Florence Broadhurst is one of my most favourite designers. Her designs are quite spectacular, and just as popular today as they were in the 1960's, if not more. "Cockatoos" in golden yellow is the ultimate summery pattern, and now you can purchase your very own Florence Broadhurst beach accessories from Recline - the perfect shopping destination for your outdoor lifestyle.
The Florence Broadhurst range includes everything you need for a trip to the beach. The beach towel is large and plush with retro loop tassels at each end. It comes with a handy carry strap, and fits comfortably into the matching beach tote. The tote is a generous size, with an inner lining, internal zip pocket, and a magnetic closure. Last, but definitely not least, the beach seat is super comfy, but very lightweight and easy to carry by it's adjustable carry strap.
My girls and I have tested each of these products and we think they're all absolutely brilliant! The quality is exceptional, and I love the cockatoos design. If you want to be comfortable while still looking stylish this summer, these are the products for you, and they'd make fantastic Christmas gifts.
Make sure you check out everything else that Recline has to offer too. Each product is hand-picked to make living outdoors easy and fun.
I love starting the week with a giveaway, and this one is very timely with summer and Christmas just around the corner. Patternz is a newly launched company specialising in lovely pareo and peshtemals sourced from Turkey and India. Made from 100% cotton with hand-knotted tassels, these traditional Turkish towels are lightweight, extremely absorbent, and dry five times faster than standard towels.
The larger summer blanket makes a great picnic blanket, throw, or even a tablecloth. The pareo can be used everyday at home, and because they take up very little room in your bag and dry so quickly, they're perfect to take to the beach or the gym.
Patternz are giving away one of their super light weight pareos to three lucky Cush & Nooks readers. To enter simply "like" the Patternz Facebook page, and then email me with your choice of colour - baby blue, beige, grey, navy, or yellow. We'd love it if the winners could upload a photo of their pareo to Facebook once they have it and tag Patternz. Competition open to New Zealand residents only.
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| baby blue |
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| beige |
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| grey |
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| navy |
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| yellow |
They're very simple, but beautiful products which will soften with age and use. Pick one up for yourself, or why not get one in every colour for your family's Christmas gifts. Pop over and see the full range here.
The three winners will be randomly drawn this Friday 14 November at 4pm. Winners will be contacted by email and I will also announce their names on my Facebook page. Good luck!
I've found a beautiful beach abode in Santa Barbara, Southern California, that I would happily call home. It's owner, Gina Tolleson (Miss World 1990), has filled it with gorgeous treasure that she's collected on her travels to India, Morocco, South America, Bali and Africa. She shares the home with her three sons - Carter, 16 years old, Luca, 8 years, and Tiago, 7 years.
I love the exotic, relaxed vibe this home exudes. The white walls and floors are the perfect backdrop for the layers of pattern and colour. Now that the boys are a bit older, interior designer Amanda Masters has been helping Gina make a few changes. They successfully mix Gina's global finds with modern and mid century pieces that tie in with the home's architecture.
A bird's-nest tower that's visible from the beach is Gina's special space to meditate, enjoy a glass of wine, and look at the ocean - no kids allowed! I think all parents should have a tower room like that ;)
Luca and Tiago's room is a really fun space that continues the global theme.
Gina's favourite space (and mine) is an outdoor room that open onto the courtyard. A 40th birthday trip to Rajasthan inspired her to paint the wall hot pink. Along with a bamboo lounger laden with cushions, and Balinese umbrellas, the vibrant colour creates a fabulous setting for a dinner party or cocktail evening.
I love the mix of the wooden outdoor table from India with the new wire chairs. To me this home is the perfect blend of beauty and tranquility, that's what I love!
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| photos by Nancy Neil |
Turkish towels, also known as peshtemals, are the traditional flat-woven towels used in Turkish baths, and they're becoming increasingly popular in the western world. I have had the pleasure of trying a range of Koza towels, and I am now a huge fan. Koza is founded by two brothers, both seasoned travellers - Caner and Cihan Ekmekciler were both born and raised in Izmir, in the Aegean region of Turkey. Caner now calls New Zealand home and is enjoying our beautiful lifestyle, while Cihan lives in Turkey overseeing the business and production of the Koza collection.
