Est magazine

This house was featured in Est magazine (a free Australian design magazine which can be found at: estmag.com) I absolutely love it and keep looking at it all the time. The colours are so light and airy and the furniture is contemporary, yet soft. I'm going to use this house as inspiration for my own house.

Earthy sunroom

My aunty has just finished decorating her sunroom and I think it is looking great. In fact, when I stayed recently I spent at least four hours in there with lots of reading material.  I love her use of earthy colours mixed with accents of cream and the wicker furniture ties in nicely.  All the greenery outside the windows makes you feel like you're in your own little sanctuary.

Karen Walker vs Kate Sylvester

Karen Walker for Myer vs Kate Sylvester for Douglas & Bec = NO COMPETITION!

When I heard Karen Walker was doing home wares for Myer, I thought: this will be good.  I love Karen Walker clothes and I imagined a collection consisting of old-school charm with rich modern colours.

I was wrong.

The collection advertised is pretty uninspiring.  I don't know if there is more to come, but at the moment all I see is iconic Karen Walker prints transferred to duvets and mugs. Hmmm…

Kate Sylvester has now collaborated with Douglas & Bec and the result is fabulousness.

If Karen Walker home wares had a flight against Kate Sylvester furniture, Kate Sylvester would win. The collection is designed by Rebecca Snelling and inspired by the Kate Syvester aesthetic. It is contemporary with a twist and uses pale pastel colours (purposely in keeping with what is in the clothing shops for spring?)  There are a few pieces I wouldn't mind owning.

Oh and as a side note: don't get me started on how unfair it is that clothing designers easily get their foot in the interiors door. Maybe in order to be noticed, I have to first make a name for myself in fashion?? Something to think about…

Karen Walker collection

Kate Sylvester collection

F. G. Smith Eatery and Aroha & Friends

A cool new cafe has opened up in Ahuriri, Napier called F.G. Smith Eatery.  Design shop Aroha & Friends has moved from town into the warehouse space next door.  Together they made a very chic place to visit.  Start off by having a coffee and passion fruit lamington and then peruse the shop afterwards. I especially love the outdoor area which is a bit of a sun trap. Officially my new favourite place to visit while in HB.

David Trubridge workshop

On the weekend I visted the the David Trubridge workshop which is just outside Clive.  It is amazing to think that someone so internationally recognised is based in little old Hawkes Bay - how inspiring! I think his designs are incredibly unique and after seeing them on a grander scale in his workshop I have a better appreciation for his work. 

Madisons

I just came back from a lovely long weekend in Napier and have lots of cool design things to share.  

Firstly, one of my favourite shops in Napier called Madisons has moved to a new bigger and better shop.  There are few pros and cons about the new shop:

Cons:

1. Used to be very french/rustic chic and now it looks like a generic furniture shop.

2. I will miss the cafe they used to have - used to be one of my favourite places to go. The courtyard was so peaceful and sunny.

3. Doesn't have the same light airy atmosphere it used to have.

Fros:

1.  The florist is looking as lovely as ever (they did my wedding flowers in March).

2. I love that the office is elevated at the back so it overlooks the shop. I can only dream of having such a lovely office.

3. The exposed brick is very and steel walls are very New York style and look great.

I took some sneaky pics to share:

Face lift

I've had a face lift! Thought my blog needed a bit more zing. The chairs featured in the heading and the wallpaper background are all from Anthropology. They have so many amazing things it makes me want to cry that we don't have a store in New Zealand. Check out some of the other AMAZING unique furniture they have on sale:

Ta-da!

So I finished the hallway on the weekend and it is looking great. All I need now is a jazzy rug and a new light fixture for the ceiling. The framed wallpaper worked very well - we just bought framing from Bunnings, painted it white and then cut it to size. It was inexpensive and relatively easy to do.

Framed wallpaper

I saw a feature on Apartment Therapy awhile ago about framing wallpaper isntead of covering a whole wall. I went out an dbought some framing from Bunnings on Saturday and I am going to try this in the hallway with my designer's guild wallpaper (which has arrived and sooo beautiful).   Let's hope I can make it look as lovely as in the pictures.