Heart Home Spring 2013

I'm very lucky to be one of the bloggers that has been given a sneak preview of Heart Home magazine's spring edition. This issue is extra exciting with some major digital improvements, all to make life easier for us, the reader... 

The first is that Heart Home is now available completely on all devices without redirecting iPad users. Also video clips are now embedded into the mag, so you can watch, pause and rewind the clip without leaving the page. And leaving the best til' last, shopping all the gorgeous products in the magazine is super easy. All product images are linked to Clippings.com where you can add it to a wishlist, read more information, or click through to buy it from the store - sounds dangerous! ;)

Here in New Zealand we're enjoying some beautiful Autumn sunshine, but of course in the UK they're celebrating Spring. And looking at this beautiful image you'd be forgiven for thinking this was one of our local beaches.

Heart Home is embracing Spring by showcasing a plethora of gorgeous colour...

Some inspiring interiors...

And, lots of talented people...

But despite my well-known love of colour, I couldn't resist showing you the home of one of my favourite bloggers, Nina Holst. Her blog Stylizimo was initially a way to stay in touch with her Norwegian roots after moving to Los Angeles. But as her passion for interior design grew, so did her blog and her following. Today she has one of the most well known and loved blogs, chocka block full of divine Scandinavian inspiration. And her home doesn't disappoint - oh so style-y!

All Nina's photographs in this feature she took herself (multi-talented!), and the article was written by Victoria Dockrell. You'll love this edition, which is due to go live Thursday 7 March 12pm (noon) GMT, which is 1am Friday 8 March here in NZ. 

Speaking of dates, I forgot to mention that Monday 4 March, was Cush & Nooks' 2nd birthday. So raise your glasses for a belated toast - cheers! x

Get That Look

Two of my favourite interior design styles are Bohemian and Scandinavian, as you will probably know if you've been following my blog for a while. So today I've selected a photo depicting both styles and a few products that can help you to achieve the look yourself.

Bohemian style is all about layering pattern & colour, ethnic influences and keep it relaxed.

via

kantha quilt | kitty wall decal | velvet pom pom cushion

Scandinavian style is clean and more minimal. Typically with lots of white and accents of black, grey and warm wood tones.

via

fur throw | you x me print | hanging pod chair

Scandinavia Meets New York

Dumbo may not be the most glamorous name, but the tiny neighbourhood in Brooklyn,
New York is a place you should definitely visit if you get the chance. Full of fabulous art galleries, restaurants and interesting shops, it has spectacular views of Manhattan and New York's beautiful bridges. Dumbo is actually an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, and it's here, overlooking the East River, that Swedish-born Sebastian Stubbe and his American girlfriend Karis Durmer now call home.

The couple had been searching for the perfect industrial warehouse to transform into their home. They had nearly given up hope finding it, when they heard through a friend of a friend about this old factory building in the heart of Dumbo. Although Dumbo is now a hive of artistic activity, at the time it was still somewhat undiscovered. Sebastian and Karis knew this was it. Rugged and dirty though it was, the building had large windows overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, and a magical feel that was irresistible to them.

With a shared love of art and interiors the duo transformed the space into a gorgeous loft with a blend of Swedish, New York and London influences. I'm completely in love with it - the beautiful, clean Scandinavian aesthetics, with an industrial edge, and just a hint of quirkiness. The large mirror leaned casually against the wall, at first glance looks like another doorway in the living area.

Surrounded by an eclectic mix of art, the tv cleverly blends in rather than being the focal point. The bright green of the cabinet is echoed in the single green dining chair.

What can I say about the bathroom other than 'yum!' The combination of white tiles and soft grey marble creates a beautiful, subtle statement.

And the colour theme flows over into the luxuriously spacious toilet. Including a photo montage in the loo is another shot of personality in a room that can often be a bit sterile.

What do you think? Haven't Sebastian and Karis done a fantastic job?! - yes, yes, YES!

Surrounded by Colour

It's been a while since I've featured a Scandinavian home on the blog. When I came across the Swedish home of Klara Ripa and her family, I was drawn in by the vibrant colours and creative touches throughout. Klara shares more of her creativity on her blog Pippivogel.

Simple paper shapes sewn on to string and strung across the ceiling make a happy display.

A cabinet once covered in wallpaper has been stripped bare by the kids. This is something I'm all too familiar with - my twins used to tear strips off their walls, as two year olds, instead of taking their afternoon naps - grrrr!

Why have standard drawer handles when you can string beads across instead?!

Not even the bathroom gets away untouched. Self adhesive vinyl is cut to fit a row of tiles.

Obviously no one takes themselves too seriously in this family, it looks like a pretty fun place to live. To see even more colour, pop over to Dos Family.

