Rue Magazine Update

I've just found some time to sit down and read the latest issue of Rue Magazine. Two of the feature homes struck a chord with me, although they're both very different to each other.

The first belongs to New York illustrator and style expert, Dallas Shaw. An older house, Dallas has retained the charm and details while adding her bold, punchy style to each room.

The second, amazingly, is a rented apartment, also in New York. The occupant, a young corporate attorney, hired the services of Common Bond Design to help him turn his bachelor pad into a refuge from work, and a place to entertain friends. They did a brilliant job with a low-cost overhaul, investing in pieces that could be taken with him to his next home.

The only addition that will remain is the fresh paint on the walls, which was absolutely necessary. A clean coat of fresh white was used throughout, but in the bedroom a bold statement was achieved with a gorgeous blue stripe the same height as the headboard.

When extra storage was needed in the bedroom, the designers custom painted a credenza the same colour as the wall. I love the way the framed print hangs slightly over the blue, linking the two halves.

There is plenty more goodness to be found in the latest Rue Magazine, so find some time to check it all out for yourself.

Miranda Skoczek's Interior Style

If I won Lotto the first thing I would buy is a really big Miranda Skoczek painting, I absolutely love her work with all it's vibrant colours. It's no surprise to me that Miranda's fabulous style carries on into the Melbourne home that she shares with her son, Harper.

My favourite kind of home has lovely fresh white walls, and layers of colour and pattern introduced in the furnishings, art, and homeware. The combination of the sleek pink Verner Panton 'S' chair and the rustic blue side table is just delicious. Add a Kirra Jamison artwork for good measure.

I love the gorgeous global touches throughout the house. They help bring interest and stories to the spaces.

The renovated kitchen looks great with the original black and white tiles.

Harper's room features one of Miranda's own works. Along with Harper's Loom rug, it's one of my favourite things in the house.

Trinkets and postcards from Miranda's travels help to inspire her in her workspace.

photography: Lauren Bamford | styling: Jason Grant

Thank you Homelife and Inside Out and, of course, Miranda Skoczek for the inspiration.

Natural Beauty

I always look to Domino for beauty and inspiration, and they certainly excelled when featuring the home of Chay Wike. Chay is an LA based fashion designer and owner of her eponymous boutique which stocks her own line of clothing and beautiful lifestyle pieces.

The home she shares with her musician husband, Mark Wike, and their daughters, overlooks Los Angeles and is surrounded by nature.

In keeping with the surroundings, Chay has decorated their home with a beautiful, understated elegance. She has relied on a soft, natural colour palette with delicious texture to create a stunning, welcoming and cosy home.

Crisp white walls and ceilings provide a gorgeous light and airy feel.

Although originally built in the early 1930's, the home required few renovations. One of them was to rip up the old kitchen tiles, but with a stroke of luck underneath the concrete floor was so beautiful, in all it's imperfections, that they simply left it as is other then polishing it.

Some living areas have been left in their natural state of exposed brick walls and timber ceilings. Surrounded by large windows, it creates a warm space with an abundance of natural texture.

I love this black board which, with all of it's previous drawings and rubbing out, looks like a piece of art in itself. The baskets are home to lots of toys.

The girls are fortunate enough to have the master bedroom overlooking the canyons, which allows them plenty of space to play.

While smaller, Chay and Mark's bedroom is cosy and bright. The all white walls and bed makes it look more spacious, and the rugs bring earthy colour and warmth. Such a beautiful home, don't you agree?

I'm taking a few days away from my computer while I take my girls to the lake. I will be back with you next week. You can keep an eye on our happenings on Instagram.

Bibby + Brady Products

I'm so excited to tell you about something that Dael and I have been working on. In the very near future my Cush & Nooks online shop will be transitioning into a Bibby + Brady online shop. We often get enquiries about where to purchase certain items we've used in our projects, so the shop will be stocked with furniture, lighting, and homeware items that we love to work with.

As well as products from some of our favourite suppliers, we will also have our own Bibby + Brady range, consisting of pieces that we've had made especially. Our pin leg console table is our first product. Time and time again we searched for a simple table with clean lines to use in our designs, and couldn't find quite what we wanted, hence why this leggy little lady was conceived.

Made from top quality ply, and powder coated steel legs, we will be selling the table with a range of leg colour choices. It will be sold flat-packed, with pre-drilled screw holes, and screws provided, for $599 + shipping.

We plan to extend the range to include an even slimmer table, perfect for small spaces and behind sofas, and a wider desk version too.

Our second Bibby + Brady product is this super versatile indoor/outdoor pouf. Available in a range of fabric suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, this little number can be used as a footstool, a side table, and extra seating (and if our household is anything to go by, particularly loved by little people and cats!).

I've featured three of our fabric choices here, and will show you more very soon. These poufs will sell for $169 unfilled and $199 filled + shipping.

We're really excited about the future of the Bibby + Brady shop, and the products we plan to offer you - I will let you know as soon as the shop is open. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on our table and poufs, so feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email. We have poufs available for sale now, and if you're interested in one of our tables, these will be available soon, or you can pre-order one from us now.

Capturing a Moment

One of my favourite parts of styling interiors is creating vignettes - collections of beautiful pieces that not only look pleasing, but also tell a story. It's the quickest way to bring your personality into a space. Trend forecaster (what a great job!), Anne Ziegler has mastered the art of vignettes and has created many throughout her new Los Angeles home.

White walls and blonde timber floors throughout provides a lovely base on which to layer her pieces. Everywhere you look you find gorgeous groupings and lots of yummy texture.

This (below) is one of my favourite vignettes. Your eye travels up and down the vertical line taking everything in. It's framed by the simple white curtains.

You can successfully group together pieces of a similar tone by making sure they are of varying sizes and textures - this adds interest and keeps it from looking 'blah'.

The use of art is another way to stamp your mark on your home.

And in the little nook outside the bathroom Anne uses the same vertical layering as in the living room. The little dipped stool in the bathroom beyond creates a visual link - so clever!

If you love this home as much as I do, go and get the entire tour over on Domino.