“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 2010
On the inside
Lately I’ve been noticing a number of cupboards with colour on the inside.
This is a great way to add a touch of colour to your home without feeling that the colour may be too overwhelming.
via Luxury iHouse Design
It also creates a great backdrop for the items you are putting in the cupboard or on the shelves.
via DIY Ideas
Australian Architect, Scott Weston is a master of hidden colour and uses it in nearly all of his homes.
Internal Carcass by Scott Weston
An easy DIY project, you could add some colour or wallpaper to the back of one of your cupboards.
via Living etc
If you would like assistance in creating YOUR harmonious environment, contact us for details of our design services.
Coco Republic
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the launch of the Coco Republic Design Centre at Alexandria, last night. 
Coco Republic has built a large, strong following over the last 10 years with most visitors to one of its showrooms wishing they were walking away with something. From beautiful sofas, to stunning dining room tables or dreamy bedroom pieces, there is something for every style of home and decor at Coco.
Andrew Martin
Now the retailer has a wonderful space at Alexandria, which was embarked upon in the middle of the GFC. No mean feat, but it looks like paying off as we are slowly emerging back into some form of “normal” life. The centre houses the newly formed Coco Republic Design School, Coco Republic’s Interior Design team and the home of big brands including Calvin Klein Home, Oly San Francisco, Andrew Martin and Lauren Ralph Lauren.
Here’s a peak at the some of the furniture on display.
Look at the size of those side tables?
Lauren Ralph Lauren
Don’t those champagne buckets look gorgeous full of white roses?
Lauren Ralph Lauren
What a fabulous desk with more nooks and crannies to display your collectibles or trophies.
Lauren Ralph Lauren
I loved this club chair covered in a floral, it just takes the edge of the masculine domain.
Lauren Ralph Lauren
What's with the gymnastics horse in the corner?
Can’t wait to find a client who would like a helicopter in their lounge room.
Andrew Martin
If you’re in Melbourne this weekend, Emma Jay is having their Crazy Factory Sale with prices starting from $2. Sale is on today 8.30am – 6.30pm and tomorrow 10am – 4pm at 364 Bay Street, Port Melbourne.
Plume Cushions
Have a wonderful weekend.
If you would like assistance in creating YOUR harmonious environment, contact us for details of our design services.
Asian Inspiration II
I posted some pics of a job I have been working on, a few weeks ago. We had a big day with furniture being delivered, curtains being hung and mirrors and artwork installed.
Unfortunately, not all the furniture was delivered on the day.
We still have some finishing touches to add, but thought I’d show you how things are shaping up.
We’re still awaiting the coffee table for the centre of the room.
Sofas and chairs are from Coco Republic with fabrics from Mokum, Crowson and Fabric Pavilion.
And I’m hunting for lamps for the cute little Bamboo Side Table.
Looks a bit different from my first visit.
If you would like assistance to create your harmonious environment, contact us.
Loving
I’m looking for some colourful decorative pieces for a client and absolutely LOVE this range from Meizai.
Colourful straight necked vases
What a simple way to add some colour and liven up the living room for spring.
High Ginger Jars
A great way to tie some of the colours in the room together is with pattern.
Chromatic Tall Tea Jar
And this collection would look gorgeous in a bathroom.
Beachcomber Collection
Or maybe fish.
Tropical Fish Collection
They certainly are colourful.
If you are interested in adding any of these to your home, contact us for details.
Pink and Orange and Blue and Green
Spring is definitely on it’s way here in Australia. The mornings are still crisp but the days are glorious.
Sydney in Spring
I ventured out on the weekend to do a little retail therapy and couldn’t help noticing the gorgeous shoes at Sambag. Ok, I know, where have I been not to have noticed them before?
Sambag Stingray Flats
They are just perfect for a Colour Consultant – flat, comfortable and bright!
I would’ve made a purchase, except I couldn’t decide on which colour. Think I’ll have to go back and buy one of each.
Which colour would you choose?
Sixhands
Habitus Magazine was launched about 2 years ago and has steadily been growing in readership. I must admit it is not one that I have subscribed to as yet, as I have a number of other magazines to read and finding the time is getting increasingly difficult. I do, however, subscribe to their e-newsletters and was thrilled when I noticed an invitation to a conversation with Sixhands. The Habitus team have organised a series of conversations with various creative personalities who have been featured in the magazine.
Sixhands Textiles for Peter Alexander
Textile design studio Sixhands, who are Alecia Jensen, Brianna Pike and Anna Harves, started their friendship at University where they were studying fashion and textile design. After working independently, the girls joined forces in 2006 to create Sixhands which has been providing textiles to Australian fashion designers.
Sixhands textiles for Flamingo Sands
When the girls moved into their own studio, they went about decorating it to make it a welcoming space for themselves and their fashion clients. This sparked a passion for interiors and a new arm of the business was created.
Interiors from Sixhands
The team at Sixhands like to apply something new to something old and create something truly unique. On display at the Conversation, was an old lounge chair (think there’s one in our family somewhere) covered in bright floral fabric as well as a 70′s lamp base with a new brightly patterned shade.
Old lamp base with new shade in Sixhands fabric
But fabric is not their only medium. You can also have a Sixhands rug for your floor, or wallpaper for the wall, or maybe a surfboard for your car?
Sixhands designed surfboard for Misfit
The possibilities are endless and the girls admit they think without limitations. If a homeowner is not confident to have that much pattern and colour on the walls with wallpaper, then there’s the option of using the fabric for cushions or a rug that can be moved or changed.
