Dining Room Makeover | Bibby + Brady

Dael & I have been working with an awesome family here in Hawke's Bay helping them makeover their dining room. They have a beachside home, perfect for their busy family, which includes two kids and a dog. The dining room has great indoor/outdoor flow with large sliding doors at each end, and a breakfast bar separates the kitchen and dining room.

We put together a concept board and furniture plan with the aim to freshen the room and update it. We wanted it to look stylish with a relaxed, beachy feel, while also being practical for the family.

We are so happy with the result, and so are our clients. The white walls have lightened, brightened and freshened the space. Recessed ceiling lights were removed and a large ikat light shade was hung over the dining table. Four new barstools mean the family can choose to dine casually at the breakfast bar if they want. A pair of milk bottle pendants look fantastic and provide excellent task lighting over the bench.

When we couldn't find the dining table in the right size, Dael & I had this one custom made. The cross legs and American oak top look stunning, and the white-washed wicker chairs complete the setting.

An Acapulco chair and pouf in the corner provide a spot to relax, and both can pulled outside when needed. In the corner a buffet in beach tones provides valuable storage.

If you would like some help from Bibby + Brady with your home - whether it be a single room, or the entire house, (or you workplace) - we'd love to hear from you. Although we're based in Napier we also work very successfully with clients outside of Hawke's Bay with our e-design service.

New Arrivals at Izzy & Jean

I'm excited to say (and when I say "excited", I mean back flips and fist pump kinda excited) that our new kitchen is 90% done. It's so close, but I don't want to reveal it until all the finishing touches have been completed. Over the weekend as I was putting things away in cupboards, I decided my shiny, new kitchen deserves some new accessories - the holey old tea towels just won't do! So I ordered one of the gorgeous new Skandi tea towels from Izzy & Jean.

They're part of a new collection of home textiles that are designed by a boutique designer in Denmark and produced in Morocco and India. The tea towels and throws (which can also be used as bedspreads or tablecloths) are made in a small family weaving workshop in Kerala, India.

Also part of the range, the black and white wool floor runners and pom pom throws are handwoven in Morocco by a cooperative of Berber women, using traditional weaving techniques. The pom pom throw is made from thick cotton with wool pom poms, and the runners are woven from thick sheep's wool.

While exploring all the new arrivals in the Izzy & Jean shop I found some other treats. Isn't the packaging cool on this Cedarwood Soap?! When you're shopping for yourself, pop one of these in your basket too, for the man in your life. He'll appreciate that the word "cedras" means power, and it's great for his skin and hair.

How about the Swedish Dream collection... a new range of ocean inspired soap and candles with fragrances fresh from the sea. Again the packaging is gorgeous, and will look great on display in your bathroom - almost too good to use!

One of my favourite luxuries at home are my linen sheets. They are so beautiful to sleep in - cool in summer and warm in winter -  and get better with each wash. I need to get another set and have been keen to find some inky blue linen sheets, so was thrilled to see Izzy & Jean's range made in Lithuania, comes in four beautiful shades.

So if you're looking for something for your home, or as a gift, everything at Izzy & Jean is beautiful quality and I can highly recommend them. Go forth and shop! And look out for my tea towel soon in my kitchen reveal.

It's All About the Balance

I don't normally blog in the weekend but I had this home tour ready to post yesterday before the day got away on me. It's such a beautiful home, my kind of aesthetic with white walls and layers of colour and pattern. When mixing patterns it's good to vary the size of the pattern - the ticking striped chairs work well with the large paisley table cloth. The wooden chairs bring warmth and balance the blue and white colour scheme.

Artwork is kept simple which, along with the white walls and soft grey floor boards, balances the busyness of the patterned furniture.

A little table setting provides the perfect spot for breakfast, or coffee with a friend. Dael & I often include a similar setting in our Bibby + Brady projects. Whether it's a small dining table like this, or a pair of armchairs with a side table, it's nice to create another space (other than the main living and dining rooms) to relax.

Little groupings like this one in the kitchen is what gives a home it's soul. It's handy to have some things close at hand when cooking, and they if they look fab you can leave them out on display.

The hallway is not exempt from the home's signature look - a splash of pattern with simple, graphic artwork.

Wicker chairs and an umbrella provide another gathering spot on the balcony.

Although the colour and pattern used throughout the home is bright and busy, it works because the palette of red, blue and green is consistent, and the neutral base provides your eye with a place to rest. I love it!

Endemic World Giveaway

Beautiful art adds interest and colour to any room, it can bring a space to life and help complete it. What better place to source all your art needs than Endemic World. Elliot, Sam and Jenna are all passionate about their work and are continuously curating a wide selection of art from a diverse and talented range of artists.

From illustration to photography, screen prints to letterpress, everything is available unframed or as a framed print.

We are very happy to offer one of our readers their choice of print(s) to the value of $200. It could be a set of four unframed prints for your baby's nursery, or maybe a single large framed art print for your entranceway - the choice will be yours if you're the lucky winner.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Jessica Sweden

Thanks to everyone who entered. Competition now closed.

Gifted | Gifts for Smart Cookies

The other day the courier delivered the most intriguing package. I wasn't expecting anything, what could it be?..

I followed the instructions to tear the tab and all four sides dropped down to reveal a little message. Beneath the card was a selection of individually wrapped, delicious looking cookies from Gifted - gifts for smart cookies!

Made in New Zealand using only the finest quality ingredients, they're the ultimate treat. Baked fresh the day they are sent, these generously proportioned cookies just melt in your mouth - yummo!

The flavours are "to-die-for"! White chocolate & orange, dark chocolate mint, choc-a-block, anzac, hot chilli choc, and my personal fave - salted caramel & peanuts. If you can't decide you can choose one of three mixed selections.

What a fabulous gift to send and to receive. You can order and send a box from anywhere in the world to anywhere in New Zealand. Choose from one of the "ready to go" boxes for special gift days such as Valentines Day, or design your own gift box. You choose your box, your cookies, and your card from a fabulous range. These smart cookies are also perfect as corporate gifts.

With Mothers Day approaching I suggest you get ordering and indulge Mum with her very own box of heavenly cookies. I guarantee she'll love them. These were, quite simply, the most divine cookies I've ever tasted!