Favourite Finds

Boy, it's been a while since I've done a "favourite finds" blog post, but I've been really busy pinning, posting, saving, coveting, discovering, watching and learning, so there's lots to show you. Friday seems like the perfect day to share some of these things with you, and you may even decide to try or check them out for yourself over the weekend.

I recently pinned this gorgeous kitchen and shared it on Facebook. The beautiful Morris & Co wallpaper was originally designed in 1876, but still looks amazing in this modern day space. I love it teamed with the crisp white tiles - green and white is a favourite kitchen colour combo of mine, it's so fresh. The wood and copper accents help to bring out the blush of the flowers. Old and new, it's the way to go.

In my job I use a camera a lot to take 'before' and 'after' photos of our clients' spaces, as well as pics for our Instagram feed. We have a large SLR camera that we use for work purposes, but more often than not it's just my iPhone that gets used for everyday snaps. I recently came across the Olympus Pen E-PL7, and it's now high on my wish list.

As well as looking super cute, it's small and compact enough to carry in my handbag, while serious enough to take some great photos. The LCD screen flips down, and can be turned around around making it the perfect selfie accessory (not that I'm a selfie kinda gal).

Definitely my favourite new app is PocketYoga. For just over NZ$5 you can download the app to your phone and/or tablet and be ready to practice your yoga anytime, anywhere. I absolutely love it! You can choose between different practices, different durations and different difficulty levels. Wherever you are, home or away, just roll out your yoga mat, make your selections and you're ready to go. With soothing background music, let a calm voice talk you through the practice. Once downloaded you don't need wifi to use the app, so it's great to take on holiday with you.

I came across these wise words earlier this week and I knew I had to share them with you. So true, and such good advice. Make sure you follow this link and read them all.

Every year on my birthday, I always ask for the same thing - no fighting from my kids, and pizza and bubbles for dinner (I'm easy to please). This Friday Night Pizza is the best, and since it's Friday you should make it tonight - everyone will love you for it. If you live in Napier, pop into Vetro for your prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and other cheeses. They also sell the delicious Pizza Pazzi bases. Or if you can't be bothered cooking, just buy the whole thing from Pizza Pazzi.

If I'm not drinking bubbles with my pizza (sometimes I'm the responsible driver) I'll be drinking my new favourite, Höpt Soda. My friend Mandy introduced me to it, and it's so delicious. I like to pour mine into a wine glass or one of our crystal tumblers, and have even tried it with a splash of gin (when I'm not the driver, of course) - yum! There are four delicious flavours. I have now tried them all and my favourite is Pear & Basil.

I'm currently saving for a pair of Juliette Hogan Japanese Denim Ankle Jeans. I'm a huge JH fan, and these jeans are the perfect length, just above the ankle. They look fab with heels, ankle boots, sneakers, and even my fave pair of Havianas. Can't wait to get them in my wardrobe.

Last on my list to share with you today are my two latest TV obsessions. I had heard a lot of hype about the series Breaking Bad, so over the holidays I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I'm now midway into season 3 and am well and truly hooked. Sometimes I cringe, but you just have to keep watching to see what happens. 

And new to TV One and OnDemand is the series Blindspot. We've only seen one episode so far, but already I love it, and am intrigued to see the mysteries unravel each week. Check it out this weekend, and let me know your thoughts on it (and any of my favourite finds).

Stormy Seas

I spent many hours and days of my childhood playing in the surf at Wainui Beach. As I grew older I became a little intimidated by the ocean and it's strength, but I've never stopped admiring it's beauty. I am drawn to the colours - the glittering turquoise of a calm sea, and the emerald greens and deep teals of a stormy sea.

It's this rich, dark, and moody palette that I'm really loving right now. I love the drama and the sophistication it brings to a room. I would recommend using these colours in a room with plenty of natural light, because you get the most beautiful effect as the light moves and changes in the room. If the room lacks natural light the colour may just appear a bit flat.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Despite the fact that my school uniform was green and blue, I still love this combination in an outfit. Choose shades with some depth for maximum impact.

1 | 2

If you're not sure about using these deeper colours on your wall, start by introducing them in smaller doses. Whenever you're working with colour, whether it's in your home or your wardrobe, make sure it moves you (in a good way). What colours are you drawn to when you enter a shop? What pages stop you in your tracks in a magazine? These are the colours you should be surrounding yourself with.

Girl in Sea Print: Bibby + Brady | Deadly Ponies Handbag: Superette | Resin Bowl: Dinosaur Designs | Monmouth Tumbler: Mekka | Essie Nail Polish: Farmers | Ceramic Whale: Bibby + Brady | Burberry Prorsum Jacket: Sohelee Tahmina | Luxembourg Bar Trolley: Jardin | Blue Velvet Sofa: order via Bibby + Brady

Decorating with colour in 2016

You've probably all seen the Pantone colours for 2016 - for the first time it's a blend of two shades, rose quartz and serenity. The soft tones are restful and calm, just what we need in our ever-increasing busy lives. Rose quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.

I love the idea of introducing these colours into your wardrobe for a feminine hit. Mix some darker tones in for a bit of depth, as you would if you were highlighting your hair. One overall tone could be a bit boring.

In your home layer the softer tones with warm wood, leather and copper, or a hit of black and white for a more Scandi look.

If you're not much of a pastel lover here are a few other colours I think would look incredible. Maybe 2016 is your year to be bold and step outside the box. I predict that blue will remain popular. Think the azure blues of Morocco and Greece, beautiful cobalt French blues, and the fresh combo of navy and white.