Stepping Stone Rug from The Rug Collection designed by Sixhands
I think big things are ahead for this talented trio. They admitted, almost tongue-in-cheek, that they aspire to be the Australian version of Missoni Home. I have no doubt they will soon be a household name.
The faces behind Sixhands
Oh, and I won a lucky door prize too. A bottle of red and 12 months subscription to Habitus. No excuses now! Thanks Habitus for a great night.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and if you’re in Sydney, don’t forget the Young Blood Designers Market is on as part of Sydney Design Festival.
If you would like to add some colour and pattern to your home, or are interested in Sixhands products, contact us to discuss our design and sourcing services.
Strike me Pink……and Aqua
I wanted to share with you a new piece of art we have hanging in our home.
As you know, it was my daughter’s birthday recently and she has aspirations of being a fashion designer. She is also ready to redecorate her bedroom and has decided that her new colour scheme will be pink and aqua.
We found this image at Better Homes and Gardens and will be taking our colour inspiration from it.
via Better Homes and Gardens
So when I came across the works of Laura Trevey I knew it would be a welcome addition to the room – aqua, pink and fashion.
Chic in Pink by Laura Trevey
Girlie Girl by Laura Trevey
I bought four prints the same size and had them all framed together in one large white frame.I must admit I was a little worried the colours wouldn’t be as bright in the flesh as they were on my computer screen. But I had no cause for concern as they were exactly as I had expected.
Framed artwork
I love all of Laura’s watercolours for their bright colours and her whimsical style. She writes a fabulous blog on art, photography, fashion, design and entertainment.
Chesapeake Bay Crab by Laura Trevey
They would look great in any room in any home.
Caribbean Time by Laura Trevey
What do you think?
Dresses on the Rack by Laura Trevey
If you would like assistance sourcing the perfect artwork for your home, contact us to arrange an appointment either online or in person.
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Under The Sea
Many years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to live in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. One of the main pastimes was diving, so we completed our certificates and I spent three years diving once or twice a week.
Uninhabited islands in the Solomon Islands
I couldn’t believe the spectacular colourful world that lay beneath the surface of the warm water.
Snorkeling in the Solomons
The sea was full of life in the form of colourful coral, fish, turtles and sharks.
Teeming with life and colour
But it was the tiny, weeny Nudibranches that I loved to find. These small “sea slugs” are the most colourful creatures on earth.
If you think you’ve seen a strange or unusual colour combination then it may very well have been inspired by these creatures.
via http://pt-lobos.com/nudibranch.html
Resene Silver Tree
Resene Pursuit
Resene Oxley
Resene Pulse
via sherid.wordpress.com
Resene Onepoto
Resene Ayres Rock
Resen Snap
Resene Pearl Lusta
via http://www.silvermermaid.com/
Resene Wonderland
Resene Sun
Resene Unicorn
Resene Bauhaus
via http://watertownscienceanimals.wikispaces.com/Groups+of+Mullusks
Resene Brandy Punch
Resene Wave Rider
Resene Solitude
Resene All Black
Where do you get your colour inspiration?
If you would like assistance in putting a colour scheme together for your home, contact us for an appointment either online or in person.
Headlines
There’s nothing like long swathes of fabric to pack a punch to a room. It will add colour, texture and soften hard edges in the blink of an eye.
via Zepel Fabrics
And what better way to add fabric than with curtains.
Curtains not only look good but will also provide acoustic and insulation qualities.
But what header will you have on the curtains? There are so many choices today and getting the heading right will not only enhance the fabric but also the room.
The Triple Pinch Pleat is still the most popular heading. The fabric is gathered into three pleats and stitched together.
Triple Pinch Pleat Heading
The Inverted Pleat gives a neat finish with the fold of the fabric stitched down.
Inverted Pleat
Some of the newer more casual headings which dictate the rod or track include:
The Eyelet which has large metal or plastic eyelets inserted into the top of the curtain and the rod passes through. There should be a thin rubber strip on the top of the rod which makes the swishing of the curtains much smoother.
Eyelet Curtains
The Ripple or S Fold has a tape stitched onto the top of the curtain and then that tape is press fastened onto a tape which hangs underneath a rod. This curtain heading allows the fabric to fall in soft ripples and creates a very dreamy look. Great for sheer or thin fabrics but can also be used for fabrics with lining.
Ripple Fold Curtains
There are so many things to consider with curtains, not just fabric and heading. Lining is important as this will block the heat and cold as well as give privacy. Length of curtains need to be considered also. Some people like them just “kissing” the floor and some prefer them “puddling”. This is when the curtains are longer than the drop and are pooled on the floor a bit like a bridal train. They look great in formal rooms or older style homes, although not that great if you have cats, dogs or small children.
Puddling via Country Homes
The track or rod is also a consideration. These come in just about every conceivable colour. Rods are exposed and usually finished with a decorative finial at the end. Curtains can be attached to the rods with rings or some have a track hidden in the rod and the curtains appear to hang underneath. Tracks look great when the curtains are closed and you can’t see them but not so glamorous when the curtains are open.
Decorative Rods
However, there is a time and place for every style and making sure you choose the right style, track, heading, length can be just as important to the look of the room as the fabric itself.
One of my favourite resource books for curtains is 1001 Ideas For Windows. It not only covers curtains but also blinds, hardware and fabrics. I thoroughly recommend it if you are looking for ideas or inspiration for your home.
If you would like assistance getting the right look for your window coverings, contact us to arrange an appointment.
