Est Magazine Issue 9

The latest Est Magazine, issue 9, is out now. Always slick and classy, this issue is a pleasure to read. Don't you just love this cover - green and copper are such a gorgeous combination.

Some of the highlights for me were the beautiful styling by Denis Bjerregaard and photography by Stephan Schnedler-Sorensen, showing us how to incorporate dusty terracottas and powerful blues into our homes.

I also loved the sneak peek into the home of Anthea O'Connor, an ex-Vogue fashion editor. I don't know if she usually has shoes and handbags in her vignettes like this, but I am so totally doing that. Why not have your favourite shoes on display when you're not wearing them?!

And one of my favourite artists, Emma Gale, gives us a glimpse inside her home and studio.

This is just scraping the surface, so make sure you check out the whole magazine for yourself.

Keeping It Fresh

In my home I am forever moving things around. I love creating little vignettes, but after a while I like to change things around - it keeps it fresh. Your home should be constantly evolving, sometimes in small, subtle ways, and sometimes in more major ways.

The gorgeous home of Nordic blogger, Edina Sæther, is a perfect example of this. In her beautiful blog, Nordic Leaves, Edina will often post photos of her home. Look closely and you'll see the constant movement, the subtle changes as she moves her envious collection of objects around to create fresh looks.

Change your cushions around, swap your pictures, or add a new art piece. Edina created a more drastic change in her living room by painting the back wall from black to white, changing her art, and adding some cool Muuto shelving. Both looks work really well but create different moods.

With the change of season it's a great time to have a change. Move some furniture around, look at your home with fresh eyes - what's looking a bit tired, what could do with a re-zhush? And if you need any help, contact Dael or I at Bibby + Brady, we'd be more than happy to be your fresh set of eyes.

Paola Lenti

I have a real love of hanging chairs, and when I came across this image recently I was smitten. Oh so beautiful in it's simplicity, it's the work of Italian designer, Paola Lenti,
and while exploring her website I discovered it's only one of many insanely gorgeous pieces.

Out of all furniture, it's chairs and seating that I have a major attraction to. As well as functionality there are so many different ways to create an aesthetically beautiful chair, and Paolo nails it every single time. Her simplicity of form is exquisite, and her furniture is designed to stand the test of time and the elements. Even in magenta and bright orange, Paola's chairs coexist beautifully with the natural environment.

This is just a hint of Paola Lenti's outdoor range. Next time I'll wow you with her indoor furniture. We'll all wish we lived in Italy, just so we could buy her furniture.
Oh and drink their wine, eat their food, and date their men ;D

Anzac Day

Today is Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance in New Zealand and Australia for all of those who lost their lives while serving our countries in war and peacekeeping operations.

They shall grow not old.
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning
We will remember them.

I don't mean to trivialise the day in any way, not at all. But I would like to celebrate the enormous talent we have in New Zealand and Australia by showing you the homes of two incredibly talented designers. Both have very different styles, both fabulous in their own special way. The first is the home of Karen Walker, our very own internationally renowned fashion designer. You can see more photos at The Selby.

And this is the home of inspirational Australian artist and designer, Rachel Castle. Her art brings joy, and no home is complete without a Castle pillowcase or two (in my humble opinion). See more of her home at The Design Files.

The Ocean Three Ways

My husband is a mad-keen surfer, in fact he loves all kinds of water sports. Our three daughters share his love of the water. But me, I have to admit to being very much a land lover! Even though I'm not in any hurry to get into the ocean, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate it's beauty. And to prove it, let me show you three images I love, all inspired by the ocean.

I would really like this piece of art in our home. The sheer size of the photo makes it a strong piece with major impact, but it creates such a sense of calm and beauty...

At first glance this looks like water right?! Well, it's stained, polished concrete - so gorgeous! You'd feel like you were standing on a glass floor above the sea...

And this is so cool! I love words and typography, and these words would speak volumes to the surf hubby. I need to find an old board so I can recreate it for him...

1 | 2 | 3

What about you... are you drawn to the ocean, or do you prefer your feet firmly planted on the ground?

Personality Plus

Fantastic Frank, a Swedish real estate company, is chocka block with amazing homes.
This one is typically Scandinavian with it's white on white colour scheme and beautiful floorboards. Little quirky touches throughout add lashings of personality, and just make me smile. A single balloon tied to the bathroom sink, a higgledy piggledy picture wall in the bedroom... But it's the ice cream artwork that takes the cake! How cool, I love that!

  

Baz*ar and Saben

On Friday evening Dael & I popped in to see the lovely girls, Hayley Stuart & Nardine Kelly, at their fabulous shop Baz*ar The Empire. A newbie to Ahuriri, Napier, BAZ*AR is a little slice of heaven with fabulous, hand-picked fashion and accessories from quality designers. You always get a warm welcome from Hayley and Nardine, and the shopping experience never fails to delight you - not only because of the beautiful clothes, but you'll often find bowls of lollies, or plates of cookies dotted amongst the accessories to treat you.

Friday night was a collaboration with Saben, so we could see their new season trends, and drool over the beautiful range of bags, clutches and wallets. Being greeted with individual bottles of bubbles, and a free manicure with Ruby polish was a great start to the evening.

Then the gorgeous and vivacious Brooke Fairgray took us through Saben's latest range - once known as Saben's sales and marketing manager, Brooke's now known as 'coffee drinking, secret sharing chaos maker'. Each bag has it's own name - Harper, Madison and Chloe (to name just a few), and Brooke talks about them as if they're her babies. "They all have their own personalities" she laughs. Dael's favourite was Charlie - Giraffe, and, although I could've happily walked out with half a dozen different styles, if I had to choose just one, it'd be the Caroline clutch. The perfect size, and sporting a classic purse clasp, it's reversible, making it super versatile. Use one side for day, and flip it over for a glamorous evening purse.

Giant black & white posters adorning the walls feature some of Saben's most stylish friends modelling their favourite Saben pieces. Brooke explained the Portraits of Style campaign, and I love the concept. Celebrating individual style, Saben asked their friends to show us how they wear their favourite piece and had photographer, Mike Rooke capture their personality. No professional models here, just super stylish people, including the lovely Nardine from Baz*ar. What's your favourite bag, and what would you prefer your title to be?
I think I'd be 'bubbly drinking, animal loving colour junkie'!

The Sabenettes - Anna McAlister, Roanne Jacobson (designer), & Brooke Fairgray

Nardine Kelly - owner of Baz*ar The Empire

Alex Blanco & Mino Kim - street-style blogger & photographer for Foureyes

Kylie Cooke - fashion stylist