men on television! Perhaps it is the Brit in me that finds his sarcasm and bluntness utterly hilarious, but I can often be heard shrieking at the television when he delivers one of his crushing comments about a homeowner’s decor choices or DIY handiwork. For me, the reasons this show is in its eighth series are obvious, and Andrew’s just one of them.

Andrew Winter
Andrew Winter

Andrew would like to say it’s all down to him, but he admits it has just as much to do with his co-hosts Charlie Albone and Shaynna Blaze, suspecting a lot of female viewers are tuning in for “young Charles” over him. But that’s okay, because he thinks he has the best job in the world. Forget that Great Barrier Reef job Andrew says, he gets to say what he really thinks as well as getting away with doing barely any manual labour (although he tells me he is “flat out” driving and fetching coffee!). And let’s not forget there is a real point to the show; helping people who really need to sell their most expensive asset and are failing miserably.

Eight series is no mean feat. Andrew remembers thinking if they managed to do five and get a sixth commissioned that would be pretty amazing, and now here we are. “I’m absolutely delighted and I still enjoy it. I think we’ve been on so long now that we’ve unintentionally become a barometer of the Australian housing market. We started the last series, for example, with a house on the Gold Coast that sold for 10k over what they expected and that hadn’t been heard of for five years before then! So it’s interesting to watch these thing over the years.”

Andrew, Charlie and Shaynna’s genuine chemistry is clear and I find they’ve all become more equal stars of the show as time has gone on. “The three of us get on really quite well despite being totally different,” Andrew says. “Charles has a pretty crude and appalling sense of humour which always shocks Shaynna, but I of course, am always perfectly lovely!” On a more serious note, Andrew says there’s no pretence. All three of them are experienced and qualified in what they do and they just get on with it. “Everyone thinks they’re an interior designer these days because they’ve done some six-week course, but come back to me when you’ve worked in the industry for five or 10 years, and Shaynna’s done that and more. Charlie runs his own landscaping business and I was a real estate agent for years.

Charlie Albone, Andrew Winter and Shaynna Blaze front Selling Houses Australia
Charlie Albone, Andrew Winter and Shaynna Blaze front Selling Houses Australia

“It’s not a fluffy makeover show. Our brief has always been clear: take a property that can’t be sold and sell it! Of course, it isn’t always possible but we will do our utmost.” And someone upstairs, says Andrew, is looking down on them and continuing to hand them the amazing stories of the homeowners which really add to the show’s appeal. “Maybe that’s why I can get away with being a bit harsh, cheeky or rude, because the end game is not about winning a prize, it’s about selling a house that really needs selling for whatever reason. We can get in there and kick it up the whatsit and get it sold.”

What always drives me mad though, is when, despite the trio’s efforts and an auction bringing a realistic selling price, homeowners get greedy or, for whatever reason, decide to dig their heels in and not sell. And this often brings some of frustrated Andrew’s harshest words! We can expect plenty of the same in the upcoming series, as well as the cheapest house they’ve ever worked on, with Andrew saying at least three episodes fall into the “confrontational” category. Can’t wait! “I’m so glad I live in a gated community with security,” Andrew quips.

One of the best things about his profile on a top rating TV show these days, is that when Andrew consults privately to people trying to sell, they take his ideas on board, something that rarely happened in his 15 years as a real estate agent. “I go and sit there and they actually listen!”

I’ve already seen episode one and you’re in for a treat! and with Andrew pointing out that Foxtel is cheaper than ever, he hopes as many of you will be tuning in as possible!

Selling Houses Australia series 8 starts on Wednesday 4 February 2015 on the LifeStyle Channel at 8.30pm AEDT.

Tomorrow on the blog, Andrew shares the top three mistakes he thinks people make when selling their homes.  

Categories
Designers House Rules Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT The Block

The Block Triple Threat starts 27 January & Selling Houses Australia series 8 on 4 February!

Hooray! We have a date to count down to, Blockheads! I was worried The Block Triple Threat might not start until next month, seeing as the TV channels seem to start previewing new things so ridiculously early these days. Sometimes by the time they actually start you’ve seen so many TVCs you’re already over it!

And my other favourite, Selling Houses Australia, has a new series 8 starting on 4 February. Can’t wait to tell you all about a new project I’m working on with one of its stars, Charlie Albone, very soon.