Their range consists of bath and beach towels, as well as gorgeous lightweight throws. The Aegina bath towel has a special woven texture, and is designed to fade slightly over time to give a beautiful vintage effect. It's highly absorbent, fast drying, and stays soft after washing - no more stiff, scratchy towels!
Aegina is available in denim blue and fuchsia rose, and soon to be released in a lovely soft brown, which I was lucky enough to try. It's generous size means it's luxurious to wrap yourself up in after a bath or shower.
The Siesta beach towel is gorgeous with it's colourful stripes. The ruby red colour-way is inspired by the sunrise and sunset, while the royal blue and petrol green are reminiscent of the beautiful Aegean sea.
We headed off to the beach with our Siesta towel. It was such a joy to pack and travel with as it's so light and compact, despite it's large size. It dried so quickly after getting wet, and then doubled as a picnic blanket.
Of all the towels I think the Trendy beach towel is my favourite. It's really smart with it's pinstripes in bright red, royal blue, or beige, and it comes with it's own little matching carry bag.
On one side is the traditional woven Turkish towel, and on the other is a soft terry cloth texture, making it extra snuggly for the kids after a dip in the pool. This towel would be just as perfect at the beach as it would at home in the bathroom.
If you're looking for a gift, Koza's range has something for everyone. They'd make fabulous Christmas presents, or treat yourself to a new set for your bathroom. They offer free shipping in New Zealand and to Australia. Using 100% natural fibres and century old knowledge, combined with modern technology, the Koza products are durable and luxurious with traditional detailing that will stay soft over time. I've shown you a few of their products but there is much more, so be sure to check out the full range.
I know I've been missing in action - last week was spent with my family in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in Australia. It was an amazing holiday in a spectacular part of the world. It was all about the kids, so we did the theme parks, cuddled koalas, patted the kangaroos, and hit the beaches.
I left everything but my phone at home, and any internet access was few and far between. But you know you have the best job when you miss work while on holiday! It was brilliant quality family time, but I was craving some interior goodness. I did find inspiration in our tropical surroundings, in the tiles at Chocolateria San Churro (that place was dangerous!), and even managed to squeeze in a quick shopping trip to Black & Spiro - heaven! It's nice to come home though, even when the temperature's a good 10 degrees colder. I look forward to bringing you some great posts this week and catching up on all things interior.
Welcome to another fabulous week. I have just had a marathon of a weekend with my young daughter at her Cheerleading comp down in Wellington. We left midday on Friday and got home late last night, and can I just say how immensely proud I am of Mia and her team who were amazing, and placed 2nd up against some much bigger clubs! It's a gorgeous day here in Hawke's Bay today, and even though I'd quite like to be relaxing here (see below), it's time to focus on work. So wishing you all a Happy Monday, and I'll be back tomorrow with lots of interior inspiration.
Byron Bay is somewhere I'd love to visit. I like the idea of the laid-back lifestyle, sunshine, beaches, friendly people, and great little shops and cafes. Where better to enjoy all those things than at Atlantic Byron Bay?!
I came across this amazing accommodation on my internet travels and have bookmarked it incase I ever make it to Byron Bay - this is definitely where I'd like to stay. Three original beach cottages have been transformed into Caribbean style plantation houses linked by sun bleached paths. It's the perfect holiday setting, nestled amongst tropical gardens with the rainforest reserve as a backdrop. Beautiful beaches and surf breaks are only a stroll away.
The attention to detail is brilliant when it comes to the decor. A colour palette borrowed straight from the beach, and lots of seaside paraphernalia set the scene. Relaxed and inviting, the furniture is all quite gorgeous, and there are plenty of outdoor spots to relax and entertain, including a super cool American Airstream Trailer.
If you're planning a trip to this gorgeous part of the world, I highly recommend checking out Atlantic Byron Bay. Send me a postcard :)