How about grey with a hint of purple for a really sophisticated feel. Look out for more panelling, which I love. It adds subtle texture and is super classy.

Emerald green brings the outside in and looks gorgeous with other jewel tones such as turquoise, sapphire and citrine.

Or why not be really brave and embrace a delicious golden yellow?! It adds so much warmth and energy.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

If you need any help with colour in your home, be it paint colours, fabric, or artwork, contact Dael or I. Colour is something we're passionate about and we have a number of tried and tested paint colours and favourite fabrics that we'd love to advise you on.

Establishing Your Style

Last week I was contacted by the lovely Tina from Roomie. She was putting together an article for Stuff and asked if I could share one of our most commonly asked design questions. I was happy to help, and decided to focus on a question that I think is very important... how to establish an interior style...

via

We often work with clients who want help defining their style. Some people were born knowing it, and for others it takes time. Your home should be an extension of you, it should reflect your likes and interests, tell a story, and celebrate the people that live there.

via

Try looking to your wardrobe for inspiration. What colours, patterns and textures are you drawn to? What places make you feel happy - the beach, a certain cafe…? Try and translate that feeling into your home.

via

via

via

via

Definitely the most favoured Bibby + Brady tool for establishing your style is Pinterest - a free website that enables you to ‘pin’ images from anywhere on the internet to your own pin boards. If you don’t already know your style, you will be surprised how quickly a pattern emerges once you start pinning.

Even if, and when, you find your style and know what you love, you still may want help pulling it all together. Maybe you don't know where to start looking for that perfect piece of furniture that is unique to you; or you're just so busy with the rest of your life that finding the time to design and decorate your home is tough... This is where Bibby + Brady can help. Dael and I specialise in creating amazing spaces that reflect their owners. Our job is to make things easier for you, and in the process of creating a home that you'll love, I'm pretty sure we'll also save your huge amount of time, and money (by avoiding costly mistakes). Come and visit us!

Introducing shoptrawl

I've got a brilliant new website to introduce you to... shoptrawl is a one-stop online shopping destination for Australian and New Zealand furniture, homeware and fashion design. All your favourite designers and stores in one place for your ease and convenience.

The website evolved when co-founders, Victoria Hamilton (Melbourne-based), Sally Langford (Sydney-based), and Anna Agnola (Brisbane-based) became frustrated at having to bookmark so many of their favourite sites. The idea evolved when they realised there wasn't a single online resource where you could simultaneously see, save, and share all the products you loved from your favourite shops and designers.

You start by creating a FREE 'my shoptrawl' account. By clicking on the heart shape in the product information it saves that product to your wishlist. You can click on the star to save a store or designer to your 'favourites', allowing you to easily search for products from your favourite places. You can share your finds with friends, either individual products or email your entire wishlist - perfect for sending the hubby before your birthday, or maybe even as your wedding register.

When the team at shoptrawl invited me to do a Guest Edit, I jumped at the chance. I love the concept, and they have an excellent selection of products and designers, like Bonnie and Neil, Homebase Collection, Jane Denton, Rachel Castle, Sass & Bide, and many more. I have chosen my top 12 products and saved them to my wishlist. It was really hard to stop at 12, I could easily have tripled that! Check out my picks here.

shoptrawl doesn't stock, sell or ship any of the products. When you're ready to purchase you are re-directed to the website of the original store or designer. I highly recommend you head over to shoptrawl right now, sign up and start shopping. I know you're going to love this site - you can thank me later ;)

Fashion Match | Three Ways

I love matching fashion and interiors, as you can see here. There's definitely a strong correlation between the two - people's wardrobes give you a strong indication of their interior style. I've picked three outfits I'm loving at the moment to match to a room.

My favourite pants right now are these super comfy 'swag pants' from Moochi. Dress them up or down, and don't they look fantastic with a classic striped tee?!

interior

I love this shirt style 'Amelie Coco' dress from Mister Zimi. It looks fantastic teamed with their gorgeous 'chestnut Juno boots'.

interior

Augustine is another favourite label of mine, and I love the colour blocking in this hot pink 'Freya split cardi' - cute and cosy.

interior

What do you think of my match-ups? Check out your wardrobe... does it reflect your surroundings?

From Fashion to Home

"Colour is key to creating your style, be it in the home or on the catwalk". I am in total agreement with these wise words from the team at Dulux, who collaborated with two amazing Australian fashion labels as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. Dulux teamed up with Gorman and Romance Was Born to combine the latest fashion and interior trends.

As you can see from previous posts, here and here, I love the crossover between the world of interiors and fashion. So I've taken a couple of New Zealand designers, Karen Walker and Trelise Cooper, and trawled through my Pinterest living rooms board to create these matches.

If you ever need inspiration for your interiors, look in your wardrobe or flick through a fashion magazine. You'll find clothes with colours and textures that you're drawn to, try including these into your home to reflect your style.

The offices of Free People

Have you heard of Free People? It's one of my favourite online fashion shops - down to earth, free-spirited, Boho at it's best. They have a great background story too, which you can read here.

I recently stumbled upon the amazing offices of Free People while reading French blog, Garance Doré. I've worked in some cool, and some not-so-cool office in the past, but if any of them had been as fabulous as this, it would've been a pleasure going to work each day.

Located in Philadelphia, they reflect the Free People image perfectly - relaxed and cool - and are complete with a book store, two restaurants, a workout room, and you can even take your dog to work - yay! With meeting rooms everywhere you can choose where you want to work, which is super inspiring. Especially in a creative job, you sometimes just need a fresh environment to recharge your brain and your senses.

It's obvious Free People value their staff and treat them accordingly. What do you think... would you be happy to work in this environment?