Selling Houses Australia series 8, starts 4 February, only on the LifeStyle Channel
Selling Houses Australia series 8, starts 4 February, only on the LifeStyle Channel

We only recently got Foxtel (I know!) and Selling Houses has become a serious addiction. Some formats are just so simple and brilliant. And as far as chemistry goes between hosts, you cannot beat Andrew Winter, Shaynna Blaze and Charlie as a trio! Love the banter! I especially love how they keep it real. The end results are often not perfect but they spend a sensible amount of money to do what needs to be done to get the place sold for the best price. There’s always a nice human interest story from the owners to get sucked into too. Just my cup of tea! And no bitching like on The Block (but that’s a different kind of show and however much people say they don’t like that element, it still seems to get the ratings!).

Shaynna Blaze Blank Canvas
We can’t wait to have Shaynna back on our screens in new Selling Houses and The Block

Which show are you a fan of? I’ll be watching both! Roll on Sunday night room reveals and a serious dose of Shaynna in our lives! House Rules must be starting soon too?

Categories
House Tours

Sarah Jessica Parker’s New York home for sale

Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate

Oh, you’ve got to love a good celebrity real estate stalk! Sarah Jessica Parker’s West Village home in New York is up for sale again and I really like her style. It’s not as eclectic as you might imagine, but then again we must remember she in fact an actress and not her Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw…

image
Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate

I wandered around West Village on our recent trip to New York (shopping tips here), dreaming of living in the West Village.  It’s so perfect! Yep, never gonna happen…

Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate
Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate

Of course, you want to see the walk-in? To be honest, I expected something grander!

Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate
Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate

And how about that tub? Sigh…

Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate
Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate

And here’s something else I’d like room for: a lounge in the bedroom!

Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate
Photo: Douglas Elliman real estate

This post has reminded me of these cool illustrations of Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic apartment available from Etsy. I think it’s time I bought one…

Carrie-Bradshaw-apartment-Sex-and-the-City

If you fancy a little more NYC real estate perving, check out the listings with SJP’s real estate agent.

Which is your favourite home from a TV show?

Categories
Interiors Addict

Scott Cam picks up Gold Logie for The Block Sky High + dress photos!

It was a night of glamour for the Block Sky High contestants and judges last night, but the biggest winner of the night was the show’s host, Scott Cam, who went home with the best presenter gong and the coveted Gold Logie.

The twins wearing designer Liza Emanuele
The twins wearing designer Liza Emanuele

Alisa and Lysandra with Shelley Craft and fellow Sky High contestant and newlywed, Kim
Alisa and Lysandra with Shelley Craft and fellow Sky High contestant and newlywed, Kim

The twins with Danni Minogue
The twins with Danni Minogue

Those following the frocks (that’d be me) would have noticed Shaynna Blaze and twins Alisa and Lysandra’s dresses, not to mention judges Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer looking very sharp. My favourite Blockhead outfit was definitely Shelley Craft’s. I thought she looked lovely.

Block judge Shaynna with her Selling Houses Australia co-hosts Andrew Winter and Charlie Albone
Block judge Shaynna with her Selling Houses Australia co-hosts Andrew Winter and Charlie Albone

Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer
Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer

What did you think of the dresses?

Read all our previous Block coverage.

Categories
Interiors Addict

Grand Designs, series 10 (the UK version)

Kevin McCloud

I do love Kevin McCloud. No, not in that way, as I know so many of my female readers do, and not just because he comes from the same part of south west England as me, or because I’ve been lucky enough to meet him in real life, but because of that twinkle in his eye. When he knows a plan is downright ridiculous, he doesn’t hold back and he’s always, quite annoyingly, right. Equally, when he really loves a project, I can’t get enough of his passion. And that voice. Well, it’s just comforting isn’t it? Is it just me?

Kevin McCloud
Kevin McCloud

I know it’s wrong of me but I am a Pom and I just can’t get into the Australian version (sorry!).

I devoured all 8 episodes of season 10 of Grand Designs (out to buy on DVD this week) in two evenings and it did not disappoint. It kicks off with an actor who buys the ruins of castle he used to play in as a boy and virtually builds a house within its frame. His plans for a theatrical, mock 16th century home were the kind that got Kevin raising an eyebrow or two.

Continue reading “Grand Designs, series 10 (the UK version)”