Take a Breath

With all the craziness that comes a week before Christmas, this home will help to soothe your soul and ease your stresses away. Stop, take a breath, and drink in the tranquility!

The Danish home has a beautiful light and open feel created by the white walls and ceiling, light parquet floors, and large french doors that open out to gorgeous views. The door between the living room and kitchen has been removed, the space widened, and a built-in bookshelf added to accentuate the open living.

Posters from Theatre Republique in Copenhagen bring pops of neon colour to the otherwise quiet colour scheme.

Lisa Quinn-Schofield - Featherhorse

One of the things I love about blogging is the amazing network of like-minded friends I have made from all over the world. One such person, Lisa Quinn-Schofield, is like a kindred spirit. We found each other via Facebook and Pinterest, and it became very apparent how similar our tastes are. Lisa has a Facebook page under her business name of Featherhorse, where she shares her love of interiors, art and design.

After swapping emails we realised just how similar our lives were - passionate about interior design, mothers of young daughters, married to surfer boys, lovers of Scandi meets boho meets retro vintage!... So I was thrilled when Lisa agreed to let me do a feature on her gorgeous home, and ask her a few questions.

Lisa and her husband Trent have lived in their Western Australia home for three years now. They share it with their two beautiful daughters, Sana age 5, Arlie age 1, and also Hudson their gorgeous weimarana dog. After renovating two other homes, they fell in love with the location of their current home, which is a five minute drive to the beach, perfect for Trent, who is a keen surfer. 

With Trent's background in horticulture (and now real estate) and Lisa's in design, they have used their talents to turn their house into a stunning family haven. Lisa is a talented artist and is currently working on a body of art work. She balances this with motherhood, and working part time at Coco Republic assisting with styling and decorating.

The lounge: Lisa painted the yellow X on a plain cushion and made another with
leftover Florence Broadhurst's Stampede fabric; the others are from Ikea and Spotlight.
The yellow side table is from Freedom, and the rug a great find from Spotlight.
The Osborne & Little wallpaper beyond echoes the golden tones.

Lounge details: A Phillipe Stark ghost chair contrasts nicely with a sculptural coat rack from Empire.
Lisa's creativity, and touches of yellow, can be found in her woven sticks and dream catcher.

Dining and kitchen: Lisa's love of Scandinavian design is evident here in the clean lines,
and black & white colour scheme. The warm, golden hues in the replica tolix chairs and
accessories, keep the continuity flowing from the living room. 

Dining reverse: The curves in the round mirror, the chairs, the painting,
and the cowhide, counterbalance the hard lines found in the other furniture.

Dining details: Treasures and momentos add personality.

Dining corners: A beautiful mix of textures. The chair covered in
Florence Broadhurst's Stampede fabric sits below one of Lisa's paintings.

Bedroom: Lisa & Trent's bedroom has a sophisticated beachy feel - a perfect blend of the two of them.
A neutral base is layered with pattern and texture to create a beautiful oasis.
The artwork above the bed is by Lisa.

Bedroom: Layers of subtle texture and pattern.

Arlie's room: Again you can see the Scandinavian influence - the art on the wall is by Lisa, and she made
the owls too. Also a touch of girly beach culture in the VW - a tea towel stretched over a canvas.

Art: A stunning ink work by Lisa. She likes the lines created by using a stick,
and it doesn't suck up the ink like a pen or brush would.

Art: A dream catcher and God's eye (woven sticks) by Lisa.

Where do you get your interior inspiration?

So many places... fashion, nature, vintage, modern. I'm totally inspired by interior designer and stylist, Sibella Court. I love the way she mixes curiosities and found treasures in her interiors - it's unpredictable and unique, and also very personal. I also love the simplicity of Scandinavian design, the muted palette and their love of nature. And I really enjoy the styling of Jason Grant - it's clever, cheeky and fun.

What's your advice to others when it comes to decorating their home?

Get inspired and get real; be true to yourself - don't be afraid to break the rules when decorating your own space. It should be a reflection of you and what you love to be surrounded by. I buy neutral, classic furniture pieces and then go nuts with the accessories. I'm not precious with the decorative pieces - ornaments, throws, cushions, art, even paint and wallpaper - I move them around, change them, re-paint, re-cover. I'm always experimenting, my home is ever evolving. Also, upcycle - use found objects and give them new life. Some of my favourite pieces are things we've found on the side of the road.

This is one talented, stylish gal! Make sure you 'like' her on Facebook to see all her upcoming artwork, and be inspired daily be her interiors images. Check her out on Pinterest too. All photos above are by Lanie Sims Photography.