DIY Decor Projects

The school holidays are drawing to an end - phew! I often post DIY projects that you can do with/for your kids over the holidays, but I've found a few super cute decor projects that you might want to try when you have a quiet, child-free moment.

As you know, animal print is very popular at the moment, and I've seen some gorgeous leopard print wallpaper around. If you're the creative type you will be a whizz at painting your own spots with the help of a stencil and a steady hand. It will be time consuming, but the end result is pretty amazing.

Perhaps you're a dab hand with a needle and thread, then this gorgeous tassel blanket will be easy for you to create.

You can find many amazing Ikea-hack projects online and this Mr. Moon lamp is one of my favourites.

Mr. Moon's face has been borrowed from the print by Martin Krusche and hand painted onto an Ikea Fado table lamp. What a sweet little bedside light it makes.

Another simple and very effective Ikea-hack is this little reading corner. Use Ikea shelves to form the bench seat with built-in storage, and top with your choice of cushioning. A piece of foam cut to size with a brightly coloured cover would be ideal.

Do any of these projects inspire you to get creating, if so, which one? I think I'm going to try the Mr. Moon lamp for the twins' room.

Laid-back Style

As I get ready to board a plane to Australia, I'm trying to relax and get into holiday mode. But because there's so much to organise when you travel with a young family, not to mention run your own business, it's all been a bit hectic leading up to now. Just looking at this gorgeous and very chilled home in Silverlake, LA is helping me feel more relaxed.

Owned by a couple of creatives - Jessica de Ruiter is a fashion stylist, and Jed Lind is a sculptor/designer - the home has a very interesting history (read about it here). Renovations and upgrades were required, but Jed wanted the footprint of the house to remain true.

Jessica is passionate about textiles and has upholstered all the sofas in Libeco - a beautiful Belgian linen. She also has a major rug obsession (like me!) and has used lots of Moroccan rugs, kilims, and vintage ikat cushions to soften the sharper angles.

Most of the house features a restrained, sophisticated colour palette, but a picture wall brings a shot of colour to the living room.

I love the built-in daybed in little James' room - such a cosy place to curl up, and so practical with all that storage (spoken like the mother of three kids!).

The bedroom is pared back style, particularly serene and peaceful. I love how the picture on the left balances the window. The side tables were made by Jed - so clever!

The use of gorgeous materials and subtle colour and texture continues in the bathroom with it's travertine vanity, rustic wooden bench, and gold leaf mirror.

To complete this oasis of calm is a very inviting swimming pool. If this was my home I may never feel the need to holiday again!

photos by Douglas Friedman

Next week, while I'm in Australia, I am taking a rare break from the blog. I know I'm going to miss y'all, but it will be great to spend some quality time with my family. If I can work out the international roaming bizo, I'll post some pics to my instagram. Be back soon!

Indoor/Outdoor Pouf | Bibby + Brady

Dael & I are really excited about our Bibby + Brady online shop, and the products we plan to introduce. Some of our Cush & Nooks favourites will remain, like the beautiful hanging pod chairs, the wall decals, tassel necklaces, and more. We will slowly be adding new products to the range - pieces we like to use in our own homes and in the homes of our clients. Some are Bibby + Brady designs - products we've wanted to use but couldn't find quite what we were after, so we've created our own.

The first of these products are these super cute indoor/outdoor poufs. I had a similar pouf in the Cush & Nooks shop a while ago, and they sold out within days. I kept one for myself, and it's the most versatile little piece of furniture. The kids pull it out to use as a seat all the time (and it's big enough for adults to sit on too); it makes a great footstool; and I often use it as a little coffee table too. If you're a cat owner beware - they love them too, so you may have to fight them for it :)

I would've loved to have been able to take my original pouf outside, but it wouldn't have withstood the elements. Dael & I have chosen a range of beautifully patterned indoor/outdoor fabrics for our range, so that you can use them anywhere in your home. The base is made from black indoor/outdoor fabric, so it's super practical, and the fabric is stain resistant and easily cleaned with a damp cloth. An extra base with a zip lines the bottom, so that if the first zip is accidentally opened, the beans inside won't escape.

This is just the first of some exciting new products, so if you want to be the first to see new additions, make sure you sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of our homepage.

Kerferd | Whiting Architects

Sometimes I come across an image in Pinterest that I love, and on further investigation I find it's just one of many beautiful photographs from the same home. That's when I know I have to share that home with you. This stunning home is by Melbourne architecture and interior design practice Whiting Architects. Obviously a dynamic duo, architect Steven Whiting and creative director Carole Whiting oversee eight more talented staff members.

I just love the beautiful simplicity and honesty of the materials used in this home. A gorgeous Scandinavian colour palette of black, white and warm wood has been used throughout, with the addition of lots of yummy texture.

There are several nooks (you know I love them!) including this small space that creates an entrance. A table and a piece of art welcome you into the house.

Pushing two tables together to create a large table top is a fantastic idea, if you're lucky enough to have the room. The tables sit on a platform raised above the kitchen floor, which helps to define the two areas.

Another little nook at the end of the kitchen provides a lovely sunny spot to relax.

Above the kitchen is a narrow office. Touches of red and pink help to bring warmth to the mainly white space.

I'm a big fan of delicious linen sheets, and I absolutely love the headboard with the buttons - do you think it's actually a duvet cover that's been re-purposed?

Not to disappoint, the bathrooms are also amazing, carrying on the colour theme and the simple, clean lines. Curves have been used to soften the straight lines, in the bath, the mirrors, the wall hooks, and the stool.

I just love this home, it's really beautiful but restrained, I'm so inspired. For more inspiration pop over and check out more projects by Whiting Architects.

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.