Inside Out Colour and Design

Flowers, flowers everywhere

Jennifer — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:37:58 +0000

I don’t venture into the heart of the city very much. However, I do like to have a trip in each year in early Spring to see the David Jones floral display.

Each September, our eminent department store, David Jones holds a floral display in their Elizabeth Street store in Sydney. In amongst the perfume and make-up counters and ladies accessories, you will find the most stunning floral arrangements.

For the past 7 years, I’ve been reminding myself that “next year” I’ll get in early and book into the guided tour but each year I forget and they are well and truly booked out come September.

My Dad is a big flower lover. He did the table decorations for my wedding. His photo albums are full of photos of flower arrangements he’s taken across the world.

So these photos are for you, Dad. Seeing you’re not here in Sydney to join me in the city, I hope you enjoy and have a very Happy Father’s Day.

And a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads.

If you would like assistance in creating YOUR harmonious environment, contact us for an online or in person consultation.

Do we labour too much?

Jennifer — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:54:13 +0000

I have been working on a colour scheme for an Aged Care facility for the past two weeks.

It’s tricky. There are so many things to consider as there are so many areas to the building and they all need some colour for one reason or another.

I’ve been calling on my colour psychology knowledge and choosing orange (friendly) for activity spaces, red (stimulates the appetite) for dining areas, green (calm) for sensory rooms, yellow (uplifting) for contemplative spaces.

I have had to make sure the tones work with the existing floor coverings and powder coated window frames.

So as you can imagine, I’ve had paint chips spread all over the place.

Finally today, I settled on a number of colours for one of the buildings and put them all together. I was pretty pleased with the result.

And then I found these sitting on my daughter’s desk.

She’d spent five minutes at Bunnings on the weekend, pulling out the colours she liked from the paint section.

Maybe I’ve spent too much time labouring on this job and in future should just get my 10 year old to randomly select the colours. You must admit, they’re pretty close!

And welcome to Spring. I’m so pleased to see you. My favourite, colourful season.

If you would like assistance in creating YOUR harmonious environment, contact us for an online or in person consultation.

On the inside

Jennifer — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:25:30 +0000

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

Jennifer — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:09:49 +0000

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

Jennifer — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:15:32 +0000

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

Jennifer — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:38:57 +0000

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

Jennifer — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:15:17 +0000

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

Jennifer — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:55:13 +0000

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 Sihands

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

Jennifer — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:24:10 +0000

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.

To become a fan of Inside Out Colour and Design on Facebook, click here.

Under The Sea

Jennifer — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:03:16 +0000

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.