“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Archive for August 2009
New range from Casa Mia
Casa Mia have just released a new range of Italian inspired furniture.
I love the lines of the new pieces. They would look good at any dining table.
Many of their frames are imported from Italy and upholstered here. That gives you the best of both worlds. Too often imported items have little choice when it comes to fabric so it’s nice to see an Australian firm giving us what we want. Casa Mia can be ordered through Inside Out Colour and Design. Contact us for details.
Dog Day Afternoon
Ming and Coco - they're mine
I can’t help it, I’m a sucker for a dog. I love going to visit my clients and especially those with a dog. I take bones for them and always give them lots of pats and I remember all their names.
Spanky relaxing
When I revisit to take my “after” shots I love having the dog in the photo. I think it adds character to the photographs. It makes the home look like someone really does live there.
So I was very sad to hear that one of my friends passed away last week. Zoe, the very friendly labrador in these shots.
Zoe
Thanks for being my friend Zoe. I’ll miss ya.
Welcoming Committee - Zoe
Aussie Back Yards
Wall Mural by Emma Burmeister
I loved this image when I saw it in a recent Australian House and Garden. This small house in Melbourne has virtually no outdoor living area other than the courtyard. So mural artist Emma Burmeister was called in to give the family what nearly every other Aussie family has (or wants) – a Hills Hoist (for drying clothes, there’s nothing like it), a weber barbeque for the snags (sausages), a sprinkler (not used so much these days in view of the drought), a backyard cricket set and Dad has a beloved Victa motor mower. The quirkiness of the image appeals to me, it would make me smile every time I stepped outside.
Spring is in the air
I love these blossoms as they are the promise of Spring.
Peach Flowers
Someone, many years ago, planted a row of them in our local main street.
I took this photo last year when they were all in full flower
They look so pretty when they are all in flower.
Riddle Me This?
What do you get when you add a white console table
to a pony skin chair and stool
throw in a standard lamp
and a butler’s tray.
Lay it all down on a woollen rug
and sprinkle it with bespoke cushions?
A trade display site at a local shopping centre’s Home Bazaar!
This is where I will be for the next five days, talking to people about colour, decor and design.
Hope you have a good week, too.
Art For Art’s Sake
One of the last things I’m often asked to advise on when working with a client, is their art. Not so much which type of are, but rather which part of the wall should the piece be placed. It’s usually the last thing that goes up and marks those freshly painted or renovated walls so I understand the trepidation felt.
The most important aspect of hanging art is to make sure the centre of the artwork is at eye level. This is so the average person can peer straight into the painting. Those of us that are vertically challenged need to take this into consideration and take it up a few centimetres. However as we all know, rules were meant to be broken.
Artworks from Floor To Ceiling
Another great tip for hanging art is to hang a large piece off centre and group two or more smaller pieces to one side, rather than on either side.
Arrange clusters of separately framed photos, rather than multiple photos in one frame.
As they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and this should be kept in mind when you are buying art for your own home. What appeals to you will not necessarily appeal to everyone, but if you are living with your piece then it must have some meaning to you. It should evoke a memory such as something you have purchased on a holiday, or it should tell a story like a historical piece or it should get you thinking.
Shell Money from Solomon Islands
These were my daughter's baby shoes. Too cute for hand me downs.
I don’t think a house looks lived in until there are pieces on the wall. It doesn’t have to be expensive artworks (although my artist Mother would say this is a good option). Think outside the frame and consider other options for decorating the walls.
Plate wall by Lisa Congdon
Hall of Mirrors
Framed
If you were styling your home for sale, then that’s the time to purchase or rent artwork that sits well with the decor. The subject matter at this time should be fairly neutral too. It’s amazing that some people just can’t see past what’s in front of them and an “out there” artwork may detract from the reason these people are in your home in the first place.
So this weekend, have a look at what’s hanging on your walls and maybe change things around or put up new items. Whatever you do, enjoy your weekend.
