Archive | Interiors

I’m lusting after lush, well-hydrated, botanical prints like crazy. It might be the fact that Auckland is hot, yellow, scorched and parched, or that I’m still just obsessed with old hollywood glamour and turning my house in to some kind of pokey, southern hemisphere, suburban Beverly Hills Hotel, probably it’s both. It helps that emerald is the colour of 2013 and that I’ve kept my house palms alive for a month already (thanks to some help from more green fingered friends).

Of course for the ultimate in fabulous fronds, Martinique (the wallpaper designed for the Beverly Hills Hotel) is it, it’s also hard to get hold of unless you run a hotel it seems (also see Brazilliance by Dorothy Draper). So, I’ve done a round up of a few rainforest inspired interiors, wallpaper choices and accessories to get the look at (regular) home. I’m seriously regretting finding that sofa on Mr Bigglesworthy, it not being in my home is breaking my heart.

With such a statement wallpaper, classic black and brown furniture will look great (think leather safari chairs) but for me it’s the opportunity to go all out explorer and mix and match exotic curiosities – don’t forget the real plants either.

The inspiration: top: Brian Attwood & Nate Berkus’ home from Elle Decor. Lower left: The Lauders powder room (one of many I’m sure). Lower right: Marjorie Skouras home on Apartment Therapy.

The wallpapers: left top to bottom: Palm Jungle by Cole & Sons £75 per roll.  Happy Nature by Brewers Wallpapers £47.94 per roll. Happy Nature (with frogs) by Brewers Wallpapers £47.94 per roll. On right: wall mural by Mr Perswall 3.6m wide x 2.65m high, £220 (also available sans Ocelot).

The stuff: clockwise from top left: Framed Stag Beetle from The Insect Shop $38NZD, The Cockatoo print from $32NZD, The Aromatherapy Co. Rococco Kaffir Lime & Jasmine candle $30NZD, Jessica Light key tassels from Cush & Nooks $16NZD each, Faux antler chandelier from ezibuy $199NZD (I’m so excited about this – it would also look great whitewashed or sprayed a gloss colour), Glass bell jar from Madame Fancy Pants from $30NZD, Neon ostrich from Iko Iko $8.90NZD, Retro exotic birds lampshade by Bold Lampshade $200NZD, Table top yuccas from The Warehouse $14.99NZD each, Florence Broadhurst ‘Peacock’ cushion from Bolt of Cloth $79.95NZD, Bloomingville metal storage box from Perch Home $89NZD, Milo Baughman 1950′s sofa from Mr Bigglesworthy $2650NZD (isn’t this the coolest?).

Hello (so far neglected) 2013! I’m starting off the blog this year with a bit more of a style/design feature – sharing more of my design inspirations, aspirations and even a bit of modern history. Thinking about, reading about and appreciating design are some of my absolute favourite things. I love hunting for, and sourcing cool stuff, and then learning about origins, influences and provenance. I’m a nerd and I’m going to share it round.

Interior design and decoration is always a huge inspiration for my art, the designer in me is constantly thinking ahead to where the final pieces will live, and the feel and style they’ll emit. At the moment I’m working on a new collection that has a bit of a Hollywood Regency feel and I look forward to sharing it with the world. Until then, I thought I’d share a few of my favourite Regency-esque rooms.

Emerging in the 1930′s as a marriage of true old hollywood glamour and art deco modernity, Hollywood Regency is a distinct style that can be timeless and adaptable (to taste and budget) in its combination of elements. I for one, adore the controlled eclecticism, the mix of old and new and of course, the thought of reclining like a film star.

To get Hollywood Regency style, it has to combine elements of both:

Ultimate glamour: Luxe finishes and fabrics – velvet, chintz, silk, gloss, mirrored and gilded surfaces, jewel tones – emerald green, aquamarine, ruby red and rose quartz. 

30′s modernity: Geometric patterns, black and white accents (coupled with a chosen colour as above), classic furniture, cleanness in design – nothing over-stuffed or over-accessorised. This more minimalist approach to decor is a huge part of Hollywood Regency.

There is nothing cool about a room that looks straight out of a show home, so only ever use a style as a guide, not a rule book. Don’t be afraid to add elements from other eras or styles – it will only look better (e.g. a mid-century modern/Hollywood Regency/contemporary blend would look amazing).

(That orange room with the pink poodles is from Barbie’s Dream Malibu Mansion as designed by Jonathan Adler – if you haven’t seen it before, I recommend looking it up!)

Apartment styled by Myrica Bergqvist from Desire to Inspire

Nothing makes a room like a wall of well chosen art. I personally favour graphic posters and prints but whatever your preference the key to it looking amazing is actually getting it on the wall in the first place. Framing is an expensive business especially for larger or odd size pieces, but even with A4 and A5 sized works when faced with framing 10 – 20 separate pictures it pretty much always breaks the budget. Lately I’ve been looking forlornly at a stack of prints and pictures, the bare walls in my studio and ‘frameless’ hanging options. I like the idea of just going for it and washi taping up a wall full like Miss Vu but am conscious of ruining a print I might want to frame later. I love the use of trouser hangers (from Apartment Therapy) to hang larger pieces, much sleeker and unexpected than the old bulldog clips. The use of minimalist shelves to house an ever changing collection and display of art in Lisa Congdon’s studio (from SF Girl by Bay) seems like a pretty ideal solution. To make a feature of all those little postcards and doodles floating around your desk you could try using a wire with small clips or pegs. If you really like order the use of clipboards to display inspiration, swatches and small prints works well.

Best of all, just go for it, put up what you can, however you can. It will add personality, creativity and inspiration to your space no matter how it’s done.