“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Books
Fab Books for the Decorator
One good thing about birthdays, is people give you lovely gifts. In September, when I celebrated my birthday, I received three fabulous books which I can highly recommend.
New Books
The first book was very apt as it was The Stylist’s Guide to NYC. I cannot tell a lie, it was on my wishlist as we were celebrating my birthday in NYC. Unfortunately, that meant I didn’t get a chance to read it until I was back in Australia. However, I had read an excerpt from the book in a magazine and diligently wrote down all the places listed in the excerpt which was part of the Scents and Flower Merchants tour.
My photo of NYC - instagrammed.
The book is by Australian stylist, Sibella Court who has a very small but very full shop/studio in Sydney’s Paddington overflowing with things she has collected over her years as a stylist. Sibella spent 15 years in New York and this book lists many of her favourite places. It’s broken up into particular themes and areas with suggestions for stops for good coffee (hard to find in NYC), food and just to smell the roses.
We found Bond No 9 which has perfumes named after the different areas of NYC.
I had to laugh when I was reading the book back home in Sydney, one of her very first pieces of advice was to have a stash of bandaids, the wide fabric ones, as you don’t want to limp around the city, nor go home early, due to blisters. Oh how I wish I’d read that before I set out the first day. I did have flat comfortable shoes but was not prepared with bandaids which I quickly bought on the way back to the hotel the first night. You do a lot of walking in New York!
Easy to follow maps and suggestions
The other two books I recieved from my lovely friends in my Book Club, were books by two bloggers which I’m sure need no introduction. Grace Bonney of Design * Sponge and Holly Becker of Decor8.
Jonathan Adler has written the Foreward in Grace’s book, Design * Sponge at Home, and he calls it a Bible. I would have to agree. Grace has been blogging for 7 years and the book is a collection and extension of things she has written about online.
Design * Sponge At Home
Sneek Peaks into amazing homes all over the world, DIY projects, DIY Basics like Rewiring A Lamp and How To Paint Furniture, Flower Workshop and finally some Before and After projects with guides to cost and time invested. It really is the Home Decorator’s Bible – inspiration, tuition and knowledge.
A Sneek Peak into gorgeous homes
The subtitle of Holly Becker’s book, Decorate, is “1,000 inspirational design ideas for every room in your house” and that is what the book provides in spades. There is something in here for everyone with tips and quotes from a vast array of creative people the world over.
Decorate - the book
The book looks at Space and how to work with it, finding your own Personal Design Style, Room By Room decorating and finally, Attention to Detail. There is nothing overlooked with colour, texture, layout, displaying collections, storage, styling rooms and choosing fabrics.
Quotes, advice, inspiration and resources
If you have an aspiring decorator in your midst, any of these books would make the ideal Christmas gift.
Jonathan Adler in Australia
I was very excited to learn that a selection of Jonathan Adler furniture and pottery is now available here in Australia.
Horse Bowl
I love his quirky style and bold use of colour and pattern. The house he decorated for the Barbie’s 50th birthday party was sensational.
Barbie
Visiting one of his stores was high on my list of shops to see when we holidayed in America this year.
Jonathan Adler
His two books Happy Chic Colors and Happy Chic Accessorizing are full of Adlerisms on the lighter side of decorating. And now we can enjoy some of his products here.
Desmond Screen
If you would like assistance finding quirky furniture and accessories for you home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Cool Things
I received an email last week with a load of photos of cool things for interiors.
I love Pacman
I thought a few of them were actually quite cool. Have a look, what do you think?
Nice to have an option
Me thinks this might be nightmare material
All the morning rituals
New look sunken lounge
Space saving bookcase
Would you like assistance creating a cool interior in your home? Contact us for an on-line or in person design consultation.
Things I Heart
Well Happy Valentine’s Day!
It’s not really celebrated much in our house. But I thought I’d post some things I love. Hope you have a great start to the week.
Chocolate - any kind, any size, any time
Massage - any type, any time
Tropical Escapes - if I'm not on one, I'm planning one
Spending time with family and friends - usually over a meal
My dogs
Books on Colour and Design
Creating beautiful interiors
If you would like assistance in creating a beautiful interior for the things and people you love, contact us for on-line or in-person consultation.
Happy Books
I’ve just received a parcel from amazon.com where I’ve been doing a spot of Christmas Shopping. You know the kind – one for her, one for me!
I bought multiple copies of new books by Jonathan Adler and have quickly flicked through my copies of Happy Chic – Colors and Happy Chic – Accessorizing.
I love Jonathan’s quirky take on life and was thrilled to find some quotes in the back of the books.
Here are some of his quotes that ring true with me.
Pile books everywhere. Let the world know you’re smart.