Rug Up at Government House
Government House, Sydney
Last night I attended the Rug Up Design Forum which was held in the Grand Ballroom of Government House. What a magnificent building. I’ve lived in Sydney for 7 years and never visited this Historic House. Australia is only 200 years old and you forget we do have some beautiful old buildings. I have just finished reading The Secret River by Kate Grenville which is a fictional novel following the journey of one of the early settlers of the Hawkesbury River just north of Sydney. It was interesting to have that insight into Sydney’s early days and then be standing on this historic spot.
Drinks in the arcade
The panel on the design forum included Yosi Tal from Designer Rugs, Akira Isogawa, Fashion Designer, Liane Rossler from Dinosaur Designs, Julie Patterson of Cloth Fabric and Harold Luke of Whitecliffe Imports. Lead by Neale Whittaker from Belle Magazine the panel discussed the art and romance of rugs.
Designer Rugs started in 1986 when no-one was making rugs in Australia. In 2005 they ran a fundraising event to design a rug with the funds going towards the charity Camp Quality. This was a very successful event and showcased Australian Designers. From there, the idea to ask Australian Designers to collaborate on rug designs evolved with each of the three designers on the panel having a collection of rugs manufactured by Designer Rugs.
Cloth Rug on Display at Government House
It was interesting to hear where these designers fine the inspiration for their designs and how they then translate them to their respective products and now rugs. The common challenge each of them find is working on such a large scale as a 2m x 3m rug and handing their designs over to other people to produce. They all consider themselves part of a cottage industry and are all very “hands-on” with their designs, manufacturing and marketing. Liane called the rugs, jewellery for the home and I liked that.
Akira Rug on display at Government House
One thing that was evident from this conversation was that each of the designers are passionate and dedicated about their work. Julie likened her creativity to a stock. You put all the good ingredients in and keep it simmering away until you are ready to cook. Liane said the most important thing is to have contentment and enjoyment in what you do, any success that comes along is a bonus. Akira said his challenge is to keep inspired and passionate.
It was wonderful to hear these amazing people and have a little insight into their thought process. Designer Rugs has done a wonderful job of blurring boundaries and bringing fashion, design and art together.
InterfaceFLOR
As part of Saturday in Design, but way before and a little bit afterwards, InterfaceFLOR have given 5 design firms a brief to come up with an interesting way to “decorate” the floor. Flooring is so often not considered as a space to be decorated rather just a space that everything else sits on. This project is to make designers think about the floor as the 5th Wall, to be a integral component to design.
Sheargold/Sally Hieatt have explored the perception of depth in design.
Davenport Campbell were looking for fun and adventure.
Hassell want no boundaries.
Woods Bagot like the unexpected
and Geyer are taking a pause.
The final interpretations are on display at InfaceFLOR Showroom in Surry Hills and you are encouraged to vote for your favourite. Voting closes on 12 August so make sure you visit in person or go the Facebook page to have a look at the stories behind the amazing entries.
I’ve cast my vote. Which one catches your imagination?
Last Stop – Saturday in Design
It’s getting the late, the sun has dropped and the cool air is descending on Surry Hills but it hasn’t depleted the crowd. Living Edge Studio was packed probably because they were offering drinks from 4pm and noodle boxes.
Living Edge Studio
It was a bit hard to see the items on display with so many people around but I was amazed at the intricacy of the champagne corks from Chandon. They were chairs! Each chair was made from the top of a champagne bottle – the cork, the foil, the wire that holds the cork in place and the metal tag on top of the cork. They were unique. I have no idea who did them or why but I loved them. The following night we were at friends’ place celebrating his recent promotion and I couldn’t help trying to replicate one of the chairs with the paraphernalia that came from the top of our champagne bottle. Hours of entertainment!
Well that wraps up my Saturday in Design. It was such a great day as always. Next year the event will be in Melbourne. I love Melbourne but sometimes these things are more enjoyable in your home town. To go or not to go, that is the question.
