Will Worsp - WRW & Co

I first discovered Kiwi designer and furniture maker, Will Worsp, through my lovely friend, Amy, author of Milo & Mitzy. Like many Kiwis, Will spent quite some time travelling overseas, soaking up inspiration and fantastic experiences on the way. When New Zealand called him home, he set up his business WRW & Co, designing and making beautiful furniture out of repurposed, locally sourced materials.

Will creates new pieces that still carry the history of their former life. I love that - not new and souless, but new and unique and filled with character. He sent me these photos of some of his latest work, which is absolutely stunning.

These coffee tables are made from old Macrocarpa rails and raw steel.

This Kauri Sarking dining table is created from wood that had been left and forgotten in a Waikato shed for 25 years.

And my favourite, part of Will's Woolshed collection, the wood used to create this table is 50 year old heart rimu. It was once cattle yard rails that Will has carefully repurposed to expose the beautiful historical scars and grain.

All Will's furniture is made to order. You can see more of his work on his WRW & Co Facebook page, or send him an email (tell him I sent you).

Gordon Johnson

I came across the work of furniture designer and cabinet maker, Gordon Johnson, recently and was immediately smitten with the beautiful sleek, clean lines. I love the "complexity of the simplicity" - this is a favourite line of mine I borrowed from an artist I heard speak once - it's so true of Gordon's designs, which are timeless and understated.

custom made kitchen

custom made kitchen cabinetry

floating shelves

Based in Melbourne, Gordon has a meticulous eye for detail. He designs, builds and installs all of his work, which includes custom kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, bedroom furniture, fixed shelving and storage, entertainment units, coffee tables... I'm sure there's not much he couldn't turn his hand to. I only wish he lived closer to me, lucky Melbournites!

bed and bedside drawer

children's bed and cabinetry

American walnut bathroom cabinet

Jamie Kay

I'd like to introduce you to one of my most recent advertisers, Jamie Kay. Jamie started her career in the fashion industry, but her love of design made it a natural progression to move into art, jewellery making, and homewares. With the arrival of two beautiful sons, Jamie spent her days looking after her boys, helping with her husband's farm accounts, and letting her creativity loose in her Canterbury studio. With her own range of jewellery, and inspired by her love of the vintage era, her business and online shop, Jamie Kay, was born.

Products are sourced from around the globe, and as well as her jewellery range, Jamie is currently working on a line of cushions, hand made using gorgeous New Zealand wool.
Watch this space!

Brooklyn Beauty

I came across a home recently on Design*Sponge that I just had to feature, for two reasons - I wanted to share the 'awesomeness' with you; and I wanted to have it in my archives, as there is so much I admire about the interior design.

The owners, a young, adventurous couple in Brooklyn, hired Jessica Helgerson and her project manager, Chelsie Lee, to design them a modern, colourful and playful home. I'm a big fan of JHID, you can read an earlier post on them here.

The master bedroom features a charcoal grey which contrasts beautifully with the other white walls. It lines up with the dark headboard, carries on over on the roof, and down the opposite wall. This creates a cocoon effect, and makes the brightly coloured pillows 'pop'. The turquoise bench and the headboard are JHID designs.

A two-tone paint effect was repeated in the guest bedroom for a striking effect. The white bedding looks so fresh against the vivid Indian textiles.

The dining table is another JHID creation with two long slabs of walnut joined by a series of butterfly joints in various shades of turquoise. The chairs are also lacquered in a bright turquoise, and the bookshelf behind echoes the two-toned, diagonal paint effect used in the guest bedroom.

The kitchen is beautifully simple, sporting the most gorgeous custom made bar stools, and beyond, three perfect pendants.

I love the family room with it's giant built-in sectional sofas, which are covered in 18 vintage Peruvian blankets that the interior designers collected over several months. Some of the left over fabric was used to make the pillows in the master bedroom, which helps create a sense of continuity. Once again charcoal paint is used, following the line of the stairs, wrapping over the ceiling and down the other side.

The outdoor furniture repeats the turquoise from inside on the powder coated metal.

This view from the back garden showcases the stunning family home which is clean, modern, colourful, and also cosy and inviting.

Steph & Gaia Cushions

The first time I came across a Step & Gaia cushion it was love at first sight! A super talented artist and interior designer, Stephanie Margaritidis' work has been featured in many fabulous Australian magazines, such as Belle, Vogue Living, House & Garden, and Inside Out. I am so fortunate and excited to be the first New Zealand stockist of her cushions.