Let your dogs on the furniture.
Eclectic is not as easy as you think. But its’ worth it.
Minimalism breeds pessimism. Layer, Layer, Layer!
Only a pansy is scared of Primrose.
Lavender doesn’t have to be Granny – team it with teal and watch it pop.
If you love it like crazy, it will work.
Grab a copy of these books for yourself and have fun with your decor. If you would like some assistance, contact us to enquire about our colour and decorating services.
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.
Luxscaping
As I mentioned earlier, I went to Designex last week and was fortunate to hear Jamie Durie speak on trends for outdoor living.
The Outdoor Room
Jamie’s concept of The Outdoor Room is alive and well here in Australia. With our mostly sunny days, the garden has become an extension of the home. Similarly we are looking to the interiors for inspiration. As Jamie said, we are “luxscaping”.
An Outdoor Room by Jamie Durie
Numerous other cultures have been living outdoors for many, many years. Places like Thailand, Indonesia and Japan provide wonderful education for our relatively young country. The wind and sun can make it uncomfortable to spend too much time outside but now we have products that meet our needs and provide solutions.
We have wallpaper made from steel which can enhance a wall or create a division. Vertical gardens are the fastest growing trend thanks to the foresight of Patrick Blanc.
via Eco Concepts
Jamie also suggests that our gardens should not only look good but should taste good too. More families are concerned about the quality of the food they put on the table so if it’s grown in your own backyard it can provide shelter, protection and beauty into the bargain. Pear trees make a wonderful screen. Clever plant placement and selection will see a useful as well as decorative garden.
via Eco Concepts
One thing Jamie is adamant about is garden lighting. It’s true, our hardwork should be admired day and night, so a few lights along the path or highlighting a fantastic tree will enable the garden to be enjoyed even from the comfort of the cosy living room.
via Gardens At Night
One of the products on display around The Outdoor Room at Designex was sandstone cladding. This sandstone is 30mm thick on a bendable backing so can be wrapped around columns and walls and gives the appearance of something much more solid.
via ME Lighting
So with the onset of winter, now is the time to plan and plant your outdoor room so it’s ready to enjoy once the warmer weather returns.
Jamie has written a number of books which are available from my Book Shop.
Furniture, Decoration and Kathryn Ireland
Today is the last day of the Australian International Furniture Fair being held at Darling Harbour in Sydney. I went along on Wednesday, the day it started.
It was very exciting to be in the audience of Kathryn Ireland’s seminar. She is such a down to earth woman. Kathryn showed us some images of homes she has decorated and designed in the States and her own home in France. Kathryn’s style is very eclectic and combines English Manor (she was born in the UK) and French Farmhouse (her holiday home) with bohemian style.
Kathryn Ireland
Her philosophy is that rooms should look lived in and should look thrown together when in fact they have been carefully planned. You can easily see that Kathryn enjoys travelling (who doesn’t) and her inspiration is drawn from many corners of the globe. Morrocan tiles, Indian bed and French 1940′s furniture all sit harmoniously in the same room.
Similarly Kathryn loves colour and her rooms are a kaliedoscope of colours. She admits that if she was to show her clients the swatches of all the colours she was going to put in their room, they would have her committed!
Dining Room by Kathryn Ireland
An extremely busy lady, Kathryn also has a furniture line, fabric range and wallpaper range. The wallpapers and fabrics can be sourced through Inside Out Colour and Design. Her book, “Creating A Home” is available at our Amazon Store as well as some other highly recommended books on Colour and Design.
Fabrics by Kathryn Ireland
The Fair itself was broken into two main parts. There was the Decoration and Design area that mainly concentrated on small furniture and decorator items and then there was the Furniture section where many furniture importers were showing their ranges to the large retailers.
Naturally, I concentrated my time on the Decoration and Design area. I was looking for a coffee table for one client and came across this beauty.I like a shelf or drawer on a coffee table that can hold magazines and remotes and leave the top free for, well, coffee.
Antique Oak Coffee Table
I was also looking for a feature light for another client and thought this might fit the bill.
Migo Pendant from Hermon and Hermon
The exhibitor that I had not come across before, which had some great items, was d-Bodhi which combines contemporary and classical designs in a sustainable and affordable way. This is my favourite from their current range. Maybe it’s the soft shape of the legs on the raw looking timber that appeals.
Lucy Dining Table
It is “Fair Season”! Later this month Sydney will host three Homewares and Gift Fairs all at the same time, which makes for a busy and exhausting week. Then in April, Designex will be held here in Sydney. It’s a great way to be inspired and keep up with what’s new on the market.
via Getty Images
I’m hoping for a quiet weekend and wishing you one too.