From an early age Stephanie was fascinated with interior design. Her life began in Greece, before her family moved to Australia.  It was here, at Sydney's College of Fine Arts, that Stephanie completed a degree in fine arts and art education. She also went on to graduate from The Design Centre Enmore with a diploma in interior design.

The homeware range, Steph & Gaia, was born out of a desire to create beautiful products handmade in Sydney using only natural fibres, and often a combination of new and recycled fabrics. Zippers are never used and the emphasis is on bespoke, not mass produced. I'm so enchanted with this, her "Radiant Infant" collection, which draws on her formative memories growing up in Greece. If you love it too, get in quick, as I only have limited numbers - see them all here.

Geometric Gold

To finish off this glorious week I'm hitting you with some geometric love in the glamorous tones of black, white and gold - just a little bit Gatsby, don't you think?!

Souk Wool Rug from West Elm | Art Deco Bracelet from Ezibuy | Gold Zag Tray from Up In The Air Somewhere | F. Scott Fitzgerald Book from The Dieline | Magical Thinking Geo Empire Duvet from Urban Outfitters | Envy Chair with Wooden Arms from Big Save Furniture | Soprano White Wallpaper from Graham & Brown | Between a Rock and a Lamp Base from The Land of Nod

The Manifesto Magalog IV

I'm a long-time fan of Roxy Owens and her company Society Social, so I was excited to check out the fourth issue of The Manifesto Magalog - a magazine/catalogue showcasing all the gorgeous SS products. You can see my earlier post here for more on Roxy's background.

It's fantastic to see Roxy's original designs in situ, styled beautifully and looking as glamorous as ever. With plenty of colour & pattern, and lashings of gold, I was positively swooning.

I've selected some of my favourite pieces to show you. The fabrics and table tops come in a wide range of brilliant colours, so you can tailor make the piece specifically for you.

At Home with Jessica Marx

I can always count on The Glitter Guide to inspire me with unique and stylish homes. I was particularly drawn to the home of Jessica Marx, which she describes as vintage glam meets boho-chic. Jessica is the founder of design business J. Marx Atelier, so it's no wonder her home oozes style.

The living room is Jessica's favourite room, reflecting both her and her husband's personalities. The amazing brass rams head coffee table was a flea market find, and the brass lotus chandelier was bought on a trip to Montreal. The guitars belong to her husband.

Jessica loves to collect vintage treasures, particularly brass ornaments.

The dining room is super glamorous. I absolutely love the Maxime dining chairs in linen and brass by Jonathan Adler. Jessica likes to splurge on neutral, classic investment pieces, and then mix in a little pop of colour and sparkle with accessories.

A black bone inlay dresser was found online and shipped from India. I have the exact same dresser in our bedroom, but in blue, and it is definitely a piece I will keep forever - I too believe in splurging on investment pieces.

The Animal Print Shop

Have I ever told you that I'm a huge animal lover? My constant companion is a 5 year old golden retriever called Sam. My three daughters are equally animal crazy - I often find pictures of puppies and bunny rabbits on my desktop after they've been on my computer.
But none are near as fabulous as the ones you'll find in The Animal Print Shop by talented photographer, Sharon Montrose.

I've long admired the adorable framed faces in this nursery, so today I wanted to tell you a little bit more about The Animal Print Shop, and share with you some of my favourites.

Sharon Montrose has found a way to combine two of her passions - photography and animals. Her definitive photographic style has made her one of the most sought-after commercial animal photographers for over a decade. The animals photographed for this series are real live animals, raised (and many rescued) by loving, experienced, and dedicated animal keepers and handlers.

One of Sharon's most well known series is named the "Little Darlings". These faces will just melt your heart! I love each and every one of them, but if I had to pick my top three, these would be them...

Another favourite is part of the "Babies" series. My youngest daughters are identical twins and since they were tiny toddlers they have been extremely inquisitive, quite mischievous, and amazing climbers! The "Climbing Cubs" print has to be a part of their bedroom makeover I'm about to undertake - it's the perfect animal representation of them.

I'm also very partial to the gorgeous "Lion Cub Twins", they'll have to come to.

And how could I not have "Baby Elephant"?! Just look at that smile - aaww!

Of course, not all of Sharon's models are cute babies. This guy is so cool - now that is my idea of having horns on the wall.

And you may recognise this handsome American Buffalo from many blogs and Pinterest boards.

This is just a small selection of what is available over at The Animal Print Shop. Please go and see all the incredible photographs for yourself, and while you're there, check out their blog, which is where most of these photos came from.